Researchers found massive amounts of lead in bone fragments belonging to 19th Century composer Ludwig von Beethoven, confirming the cause of his years of chronic debilitating illness.

Dec. 19, 2005 -- Some of this week's stories:

Beethoven probably a victim of heavy metal

By Catherine Foster

Researchers at Argonne have found massive amounts of lead in bone fragments belonging to 19th Century composer Ludwig von Beethoven, confirming the cause of his years of chronic debilitating illness.

The bone fragments, confirmed by DNA testing to have come from Beethoven's body, were scanned by X-rays from the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne, which provides the most brilliant X-rays in the Western Hemisphere. A control bone fragment sample from the same historic period was also examined. Both bone fragments were from the parietal section — the top — of the skull.

"The testing indicated large amounts of lead in the Beethoven bone sample, compared to the control," said Bill Walsh, chief scientist at the Pfeiffer Treatment Center in Warrenville, Ill., and director of the Beethoven Research Project.

The bone fragment is the property of Paul Kaufman, a California businessman who inherited the relics through other family members from his great-great uncle, an Austrian doctor. Not sure if the fragment was actually from the composer, Kaufman sent it to the University of Muenster in Germany for mitochondrial DNA comparison with the samples of Beethoven's hair, owned by the Beethoven Society and also analyzed by Walsh and his colleagues at the Advanced Photon Source.

The findings confirm the earlier work done on the hair samples. In addition, the researchers found no detectable levels of either cadmium or mercury — both considered possibilities for causing Beethoven's illness — in either the bone fragment or the hair.

"The finding of elevated lead in Beethoven's skull, along with DNA results indicating authenticity of the bone and hair relics, provides solid evidence that Beethoven suffered from a toxic overload of lead," Walsh said. "In addition, the presence of lead in the skull suggests that his exposure to lead was not a recent event, but may have been present for many years."

The half-life of lead in the human body is about 22 years, with 95 percent of "old" lead residing in the skeletal structure. Beethoven experienced a change of personality and abdominal illness in his late teens and early 20s that persisted throughout his adult life. His abdominal symptoms and autopsy findings are both consistent with lead poisoning, Walsh said.

There have been documented cases of deafness resulting from lead poisoning, but this has been a relatively rare occurrence. There is no solid evidence that lead poisoning was a cause of Beethoven's deafness, Walsh said.

"Beethoven saw physician after physician in search of a cure for his physical ailments," said Walsh. In fact, in a letter to a friend, he expressed the wish that after his death, researchers would use his remains to help determine the cause of his illness so that others would not have to suffer as he did. "Beethoven suffered from bad digestion, chronic abdominal pain, irritability and depression. Since he died in 1827 at age 57, there has been much speculation but no proof of the cause of his illnesses and death."

Researchers performed the elemental X-ray fluorescence analysis at an Advanced Photon Source X-ray Operations and Research beamline.

"The APS is the only machine in the country where we can perform the research in this detail," said Ken Kemner (BIO), one of the Argonne researchers involved in the project. The group used microimaging to look at the distribution of lead in and on both the bone fragment and the hair to identify the presence of any surface effects and to determine the timeline of the lead exposure.

Other members of the research team are Derrick Mancini and Francesco DeCarlo of the Advanced Photon Source Experimental Facilities Division.

Beethoven holds media attention

This story generated media coverage in more than 100 newspapers, TV and radio stations across the country — and in Jay Leno's monologue on the Tonight Show. Examples can be found online; see the "Argonne in Recent News" section of Inside Argonne ( www.inside.anl.gov ), or visit the Argonne Home Page ( www.anl.gov ) and click on the story link under "What's New."

Argonne work-life panel submits recommendations

Argonne's Work/Life Balance Committee submitted its recommendations to Argonne Director Robert Rosner on Nov. 7.

The committee was charged with finding ways to promote a more effective balance between personal life and work life and in so doing enhance the work environment and continue the laboratory's reputation as an employer of choice.

The 16 members of the committee were selected by associate laboratory directors and the chief operations officer to represent a cross-section of the laboratory.

The committee began with a careful analysis of the nearly 2,000 employee comments from the 2005 Employee Opinion Survey. The group also surveyed best practices in industry and other national laboratories, evaluated current laboratory programs associated with work/life balance, and identified and prioritized additional or alternative work/life balance programs.

The committee's recommendations were far-ranging. Some of the recommended changes to Argonne's benefits included a Web site forum devoted to work/life balance issues, an official telecommuting policy, flexible work schedules and changes to overtime and sick-leave policies.

Under the heading of "individual dignity," the committee proposed cross-cultural sensitivity training, an enhanced diversity statement, more frequent communication of the problem resolution process and dissemination of information regarding badging requirements for foreign nationals.

The committee also recommended changes in the site infrastructure and services, on-site transportation and site access, health and wellness, and work-life support services.

In addition, various recommendations were made regarding the enhancement of laboratory communications. The prominent display of the laboratory mission was recommended, along with the creation of an Argonne Forum Web site which would be a vehicle for information training and networking. Supervisory communications training was also seen by the committee as being a laboratory need as expressed by the results of the employee survey.

Rosner praised the members of the committee for their work and attention to detail and expressed appreciation for their efforts.

"The laboratory values its diverse and talented workforce," Rosner said, "and will work hard to implement improvements that keep Argonne positioned as an employer of choice."

Many of the recommendations of the committee have already become a reality. The new Work/Life Balance Web site is available as a "quick link" under Inside Argonne ( www.inside.anl.gov). The recommendations of the committee can also be viewed in their entirety at this site.

Badge colors set by DOE

The Work/Life Balance Committee uncovered some unhappiness on the part of Argonne employees who are not U.S. citizens and must wear special red badges.

Argonne does not decide on badge colors, said Security Administration Manager Ed Mickulas (SCD). Badge colors are determined by U.S. Department of Energy regulations.

The laboratory's equal employment opportunity policy prohibits discrimination based on national origin. Employees who believe they are victims of such discrimination should contact Human Resources at ext. 2-3021.

Barish to speak on linear collider

"The International Linear Collider" will be the topic of a Director's Special Colloquium Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006, presented by Barry C. Barish, Global Design Effort director for the International Linear Collider project.

The colloquium will begin at 2 p.m. in the Building 402 Conference Center.

Barish will discuss the science motivation, technologies, plans and progress toward the International Linear Collider, or ILC, which will complement research at the Large Hadron Collider.

Barish is also director of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and a professor emeritus of high-energy physics at Caltech, where he has taught and conducted research since 1963. Barish is a member of the National Science Board, a 24-member panel that helps oversee the National Science Foundation and advises the president and Congress on policy issues related to science, engineering and education.

Web site provides contract updates

The University of Chicago has established a Web site to provide information about the competition for Argonne's Management and Operations contract. It will be updated as new information becomes available, in particular with the release of a draft Request for Proposals.

This site also can be reached through links on the university's research pages featuring joint activities between university and Argonne scientists.

See for the addresses of both Web sites.

Argonne's annual holiday shutdown to affect many site services

The Christmas-New Year closing at Argonne begins Friday, Dec. 23, and continues through Monday, Jan. 2. Only employees required to properly maintain the laboratory's facilities will be scheduled to work.

Paychecks: Monthly paid checks will be distributed or deposited on Thursday, Dec. 22.

Biweekly paid employees will receive their payroll checks or deposits for the two weeks ending Sunday, Dec. 25, on Thursday, Dec. 22, based on actual timecards approved and submitted electronically or hand-delivered to the Payroll Department. The deadline for all timecards, including those of employees who are expected to work on the weekend, will be Thursday, Dec. 22. Pay for any adjustments, such as overtime, not included on the Dec. 22 timecards will be made on the next regularly scheduled pay date: Friday, Jan. 6. 2006.

There will be no early pickups of the Dec. 22 paychecks. Accordingly, employees who will not be available to pick up their checks Dec. 22 are encouraged to call the Paymaster's Office at ext. 2-6893 to have their checks mailed to their home addresses.

Employees reporting sick leave on the Dec. 23 timecard in excess of established laboratory and bargaining agreements must submit their physician statements to the Medical Department by Wednesday, Dec. 21. Managers and supervisors of these employees will also need to submit an ANL-10 form (Sick Leave Form Bi-Weekly) to the Medical Department by that date.

If an employee currently on disability leave is scheduled to return to duty during the holiday closure, an appointment to be seen in the Medical Department before Thursday, Dec. 22, must be obtained in order to obtain prior medical clearance. It will not be possible to arrange for medical evaluation during the period when the Medical Department is closed.

Employees who require physician consultation, advice or assistance during the holiday closing should contact the Argonne Fire Department's Officer in Charge at ext. 2-6131. In case of emergency, call 911.

Site access: North Gate will be open 24 hours a day through the holiday break. West Gate will be closed Dec. 24 through Dec. 26 and Dec. 31 through Jan. 2, and will otherwise operate on a shorter schedule to accommodate construction _ 5:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. for inbound traffic only and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for outbound traffic only on weekdays. East Gate will be closed through the holiday break.

The Argonne Information Center (AIC) will be closed through the holiday break. Call the AIC at ext. 2-5755 by Dec. 22 to register visitors expected during this period. Non-U.S. citizen visitors who have not been pre-registered prior to Dec. 22 will not be allowed access during the holiday shut down.

Deliveries, shipments: No deliveries can be accepted at the laboratory during the holiday break. Commercial package delivery companies will hold all shipments until Jan. 3.

Employees expecting shipments to arrive during the break should make arrangements to have the items delivered off site. Federal Express will collect items in on-site drop boxes once a day in the evening, except for Christmas Day and New Year's day, when there will be no pickup. For more information, call ext. 2-4939.  

PFS-Site Services will refill liquid nitrogen Dewars Thursday, Dec. 22, at noon. There will be a liquid nitrogen Dewar pickup and delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 28.  Liquid helium orders may be set up for Dec. 27, 28, 29 and 30.  Orders for liquid nitrogen must be called in by 9 a.m. Dec. 22.  Orders for liquid helium must be called in by 3 p.m. Dec. 22.  Call Mary Lipowski (PFS) at ext. 2-3440 to make arrangements.

The Omega World Travel on-site travel office in Building 201 will be closed Dec. 23 - Jan. 2. Business travelers with trips scheduled during the holiday break or immediately after the laboratory reopens should pick up their tickets and travel packets before 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22.

To make arrangements or change travel arrangements during the holiday break, business travelers should call Omega at (800) 856-9224, M-F from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.

On weekends, holidays, weekdays and after 5 p.m., call (888) 281-6412. Employees should identify themselves as Argonne business travelers and reference S*73SA-ANL.

Travel authorizations for trips starting Dec. 22 through Jan. 9 should be submitted to the Travel Office by noon Friday, Dec. 16.

Argonne Credit Union offices at Argonne and Building 900 will be closed from Dec. 23 through Jan. 2. Mail will not be received until Tuesday, Jan. 3. During this time, please refer all business to the Green Ridge Center office in Woodridge at (630) 810-9600. The Green Ridge Center office will be closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Online and ATM banking are always available.

The Building 213 Cafeteria will close after lunch Thursday, Dec. 22, and will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 3.

The Guest House restaurant will close at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22. It will reopen Friday, Jan. 6, for lunch. The 401 Grill will be open Friday, Dec. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The grill will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31, and Jan. 1. It will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Dec. 30 and Monday, Jan. 2.

The Guest House front desk will close at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, and will reopen Jan. 3 at 6 a.m.

Shuttle Bus: There will be no shuttle bus service to the University of Chicago Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Jan. 2. Service will resume Jan. 3.

2005 Argonne Combined Appeal raises $407,500

In an impressive display of giving spirit, 1,513 Argonne employees and retirees contributed $407,508 to the 2005 Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA) campaign's 19 health and welfare agencies.

"Our thanks to everyone who contributed to the annual Argonne Combined Appeal Campaign," said ACA Co-Chair Kathy Whitney (HR).

"Once again, our donations continue to improve the quality of life and make lasting contributions to the people in the Chicagoland area," added ACA Co-Chair Katie Carrado-Gregar (CHM).

The agencies receiving the largest pledges from employees included:

American Cancer Society: $61,928

United Way of Metro Chicago: $58,373

American Heart Association: $40,406

American Diabetes Association: $33,816

FISH, Inc. of Downers Grove: $26,928

United Negro College Fund: $22,568

United Way of Will County: $21,203

(See the Argonne News Web site at www.anl.gov/news.html for a listing of all contributions.)

An ACA "Thank You" reception, held Dec. 1 at Argonne's Guest House, celebrated the campaign's success and honored Argonne employees who contributed to the annual campaign, as well as special relief drives and the raffle. At the reception, Kelly Mannsfeld, deputy to the director, expressed gratitude to ACA coordinators, steering committee members and other volunteers for their accomplishments and commitment to the campaign.

"Because the ACA Steering Committee acts on behalf of the Laboratory Director's office, I'd like to extend a personal thanks from Lab Director Bob Rosner to the members of the ACA Steering Committee who have contributed time and effort toward planning and managing the annual employee contribution campaign, as well as the ACA division coordinators who are essential members of the team of employees and ultimately make the ACA campaign a success," Mannsfeld said.

ACA coordinators and steering committee members received thank-you letters from Rosner, and other ACA volunteers received certificates of appreciation from Whitney and Carrado-Gregar.

At the end of the reception, Whitney and Carrado-Gregar introduced 2006 ACA Co-Chairs Joe Kilar (EQO) and Sheila Rossi (BIO). They also encouraged ACA coordinators and others to continue volunteering or join the ACA Steering Committee to help plan and manage next year's campaign.

APS offers audio files, podcasts

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) is stepping into the new world of "podcasting" by offering audio broadcasts for downloading. The initial collection of audio files in MP3 format include audio from all APS colloquia that have been captured as streaming video, as well as the audio from Associate Laboratory Director Murray Gibson's "Physics of the Blues" video.

More audio files will be added in the future.

HR classes

Human Resources, Performance Development has scheduled the following classes in January:

"Presentation Skills" (HR284) — Thursday, Jan. 12, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Building 401, Room E1100. This free class is designed to increase effectiveness and confidence as a presenter. Includes techniques for planning the presentation and organizing data, and practicing delivery methods. An individual follow-up coaching session can be scheduled.

"Conversation Skills for English as a Second Language" (HR353) Thursdays, Jan. 26-March 30, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Building 362, Room F108. This hands-on workshop will help non-native speakers improve their conversation and speaking skills by utilizing practices and activities designed to improve fluency, pronunciation and self-confidence. Register by Monday, Jan. 9, 2006. Cost is $350.

To enroll contact a Training Management System representative and complete the online enrollment form. Call Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410 for more information.

Physicist helps school celebrate Einstein

Argonne theoretical physicist Murray Peshkin was a featured panelist at the Einstein Conference held at Francis W. Parker School, Chicago, Dec. 2-3.

"Celebrating Einstein and Science: Past, Present and Future" was a two-day event featuring lecturers and panel discussions with leading physicists, including Leon Lederman, the 1988 winner of the Nobel Prize in physics, S. James Gates, Jr., Angela Olinto, Debbie Harris, Fred Jerome and others.

Retirement vendors to visit

The laboratory's retirement vendors will send representatives to Argonne during January to answer employees' questions about retirement plans and assets. To schedule an appointment, call the number listed.

Fidelity — Tuesday, Jan. 17, and Tuesday, Jan. 31. Call the appointment desk at (800) 642-7131.

TIAA-CREF — Wednesday, Jan. 4, Thursday, Jan. 5, and Friday, Jan. 6. Call the appointment desk at (800) 842-2005 or www.tiaa-cref.org/moc.

Prudential — Wednesday, Jan. 4, and Wednesday, Jan. 18. Call Cheryl at the appointment desk at (630) 285-8876.

Mixing vacation, business requires approval

Employees who attend meetings, seminars or conduct other professional interactions during overseas vacations must comply with the U.S. Department of Energy's Foreign Travel Order. The trip must be entered into the Foreign Travel Management System and approval must be obtained from the appropriate program office.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Foreign Visits and Assignments is responsible for the department's Foreign Travel Order and its interpretation. According to the office:

"When an Argonne employee travels on behalf of DOE, National Nuclear Security Administration or another agency, the trip must be entered into Foreign Travel Management System and approval secured from the appropriate program office. Vacation is exactly that: vacation. The employee is conducting no business for DOE/NNSA or any other agency but enjoying time away from the office and work.

"When the employee is conducting work while on vacation, it becomes official business. When IAEA or any other agency has extended an invitation to an Argonne employee, it was not as a private citizen but the invitation was extended to a DOE or Argonne employee based on his or her knowledge, skills and experience, acquired as an employee of DOE or Argonne. When DOE O 551.1A and 551.1B, Official Foreign Travel, was drafted, both former Secretaries Richardson and Abraham were firm as to the accountability of all DOE federal employees and contractors while traveling whether they were conducting business for DOE or another agency."

When this circumstance arises, the trip is considered to be a "business trip," and the traveler is required to prepare and submit a form 1512 for approval in the Foreign Travel Management System.

Mandated lead time

The DOE deadline for entry of a foreign travel request into the DOE Foreign Travel Management System for travel to non-sensitive countries is 30 calendar days; the deadline for travel to sensitive countries is 45 calendar days. The Foreign Travel Office must receive requests in time to meet these deadlines so DOE Headquarters can process the necessary reviews and approvals.

Country clearance cables

Before DOE Headquarters is able to approve foreign travel, it must receive a granted country clearance cable. The Department of State receives this granted cable from the American embassy in the country being visited.  The cable informs the embassy of the times and purpose for the employee's visit. The only exception is travel to a non-sensitive country when traveling for DOE's Office of Science. These trips may require cables starting in February 2006.

Trip approval notification

Travelers will receive e-mail from the Foreign Management Travel System when the trip is approved. An employee who does not receive this e-mail in a timely manner should contact the Foreign Travel Office at ext. 2-1070 to check on the status of approval.

For more information on foreign travel procedures and policies, contact Foreign Travel Administrator Patty Combs (SCD) at ext. 2-1070.

MetLife to offer quotes

A representative from MetLife Auto and Home will visit Argonne Tuesday, Dec. 20, to meet with individual employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners insurance program.

To schedule an appointment, call Craig Riddick at (630) 810-0346, ext. 143. Employees can also receive a quote over the phone by calling 1-800-438-6388.

Argonne sweatshirts, T-shirts available

New Argonne T-shirts and sweatshirts are available for purchase at the Division of Educational Programs in Building 223, Room M114.

Sweatshirts cost $16-$18 and are available in black, navy blue, red, maroon, forest green, denim, khaki and violet. Available sizes are adult small to 2-XL.

T-shirts are $10-$12 and are available in black, navy blue, denim, dark brown, forest green, kiwi, orange and turquoise. Available sizes are adult small to 3-XL.

All sales are cash only.

Contact Lisa Reed at lreed@dep.anl.gov for more information.

Service Awards

Service Awards for December include:

35 Years

John M. Cruz (TSD).

25 Years

Patricia A. Engwall (PFS), Marie Reed (DIS).

20 Years

Marjorie Ann Brockman (OCF), Dennis R. Hennebry (PFS).

15 Years

Carol A. Giles (EQO), Dean R. Haeffner (XFD), Cindy M. Kuzma (XFD), William D. Luck (LEG), Tim M. Mooney (AOD), Alan D. Schneider (TSD), Gary Winner (SCD), Cheryl A. Zidel (MCS).

10 Years

John N. Hryn (ES), Michelle A. Lawlor (DIS), Daniel J. McGann (ET), Giuseppe Palmiotti (NE), Cynthia M. Rock (PFS), Wanda S. Woods (OCF), Susan J. Zitzka (SUF).

5 Years

Richard Como (IPNS), Stephen F. Due (SCD), Sreenath B. Gupta (ES), R. Lee Liming, Jr. (MCS), Douglas E. Longman (ES), Lillian Ruscis (CMT), George M. Stephens, Jr. (EVS).