Windows-based Program Research Articles

An Exploration of Gender Bias in Computer Clip Art

A growing body of literature presenting the results of research regarding text book illustrations indicates that visual gender bias is obvious in several acade mic fields, including business communication. To date, however, no study has extended those observations to clip art files in popular computer programs. The current study examines over 14,000 clip art images for gender bias from six different Windows-based programs: WordPerfect Presentations, PowerPoint 4.0, Microsoft Publisher 2.0, Harvard Graphics 3.0, Power Up!, and Corel 3.0, CD-ROM. Tabulations indicate that only 4.54% of total images depict women and that they are typically presented in stereotypical roles, such as secretaries, nurses, teachers. Reasons include a male bias in the computer science field (a 3:1 ratio in programming), apparent gender-based differences in relationships with machines, and a societal gap in traruitioning between old and new media.

Development and Evaluation of the Windows Computer Experience Questionnaire (WCEQ)

The software market has been inundated with Windows-based application programs claiming increased usability and convenience. Although this trend is indeed prolific, it has resulted in two important implications: (a) an increase in the need to select employees with high levels of Windows-based computer expertise or to identify current employees who require enhanced training, and (b) an increase in the need to measure user expertise to support human-computer interaction research. Despite these increasing demands, questionnaires used to determine general computer experience are scarce. Furthermore, questionnaires regarding computer experience in a Windows environment are seemingly nonexistent. A reliable means of measuring experience in a Windows environment could substantially facilitate both human-computer interaction research and training. This article describes the procedures used to develop and test the reliability of the Windows Computer Experience Questionnaire (WCEQ). A test-retest correlation revealed that the WCEQ is a reliable measure of computer experience. Furthermore, a subsequent factor analysis revealed that the WCEQ is composed of four main factors: general Windows experience, advanced Windows experience, formal instruction and reliance on help functions.

Modified Portland Cement Association Stress Analysis and Thickness Design Procedures

A new stress analysis and thickness design procedure for jointed concrete pavements was developed. On the basis of Westergaard’s edge stress solution and several prediction models for stress adjustments for a variety of loading and environmental (i.e., thermal curling) conditions, a modified Portland Cement Association (PCA) equivalent stress analysis and thickness design procedure was proposed and implemented in a highly user-friendly, Windows-based program, TKUPAV, for practical trial applications. The proposed approach has been further verified by reproducing results very close to the PCA’s equivalent stresses and fatigue damages using a spreadsheet program and the TKUPAV program. The possible detrimental effect of loading plus daytime curling has been illustrated in a case study, which also indicated that the effect of thermal curling should be considered in the thickness design of concrete pavements.

A visual basic program to pre-process MRI data for finite element modeling

Investigators use non-invasive imaging to collect geometric data for finite element models. A preprocessor is described to facilitate model generation of anatomical regions from serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data stored in a bitmap format. The MRI Data Transfer System is a stand-alone Windows-based program developed in VISUAL BASIC 3.0 which generates a NASTRAN input file. The program can be modified to generate input files for other solvers. The software will execute on any IBM-compatible computer which runs Windows Version 3.1 or higher. To demonstrate the software, model generation of a portion of a tibia is described.

Compu-Grid: A Windows-Based Software Program for Repertory Grid Analysis

Numerous computerized repertory grid programs are available to researchers and clinicians. However, these programs operate in a DOS environment, and many are cumber some to use. This article introduces the first Windows-based repertory grid program, making the analysis of repertory grids easier and thus more useful for researchers and practitioners in the behavioral sciences.

Developing reusable modeling capabilities for simulating high volume electronics manufacturing systems

This paper introduces software tools for the rapid modeling and analysis of high volume electronics production lines. The tools discussed include a Windows-based line definition program and static capacity evaluator with proposed links to a variety of simulation packages. In addition, the authors will review a set of submodels/templates developed in WITNESS and ARENA which give the user the capability to rapidly model a line while still providing access to a more general simulation environment for model customization and enhancement.

NCOMP—A Windows-Based Computer Program for Noncompartmental Analysis of Pharmacokinetic Data

AbstractThe computer program NCOMP performs noncompartmental analysis of pharmacokinetic data obtained from iv bolus, continuous infusion, and oral modes of administration. Integration of area-under-the-curve and area-under-the-first-moment-curve is done by either Lagrange polynomials or the hybrid method of Purves, which uses parabola-through-the-origin and log trapezoidal algorithms. Written for Microsoft Windows, NCOMP is designed to be used in conjunction with a spreadsheet program for graphical display and handling of data. NCOMP interactively aids the user in determining how best to extrapolate the areas to time infinity and in estimating the time zero concentration for iv bolus data.

Development of Prototype Performance-Related Specification for Concrete Pavements

The development of a prototype performance-related specification (PRS) for concrete pavement construction is summarized. The prototype PRS requires that a pavement lot be divided into consistent sublots for the measurement of quality characteristics, which are then used to estimate future performance and life-cycle costs. The difference between the life-cycle costs of the target (as-designed) pavement and the actual (as-constructed) pavement lot is used to determine a rational pay adjustment. Both means and variations of all quality characteristics are directly considered in the pay factor determination. Extensive laboratory testing was conducted to determine material relationships needed in the prototype PRS. A Windows-based computer program, PaveSpec, was developed for use with the specification in simulation and in generating pay adjustments. However, additional work is required to make this a fully practical PRS.

Development of Prototype Performance-Related Specification for Concrete Pavements

The development of a prototype performance-related specification (PRS) for concrete pavement construction is summarized. The prototype PRS requires that a pavement lot be divided into consistent sublots for the measurement of quality characteristics, which are then used to estimate future performance and life-cycle costs. The difference between the life-cycle costs of the target (as-designed) pavement and the actual (as-constructed) pavement lot is used to determine a rational pay adjustment. Both means and variations of all quality characteristics are directly considered in the pay factor determination. Extensive laboratory testing was conducted to determine material relationships needed in the prototype PRS. A Windows-based computer program, PaveSpec, was developed for use with the specification in simulation and in generating pay adjustments. However, additional work is required to make this a fully practical PRS.

Optima: a windows-based program for computer-aided optimization of controlled-release dosage forms.

The purpose of this work was to develop a computer program that assists optimization of controlled-release devices, both visually and mathematically, using response surface methodology (RSM). A Windows-based computer program, Optima, which interactively implemented a number of subroutines for the optimization procedure, was developed. Optima is an integrated, user-friendly, and graphically oriented program for pharmaceutical dosage form optimization. Central composite design is implemented in the program. First- and second-order models containing up to five variables can be fitted to the data. The user can also choose between linear and exponential individual desirability functions, and use them to construct an overall desirability function that combines all the response variables in a single response. The program can predict the optimum levels of experimental variables, with respect to individual responses and/or the overall desirability. Optima has been successfully used in the development of sustained-release AZT-loaded microspheres. During the optimization process, three experimental variables were investigated and four responses were measured. The experimental design was a central composite design that was generated by the program. The response values were used by the program to calculate the individual desirability functions, which were then combined into an overall desirability function. The individual responses as well as the overall desirability function were optimized by fitting to a second-order polynomial equation. The response surfaces were generated and optimum levels of the experimental variables were predicted. The observed responses of the optimized formulation were very close to those predicted by Optima. The program proved to be a very useful, integrated tool for optimization of the controlled-release microspheres.

Graphical user interface for the analysis of noise induced hearing loss.

We have developed a Windows-based computer program which will help the user to collect data needed for calculation models of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). The program has a graphical user interface and it includes several methods to calculate NIHL. We have tried to make our system to cover all the factors concerning NIHL and also to take into account other possible reasons of hearing loss. The system is used not only for estimating noise induced hearing loss, but also as a systematic way to collect data for future evolution of new models and for other research purposes. For this sake the program asks some questions that are not currently included to these models, but which have been shown to have some impact on noise induced hearing loss.

Plant Parameter Database for Erosion Prediction Models

Recently developed erosion prediction models require detailed input parameters including those describing cropping systems. Each model requires a different level of detail for crop growth modeling, and most plant parameters for these models are not readily found. Many parameters require interpretation from other measurable plant characteristics. In order to supply the users of these new erosion prediction technologies with required parameters, a database containing measurable plant characteristics was developed. The two erosion prediction models that the database currently supports are the USDA Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the USDA Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP). A Microsoft Windows-based program, the Crop Parameter Intelligent Database System (CPIDS), was developed to assist crop database builders and users of RUSLE and WEPP in interpretation of plant characteristics and selection of plant parameters.

Computerizing the Design of Belleville Disc Spring Stacks

SUMMARY A research project has been completed which has involved computerizing the selection of Belleville disc spring columns. The work has involved analyzing many different stacking alternatives of disc springs and has used data from leading disc spring manufacturers' catalogues. A general approach has been established for handling stacks, which may consist of series and parallel combinations of disc springs. An algorithm has been developed which is suitable for handling the numerous alternatives which can be computed using this approach. The work has resulted in a sophisticated, windows-based selection program which also deals with the selection of helical coil springs. This paper describes some of the benefits which have resulted from automating the analysis of disc spring stacks and discusses how the use of graphical aids helps the selection process. In addition, comparisons have been made using helical coil springs as well as disc springs for identical applications, which has resulted in some intere...