Weighing matrices and spherical codes

Mutually unbiased weighing matrices (MUWM) are closely related to an antipodal spherical code with 4 angles. In the present paper, we clarify the relationship between MUWM and the spherical sets, and give the complete solution about the maximum size of a set of MUWM of weight 4 for any order. Moreover we describe some natural generalization of a set of MUWM from the viewpoint of spherical codes, and determine several maximum sizes of the generalized sets. They include an affirmative answer of the problem of Best, Kharaghani, and Ramp.Comment: Title is changed from "Association schemes related to weighing matrices

Cellulose acetate phthalate, a common pharmaceutical excipient, inactivates HIV-1 and blocks the coreceptor binding site on the virus envelope glycoprotein gp120

BACKGROUND: Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), a pharmaceutical excipient used for enteric film coating of capsules and tablets, was shown to inhibit infection by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and several herpesviruses. CAP formulations inactivated HIV-1, herpesvirus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) and the major nonviral sexually transmitted disease (STD) pathogens and were effective in animal models for vaginal infection by HSV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus. METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunoassays and flow cytometry were used to demonstrate CAP binding to HIV-1 and to define the binding site on the virus envelope. RESULTS: 1) CAP binds to HIV-1 virus particles and to the envelope glycoprotein gp120; 2) this leads to blockade of the gp120 V3 loop and other gp120 sites resulting in diminished reactivity with HIV-1 coreceptors CXCR4 and CCR5; 3) CAP binding to HIV-1 virions impairs their infectivity; 4) these findings apply to both HIV-1 IIIB, an X4 virus, and HIV-1 BaL, an R5 virus. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide support for consideration of CAP as a topical microbicide of choice for prevention of STDs, including HIV-1 infection

Water dispersible microbicidal cellulose acetate phthalate film

BACKGROUND: Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) has been used for several decades in the pharmaceutical industry for enteric film coating of oral tablets and capsules. Micronized CAP, available commercially as "Aquateric" and containing additional ingredients required for micronization, used for tablet coating from water dispersions, was shown to adsorb and inactivate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), herpesviruses (HSV) and other sexually transmitted disease (STD) pathogens. Earlier studies indicate that a gel formulation of micronized CAP has a potential as a topical microbicide for prevention of STDs including the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The objective of endeavors described here was to develop a water dispersible CAP film amenable to inexpensive industrial mass production. METHODS: CAP and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) were dissolved in different organic solvent mixtures, poured into dishes, and the solvents evaporated. Graded quantities of a resulting selected film were mixed for 5 min at 37°C with HIV-1, HSV and other STD pathogens, respectively. Residual infectivity of the treated viruses and bacteria was determined. RESULTS: The prerequisites for producing CAP films which are soft, flexible and dispersible in water, resulting in smooth gels, are combining CAP with HPC (other cellulose derivatives are unsuitable), and casting from organic solvent mixtures containing ≈50 to ≈65% ethanol (EtOH). The films are ≈100 µ thick and have a textured surface with alternating protrusions and depressions revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The films, before complete conversion into a gel, rapidly inactivated HIV-1 and HSV and reduced the infectivity of non-viral STD pathogens >1,000-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Soft pliable CAP-HPC composite films can be generated by casting from organic solvent mixtures containing EtOH. The films rapidly reduce the infectivity of several STD pathogens, including HIV-1. They are converted into gels and thus do not have to be removed following application and use. In addition to their potential as topical microbicides, the films have promise for mucosal delivery of pharmaceuticals other than CAP

Long-Time Asymptotics for the Korteweg-de Vries Equation via Nonlinear Steepest Descent

We apply the method of nonlinear steepest descent to compute the long-time asymptotics of the Korteweg-de Vries equation for decaying initial data in the soliton and similarity region. This paper can be viewed as an expository introduction to this method.Comment: 31 page

Pelaksanaan Supervisi Akademik Kepala Sekolah Pada SMP 1 Lhoknga Kecamatan Lhoknga Kabupaten Aceh Besar

: Academic supervision is a series of activities to help teachers to develop their ability in managing learning process in order to achieve the learning goals. This study aimed to find out the description of academic supervision implemented by principal in State Junior High School 1 Lhoknga. This study used qualitative approach with descriptive method. The subjects of this study were principal, vice principals, and teacher. The results of this study showed that: (1) the principal involved all school personnel in designing academic supervision program. The designing process was conducted at the beginning of school year and the program was applied for two semesters. (2) The principal\u27s strategies in implementing academic supervision were preparing academic supervision instrument, providing socialization about the program plans to all teachers, carrying out a direct academic supervision to all teachers, and delegating the supervisor\u27s responsibility to all vice principals and some senior teachers that have been supervised. (3) The principal conducted follow-up academic supervision by giving guidance and trainings or Teacher Education Consensus Points to unprofessional teachers. The follow-up included the follow-up program of academic supervision, learning situation and factors that influence the students\u27 achievement, and some improvement that should be done. (4) The obstacle factors were the teachers who were unable to attend the supervision because of the reason they were sick and asked permission to follow training, the teachers who were not ready when the supervision was conducted

Evaluation of Confounders in Toxoplasmosis Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Assay

Background: The IFA test is one of the most usual methods for detecting anti-Toxoplasma antibod­ies, although it has not any unique standardization. It seems that the microscopic judg­ment of results is an important confounder in IFA test. Therefore, we conducted the present study to clarify the role of microscopic observer, and other confounders on the test.Methods: Eighty sera were collected from patients suspicious to toxoplasmosis for detection IgG anti-T. gondii by this test. Samples were examined against different series of antigens, IgG anti-human conjugates, and observers.Results: There were no significant differences between the two series of antigens and conjugates. For the observers groups the kappa coefficient of the test results in the experts group (0.97, 0.94-1.00) were significantly higher than the less experienced observers (0.77, 0.68-0.87).Conclusion: We recommend the IFA test to be performed only in reference laboratories and by laboratory technicians that have enough experience for this test. Otherwise, we suggest the substitution of this test with other tests like ELISA for the diagnosis and epidemiological studies

Strategi Kepala Sekolah Dalam Meningkatkan Disiplin Dan Motivasi Kerja Guru SD Negeri 36 Laksana Banda Aceh

: Principal as a top manager has a strategic role in improving the discipline and work motivation of teachers. This study aimed to describe the programs, the policy, and the obstacles of principal in improving the discipline and work motivation of teachers in State Elementary School 36 Laksana of Banda Aceh. This study used qualitative descriptive approach. Techniques of data collection used were interview, observation, and documentation study. Subjects of this study were principal and teachers. The results of the study showed that the program of improving the discipline and work motivation of teachers aimed to achieve an optimal teaching-learning process, so that the quality of school can be improved. Each program plan was purposed to make the teaching-learning process become effective, fun, and school-goals oriented. The policy of principal in improving the commitment of teachers was the implementation of situational leadership for low-commitment teachers, and the implementation of consultative and participative leadership for high-commitment teachers. The principal always discussed the policies with the teachers. The obstacles in improving the discipline and work motivation of teachers were the condition of few teachers that came late to school, some teachers did not prepare the teaching materials well, and some of them did not use media in teaching process