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Before, during, and after concerts, fans of The Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread Panic, and other improvisation-oriented jam bands, gather in venues' parking lots to share experiences, debate band related lore, buy and sell fan made goods, listen to music, and participate in numerous other scene-related activities. The interaction within these spaces, and with these spaces, fosters the social construction of knowledge, language, skills, norms, behaviors, and identities. By applying Gee's construct of “affinity space,” this article analyzes the different trajectories to learning and participation associated with one the most influential fandoms in the United States. The conceptualization of parking lots as affinity spaces sheds lights on informal learning practices experienced in physical settings that transcend the affordances offered by virtual communities, social media, and, more broadly, computer-mediated communication. Focusing on situated learning endeavors enacted in jam band parking lots in relation to formal educational practices, this study advocates for a renewed and joined approach to education and fandom studies through a sociocultural lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Article Title and Bibliographic Information: Essential oils compared to chlorhexidine with respect to plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review. Van Leeuwen MPC, Slot DE, Van der Weijden GA. J Periodontol 2011 Feb;82(2):174-94. Epub 2010 Nov 2. Reviewer: Anthony L. Neely, DDS, MDentSc, PhD Purpose/Question: To determine whether essential oil mouthwash is comparable to chlorhexidine gluconate with respect to reducing plaque and gingival inflammation and promoting calculus accumulation and extrinsic staining Source of Funding: Some support came from the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam Type of Study Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of data Level of Evidence: Level 1: Good-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade: Grade B: Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Article Title and Bibliographic Information: Intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, and preterm birth: adverse pregnancy outcomes and their association with maternal periodontitis. Siqueira FM, Cota LO, Costa JE, Haddad JP, Lana AM, Costa FO. J Periodontol 2007;78(12):2266-76. Reviewer: Anthony L. Neely, DDS, MDentSc, PhD Purpose/Question: To determine the potential association between maternal periodontitis and the adverse pregnancy outcomes of preterm birth, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth restriction Source of Funding: Information not available Type of Study/Design: Cross-sectional study Level of Evidence: Level 3: Other evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade: Not Applicable [Copyright &y& Elsevier]