Monday, Sept. 27, 2004

Thermo Electron presents a Discovery Day on Wednesday

Thermo Electron, a leading manufacturer of scientific instrumentation, is hosting a day of technical presentations and a scientific instrument exhibition, showcasing their wide range of laboratory products and solutions. The event is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday at Fuller Lodge. The instrumentation that will be displayed at the exhibition include Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography, FTIR, Raman, UV/VIS , X-Ray Microanalysis/EDXRF, AA, ICP-MS, Incubators, Circulators, Centrifuges, Radiation Monitoring, Electrochemistry/pH meters, Vacuum Systems, Temperature Control, Material Characterization and more.

The informative technical presentations include: (select no more than one presentation from each session)

• Session A: 9 to 9:45 a.m.
• Session B: 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
  • Applications of Dispersive and FT-Raman Spectroscopy
  • Advancements in FT-IR Spectroscopy
  • FT-IR Sampling Techniques
  • Finnigan LTQ FT Recent Advances in FTMS Technology
  • A TGA Designed for High Mass, High Volume Samples with Evolved Gas Analysis Capabilities
  • Using a PTV Large Volume Injector with GC-Mass Spectrometry for the
  • Identification of Pesticides in the Environment

• Session C: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
• Session D: 3 to 3:45 p.m.
  • New Applications with FT-NIR Technologies
  • Advanced FT-IR Techniques
  • Spectral Imaging Opens a New Era in Quantitative
  • X-Ray Mapping
  • Vinquiry: pH Seminar Technical Theory and Training
  • Advancements in FT-IR Microscopy
  • Compound ID The Portable FT-IR System

Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be served on the Fuller Lodge patio. 

Registration is required due to limited space. To register, contact Daun Donyes at 1-800-648-5456. Be prepared to sign-up for the technical presentations when registering by telephone.

Updated 9/27/04

NMSU hosting 6th annual UAV conference

The Technical Analysis and Applications Center at New Mexico State University is hosting the sixth annual UAV conference, "Coming of Age: Integration and Interdependence." The conference is Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, at the Tamaya Hyatt Regency Resort, located on the Santa Ana Pueblo, north of Albuquerque. This year's event is a three-day conference, featuring a day of classified sessions, followed by a two-day forum limited to U.S. Government, (Federal and State agencies) and their contractors, and law enforcement agencies.

The conference will provide an understanding of the accelerated UAV requirements and technology environment leading to integration and interdependence. This knowledge is critical to all UAV stakeholders, including decision-makers, program managers, technology developers, users and regulators.

For more information, contact Gabriel Rivera of NMSU at (505) 521-9649, write to gabe.rivera@psl.nmsu.edu by electronic mail or go to http://www.psl.nmsu.edu/uav/conferences/2004/ online.

Updated 9/27/04

Skolnik training classes

Skolnik Technical Training Institute will conduct a "Basics of Electricity, DC Circuits" training class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 - 14 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Albuquerque. The seminar is designed for technicians, assemblers, engineers, managers and anyone who would like to learn about electricity and electronic components. The training tuition is $1,150.

Skolnik also will host a five-day “IPC/EIA J-STD-001C Certification” training class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 11 - 15, at Skolnik’s soldering training facility in Albuquerque. This IPC/EIA J-STD-001C class is designed to provide soldering certification to assemblers, technicians and/or engineers, for end-product acceptance criteria of high reliability electronic assemblies. The tuition fee is $1,149.

For more information, go to http://www.skolnik-tech.com/ online or call the registration department at (505) 299-1157.

Updated 9/27/04

CEPI seminar on Wednesday

The Santa Fe Institute, the Quantum Institute at the Laboratory and the University of New Mexico present the next Complexity, Entropy and the Physics of Information (CEPI) seminar series from 5 to 6 p.m., Wednesday (Sept. 29) at the Santa Fe Institute, Robert N. Noyce Conference Room. The speaker will be Doyne Farmer of the Santa Fe Institute. His talk is titled "Long memory and fat tails in price diffusion: Applications of physics thinking to economics."

This talk is part of a monthly (summer excepted) series of talks aimed at bringing together the Northern New Mexico physics and information community to hear top-quality talks aimed at a broad scientific audience.

For more information, contact Howard Barnum of Modelling, Algorithms and Informatics (CCS-3) at 5-4305.

Updated 9/27/04

LabVIEW classes offered in Los Alamos

Need to learn LabVIEW and learn hands-on GPIB theory and application in the same course, for instrument data acquisition and control using LabVIEW with instruments? Don Jordan has hands-on answers in his courses, coming to Los Alamos at the Holiday Inn Express in Los Alamos in October. Call (808) 630-3600 or write to interfacing.concepts@att.net by electronic mail for more information about the courses. Prerequisites: LabVIEW course or programming experience.

• Oct. 25 - 27, LabVIEW Jump-Start with IEEE-488 and RS-232 course, cost: $1,200
• Oct. 28 - 29, Creating Sophisticated LabVIEW Instrumentation Programs, cost: $1,000
• Nov. 1 - 2, LabVIEW Jump-Start Intermediate Level course, cost: $1,200

Updated 9/23/04

Health and wellness class

High Altitude Adaptation -- This popular annual class returns. Learn about the fascinating physiologic adaptations to high altitude, and what you can do to prevent "mountain sickness" for yourself or visitors from lower elevations. Nutrition tips for high altitude activity included. Instructor: Dr. Patrick Montoya, Occupational Medicine. Wednesday (Sept. 29), from noon to 1 p.m., Wellness Center Room 106; no fee.

Health promotion classes are open to the entire Laboratory work force. Registration is available at http://www.wellness.lanl.gov/svc/classes/hp/hp_sch.htm online. For more information, contact Marta Gentry Munger at 7-7166 or write to mgm@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Updated 9/27/04

NNSA has employee concerns number

The National Nuclear Security Administration has a toll free telephone number for NNSA and Laboratory employees who have concerns they want to express about work related issues.

The telephone number is 1-800-688-5713 and is available to NNSA, Laboratory and all subcontract personnel who work for NNSA, said Linton Brooks, NNSA administrator.

"I continue to worry that some individuals are afraid to speak up about problems they see within NNSA or at our contractors," Brooks said in a message to NNSA personnel. He said NNSA personnel should never have to be worried about the perils of doing their jobs honestly, safely, and correctly. "People should not be afraid to bring problems to the attention of management, or be worried about facing retribution rather than receptiveness," said Brooks.

For more information, contact Bernie Pleau of NNSA's Los Alamos Site Office at 7-6691.

Updated 9/21/04

Managers can sign up for class on prevention, detection of retaliation

Laboratory managers can sign up for a mandatory training class on prevention and detection of retaliation in the workplace. The class is for deputy group leaders and above and is available through the Laboratory's Virtual Training Center.

The class is designed to assist managers in preventing retaliation claims in the workplace and consists of four hours of videotaped instruction. The course number is 29039 and the Virtual Training Center has additional information on class meeting times. Classes are held at the former Canyon School Complex and will be monitored by LC staff attorneys.

For more information, contact Pamala Maggio of Laboratory Counsel (LC) at 7-3970.

Updated 9/21/04

HR sponsors "Service Essentials for Everyone"

Earlier this year, the Human Resources (HR) Division sponsored Moran Consulting to conduct a course titled, "Service Essentials for Everyone." This course was attended by all human resources staff and was well received. Due to the broad interest in this course, HR is offering it three more times for anyone who is interested.

The course is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 12 and Nov. 16. The cost is $390. This one-day training curriculum teaches fundamental customer service skills and understanding people's behavior styles.

The six modules are: Understanding Yourself and Others, Developing an Attitude of Service Excellence, Identifying Customer Needs, Thoughtful Body Language and Words, Providing Uncompromising Service at Every Contact, Resolving Conflict and Exceeding Expectations.

Everyone who signs up for the course must contact Moran Consulting at service@moraninc.com by electronic mail and provide them with their name, contact information and the date they are scheduled to attend. In return, Moran will send each participant a link to an online DiSC profile that must be completed in advance of the training session. Participants are encouraged to save the profile and print it out and bring to the class. The profile takes approximately ten minutes to complete.

To sign up for the course, go to http://www.hr.lanl.gov/TIOCourses/TIOAha.asp?CourseNumber=29981 online.

Updated 923/04

Integrity Networking Systems news

With year-end rapidly approching, there is no better time to give the office the color it deserves. The new Xerox Phaser 8400 starts at $999. No other printer has color this brilliant, this fast, at this price. The Xerox Phaser 6250 provides rich laser color quality at 26PPM with instant rebates available. Call Tish Romero of Integrity Networking Systems Inc. at (505) 294-7747 ext. 150 to place your JIT Xerox printer order. 

Updated 9/8/04

"Project Management Toolbox" workshop is Oct. 12-14

A workshop focusing on individual skill building and the essential elements of project management is scheduled for Oct. 12-14 at the Laboratory.

Doing projects right, delivering results on time and within budget, is the most effective tool for obtaining future funding. The workshop will focus on the following elements needed for successful project management:

• Building high performing teams
• Establishing clear and realistic project definitions
• Understanding the detailed steps in project planning
• Optimizing trade-offs
• Developing a baseline plan and monitoring procedures
• Tracking progress and fixing problems
• Closing out the project

Learning is reinforced by application case studies throughout the workshop.

The customized course will be presented by Erika Jones and Associates.

For more information and to register, go to http://www.hr.lanl.gov/TIOCourses/TIOSession.asp?CourseSession=196920023 online or call Harry Thomas of Training and Development (HR-TD) at 7-4002.

Updated 9/3/04

Research Library has new Web page for safe use of lasers

The Research Library (STB-RL) has negotiated a license agreement for the Laboratory site-wide access to the electronic version of ANSI Z136.1, Safe Use of Lasers. The document is available for Laboratory employees from a Library Web page at http://rlcd.lanl.gov/ansi/z136.1/ online.

ANSI Z136.1 is the basis for LIR 402-400-01.3, provides laser safety information and is designed to assist laser users in developing laser safety programs. ANSI Z136.1 provides information on laser classifications, hazard analysis and control measures needed for the development of a comprehensive laser program.  

ANSI Z136.1-2000 is the latest version of the Safe Use of Lasers standard. However, an updated version will be released in November 2004 that also will be available from the Research Library Web site. You can sign up for notification of the release of the 2004 version at the Laser Institute of America Web site.

For more information, contact Carol Hoover of STB-RL at 7-3061 or write to hoover@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Updated 9/3/04

DOE's ESnet to host collaborative services workshop at Lawrence Berkeley Lab

The Department of Energy's ESnet (Energy Sciences Network) will hold a workshop from Oct. 27-29 to help plan the future directions for ESnet Collaboration Services. The workshop will be held at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif.

ESnet Collaborative Services provides a number of online services aimed at improving collaboration among researchers at the many national laboratories and universities served by ESnet. Users, engineers and managers of collaboration services at all DOE/ESnet research centers are invited to attend.

The workshop agenda will consist of noted guest speakers in the fields of voice, video, and data services, as well as, present the current features of ESnet Collaboration Services.

The keynote speaker will be Jill Gemmill, assistant director of the Academic Computing Office of the Vice President for Information Technology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham . Gemmill, who is also a research assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, directs the IT Academic Computing Advanced Technology Laboratory. Her current research activities include use of single-sign-on authentication architectures, transparent authorization, secure videoconferencing, end-to-end application performance, grid computing, and developing better collaboration tools for virtual organizations.

For more information on the agenda, speakers, and registration for the workshop, go to http://www-staff.es.net/~mikep/workshop/esnet_collaboration_workshop.htm online.

ESnet, funded primarily by the DOE Office of Science, is managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which is operated by the University of California.

Updated 8/27/04

National Technological University

Registrations are now being accepted for the Fall 2004 semester courses. Deadlines vary depending on the University selected. NTU offers 11 Master's degree programs to pick and choose from:

• Business Administration
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Manufacturing Systems Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Microelectronics and Semiconductor Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Special Majors Program

For detailed course information, go to www.ntu.edu online. For registration information and material for NTU's Graduate degree program, contact Michelle Aguino of Training and Development (HR-TD) at 7-9074 or write to NTU@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Updated 8/17/04

Vacuum seminar in October

Varian Vacuum Technologies will present a seminar on vacuum technology from 8 a.m. to noon, Oct. 13 at the Physics Building Auditorium. The noncommercial presentation is about vacuum technology in general and is applicable to all brands of vacuum equipment.

Workbooks and refreshments will be provided by Varian. Subjects covered include: Brief introduction to vacuum technology, system pressure, total gas load, materials selection, sstem pumping speed, gauging, system operation, Troubleshooting and a question and answer session.

To register, send name and telephone number to tom.mathers@varianinc.com by electronic mail.

Updated 2/26/04

Employees leaving Lab must attend termination presentation

Employees who are leaving the Laboratory or changing to casual status must attend a benefits termination presentation held by Benefits (HR-B).

The termination presentations are held every Laboratory pay day for University of California Lab employees. Employees who are retiring aren't required to attend a presentation, but rather, they should schedule a meeting with their designated benefits specialist.

The presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. in room P280 on the second floor of the Otowi Building at Technical Area 3. Pre-registration is required. Employees should register on line at http://hrcluster.lanl.gov/TIOCourses/TIOAha.asp?CourseNumber=21013 one to two weeks prior to their last scheduled work day to sign up for a benefits termination presentation.

Employees also must obtain a departure processing form from Staffing (HR-S) before the presentation. This form is available at http://www.hr.lanl.gov/hrstaffing/Terminations/index.stm online.

At the presentation, employees will receive a packet of information about their benefits and savings balances. They will learn about options to continue or convert insurance plans and distribution options for savings funds.

Employees who require a sign language interpreter should write to benefits@lanl.gov by e-mail three days in advance of the presentation they plan to attend. Or call the benefits office at 5-3842 (TDD).

Because of limited parking, employees should plan to arrive early and/or make alternative transportation arrangements, such as using Johnson Controls Northern New Mexico's ride service.

Updated 10/25/02

Lost and found

Lost: keys on Sept. 22 around the TA-3 area. Key ring has Ace Hardware and Albertsons card; keys for Volvo, Saab plus others. Please contact dwheeler@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Lost: four keys on a key ring with a round white tab near TA-3. Call Bev at 5-0996.

Lost: women's black microfiber jacket with front zipper and side zip pockets. If found, call 5-4770.

Lost: plastic sunglasses with tortoise shell rims. Lost in ground-floor women's restroom in Otowi. If found, write to amye@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Found: glasses, silver rims, may be men's reading glasses at TA-15. Call DX-6 at 5-5830 to claim.

Found: small ring with two keys at TA-59, Bldg. 1 ladies rest room. To claim, call 5-9527.

Found: blue notebook on bus. To claim, call Barbara at 5-5833.

Found: black BMW baseball style cap outside the Louis Rosen Auditorium at TA-53. To claim, contact Joyce at joyer@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Found: three keys on a long chain, near the Wellness Center. Call Steve at 5-1250 to claim.

Lost: sunglasses, plastic silver frame with dark brown lenses. Please call 5-3642 if found. 

Found: a key with a black handle and silver ring in Administration Building on the second floor, D Wing, on a table near the X-7 mail boxes. Contact the X-7 group office at 7-6504 or 5-5167.

Lost: bracelet, three strings of blue beads, different shapes and colors. Heart clasp and silver fish pendant. Very sentimental gift, very sad, $20 reward. If found, write to mmead@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Lost: a set of five keys to a Nissan and Jeep. If found, please contact Jared Griego at 5-0192 or 104-2283.

Commuter's Corner

To run an ad, contact the Newsbulletin at newsbulletin@lanl.gov or 7-6103.

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• Park-and-ride Commuter Bus Service Schedule (pdf)