Office of the Secretary October 29, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Foreign Currency Transactions, Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 1994-20,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has taken final action in the following case: Dr. Maria C.P. Geraedts, University of Maryland, Baltimore: Based on the report of an investigation conducted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and analysis conducted by ORI in its oversight review, ORI and UMB found that Dr. Maria C.P. Geraedts, former postdoctoral fellow, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, UMB, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant R01 DC010110. ORI found falsified and/or fabricated data included in the following two (2) publications: Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 303:E464-E474, 2012 (hereafter referred to as ``AJP 2012'') Journal of Neuroscience 33(17):7559-7564, 2013 (hereafter referred to as ``JN 2013'') As a result of the UMB investigation, JN 2013 and AJP 2012 have been retracted. ORI found that Respondent falsified and/or fabricated bar graphs in AJP 2012, by changing ELISA-based measurements to produce the desired result for secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from intestinal explants from various mouse strains in: Figure 2 for GLP-1 release from duodenum (2A & D), jejunum (2B & E), and ileum (2C & F). Figure 3 for GLP-1 release from colon (3A & C) and rectum (3D). Figure 4 for GLP-1 release from ileum (4A) and colon (4C) in the presence or absence of an ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor. ORI found that Respondent falsified and/or fabricated bar graphs in Figure 1, JN 2013 by changing ELISA-based measurements to produce the desired result for the secretion of peptides found in taste buds (GLP- 1, glucagon, or neuropeptide Y) from mouse lingual epithelium exposed to various concentrations of stimuli (glucose, sucralose, MSG, polycose). These bar graphs also were included as Figure 7 in grant application R01 DC010110-06. Both the Respondent and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) want to conclude this matter without further expenditure of time or other resources and have entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement (Agreement) to resolve this matter. Respondent stated that she is not currently involved in U.S. Public Health Service (PHS)- supported research and has no intention of applying for or engaging in PHS-supported research or otherwise working with PHS. Dr. Geraedts has entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement with ORI and UMB, in which she voluntarily agreed to the administrative actions set forth below. The administrative actions are required for three (3) years beginning on the date of Dr. Geraedts employment in a position in which she receives or applies for PHS support on or after the effective date of the Agreement (September 22, 2015). If the Respondent has not obtained employment in a research position in which she receives or applies for PHS support within one (1) year of the effective date of the Agreement, the administrative actions set forth below will no longer apply. Dr. Geraedts has voluntarily agreed: (1) To have her research supervised as described below and notify her employer(s)/institution(s) of the terms of this supervision; Respondent agreed that prior to the submission of an application for PHS support for a research project on which her participation is proposed and prior to her participation in any capacity on PHS- supported research, Respondent shall ensure that a plan for supervision of her duties is submitted to ORI for approval; the supervision plan must be designed to ensure the scientific integrity of her research contribution; Respondent agreed that she will not participate in any PHS-supported research until such a supervision plan is submitted to and approved by ORI; Respondent agreed to maintain responsibility for compliance with the agreed upon supervision plan; (2) that any institution employing her shall submit in conjunction with each application for PHS funds, or report, manuscript, or abstract involving PHS-supported research in which Respondent is involved, a certification to ORI that the data provided by Respondent are based on actual experiments or are otherwise legitimately derived, and that the data, procedures, and methodology are accurately reported in the application, report, manuscript, or abstract; and (3) to exclude herself voluntarily 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 period of three (3) years beginning on September 22, 2015.

On October 30, 2015, the Department of Labor (DOL) will submit the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``H-2B Foreign Labor Certification Program,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to add a new system of records, DUSDA 15, entitled ``AT&L External Account Creation System (EACS)'' to validate eligibility, and maintain an official registry that identifies individuals who apply for, and are granted access privileges to AT&L products, services and electronic information systems.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense is deleting a system of records notice from its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The system of records notice is WUSU 19, entitled ``Travel Records'' (February 22, 1993, 58 FR 10920).

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Logistics Agency announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Defense Travel Management Office is publishing Civilian Personnel Per Diem Bulletin Number 299. This bulletin lists revisions in the per diem rates prescribed for U.S. Government employees for official travel in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Possessions of the United States when applicable. AEA changes announced in Bulletin Number 194 remain in effect. Bulletin Number 299 is being published in the Federal Register to assure that travelers are paid per diem at the most current rates.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.