The Offshore Drilling Risk Solutions Center (Center) is a "think tank" that specializes in improving the safety and reliability (toughness) of the offshore oil and gas industry, from exploration, through production, to delivery. Exponent created the Center to assist the offshore oil and gas industry in refining its approach to regain the trust of the public, and by extension, regulators, and legislators. The goal of this new think tank is to provide independent, objective, and technically-sound solutions to significantly improve the toughness of the offshore industry as a whole.

The Center is based upon the following fundamental concept: Many companies operating globally in offshore basins have experienced a variety of incidents and/or failures over the course of many years, some of which had the potential to result in catastrophic oil spills, even if such spills did not occur. Not all companies have experienced the same types of incidents and/or failures. Although many companies have conducted their own internal risk assessments, or hired outside consultants to perform external risk assessments on their own limited set of available data, there has not been a comprehensive external review based on industry‐wide records of offshore incidents and/or failures. Exponent recognizes the need for such a comprehensive approach and is offering the member companies an opportunity to pool their collective data (in a protected format) and share in the cost of analyzing that data. In the course of performing such an analysis, the Center will define a system reliability model calibrated with the available past performance data.

For more information, click here

Dr. Jack S. Mandel has rejoined Exponent as Chief Science Officer.  Most recently he was Professor and Director of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.  From 2002-2008, Dr. Mandel was at Emory University in Atlanta where he served as Rollins Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology, in the Rollins School of Public Health and Deputy Director for Cancer Control and Population Sciences in the Winship Cancer Institute.  While at Emory, he was selected as a Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC) Distinguished Cancer Scholar.  From 1999-2002, Dr. Mandel was a Group Vice President at Exponent.  

Dr. Mandel was a member of the University of Minnesota faculty from 1975-1999.  From 1995 to 1999, he was the Head of the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health.  In 1996, he received the distinguished honor of being named to the endowed Mayo Chair in Public Health.  In 1997, he was the recipient of the Leonard M. Schuman Award for Excellence in Teaching.  During his tenure at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Mandel served on a number of international, national, state, and local committees.  He has also served as a consultant to industry, professional associations, and governmental agencies.  

Dr. Mandel has conducted many case-control, cohort (both prospective and retrospective), cross-sectional, experimental, and methodological studies.  He has published more than 200 articles related to epidemiology, including studies of prostate, colorectal, kidney, pancreatic, breast, lung, stomach, hematopoietic and skin cancers.  These studies have evaluated a variety of potential etiologic factors including occupational exposures, radiation, pesticides and other chemicals, hormones, medications, diet, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as other lifestyle factors.

The Health Sciences practice is pleased to present the latest edition of Health News, with the title article, "Emerging Issues in Health-Care Reimbursement."

Changes to Medicare reimbursement rules in recent years, along with expansion of insurance coverage by the emerging implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, "Health Care Reform Laws") indicate potential uncertainties about how health-care expenditures will be reimbursed. The regulatory changes suggest that the universe of "allowed" procedures is expanding, and risk pools are expected to change with the introduction of previously uninsured patients into the managed care system. Companies and other organizations need to understand how changes prompted by the Health Care Reform Laws will impact business practices and performance. 

Download the latest issue of Health News (PDF) to read more about the issues, technical approaches, and Exponent's expertise regarding health-care reimbursement.

• Energy Generation
• Energy Storage
• Electrical Systems
• Health and Environmental Aspects manufacturing and disposal

Read more about our unique expertise, which addresses the health and environmental aspects of solar panel manufacturing and disposal. 

Exponent will be hosting a booth at the Chemicals Industries Regulations (CIR) 2010 meeting next week in Lyon, France.  CIR is Europe’s leading forum to keep up-to-date with the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape across key European chemical industries. We invite you to stop by our booth, Number 16 in the centre of the exhibition hall, where Exponent will have staff members available on Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th September, to discuss our expertise in Agricultural Chemicals Regulation, Biocidal Products Directive, and REACH. Dr. Alec Willis, Dr. Karen Howard, Dr. Bruce Callow and Mr. Chris O’Hara will be attending the event. Exponent's consultants have worked as government regulators, in industry, and for Contract Research Organisations. Our scientific approach is combined with commercial understanding so that we can offer a complete service to help companies comply with government requirements and industry regulations. Specific information about the services we offer in the EU in the area of Chemical Registration and Food Safety can be found here. 

 In November, our staff will be attending ChemCon The Americas 2010 in Philadelphia. ChemCon The Americas is a global platform which brings together more than 200 company experts representing companies, authorities and international organizations from over 25 countries. Presentations given by more than 35 speakers from governments and industry will focus in the field of international chemical legislation all over the world, like REACH, GHS and country specific information on inventories, labelling requirements, etc.

Our food and nutrition specialists have extensive experience in the food industry, government, and consulting, and recognized expertise in dietary exposure and safety evaluation, food science, nutrition, and regulatory support. Exponent provides regulatory strategy and conducts safety assessments for food additives, generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substances, and new dietary ingredients, and prepares the scientific support for claims, including health, nutrient content, and structure/function. We also provide dietary intake estimates for the U.S. and other countries.

Dr. Richard Whiting, Senior Managing Microbiologist in the Center for Chemical Regulation and Food Safety, will be preseting a paper entitiled "Use of the Salmonella on Almonds Risk Assessment to Guide Food Safety " at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting on August 2nd in Anaheim, CA.  The IAFP is an organization of 3,400 food safety professionals committed to Advancing Food Safety Worldwide® by providing members worldwide with a forum to exchange information on protecting the global food supply. Exponent staff will also be exhibiting at the meeting.   Come see us at Booth 620.

Click here for more information on the meeting.

MENLO PARK, Calif., July 21, 2010 - Exponent, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPO) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended July 2, 2010.

For the second quarter of 2010, revenues before reimbursements increased 5% to $55,128,000, as compared to $52,429,000 in the second quarter of 2009. Total revenues were $60,439,000, as compared to $60,862,000 in the same period one year ago.

Net income for the second quarter of 2010 increased 21% to $7,280,000, or $0.48 per diluted share, as compared to $6,025,000, or $0.40 per diluted share, reported in the second quarter of 2009. EBITDA¹ in the second quarter of 2010 increased 22% to $13,293,000, as compared to $10,938,000 in the second quarter of 2009.

During the second quarter of 2010, Exponent repurchased $2.3 million of its common stock, and closed the quarter with $76.4 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

For the first half of 2010, revenues before reimbursements increased 3% to $110,329,000, as compared to $107,360,000, in the same period of 2009. Total revenues were $119,845,000, as compared to $120,658,000 in the same period of last year.

Net income for the first half of 2010 improved 15% to $13,519,000, or $0.90 per diluted share, as compared to $11,783,000, or $0.79 per diluted share, reported in the prior year period. EBITDA¹ in the first half of 2010 improved 16% to $24,833,000, as compared to $21,350,000, in the first half of 2009.

“We are pleased to report strong financial results in the quarter as a result of improved utilization and careful management of expenses,” commented Dr. Paul Johnston, President and CEO. “During the quarter we continued to experience a steady flow of reactive projects related to litigation, insurance claims and product recalls for which we were able to perform in-depth scientific research and analysis to determine what happened. Additionally, we have continued to assist clients in complying with regulations pertaining to the registration of chemicals used throughout the world. As a result, we had strong performances in our human factors and mechanics and materials practices, as well as our environmental and health groups."

“Our performance in the first half of the year provides a foundation for us to grow revenue before reimbursements in the low to mid single digits for fiscal year 2010 and to improve EBITDA1 margins while selectively hiring and investing in our future. We believe that Exponent continues to differentiate itself as a multidisciplinary engineering and scientific consulting firm with unparalleled technical expertise and experience,” concluded Dr. Johnston.

Today's Conference Call Information
Exponent will discuss its financial results in more detail on a conference call today, July 21, 2010, starting at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time/1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The audio on the conference call is available by dialing 888-549-7704 or 480-629-9857. A live webcast of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at www.exponent.com/investors. For those unable to listen to the live webcast, a replay of the call will also be available on the Exponent web site, or by dialing 800-406-7325 or 303-590-3030 and entering reservation 4328776#.

About Exponent
Exponent is an engineering and scientific consulting firm providing solutions to complex problems. Exponent's multidisciplinary organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and business consultants brings together more than 90 technical disciplines to address complicated issues facing industry and government today. The firm has been best known for analyzing accidents and failures to determine their causes, but in recent years it has become more active in assisting clients with human health, environmental and engineering issues associated with new products to help prevent problems in the future.

Exponent may be reached at (888) 656-EXPO, info@exponent.com, or www.exponent.com.

This news release contains, and incorporates by reference, certain "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended thereto under) that are based on the beliefs of the Company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company's management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this document and in the documents incorporated herein by reference, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company or its management with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material differences include the possibility that the demand for our services may decline as a result of changes in general and industry specific economic conditions, the timing of engagements for our services, the effects of competitive services and pricing, the absence of backlog related to our business, our ability to attract and retain key employees, the effect of tort reform and government regulation on our business, and liabilities resulting from claims made against us. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the report. The inclusion of such forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements.

¹ EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income before income taxes, interest income, depreciation and amortization. EBITDAS is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as EBITDA before stock-based compensation. The Company regards EBITDA and EBITDAS as useful measures of operating performance and cash flow to complement operating income, net income and other GAAP financial performance measures. Additionally, management believes that EBITDA and EBITDAS provide meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the measures to GAAP is set forth below.

Financial Tables for Quarters Ended July 2, 2010 and July 3, 2009 (PDF)

Heidi Stenner, a Senior Scientist in Exponent's Civil Engineering Practice, will be presenting a talk entitled " Damage from the M7.2 Baja Earthquake: Why Agricultural Communities Are At Risk” at the Bay Area Earthquake Alliance meeting on July 22nd in Oakland.

A professional geologist with expertise in fault investigations, post-earthquake studies, tectonic and fluvial geomorphology, detailed geologic field mapping, and subsurface characterization, Heidi worked previously for more than 9 years researching active faults and communicating earthquake hazards to the public. She has performed field investigations of surface rupture and its effects from large earthquakes in Turkey, Argentina, Mexico, and Mongolia; as well as in California, Alaska, Arizona, Montana, and off-shore of California and Oregon.

Exponent's E-Alert on the Baja Earthquake can be found here.

Exponent’s consulting staff has a broad experience base and unmatched capabilities related to many aspects of the amusement and entertainment industry, including capabilities in biomechanics, human factors, statistics and data sciences, civil engineering, and materials engineering.

Our engineers have performed investigations of amusement park ride components and equipment; conducted analysis of accident patterns using statistical analysis of occupational injury, accident databases, and experimental methods; and performed accident risk and injury analyses related to amusement park rides. In addition, we have published research in brain injury biomechanics and amusement ride biomechanics.

Our engineers apply this expertise to understand how specific incidents occur, to assess the role of various design features in a specific event, and to evaluate the implications associated with the design.

Click here for for more information and project examples.

MENLO PARK, CA, July 14, 2010 – Exponent, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPO), today announced that it will release financial results for the second quarter ended July 2, 2010, immediately following the close of the market on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. The Company will host a corresponding conference call and live webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time/1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Paul Johnston, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Richard Schlenker, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the results.

A live webcast of this conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s web site at www.exponent.com/investors. It will also be available via replay beginning two hours after the completion of the call and through Wednesday, July 28, 2010 by dialing 800-406-7325 or 303-590-3030, and entering passcode 4328776#.

About Exponent

Exponent is an engineering and scientific consulting firm providing solutions to complex problems. Exponent's multidisciplinary organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and business consultants brings together more than 90 technical disciplines to address complicated issues facing industry and government today. The firm has been best known for analyzing accidents and failures to determine their causes, but in recent years it has become more active in assisting clients with human health, environmental and engineering issues associated with new products to help prevent problems in the future.

Exponent may be reached at (888) 656-EXPO, info@exponent.com, or http://www.exponent.com.

The magnitude 7.2 El Mayor-Cucapah earthquake of Sunday April 4, 2010 was the strongest earthquake to strike the Imperial Valley region since 1892. The earthquake occurred at shallow depth along a series of strike-slip faults in northern Baja California. Similar to the nearby San Andreas Fault, which lies a short distance to the northeast, these faults form part of the North America-Pacific plate boundary. The earthquake was accompanied by strong, long duration ground shaking (about 30 seconds), resulted in significant damage to the agricultural infrastructure in the region, and was accompanied by a wide variety of associated geological phenomena, including surface fault rupture, liquefaction, lateral spreading, embankment failure, and other forms of permanent ground deformation.

Read Exponent's E-Alert on the earthquake.

Engineers and geologists from Exponent’s Civil and Buildings & Structures practices visited both sides of the international border to assess impacts to infrastructure and document the geological phenomena that resulted from the earthquake.

Read more about the earthquake, the lessons learned, and Exponent's earthquake reconnaissance efforts.

SAE publication 2010-01-1016: Repeated Impacts on a Motorcycle Helmet: What Happens After a Significant Impact?

ABSTRACT

It is widely accepted that a motorcycle helmet will reduce the risk of a serious brain injury during an accident through energy dissipation.  Currently, there is no literature on what happens to a motorcycle helmet after repeated significant impacts or why it cannot be re-used according to the DOT label.  It is also unclear experimentally if the foam liner is permanently affected after repeated impacts.  In this study, we repetitively dropped one style of DOT-approved motorcycle helmet using a drop tower system in accordance with FMVSS 218.  Helmeted Hybrid III and magnesium headforms were dropped onto a flat anvil with contact to the apical region of the helmets. Strips of pressure-indicating film were placed in the mid-sagittal plane between the foam liner and the headform.   Headform accelerations and head injury criterion (HIC) for the Hybrid-III headform were calculated for each drop test. There was a trend for maximum headform acceleration to increase with the number of impacts.  The results suggest that a significant impact can degrade the protective ability of the helmet.  This was consistently shown in both types of headforms.  During the impacts, stress concentrations exceeding the plastic yield of EPS foam were consistently seen, indicating pockets of permanent deformation in the EPS foam.  Surprisingly, even after the tenth impact, the helmets still retained some protective capability.  This suggests that using a helmet that has sustained prior loading is still better than not wearing a helmet at all.

Drs. Kevin Ong and Steve Kurtz from Exponent's Biomechanics/Medical Device Practice in Philadelphia, and Mr. Edmund Lau from Exponent's Center for Epidemiology and Computational Biology in Menlo Park, recently published a paper in Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research, a publication of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons.  The paper, "Risk of Subsequent Revision after Primary and Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty", addressed the relative risk of rerevision and risk factors that can help identify patients at high risk who may require closer postsurgical care after revision total joint arthroplasty which is technically more demanding than primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA).

The research evaluated the risk of subsequent revision after primary and revision TJA in the elderly (65 years or older) patient population and identified corresponding patient risk factors. Using the 5% Medicare claims data set (1997–2006), a total of 35,746 patients undergoing primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and 72,913 undergoing primary Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) were identified. From this data, 1,205 who had THAs and 1,599 who had TKAs underwent initial revision surgery. The rerevision rate after primary and revision TJAs was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. The relative risk of revision surgery for primary and revision TJAs was compared using hazard ratio analysis.

The 5-year survival probabilities were 95.9%, 97.2%, 81.0%, and 87.4% for primary THA and TKA and revision THA and TKA, respectively. Patients with revision arthroplasty were five to six times more likely to undergo rerevision (adjusted relative risk, 4.89 for THA; 5.71 for TKA) compared with patients with primary arthroplasty. Age and comorbidities were associated with initial revision after primary THA and TKA.

The results showed that patients should undergo stringent preoperative screening for preexisting health conditions and careful patient management and followup postoperatively so as to minimize the risk of an initial revision, which otherwise could lead to a significantly greater likelihood of subsequent rerevisions.

The abstract and the article can be found here  (registration required).

• Describe potential EMFs from existing AC and DC power cables of different configurations to allow characterization of future cables;
• List marine species potentially sensitive to EMF in specific areas of the US Outer Continental Shelf and identify species of concern;
• Evaluate evidence of EMF-sensitivity in these species;
• Review options for mitigating EMFs; and
• Suggest areas for further research.

Influenza has a substantial impact in terms of medical resource use, lost productivity, and, for families, caregiver burden.  Vaccination is an effective prevention strategy, but can be challenging to administer to vulnerable patients.  Exponent used data from a clinical study of a multi-state school-based vaccination program and built an economic model evaluating the cost consequences of such a program to households where a child had received an immunization compared to households without an immunized child, both over the peak week and over the entire influenza season.  Data sources included typical clinical outcomes, such as number of household members infected, but also use of outpatient and inpatient medical services, number of work days lost due to illness and caregiving prescription, and use of prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications.  Costs of the vaccinations and administration of the program were apportioned to immunized households.  During the peak week, costs were essentially identical for immunized and non-immunized households, but over the influenza season, costs were $172 lower for each immunized household. 

Jordana Schmier, Managing Scientist in Exponent"s Health Practice was lead author on this work.  You can access the paper at Health Affairs Online  (subscripton required).

SCHC is a professional society with a mission to promote the improvement of chemical hazard communication and educate members on the issues and developments in the domestic and international chemical regulations and standards (including REACH, GHS, ANSI Z129.1 & Z400.1). Participants include regulatory compliance personnel, lawyers, industrial hygienists, ANSI committee, government agencies (NIOSH, EPA, international agencies), and consultants.

Dr. Nathan Soderborg will deliver a Technical Keynote Presentation for the Integrated Design & Manufacturing sessions of the SAE 2010 World Congress, held April 13–15, 2010 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. His presentation, “The Role of Design for Six Sigma in Successful Product Development,” will be given April 14 at 1:00 pm.

The presentation, based on extensive experience in the field of automotive product development, identifies how statistical engineering and the methods of Six Sigma can be applied to deliver desirable, high-quality products. It introduces a roadmap for aligning strategy, tactics, and tools to accomplish three key product development objectives: understanding and delighting customers, anticipating and avoiding failures, and improving efficiency in the product creation process.

In December 2009, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) retained Exponent, one of the country’s leading engineering and scientific consulting firms, to help the company evaluate reports of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles equipped with the Electronic Throttle Control System with Intelligence (“ETCS-i”) system.

Toyota released an interim report from Exponent and provided it to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This report summarizes some of the testing that has been performed. Exponent’s testing and analysis is on-going.

Toyota Press Release regarding Exponent 

Exponent’s letter to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding their comments about our initial progress report (PDF)
 

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.