Streptococcus pneumonia , which causes pneumonia, meningitis and osteomyelitis, among other maladies, will be one of the pathogens targeted by the National Microbial Pathogen Data Resource Center.

Sept. 27, 2004 -- Some of this week's stories:

New bioinformatics center takes aim at disease

By Steve Koppes,
University of Chicago News Office

A computer database designed to help biomedical scientists identify and exploit the weak spots in scores of deadly microorganisms will be established with an $18 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Overseeing the effort will be the Computation Institute, a joint effort between the University of Chicago and Argonne, and the Fellowship for Interpretation of Genomes, a non-profit organization specializing in bioinformatics tool development and comparative genomics research.

They will use the funds to set up a National Microbial Pathogen Data Resource Center (NMPDR) to help scientists to accelerate their research into the biology and evolution of deadly microorganisms and develop methods for their control.

The new center will provide infectious disease researchers a single Web-based entry point to all relevant organism-related data necessary for their advanced research. The genomes (genetic maps) of hundreds and eventually thousands of microorganisms will be available for integrated analysis.

"The center will directly support the national effort to develop new vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases," said Computation Institute Director Rick Stevens, who will co-direct the center.

Stevens is director of Argonne's Mathematics and Computer Science Division (MCS) and professor of computer science at the University of Chicago. He specializes in high-performance computing, collaborative and visualization technologies and computational science, including computational biology.

"A central goal of the center will be to gather all existing data on these organisms and embed this data within a framework that will support researchers in their efforts to understand them," said center Co-Director Ross Overbeek. Overbeek is a senior computational scientist at MCS.

Working together at the center will be a team of experts in biology, biophysics, microbiology, computer science and bioinformatics (the application of mathematics and computer science to biological problems).

Overbeek, a pioneer in the development of comparative genomic databases, is interested in extracting deeper understanding from analysis of the growing body of genomic data. In 2003, he co-founded the Fellowship for Interpretation of Genomes.

Among the research organizations that will directly benefit from the data center will be the eight new Regional Centers of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases that were funded last September by the NIAID of the National Institutes of Health. One such center will be operated at Argonne by the University of Chicago. The data center will assist researchers through the application of mathematics and computer science to biological problems.

"Bioinformatics and comparative analysis will drive the rapid advances needed to address the growing body of threats associated with pathogenic microorganisms," Stevens said. "These advances will occur, however, only in the presence of effective cooperation between experimental research and the bioinformatics efforts."

To ensure such cooperation, the center's outreach and training for experimental researchers will be led by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Although the NMPDR will contain numerous genomes, it will focus its work on eight pathogens:

Staphylococcus aureus, which causes a variety of illnesses, including pneumonia and meningitis;

Streptococcus pyogenes, which causes illnesses such as toxic shock syndrome;

Streptococcus pneumonia, which causes pneumonia, meningitis and osteomyelitis, among other maladies;

Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera;

Vibrio parahemolyticus, a bacterium associated with oysters and seafood that causes gastrointestinal illness in humans;

Vibrio vulnificus, another bacterium associated with shellfish and seafood that causes a diarrheal infection;

Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes listeriasis;

Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium that commonly causes diarrhea.

Argonne Combined Appeal begins at Oktoberfest

The 2004 Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) campaign will begin at the Oktoberfest party Thursday, Sept. 30, at Argonne-East's Building 617, Lower Level, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event is co-sponsored by the Argonne Club.

The Argonne Combined Appeal is Argonne-East's employee annual giving campaign that runs the month of October. See "On the Web," page 2, for more information.

Grilled bratwurst, hot dogs and adult beverages will be available for purchase. The Johnny Wagner Band, sponsored by Argonne's Diversity Program, will set the atmosphere with German music. There will be no cover charge.

ACA will sell glass beer steins with the campaign's logo. The first draft beer will be included in the price. ACA will also hold a raffle for coupons for area restaurants.

Non-Argonne employees must be badged at the Visitor's Reception Center before 4 p.m. and will be subject to search.

For details, visit the Argonne Club Web site.

Organizations supported by ACA to visit ANL-East

Organizations supported by the Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) campaign will send representatives to Argonne-East to provide information and answer questions.

The ACA, which runs through the month of October, gives employees an opportunity to support nonprofit health and welfare agencies. For more ACA information, see "On the Web."

Visits are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 30, from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m., in the Building 213 Cafeteria Lobby. Check the Argonne Today for changes.

Tuesday, Sept. 28:

American Cancer Society
Love Christian Clearinghouse
FISH, Inc.  
UNCF/The College Fund 
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago

Thursday, Sept. 30:

NAMI of DuPage County
Settlers' Housing Service
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
United Way DuPage / United Way Will County 
March of Dimes

Researchers to discuss LDRD work

Researchers will present short overviews of the progress and results of their laboratory-directed research and development (LDRD) projects at a "mini-symposium" Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 2-3:45 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 201, Rooms 190 A and B.

Presentations will include:

2 p.m. — "The Use of Synchrotron and Terahertz Radiation Sources for Homeland Security" by Sandra Biedron (ES)

2:15 p.m. — "Process and Equipment Integration for a Recycling Capability" by Art Frigo (CMT)

2:30 p.m. — "Investigations of the Effect of the Biogeochemical Cycling of Iron on the Fate and Transport of Heavy Metal, Radionuclide, and Organic Contaminants" by Shelly Kelly (ER)

2:45 p.m. — "Study of Beam Halo Formation in Longitudinal Phase Space in the RIA Driver Linac" by Peter Ostroumov (PHY)

3 p.m. - "Development of a Model 3-Spoke Superconducting Resonator for RIA" by Ken Shepard (PHY)

3:15 p.m. — "Multidisciplinary Theory" by Valerii Vinokour (MSD)

3:30 p.m. — "Developing X-Ray Transparent Windows Sustainable to Dynamic High-Pressure and High-Temperature for Imaging Applications at the APS" by Jin Wang (XFD)

Performance appraisal process begins Oct. 1

October marks the start of performance appraisal season at Argonne.

Appraisals cover the period from Oct. 1, 2003, through Sept. 30, 2004, and must be completed for all regular full- and part-time employees who were active as of July 1, 2004. Performance appraisals must be completed and submitted to Human Resources by Dec. 6.

In general, the process and concepts for completing appraisals are the same as last year — with one exception. Performance appraisals will again be completed online, using an application that can be accessed through Inside Argonne and the new Argonne Portal.

Both the performance appraisal application and the Intranet will be available Friday, Oct. 1. Guidance, information and resources to support the performance management process — including a detailed description of changes — are online.

New feature

Unlike last year, all employees will have data-entry access to their own performance appraisals from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15. During that time, every employee can enter draft assessments of his or her own performance and suggested goals into his or her own performance appraisal. This feature will be turned off at 5 p.m. Oct. 15; the supervisor or appraiser will then create the final performance appraisal document by editing those assessments and goals. The supervisor has ultimate responsibility to complete the appraisal.

Supervisors and employees will be able to view the performance appraisal during this two-week period.

Human Resources will offer a variety of training and discussion opportunities on performance management; see below.

Classes provide guidance for appraisal process

Human Resources has scheduled the following classes on performance appraisals:

"Performance Appraisal Briefing" (HR321) — Monday, Oct. 11, 2 p.m., Building 203 Auditorium. This half-hour presentation includes a review of the performance appraisal process.

"Performance Management Workshop Series for Supervisors: Writing Performance Appraisals" (HR294) — Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1-3 p.m., Building 212, Room B201. Participants will learn to clearly document performance appraisals based on specific employee behaviors, and will write and re-write examples individually and in groups.

"Crafting Goals" (HR295) — Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1-3 p.m., Building 212, Room B201. Participants will learn to develop employee goals that are meaningful for the employee, support the work of the organization and are specific, measurable and verifiable.

"The Conversation" (HR296) — Thursday, Oct. 14, 1-3 p.m., Building 212, Room B201, and Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1-3 p.m., Building 201, Room 190. This class focuses on identifying the most important messages to deliver in the performance appraisal discussion. Participants will practice the appraisal conversation in a series of role-playing exercises depicting a range of scenarios.

"Brown Bag: Publish or Perish? There's more to a Performance Appraisal in an R&D Organization" (HR367) — Monday, Oct. 18, noon-1 p.m., Building 401, Room A5000. This lunchtime presentation will be given by Murray Gibson, associate laboratory director for the Advanced Photon Source and chair of the Performance Evaluation Process Committee.  

Enrollment forms are online, or contact a Training Management System representative.

ANL-E employees invited to show off their classic cars

Argonne-East's antique and classic car owners are invited to display their cars at a lunchtime car show Wednesday, Sept. 29, in the Building 360 parking lot.

Cars should be 25 years old or older, of special interest, modified or of limited production.

From noon to 1 p.m., all are invited to stop by and view the cars. Cameras will be welcome, and car owners will be present to answer questions. The rain date will be Wednesday, Oct. 6.

For more information, contact Clarence Clark (AOD) at (630) 553-9567.

Employee Portal
to debut Oct. 1

The Argonne Employee Portal Web site will debut Friday, Oct. 1. More than a Web page, the portal will allow each employee to create a customized online resource.

The Web address for the portal will be announced in the Friday, Oct. 1 Argonne Today e-mail message.

After logging in with an Argonne domain account user name and password, employees will find a top-level page with news, applications and links to resources. Employees will be able to select their favorite items and move them around the page to create a custom workspace.

Applications available at the portal's launch include the performance appraisal system (see related story) and a transfer application system. Employees can also access some self-service features, such as change of address and emergency contact forms, and will be able to change medical plans when open enrollment begins later this year.

New features and functions will be announced in Argonne News and Argonne Today as they are added in the near future.

Free class can help improve English skills

Free conversational English classes for non-native speakers will be held Thursdays, beginning Oct. 7, in Argonne-East's Building 223 from 9-11 a.m.

The classes are designed to improve English skills and provide the opportunity to make new friends in the Argonne community. All interested employees and visitors are encouraged to participate.

Helen Kaper and Ildiko Svetics, two teachers trained in English as a Second Language, will lead the sessions. Both are members of Argonne's Newcomers Assistance Office and have transitioned to the U.S. from other countries.

HR Class

A class on assertive communications skills will be offered Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Argonne-East's Building 202, Room B169, from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Designed for administrative professionals, this class will help increase confidence and respect in the workplace.

Cost for the course is $50. Registration ends Monday, Oct. 11.

Enrollment forms are online, or contact a Training Management System representative to enroll.

For more information, contact Betty Iwan at ext. 2-3410.

Next Argonne News will be Oct. 11

Due to the success of the Argonne Today e-mail broadcast, combined with an effort to reduce costs, Argonne News will be published every two weeks.

Argonne News will continue to publish news, classified ads and seminar listings, but employees should check the Argonne News Web site often for updates. News items and seminars will be posted to the Web site as they are received and listed in the Argonne Today e-mail broadcast the day they occur.

The Argonne News publishing schedule through the end of the calendar year will be:

Oct. 11 (deadline Monday, Oct. 4, at 5 p.m.)

Oct. 25 (deadline Monday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m.)

Nov. 8 (deadline Monday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m.)

Nov. 22 (deadline Monday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m.)

Dec. 6 (deadline Monday, Nov. 29, at 5 p.m.)

Computers, environment topic of university workshop

A workshop on Computational Environmetrics will be held at the Palmer House in Chicago Oct 21-23, giving participants an opportunity to learn how computational methods have changed the analysis of environmental data.

The workshop is sponsored by the Statistics and Environment Section of the American Statistical Association (ASA) and the Center for Integrating the Statistical and the Environmental Sciences (CISES) at the University of Chicago's Department of Statistics. There will be three short courses Thursday, Oct. 21, and 18 invited speakers and 20 contributed posters Oct. 22-23.

More information is online.

Glovebox society extends invitation

Argonne employees are welcome to attend a special program for prospective American Glovebox Society members at the society's upcoming meeting in Oak Brook.

The outreach program, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 20, will inform guests of the society's activities, including advancing the science of glovebox technology, glovebox standards development and educational programs related to handling nuclear and other types of materials requiring containment. Glovebox and related technology vendors will participate in this program, giving Argonne guests an opportunity to discuss any related needs.

Refreshments will be served, and the program will conclude with a prize drawing.  Those interested in attending should R.S.V.P. by Friday, Oct. 8, to the American Glovebox Society at (800) 530-1022 or ags@gloveboxsociety.org.

CIS classes

Computing classes offered by the Computing and Instrumentation Solutions Division are held in Building 201, Room 167. Unless otherwise noted, classes cost $215 and are limited to eight participants. Complete class descriptions, schedules and enrollment forms are online. For more information about enrollment procedures, contact Diane Cavazos (CIS) at ext. 2-7153 or dkcavazos@anl.gov.

Classes offered in October will include:

"Introduction to Word 2002" (CIS111) — Monday, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: Proficiency in a Windows environment.

"Introduction to Excel 2002" (CIS112) — Tuesday, Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: An understanding of Windows.

"Introduction to Access 2002" (CIS113) — Wednesday, Oct. 6, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: An understanding of Windows.

"Introduction to PowerPoint 2002" (CIS114) — Monday, Oct. 11, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: An understanding of Windows.

"Advanced PowerPoint 2002" (CIS118) — Tuesday, Oct. 12, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Prerequisite: "Introduction to PowerPoint 2002."

"Beginning Unix" (CIS564) — This class consists of two three-hour sessions for a total of six hours. First session: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. - noon. Second session: Thursday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. - noon. The class is free.

"vi Editor in Unix" (CIS567) — Friday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. - noon. Prerequisite: A general knowledge of Unix, especially file management commands. The class is free.