Findings of Scientific Misconduct, 75174-75175 [E5-7470]

Download as PDF 75174 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 242 / Monday, December 19, 2005 / Notices Directive 9. The initiative involves designing, deploying, and evaluating a model contamination warning system for drinking water security. Another essential component is the need for standardized analytical methods (SAM) to be used by all laboratories for responding to incidents that require rapid analysis. The EPA and other Federal parties, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Geological Survey, have evaluated the suitability of existing methodologies and selected a set of methods for use by EPA and contract laboratories to analyze environmental samples in times of national emergency. The methods are limited to chemical, biological, radiochemical, and biotoxin analytes in environmental media. The purpose of the consultation is to seek early advice from the individual members of the SAB HSAC regarding the proposed approach, design, adequacy and the future implementation for the WS program and the scientific soundness and adequacy of SAM. The SAB was established by 42 U.S.C. 4365 to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the EPA Administrator. The SAB formed the HSAC as a subcommittee of the Chartered SAB to provide independent scientific and technical advice on matters pertaining to the environmental and health consequences of terrorism in response to an EPA request. Background on the HSAC and its charge was provided in a Federal Register Notice published on July 30, 2003 (68 FR 44761–44762). For this consultation, the HSAC will be augmented with experts from other SAB committees or individuals previously identified on the HSAC ‘‘Short List’’ (see, https:// www.epa.gov/sab/panels/ hsacadhoc.html). It is EPA’s policy to follow the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) for subcommittees of its chartered advisory committees. Accordingly, in accordance with FACA, EPA has determined that a portion of the SAB’s HSAC consultation on WS will be closed to the public pursuant to section 552b(c)(9)(B) of the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(9)(B)), which allows closure of a meeting if the ‘‘premature disclosure of [the information to be discussed] would * * * be likely to significantly frustrate implementation of a proposed agency action * * *.’’ This discussion will involve sensitive VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:59 Dec 16, 2005 Jkt 208001 national security information relating to specific water sector vulnerabilities and emergency response tactics, including sensitive information relating to intentional contamination events. Also, EPA will present detailed findings about the emergency response capabilities of public health agencies and water utilities. The disclosure of this sensitive national security information would significantly frustrate the Agency’s efforts to protect the nation’s drinking water systems. Therefore, pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, 10(d), I have determined that the topics identified above will concern matters that, if prematurely disclosed, would significantly frustrate implementation of proposed agency actions. Accordingly, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(9)(B), this portion of the meeting will be closed to the public. Availability of Meeting Materials: The agenda and other meeting materials for this consultation will be available prior to the meeting date on the SAB Web site: https://www.epa.gov/sab. EPA’s technical documents on the WS program may be found at: https:// www.cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/ watersecurity/index.cfm. EPA’s technical documents on SAM may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/ordnhsrc/ pubs/reportSAM092905.pdf. Procedures for Providing Public Comment: The SAB Staff Office accepts written public comments of any length, and will accommodate oral public comments whenever possible. Oral Comments: Requests to provide oral comments must be in writing (email, fax or mail) and received by Ms. Turner no later than January 20, 2006 to reserve time on the January 30–31, 2006 meeting agenda. Opportunities for oral comments will be limited to five minutes per speaker. Written Comments: Written comments should be received in the SAB Staff Office by January 20, 2006 so that the comments may be made available to the members of the HSAC for their consideration. Comments should be supplied to Ms. Turner at the contact information provided above, in the following formats: One hard copy (original signature optional), or one electronic copy via e-mail (acceptable file format: Adobe Acrobat PDF, WordPerfect, Word, or Rich Text files (in IBM–PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format)). Accessibility: For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Ms. Turner at the phone number or e-mail noted above, preferably at least 10 days prior PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 to the consultation, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: December 13, 2005. Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator. [FR Doc. E5–7505 Filed 12–16–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION Sunshine Act Meeting; Farm Credit Administration Board; Regular Meeting AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b(e)(3)), that the January 12, 2006 regular meeting of the Farm Credit Administration Board (Board) has been rescheduled. The regular meeting of the Board will be held Friday, January 6, 2006 starting at 9 a.m. An agenda for this meeting will be published at a later date. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanette C. Brinkley, Secretary to the Farm Credit Administration Board, (703) 883–4009, TTY (703) 883–4056. ADDRESSES: Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102–5090. Dated: December 14, 2005. Jeanette C. Brinkley, Secretary, Farm Credit Administration Board. [FR Doc. 05–24236 Filed 12–14–05; 5:01 pm] BILLING CODE 6705–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary Findings of Scientific Misconduct Office of the Secretary, HHS. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on November 23, 2005, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Debarring Official, on behalf of the Secretary of HHS, issued a final notice of debarment based on the scientific misconduct findings of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) in the following case: Jessica Lee Grol, University of Pittsburgh: Based on the report of an investigation conducted by the University of Pittsburgh (UP) and additional analysis conducted by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) in its oversight review, HHS found on October 17, 2005, that Ms. Grol, former Research Project Coordinator, Department of Neurological Surgery, UP, engaged in E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 242 / Monday, December 19, 2005 / Notices scientific misconduct by fabricating study research records for 15 subjects, including the patient interview data, the forms tracking data, and the medical record extraction data in a study on the management of cerebral aneurysms. The research was supported by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), career development award K23 NS02159. In a final decision dated November 23, 2005, the HHS Debarring Official, on behalf of the Secretary of HHS, issued the final debarment notice based on the PHS findings of scientific misconduct finding. The following actions have been implemented for a period of three (3) years, beginning on November 23, 2005: (1) Ms. Grol has been debarred from any contracting or subcontracting with any agency of the United States Government and from eligibility for or involvement in nonprocurement programs of the United States Government as defined in the debarment regulations at 45 CFR part 76; and (2) Ms. Grol is prohibited from serving in any advisory capacity to PHS, including but not limited to service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Acting Director, Division of Research Investigations, Office of Research Integrity, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 700, Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 453–8800. Chris B. Pascal, Acting Director, Office of Research Integrity. [FR Doc. E5–7470 Filed 12–16–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160–17–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a Modified or Altered System of Records Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACTION: Notice of a Modified or Altered System of Records (SOR). AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to modify or alter an existing SOR, titled ‘‘Non-Medicare Beneficiary Workers’ Compensation (WC) Set-aside File (WCSAF),’’ System No. 09–70–0537, last published at 67 FR 36892 (May 28, 2002). We propose to VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:59 Dec 16, 2005 Jkt 208001 expand the scope of this system to include non-Medicare beneficiaries whose applications for a WC Arrangement have not been approved (denied) as submitted. The disclosure provisions contained in published routine use number 2 and 3 are deemed to be duplicative of each other and as such require corrective action. This modified routine use will now be number 2 and will authorize disclosure to ‘‘another Federal and/or state agency, agency of a state government, an agency established by state law, or its fiscal agent.’’ We are modifying the language in the remaining routine uses to provide clarity to CMS’s intention to disclose individual-specific information contained in this system. The routine uses will then be prioritized and reordered according to their usage. We will also take the opportunity to update any sections of the system that were affected by the recent reorganization and to update language in the administrative sections to correspond with language used in other CMS SORs. The primary purpose of the nonMedicare beneficiary WCSAF is to maintain a file of individuals who were injured while employed; are not currently Medicare beneficiaries; whose WC Settlement included a WC Medicare Set-aside Arrangement that is intended to pay for future medical expenses in place of future Medicare benefits; and was approved or not approved (denied) by CMS as submitted. The information retrieved from this system will be disclosed to: (1) Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor or consultant; (2) another Federal and/or state agency, agency of a state government, an agency established by state law, or its fiscal agent to contribute to the accuracy of CMS’ proper payment of Medicare benefits, enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of a Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; (3) an individual or organization for research, evaluation or epidemiological projects related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or for understanding and improving payment projects; (4) support constituent requests made to a Congressional representative; (5) support litigation involving the agency; and (6) combat fraud and abuse in health benefits programs funded in whole or in part by Federal funds. We have provided PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 75175 background information about the modified system in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, below. Although the Privacy Act requires only that the ‘‘routine use’’ portion of the system be published for comment, CMS invites comments on all portions of this notice. See EFFECTIVE DATE section for comment period. EFFECTIVE DATE: CMS filed a modified or altered SOR report with the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on December 13, 2005. We will not disclose any information under a routine use until 30 days after publication. We may defer implementation of this system or one or more of the routine use statements listed below if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation. ADDRESSES: The public should address comment to the CMS Privacy Officer, Mail Stop N2–04–27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244– 1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location, by appointment, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., eastern daylight time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Kettish, Division of Medicare Secondary Payer Policy Operations, Financial Services Group, Office of Financial Management, CMS, Mail stop C3–14–16, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244–1850. She can be reached by telephone at (410) 786–5462, or via e-mail at Donna.Kettish@cms.hhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice for this system, ‘‘Non Medicare Beneficiary Workers’ Compensation Set-aside File,’’ System No. 09–70–0537, was most recently published in full at 67 Federal Register 36892 (May 28, 2002). CMS is responsible for safeguarding the fiscal integrity of the Medicare Program. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 established the ‘‘Medicare Integrity Program,’’ enabling CMS to competitively award contracts with entities to promote the integrity of the Medicare Program. The Coordination of Benefit Contractor (COBC) is one of those specialized contractors hired to increase efficiency and effectiveness by ensuring that the appropriate payer makes benefit payments by coordinating Medicare and other benefit payments. The Electronic Correspondence Referral System (ECRS) is currently used to transfer data between CMS’s E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1

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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 242 (Monday, December 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75174-75175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7470]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Findings of Scientific Misconduct

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on November 23, 2005, the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Debarring Official, on 
behalf of the Secretary of HHS, issued a final notice of debarment 
based on the scientific misconduct findings of the U.S. Public Health 
Service (PHS) in the following case:
    Jessica Lee Grol, University of Pittsburgh: Based on the report of 
an investigation conducted by the University of Pittsburgh (UP) and 
additional analysis conducted by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) 
in its oversight review, HHS found on October 17, 2005, that Ms. Grol, 
former Research Project Coordinator, Department of Neurological 
Surgery, UP, engaged in

[[Page 75175]]

scientific misconduct by fabricating study research records for 15 
subjects, including the patient interview data, the forms tracking 
data, and the medical record extraction data in a study on the 
management of cerebral aneurysms. The research was supported by 
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), 
National Institutes of Health (NIH), career development award K23 
NS02159.
    In a final decision dated November 23, 2005, the HHS Debarring 
Official, on behalf of the Secretary of HHS, issued the final debarment 
notice based on the PHS findings of scientific misconduct finding. The 
following actions have been implemented for a period of three (3) 
years, beginning on November 23, 2005:
    (1) Ms. Grol has been debarred from any contracting or 
subcontracting with any agency of the United States Government and from 
eligibility for or involvement in nonprocurement programs of the United 
States Government as defined in the debarment regulations at 45 CFR 
part 76; and
    (2) Ms. Grol is prohibited from serving in any advisory capacity to 
PHS, including but not limited to service on any PHS advisory 
committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Acting Director, Division of Research 
Investigations, Office of Research Integrity, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 
700, Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 453-8800.

Chris B. Pascal,
Acting Director, Office of Research Integrity.
 [FR Doc. E5-7470 Filed 12-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-P
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