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by Katie Williams
Computer scientists in the Decision and Information Sciences Division at Argonne are using information gathered from 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablets to help simulate the rise and the fall of ancient cities in the northern and southern regions of Mesopotamia — the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day Iraq and Syria.
Conducted in conjunction with the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago, the project is funded by a five-year, $1.2 million National Science Foundation Biocomplexity Grand Challenge grant.
The project will make use of the advanced DIAS and FACET software frameworks developed at Argonne to enable a range of complex simulation models and other software applications to work concurrently in the same simulation. For the first time, scientists will be able to simulate how the weather, climate, hydrology, agriculture and social processes of the settlements in the ancient Near East interacted.
"In the past, it wasn't possible to run all these simulation models at once," said John Christiansen, DIS computer scientist and Argonne principal investigator for the project. "Even if you were only interested in how two of the models interacted, you had to run one model, laboriously process and restructure its output for input to the other model, and finally run the second model. It was very cumbersome."
The new multidisciplinary simulation framework for ancient Mesopotamia will allow scientists to run countless simulations using different modeling assumptions and variables. Through the simulations, the researchers hope to be able to answer such questions as:
How and why did the third and fourth
millennium B.C. cities in the irrigated zone of southern Mesopotamia grow to a greater size and
complexity than those in the rain-fed north?
What was the dynamic progression of
such settlements through time?
How did the communities respond to the
natural environment?
How well were they able to survive or
grow under environmental and social stresses?
The answers will help address current questions about sustainability in modern societies.
"Almost all of the mechanisms that were in force in the 2nd and 3rd millenia B.C. are still at work today," said Christiansen. "We can learn a lot about how we should be governing our affairs and sustaining our society now from the information we gather about these ancient civilizations. Only the details are slightly different."
The Argonne simulation software frameworks can be used in a variety of other ways too. They were first applied to military simulations to predict maneuver capabilities of both friendly and hostile forces in a dynamically changing landscape.
Other applications include simulating adaptive behaviors of cocaine traffickers to aid in interdiction efforts, predicting ocean waves and currents from deep ocean to the shore, evaluating alternative strategies for delivering health care, and efforts to protect endangered bird species.
Christiansen said the range of applicability of the Argonne simulation frameworks is virtually limitless. They allow people to anticipate problems, as well as study the once-mysterious past.
"There's been a movement for over a decade to try to include more of the problem as a whole and not always just focus on one thing to the exclusion of others," said Christiansen. "Before, the computing power and software infrastructure weren't there. I think now we're starting to see more and more multidisciplinary and heterogeneous projects and simulations."
"Global Energy Apartheid: The Disparity Between the Energy Haves and Have-Nots" will be the topic of a Director's Special Seminar Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m. in the Advanced Photon Source Auditorium at Argonne-East.
Speaker Eric Loewen is a consulting engineer in nuclear engineering design and research at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. He was a member of an American Nuclear Society delegation to the United Nations 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. The conference focused on how developing nations — the Energy "Have Nots" — can balance their energy needs against environmental concerns.
Loewen will focus on the opinions and views of other world leaders on the issue of energy, what the U.S. Department of Energy is doing and what needs to be done in the future. He will cover what environmental organizations are saying about energy sources and which energy sources they deem feasible for developing countries.
The results are in for the 2002 Argonne Combined Appeal (ACA). Pledges increased 4.6 percent in 2002, bringing the total to $422,468. Employees contributed $403,961 in 2001.
"The amount of money collected for the 2002 campaign was tremendous," said Connie Markiewicz (OCF), the 2002 ACA co-chair. "The outpouring of donations shows Argonne employees are dedicated to helping the communities surrounding the laboratory."
The most contributions were made to the United Way in Chicago (formerly Chicago Crusade of Mercy). More than $75,000 was pledged by 433 Argonne contributors. The American Cancer Society received pledges of $64,636 from 877 participants. On average, participating employees pledged $234.
"United Way wishes to thank the many generous employees of Argonne National Laboratory, who have been strong partners of United Way for many years," said Jim Kales, director of communications at United Way in Chicago. "Those who contributed should feel good because those contributions will go a long way, as there are many people in need in the Chicago area. Many people have lost their jobs this year, and they need to know that United Way is there to support them. It is your support that makes this possible."
More information about the Argonne Combined Appeal results is online.
by Katie Williams
Eve Kovacs (HEP) has won one of two grand prizes in the 2002 National Sewing Month Contest. Her winning design is featured on the January page of the 2003 National Sewing Month calendar.
Her winning entry was a cape embellished with traditional Hungarian felt cutwork appliqué. This type of design originally decorated the coats of sheep herders.
The theme of the contest was "Heartfelt," and Kovacs found it to be quite a challenge to incorporate her own style into the contest's guidelines. The cape took more than two weeks to finish.
"People who are familiar with my style know that it's not at all romantic or flowery," said Kovacs. "This was a really interesting contest for me."
Kovacs said while she is interested in all types of sewing projects, she enjoys making and designing clothes the most.
"I enjoy the challenge of clothing," she said. "A quilt is square and flat, so it's easier to embellish because you don't have to put it on a round body. Clothing has to look good and look good on you."
Tickets for the Feb. 2 Thibaud String Trio concert at Argonne-East go on sale this week in the Building 213 Cafeteria from noon to 1 p.m.
Flutist Eugenia Zukerman will join the trio to perform works by Mozart, Bach and Stamitz at an Arts at Argonne concert, which will begin at 3 p.m. in the Advanced Photon Source Conference Center, Building 402.
Tickets are $20. The Auditorium Box Office will be open on the day of the performance at 2:30 p.m.
Upcoming Arts at Argonne concerts will include the Trio Fontenay Saturday, March 15, and the Camerata Sweden chamber orchestra Saturday, April 5. Details appear on the Arts at Argonne Web site.
Special dinner
A special dinner prepared by Chef Chris Kaminsky will be served in the Argonne Guest House after the concert. Dinner hours are from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $23.45 per person. Reservations are requested; call (630) 739-6000.
Exceed/Exceed 3D/Exceed SDK version 8.0.0 software is now available via a network share. Exceed allows users to run X-Window software on their PCs.
Version 8 release notes and other information can be found on the Electronics and Computing Technologies Division's Software License Web page.
Current Exceed users under maintenance can upgrade older versions for free. New users can obtain the software by contacting Mike Thommes (ECT) at ext. 2-5461 or via e-mail at mthommes @anl.gov. The cost to new users is $200 for the initial year, and $50 per year thereafter.
25 Years
Rabinder N. Malhotra (PFS), Leslie D. Pope (FAC), Doreen T. Schoening (PFS), Ronald G. Whitfield (DIS).
20 Years
Gregory A. Borland (BIO), Tonya Harward (ENT), Robin L. Reierson (PFS), Van R. Sandifer, Jr. (FAC), Jeffrey L. Shriver (FAC), Jitendra P. Singh (ET), Richard B. Vilim (RAE).
15 Years
Boyd Dale Christensen (FAC), Ihor Hlohowskyj (EA), Christine L. O'Brien (DEP), Douglas J. Parini, Sr. (OCF), S. Joshua Stein (ASD), Philip R. Wilt (PHY).
10 Years
Mark Antonio (CHM), Charles Fellhauer (TD), Dale A. Ferguson (XFD), Lynette Jirik (IPNS), Stanley Johnson (ASD), Steven LaBuda (AOD), Patrick M. O'Malley (PFS), Kenneth M. Teh (PHY), Katrina Thomas (EA).
5 Years
Nancy L. Dietz (CMT), Peggy M. Hanny (RPS), Matthew E. Luallen (ECT), Kenneth Marsden (ENT), Marianne C. Nielsen (ASD), Steven R. Sherman (ENT), Om V. Singh (AOD), Ronald L. Sluiter (AOD), Seth W. Snyder (ES), Prakash Reddy Thimmapuram (DIS).
The Argonne Credit Union will hold a workshop on tax preparation Thursday, Feb. 6, from 7-9 p.m. in the Hilton Lisle/Naperville.
"Understanding Your Taxes Workshop" will cover new and updated tax rules and a tax expert will answer specific questions from the audience. The workshop is open to all.
To reserve a seat, call ext. 2-5800, or visit any Argonne Credit Union office.
Fidelity Investments is making Turbo Taxâ tax-return preparation software available through its Web site for completing 2002 federal and state tax returns.
Those who complete their returns online can purchase the software at a 50 percent discount from the retail price. Those who complete and submit a paper return can receive a 25 percent discount.
To find the TurboTax link on the Fidelity Investments Web site, select the "Planning and Retirement" tab, then click "Tax Center."
For more information, contact Fidelity Investments at 1 (800) 343-0860.
The Argonne 8-Ball Pool League is featured in the January issue of the national monthly magazine Billiards Digest, the latest national media feature on the league.
League members interviewed for the article include Dean Bass, Chuck Batson (TD-DES), Jenny Erdmann (APS), Mark Erdmann (APS), Bob Finch (CMT), Lisa Gades (APS), Art Kahaian (CMT), Jeremy Kropf (CMT),Vic Maroni (CMT), Mike Mattox, Mike Neylon (CMT), Ron Shepard (CHM), and Sasha Vanyashin (HEP). The story appears on pages 70-74 of the January 2003 issue, currently on newsstands and in area billiards shops.
The Argonne Pool League has been previously featured in Billiards Digest and on the National Geographic Channel.
Nominations are being sought for the 2003 University of Chicago Awards for Distinguished Performance at Argonne.
The awards recognize outstanding technical or scientific achievement or a distinguished record of achievements by an Argonne employee.
Statements of 250 words or less citing the nominee's achievement or record should be submitted to the Office of the Laboratory Director. Fifteen copies are required. Deadline for initial nominations is Monday, Feb. 3.
After internal review, the laboratory director will notify nominators of the acceptance of the nominations for submission to the University of Chicago and additional support materials will be requested.
Charles Allen (MSD) retired Jan. 2 with 17 years of service.
James A. Biggs (ASD) retired Dec. 20 with 40 years of service.
Barbara R. Chandler (RAE) retired Jan. 6 with 43 years of service.
George P. Gorski (PFS) retired Jan. 3 with 32 years of service.
Robert F. Gronemeyer (PFS) retired Jan. 3 with 36 years of service.
Fredric J. Martino (CMT) retired Jan. 6 with 37 years of service.
Karl L. Marklo (MSD) retired Jan. 2 with 43 years of service.
William Meyer (ER) retired in December with 11 years of service.
Mary A. Moore (OCF) retired November 15 with 21 years of service.
James G. Saiveau (RAE) retired Jan. 6 with 26 years of service.
Richard Simms (RAE) retired Jan. 6 with 29 years of service.
Florence P. Smith (CMT) retired Jan. 6 with 34 years of service.
Richard Scott Smith (TD) retired Jan. 6 with 28 years of service.
Mary Kay Specht (CMT) retired Jan. 6 with 12 years of service.
Bert J. Toppel (RAE) retired Jan. 6 with 46 years of service.
Jean A. Verklan (RAE) retired Jan. 6 with 27 years of service.
Carl E. Webster (CMT) retired Jan. 6 with 37 years of service.
Judith Wozniak (RAE) retired Jan. 6 with 21 years of service.
Carl K. Youngdahl (RAE) retired Jan. 6 with 42 years of service.
Classes offered by Electronics and Computing Technologies are held in Argonne-East's Building 201, Room 167. Unless otherwise specified, class sizes are limited to eight participants and cost $215. Detailed class descriptions appear on the ECT Web site. February classes include:
"Intermediate Word 2000" (ECT 374) --
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
"Intermediate Excel 2000" (ECT 375) --
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
"Intermediate Access 2000" (ECT 376)
-- Thursday, Feb. 6, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
"Excel: Working with Large Worksheets"
(ECT 385) -- Friday, Feb. 7, 8:30 a.m. - noon. Cost: $140.
"Excel 2000 Organizational Tools" (ECT
384) -- Friday, Feb. 7, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $140.
Complete computer class descriptions, schedules and enrollment forms are available online. For information about enrollment, contact Diane Cavazos (ECT) at ext. 2-7153 or dkcavazos@anl.gov.
Nominations are being sought for an award that recognizes excellence in research by outstanding young ethnic Korean physicists in North America.
Candidates for The Outstanding Young Researcher Award must have received their doctoral degree after Jan. 1, 1998. Candidates can be nominated by the head of the department in which they are employed or by the candidate's former thesis advisor. The nomination letter should detail the importance and impact of the candidate's work. Supporting documents should include the candidate's curriculum vitae and three letters of recommendation.
The nomination deadline is Friday, Jan. 31. The award — $1,000 — will be presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Korean Physicists in America (AKPA), to be held in Indianapolis March 3-7.
Send nominations and supporting documents to AKPA President Kwang-Je Kim (ASD), mail stop ASD-401. For more information, call ext. 2-4647 or send e-mail to kwangje@aps.anl.gov.
The Argonne Aikido Club meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Army Reserve Building on Frontage Road north of Argonne-East.
Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art characterized by dynamic movement, throws, strikes and pinning techniques. It is effective self-defense and develops physical strength, mental awareness and discipline.
No experience is necessary, and employees, friends and family are encouraged to join. For more information, call ext. 2-9927 or send e-mail to wsheehan@ aps.anl.gov.