International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 17-20, 1994 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / The Data Acquisition, Analysis, and Simulation System (DAAS) is a computer system designed to allow data sources on spacecraft in the Flight System Testbed (FST) to be monitored, analyzed, and simulated. This system will be used primarily by personnel in the Flight System Testbed, flight project designers, and test engineers to investigate new technology that may prove useful across many flight projects. Furthermore, it will be used to test various spacecraft design possibilities during prototyping. The basic capabilities of the DAAS involve unobtrusively monitoring various information sources on a developing spacecraft. This system also provides the capability to generate simulated data in appropriate formats at a given data rate, and to inject this data onto the communication line or bus, using the necessary communication protocol. The DAAS involves Serial RS232/RS422, Ethernet, and MIL-STD-1553 communication protocols, as well as LabVIEW software, VME hardware, and SunOS/UNIX operating systems.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 17-20, 1994 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / This paper describes the application software used in the Message Processing System at the Air Force Development Test Center (AFDTC), Eglin AFB. The focus is on the Alpha AXP application software designed and developed to log, process, and reformat IRIG Chapter 8 1553 data. The main data reduction and editing capabilities of the processing phase are explained: message output selection, message output sampling, message translation, error identification, and IRIG Chapter 8 time editing. The design of and methods used to produce the output files, the BBNProbe STD file, and the 1553 message summary report are described. This software’s flexibility and comprehensiveness in processing, reducing, and re-formatting 1553 message data will enable AFDTC to satisfy current and future post-mission processing requirements.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1998 / Town & Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / The Test & Evaluation community is starting to migrate toward solid state recording. This paper outlines some of the important areas that are new to solid state recording as well as examining some of the issues involved in moving to a direct recording methodology. Some of the parameters used to choose a solid state memory architecture are included. A matrix to compare various methods of data recording, such as solid state and magnetic tape recording, will be discussed. These various methods will be evaluated using the following parameters: Ruggedness (Shock, Vibration, Temperature), Capacity, and Reliability (Error Correction). A short discussion of data formats with an emphasis on efficiency and usability is included.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 22-25, 2001 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / The DoD has recently mandated new acquisition, or procurement strategies for the research and development community. The policy includes using Non-Developmental Items (NDI) whenever feasible, as well as avoiding the use of proprietary sources. Such practices lesson time from specification to operation, ease of extensibility and progressive maintainability. In this paper we discuss the NDI and in-house designed test assets developed and implemented for testing the pods. Our time from specification to test was less then one year.

Objective: This study was to identify factors associated with High Sexual Risk Behavior (HSRB) in single Afro American women seen in an Epidemiology/Sexual transmitted disease (EPID/STD) Clinic in Richmond, Virginia from January 2006 through April 2006.Method: Participants were 154 single women (no history of marriage) between the ages of 18-30 visiting the EPID/STD clinic for the first time.Demographic information was obtained from their records. A volunteer interview was given that contained 101 variables to evaluate for High Sexual Risk Behavior (HSRB). HSRB was defined to response 'yes' to the question, "During the past 3 months did you have sex with some one you just met (i.e., within the past week or so)." We evaluated the association of HSRB and the pre-disposing factors that affect risk behavior using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results: There were 154 women interviewed of which 16% responded yes to the HSRB question. Eight percent reported a first sexual encounter prior to the age of 13, 69% reported 6 or more lifetime sexual partners, 39% reported > than one pregnancy, 53% said they had heard information on the risk of STDs often or a lot. Girls who initiated sex from 13 to 15 were protected against HSRB as an adult according to our data. There was an association between HSRB and number of lifetime sexual partners as well as the number of lifetime pregnancies. In logistic regression, predictors for HSRB were found to include number of lifetime sexual partners as well as the number of lifetime pregnancies, with the highest adjusted POR for 16 or more lifetime sexual partners 13.69 (95%CI 2.03,92.23). In addition, women who had more than one pregnancy had an adjusted POR for HSRB of 5.13 (95% CI 1.14, 23.15).Conclusion: The results indicated that there was an association for HSRB, as measured by the report of sex with someone you just met in the past three months, with having 16 or more lifetime sexual partners and with one or more pregnancies. Also, in this study group, girls who initiated sex between the ages of 13-15 were protected against HSRB as adults. We need to target these at risk individuals to educate them an dincrease their awareness of negative outcomes linked to this type of behavior.

Objective: Male-to-male sexual contact is the most common mode of transmission for HIV among Latino men. Psychosocial factors such as machismo, homophobic discrimination, and internalized homophobia have been hypothesized to greatly impact sexual behaviors among Latinos. However, studies investigating the relationship between these psychosocial factors and risky sexual behaviors are limited. This study examined the impact of machismo on risky sexual behaviors among Latino Male who have Sex with Men (MSM).Methods: This study utilized data collected from 254 Latino MSM in 1999 from selected cities within Virginia. The analysis focused on respondent demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, acculturation, and sexual risky behaviors. Composite measures for acculturation, machismo, internalized homophobia, and sexual discrimination were created by combining sets of relevant questions. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used and odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Results: The study found a statistically significant relationship between machismo and HIV/STD sexual risk behaviors. Latino MSM with high machismo values were over four times more likely to engage in HIV/STD sexual risk behaviors compared to those with low machismo values (OR=5.53,95%CI =1.85-16.47). In contrast, HIV/STD sexual risk behaviors were not significantly associated with acculturation, discrimination, or homophobia.Conclusions: Machismo is a significant risk factor for HIV and STD sexual risk behaviors in Latino MSM. Culturally competent messaging and appropriate skill building opportunities addressing machismo values should be incorporated into HIV and STD prevention programs that target Latino MSM.

Os caminhoneiros de estrada constituem um grupo de grande mobilidade geográfica em função do trabalho – o transporte de cargas, que exige vários dias até meses fora de suas casas e longe da família. A solidão a que se vêem condicionados torna alguns destes profissionais vulneráveis a manterem relacionamentos sexuais no transcurso das viagens. Assim, este estudo tem por objetivo investigar os fatores de vulnerabilidade entre os caminhoneiros de estrada para o risco de contaminação com o HIV/aids. A metodologia utilizada foi o método quali-quantitativo que teve como eixo norteador a pesquisa – ação e o método da problematização de Paulo Freire. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de janeiro a fevereiro de 2003, através de uma entrevista semi-estruturada. Foram entrevistados neste período 50 caminhoneiros de estrada presentes nas cooperativas que serviram de campo para este estudo. A análise dos dados quantitativos foi feita com base na estatística descritiva e os dados qualitativos através do método de Bardin (1979). Os resultados encontrados apontam que os caminhoneiros têm conhecimentos sobre vários aspectos da transmissão da aids, mas muitos se envolvem em relacionamentos sexuais na estrada sem o uso do preservativo. Por outro lado, o uso de álcool e anfetaminas (para reduzir o sono) faz parte do cotidiano de alguns destes profissionais, constituindo fatores de vulnerabilidade, uma vez que sob o efeito da bebida nos pontos de paradas para descanso alguns se envolvem com prostitutas. Finalmente, concluímos que os comportamentos observados entre os caminhoneiros estão fundamentados em princípios socialmente construídos com base na cultura machista, levando muitos a se envolverem no sexo sem proteção ou a aventuras como forma de mostrar sua virilidade a qualquer custo, tornando-os, deste modo, vulneráveis a DST/aids. / The truck drivers constitute a group of great geographical mobility through the cargo transport that requires many days and until months far from their family and home too. The loneliness that they are conditioned, lead some these professionals to vulnerability and to keep sexual relations during their journeys through the highway. Thus, this study aims to investigate the vulnerability factors among truck drivers to the risk of HIV/AIDS’ contamination. The methodology utilized in this study was the quanti-qualitative method that had as the reference the research-action and the Paulo Freire’s problematization method. The data were collected in the months of January to February 2003 through the semi-structured interview. Fifty truck drivers were interviewed in the cooperatives that served as place to this study. The analysis of the quantitative data was based on descriptive statistic and the qualitative data through the Bardin’s method (1979). The results indicate that the truck drivers have knowledge about the several aspects of AIDS’ transmission, but many of them involve to sexual relations in the highway without use of condom. On the other hand, the use of alcohol and amphetamine (to reduce the sleep) is present in the daily life of some them and constitute vulnerability factors in the stop points to rest where the use of alcoholic beverages facilitates the sexual relations together whores. At last, we can conclude that the watched behaviors among the truck drivers are founded in socially built principles based on the culture of masculinity leading many of them to involve in sexual relations or just adventure without use of condom to show their virility all time, becoming them so vulnerable to STD/AIDS.

Sensibilizadas com as questões relativas à sexualidade, DST, aids e drogas, voltadas principalmente para pessoas em detenção em sistema penitenciário, procuramos desenvolver esta pesquisa-ação com 49 mulheres detentas de três cadeias públicas femininas do interior paulista, objetivando levantar com elas seus problemas frente à sexualidade, DST, aids e drogas, trabalhando a seguir, um programa educativo sobre estes temas, possibilitando-lhes, conhecimentos e habilidades nesta área, bem como, preparando-as para serem agentes multiplicadores. Coletamos os dados através de entrevistas individuais gravadas, a partir de questionário aberto e com questões norteadoras as quais nos permitiram qualitativamente verificar o significado positivo que as mulheres dão à vida, à família, sublimando a maternidade. Sentem profunda tristeza pela situação em que se encontram, sendo que a maioria está presa devido ao uso e tráfico de drogas. Praticam qualquer tipo de sexo, mais preferem o vaginal. São promíscuas e algumas bissexuais. Atribuem às DST-aids, a desinformação do povo e possuem grande interesse em saber e participar de atividades educativas no interior das cadeias sobre estas temáticas. Algumas revelam presença de DST em sua vida, referindo-se ao uso inadequado do preservativo, afirmando ser difícil negociar sexo seguro com o parceiro. Demonstram conhecimento simples às vezes ingênuo sobre sexualidade, sexo, DST-aids e drogas e não desenvolvem a consciência para a mudança de comportamento. Depreendemos então, que estas mulheres não têm preparo para lidarem com a sua sexualidade e contra às DST-aids e drogas. / Thinking on issues related to sexuality, STD, AIDS and drugs regarding people confined in prisons, the author developed a research-action with 49 women confined in three public feminine prisons at the state of São Paulo, Brazil aiming at understanding their problems regarding sexuality, STD, AIDS and drugs and afterwards at implementing an educational program on these topics as well as preparing them to disseminate this knowledge. The author collected data through individual interviews, starting from an open questionnaire with guiding questions that enabled her to quantitatively verify the positive meanings that these women give to life, family and maternity. These women showed their sorrow regarding their situation, especially because the majority of them were arrested due to drug trafficking and use. They are used to have sex of different types but prefer vaginal sex. They are promiscuous and some are bisexual. They consider the lack of information the main cause of STD-AIDS and are really interested to participate in educational activities about this theme. Some of them point out the inadequate use of condoms as the cause of STD in their lives, affirming that it is difficulty to talk about safe sex with their partners. They show simple and ingenuous knowledge on sexuality, sex, STD-AIDS and drugs and are not willing to change their behavior. In sum, the author concluded that these women are not prepared to deal with their sexuality and STD-AIDS and drugs.

Este estudo trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, mediada pela metodologia da pesquisa-ação, fundamentada em referencial teórico-metodológico de Paulo Freire. Esse visa a levantar problemas vivenciados por uma população específica de nove surdos, adultos jovens, alunos de uma Classe de Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA) frente à sexualidade e as IST/aids, através da comunicação pela Língua de Sinais Brasileira (LIBRAS); criar junto deles possibilidades de construção, implementação e avaliação de ações educativas, frente a situações problematizadas, criando subsídios à reflexão para uma mudança de atitude frente às dificuldades identificadas, com vistas ao desenvolvimento da autonomia, da escolha responsável e cidadã relativa à vida sexual, à negociação do sexo seguro e à prevenção das IST/aids. Discute-se a necessidade de um trabalho voltado especificamente a esta população que é peculiar, dada a exclusão existente e pela própria dificuldade da comunicação. Analisa-se a construção de um referencial que possa dar conta da implementação de um processo educativo, ao mesmo tempo dando respaldo para a abordagem crítica e científica do mesmo. Isto suscitou instrumentalização para lidar com esta questão exigindo da pesquisadora freqüentar e concluir curso de LIBRAS para favorecer a interação horizontal. A entrevista foi aplicada de acordo com os preceitos éticos e o rigor cientifico. Foi verificada uma dificuldade no que diz respeito aos conteúdos curriculares de Educação Básica, em 7 relação ao corpo humano, bem como a gravidez e parto. Relativamente à sexualidade, esta palavra não era de conhecimento dos surdos pesquisados. Quanto à prática do sexo uma grande parte já havia tido experiências neste sentido e como método de proteção para o sexo, a camisinha, o casamento, a fidelidade e a pílula anticoncepcional eram os conhecidos por eles. Com respeito as IST/aids e as outras questões depreendeu-se a necessidade de informações complementares para o exercício de uma sexualidade segura e responsável. Foram efetuadas, descritas e avaliadas as ações educativas implementadas, concluindo-se que os surdos são uma população que demanda de uma educação preventiva para as temáticas estudadas de forma dinâmica, contextualizada e voltada para sua peculiaridade, ou seja, sua língua, sua cultura, sua experiência visual acurada e sua facilidade de comunicação com seus pares, indo de encontro com a proposta de formação de agentes multiplicadores. / This study is about a qualitative research, measured by action-research methodology, based in Paulo Freire’s theoretical method. This paper is to raise problems lived by a specific young deaf adults population facing sexuality and STD/AIDS, through language communication by signs, using LIBRAS( Brazilian Sign Language) ; creating among them construction possibilities, implementation and assessment of teaching actions, facing problematic situations, creating subsidy to reflexion for a change in attitude facing identified problems leading to a self development and a responsible choice related to sexual life, safe sex and STD/AIDS prevention. The need of a job is discussed specifically turned to this peculiar population since exclusion is always present and by their own difficulty in communication. The build of a referential is also discussed, that can implement the educative process and at the same time giving support to a critical and scientific approach. This brought about instrumental to deal with questions, demanding the researcher to conclude a LIBRAS course to favor the horizontal interaction. The interview was done according to ethical rules and scientific accuracy. A great dificulty was found regarding the current curriculum content in relation to the human body, pregnancy and childbirth. Sexuality is a word not known by the group in this study; regarding sex practice, only one has never had sex before and all of them 9 have known about sex protection methods, condom, marriage, fidelity and anti conceptional pills. Regarding STD/AIDS and other matters related, we could see the need of complementary information for a safe and responsible sexuality practice. The implemented educational actions were done, described and assessed. It may be concluded that the deaf population is calling for a preventive education in the areas mentioned above in a dynamical form, contextualized and turned to their language, culture, sharp visual experience and the facility for partner communication, heading toward the proposal of multiplier agent formation.

This thesis describes structural studies on the interactions between the fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (fCS) oligosaccharides and human proteins known as selectins. fCS is a carbohydrate obtained from sea cucumbers, that can be classified as a branched glycosaminoglycan (GAG). It has attracted much attention due to its anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, antimetastatic and anti-HIV properties and its structure was previously determined by NMR. Selectins constitute a family of proteins involved in cell adhesion processes, such as inflammation, attachment of viral particles and migration of tumour cells. fCS oligosaccharides have been shown to bind to selectins, which is likely a reason behind their biological activity. However, the mechanism of this interaction is currently unknown. The initial part of the thesis describes the experimental work on expression and purification of the recombinant L- and P-selectin constructs in Pichia pastoris, Escherichia coli and HEK 293 cells. The aim of these experiments was to produce two constructs for each selectin, a single domain construct, consisting of the C-type lectin domain only, and a double domain construct, consisting of both the C-type lectin and the EGF-like domains. The intention was that the recombinant proteins would be labelled with 13C and 15N to allow for the in-depth structural NMR studies on the fCS-selectin interaction. Various experimental approaches have been explored, including the use of different cell lines, modifications to construct design, as well as alterations to expression and purification conditions. Although it was not possible to produce soluble selectin constructs in either bacterial or yeast cells, protein expression tests in HEK293 cells, performed in collaboration with the Oxford Protein Production facility (OPPF), led to production of a soluble L-selectin construct, consisting of the L-selectin C-type lectin domain. The produced L-selectin construct, as well as two commercially available constructs of the Land P-selectin extracellular domains, were used in the Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR experiments to provide new information about the nature of the fCS-selectin binding. The STD experiments allowed to identify the regions within the fCS oligosaccharides that are in direct contact with the protein and likely play an important role in this interaction. Experiments on different protein constructs allowed the comparison of fCS binding to P-selectin and to two different recombinant constructs of L-selectin. Results of these studies suggest that the binding occurs via a similar mechanism for both L- and P-selectins and that the fCS oligosaccharides bind to one-domain L-selectin construct with similar affinity as to a larger construct, consisting of the entire extracellular region of the protein. Alongside the experimental work, theoretical in silico studies on the fCS-selectin binding were undertaken as part of this project. The existing X-ray structures of selectin complexes were subjected to Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, which allowed to explore the dynamic behaviour of E-selectin upon binding to sialyl Lewis x (sLex). It was found that sLex forms a more favourable interaction with the extended conformation of E-selectin and that the protein in this conformation is characterised by a high degree of interdomain flexibility, with a new type of interdomain movement observed in the MD studies on this complex. In further in silico studies, the fCS oligosaccharides were docked to the existing P-selectin structures. The docking tests were performed on the computationally produced fCS trisaccharides with fucose branches either 2,4 or 3,4-sulfated. Results were evaluated with MD simulations and analysed in the light of current knowledge of selectin-ligand binding and the STD NMR experimental results. The in silico studies allowed to identify a subset of P-selectin residues that are likely involved in the interaction with fCS oligosaccharides in vivo. The conformational behaviour of P-selectin upon binding to fCS was also explored and it was found that the interdomain hinge is flexible during this interaction and allows transition from bent to extended conformational state. Finally, a new NMR method was developed to facilitate the studies of complex carbohydrates, incorporating the concepts of G-matrix Fourier Transform (GFT) NMR into 2D HSQC and 2D HSQC-TOCSY experiments. The method allows to separate peaks in the regions of high spectral overlap, providing information that can simplify the assignment process. The new experiments facilitated the structural evaluation of a sample containing a mixture of oligosaccharides resulting from the depolymerisation of fCS polysaccharide.