August 20, 2008 In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, conducted at the Yale School of Medicine, medication reduction, strength training, vision adjustment, and blood pressure treatment reduce senior citizens' risk of falling by 11%. ANSI/ASSE A1264.2-2006, dealing with slip resistant surfaces, and ASTM C1055-03, addressing acceptable maximum surface temperatures, help cover risks to senior citizens. Also, Massachusetts has adopted the first senior financial designation regulations.

August 20, 2008 The AWWA is accepting abstracts for its Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE09) through Monday, September 15, 2008. ACE09 will be held June 14-18, 2009, in San Diego, CA and manufacturers are encouraged to submit abstracts outlining new technology, innovations, or unique applications of products or equipment of interest to the water quality community. The poster submissions deadline is Jan. 12, 2009, which along with oral presentations, will be included in the conference proceedings.

August 20, 2008 The ANSI is co-organizing the conference, Supporting Transatlantic Trade - Standards and Conformance for Business and Regulators, with the CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI. To be held on September 24, 2008 in Washington, D.C., day-long event will feature experts presenting a series of standards and conformity assessment case studies. Presenters will also identify and discuss U.S. and European policies encouraging the regulatory use of private sector standards and conformance mechanisms.

August 20, 2008 The ANSI Executive Standards Council (ExSC) has announced a proposed revision to the procedures contained in Annex B: Draft American National Standards for trial use of the ANSI Essential Requirements: Due process requirements for American National Standards. Open for public comment until September 15, the proposal recommends either deletion of Annex B from ANSI Essential Requirements or revision of it to replace the current provision.

August 20, 2008 The 2 technical boards of the ISO and IEC have given the go-ahead to publish ISO/IEC DIS 29500, Information technology - Office Open XML formats, as an ISO/IEC International Standard. Appeals against the approval of the document by Brazil, India, South Africa, and Venezuela failed to gain enough support. According to the ISO/IEC rules, DIS 29500 can now proceed to publication, expected to take place within the next few weeks on completion of final processing.

August 20, 2008 The ANSI has announced that monthly ANSI Caucus events will recommence on Friday, September 5. The first event will feature Dr. David Acheson, the associate commissioner of foods for the FDA, who holds an agency-wide leadership role for all food and feed issues, including health promotion and nutrition. General networking for the September Caucus will begin at 12:00 p.m., which is sponsored by NSF International, an ANSI member and audited designator.

August 19, 2008 According to PTDA's month-end trend data, U.S. distributors' overall sales of power transmission/motion control products rose 2.7% in June 2008 compared to May 2008. When matched up against sales in same month last year, sales in June 2008 were up 2.1%. Canadian distributors reported negligible decrease in PT/MC sales, dropping 0.2% in June 2008 after posting 5.4% loss in May 2008. U.S. manufacturers' sales increased in June 2008, with 6.6% gain compared to May 2008.

August 19, 2008 Thanks to grant of $160,000 from Gene Haas Foundation, SME Education Foundation is offering 1-year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Awards are available on first-come, first-serve basis to high school graduates, undergraduates, or persons who hold GED certificate. Scholarships are specifically designed for students enrolled in 2-year program of coursework majoring in machining technology or closely-related field of study.

August 19, 2008 According to Dr. Chris Kuehl, economic analyst for FMA, weaker U.S. dollar has meant that U.S. goods are being sold overseas at 30% discount, helping manufacturers get past high tariff barriers, consumer resistance, and competition to build volume in foreign sales. When dollar starts to recover, Kuehl says export surge will continue due to energy costs, increased sophistication of U.S. manufacturers overseas, changes among foreign manufacturers, and more money in overseas market.

August 19, 2008 According to prediction by ATA, 16 million passengers will travel globally on U.S. airlines during 2008 Labor Day holiday period, spanning Wed, Aug 27 through Wed, Sept 3. This is a decline of 5.7% from 17 million passengers estimated to have traveled on U.S. airlines during same period last year. High energy prices across economy, rising airfares, and airline schedule cuts are primary drivers of overall reduction in passenger volumes expected for this period.

August 18, 2008 Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne proposed changes to regulations governing the consultation process of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which seek to streamline the process by requiring consultations on projects with high or known potential for threat. Applauding this, Keith McCoy said that by, "...replacing ambiguous definitions and ensuring that appropriate consultations are made, the Department has provided a consistent and meaningful process for industry and the environment."

August 18, 2008 The FAA announced actions totaling $7.1 million in civil penalties against American Airlines for improperly deferring maintenance on safety-related equipment. The Administration believes the total amount of the fine for the safety violations is appropriate because the airline was aware that appropriate repairs were needed, and instead deferred maintenance. The total also includes penalties for deficiencies with drug and alcohol testing programs and exit lighting inspections.

August 18, 2008 Based on collaborative efforts of 22 industry experts, Optimizing Pumping Systems: A Guide to Improved Efficiency, Reliability, and Profitability explains how optimizing pumping systems can lead to increased profitability through reduction in unnecessary energy consumption and maintenance. Guide covers Pump Fundamentals, Pump and System Interaction, Calculating Cost of Ownership, Improving Performance of Existing Pump Systems, Optimizing New Designs, and Pumping System Economics.

August 18, 2008 According to the August 2008 PMA Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies anticipate little change in business conditions during the next 3 months. Of 147 companies responding, 29% report that activity will improve in that time, while 19% report that shipping levels are above levels of 3 months ago. While 29% of companies predict an increase in orders, the number of companies with a portion of their workforce on short time or layoff climbed to 25% in August.

August 18, 2008 Scheduled for Oct 5-8, 2008, 10th Annual SPE Automotive TPO Global Conference will explore unique set of conditions that are causing rapid and radical change in way automakers are designing and building passenger vehicles and materials specified for them. With sessions on TPO materials, processes, and finishing, conference will have value for anyone specifying rigid or flexible parts in thermoplastic polyolefins, as well as those producing, compounding, or molding these materials.

August 18, 2008 Scheduled for Sept 30 at 2:00 pm EST and led by Pamela Heckel, Ph.D., P.E., "Unintended Consequences: Ethical Consideration for Engineering Solutions," will discuss how engineering decisions, environmental policies, and urban planning affect environment and human health. Interactive session will review real-life examples of this conundrum and attendees are encouraged to bring their own experiences to share.

August 15, 2008 On September 10, 2008, Developing an Inventory State of Mind, sponsored by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), will explore the theory, and its applications, that inventory is just cash in another form. Jason Bader of the Distribution Team will explain several ways to prevent cash from leaking out of businesses and tie back everything to the net profit impact of effective inventory management. Audio recordings and transcripts will also be available.

August 15, 2008 On October 14-16, 2008, The Four Pillars of the Sales Profession seminar will aim to give new and veteran sales professionals the training and practice needed to make every sales call more effective. It will cover personal disciplines, relationship skills, as well as strategic and tactical selling techniques, taught to attendees via learner-centered methods used by facilitator Don Buttrey. Sales managers also benefit by learning to coach, reinforce, and follow-up on sales techniques.

August 15, 2008 In response to NAMA Chairman's report released Aug 14th, NAM President John Engler stated that report represents further and unacceptable weakening of ambition in Doha Round and is a sharp departure from what was discussed at July WTO Mini-ministerial in Geneva. Chairman's report diminishes chances for any convergence of views and has no official standing. NAM has urged U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab to make it clear that U.S. does not see report as providing basis for negotiations.

August 15, 2008 In November 2009, FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show including METALFORM will partner with AMT, combining efforts of several trade associations to produce annual event with appeal to full range of metal forming and fabricating industry professionals. AMT joins SME, FMA, PMA, AWS, and NAM to provide domestic and international support for combined exhibition. Terms of agreement include elimination of fabricating and laser pavilions at IMTS after 2008 event.