April 10, 2008 FAA Acting Administrator Robert A. Sturgell announced results to a safety audit that revealed 99% airline compliance with Airworthiness Directives. He also announced plans to enable inspectors to raise concerns quickly, toughen ethical standards to prevent conflicts of interest, improve the clarity and coordination of directives issued by the FAA to air carriers, require reporting of voluntary disclosures to be made by senior airline officials, and speed up the expansion of aviation safety database.

April 10, 2008 The International Council of Sheet Metal Presswork Associations (ICOSPA) 16th International Congress will take place September 14-17, 2008, in Grand Rapids, MI. It will convene over 400 metalforming executives from more than 10 countries to discuss key industry business issues, review new technologies, and share industry-specific management practices. The theme of the 2008 Congress is "Shaping the world of metalforming - connecting ideas, best practices, and people."

April 10, 2008 According to preliminary data issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce, overall steel imports decreased 8% from January to February, which PMA President William E. Gaskin called problematic for industrial steel consumers. Imports of hot-rolled steel rose by 3%, while cold-rolled imports decreased by 6% in February. Total steel imports for 2008, so far, are 9% lower than they were at this time in 2007.

April 10, 2008 AAMA feedback on the proposed program revisions for fenestration products includes recommendations for 2-stage phase-in, with stage 1 in mid-2009 and stage 2 in 2014; and that U-factor and SHGC values be brought in line with goals predicted by industry experts as attainable within 6 or 7 yr. Also recommended were cost-benefit or payback analysis and closer alignment of the 5 ENERGY STAR zones with those in the IECC climate zone map, as well as redefinition of Northern Zone parameters.

April 10, 2008 Recognizing 5 areas, 2008 Annual Awards go to Dr. Steven M. Kurtz, Exponent Inc. for Benefit to Society; Dr. Werner Wittmann, Wittman Kunststoffgerate GmbH for Business Management; Dr. Paul E. Koch, Penn State for Education; Dr. L. James Lee, Ohio State University for Engineering/Technology; and Dr. Dilhan M. Kaylon, Stevens Institute of Technology for Research. Recognizing lifetime achievements, International Award goes to Dr. Robert A. Weiss from University of CT.

April 10, 2008 Scheduled for November 4-5, 2008 at Renaissance Philadelphia Airport Hotel in Philadelphia, SPE's New Technology Symposium will bring together leading experts to provide attendees with most leading-edge information. Event will address areas such as nanotechnology, advanced energy storage, and biopolymers.

April 10, 2008 MediaBrains, a leader in BtoB online directory advertising, will build and manage SPE's Industry Directory, which serves as buyer's guide for plastics industry. Directory will be accessible through prominent link on SPE website and will help plastics buyers cut through clutter online to find products and services they need.

April 10, 2008 SIA announced that the recipients of its 2008 University Researcher Awards include Professor Mark Kushner, the James Melsa Professor of Engineering at Iowa State University, who has done pioneering work in plasma and thermal materials processing. Professor David Allstot, Boeing-Egtvedt Chair at the University of Washington and chairman of the Electrical Engineering Department, was also awarded. The awards were presented at the annual SIA Washington conference on March 13.

April 10, 2008 Joseph Acker, President and CEO of SOCMA, released blog discussing need for companies to have proper environmental, health, safety, and security management system. He feels program is part of being a responsible member of chemical industry. Created to meet needs of batch, custom, and specialty chemical industry, SOCMA's ChemStewards® continuous performance improvement program is mandatory for SOCMA members engaged in manufacturing or handling of synthetic or organic chemicals.

April 9, 2008 SIIA, principal trade association for software and digital content industry, announced members of its Content Division Board of Directors. Twelve executives representing member companies have been elected to 2-year terms. Board members prioritize Content Division initiatives for the year and determine projects, activities, and events to be undertaken.

April 9, 2008 In March 2008, SIIA paid out total of $22,500 to 7 sources who reported software piracy. Since 2003, SIIA Anti-Piracy Rewards Program has given out the most and largest anti-piracy awards of any organization. Rewards, which range from $500 for settlement of $10,000 to $1 million for cases with settlement amounts over $20 million, are given to eligible individuals who report verifiable instances of corporate software piracy.

April 9, 2008 Available from TIA, Spanish version of 200 Level Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Training Program is identical to English version, which covers types of sensors, identifying them on vehicle, plus proper procedures for mounting and demounting tires with TPMS, and some relearn procedures. Program consists of videos and workbooks, and each student who successfully passes 40-question exam receives TIA Certificate of Completion.

April 9, 2008 On May 20-22, Air and Waste Management Association will present "Indoor Air Quality: Concerns and Solutions", which will discuss potential regulatory developments, examine old and new drivers of indoor air quality problems, and take in-depth look at how poor indoor air can impact human health and performance. Conference will also examine how factors related to building durability can lead to air problems inside both residential and commercial structures.

April 9, 2008 Scheduled for Nov 12-14, 2008, Hazardous Waste Combustors Conference and Exhibition will address topics such as regulatory updates, emissions testing, operating and regulatory implementation approaches, monitoring and record keeping, and public communications and risk assessment. Association is seeking abstracts of 300 words or less demonstrating innovative, scientific approaches to investigation of hazardous waste combustion.

April 9, 2008 Scheduled for Jan 28-30, 2009, Vapor Intrusion Conference will bring together internationally recognized scientists, engineers, regulators, communications experts, and attorneys with first-hand experience in evaluation and remediation. Association is seeking abstracts that demonstrate innovative, scientific approaches for investigation and remediation of vapor intrusion pathway. Abstracts should reflect original work that has not previously been published or presented.

April 9, 2008 Aiming to create public understanding and appreciation of industry's role in global economic and social prosperity, Construction Equipment Hall of Fame will help focus attention on issues such as infrastructure renewal and workforce shortages. Anyone from equipment and related industries may nominate an individual, living or deceased, from manufacturing, distribution, rental, or end-user segments of construction equipment industry. Each nomination must include supporting documentation.

April 8, 2008 Developed by ASTM International Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems, F 2619 Standard, once incorporated into federal codes by U.S. Department of Transportation, will provide alternative for operators of hazardous liquid pipelines. Polyethylene pipe does not rust, rot, or corrode; does not require cathodic protection; and for many hazardous liquid applications, can provide cost-effective solution.

April 8, 2008 Approved by ASTM International Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, E 2600 provides guidance for vapor intrusion testing. Evaluation process consists of 4 tiers, with first 2 tiers assessing potential for vapor intrusion issue to exist. Third tier provides more site-specific and comprehensive investigations if potential for vapor intrusion cannot reasonably be eliminated at Tier 1/Tier 2 levels, while Tier 4 addresses mitigation alternatives.

April 8, 2008 ASTM International Committee E35 on Pesticides and Alternative Control Agents has begun work on latest in series of standards on biofilm. Proposed standard is WK17813, Test Method for Quantification of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Grown with Low Shear and Continuous Flow Using a Drip Flow Biofilm Reactor. Biofilm is defined as microorganisms living in self-organized cooperative communities, which are embedded in slime and can be found on variety of surfaces.

April 8, 2008 When BSA convenes 2008 Annual Convention April 26-29, bearing industry distribution and manufacturing leaders will tap into dynamic business program and top level networking. Convention programming features line-up of speakers selected for their ability to address diverse needs of global business marketplace. Manufacturer-hosted Conference Table Session enables participants to pre-schedule and plan for face-to-face meetings to address bearing industry concerns and resolve business problems.