Dr. Brad James, Principal Engineer and Director of the Center for Materials Science and Corrosion Engineering, and Dr. Robert Sire, Senior Managing Engineer in the Center for Mechanical Engineering, recently published an article in January 2010 edition of Biomaterials on fatigue life assessment and validation techniques for metallic implants. 

Abstract

Vascular implants, such as cardiac valve prostheses, stents, and other devices are often subjected to complex loading conditions in vivo, which can include pulsatile pressure cycling, bending, torsion, tension, and compression, among others. At an average of 72 heartbeats per minute, pulsatile loading alone produces approximately 40-million cycles per year. With design lives of 10 to 15 years, fatigue performance assessment and validation of these devices are critical for the designer, as mechanical failure can have serious consequences. Historically, various fatigue-life assessment approaches have been used to validate endovascular device fatigue performance, including durability testing, stress/strain-life analysis, and damage tolerance-based analysis. This paper explores the merits and shortcomings of each of these design approaches, and provides recommendations for fatigue-life validation of endovascular implants.

Full-text version of the journal article is available on-line  (subscription required).

An Exponent report, "Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption and Cancer: A Technical Summary of the Epidemiologic Evidence” was released to members of the Human Nutrition Research Committee during the Cattle Industry’s Annual Convention this past week in San Antonio. Dr. Dominik Alexander, Senior Managing Scientist in the Center for Epidemiology and Computational Biology practice is the author of the report.  The purpose of this technical report is to summarize the currently available epidemiologic studies of red meat and processed meat consumption and cancer. The fundamental basis of the science of epidemiology, including study designs, research methodology, data evaluation, and scientific interpretation is also discussed. This assessment includes a comprehensive evaluation of hundreds of epidemiologic studies across all types of cancer.  The executive summary of Dr. Alexander's report can be found on The Center for Research & Knowledge Management website.  This Center is located in the Department of Research, Education & Innovation at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  The entire report will be made available for purchase on the Center's website in February. 

"Mechanisms of Automatic Transmission Console Shift Selection and Driver Egress" by Genevieve M. Heckman, Gerald W. Jackson, Richard E. Keefer, Rose Ray, Erin M. Harley and Douglas E. Young from our Human Factors, Vehicle Engineering and Statistical Sciences Practices, has been awarded one of the most outstanding technical papers of 2009 by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).  It was recently published in the SAE International Journal of Engines,  October 2009 edition.  An abstract of the paper is found below. If you would like to obtain a copy, membership to SAE is required and more information can be found here.

Abstract

Inadvertent vehicle movement incidents, in which a vehicle rolls away after the driver has exited, may occur in automatic transmission vehicles as a result of environmental, vehicular, and/or driver factors. Some explanations have focused on claimed potential malfunctions or design flaws in the vehicle’s console shift mechanism or in the automatic transmission itself. However, growing evidence suggests that driver errors unrelated to vehicle design may in fact be the primary cause of many inadvertent vehicle movement incidents. The present research extends previous work on driver gear-shifting behaviors and vehicle egress by conducting more in-depth analyses of data collected by Harley et al. (2008). First, timing characteristics of shifts into Park measured under hurried conditions were not affected by the presence of driver distraction, further evidence that gear shifting is not a visually-guided process, but rather a ballistic movement that is preplanned and, once initiated, cannot be modified or terminated until the planned action has been completed. Second, a noteworthy mode of vehicle exit reported by Harley et al. (2008) wherein the driver’s foot remains on the brake during egress, was found to be associated with rapid vehicle exit times. Such egress patterns may combine with other driver errors (e.g., failure to shift into Park, failure to set the parking brake, and failure to remove the key from the ignition before exiting the vehicle) to allow inadvertent vehicle movements in which the driver is unable to safely regain control of the vehicle.

The staff of Exponent would like to wish you and your families

 a safe and happy New Year!

Linda Erderich, Senior Managing Scientist and Meghan Wagner, Managing Scientist, who both work in Exponent's New York office, and Dominik Alexander, Senior Managing Scientist in the Wood Dale (Chicago) IL office, have published an article in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of Dairy Science.  The article is entitled "Meta-Analysis of Stray Voltage on Dairy Cattle".

Abstract

A quantitative assessment of dairy cow responses to contact current (stray voltage) at 50 or 60 Hz was conducted using meta-analysis and pooled analysis methodology. The objective was to more accurately quantify the minimum exposure level (threshold) at which dairy cows respond and to identify sources of heterogeneity among studies. Several medical and agricultural databases were used to locate individual studies for the systematic literature review, from which 22 published studies of stray voltage and behavioral response or milk yield met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis models were constructed to assess the percentage of cows with a behavioral response at documented exposure levels, and the summary relative risk estimate for all exposure pathways combined was calculated for each 1-mA increment from 1.0 through 5.0 mA. The meta-analysis of percentage response showed that cows exhibited statistically significant first behavioral responses at 3.0 mA, response probability increased with exposure levels, and exposure pathways contributed to heterogeneity in the model. The pooled analysis of mean behavioral response threshold was based on experimental studies of ascending series of current exposures on 355 cows. The overall weighted mean for first behavioral response to current was 4.0 mA. Ten of the studies that met the inclusion criteria addressed milk production, but heterogeneity in exposure pathways, patterns, and duration precluded meta-analysis or data pooling. The milk production studies ranged in size from 4 to 48 cows and used switchback or paired design to increase power. A qualitative narrative review of these studies indicated that production was not affected by exposure to contact current at levels of 3 mA or lower for exposures of up to 21 d or 4 wk.

The entire article is available through subscription.  See the Journal of Dairy Science for on-line access.

Dr. Art Miller, Principal Scientist, in the Bowie, MD office, will participate in an invited panel discussion at the Food Safety and Quality Summit in Palm Springs, CA December 8-9. Dr. Miller will discuss strategies for the food industry to address consumer reaction to food safety and nutrition issues. Dr. Miller is internationally recognized for applying experimental and risk assessment approaches to the understanding of the behavior and control of foodborne hazards. His proven ability to integrate scientific and regulatory expertise has influenced the U.S. government’s programs and policies and food industry practices since the 1980’s.

Dr. Miller completed over 30 years of distinguished federal service, holding senior research and executive regulatory positions within both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He was with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition (FDA-CFSAN) from 1998 to 2005, serving as the FDA’s Lead Scientist for the National Food Safety Initiative, CFSAN’s Lead Scientist for Microbiology and, the Associate Director for the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN).

On November 4, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) released a draft guidance document regarding compliance with the testing and certification requirements of Section 102 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). They also announced that the CPSC will hold a public workshop on the topic on December 10 and 11. The workshop will explore elements of the interim guidance on which product safety rules require a general conformity certification, the essential elements of a reasonable testing program, information on the third-party certifications for children's products and periodic testing requirements, and information on use of component part testing. Comments on the draft guidance must be submitted to the Commission by January 11, 2010.

Exponent has been assisting clients with CPSIA issues since the act took effect in 2008 and provides services in the areas of health risk assessment, toxicology, material testing protocols, product design reviews, warnings/labeling, and product recall investigations, as well as and assistance in developing corrective action plans, regulatory support, and statistical risk analysis.

Following multiple catastrophic combustible dust explosions across the United States, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has formally initiated a rulemaking process to develop and adopt a comprehensive combustible dust standard within the United States. OSHA began a Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) originally published in October 2007 and reissued in March 2008 that included inspections targeting dust explosion hazards in specific industries. These inspections resulted in citations to facilities using existing OSHA regulations and the General Duty Clause.

Any standard addressing combustible dust related hazards potentially affects a significant number of industries including but not limited to, agriculture, animal food manufacturing, grain handling, food manufacturing, wood product manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, textile manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, metal processing, pesticide manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, tire manufacturing, rubber and plastics recycling, wastewater treatment, and coal handling and processing.

Exponent engineers understand current industry standards and recommended practices (for example, the National Fire Protection Association Standard 654 Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids) and are currently assisting clients in understanding how to best protect life, property, business operation, and the environment from the harmful effects of dust fires and explosions. We have extensive experience in analytical and experimental investigation and analysis techniques for the investigation and prevention of dust explosions and are experienced in conducting Process Hazard Analyses of new or existing facilities and developing alternative methodologies to mitigate dust explosion hazards.

Dr. Jennfer Hoffman, Manager in Exponent’s Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science practice, is presenting a talk entitled "Microscopic Characterization of CPVC Failure Modes", at the Golden Gate Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers on Thursday, November 19th. 

Abstract:  This talk will demonstrate the utility of fractography (i.e., the study of fracture surfaces) in failure analysis investigations. CPVC fire sprinkler pipe sections were subjected to controlled loading conditions typifying hydrostatic burst, impact loading, and environmental stress cracking (ESC) to induce cracks. Hydrostatic burst is an overload failure mode (e.g. water hammer), which may occur during pipeline operation, while pipe crush is a failure mode that may occur during installation or maintenance of the pipeline. ESC, a time-dependent failure mode involving physical embrittlement of plastic materials, may occur when stressed pipes are exposed to certain chemicals such as solvent cements, solder fluxes, fitting lubricants, and transported fluids. A pipe recovered from a field failure was also examined and compared to a pipe that failed under simulated service conditions involving a combination of chemical and thermal insult and hydrostatic load. In addition, the effect of chemical concentration on ESC behavior is evaluated using common phthalate ester plasticizers, which are known ESC agents for CPVC.

Registration: For location and registration information, please click here.

Dr. Jeff Colwell, Principal Engineer in the Thermal Sciences Practice, will be presenting a three-day course entitled "Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Fire Investigation" at the Exponent Test and Engineering Center, October 26-29, 2009.  The seminar is sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers. 

Abstract:

The manner in which a motor vehicle fire is initiated and subsequently spreads is dependent on a number of complex, interdependent, phenomena including combustion kinetics, heat transfer and fluid dynamics. Because the damage caused by a fire is coupled to these phenomena, damage patterns can sometimes be used to understand certain characteristics about the fire. In many cases, the goal is to determine the cause and origin of the fire.

In this highly interactive, hands-on course, participants will acquire a working knowledge of fire science and be able to use this knowledge to assess possible ignition mechanisms, evaluate burn patterns, and analyze fire spread. This seminar will also explore the interpretation and limitations of the physical evidence from a fire scene. The approach to collecting and retaining important physical evidence, and laboratory techniques to examine this evidence, will also be described. As an in-class project, participants will have the opportunity to inspect several burned vehicles, predict cause and origin and compare findings to the actual cause and origin of the fire, as shown in burn test videos.

For registration information, click here

Minimizing Exposure and Liability from the H1N1 Virus: Updated Strategies for Property Managers, Building Owners, Landlords, and Commercial Tenants

Philadelphia Seminar
Wednesday, November 4, 2009

8:00am –Registration & Breakfast
8:30am – 10:30am Program

Conference Room – Lobby Level
401 Plymouth Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

For more information and to register, please click here.

New York Seminar
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

8:00am –Registration & Breakfast
8:30am – 10:30am Program

John E. Osborn, PC
841 Broadway, Suite 500
New York, NY 10003

For more information and to register, please click here.

Seating is very limited, and reservations are required. No registration fee.

Dr. Stephen Saunders, Managing Scientist in Exponent's Center for Chemical Regulation and Food Safety, will be co-presenting a free webinar on October 22nd.  Dr. Saunders is presenting with Dr. Rachel Linck from Chemir Analytical Services.   The course entitled "Managing Food Safety Failures" will cover:

• Possible causes of quality failures
• Specific case studies illustrating solutions
• Product recall/risk management
• How to get your food safety system back on track after a quality failure

The presenters will also examine how analytical data is used to resolve food safety issues and will  explore reasons that a manufacturer may need to use an outside laboratory and important questions to ask when choosing an independent lab.

Click here for registration information

Christopher Buehler, PhD, PE from Exponent's Houston office, and Rengie Chan, PhD from Exponent's Bellevue office have published a paper entitled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Characterization and Management” that appears in the current (September) issue of Hydrocarbon Processing (HP) in the Special Report on Refining Developments.

Abstract:

Recent developments in US climate change legislation and regulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) are encouraging refiners to take a serious look at the GHG emissions from their facilities, and to explore strategies to reduce their GHG footprints.

The refining process involves separation and reaction processes that have significant energy requirements that are largely met through the combustion of fossil fuels, resulting in both direct GHG emissions at refineries, and indirect emissions when the energy is imported. Additional GHG emissions are generated from the combustion of accumulated carbon during catalyst regeneration, during hydrogen (H2) production via steam reforming of hydrocarbons, and from numerous other sources and activities throughout the refinery.

Increasingly stringent specifications on the allowable sulfur content in gasoline and diesel fuel have boosted H2 consumption in US refineries, while the processing of heavier crude oil has necessitated additional conversion processes, resulting in greater energy and H2 consumption. With the ongoing trend of heavier and more sour crude oil feeds to US refineries,1 the GHG footprint of refining is expected to increase unless active mitigation steps are taken. Strategies for reducing the refining GHG footprint may include energy efficiency improvements, fuel switching, carbon capture and increasing the share of transportation fuels that have lower life cycle GHG emissions. 

The paper is available for download (subscription only) on the Hydrocarbon Processing website. 

Dr. Troy Hayes, Senior Managing Engineer and General Manager, Exponent China, will be making two presentations at the EV Li-Ion Battery Forum to be held in Shanghai, September 2nd-3rd.  Dr. Hayes will first address the general session on the topic "Identifying A Non-Safe Li-ion Battery In The Production Cycle To Avoid Safety Recalls And Maintaining Your Brand’s Trust".  

Dr. Hayes is also conducting a pre-conference full-day seminar on  "Designing And Manufacturing Safe Li-ion Batteries For Electric Vehicles".  Topics for this seminar include:

• Examining The Key Manufacturing Practices And Techniques To Achieve High Quality Li-ion Cells
• Thermal Management Of Battery Pack For Electric Vehicles
• Evaluating Special Technologies And Form Factors For Li-ion Batteries In Electric Vehicles 

More information regarding the conference program can be found here.

Dr. David Hoel, Principal Scientist in the Center for Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Computational Biology, is a featured author in the August 2009 issue of the Society of Risk Analysis (SRA) Risk Newsletter.  Dr. Hoel's article "Radiogenic Cancer Risk Estimates: EPA Update" discusses the December 2008 release of the EPA's "Radiogenic Cancer Risk Models and Projections for the U.S. Population" - commonly referred to as the "Blue Book".  You can read the entire article on the SRA website.

Dr. Hoel is internationally known for his work in risk assessment and has served on and also chaired numerous committees for the WHO and the U.N. as well as the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the NIH, the EPA and the FDA. In addition to working with asbestos and chemicals, he is especially active in the area of radiation risk assessment.

Dr. Duane Steffey, Director of Exponent's Statistical and Data Sciences Practice, is one of 57 members of the American Statistical Association (ASA), the nation's preeminent professional statistical society, that have been elected as Fellows of the Association. Dr. Steffey was recognized for his outstanding professional contributions to and leadership in the field of statistical science. He received his certificate at a ceremony on Tuesday, August 4th at the annual Joint Statistical Meetings in Washington, DC.

Individuals are nominated for the honor by fellow members and must have an established reputation and made outstanding contributions in some aspect of statistical work to be selected.  The Committee on Fellows evaluates candidates' contributions to the advancements of statistics, giving due weight to publications, the positions held by the candidates in the organizations in which they are employed, activities within the association, membership and attainments in other societies, and other professional activities. 

More about the designation can be found on the American Statistical Association website.

Praveen Gunaseelan, PhD, Manager in Exponent's Engineering Consulting Practice, and Chris Buehler, PhD, PE, Senior Managing Engineer in Exponent's Thermal Sciences, have authored an article entitled "Changing US Crude Imports are Driving Refinery Upgrades".  The paper appears in this week's print and on-line version of the Oil & Gas Journal.  The paper discusses the impact of heavy Canadian crude imports on the US refining infrastructure, as well as opportunities for gasification projects. The article is based on a paper they presented at the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) annual meeting in March 2009.

The paper is available to subscribers on-line. For more information, see the Oil and Gas Journal website.

Jordana K. Schmier, M.A., Managing Scientist in the Alexandria, VA office and Edmund Lau, Senior Managing Scientist in the Menlo Park office recently published an article entitled "Trends in Annual Medicare Expenditures for Glaucoma Surgical Procedures From 1997 to 2006" in the July 2009 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of JAMA/Archives journals.  They conducted an analysis of Medicare claims and payments for glaucoma surgery between 1997 and 2006. The overall number of glaucoma surgical procedures appears to be increasing, but payments by Medicare for the procedures have been decreasing, according to the report.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and currently affects more than 2 million people in the United States, according to background information in the article. “Management and treatment of glaucoma can be costly, and it has been estimated that glaucoma is the primary reason for ophthalmologist visits in the United States,” the authors write. One previous study estimated that annual Medicare payments for glaucoma exceeded $1.2 billion each year between 1991 and 2000. “An important driver of glaucoma treatment costs is surgery.” Surgery is typically used to reduce intraocular pressure (pressure within the eye) when medications fail to do so.

“Overall, there were decreases in both the number of glaucoma surgical procedures and the amount of annual payments from 1997 to 2001 but an increase in the number of procedures in the following years,” the authors write.

“Trends in claims and payments vary according to procedure. Average payments for trabeculectomies decreased over time, while annual payments for cyclophotocoagulation [a type of cyclodestructive procedure] and shunt-related procedures have increased.”

After an initial decline, the number of trabeculoplasties increased, coinciding with advances in technology and changes in the global period for reimbursement (the amount of time after a surgery during which additional billing is limited; in 2002, this period changed from 90 to 10 days for laser trabeculoplasty).

The analysis examines only direct medical fees paid to physicians, which may be less than half of total glaucoma-related expenditures, the authors note. “Regardless, Medicare payments remain an important component of the cost of glaucoma in the United States and the overall trend toward lower-cost surgical procedures (i.e., fewer trabeculectomies) despite the increased use of newer technologies (i.e., more glaucoma drainage devices) observed in this analysis may have a substantial impact on national glaucoma expenses,” they conclude. “Further advances and the application of new technologies may help to moderate the cost of providing glaucoma care to all who require it.”

More information on the study can be found can be found here.

Dr. Timothy Myers, Senior Managing Engineer in Exponent's Thermal Sciences practice in Natick, MA, will present a webinar entitled "Dust Explosions" on Wednesday, June 23rd.  The webinar is sponsored by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

Abstract:

Catastrophic dust explosions in 2003 and 2008 have placed an increased emphasis on the prevention and mitigation of dust explosions. In response to these incidents and subsequent CSB recommendations, OSHA has introduced a Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) and has greatly increased enforcement efforts. In this presentation, Dr. Myers will provide the background on dust explosions, the elements required to cause them, and the types of materials that can fuel them. He will review the current status of dust explosion regulations and consensus standards in the United States. He will present statistics of OSHA enforcement issues, including descriptions of the most frequently issued citations. He will summarize NFPA standards for the prevention and mitigation of dust explosions, including primary prevention methods.

For more information and webinar log-in details, click here

Exponent's EcoSciences Practice will be working on one of more than 50 new wind energy projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The project entitled "Spatially-Explicit Bat Impact Screening Tool for Turbine Siting," will be conducted in collaboration with Versar, a publicly held international professional services firm supporting government and industry in national defense/homeland defense programs, environmental health and safety and infrastructure revitalization. The objective of the project is to develop a model that can be used to evaluate the potential for wind projects sited in different locations to impact bats, taking into account bat biology and behavior. Wind project impacts on bats has become a significant issue in many geographical locations, particularly where certain bat species are listed as threatened and endangered.

The projects were announced by Department of Energy Secretary, Steven Chu on May 6th.  A copy of the Department of Energy's Press Release can be found here.

Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering  (CUREE) recently received an Excellence in Engineering Award from the Structural Engineers Association of California for its publication General Guidelines for the Assessment and Repair of Earthquake Damage in Residential Woodframe Buildings.

Exponent Principal John Osteraas served as project manager for this multi-year project which received major funding from the California Earthquake Authority . The project was guided by a panel of independent experts representing the diverse disciplines involved in earthquake damage assessment and repair. Exponent staff including Jon Wren, Brian McDonald, Joel Wolf, John Fessler, and Allison Faris made significant contributions to the Guidelines. A PDF copy of the Guidelines may be downloaded from the CUREE website.

Exponent helps clients resolve the broad variety of challenges inherent in green building projects — before, during, and after construction. Our multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers, and scientists assist clients in addressing all aspects and phases of sustainable construction projects, from evaluating a proposed project to assessing possible shortcomings in the final product. Exponent is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and has LEED® Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) who are also licensed as Professional Engineers, Professional Geologists, and Certified Industrial Hygienists.  For more information on our services, click here.

Exponent scientists are presenting workshops, giving papers and presenting posters at the 2009 Society of Toxicology meeting being held in Baltimore the week of March 15th.

Please visit the Society of Toxicology website for more information.

Jim Lamb, PhD, DABT, FATS, Director of the Center for Toxiology and Mechanistic Biology,  has been elected as a member of the board of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences (ATS). As a nonprofit organization, the mission of the ATS is to establish a means by which practicing toxicologists are certified based on education (Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree and postdoctoral training), professional experience (career advancement), demonstrated achievement (scholarly publications, editorial boards, awarded grants), proven ability (international honors and awards) and scientific expertise (international scientific boards, committees, workgroups).

Certification, which is recognized by the title of Fellow, is based on peer review by ATS Fellows who serve on the Board of Directors. ATS certifies toxicologists not only to recognize their professional achievement but also to assure that toxicology professionals, who participate in research and testing, determine safety, risk and risk-benefit and who make regulatory decisions that impact public health and the environment, exercise sound scientific judgment, free of bias, based on the scientific data.

Dr. Kimberly Cameron, Senior Engineer in the Menlo Park, CA, office and Dr. Alfred Pettinger, Senior Managing Engineer in the Orange County Office, presented a paper entitled “Assessing Pipeline Integrity Using Fracture Mechanics and Currently Available Inspection Tools” at the Pipeline pigging and integrity management conference in Houston, TX on Feb. 12th.

This paper addressed the appropriate fracture mechanics needed to assess circumferential cracks under external axial loads and summarizes the current inspection capabilities for circumferential defects in order to assess pipeline integrity under axial loading conditions. Specific examples from a pipeline buried in an active landslide region were given as well as a general review of the available pipeline inspection tools and appropriate fracture mechanics. The paper will be published in the Journal of Pipeline Engineering.

Dr. Steven Kurtz, Corporate Vice President presented the results of a new study at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), that found that the number of patients requiring hip or knee replacement surgery is likely to soon outpace the number of surgeons who can perform the procedure.  The study was performed by members of Exponent's Biomechanics, Data & Risk Analysis and Epidemiology Practices.

Abstract

Adult Reconstruction Hip 2: Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty:
National Projections of Younger Patient Demand for Primary and Revision Joint Replacement

The purpose of this study was to develop nationwide projections for primary and revision TJR for the young patient population in the U.S. We tested the hypothesis that patients younger than 65 years old will represent the majority of the anticipated demand for primary and revision TJR between 2010 and 2030.

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify primary and revision arthroplasty performed between 1993 and 2006. National projections were calculated by summing the projections for each subgroup, for which both the population and the prevalence of surgery were statistically modeled to vary over time using Poisson regression.

Substantial increases in the demand for primary hip as well as primary and revision knee replacement surgery among patients < 65 years old were predicted over time by our modeling. The demand for primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) among patients < 65 years old was projected to exceed 50% of arthroplasty recipients by 2011 and 2016, respectively. By 2030, the demand for TJA by patients <65 years old is projected to be 52% of primary THAs and 55-62% of primary or revision TKAs. The future demand was projected to grow the fastest for the 45-54 year age category for primary TKA, which was anticipated to grow from 59,077 in 2006 to 994,104 (17 times) by 2030.

This study provides quantification of the young patient demand for primary and revision total joint replacement in the United States through 2030. The current findings are expected to have implications in the private coverage and reimbursement of TJR procedures in the future.

For more information on the presentation, click here

Dr. Joe Rakow, Managine Engineer in the Menlo Park, CA office, and Dr. Alfred Pettinger, Senior Managing Engineer in the Orange County Office, have authored a chapter on the failure analysis of composite structures for the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) Manual of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation (Doc 9756-AN/965). The topics covered in this chapter are timely and relevant given the accelerating use of composites in nearly all aircraft markets, most notably marked by the Airbus 380 and the Boeing 787. The main points of discussion in the chapter are as follows:

• An introduction to the use of composites in aircraft structures 
• Failure of metal structures versus failure of composite structures 
• Typical failure features found in composite laminates, sandwich structures, joints, and repairs 
• Case studies and examples involving failures of composite aircraft structures
  

Anita Kerezman, Manager in Exponent's Vehicle Engineering Practice in Phoenix, is the co-author of a the 2nd edition of the American Bar Association (ABA) book entitled "Truck Accident Litigation, Second Edition".  The past ten years have seen major developments in the trucking industry, from advances in the technology found in the vehicles on the road to significant changes in the rules and regulations that govern the industry itself. This comprehensively updated second edition of Truck Accident Litigation addresses the multitude of changes that have taken place with an emphasis on legal liability, considerations and ramifications.

More information can be found on the American Bar Association website

Dr. Betsy Henry, Senior Managing Scientist in Exponent's Environmental and Earth Sciences Practice will  launch SUNY-ESF’s 2009 Women in Scientific and Environmental Professions Speaker Series with “Mercury in the Onondaga Lake Remedy.” Tuesday, February 24, 4 pm, 145 Baker Laboratory, SUNY-ESF campus.

Dr. Henry's work focuses on assessment of mercury cycling and bioaccumulation in fresh and estuarine waters, mercury biogeochemistry in wetlands, mercury volatilization from contaminated soils, development of preliminary remediation goals for mercury in sediment and fish tissue for protection of wildlife and humans that consume fish, management options to control methylmercury formation, and residual risk analysis, including assessment of future concentrations of mercury in water and fish following remediation. Sponsored by the Department of Chemistry and the ESF Women's Caucus.

All presentations are free and open to the public.   More information on the seminar can be found on the ESF Women's Caucus website

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) changes the operating landscape for many manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. Modifications to the role of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have changed the responsibilities, duties, and accountability of these parties with respect to the performance, testing, advertising, and tracking of consumer products, particularly children’s products. Exponent scientists and engineers have contributed to the scientific body of work relevant to key topics addressed by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, including the communication of safety information (e.g., alongside advertising), children’s ability to access product components, standards application and testing, corrective action plans for products, the tracking and analysis of injury and consumer complaint data, exposure testing methods and protocols, and health effects of low levels of lead and phthalates in products.

In February 2009, new requirement of the CPSIA take effect. Exponent’s Human Factors, Engineering and Health Scientists have in-depth experience in drawing on sound science and engineering practices to help clients meet the highest standards of safety in the evolving regulatory landscape.

Exponent is pleased to make the following LS-DYNA3D user subroutine for the hybrid model for download free of charge. The hybrid model is a material model that was developed for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in total joint replacements. This model has been validated for conventional and highly crosslinked UHMWPE, including 2nd-generation highly crosslinked UHMWPE. Information about the development and use of the Hybrid model has appeared in the open literature. Exponent has decided to release a free LS-DYNA3D user subroutine for the Hybrid Model under a General Public License.  The user subroutine is also made available for download free of charge on the Exponent website for use by the orthopedic research community. This implementation is documented in a conference paper, which is also available on www.uhmwpe.org.  Exponent provides the user subroutine “AS IS” on our site. Any use of this program is entirely at the user’s own risk. Any output from this program is intended for informational, research and evaluation purposes only.

For more information, contact Dr. Steve Kurtz.

Future Development of the Hybrid Model

With the public release of the user subroutine, it is hoped that the Hybrid model will continue to evolve and be developed by the international research community. At the present time, ongoing development of the model is being performed by Erin Oneida under the guidance of Professor Tony Ingraffea at Cornell University and Professor Anton Bowden at Brigham Young University. They hope to establish a user support site for the Hybrid model so that developers have a forum to post future versions of the code (such as an ABAQUS version).

Bergstrom J, Bowden A, Oneida E. Hybrid model version HMV3.

Freeware version date: December 3, 2008.

Website address: http://www.exponent.com/hybrid_model/.

Site established on January 15, 2009.

Albert V. Karvelis, PhD, PE, Principal Engineer in Exponent's Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Practice, has been elected a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The Felow Grade of Membership recognizes exceptional engineering achievements and contributions to the engineering profession. For over 20 years, Dr. Karvelis has been active in and held leadership positions within the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, in the Design Engineering Division and the Codes & Standards Division. In 1996, he was Chair of the ASME 8th International Power Transmission and Gearing Conference and co-editor of the Proceedings.

Dr. Karvelis' practice area for 40 years has been machinery and manufacturing. This includes all aspects of machinery, from R&D and intellectual property through design, manufacturing, safety/risk assessment, test, failure analysis, and performance assessment. His specialties include mechanical power transmission, machine design, vibration and acoustics; failure analysis of machinery; fluid dynamics and fluid machinery. 

Congratulations!

The staff of Exponent wishes each and every one of you a safe, happy and healthy holiday season!

Click here to read our 2008 holiday message.

Dr. Leila Barraj and Dr. Nga Tran, Senior Managing Scientists in Exponent's Center for Chemical Regulation and Food Safety and Dr. Pamela Mink, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Rollins School of Public Health and a Senior Managing Scientist (hourly) at Exponent,  were co-authors of a publication entitled "A comparison of egg consumption with other modifiable coronary heart disease lifestyle risk factors: A relative risk apportionment study". The article was published November 4, 2008 on-line in Risk Analysis.

Exponent's research was used as part of a study announced on December 16th by the Egg Nutrition Center and the American Egg Board. The study entitled "New Study “Pardons” the Misunderstood Egg " evaluated the risk of heart disease associated with egg consumption compared to modifiable lifestyle risk factors (smoking, poor diet, being overweight or obese, physical inactivity). The study authors used data from the 1999-2000 and 2001-2001 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) to categorize the U.S. adult population into various groups based on modifiable lifestyle risks. More information regarding the study can be found here.

Exponent is pleased to announce James C. Lamb, IV, Ph.D., DABT, has joined the firm as Principal Scientist and Director of Health Sciences Center for Toxicology and Mechanistic Biology. Dr. Lamb has more than 25 years of experience specializing in general toxicology, carcinogenesis, reproductive and developmental toxicology, risk assessment, and regulatory policy. He is nationally recognized in the fields of toxicology, biology, and endocrinology.. His work has included reviewing, interpreting, and advising clients on consumer and industrial product risks and benefits.

Dr. Lamb has extensive laboratory and management experience in toxicology, risk assessment, and environmental regulation. He has published more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports covering his work in reproductive and developmental toxicology, endocrine toxicology, children’s health risk assessment, carcinogenesis, general toxicology, risk assessment, pesticide regulation, and legislation. He has served on numerous scientific and legal panels, and on review boards for government and private organizations. Organizations he has served include National Academy of Sciences Committees, International Life Sciences Institute, U.S. Delegation to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and American Board of Toxicology. He has also served as an officer for many professional societies. In addition to extensive consulting experience, Dr. Lamb worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. National Toxicology Program.

A complete bio of Dr. Lamb's experience can be found here

What attracts venture capitalists to fund certain start-ups and not others? Many of today's leading medical device and biotech companies began as start-ups funded by VCs who took a risk. This seminar will provide a forum for discussion of how lower-risk strategies combined with successful commercial marketing plans can be achieved to help entrepreneurs attract the capital vital to a start-up's success. Members of the business community who have played critical roles in bringing start-ups to fruition will provide key expertise on this subject.

Learning to REACH: A Primer and Update on New EU Requirements for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical Substances

Exponent will be presenting a REACH webinar Thursday, June 26, 2008, 11:00 AM PDT. This 60-minute Webinar will describe the program's requirements and explain the various steps to compliance and how you can address some of the key issues you will face. The Webinar will also unravel some of the confusion regarding which chemicals must be registered and how to do it.

The growth in the number of proposed Liquefied Natural Gas facilities in Canada will bring much needed gas to the region, but it has also raised concerns from interested stakeholders, such as government agencies, industry and the public. The Institut maritime du Quebec and Exponent are organizing a one-day technical conference in Quebec City to present the latest information on the practices and the developments in the maritime transportation of LNG. The conference will address issues such as: the economic climate of LNG, safety and security practices, as well as recent technological developments.

Conference website

 Conference Website

Pieter Booth, Nick Gard and Sheryl Law from the EcoSciences Practice in Bellevue, WA recently published an article entitled “Sustainability: Considerations for Including Eco-Assets in a Company’s Bottom Line” in the December 2007 issue of the Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Ecosystems Committee Newsletter of the American Bar Association’s Section of Energy, Environment & Resources.

The full newsletter can be found at: http://www.abanet.org/environ/committees/climatechange/newsletter/.

An article in Surgicenter explores the expected increase for total joint replacement. Steven Kurtz, Ph.D. was interviewed and provided background based on paper presented at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Registration required to read article.

The Army's Rapid Equipping Force partnered with Exponent, Inc. and developed the Rapid Deployment Integrated Surveillance System, or RDISS, to improve situational awareness for Soldiers at joint security stations and combat outposts throughout Iraq.

Click here to read the article on Military.com.