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Computer method identifies potentially active enzymes

2/23/04

Better drugs, improved industrial applications and even cleaner laundry may be possible with a new computer method to predict which hybrid enzymes are likely to have high activity, according to a team of Penn State chemists and chemical engineers. "FamClash is quite successful at qualitatively predicting the pattern of the specific activity of the hybrids," the researchers report in this week's online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "By identifying incompatible residue pairs in the hybrids, this method provides valuable insights for protein engineering interventions to remedy these clashes." FamClash is a computer method used to predict which hybrid enzymes are likely to have activity and which are not.

Microbial fuel cell cleans water, generates electricity

2/23/04

Penn State environmental engineers have shown, for the first time, that a microbial fuel cell (MFC) can generate electricity while simultaneously cleaning the wastewater that you flush down the drain or toilet. So far, the Penn State experiments have produced between 10 and 50 milliWatts of power per square meter of electrode surface, or about 5 percent of the amount needed to run one mini-Christmas tree light, while removing up to 78 percent of organic matter as measured by biochemical oxygen demand. Bruce E. Logan, the Kappe professor of environmental engineering and director of the project, says, "MFCs may represent a completely new approach to wastewater treatment."
For pictures, visit http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2004_02_23_research/index.html

Thon raises $3.5 million for Four Diamonds

2/23/04

Thon, Penn State's IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, once again raised more than $3.5 million for The Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Medical Center. The grand total for this year was $3,547,715.48. Roughly 700 dancers filled Rec Hall and danced from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Sunday in the largest student-run philanthropic event in the nation.

MCOs shortchange minority Medicaid patients

2/23/04

Even when they are enrolled in the same Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs), patients who are members of linguistic, racial or ethnic minorities report worse care than white English speakers, a Penn State-led study has shown. Asian non-English speakers reported the worst experiences but the study found that African Americans, Hispanic Spanish speakers, and American Indians also continue to face barriers and lower quality of care, even after financial access has been assured by Medicaid. The study, led by Robert Weech-Maldonado, assistant professor of health policy and human development, is detailed in the February issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Counseling center helps students find their way

2/23/04

While an increasing number of students come to the University with serious personal problems, they also have a healthy attitude about seeking psychological services, according to the director of Penn State's Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.

"The increase in the number of students seeking psychological services has been dramatic, nearly doubling in the last 20 years," said Dennis Heitzmann. "Students today don't hesitate to seek help since there is not the stigma attached to psychological services that there was in earlier generations.

Heitzmann, who has served as CAPS director since 1984, was honored last fall by the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) with its Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding service to AUCCCD and exemplary leadership in the field of college and university counseling centers.

Employee Benefits issues annual deadline reminders

2/19/04

The Office of Human Resources' Employee Benefits Division reminds faculty and staff members of the following information and deadlines:

-- Flexible benefits requests for reimbursement for services incurred in 2003 must be submitted on or before March 31. Reimbursements are based on the date that the service occurred, not on the date of payment, so only services from Jan. 1, 2003, through Dec. 31, 2003, are eligible.

-- March 31 also is the last date HealthAmerica and Aetna will accept major medical claims for Healthpass (Aetna's Open Choice Plan) and Plan A for 2003 charges from University faculty and staff members or their dependents.

-- The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential counseling sessions for University faculty, staff and members of their household. To receive a free consultation, contact the Penn State EAP at (866) 749-1735. Employees in the College of Medicine at Hershey Medical Center can call (800) 543-5080.

-- The annual statement of account that each State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) participant receives will be mailed to the participant's home address again this year. In order to receive statements in a timely manner, employees need to make sure their home address information is current. The only method of changing a home address is to complete a new W-4 form through the Payroll Department.

-- Federal tax legislation authorizes an increase to the amounts that faculty and staff may contribute to a tax-deferred annuity (403(b)) and to a deferred compensation plan (457(b) beginning this year.

-- The Employee Benefits Division Web site provides faculty and staff with a variety of benefits-related information,and the forms necessary to make eligible benefit changes. Faculty and staff can review the site at http://www.ohr.psu.edu/

Major upgrades to interrupt e-mail, computing services

2/19/04

Academic Services and Emerging Technologies (ASET), a unit of Information Technology Services, is planning some major hardware and systems upgrades in the coming days. These outages will impact all users at all campus locations. This will affect e-mail, computing services and Access Accounts-based services.

-- ASET will upgrade the hardware and power supply for the e-mail server email.psu.edu between 5 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.

-- ASET will perform a major upgrade to one of the large central services computers between 5 and 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6.

-- ASET will perform a major upgrade to its centralized accounts system for user services March 7 to 9.

Faculty/Staff News: Lectures Feb. 19, 2004

2/19/04

The following lectures have been scheduled for this week:
-- Alexander Neaman, "the effects of palygorskite on chemical and physico-chemical properties of soils," 12:20 p.m. Feb. 20, 101 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building, University Park;
-- Robert B. Mitchell, "Time, Human Aging and Longevity: How Long Can a Person Live?," 11 a.m. Feb. 21, 100 Thomas Building, University Park;
-- Charles Dumas, "The Theatre in the New South Africa," 12:40 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 102 Kern Building, University Park;
-- Renee Amoore, open question-and-answer lunch, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 129A-B HUB-Robeson Center, University Park;
-- Adia Millett, lecture, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, Palmer Lipcon Auditorium of the Palmer Museum of Art, University Park;
-- Workshop, "Measurement of Executive Cognitive Function in Young Children," 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 1, The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, University Park;
-- Judy Shepard, "The Legacy of Matthew Shepard," 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York; and
-- Martha Jordan, managing partner, Latham & Watkins, Los Angeles; Jeffery Leininger, vice chairman, Mellon Bank, N.A.; John P. Surma Jr., president and chief operating officer, U.S. Steel Corp.; Lloyd "Buzz" G. Waterhouse, chief executive officer, chairman and president, The Reynolds and Reynolds Co.; and Linda Trevino, discussant, professor of organizational behavior, Franklin H. Cook Fellow in Business Ethics, Smeal College of Business Administration; panel on business ethics, 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, auditorium of the HUB-Robeson Center, University Park.

Class gift installation begins

2/18/04

In 2001, the senior class chose the Historic Light Restoration Project as its senior class gift for Penn State's University Park campus. The first of these "shepherd's crook" lighting fixtures appeared behind Old Main in April 2003. Lately, lampposts have been appearing along other walkways on the campus, and this week, the Office of Physical Plant began hanging the light fixtures.
For pictures, visit http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2004_02_18_classgift/index.html

Computer viruses continue to plague e-mail

2/18/04

It seems as if every few days a new computer virus shows up in e-mailboxes. The problem is growing, taxing the resources of information technology professionals as they try to maintain a secure, virus-free network. Prevention is the key to avoiding problems with e-mail viruses and worms.

"I can't say it enough — even if the e-mail appears to come from someone you know, don't click on (the attachment) unless you can confirm from that person that they sent it," said Kathy Kimball, director of computer and network security in Information Technology Services (ITS) at Penn State. "Everyone also should have virus protection software installed on their computers by now, and they should update the virus definitions today and weekly."

The Medical Minute: Women and heart disease

2/18/04

If you are a woman, what disease scares you the most? Breast cancer? Cervical cancer? Alzheimer's disease? With the onset of age, you may also focus on concerns about osteoporosis. But according to the latest edition of the Medical Minute, a service of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, if you were going to work on lowering the risk of the most important health threat you face, you should think of heart disease first.

Prince to party like 1999 in Happy Valley

2/18/04

April showers may turn into "Purple Rain" when rock star Prince performs at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at The Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State's University Park campus. Prince, now on the road with his "Musicology Tour," will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month. He is known for producing a string of 22 Top 10 hits that combine pop, funk and rock. Reserved tickets at $68.50 and $45 go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb.

Still Life: Toby Keith plays The Bryce Jordan Center

2/16/04

Traffic lined up well before the start of the Toby Keith concert Saturday night (Feb. 14), waiting to get into the parking lot at The Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State's University Park campus. The country music star returned to the venue for his "Shock'n Y'all" tour. He last played the Jordan Center in November 2002. Upcoming events at the venue include men's and women's basketball, the U.S.

University Park Calendar, Feb. 20-29, 2004

2/16/04

SPECIAL EVENTS
Friday, February 20
-- "Ragtime," through Feb. 28, The Playhouse Theatre. For tickets, call (814) 863-0255.

Monday, February 23
-- Geographic Information Systems Training Workshop, 1 to 3:30 p.m., Mann Assembly Room, 1st Floor, Paterno Library.

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