bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forensic Engineering Investigation and Analysis of a Tower Crane Collapse
Authors: Pickett Bransford
Published: January 2021

Tower cranes are popular and one of the predominant methods of material handling in high rise building construction. When there is a collapse of a tower crane in a city like New York, it is very visible, receives intense scrutiny, and becomes potentially political. This paper examines a 250-foot-tall tower crane collapse during the jumping phase of the crane to increase its height in support of a multi-level building construction. The author’s investigation examines the “defective sling” claim as the primary cause of the crane collapse along with some key findings and opinions regarding the slings used to rig the collar tie to the tower section of the crane.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of an Emergency Bridge Replacement Project
Authors: Swanson Paul G.
Published: January 2021

A bridge that provided grade separation and vehicle access over a commercial rail line in a small town in the Southeast had sustained soil erosion and settlement as a result of a severe storm. Replacement of the bridge was undertaken by the State Department of Transportation as an emergency project in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration using the design-build procurement method. Subsequent to the bidding, the design-build team made several changes to the bridge foundations and superstructure that significantly increased the cost of construction. The contractor claimed damages against the other members of the design-build team resulting from design errors and an alleged breach of the customary standards associated with the design-build concept.
Forensic Engineering Investigation of Above-Ground Pool Submersion Accidents
Authors: Ziernicki Richard , Pierce William H.
Published: January 2021

In the United States, approximately 35 children under the age of five years old drown each year after access-ing above-ground pools via pool ladders. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data also shows that approximately 486 additional children sustain submersion-related injuries after accessing above-ground pools via pool ladders. In many cases, these events occurred during brief lapses of adult supervision. This paper fo-cuses on potential product defect issues related to child submersion accidents, including the role of user manuals, alternative designs, warnings, instructions, and child behavior testing. The authors examine the issues related to the investigation of above-ground swimming pool submersion accidents. In addition, procedures and steps are outlined that may be useful in analyzing whether the swimming pool is defective and unreasonably dangerous.
Forensic Engineering Evaluation and Testing of Horizontal Intrusion Protection Equipment for Stand-Up Forklifts
Authors: Railsback Ben T. , Ziernicki Richard M.
Published: January 2021

In 2004, a report issued by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) evaluated a fatal stand-up forklift accident where a warehouse forklift operator was crushed against a rack beam after it intruded into the operator’s compartment. One of the recommendations of the report was that “Manufacturers of stand-up reach forklifts should include vertical framing or posts at the rear corners of their machines, from the operator’s console to the overhead guard, to protect the operator from horizontal components entering the operator’s station 1.” Other published studies have also recognized the risk associated with the hazard of a horizontal rack beam entering the operator’s compartment of a stand-up forklift. It has been previously reported that there have been at least 250 incidences of horizontal intrusion as of June 2008 2. The ANSI B56.1 “Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks” has recognized such guarding as permissible since 1993, and almost all stand-up forklift manufacturers have made such guarding standard equipment. The evaluation that is the subject of this paper is related to the fatal horizontal intrusion incident involving a stand-up lift truck (forklift) operated by a 44-year-old male.
Forensic Engineering Applications of the G-DaTA?V™ System of Equations to Real-World Collisions
Authors: Ogden Jerry S.
Published: January 2021

Analysis of vehicle deformation from impacts largely relies upon A and B stiffness coefficients for vehicle structures in order to approximate the velocity change and accelerations produced by an impact. While frontal impact stiffness factors for passenger vehicles, light trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles are relatively prevalent for modern vehicles, stiffness factors for rear and side structures, as well as heavy vehicles, buses, recreational vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, and even objects, are essentially non-existent. This paper presents the application of the Generalized Deformation and Total Velocity Change Analysis to real-world collision events (G-DaTA?V™ System of Equations) as developed by this author. The focus of this paper addresses the relative precision and accuracy of the G-DaTA?V™ System of Equations for determining the total velocity change for oblique and/or offset vehicle-to-vehicle collisions involving light trucks and sport utility vehicles, which are largely under-represented with modern vehicle A and B stiffness values for side and rear surfaces. The previous paper presented by this author to the Academy addressed the relative accuracy and precision of the G-DaTA?V™ System of Equations as they relate to a first validation using the RICSAC-staged collision database. As a secondary and more comprehensive validation process, the G-DaTA?V™ System of Equations will be applied to real-world collision data obtained through the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS), which provides the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with a comprehensive compilation of real-world collision events representing a broad-based collection of collision configurations from across the country. This data represents a reusable source of information that was collected using standardized field techniques implemented by NASS-trained field technicians. Through using a “core set of crash data components,” NASS has demonstrated its utility and applicability to a vast array of statistical and analytical studies regarding traffic safety and vehicle collision dynamics.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Unvented Gas Appliances in High Altitudes
Authors: Petersen James A.
Published: January 2021

A family moves into a house about 4,000 feet above sea level. They use a refrigerator powered by LP gas. A short time after the refrigerator was installed, they notice and complain about smells and soot. They take their 9-month-old to a hospital in response to persistent crying. A short time later, they notify the refrigerator manufacturer, which examines and tests the refrigerator. They find the refrigerator’s burner venturi blocked, generating high levels of carbon monoxide. Twelve years later, the parents bring a lawsuit against the installers of the refrigerator. At that time, the appliance is not available, and the house has been remodeled. A forensic engineering study is assigned to determine the effect high altitude has on this particular appliance design.
Advanced Forensic Engineering Analysis of a School Bus/Tractor-Trailer Crash
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M. , Pierce William H. , Leiloglou Angelos G.
Published: January 2021

This paper presents advanced techniques used to reconstruct a motor vehicle accident involving a fully loaded tractor-trailer and school bus with 30 young students. The accident investigation included analysis of the physical evidence using photogrammetry and high-definition laser scanning, application of engine control module (ECM) and global positioning system (GPS) data, and analyzing onboard video footage from the bus. Momentum-based crash simulation software (PC-Crash) was used to simulate the accident. The simulation data was compared with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) data and with the onboard bus video footage. Further, rigid-body kinematic equations were used to determine occupant kinematics (velocities) and dynamics (accelerations). Multiple graphics are used to demonstrate the accident reconstruction and occupant kinematics and dynamics.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of a Sequence of Power Infrastructure Failures Atop an Office Building
Authors: Cueva-Eguiguren Mauricio
Published: January 2021

A series of equipment failures occurred in a high-rise office building in Puerto Rico. The top 18th floor was occupied by the infrastructure systems of the building to include heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbingsystems, and two 1,500kVA emergency generators that provided power for the entire building when the utility power was not available. The first failure occurred within a 3,000kVA, 13.8kV/480-277VAC stepdown power transformer on a Sunday night — a day after the annual maintenance of the electrical equipment took place. Thefailure of this transformer resulted in the operation of the two emergency generators — last maintained a month earlier. The second failure occurred in one of the two control panels associated with the fuel day tanks for the emergency generators due to power disturbances (harmonics) in the electrical distribution system in the building. This resulted in an overflow of fuel oil in one of the day tanks (615 gallons) and the spill of approximately 1,000 gallons of fuel oil on the 18th floor and lower floors (including the cellar).
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Failed UTV Roll Cages
Authors: Jacobson Olof , Batzer Stephen A. , Kittel Mark , Grantham Jesse A. , Barbera Guy J. , Molitoris Allen
Published: January 2021

Two cases were analyzed that involved pitchover/rollover accidents of the same model side by side utility terrain vehicle (UTV). In each case, the UTV ran over a bump on a dirt road and pitched over. The roll cages collapsed, and the drivers suffered significant injuries. Both roll cages collapsed in a similar manner. The design and failure modes of the roll cage structure were analyzed. Engineering analysis included dynamic analysis, laboratory testing, vehicle dynamic testing, finite element analysis, and a review of fundamental mechanical engineering design concepts. Roll cage design and applicable standards were evaluated. Reasonable alternative designs were identified and analyzed.
Forensic Engineering Technology Solutions for Highway Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Investigations
Authors: Melcher Daniel J. , Keller Rachel E.
Published: January 2021

Incidents or collisions involving pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, automobiles, heavy trucks, or tractor-trailers frequently occur in roadway or roadside areas affected by highway construction projects. When such events arise, the ensuing claims or litigation processes often concern whether or not the temporary traffic control (TTC) system in place at the time was compliant with the applicable standard of care. Due to the short-term and constantly changing nature of construction projects and work zones, the hardest challenge for the forensicengineer is often to determine what was in place at the time and location of the incident. This paper will introduce and expound on the application of modern technology solutions to address these questions. Methods for extraction of useful information from the raw data will be addressed, along with examples demonstrating the engineering application of this data to the underlying legal questions.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Traffic Signal Timing and Speeds Prior to Collision by Rule-Based Triage of Indirect Video
Authors: Couture Daniel P.
Published: January 2021

In most civil litigation cases pertaining to vehicle collisions, the courts attempt to assess and decide the proportion of shared liability of the drivers based on physical evidence as well as testimony of witnesses and perhaps experts. In North America’s modern electronic-flooded society, an immense quantity of video coverage has become available from sources such as cell phones, security cameras, eyes-in-the sky traffic helicopters, dashboard cameras, and even personal drones. However, rarely is the camera focused directly on the area of interest. Security cameras may be pointed toward the back door of a property yet still have visual coverage of a nearby street. When faced with a case having multiple conflicting eyewitness accounts, it was pondered whether some of this indirect collateral imagery could be converted into useful knowledge — without access to expensive supercomputer-based image analysis. The author considered whether there were any rules of inclusion or exclusion that may be used in the triage of video footage to assist with determining a timeline of an event. This paper will attempt to provide some guidelines to the formation of an adaptable rule set, as a foundation for conducting the triage process, with reference to published and validated data. It will then go over a case where the methodology was applied.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Design & Manufacturing Practices for an Automotive Spring
Authors: Leffler John
Published: January 2021

A child fatality case focused on the failure of springs in an automotive control system switch. In the forensic engineering analysis, the actions of the spring manufacturer, switch manufacturer, control system manufacturer, and vehicle manufacturer were of interest. Relevant details included the spring manufacturing drawing, the spring design itself, the Design Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (DFMEA) conducted by the switch manufacturer, apparent absence of quality assurance testing, warranty return failure descriptions, and the actions taken by various entities upon notice of spring failures.
Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance Fire Investigations
Authors: Leane Joseph G.
Published: January 2021

Solid fuel-burning fireplaces and wood stoves are popular because they provide heat and aesthetically pleasing environments. They also provide backup heat to gas, electric, and oil building heating systems. However, if they are not properly installed and maintained, they pose a risk of structure fires. This paper describes the basics of conducting a forensic engineering investigation of a building fire involving a suspected fireplace or wood stove. The paper examines the types of appliances available, the types of chimney systems, and related design standards and building codes. Case studies (highlighting common failure modes) are also presented.
Forensic Engineering Evaluation of an Allegedly Deficient Steam Turbine Foundation
Authors: Saxena Dhirendra S. “Sax”
Published: January 2021

Forensic engineering as applicable to “construction materials evaluation” was used to investigate a condition where an alleged severe deficiency occurred during placement of concrete for a steam turbine gen-erator (STG) structure in west central Florida. The owner questioned the integrity of the partially completed structure, and demanded removal/replacement of the structure. The author conducted a forensic investiga-tion to determine whether the deficiency was limited to the surface, or if removal and replacement of the structure was warranted.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of an Apartment Building Explosion Involving Flammable Refrigerant
Authors: Tindal Jerry R.
Published: January 2021

On a Saturday afternoon in March of 2014, a low-order explosion occurred within a first-floor dwelling unit of a multi-tenant apartment building located in Georgia. Due to the explosion, the building sustained extensive damage, and the occupant of the unit of origin sustained serious burn injuries. This paper exam-ines the origin and cause of the explosion.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Test Equipment Manufacturing Capability in a Business Purchase Dispute
Authors: Peruzzi Robert O.
Published: January 2021

A privately owned semiconductor test equipment company was sold by its U.S. domestic owners (seller) to a purchaser having an overseas manufacturing location (buyer). The sale was to take place in several stages. The buyer asserted that when the agreement was made he was unaware that the seller’s flagship product was being rejected by customers for not meeting specifications. When this came to light, the buyer refused to continue with the second and subsequent stages of purchase. The seller then sued the buyer for not complyingwith the agreement, and the buyer counter-sued for fraudulent deception. The author was retained by the buyer’s attorney to review specification documents regarding the product, due diligence reports, and e-mail chains regarding product quality, field returns, and repairs.
Forensic Engineering Metallurgical Analysis of PTO Air Compressor Rupture and Fire
Authors: Thompson Raymond G. , Nole Dustin
Published: January 2021

The coalescer of an air compressor mounted on a utility truck ruptured, resulting in the expulsion of burning oil onto a nearby employee. An investigation ensued to determine the root cause of the injuries. Many potentialcontributing factors were examined, including system and component manufacture, design, installation, maintenance, and use. Metallurgical and failure analysis procedures were used to determine root cause of the system failure and related injuries. A power take-off (PTO)-driven compressor operates at high temperature (200°F) and pressure (110 psig), creating opportunities for dangerous conditions. The system has a safety shutdown control to prevent the system from going over temperature and pressure limits. The exploded coalescer and fire in this case indicated the temperature and/or pressure systems were compromised as well as the control system. Compressor failures are not uncommon; however, violent failures that cause fire and injury are much less common. PTO compressors are relatively simple machines with only about 25 components. However, the proper function of most components is essential to the safe operation of the unit. In this investigation, it was necessary to look at each component relative to its fitness for service and potential contribution to the system failure.
Engineering Analysis of Cost to Protect Workers from Diacetyl Exposure and the Economic Benefit of Noncompliance
Authors: Peake Drew , Hait Greg
Published: January 2021

Large commercial bakeries use artificial butter flavor (containing diacetyl) in its recipes, and have for more than 40 years. In 2012, a health-based exposure threshold was published for diacetyl by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Bakery managers typically knew what was necessary to protect workers from exposure. However, for a variety of reasons, most did little to control exposure: The Food and Drug Administration said diacetyl was generally recognized as safe; substitute products had not been demonstrated as less harmful; and no regulatory standard had been established. This study develops the costs that would have been necessary to protect workers, using the U.S. EPA model (known as BEN) to calculate the economic benefit of noncompliance, and offers a characterization of the profit incentive to place workers at risk.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Common Failures and Inspection Procedures for Residential and Commercial Chairs
Authors: Sasso Anthony
Published: January 2021

Chairs have been designed, manufactured, and used by humans for thousands of years. Eventually, all chairs wear out and fail. When someone is injured due to this failure, costly litigation can ensue. Forensic engineers are consulted to investigate the root cause of failure, and whether the mechanism of failure could have been detected prior to the accident to avoid injury. Materials used in chair manufacturing and several examples of failures are discussed in this paper. Industry safety standards and manufacturers’ guidelines are used as a basis for a proposed inspection and maintenance program for chair owners.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Fatal Overhead Crane Accident
Authors: Ziernicki Richard , Nguyen Ricky
Published: January 2021

This paper outlines the forensic procedure and techniques used in the reconstruction and safety assessment of a fatal overhead crane accident. The decedent (a subcontractor) was working as a pipe fitter at a manufacturing plant. At the time of the accident, the decedent had climbed up onto an overhead crane rail to move existing pipework when the crane struck and killed him. This paper presents the application of various techniques/methodologies to reconstruct the complex accident, including 3D HD scanning, drone video imaging, and 3D modeling/principles of photogrammetry to understand how the incident occurred and provide visualizations of the construction project. Safety analysis was conducted by analyzing crane maintenance and operation as well as the duties/responsibilities of the different employers and comparing industrial standards and practices such as OSHA, ANSI, and safety principles.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Projectile Thrown from Phantom Vehicle
Authors: Ziernicki Richard , Pierce William , Leiloglou Angelos
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a case study involving an 8-lb “projectile” piece of concrete thrown from a phantom vehicle into the windshield of a semi-tractor truck, subsequently striking the driver’s (plaintiff’s) head. A witness told the investigating officer that the phantom vehicle was a white-rear dump truck similar to the trucks he’d seen coming in and out of a construction entrance at a nearby park. However, no follow-up investigation was conducted by investigative officers. The lead author was retained by the plaintiff’s attorney to follow up and investigate the witness’ observation of the phantom white-rear dump truck in an attempt to identify the probable source of the concrete projectile, locate the phantom vehicle, reconstruct the incident, and determine the probable cause of the incident. Several forensic engineering techniques were used during the forensic engineering investigation, including evidence analysis, photography, high-definition scanning, photogrammetry, evaluation of the accident timeline, physical testing, case study analysis, projectile analysis, and application of the process of elimination methodology. Through the forensic engineering analysis, the probable source of the projectile concrete was identified, the white-rear dump truck and driver were identified, the accident was reconstructed, and the probable cause of the accident was determined.
FE Evaluation of Landowner Dispute Following Retaining Wall Failure
Authors: Storesund Rune
Published: January 2021

This forensic engineering evaluation addressed a dispute between two neighboring landowners regarding cost-sharing associated with the repair of a failed retaining wall dividing the two properties. Qualitative forensic analyses considered both demand-based (i.e., lateral earth pressures, pore pressures, surcharge) and capacity-based (i.e., materials, configuration, drainage) factors to illustrate influence both parties had on the magnitudes of these loads. This paper outlines the qualitative forensic analyses that aided in resolution of the dispute before trial.
Convergent Estimates of Biomass Burning-Derived
Atmospheric Ammonia in Peninsular Southeast Asia
Authors: Chang Yunhua , Zhang Yan-Lin , Kawichai Sawaeng , Wang Qian , Van Damme Martin , Clarisse Lieven , Prapamontol Tippawan , Lehmann Moritz F.
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Ammonia (NH3) is an important agent involved in atmospheric chemistry and nitrogen cycling. Current estimates of NH3 emissions from biomass burning (BB) differ by more than a factor of two, impeding a reliable assessment of their environmental consequences. Combining high-resolution satellite observations of NH3 columns with network measurements of the concentration and stable nitrogen isotope composition (δ15N) of NH3, we present coherent estimates on the amount of NH3 derived from BB in the heartland of Southeast Asia, a tropical monsoon environment. Our results reveal a strong variability of atmospheric NH3 levels in time and space across different landscapes. All evidence in hand suggests that anthropogenic activities are the most important modulating control with regards to the observed patterns of NH3 distribution in the study area. N-isotope balance considerations revealed that during the intensive fire period, the atmospheric input from BB accounts for not more than 21 ± 5 % (1σ) of the ambient NH3, even at the rural sites and in the proximity of burning areas. Our N-isotope based assessment of the variation of the relative contribution of BB-derived NH3 is further validated independently through the measurements of particulate K+, a chemical tracer of BB. Our findings underscore that BB-induced NH3 emissions in the tropical monsoon environments can be much lower than previously anticipated, with important implications for future modeling studies to better constrain the climate and air quality effects of wildfires.
Evaluation of the CMIP6 marine subtropical stratocumulus cloud
albedo and its controlling factors
Authors: Jian Bida , Li Jiming , Wang Guoyin , Zhao Yuxin , Li Yarong , Wang Jing , Zhang Min , Huang Jianping
Published: January 2021

Abstract. The cloud albedo at the subtropical marine subtropical stratocumulus regions has a key role in regulating the regional energy budget. Based on 12 years of monthly data from multiple satellite datasets, the long-term, monthly and seasonal cycle averaged cloud albedo at five stratocumulus regions were investigated to inter-compare the atmosphere-only simulations of Phase 5 and 6 of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project (AMIP5 and AMIP6). Statistical results showed that the long-term regressed cloud albedos were underestimated in most AMIP6 models compared with the satellite-driven cloud albedos, and the AMIP6 models produced a similar spread of AMIP5 at all regions. The monthly mean and seasonal cycle of cloud albedo of AMIP6 ensemble mean showed better correlation with the satellite-driven observation than that of AMIP5 ensemble mean, however, fail to reproduce the values and amplitude in some regions. By employing the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 data, this study estimated the relative contributions of different aerosols and meteorological factors on the marine stratocumulus cloud albedo under different cloud liquid water path (LWP) conditions. The multiple regression models can explain ~60 % of the changes in the cloud albedo. Under the monthly mean LWP ≤ 60 g m−2, dust and black carbon dominantly contributed to the changes in the cloud albedo, while sulfate aerosol contributed the most under the condition of 60 g m−2
Carbon balance of a Finnish bog: temporal variability and limiting
factors
Authors: Alekseychik Pavel , Korrensalo Aino , Mammarella Ivan , Launiainen Samuli , Tuittila Eeva-Stiina , Korpela Ilkka , Vesala Timo
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Pristine boreal mires are known as substantial sinks of carbon dioxide (CO2) and net emitters of methane (CH4). Natural bogs constitute a major fraction of boreal mires. However, the bog CO2 and CH4 balances are poorly known, having been largely estimated based on discrete and short term measurements by manual chambers, and seldom using the eddy-covariance (EC) technique. Eddy-covariance (EC) measurements of CO2 and CH4 exchange were conducted in the Siikaneva mire complex in southern Finland in 2011–2016. The site is a patterned bog having a moss/sedge/shrub vegetation typical of Eurasian southern Taiga, with several ponds near the EC tower. The study presents a complete series of CO2 and CH4 EC flux measurements and identifies the environmental factors controlling the ecosystem-atmosphere CO2 and CH4 exchange. A 6-year average growing season (May–September) cumulative CO2 exchange of −60 g C m−2 was observed, which partitions into mean total respiration (Re) of 167 (146–197 annually) g C m−2 and mean gross primary production (GPP) of 228 (193–257 annually) g C m−2, while the corresponding CH4 emission amounts to 7.1 (6.4...8.4) g C m−2. The contribution of October–December CO2 and CH4 fluxes to the cumulative sums was not negligible based on the measurements during one winter. GPP, Re and CH4 fluxes increased with temperature, and did not show a strong decline even after a substantial water table drawdown in 2011. Instead, GPP, Re and FCH4 became suppressed in cool, cloudy and wet conditions of 2012. May–September cumulative net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of 2013–2016 remained at about −73 g C m−2, in contrast to the hot and dry year 2011 and the wet and cool year 2012, when suboptimal weather likely degraded the net sink by 20 and 40 g C m−2, correspondingly. The cumulative growing season sums of GPP and CH4 emission showed a strong positive relationship. The EC source area was found to be comprised of 8 distinct surface types. However, footprint analyses revealed that contributions of different surface types varied only within 10–20 % with respect to wind direction and stability conditions. Consequently, no clear link between CO2 and CH4 fluxes and footprint composition was found, despite the apparent variation of fluxes with wind direction.
Lagrangian eddy tracking reveals the Eratosthenes anticyclonic
attractor in the eastern Levantine basin
Authors: Barboni Alexandre , Lazar Ayah , Stegner Alexandre , Moschos Evangelos
Published: January 2021

Abstract. Statistics of anticyclone activity and trajectories in the southeastern Mediterranean sea over the period 2000–2018 is created using the DYNED atlas, which links the automated mesoscale eddy detection by the AMEDA algorithm with in situ oceanographic observations. This easternmost region of the Mediterranean sea, delimited by the Levantine coast and Cyprus, has a complex eddying activity, which has not yet been fully characterized. In this paper we use Lagrangian tracking to investigate the eddy fluxes and interactions between different subregions in this area. We find that the southeastern Levantine area is isolated, with no anticyclone exchanges with the western part of the basin. Moreover the anticyclonic structure above the Eratosthenes seamount is identified as being an anticyclone attractor, differentiated from other anticyclones and staying around this preferred position up to four years with successive mergings. Colocalized in situ profiles inside eddies provide quantitative information on their subsurface structure and show that similar surface signatures correspond to very different physical properties. Despite interannual variability, the so-called Eratosthenes attractor stores a larger amount of heat and salt than neighbouring anticyclones, in a deeper subsurface anomaly that usually extend down to 500 m. This suggests that this attractor could concentrate heat and salt from this sub-basin, which will impact the properties of intermediate water masses created there.
Recent North Greenland temperature warming and accumulation
Authors: Kjær Helle Astrid , Zens Patrick , Edwards Ross , Olesen Martin , Mottram Ruth , Lewis Gabriel , Terkelsen Holme Christian , Black Samuel , Holst Lund Kasper , Schmidt Mikkel , Dahl-Jensen Dorthe , Vinther Bo , Svensson Anders , Karlsson Nanna , Box Jason E. , Kipfstuhl Sepp , Vallelonga Paul
Published: January 2021

Abstract. In a warming climate concise knowledge of the mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet is of utter importance. Speculations that current warming will increase the snow accumulation and mitigate mass balance losses are unconstrained as accumulation data across large regions of the northern ice sheet are scarce. We reconstructed the accumulation from six north Greenland shallow firn cores (~10 m) and eight snow cores (~2 m) to constrain recent accumulation patterns in northern Greenland and calculated recent warming in the same area using borehole temperature measurements. We find an increase in temperatures in the north Greenland interior of 0.9 to 2.5 °C (method and site dependent) per decade over the past two decades in line with an Arctic amplified anthropogenic warming. We compare annual reconstructed accumulation from the firn cores (1966–2015) to radar estimates and to annual re-analysis data (1980–2016) of precipitation subtracted evaporation from the regional climate model HIRHAM5, operated by the Danish Meteorological Institute. The spatial variability resembles that observed in earlier estimates with a clear increase west of the topographic divide and a low accumulation area across the north-eastern ice sheet. Our accumulation results are comparable to earlier firn core estimates, despite being larger in the east. We only find a positive significant trend in the accumulation for the period 2000–2010 to the northwest. In the vicinity of the EGRIP deep ice core drilling site, we find variable accumulation patterns for two 15 km apart firn cores likely owing to local topographic effects as a result of the North East Greenland Ice Stream dynamics.
Blended Learning in an Upper Year Engineering Course: The Relationship between Students’ Program Year, Interactions with Online Material, and Academic Performance
Authors: Watson Ellen , Marin Luis F. , White Lisa N. , Macciotta Renato , Lefsrud Lianne M.
Published: January 2021

At a comprehensive, public university in Western Canada, a fourth-year course in risk and safety management was recently made a requirement for all engineering students; depending on their program, students may take this course in their second, third, fourth, or fifth year of their program. As a result of increasing class sizes, this course was shifted from traditional to blended instruction. Since blending and opening this course to students with varying years of undergraduate engineering experience, instructors noted a difference in students’ maturity (e.g., a change in quantity and quality of in-class discussion, questions, participation, student-teacher interactions, and problem solving capabilities) and questioned whether this impacted their interactions with online material. Research examining the impact of blended learning in Engineering has primarily focused on large first-year undergraduate courses; research about blended learning in upper-year engineering courses is sparse. Studies investigating courses with students of varying years of experience in the program are virtually non-existent. Therefore, to better understand students’ interactions with online material during blended learning as connected to years in their program, we examined the relationship between levels of interaction and performance of students by year in program. This study analyzed approximately 2000 students’ interactions with online material and performance across five sections of a risk-management course in engineering. We found that students who had completed more years of their program interacted less with online material than students earlier in their undergraduate careers. Academic performance, on the other hand, was higher for students who had interacted more with online material and slightly higher for students who had completed more years in their program. These results suggest that the delivery of instructional materials may need to be tailored to students’ year in their program. Further implications and areas of future study are discussed.
Sometimiento o aniquilación del ser indigno: crueldad colectiva en Divinas palabras
Authors: Cotarelo Esteban Lucía
Published: January 2021

En el cosmos preesperpéntico de Divinas palabras, un desfile grotesco e inauténtico de personajes organizados en torno al heterotópico mundo de la farándula y al doctrinal mundo rural, hacen del engendro Laureano y la adúltera Mari-Gaila sus víctimas. En un sentido trascendido de la crueldad –del modo en que Artaud o Nietzsche lo concibieran–, la lógica moral se ceba con estos representantes de la degradación humana, considerados indignos en tanto que disidentes de los marcos categoriales de normalidad y de decencia. La represión sufrida por estos títeres del fanatismo, y el asco producido por la figura animalizada, desembocan en la violencia más guiñolesca que aflora ante la necesidad de someter a la femme fatale, de aniquilar al monstruo.
Calderón y la crisis teatral de principios del siglo XX
Authors: Adillo Rufo Sergio
Published: January 2021

El presente artículo pretende dar cuenta de la recepción del teatro de Calderón en el contexto de crisis teatral del primer cuarto del siglo XX, un período en que el repertorio tradicional del dramaturgo del Siglo de Oro, convertido en icono identitario de la Restauración borbónica, entra en crisis.
José-Luis García Barrientos (dir.), Análisis de la dramaturgia uruguaya actual. Madrid: Antígona, 2018. ISBN: 978-84-16923-78-6. 322 pp.
Authors: Migueláñez González Daniel
Published: January 2021

Reseña de Análisis de la dramaturgia uruguaya actual, José-Luis García Barrientos (dir.), Madrid, Antígona, 2018, 322 pp.
The role of organizational DNA in enhancing the strategic balance in commercial banks in Madaba
Authors: Alshawabkeh Ziad Ali Eid
Published: January 2021

The present study aimed to explore the role of organizational DNA in enhancing the strategic balance in commercial banks in Madaba. The strategic balance is represented by organizational culture, human resources, customers and competitors. The researcher developed a thirty-item questionnaire and distributed to 87 employees in the commercial banks in Madaba where 74 forms were retrieved and 4 forms were valid for analysis. Several results were reached. For instance, the organizational DNA level in the targeted banks is high, the strategic balance level in the targeted banks is high. Organizational DNA level has a statistically significant impact (α ≤ 5%) on strategic balance dimensions, i.e., organizational culture, human resources, customers and competitors, jointly and separately in commercial banks in Madaba. The researcher recommends providing more attention to competition by managements of banks and recommends conducting similar studies.
Consumers’ attitudes towards purchase intention for local brand automobiles manufactured in Malaysia
Authors: Chinedu Anyanwu Hilary , Haron Sharifah Azizah , Hashim Ahmad Hariza , Ho Jo Ann
Published: January 2021

The damaging effects of market globalization towards developing countries necessitate the exhibition of favorable attitudes towards purchase intention for local brand automobiles manufactured locally. With the application of moral foundation theory (MFT), a quantitative and cross-sectional study that involved 373 Proton potential consumers through a mall intercept survey in Malaysia was analyzed. The results show that Proton’s potential consumers had favorable attitudes towards purchase intention for Proton automobiles. Subsequent to a high mean score of collectivism and a moderate mean score of ethnocentrism, Proton potential consumers’ ethnocentric tendency offers a contradiction to extant literatures on consumer ethnocentrism in developing countries. Thus, our study posits that consumers from collectivistic societies are ethnocentric and further display favorable attitudes towards local products. Additionally, the predictive effects of consumer ethnocentrism and collectivism on attitudes towards purchase intention for local brand automobiles manufactured locally were ascertained. Our findings validated the applicability of MFT in explaining consumers’ attitudes towards local products. Other implications are also discussed.
Impact of organisational factors on tacit knowledge sharing in HEIs: Focusing the mediating role of KM system quality
Authors: Hassan Haleema
Published: January 2021

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) greatly relies on tacit knowledge sharing. Hence, it is important to investigate the means of promoting knowledge retention. The growth of technology in knowledge management system triggers the transformation of knowledge quality to leverage institutional knowledge. HEIs as knowledge provider needs a knowledge sharing network which can meet the demands of changing knowledge. This paper aims to study the mediating role of knowledge management (KM) system quality between organizational factors and tacit knowledge sharing among academics of HEIs. Barron and Kenny method was used to measure the direct and indirect influence of KM system quality between organisational factors and tacit knowledge sharing. The prelude findings reveal that knowledge management system was effective through organisational factors which promote tacit knowledge sharing among academics of HEIs.
Considering business perception in assessing e-service quality in the Jordanian government
Authors: Alabdallat Wesam , Alhawari Omar
Published: January 2021

Considering the speedy developments of e-services usages, countries are thriving to present better e-government services; particularly, regarding the business sector. Therefore, the matter of evaluating e-government service quality from the business perspective has become an important issue to study. This paper discussed how the business sector perceive the e-services provided by Jordanian government, which is basically derived based on the lack of literature and models addressing such issue. In this regard, this study aims to fill this existed gap. To tackle this problem, a conceptual framework of SERVQUAL questionnaire was developed and proposed. Then, the proposed model was verified and validated. The results of this paper concluded that business perceives different gaps between the actual and anticipated e-services in which the actual recorded less than the anticipated. Additionally, the gaps revealed in the developed SERVQUAL model, which included five dimensions showed, that only one element was found to be statistically insignificant and that is the Security and Privacy. Finally, the proposed model was revised and modified.
Assessment of managers’ proclivity for social dialogue in Bangladeshi Textile Industries
Authors: Islam Lt Col Md Enamul , Raju Valliappan , Juhi Barrister Shahrina Razzaque
Published: January 2021

This study examines the relationship of two important constructs (the belief and attitude constructs) with managers’ proclivity for using Social Dialogue – a tool for managing people at work (patronised by ILO) for maintaining peace and harmony in Bangladeshi textile industries. Managers’ personal belief and attitude within an organisation might affect the managerial responses towards social dialogue. The obtained data from the questionnaires are analysed through the 1st generation statistical packaged software (SPSS) and hypotheses are tested using Smart PLS software package well known as 2nd generation data analysis software. Analyses results strongly supported the relationship of the belief and attitude construct with managers’ proclivity for using social dialogue. The research surveyed three hundred fifty-one managers at 49 textile industries. The findings of this study suggest that the belief and attitude construct have a significant positive relationship with managers’ penchant for supporting social dialogue. The result of the paper provides managers with a credible argument to continually question their employee perceptions and objectively analyse whether their beliefs and attitudes impact their intention to use social dialogue. The selected sample should have been from strategic, tactical, and operational level of management that remains as a research limitation.
The effect of knowledge management process on the employee commitment: Evidence from digital marketing industry
Authors: Khoa Bui Thanh , Hoa Le Thi Kim
Published: January 2021

Knowledge management is a process of systematic and transparent creation, development and application of knowledge to maximize knowledge-related performance and business value from knowledge and available wisdom assets. Knowledge management is vitally important with business and one of the competitive advantages. The aim of the study is to find out the relationship between the knowledge management process and employees’ commitment in the digital marketing companies. Through the mix-method research, the research result pointed out that four dimensions of knowledge management process; i.e., Knowledge Acquisition, Knowledge Conversion, Knowledge Application, and Knowledge Protection, positively impact on the employee's commitment. Some managerial implications for the digital marketing businesses were proposed to improve the employee commitment based the knowledge management process.
The effects of entrepreneurial values and entrepreneurial orientation, with environmental dynamism and resource availability as moderating variables, on the financial performance and its impacts on firms’ future intention: Empirical evidences from Indonesian state-owned enterprises
Authors: Uno Sandiaga Salahuddin , Supratikno Hendrawan , Ugut Gracia Shinta S. , Bernarto Innocentius , Antonio Ferdi , Hasbullah Yudistira
Published: January 2021

This study focuses specifically on the effect of Entrepreneurial Values and Entrepreneurial Orientation on Financial Performance of Indonesian state-owned enterprise and also incorporates Environmental Dynamism (ED) and Resource Availability (RA) as moderating variables which will influence the effect of (i) Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) on Financial Performance (FP), (ii) Entrepreneurial Values (EV) on Financial Performance (FP), and (iii) Entrepreneurial Values (EV) on Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO). In addition, this study also provides a better understanding about the effect of Financial Performance on Intention to Sustainable Development (ITS) as well as Financial Performance on Intention to Collaboration (ITC) in Indonesian state-owned enterprises. The method of analysis used in this study is PLS-SEM methodology with purposive sampling method. The unit of analysis is all the state-owned enterprises listed which consists of 81 out of 106 state-owned enterprises, while the unit of observation is individuals from those state-owned enterprises (represented by the paired CEO and CFO who are originated from the same company). The findings of this study are that there is a significantly positive effect of: (i) EV on EO; (ii) EO on FP; (iii) FP on ITS; and (iv) FP on ITC. Meanwhile, (i) there is not any significantly positive effect of EV on FP, and (ii) there is no significant moderating effect of ED and RA on the relationship between (1) EV and FP, (2) EO and FP, as well as (3) EV and EO.
Expanded job scope model and turnover intentions: A moderated mediation model of Core-Self Evaluation and job involvement
Authors: Mushtaq Rabia , Jabeen Riffut , Begum Samina , Khan Abdul Zahid , Khan Tariq Iqbal
Published: January 2021

Existing study was conducted to make a combined examination of the mediating role of (a) Job involvement in linking expanded job scope model (EJSM) with turnover intentions and (b) investigate how the relationship among EJSM and turnover intention is conditional based on the level of Core Self-Evaluation (CSE) in employees.700 questionnaires were circulated among the employees of education and financial sector which yields 490 returns achieving a response rate of 70%. After initial data screening 420 complete responses were available for analyses. The results exhibit that Job involvement (JI) mediates the relationships between EJCM and turnover intentions. The results of the moderated mediation depict that JI mediates the relationships between job scope and high level of CSE in employees. The outcomes delivered valuable understandings for managers and consultants, especially to Human Resource professionals who are trying to facilitate the workforce in challenging working environment through improved job design. The businesses may encourage high level of employee involvement through redesigned job scope in presence of high order personality characteristics which helps to reduce turnover intentions. This paper contributed in the literature of job design in three different ways. First, existing research makes theoretical contribution by adding new dimension in existing JSM which is flexible work time. Second, it describes how dynamic work settings may refine employees’ abilities and behaviors. Third, the research deals with a unique view in research of job design by combining personality as a moderator (i.e., CSE).