WASHINGTON -- Patients with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, often develop vitamin deficiencies  . A new study has found that giving these patients a multivitamin with a mineral supplement   helps to fight the disease and slows the disease's progression.    Sub-Saharan Africa has always been the center of the AIDS. In Botswana, despite aggressive prevention campaigns, one out of every four adults is infected with HIV. Professor Marianna Baum based her latest research there.     Baum recruited almost 900 newly infected adults who had not yet received the anti-AIDS drugs that target the virus.    These adults were then divided into groups that randomly received different combinations of vitamins B, C and E, the mineral selenium   or a placebo  .    Most patients with HIV become deficient in these vitamins, which help improve immunity  . Baum said she initially thought the multivitamins alone or selenium alone would be effective in strengthening the immune system, but found that incorrect.    "We were surprised to find that only the combination was effective," said Baum.    Research shows that when people with HIV receive anti-retroviral drugs   shortly after infection, they can remain healthy and are less likely to pass the virus to others. For many countries, however, the cost of these anti-AIDS drugs is still prohibitive.     Baum said the vitamin and mineral combination treatment should help low income countries better control the virus.    "A simple multivitamin supplementation with selenium provided early in HIV disease can actually slow the HIV disease progression and it is safe. It is low cost and it should be provided very early in HIV infection," said Baum.    Baum said the supplements are not meant to replace anti-retroviral therapy, but can help those who cannot obtain the drugs.    Dr. Anthony Fauci, a world famous expert on AIDS, disagrees.    "I haven't read the paper, but having taken care of HIV-infected individuals for three decades, I would doubt that vitamins are going to have a major effect... What can we learn form professor Baum's study? A) It is vitamin deficiencies that may have caused people to develop AIDS. B) More than one third people in Botswana are diagnosed with HIV disease. C) Professor Baum divided 900 HIV patients randomly into several groups. D) Only combination of vitamin and mineral could slow AIDS' process
D


Spring is a wonderful season to celebrate rebirth and new life. The long, cold winter is over. The weather is warmer and sunnier. The trees again have leaves and the flowers are blooming. The season represents hope, joy and beauty. At this time, many people think of this classical music piece -- Spring, which shows happiness. Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi wrote it in the seventeen hundred. However, not all songs about spring are happy. This song written and sung by K.D. Lang is about dreaming of spring in cold dark places. She recorded I Dream of Spring in 2008. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote It Might as Well Be Spring for the movie State Fair in 1945. Frank Sinatra sings it. It is a feeling of restlessness or excitement brought on by the coming of spring. Richard Rodgers also wrote Spring Is Here, this time with Lorenz Hart. Ella Fitzgerald sings this song about feeling lonely during this season. Frank Loesser wrote the sad song, Spring Will be a Little Late This Year. Why has the season been delayed? Because the singer's lover has left her. Sarah Vaughn released  her version of the song in 1953. By now you may be thinking, "Enough with the sad songs, already!" Ok, then how about a cowboy song? Gene Autry was one of America's most famous singing cowboys. He recorded When It's Springtime in the Rockies in 1937. And finally, we'll leave you with a sunny song called Up Jumped Spring. Freddie Hubbard wrote this jazz song in 1977 and Billy Taylor Trio performs it. It Might as Well Be Spring is a song that   _  . A) is also called State Fair B) is sung by Ella Fitzgerald C) has a lonely feeling D) was written by two people
D


Q: Sales of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, a hot item in consumer green tech, are expected to grow by more than 50% in North America during 2013. Actor William Shatner, who is no stranger to futuristic tech, recently purchased two e-bikes for him and his wife.  I've been shopping for an e-bike now for a few weeks, and I've had my eye on the folding electric bike. I've had folding bikes in the past and love the convenience of being able to throw my bike into my car. The e -bike market is ready to go mainstream in the U.S. The price for e-bikes has come down greatly in recent months. At one time, most e-bikes with good components and proper weight were in the $3,000range. Now you can find reasonable quality e-bikes in the $1,000range. With gas prices at all-time highs, e-bikes are an attractive, low-cost option to gas efficient vehicles. E-bike owners are finding that they are great for commuting to work, as  traditional bikes can be a problem with office dress and sweat. People who use e-bikes range from commuters to casual cyclers who like a little help with hills and wind,to those who decided to save money on buying a motor bike.These are not for the serious road cycler or professional mountain biker. If you're considering all e--bike, it pays to do some research first.Cheaper e-bikes are going to be heavier and have less battery--power.Higher priced bikes will be made from lighter materials and have better batteries. Another consideration is local motor vehicle laws.For example,according to US federal law,as long as your electric bike is under 750 watts and does not go over 20 MPH then it is a bicycle and not a motor vehicle.Most consumer e--bikes in the $1,000 range don't fit the motorized vehicle description. Which of the following may not contribute to the e-bike's going mainstream? A) The price for e-bikes has come down greatly. B) E-bikes are much cheaper to use than gas vehicles. C) The local motor vehicle laws are not strict enough. D) Some folding e-bikes are convenient to put into a car.

A: A