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In Identifying the Source of a Power Surge, forensic engineering expert witness Mamoon Alyah, P.E., answers the question “Is it possible to differentiate between lightning related surges and artificially generated electrical surges?”

A power surge is a condition where there are voltage variations from normal levels (110 Volts for a single phase system). These variations can be caused naturally by events such as lightning or artificially by many different events, ranging from simple power interruptions to significantly more complex events such as harmonics on the power line. Both sources of surge can cause similar types of damage to equipment including: premature failure of motors, computer and communication equipment mis-operation (lockups), loss of equipment following a thunderstorm and other symptoms of failure.

There are subtle, but significant differences between the nature of damages caused by the two types of surge (artificially vs. naturally generated). The cause of these differences is related to surge magnitude and the duration of the surge. Magnitude refers to the amount of energy contained in the power surge, while duration refers to the amount of time the power surge was sustained.

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Copyrights expert witnesses may opine on copyright infringement, copyright notice, and copyright limitations. On their website, the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law defines what copyright is:

Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship” including literary, dramatic,

musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Section 106 of the Copyright Act generally gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following:

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The failure to properly control traffic was a key factor in the death of Northern York County, PA, Regional Police Officer David Tome, an accident reconstruction expert witness testified Friday. Former Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steven Rickard was the first witness called by the attorney representing Joanna L. Seibert, 39, of 28 Clemens Drive. She allegedly struck and killed Tome on Route 15 in Franklin Township two years ago.

Rickard testified that drivers were given little to no advance warning that officers were in the area investigating a previous fatal accident. He said there were no warning signs and only a few cones to direct traffic into the other lane. He also said the failure to put up warning signs was a “significant” factor in Tome’s death.

Read more: yorkdispatch.com.

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Biotechnology expert witnesses may write reports on genetic engineering, biochemical engineering, and more. Here, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations describes biotechnology:

There is a wide array of “biotechnologies” with different techniques and applications. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biotechnology as: “any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use”.

Interpreted in this broad sense, the definition of biotechnology covers many of the tools and techniques that are commonplace in agriculture and food production. Interpreted in a narrow sense, which considers only the new DNA techniques, molecular biology and reproductive technological applications, the definition covers a range of different technologies such as gene manipulation and gene transfer, DNA typing and cloning of plants and animals.

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Polymers expert witnesses may opine on vinyl chloride polymers, electroactive polymers, functional polymers, and more. Here, the International Cast Polymer Alliance defines cast polymer:

Cast Polymer is the umbrella term used to encompass cultured marble, cultured granite, cultured onyx and solid surface products used in a wide range of household and commercial applications. Some of these applications include: counter tops, lavatories, vanities, shower receptors, bathtubs, enclosure sets, fireplace surrounds, window sills, wall panels, floor tiles, whirlpool baths and molding accents.

Cast polymer products are man-made, chemically–bonded, mineral-filled, polymeric materials which are molded and hardened to a solid material in a variety of shapes that meet diverse design needs. The manufacturing process permits a range of uses almost impossible to achieve with quarried stone. Cast polymer is stronger and less brittle than quarried marble; it is more durable than porcelain. Cast polymer products resist mildew and stains and are easily cleaned with non-abrasive cleaning agents. The one-piece, seamless construction of cast polymer is easy to maintain and resistant to breakage.

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On his website, Consultox.com, environmental toxicology expert witness Dr. Roger A Parent writes on generic drugs:

In June 2009 the US FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs issued, “Guidance for Industry; ANDAs: Impurities in Drug Substances” which basically follows the Q3A, Q3B, Q3C ICH guidelines. These guidelines focus on Drug Substances and covers original abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs), drug master files(DMFs), including Type II DMFs and ANDA supplements for changes in the synthesis or processing of a drug substance.

The guidance provides recommendations for establishing acceptance criteria for impurities in drug substances and recommends that the specifications for a Drug Substance include a list of impurities. A rational for the inclusion or exclusion of impurities should be included. As indicated in the ICH guidelines, if an impurity cannot be identified, then the efforts made to identify the impurity should be included if present at a level greater than the identification threshold given in ICH Q3A. Organic and inorganic impurities should be considered as well as residual solvent.

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Mortgage expert witnesses may opine on mortgage fraud, residential mortgages, and wholesale mortgages, among other topics. TheStreet.com reported this week that Bank of America said it will stop originating mortgages through brokers, the latest sign of caution among lenders that are grappling with a horde of buyback requests, lawsuits and fraud accusations stemming from loans that were originated carelessly.

As mortgage delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures have continued to pile up across the nation, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac began pushing back loans to servicers last year. Over the weekend, news broke that Bank of America had halted foreclosures in dozens of states due to a raft of litigation stemming from paperwork errors. JPMorgan and GMAC Mortgage followed suit while an array of other large lenders, including Citi, U.S. Bancorp, HSBC and PNC Financial Services, are reportedly scrutinizing their foreclosure processes at regulators’ behest.

The so-called “originate to sell” model is central to the problem banks are now facing in regards to buybacks. Mortgage originators had little reason to care about what happened to mortgages once they left the balance sheet via securitization. As a result, those working directly with customers had been trying to push as many applications through the pipeline as quickly as possible, leading to paperwork errors that investors have seized upon to force servicers to buy back debt.

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Mortgage expert witnesses may opine on mortgage fraud, residential mortgages, and wholesale mortgages, among other topics. TheStreet.com reported this week that Bank of America said it will stop originating mortgages through brokers, the latest sign of caution among lenders that are grappling with a horde of buyback requests, lawsuits and fraud accusations stemming from loans that were originated carelessly.

Bank of America isn’t the first lender to pare back its wholesale mortgage operations. JPMorgan Chase did the same thing last year, citing the fact that loans originated in-house performed better than those that came from brokers. Citigroup began downsizing its wholesale operations in 2008.

“By exiting the first mortgage wholesale channel, we can redirect critical operational resources to further enhance our capabilities in direct-to-consumer channels,” Barbara Desoer, who heads Bank of America’s mortgage division, said in a statement. “This is an investment in strengthening our competitive position.”

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Translation expert witnesses may opine on document translation and medical interpreting. Here, the American Translators Association explains that translation is not a commodity and offers standards for buying a non-commodity.

#3 The intended readers.

Are you targeting teenagegamers, genetic researchers, patent agents or simply anyone who might stumble upon your website?

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Firearms and ballistics expert witness William McBrayer testified in the Demeatrius Montgomery trial which found Montgomery guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shootings of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark. The firearms and tool examiner, recently retired from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s crime lab, said bullets found lodged inside Sean Clark’s head and at the scene were definitely fired from a gun prosecutors say is the murder weapon.

Just before the trial concluded, defense attorney Duane Bryant announced that his client would appeal.

Read more: http://www.heraldonline.com.