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The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship of knowledge of AIDS, misconceptions about AIDS, knowledge of safer sex practices, perceived susceptibility, and future time perspective to the practice of safer sex behaviors in 352 single, sexually active, college freshmen. Data were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis and discriminant analysis. There were too few black females for analysis. Future time perspective explained the most variance in safer sex practices for black males. Knowledge of AIDS, perceived susceptibility, misconceptions about AIDS, knowledge of safer sex practices, and future time perspective did not explain a significant amount of variance in use of safer sex practices for either white males or females. However, perceived susceptibility and future time perspective differentiated sexually active from nonsexually active white males and females.

During August and September of 1991, an epizootic of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus in horses occurred in Wayne and Holmes countries, OH. This was the first recorded epizootic of EEE virus in the state. Twelve horses were confirmed positive for EEE virus through virus isolation or seroconversion, and seven additional horses with compatible symptoms were in close spatial and temporal proximity to the confirmed cases and were presumed to have died from EEE virus. The outbreak was centered around the Killbuck Wildlife Area, a 2,147-ha tract maintained by the state, half of which consists of wooded swamp and marsh. Mosquitoes were collected in upland areas before the epizootic and in the swamp basin at the end of the epizootic to identify the mosquito species involved in EEE virus transmission. We collected and tested 22,095 specimens for the presence of virus. EEE virus was isolated from one pool of the most likely epizootic vector, Coquillettidia perturbans (Walker). The minimum infection rate for EEE virus in this species was 0.1/1,000. Dense populations of Aedes vexans (Meigen) and Culex salinarius Coquillett occurred in the area, but their densities peaked after the epizootic. It is unlikely that these species were involved in epizootic transmission. IgM antibody to EEE virus was detected in three bird species collected in the swamp.

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Choline chloride and six analogs have been exposed in the dry, crystalline state to high-energy electron and gamma radiation. This investigation hat confirmed the abnormal radiation sensitivity of choline chloride, Its G values (molecules decomposed/100 ev) were found to be: e"-radiation, 20; y-radtation, 175. These high values indicate a chain mechanism for the solid-stale reaction. The G values for the choline analogs were found to range from I to 18 for the electron Irradiations and from • to 52 for the gamma irradiations. Betaine hydrochloride approaches choline chloride in instability toward high-energy electrons but is far more stable in the presence of y-rays.

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We assessed knowledge of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and of safer sex practices among college freshmen. A second purpose of the study was to assess this knowledge among black as well as white students. Students attending classes at three private colleges in a large southern city were asked to participate in the study. Respondents completed the modified AIDS information survey, the knowledge of safe sex practices questionnaire, and a demographic data sheet. A total of 689 questionnaires were received from single college freshmen. The results indicated that respondents were knowledgeable about the cause and transmission of AIDS but were less knowledgeable about medical aspects. Most knew that condoms are effective in preventing the spread of AIDS, but fewer could differentiate between the effectiveness of latex and nonlatex condoms. These findings are useful to health educators in improving AIDS education programs.