bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El ordenamiento territorial en El Salvador
Authors: Baires Sonia
Published: August 2021

En el contexto pos terremotos 2001, este artículo tiene como propósito analizar dónde y cómo está El Salvador en cuanto a la discusión del ordenamiento territorial, por un lado, y plantear algunos desafíos y oportunidades derivados de esta situación, por el otro. Tanto documentos oficiales como las síntesis de las discusiones recientes sostenidas entre diversos actores, en el marco del proyecto "Foro-debate sobre ordenamiento territorial en El Salvador", promovido por varias instituciones, entre ellas la Universidad Centroamericana "José Simeón Cañas", sirven de base para este análisis preliminar.

ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 56, No. 633-634, 2001: 611-619.
Tercer trimestre de 1999. Segunda parte
Authors: Soriano Héctor Salvador
Published: August 2021

No hay resúmenes disponibles. 

ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 56, No. 633-634, 2001: 739-746.
El ALCA
Authors: Ibisate F. Javier
Published: August 2021

No hay resúmenes disponibles. 

ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 56, No. 633-634, 2001: 699-714.
La verdad secuestrada
Authors: Editor El
Published: August 2021

No hay resúmenes disponibles.

ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 56, No. 635, 2001: 751-766.
Protein engineering of fungal xylanase
Authors:   , Stephens Dawn Elizabeth
Published: August 2021

Protein engineering technologies, such as directed evolution and DNA recombination, are often used to modify enzymes on a genetic level for the creation of useful industrial catalysts. Pre-treatment of paper pulps with xylanases have been shown to decrease the amounts of toxic chlorine dioxide used to bleach pulp. This study was undertaken to improve the thermal and alkaline stabilities of the xylanase from the fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus using ep-PCR and DNA shuffling.
Overexpression and partial characterization of a modified fungal xylanase in Escherichia coli
Authors:   , Wakelin Kyle
Published: August 2021

Protein engineering has been a valuable tool in creating enzyme variants that are capable of withstanding the extreme environments of industrial processes. Xylanases are a family of hemicellulolytic enzymes that are used in the biobleaching of pulp. Using directed evolution, a thermostable and alkaline stabl xylanase variant (S340) was created from the thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces lanuginosus. However, a host that was capable of rapid growth and high-level expression of the enzyme in large amounts was required. The insert containing the xylanase gene was cloned into a series a pET vectors in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS and trimmed from 786 bp to 692 bp to remove excess fungal DNA upstream and downstream of the open reading frame (ORF). The gene was then re-inserted back into the pET vectors. Using optimized growth conditions and lactose induction, a 14.9% increase in xylanase activity from 784.3 nkat/ml to 921.8 nkat/ml was recorded in one of the clones. The increase in expression was most probably due to the removal of fungal DNA between the vector promoter and the start codon. The distribution of the xylanase in the extracellular, periplasmic and cytoplasmic fractions was 17.3%, 51.3% and 31.4%, respectively. The modified enzyme was then purified to electrophoretic homogeneity using affinity chromatography. The xylanase had optimal activity at pH 5.5 and 70°C. After 120 min at 90°C and pH 10, S340 still displayed 39% residual activity. This enzyme is therefore well suited for its application in the pulp and paper industry.
Expression of anti-HIV peptides in tobacco cell culture systems
Authors:   , Moodley Nadine
Published: August 2021

Nearly half of all individuals living with HIV worldwide at present are woman and the best current strategy to prevent sexually transmitted HIV is antiretrovirals (ARVs). Microbicides are ARV’s which directly target viral entry and avert infection at mucosal surfaces. However, most promising ARV entry inhibitors are biologicals which are costly to manufacture and deliver to resource-poor areas. Microbicides formulated as simple gels, which are currently not commonly used in ARV therapy, show immense potential for use in prevention and treatment of multidrug-resistant viral infections in developing countries. Among the most potent HIV entry inhibitory molecules are lectins, which target the high mannose N-linked glycans which are displayed on the surface of HIV envelope glycoproteins. Of the microbicides, the red algal protein griffithsin (GRFT) has potent anti-HIV inhibitory activity and is active by targeting the terminal mannose residues on high mannose oligosaccharides. It has a total of 6 carbohydrate binding sites per homodimer, which likely accounts for its unparalleled potency. The antiviral potency of GRFT, coupled with its lack of cellular toxicity and exceptional environmental stability make it an ideal active ingredient of a topical HIV microbicide. v Scytovirin (SVN) is an equally potent anti-HIV protein, isolated from aqueous extracts of the cyanbacterium, Scytonema varium. Low, nanomolar concentrations of SVN have been reported to inactivate laboratory strains and primary isolates of HIV- 1. The inhibition of HIV by SVN involves interactions between the protein and HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins gp120, gp160 and gp41. Current recombinant production methods for GRFT and SVN molecules are unfortunately hampered by inadequate production capacities. This project therefore aimed to determine if these molecules can be produced in plant cell culture systems. The transgenic tobacco cell culture system was evaluated to determine if it can be an alternative, cost effective production system for these molecules. Results of the study show that the microbicide genes can be cloned into plant transformation vectors, used to successfully transform SR1 tobacco cell lines and adequately produce 3.38ng and 10.5ng of GRFT and SVN protein respectively, per gram of SR1 tobacco callus fresh weight. The promising results attained in this study form the basis for further work in optimising plant cell based production systems for producing valuable anti-HIV microbicides, a possible means to curbing the elevated HIV infection rates worldwide.
PHÂN LẬP CÁC CHỦNG NẤM MEN CÓ KHẢ NĂNG TĂNG SINH CAO TỪ MỘT SỐ MẪU THỰC PHẨM TẠI HUYỆN SƠN DƯƠNG, TỈNH TUYÊN QUANG
Authors: Vi Đại Lâm , Bùi Đình Lãm , Lưu Hồng Sơn , Nguyễn Thị Tình , Tạ Thị Lượng , Phạm Thị Ngọc Mai
Published: August 2021

Nấm men là loại vi sinh vật nhân thực đơn bào có nhiều ứng dụng trong sản xuất. Những sản phẩm từ quá trình lên men như rượu, bánh mỳ, thức ăn chăn nuôi luôn đòi hỏi những chủng nấm men có hoạt tính tốt, khả năng tăng sinh cao. Bằng các phương pháp phân lập nấm men của Zerihun Tsegaye, phương pháp định danh nấm men đã phân lập và xác định được 2 loài nấm men có khả năng tăng sinh tốt từ các mẫu thực phẩm tại huyện Sơn Dương, tỉnh Tuyên Quang. Chủng Trichosporon asahii có khả năng là sinh vật mô hình cho các nghiên cứu sinh học phân tử và y học. Chủng Saccharomyces cerevisiae có khả năng tăng kích thước bột nhào bánh mỳ, cho thấy tiềm năng có thể được ứng dụng vào thực tế sản xuất.
ĐÁNH GIÁ ĐỘC TÍNH CẤP VÀ TÁC DỤNG AN THẦN CỦA VIÊN NÉN AN THẦN – TN TRÊN ĐỘNG VẬT THỰC NGHIỆM
Authors: Trần Thanh Bình , Trương Thị Thu Hương , Hoàng Công Huy , Phạm Thị Vân Anh , Lưu Hồng Sơn
Published: August 2021

Đánh giá độc tính cấp của viên nén An thần –TN sản xuất tại Bệnh viện Y học cổ truyền Thái Nguyên trên động vật thực nghiệm theo hướng dẫn của Tổ chức y tế thế giới. Đánh giá tác dụng an thần bằng mô hình đo hoạt động ký, mô hình dấu cộng nâng cao, đánh giá ảnh hưởng lên sức bám của chuột trên trục quay Rotarod. Kết quả cho thấy các lô chuột uống An thần – TN ở liều từ 21,2625 gam cao dược liệu/kg đến liều tối đa 35,4375gam cao dược liệu/kg không có biểu hiện độc tính cấp. An thần - TN liều 1,44 viên/kg/ngày và 4,32 viên/kg/ngày đều thể hiện tác dụng an thần trên mô hình đo hoạt động ký, mô hình dấu cộng nâng cao, làm rút ngắn thời gian bám của chuột nhắt trắng trên trục quay Rotarod. Do đó viên nén An thần – TN không có biểu hiện độc tính cấp và có tác dụng điều trị tình trạng rối loạn giấc ngủ trên chuột thử nghiệm.
To Combine or Not To Combine An In-Depth Review of Standard and Combined Hydronic Systems and Their Various Pitfalls
Authors: Saltzberg Edward W.
Published: August 2021

A hydronic heating system is simply a piping arrangement conveying hot water to heat exchangers in order to provide space heating. A conventional hydronic heating system usually delivers hot supply water at 180 to 200 Fahrenheit temperature and has a dedicated space heating boiler. The hot water return temperature is usually about 140 Fahrenheit, meaning a 40 to 60 temperature difference between supply and return. The conventional hydronic heating system has a relatively constant circulated water flow rate and the temperature of the delivered hot water supply can be reset from outside air temperature. The water flow balancing of a conventional hydronic heating system is somewhat straightforward, although quite critical. The pipe sizing is determined on the basis of gallons per minute flow rate, the selected system pressure drop, and the maximum prudent velocity for the specific piping material. The circulating pump is selected on the basis of the required gallons per minute
Falls in the Landing Areas of Stairs and Curbs
Authors: Krause Delvin L.
Published: August 2021

Stairways, steps, curbs and landings all relate to the pedestrian changing his respective elevation. The usual expectation is that this maneuver will occur as a result of a step up or down. When the physical environment deviates from the expected and/or standard dimensions a fall can occur, This monograph concerns itself with what exposures are generated when landing areas for stairs, steps and curbs and NOT STANDARD or as expected. Investigation of falls during the past thirty years indicates that the landing zone is an important element to consider in an accident investigation. Stairs, steps, curbs and ramps are all elements of our everyday lives. People manage to negotiate them with a high degree of success. They also manage to fall up them, down them and over them with an impressive rate of success as well. Stairs, steps, curbs and ramps sometimes exist in various combination with each other. This situation often results in an unsafe or accident producing condition.
The Circumvention and Failure of Electrical Interlock Switches
Authors: Hazard Irving F.
Published: August 2021

Electrically interlocked covers and gates on industrial machinery are used to protect the operator from the point-of-operation. When the electrical interlock switches on those barriers fail to function, because of deliberate circumvention or an electrical or mechanical failure, serious accidents frequently result. This paper reviews the methodology used for the design of those interlocking systems, the techniques employed to circumvent them, and their common modes of electrical and mechanical failure. The author provides detailed illustrations and a series of check lists, outlining the protocol for the forensic engineering investigation of such occurrences.
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
Authors: Halyard Paul J.
Published: August 2021

Following The Arab Oil Embargo In The Mid 70S, Many Building Owners Conscientiously Tightened Building Envelopes And Reduced Outside Air And Infiltration To Buildings For The Purpose Of Conserving Energy. As A Result Of Reduced Or Eliminated Ventilation, Many Buildings And Their Inherent Air Conditioning Systems Have Been Breeding Grounds For Mold, Mildew, And Spores Resulting In Occupant Respiratory Health Problems And Sickness. This Paper Alerts The Building Condition Surveyor To Items That, Either By Design Or Construction, Could Cause Sick Building Syndrome
3-D Animations For Litigation Of Highway Accidents
Authors: Peterson Donn N.
Published: August 2021

After A Highway Accident Has Occurred, Answers Are Sought To The Fundamental Question What Happened? And To Various Related Questions. Eye Witness Testimonies May Be Incomplete, Inaccurate, And Conflicting. Forensic Engineers Are Often Engaged To Provide Answers That Are Consistent With Professional Analyses Of The Evidence. If The Case Is Not Settled, Litigation Will Proceed And The Forensic Engineer Can Expect To Testify As An Expert Witness Giving His/Her Opinions And Explanations. During Testimony, The Expert Witness May Use Various Items Of Demonstrative Evidence To Help Explain The Opinions. Computer Hardware And Software Technologies Have Made It Feasible In Some Cases To Produce Animations To Illustrate Those Opinions. Courts Have Admitted 3-D Scientific Animations As Demonstrative Evidence When The Proper Foundations Have Been Laid. If The Animations Fairly And Accurately Depict The Expert Opinions Without Prejudice And If They Have Been Disclosed In A Timely Manner, Then Admissibility Objections Will Probably Be Overruled.
Mathematical 3-D Model For Whiplash Simulation
Authors: Peterson Donn N.
Published: August 2021

Several Years Ago, The Author Developed A Mathematical 2-D Model To Quantitatively Describe The Forces, Moments, And Motions Of Vehicles And Dummy Occupants During Collisions. The Equations Of Motion And Applicable Logic Statements Were Programmed In Basic To Use On Pcs (Ibm Compatible Personal Computers). Simulations Of Many Crashes Have Been Successfully Run On Pcs Using The 2-D Model. Clients Are Usually Interested In The Responses Of The Dummy Head And Torso And The Calculated Magnitudes Of Forces And Moments In The Neck Joint. These Data Are Particularly Useful In Litigation Cases Where Medical Findings Are Subjective (E.G. Soft Tissue Injuries) And Opinions Of The Treating And Adverse Health Care Professionals Differ Significantly. When Additional Relevant Information Has Been Received, The Model Has Been Refined. The Model Has Been Modified To Accommodate Crashes In Which The Target And Bullet Vehicles Are Off-Center And Reasonably Close In Axial Alignment. A Description Of The 2-D Model Was Presented At The 1993 Annual Meeting Of The American Academy Of Forensic Sciences At San Antonio, Texas. In A Particular Recent Case, The Nature Of The Collision And The Posture Of The Occupant Driver Are Not Within The Inherent Constraints Of The 2-D Model. In Order To Adequately Study This Case, A Mathematical 3-D Model Would Be Needed.
The Danger Of Unsubstantiated Assumptions - Indoor Air Quality
Authors: Saltzberg Edward W.
Published: August 2021

This Particular Case Revolved Around An Incident In An Art Department At A Large Television Station. The Plaintiff Contended That Her Exposure To Harmful Chemicals In The Art Department Had Caused Her Serious Brain Damage And Was Suing For A Significant Amount From All Of The Manufacturers Of The Products Used In The Art Department. The Author Represented Just One Of The Manufacturers Of A Product. The Plaintiffs Expert, An Industrial Hygienist, Had Contended That The Plaintiff Had Been Exposed To Considerably Greater Levels Of Toxicity Than Permitted Under The Osha Or Niosh Regulations. He Even Provided Copious Calculations Substantiating His Allegations. However, The Plaintiffs Expert Had Based All Of His Calculations On The Assumption That The Art Department Had Been Typical Office Building Construction And, Therefore, He Assumed In Typical Office Buildings The Outside Air Provided To The Occupied Space Was Approximately Five Cfm Per Person. The Plaintiffs Expert Also Contended That The Air Was Returned And Recirculated. Furthermore, Plaintiffs Expert Contended That The Air Delivery Could Not Be More Than What He Had Assumed Because Air At Greater Than 35 Fpm Velocity Will Blow Papers Off The Desks. All Of His Calculations Were Based On These Critical Assumptions.
The Effects Of Pretensioning Of 3-Point Safety Belts On Occupants In Rollover Crashes
Authors: Meyer Steven E.
Published: August 2021

3-Point Safety Belts Are Designed And Provided With A Primary Objective Being To Control And Limit Occupant Motions Within The Vehicle. These Systems Function Differently In Different Accident Modes. In Frontal Impacts, The Safety Belts Primarily Limit Forward Occupant Motion Towards Interior Vehicle Components. In Rollover Crashes, The Belts Should Provide Both Restraint From Vertical Motion Towards Dangerous Upper Interior Contacts As Well As Prevent Ejection. Controlling The Severity Of The Occupants Second Collision Within The Vehicle Is Critical To Injury Reduction. This Paper Will Report On Our Continued Research In This Area, Concentrating On The Effects Of Belt Pretensioning In Rollovers.
Forensic Analysis Of A Chicken Coop Fire
Authors: Cristino Joseph
Published: August 2021

On November 30, 1989, The Office Received A Telephone Call Requesting Assistance By A Fire Investigator To Investigate The Cause Of A Fire In A Chicken Coop On An Egg Farm In Eastern Connecticut. The Fire Involved Coops That Were 50 Feet Wide, With One Being 300 Feet Long And The Other 500 Feet Long. At The First Meeting The Author And The Fire Investigator Were Given The Particulars Of The Loss. A Fire Had Occurred At An Egg Farm In Eastern Connecticut. The Farm Had Two Coops, Coop #1 And Coop #2. An Electrical Contractor Had Installed The Electrical System In The Second Coop On The Site During Its Construction In 198 1. Although The 1975 National Electrical Code Specifically Addressed Agricultural Buildings, This Code Was Not In Effect Because Connecticut Does Not Recognize Or Enforce A Code Until It Is Voted On By The State Legislature. Therefore, The Second Coop Was Constructed With An Electrical System Which Complied With The 1972 Code Which Did Not Specifically Address Agricultural Buildings. The Second Coop Had Been Covered With A Tar-Impregnated, Compressed Paper Product In Place Of The Customary Corrugated Sheet Metal. Although Plans And Manufacturers Information Called For A Plywood Sheathing Beneath The Compressed Paper Product, Photographs Of The Construction Showed The Siding Being Installed Directly Over The Coops Studs And Rafters.
Forensic Engineering Review Of Safety Standards For Portable Metal Ladders
Authors: Reynolds Charles P.
Published: August 2021

This Paper Will Discuss Some Of The Authors Concerns Regarding The Widely Recognized Industry Safety Standard Published By The American National Standards Institute (Ansi), Ansi A 14.2- 1990- Safety Requirements For Portable Metal Ladders. In This Experts Experience, And Based Upon Research Into Ladder Accidents, The Most Common Cause Of Fall From A Portable Metal Ladder Is The Buckling Failure Of One Of The .Side Rails. A Large Percentage Of Falls From A Portable Metal Ladders Are Attributed To The Sudden Buckling Failure Of One Of The Side Rails, Thereby Causing The User To Fall And Sustain Serious Injuries. Analysis Of The Cross-Section Of The Ladder Side Rails Reveals That The Design Criteria Spelled Out In The Industry Ladder Standards Falls Far Short Of The Safety Factors Commonly Applied To Other Structures Of A Similar Nature Which Are Designed By Mechanical, Structural, Civil And Aeronautical Engineers. Whereas The Commercially Available Metal Ladders Meet Or Exceed The Industry Standard, And Are Therefore Deemed To Be Safe By The Courts, A Thorough Analysis Of The Basis For The Standards Shows Several Inconsistencies And Deficiencies, Some Of Which Will Be Addressed In This Paper.
Liability In Conducting Tests
Authors: Leonard Roy J.
Published: August 2021

Instead Of Earning A Small Fee On A Building Project, A Materials Testing Laboratory Can Instead Become Involved In Litigation Which Could Cost It And Its Liability Insurers An Amount Many Times The Fee. But More Than This, There Could Also Be An Infinitely Greater Amount Of Time Spent Defending The Firm Than Was Ever Spent In Performing The Tests. In The Majority Of Cases The Tests Are Performed To Either Supply Design Information Or Monitor Compliance With Project Specifications And/Or Building Code Requirements. However, If Problems Develop And Litigation Begins, Then The Project File Information Becomes Evidence Of What Took Place On The Project. In Some Cases, However, The Laboratory Is Employed After Litigation Has Begun, Or The Probability Of A Lawsuit Is High, And The Testing Is Performed To Provide Evidence. In Any Event, The Results Of These Tests Are Taken As Essential Facts Which Will Be Reviewed By The Attorneys And Their Forensic Engineering Experts. Sometimes The Technicians Or Managers Of The Firm Providing These Field Or Laboratory Results Will Be Deposed, And Every Raw Data Sheet, Report And Log In The File May Be Examined In Great Detail By The Various Parties. If One Error Is Found, It May Be Contended That There May Be Other Errors Which Have Not Been Found Yet. If It Develops That Any Errors Or Suspected Errors Were Made, Then The Laboratory May Become Party To The Lawsuit.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Failed Roller Bearings
Authors: Jacobson Olof H.
Published: August 2021

Failure Of Rolling Element Bearings Often Results In Damage To The Bearing Elements And Adjacent Components Such As Axles, Shafts, Gearboxes, Wheels, Etc. Forensic Analysis Of Rolling Contact Bearings Is Discussed In This Paper. A Review Of Bearing Types And Typical Operating Characteristics Is Presented. A Procedure For Systematic Examination And Analysis Of Bearing Failure Evidence Is Suggested, And Several Case Studies Are Presented Which Demonstrate The Types Of Evidence Typically Remaining And The Logic Which Leads To Engineering Conclusions Concerning The Cause Of Bearing Failures.
Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS)
Authors: Yaxley Wilbur T.
Published: August 2021

This Presentation Will Concentrate On The Forensic Engineering Evaluation Of Exterior Insulation Finish System (Eifs). The Case Involved Major Leakage In The Walls Of A Very Nice Condominium Located On The Atlantic Ocean Beach. The First Overall Look At The Building, The Building Appeared To Be Very Tight With No Obvious Paths Of Water Intrusion. Verification Of Water Leakage With Moisture Meters And Visible Stains In The Units Required An Answer Of Why This Nearly New Building Was Leaking So Profusely. First, The Construction Must Be Investigated And Compared To The Design Documents. The Design Documents Must Then Be Compared To Applicable Code Requirements And Practical Construction Considerations. The Damage And Cause For The Failure Must Be Established. Finally, The Extent Of Remedial Work Required To Rehabilitate The Structure Must Be Defined. Adequate Testing And Investigation Must Be Completed To Assure The Repair Will Solve The Problems That Were Identified. During Each Step Of The Investigation One Must Be Preparing For The Ultimate Question, What Specifically Is The Reason For The Failure, Who Is Responsible For That Failure And What Is Your Basis For That Opinion. The Most Common Recommended Solution To Serious System Water Leakage Defects Is To Caulk And Repaint, This Often Exacerbates The Problems And Makes The Ultimate Solution Much More Difficult And Expensive.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Workplace Exposure To Airborne Contaminants
Authors: Peake Drew
Published: August 2021

This Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Workplace Exposure To Airborne Contaminants Presents Three Case Studies. The Common Element Is That Each Responds To The Generalized Complaint That A Contaminant Is Presumed Present And Therefore Presumed To Cause Harm. The First Discusses Conditions That An Auto Mechanic Was Exposed To While Replacing Asbestos Containing Brake Linings. The Second Responds To Diagnosed Disease Resulting From Exposure To Bioaerosols. The Final Case Regards Landlord Concerns That Airborne Contaminants From A Printing Operation May Contaminate The Property. The Technical Basis For Responding To These Complaints Is Presented.
Review And Analysis Of Defective Septic System Access Resulting In A Fatality
Authors: Josephs Harold
Published: August 2021

A Septic System Access Properly Designed By A Registered Professional Engineer Was Subsequently Modified By Non-Engineers. This Modified Design And Subsequent Construction, Including Inadequate Fastening, Proved Defective And Resulted In The Fatality Of A 2 1/2 Year Old Child. An Fe Investigation And Analysis Was Performed To Determine The Elements Of Causation.
Visibility Depiction For Nighttime Roadways and Construction Sites
Authors: Hensen Ronald J.
Published: August 2021

This Paper Describes Some Visual Depiction Options To Explain To A Jury The Process Of Seeing While Driving, Particularly At Night. Describing What Probably Could Have Been Seen By A Driver In A Specific Situation Can Be A Difficult Assignment. It Is Seldom Possible To Recreate The Situation Either Because Many Of The Accident Scene Elements Have Changed And/Or It Just Isnt Practical To Do So In The Context Of A Courtroom Display. In The Absence Of Some Type Of Visual Display Jury Members Tend To Base Their Conclusions On Just Their Own Limited Knowledge And Experiences. For Example, A Young Adult With Say 20115 Vision, Superior Depth Perception, And Accommodation To Glare Might Well Assume That Most People Can See What He Or She Does While Driving At Night. It Is Common For Most People To Believe That They Have Excellent Vision. However, In Order To Get A Drivers License In Most States, A Person (Even One With Age-Related Vision Deterioration) Has Only To Demonstrate Corrected 20140 Vision, May Not Be Tested For Depth Perception, And Will Have Had No Measurement Of Night Glare Accommodation. Additionally, The Condition Of A Vehicle S Headlights And/Or Windshield Can Have A Significant Effect On The Drivers Seeing Process. Thus, From The Standpoint Of Depicting What A Driver Could Have Seen, There Can Be A Wide Range Of How To Define What That Means In The Accident Reconstruction Expert Testimony Process.
Forensic Engineering Techniques To Reconstruct Shooting Incidents
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M.
Published: August 2021

This Paper Discusses And Evaluates The Techniques And Technology Available To Reconstruct Shooting Incidents. Reconstruction Typically Involves Movement Of The Shooter(S), Their Gun(S), Victim(S), Vehicles, And Possibly Witnesses. The Analysis Involves Shooting Range Tests, Photogrammetry, 3-Dimensional Computer Modeling, Bullet And Shell Trajectory Analysis, And A Time/Space Computer Animation Analysis. The Bullet Trajectories Are Re-Created In 3-Dimensional Space And Evaluated With The Assistance Of A 3-Dimensional Computer Model Created Through Photogrammetry. Today S Technology Allows Engineers To Reconstruct Entire Shooting Incidents In A 3-Dimensional Time-Space Model Where All The Factors Involved In The Incident Can Be Analyzed. Three Case Studies Will Be Discussed.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Copper/Brass Contacts
Authors: Owens Roger L.
Published: August 2021

A Great Many Articles Have Been Written About The Phenomena Of High Resistance Electrical Connections. These Articles Both Suggest And Acknowledge That In The Presence Of Combustible Materials, Inferior Electrical Connections Can Cause A Fire. In An Attempt To Explain The Mechanics Of A Failure At An Electrical Connection, The Authors Discuss Loose Connections, Dissimilar Metals At The Connection, Oxidation At The Contact Points And A Host Of Other Variables. A Thorough Review Of Forensic Publications Provides Very Little Information About Copper To Brass Failures Even Though Failures Involving Connections Between Other Conductive Metals Are Discussed In Great Detail. Copper And Brass Have A Very High Conductivity, Are Ductile, Resist Oxidation, And Are Generally More Resistive To Progressive Failure As Compared To Other Conductors When The Mechanical Connection Is Inferior. Further, The Characteristics Of Copper And Brass Make It Difficult To Reproduce Connection Failures In The Laboratory. This Paper Presents Data From Laboratory Experimentation Where Localized Temperatures At Brass To Copper Connections Escalated Above The Ignition Temperature Of Light Weight Combustibles. Copper To Brass Connections Can Fail And The Result Can Result In A Fire.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Electric Arc Accidents
Authors: Ruff Donald E.
Published: August 2021

The Electric Arc - Like Fire - Is A Poor Master But A Good Servant. What An Electric Arc Is And Is Not Will Be Examined. The Forensic Engineer Can Then Use This Information In The Analysis And Evaluation Of Accidents. Actual Cases Will Be Reviewed To Illustrate The Practical Application Of This Information.
Forensic Engineering Design Construction And Use Of Economical Human Surrogates
Authors: Reed E. Smith
Published: August 2021

Anthropometric Dummies Have Been Used In Accident And Emergency Response Research For Over Five Decades. Such Mechanical Surrogates Have Been Valuable Tools To Help Scientists, Engineers And Others Understand Spatial Relationships And Dynamic Events Involving The Human Body In Situations Where It Is Too Dangerous Or Too Costly To Use Actual Human Subjects. Mechanical Human Surrogates Can Also Be Valuable Tools For The Forensic Engineer In Certain Situations, Whether The Task At Hand Is To Understand The Space Occupied By, The Inertial Response Of, The Deformation Compliance Of Or The Forces Or Positions Experienced By The Human Body During Dynamic Events. Rarely, However, Can The Forensic Engineers Assignment Financially Justify The Purchase Or Use Of Commercially Available Biofidelic Manikins, Assuming Such Manikins Of The Size And Weight Needed Even Exist In The First Place. The Purpose Of This Paper Is To Offer An Economical Design And Method Of Construction Using Common And Readily Available Materials For Mechanical Lumped-Mass Human Surrogates (Dummies) That Will Provide Space, Mass And Joint Movement That Approximately Represent That Of The Human Body.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of A Clean Room Failure
Authors: Haglid Klas C.
Published: August 2021

Credible Sources State Clearly That After Mitigating A Chemical Release No Detectable Levels Of An Acid Can Be Found. Before And After This Point Of Testing The Site As Clear And Safe, Several Workers Were Injured With Serious Breathing And Circulatory Problems. These Workers Were Sent To The Hospital. Since Several Chemical Tests Showed There Was No Levels Of The Chemical In Question, It Is Claimed That These Injuries Happened Off Site Outside Of Working Hours And There Was No Chemical Exposure.
The Role of the Forensic Engineer in Mediation or Arbitration
Authors: Hutchinson B. Lee
Published: August 2021

I am honored, indeed, to be included as a Charter Member of our Academy, but especially so to have been asked by President Specter to speak at this first annual conference and to have a sense of being in on the beginning of what may prove to be a most illustrious chapter in engineering annals. I am hopeful that some of my remarks will assist in our beginnings and be a factor in the future growth and development of the Academy. My comments today are based on experiences gained over the past ten years as an independent consultant in what I now know to be forensic engineering. This followed thirty-five years of active involvement in major construction projects, both as a mechanical contractor and consulting engineer in the design of mechanical systems. During this time I have participated in, or been witness to, almost every type of dispute our system is capable of producing. Im certain that those of you who have been in the construction field can recognize these examples
Anatomy Of A Forensic Engineering Case
Authors: Kravitz Michael
Published: August 2021

There Are Two Cases That Will Be Discussed. The First Case Involved Three Domains Of The Writers Practice That Included Building Codes, Street Construction, And Vehicular Accident Reconstruction, And To The Extent That Opposing Experts Have Opined In Attempts To Try And Win A Case For Their Clients. The Second Case Involved Old Building Codes, But More Importantly It Involved The Definitions Of Words Within The Building Code As Defined By The Opposing Attorney, Which Had To Be Rebuffed In The Process Of Defending The Writers Opinion.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Undeployed Air Bag In Impact
Authors: Ford William H.
Published: August 2021

When An Accident Results In Litigation And A Forensic Engineer Is Retained By Either The Plaintiff Or The Defendant, His Responsibility Is To Define, To The Best Of His Engineering Ability, The Cause Or Source Of The Accident Together With The Attendant Factors Which Contributed To, Or May Have Prevented, The Occurrence. Further, It Is The Engineers Responsibility To Present His Observations, Findings And Conclusions Clearly And Succinctly So That They May Be Readily Understandable By The Various Parties To The Litigation And, Should The Case Go To Trial, By The Judge And By The Members Of The Jury. Whether The Forensic Engineer Is Retained By The Attorney For The Plaintiff Or For The Defendant It Is Universally Understood That The Attorney Advocates The Cause Of His Client But That The Engineer Should Present The Facts Without Advocacy Of His Clients Position. While The Engineer Must Not Advocate The Position Of His Client; Nevertheless, He Has A Responsibility To Advocate Understanding Of His Observations, Findings And Conclusions By All Parties. This Essential Responsibility For Advocation Of The Truth Is Customarily Accomplished By Preparation Of An Engineering Report, Tables, Diagrams, Formulae, Engineering Drawings, Photographs, Digitally Rendered Reconstructions Of The Event And, By Models.
Forensic Analysis Of Leaning/Falling Gypsum Wallboard
Authors: Rice Richard A.
Published: August 2021

Gypsum Wallboard Is A Very Common Material Used In Residential And Commercial Construction. It Is Relatively Inexpensive To Purchase And Install. However, If Not Properly Stored On Site Prior To Its Installation, It Can Be A Source Of Property Damage, Injury, And Sometimes Death To The Layperson. The Author Has Over Thirty Years Experience Using Drywall In Residential And Commercial Construction. In That Time, The Author Has Known Of, And Has Been Personally Involved In Several Drywall Incidents. Fortunately, The Injuries, If Any, Were Inconsequential. The Experienced Construction Personnel Involved In Those Incidents Were Able To React To The Known Danger. It Is When The Layperson Comes Onto A Construction Site That Leaning Drywall Can Be Dangerous. This Paper Will Discuss The Results Of An Investigation Into The Death Of A 54 Year Old Woman (Plaintiff) On A Residential Construction Site In The Year 2000. The Plaintiff Was The Mother Of The Man Purchasing The New Residence. Both Were At The Incident Site To Inspect The Construction Progress. The Plaintiff Was Killed When Approximately Twenty-Six Sheets Of 4 x 12 x 1/2 Drywall Fell From A Leaning Position And Pinned Her Against The Interior Wood Structural Framing. The Investigation Involved An On-Site Inspection Where The Incident Took Place, Load Calculations, And The Review Of Numerous Depositions.
Forensic Engineering Preparation For Daubert/Kumho Challenges
Authors: Butters John T.
Published: August 2021

Forensic Engineers Providing Technical Advisories And Potential Testimony In Cases At Law Are Sometimes Faced With Motions To The Court Designed To Preclude The Consideration Of Their Findings By The Trier Of Fact. Quality Engineering Methods Recognized By The Profession And Supported By Generally Accepted Authority Are Necessary But Not Always Sufficient Components Of An Engineering Effort Capable Of Withstanding Legal Attack. Various Rulings With Case Citations And Results Are Presented For The Purpose Of Demonstrating The Necessity For Forensic Technical Preparation Which Takes Into Account Legal Efforts Aimed At Preventing Presentation Of The Results.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Motorcycle Instability Induced Crashes
Authors: Ezra Mark A.M.
Published: August 2021

This Paper Discusses Single Vehicle Motorcycle Crash Investigation Where Wobble Or Weave Mode Instability Is Claimed To Have Been A Principle Contributing Factor To The Loss Of Control. The Paper Then Discusses Methods Of Evaluating Subjectively And Objectively A Particular Motorcycles Wobble Mode And Weave Mode Response Characteristics. Finally, A Standard Is Suggested For Safe Response Characteristics In Wobble And Weave Of A Production Street Motorcycle Designed To Be Sold To The General Public.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of 2004 Florida Hurricane Damages
Authors: Yaxley Wilbur T. , William C. Bracken
Published: August 2021

Florida Was Hit By Four Major Hurricanes In Six Weeks During The 2004 Season. Some Areas Had The Eye Of The Hurricane Pass Over Their Location During Three Of The Four Storms. In Some Of Those Cases Before Repairs Were Completed, Another Hurricane Hit The Same Area. This Was The Worst Possible Scenario. Preparation For The Hurricane Season Is Important And Can Be The Difference Between A Reasonably Comfortable Survival And A Miserable Existence Until Your Home Is Again Livable. The Planning Should Begin When You Decide On The Place You Wish To Buy, Rent, Or Share With A Friend Or Relative. Some Of The Important Items To Be Considered Are Somewhat Subtle, And Should Contain The Following Considerations:
Forensic Engineering Aspects Of Hydroplaning Issues In Roadway Accidents
Authors: Hensen Ronald J.
Published: August 2021

Loss Of Control Of Motor Vehicles On High-Speed Roadways Commonly Results In Injury-Producing Or Even Fatal Accidents. The Economic Consequences Of Such Accidents Can Lead To The Roadway Agency Becoming A Party To Litigation As To The Causes Of The Accident. One Such Potential Cause Is The Vehicle Hydroplaning As The Result Of An Excessive Water Depth On The Pavement Surface. Causes Of That Excessive Accumulation Can Include Design And/Or Construction Of The Roadway That Fails To Meet The State-Of-The-Art With Regard To The Minimum Pavement Grade Or Cross-Slope In Conjunction With The Adequacy Of The Minimum Surface Friction. Because Such Design Assertions Not Are Allowable Under A Number Of State Laws, The More Common Claim Is For Failure To Maintain The Pavement With Periodic Repair And Rehabilitation Efforts That Reflect The Current State-Of-The-Art With Regard To Available Surface Maintenance And Rehabilitation Treatments That Minimize The Safety Effects Of Such Water Accumulation.
Forensic Engineering Review Of The Critical Speed Formula
Authors: DOnofrio John A.
Published: August 2021

A Discussion Of Vehicle Speed Estimation From Yaw Marks Found At A Crash Scene By Applying The Critical Speed Formula (Csf) Has Been Ongoing For Several Years. Many Have Defended The Use Of The Csf By Unscientific Demonstrations. Others Have Shown That Errors In Measurement And Tire Tractive Forces Lead To False Speed Calculations When Using Csf. While This Controversy Over Its Accuracy Goes On, The Csf Is Used Throughout The Country By Law Enforcement And Its Results Are Routinely Admitted As Evidence In Both Civil And Criminal Procedures. This Paper Makes An In-Depth Examination Of The Physics Underlying The Cfs And Results Of Vehicle Tests Designed To Simulate Highway Experience. Unmanned Vehicles Were Given An Initial Speed Followed By A Hard Steering Input. They Were Then Allowed To Decelerate To A Stop Without Braking. Tire Marks On The Pavement Were Examined And Yaw Tracks Were Measured Using A Total Station (A Precision Instrument). The Measurements Produced Results That Are Inconsistent With The Physics Of The Csf And The Coefficient Of Friction. The Authors Conclude That The Underlying Theory Of The Cfs Does Not Follow The Laws Of Physics And The Methods Of Data Collection And Analysis Introduce Un-Quantifiable Error. The Authors Recommend That The Reconstruction Of Highway Crashes Not Use The Critical Speed Formula To Determine The Speed Of Vehicles.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Electro-Shock Weapon Safety
Authors: Ruggieri James A.
Published: August 2021

Electro-Shock Weapons Have Become Increasingly Popular With Law Enforcement Agencies In Recent Years As Alternatives To Firearms. In Particular, The Taser Brand Of Electro-Shock Weapons Are Characterized By A Distinctive Product Feature That Propels Electrode Barbs At The Subject Allowing The Officer To Exert Control Over The Subject While Maintaining Some Safe Distance. These Model Weapons Offers Two Modes Of Operation: The Projectile Or Ballistic Mode, Where The Electrode Barbs Can Reach Out To The Subject At A 15-Foot Or Greater Distance, And A Backup, Touch Or Drive Stun Mode, That Requires The Officer To Drive The Weapon Into The Subject. This Latter Mode Of Operation Is An Alternative Mode Of Operation Should The Electrode Barbs Miss The Subject, Or For Use In Close Quarters Situations. The Manufacturer Of These Weapons, Taser International Inc., Claims The Devices To Be Safe, Citing Many Independent Technical And Medical Safety Studies. However, Following Over One Hundred Deaths Involving Use Of The Weapon, The Company Has Received Much Criticism, And Consequently, Named As A Defendant In A Large Number Of Lawsuits Under Theories Of Defective Product, Wrongful Death, And Willful Misrepresentation Of Product Performance And Product Safety. This Paper Reports The Findings Of Independent Electrical Tests Performed On A Civilian Model Version...
Forensic Engineering Of Indoor Air Quality
Authors: Peake Drew
Published: August 2021

Forensic Engineering Of Indoor Air Quality Is Both An Art And A Science. While There Are Several Standards, Guidelines, And Experienced Based Judgments, Some Are Contradictory. This Paper Discusses A Risk Assessment Approach That Considers Hazard Evaluation, Dose-Response Assessment, Exposure Assessment, And Risk Characterization. Hazard Evaluation, In Some Cases, Depends Upon Evaluation According To Physical Or Chemical Characteristics. For Example, Mold Spores Are Considered Fine Particulate Matter For Evaluation Against The National Ambient Air Quality Standard For Particulate Matter. Simple Exposure To A Contaminant Is Not Sufficient To Provoke A Response; Demonstrating A Reasonable Expectation Of A Linked Response Is Necessary. Time And Route Of Exposure Are Other Factors That Must Be Demonstrated. These Factors Are Combined In A Risk Assessment To Describe The Probability Of A Link Between Cause And Effect. Three Cases Are Presented Where These Elements Were Established Sufficiently To Persuade Judicial Decisions.
Forensic Engineering Report - Causes Of Mold In Buildings
Authors: Cooper Norman L.
Published: August 2021

Mold, Including Rot, In Buildings Can Be A Severe Health And Safety Hazard. But Treating The Mold Is Only Treating The Symptom And Is Usually Unnecessary. If The Cause Of Mold, Moisture, Is Not Resolved, The Mold Will Likely Return. Causes Of Mold (Moisture Sources) Include Deficiencies In At Least 16 Subjects: Floodplain Management (P32), Stormwater Management (P32), Floor Elevations (P34), Drainage Slopes (P34), Basement Drainage (P36), Ground Clearance (P39), Vapor Barriers (P40), Foundations (P41), Plumbing (P42), Roofs (P43), Fenestration (Windows, Etc.) (P45), Siding (P46), Ventilation (P47), Air Conditioning (P51), Insulation (P52), And Exterior Structures (P52). The Good News Is That Complying With Established Requirements For Existing Or New Construction Will Minimize Or Prevent Moisture That Is Essential To Mold Growth. Many Of These Requirements Are Cited For Each Of These Subjects, With Expert Witness Examples From Several Of The United States. This Paper Concludes With Outcomes (P53), Recommendations (P53), And A Sample Expert Witness Report (P54)
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Whole-Body Vibration Effects On Garbage Truck Operators
Authors: Thompson David A.
Published: August 2021

In Order To Reduce The Physical Strain On Garbage Truck Operators Involved In Dumping Large Cans Of Garbage Into Their Truck, New Truck Designs Were Developed To Mechanically Extend Out From The Side Of The Truck To Grab A Can And Rotate It Upward To Dump Into The Top Of The Truck. The Driver Operates The Mechanism From Within The Cab. However, The Motion Of The Arm In Accelerating The Can Up Over The Truck And Then Shaking It To Discharge Its Contents Caused Excessive Rotary Accelerations And Decelerations Around The Transverse Axis Of The Truck Resulting, In Turn, In Excessive Whole-Body Vibration On The Operators Who Frequently Complained Of Continuing, Often Severe, Headaches. To Quantify The Level Of Whole-Body Vibration On Operators And To Compare It With International Standards, A Tri-Axial Accelerometer Was Attached To A Drivers Helmet And Measurements Were Recorded. The Amount Of Measured Vibration Exceeded The Relevant Standards, Particularly At The Frequencies For Which Humans Are Particularly Vulnerable To Injury.
Forensic Engineering Use Of Computer Animations And Graphics
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M. , David A. Danaher
Published: August 2021

During An Accident Reconstruction Investigation, Many Complicated Issues Arise That Must Be Presented To A Judge Or Jury. Although The Reconstructionist May Understand The Issues And Can Explain Them Orally, The Audience May Not Completely Understand. The Use Of Computer Animations And Graphics Can Take Those Complicated Issues And Present Them In A Clear And Understandable Way. The Graphics And Animations That Are Developed From The Engineering Analysis Are A Visual Representation Of The Forensic Engineers Opinion. Psychological Studies Show That People Are Only 15% Likely To Remember Orally-Communicated Information, But 95% Likely To Remember Orally-Communicated Information In Conjunction With Visually-Communicated Information. Visual Tools, Such As Photo Matching, Evidence Matching, Photogrammetry, Video Matching, 3d Modeling, Simulation, And Animation, Can Be Implemented During The Accident Investigation Process To Identify Evidence And Demonstrate A Thorough Analysis For Later Use In Court. For Example, Roof Crush Analysis Graphics, As Seen In Figure 1, Not Only Visually Illustrates The Deformation Of The Roofs Structure, But The Graphics Also Have A Solid Foundation Based On Accurate Measurements Of The Physical Evidence.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of A Car Vs. Car Vs. Pedestrian Accident
Authors: Armstrong Jeffrey D.
Published: August 2021

This Paper Summarizes The Forensic Engineering Analysis And Reconstruction Of A Nighttime Vehicle Crash. The Crash Occurred On The Inside Shoulder Of A Divided Interstate Highway Separated By A Concrete Barrier. A Driver Had Stopped His Vehicle On The Inside Shoulder Of The Westbound Section Of The Highway, Presumably Due To Car Troubles. His Car Was Struck In The Rear By Another Vehicle. When Emergency Personnel Arrived At The Scene, The Owner Of The Disabled Vehicle Was Found Deceased On The Inside Lane Of The Opposing Eastbound Roadway. As The Crash Was Being Investigated, A Vehicle Returned To The Scene Where The Driver Indicated That He Thought He Had Run Over Something As He Was Traveling Eastbound On The Freeway. The Forensic Engineer Was Retained To Reconstruct The Accident, And To Determine How The Driver Of The Disabled Vehicle Came To Be In The Opposing Roadway. The Reconstruction Involved Photogrammetry, Momentum Analysis, Crush Energy Analysis, Proper Use Of Pedestrian Throw Formulae, And A Forensic Analysis Of Evidence On The Disabled Vehicle.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Slope Failure During Wall Construction
Authors: Swanson Paul G.
Published: August 2021

A Slope Failure Occurred During The Excavation For And The Construction Of A Concrete Retaining Wall That Resulted In The Death A Worker On Site. The Forensic Study Involved An Evaluation Of The Slope And Retention Systems To Address The Relative Influence Of Rainfall And Weather Verses The Method Of Construction And General Construction Site Safety.