Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 4, 2007 / Notices 16367 

The ALJ found that Ms. Uzelmeier’s 

hearing request raised defenses that 

either were immaterial to the charges of 

misconduct in science or that the ALJ 

had no authority to grant Ms. 

Uzelmeier’s request for relief under Part 

93. 

Specifically, Ms. Uzelmeier 

knowingly and intentionally; 

• Fabricated and falsified data in her 

research notebook primarily by multiple 

instances of using data/results generated 

from one experiment to represent data/ 

results purportedly obtained from one 

or more entirely different experiments; 

and 

• Fabricated and falsified data in her 

thesis entitled ‘‘Characterization of the 

Molecular Mechanism(s) Underlying the 

Interaction(s) between 2,3,7,8- 

tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin Mediated 

and Interferon Gamma Mediated Signal 

Transduction,’’ including falsifying and 

fabricating autoradiographic films, 

computer image files scanned from 

those films, numerical data reduced 

from those computer files, 

documentation of those results in her 

black three-ring binder, and data in 

associated multiple figures and 

projection slides. 

Ms. Uzlmeier’s research concerned 

the interaction between the 

environmental toxin, dioxin, and a 

cytokine, interferon, on cellular 

signaling in the immune system. The 

approach was to exploit dioxin, or 

‘‘TCDD’’ (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-pdioxin), as a probe that suppresses the 

immune system to delineate a role for 

the aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein 

(AhR), which is a cytosolic receptor that 

can be transported to the nucleus to also 

act as a nuclear transcription factor. The 

specific aim was to determine whether 

the mechanism of action of a naturally 

occurring regulatory factor, interferon-g 

(IFN-g), to antagonize the 

immunosuppressive actions of dioxin, 

was through reduced AhR signaling. 

Ms. Uzelmeier’s actions caused the 

withdrawal of a manuscript that had 

been submitted for publication, the 

withdrawal of her mentor’s PHS grant 

application, and her dismissal from 

graduate school. 

The following administrative actions 

have been implemented for a period of 

five (5) years, beginning on March 12, 

2007: 

(1) Ms. Uzelmeier has been debarred 

from any contracting or subcontracting 

with any agency of the United States 

Government and from eligibility or 

involvement in nonprocurement 

programs of the United States 

Government referred to as ‘‘covered 

transactions’’ as defined in the 

debarment regulations at 2 CFR 180 and 

376; and 

(2) Ms. Uzelmeier 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 

consultant. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Director, Division of Investigative 

Oversight, Office of Research Integrity, 

1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 750, 

Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 453–8800. 

Chris B. Pascal, 

Director, Office of Research Integrity. 

[FR Doc. 07–1616 Filed 4–3–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4160–17–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Agency for Healthcare Research and 

Quality 

Solicitation for Nominations for 

Members of the U.S. Preventive 

Services Task Force 

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research 

and Quality (AHRQ), HHS. 

ACTION: Solicits nominations for new 

members. 

SUMMARY: The Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites 

nominations of individuals qualified to 

serve as members of the U.S. Preventive 

Services Task Force (the Task Force). 

The Task Force, a standing, 

independent panel of private-sector 

experts in prevention and primary care, 

is composed of members appointed to 

serve for four-year terms with an option 

for reappointment. New members are 

selected each year to replace 

(approximately) one fourth of the Task 

Force members, i.e., those who are 

completing their appointments. 

Individuals nominated but not 

appointed in previous years, as well as 

those newly nominated, are considered 

in the annual selection process. 

Task Force members meet three times 

a year for two days in the Washington, 

DC area. Member duties include 

reviewing and preparing comments (off 

site) on systematic evidence reviews 

prior to discussing and making 

recommendations on preventive 

services, drafting final recommendation 

documents, and participating in 

workgroups on specific topics or 

methods. AHRQ particularly encourages 

nominations of women, members of 

minority populations, and persons with 

disabilities. Interested individuals can 

self nominate. Organizations and 

individuals may nominate one or more 

persons qualified for membership on the 

Task Force. 

Qualification Requirements: The 

mission of the Task Force is to produce 

evidence-based recommendations on 

the appropriate screening, counseling, 

and provision of preventive medication 

for asymptomatic patients seen in the 

primary care setting. Therefore, in order 

to qualify for the Task Force, an 

applicant or nominee MUST 

demonstrate the following: 

1. Knowledge and experience in the 

critical evaluation of research published 

in peer reviewed literature and in the 

methods of evidence review; 

2. Understanding and experience in 

the application of synthesized evidence 

to clinical decision-making and/or 

policy; 

3. Expertise in disease prevention and 

health promotion; 

4. Ability to work collaboratively with 

peers; and, 

5. Clinical expertise in the primary 

health care of children and/or adults, 

and/or expertise in counseling and 

behavioral interventions for primary 

care patients. Some Task Force members 

without primary health care clinical 

experience may be selected based on 

their expertise in methodological issues 

such as medical decision making, 

clinical epidemiology, behavioral 

medicine, and health economics. 

Strongest consideration will be given 

to individuals who are recognized 

nationally or intentionally for scientific 

leadership within their field of 

expertise. Applicants must have no 

substantial conflicts of interest that 

would impair the scientific integrity of 

the work of the Task Force including 

financial, intellectual, or other conflicts. 

DATES: All nominations submitted in 

writing or electronically, and received 

by Thursday, May 31, 2007, will be 

considered for appointment to the Task 

Force. 

Nominated individuals will be 

selected for the Task Force on the basis 

of their qualifications (in particular, 

those that address the required 

qualifications, outlined above) and the 

current expertise needs of the Task 

Force. It is anticipated that 4 

individuals will be invited to serve on 

the Task Force beginning in January, 

2008. AHRQ will retain and consider for 

future vacancies the nominations of 

those not selected during this cycle. 

ADDRESSES: Submit your responses 

either in writing or electronically to: 

Gloria Washington, ATTN: USPSTF 

Nominations, Center for Primary Care, 

Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, 

Agency for Healthcare Research and 

Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
16368 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 4, 2007 / Notices 

Maryland 20850, 

Gloria.Washington@ahrq.hhs.gov. 

Nomination Submissions 

Nominations may be submitted in 

writing or electronically, but must 

include (1) the applicant’s current 

curriculum vitae and contact 

information, (2) a letter explaining how 

this individual meets the qualification 

requirements and how he/she would 

contribute to the Task Force. The letter 

should also attest to the nominee’s 

willingness to serve as a member of the 

Task Force. 

AHRQ will later ask persons under 

serious consideration for membership to 

provide detailed information that will 

permit evaluation of possible significant 

conflicts of interest. Such information 

will concern matters such as financial 

holdings, consultancies, and research 

grants or contracts. 

Nomination Selection 

Nominations for the Task Force will 

be selected on the basis of qualifications 

as outlined above (see Qualification 

Requirements) and the current expertise 

needs of the Task Force. 

Arrangement for Public Inspection 

Nominations and applications are 

kept on file at the Center for Primary 

Care, Prevention and Clinical 

Partnerships, and are available for 

review during business hours. AHRQ 

does not reply to individual responses, 

but considers all nominations in 

selecting members. Information 

regarded as private and personal, such 

as a nominee’s social security number, 

home and internet addresses, home 

telephone and fax numbers, or names of 

family members will not be disclosed to 

the public. This is in accord with 

agency confidentiality policies and 

Department regulations (45 CFR 5.67). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Gloria Washington at 

Gloria.Washington@ahrq.hhs.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Under Title IX of the Public Health 

Service Act, AHRQ is charged with 

enhancing the quality, appropriateness, 

and effectiveness of health care services 

and access to such services. AHRQ 

accomplishes these goals through 

scientific research and promotion of 

improvements in clinical practice, 

including prevention of diseases and 

other health conditions, and 

improvements in the organization, 

financing, and delivery of health care 

services (42 U.S.C. 299–299c–7 as 

amended by the Healthcare Research 

and Quality Act of 1999, codified in 

scattered sections of 42 U.S.C. 

The Task Force is an independent 

expert panel, first established in 1984 

under the auspices of the U.S. Public 

Health Service. Currently, the USPSTF, 

under AHRQ’s authorizing legislation 

(see in particular, 42 U.S.C. 299b–4(a), 

is convened at the call of the Director of 

AHRQ. The Task Force is charged with 

rigorously evaluating the effectiveness, 

cost-effectiveness and appropriateness 

of clinical preventive services and 

formulating or updating 

recommendations for primary care 

clinicians regarding the appropriate 

provision of preventive services. The 

USPSTF transitioned to a standing Task 

Force in 2001. Current Task Force 

recommendations and associated 

evidence reviews are available on the 

Internet (http:// 

www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov). 

Dated: March 27, 2007. 

Carolyn M. Clancy, 

Director. 

[FR Doc. 07–1639 Filed 4–3–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4160–90–M 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

[60Day–07–06BD] 

Proposed Data Collections Submitted 

for Public Comment and 

Recommendations 

In compliance with the requirement 

of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for 

opportunity for public comment on 

proposed data collection projects, the 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic 

summaries of proposed projects. To 

request more information on the 

proposed projects or to obtain a copy of 

the data collection plans and 

instruments, call 404–639–5960 and 

send comments to Joan Karr, CDC 

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 

Clifton Road, MS–D74, Atlanta, GA 

30333 or send an e-mail to 

omb@cdc.gov. 

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 collection of information; (c) 

ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; and (d) ways to minimize the 

burden of the collection of information 

on respondents, including through the 

use of automated collection techniques 

or other forms of information 

technology. Written comments should 

be received within 60 days of this 

notice. 

Proposed Project 

Economic Analysis of the National 

Breast and Cervical Cancer Early 

Detection Program—New National 

Center for Chronic Disease Prevention 

and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC). 

Background and Brief Description 

CDC administers the National Breast 

and Cervical Cancer Early Detection 

Program (NBCCEDP) that provides 

critical breast and cervical cancer 

screening services to underserved 

women in the United States, the District 

of Columbia, 4 U.S. territories, and 13 

American Indian/Alaska Native 

organizations. The program provides 

breast and cervical cancer screening for 

eligible women who participate in the 

program as well as diagnostic 

procedures for women who have 

abnormal findings. For the past decade, 

the NBCCEDP has provided over 5 

million breast and cervical cancer 

screening and diagnostic exams to 

almost 2.1 million low-income women. 

Women diagnosed with cancer through 

the program are eligible for Medicaid 

coverage through the Breast and 

Cervical Cancer Prevention and 

Treatment Act passed by Congress in 

2000. 

The NBCCEDP is the largest organized 

cancer screening program in the United 

States but to date there has been no 

systematic analysis of the economic 

costs incurred by the program. CDC is 

proposing to collect one year (period 

covering 07/01/2005–06/30/2006) of 

cost data from all the 68 NBCCEDP 

grantees to assess the cost and costeffectiveness of the program. The 

information required to perform an 

activity-based cost analysis includes: 

staff and consultant salaries, screening 

costs, contracts and material costs, 

provider payments, in-kind 

contributions, administrative costs, 

allocation of funds and staff time 

devoted to specific program activities. 

CDC has developed and tested a draft 

questionnaire with 9 NBCCEDP grantees 

to assess the ability of the grantees to 

provide the cost data elements 

requested, identify the cost information 

required, and to complete the 

questionnaire within the allocated 

timeframe. The grantees were able to 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES