Thursday, January 30, 2020

The Demon in the Free

The Demon in the Freezer Essay I. The Other Side of the Moon 1. Peter Jahrling wanted to work with the smallpox virus because he wanted to be in efforts to create a national stockpile. He could not believe that the vaccine was not enough for a bioterror attack on the United States. He wanted to find a cure for the disease. 2. In April, the Institute of Medicine issued a report saying that if the world wanted to have a new vaccine or an antiviral drug for smallpox then the virus would need to be kept for scientific experiments. President Bill Clinton had personally favored the destruction, but after reading the report changed his mind. The White House now endorsed keeping the stocks. A month later the WHO voted to keep smallpox alive for another three years until June 30th, 2002. II. A Woman With A Peaceful Mind 1.During an experiment, Lisa was holding a pair of blunt children’s scissors with her rubber space suit gloves. She was trying to open a bottle by prying on a tab with the scissors. Suddenly they slipped and the tip of the scissors jammed into the middle finger of her right glove. She felt a stab of pain near her fingernail. III. Nuclear Pox 1.The experiment that the Australians presented was they were trying to use a virus to try to cut down populations of mice. They had been infecting mice with an engineered mousepox virus that was supposed to make the mice sterile. But the engineered mousepox had wiped out the mice. Jahrling and Moyer uneasy about this line of research because the Australians had engineered a pox virus that could overwhelm the vaccine and they had done it by putting a single gene from the mouse into the virus. One mouse gene into the pox. They realized that the virus had taken down immunized animals and bioterrorists could use this. IV. Chaos in Level 4 1.Lisa and her team were inoculating monkeys with different strains of smallpox. They were putting it into the bloodsteams of the monkeys and they used higher doses. Jahrling felt that if a billion particles of the smallpox didn’t give a monkey a disease of some sort, then nature would be telling us that variola was not going to go into any species except man. 2.Lisa worked in a corridor of the sub-subbasement. She was in a Level 4 area because that was where the smallpox and the monkeys were quarantined. 3.The monkey-model team consisted of Peter Jahrling, John Huggins, Lisa Hensley, and an Army veterinary pathologist named Mark Martinez. There was also an animal caretaker named James Stockman and two veterinary technicians named Joshua and Rafael and a biologist named Louise Pitt. 4.First the monkeys were exposed to Harper, then Dumbell 7124 (India strain). 5.First, the Harper smallpox was blown into the air around Monkey C099’s head. Then he got it inserted into a vein in his thigh and he received one billion infective particles of Harper smallpox. 6.Before they had used a lower dose and they had given the virus to the monkeys through the air. This time, they also put it into the bloodstreams of the monkeys. V. Demon Eyes 1.Eight monkeys were given the Harper or India strains. There were seven of them that died (six from hemorrhagic smallpox and one from classical pustular smallpox). Harper was the only survivor. 2.The scientists bonded with monkey C099 because that monkey had been sacrificed as a result of their experiments and unlike the other monkeys, he didn’t die naturally (they put him to sleep). 3.The necropsy room was used to perform a post-mortem exam in privacy so no other animal of the same species can observe. 4. 5.The one monkey that survived was put to death because protocol of the experiment required the euthanasia of all animals in order to gather more data on the effects of smallpox. I would’ve done the same thing because if the virus had spread through the monkey’s body, it would have suffered unnecessarily, seeing how the other monkeys died from being infected just as he was being to. They put the monkey out of his misery. VI. Demon Eyes 1.An anthrax cell is similar to a virus because when it comes into contact with lymph or blood, it cracks open and germinates and turns into a rod-shaped cell. It is different because unlike a virus it is alive. It uses its own machinery to makes copies of itself. 2.Tom Geisbert believed the anthrax spores were man made because he observed that something was clinging to the spores. When he turned up the beam the goop began to spread out of the spores. The spores had something in them like an additive. 3.The anthrax may have infected and killed the postal workers because it was continuously handled by many workers. The envelopes were squeezed through the mail sorting machines which made the anthrax pores start to leak through the letters of the pores. 4.The Daschle letter had gone through the Hamilton facility en route to Brentwood. 5.The Daschle anthrax may have come from Iraq but the samples they’d seen from Iraq were completely different. The Iraqi had been mixed with bentonite and these spores didn’t have clay in them. 6.Ken Alibek defected to the United States from Russia. He revealed to the US Government that a panoramic vista of Biopreparat, as well as an advanced bioweapons program in Russia that was broken into secret compartments. 7.Ken Alibek suggests that biological weapons are more beneficial than nuclear weapons because while nuclear weapons destroy everything, biological weapons are more beneficial because they destroy vital activity (people). 8.The concept of vital activity was demonstrated when he the jar containing a surrogate of a weaponized brain virus called VEE, which traveled easily in the air. Depending on the altitude of the dispersal of the contents, the particles could travel close to fifty miles (this could be used with anthrax mixed with smallpox). 9.Geisbert discovered two extra elements in the anthrax spores: silicon and oxygen. 10.The EPA spent an estimated thirty million dollars decontaminating the Brentwood mail facility. 11.There were five homicides in the Amerithrax case. 12.The difference between a K and Q collected sample of evidence is that a Q sample comes from an unknown source and can be matched to known samples. K samples are reference samples that are fully identified. 13.The Amerithrax (Ames) strain came from a dead cow in Texas in 1981 and it ended up in the labs at USAMRIID. The fact that the Maerithrax strain wasn’t military pointed to a home-grown American terrorist instead of a foreign source. This helped to turn the focus of the investigation to wihin the United States. 14.The FBI still believed that al-Qaeda had something to do with the Ames strain because Mohammed Atta (who was the operational leader of the hijackers), made inquiries at airports in Florida about renting crop-dusting airplanes (he probably wanted to spray something from the air). 15.The investigation of Dr. Steven Hatfill was completely justified, although how the FBI handled it through the media was wrong. Hatfill clearly had a reputation and experience in the scientific community when it came to the knowledge to carry out such an attack. He had a storage facility in Florida and had access to a cabin in a remote party of Maryland. He even had a secret-level security and he was close with Ken Alibek and Bill Patrick (two men with anthrax making experience). Hatfill even commissioned Patrick to write a study on the effects of anthrax mailed in letters. Patrick worked out a scenerio in which a letter containing two grams of dry anthrax spores was opened inside an office building. The FBI had every reason to believe that he was a person of interest, however the leaks to the media were unnecessary, because Hatfill’s career was basically because of being investigated. I strongly feel like there was no need for the media to be present everytime his house or cabin or office was raided and samples were taken out. The FBI wanted to show the public that they were doing their job effectively, but at the same time they didn’t have to use Hatfill as their scapegoat because his life and career were ruined as a result. 16. A bioreactor (also called an STLV) was developed at NASA. You can grow human tissues in it and then infect them. Using a device like this can test new drugs against smallpox and other exotic diseases that could not be tested ethically in people. 17.Dr. Alfred Sommer was enraged about the smallpox research that Peter Jahrling conducted with monkeys because he believes that smallpox could have been eradicated completely if the stocks had been all destroyed. He believes that the biggest danger of Jahrling’s research was it would look suspicious to other countries and would encourage them to do their own experimentation. 18.D.A. Henderson believed Jahrling’s work could not lead to the development of new drugs or vaccines against smallpox because what was really needed was an inhaled dose of smallpox in a monkey to test a vaccine, since people inhale the virus. VII. Superpox 1.A recombinant virus is a virus that has been engineered in the laboratory. 2.Interleukin-4 is produced by the immune system because it fights off an infection by stimulating the production of antibodies. 3.Cellular immunity is provided by numerous kinds of white blood cells. 4.If the gene for IL-4 is added to a poxvirus, it will cause the virus to make IL-4. It starts signaling the immune system of the host, which becomes confused and starts making more antibodies. 5.The genetically engineered mousepox is compared to AIDS because it seems to create a king of instant AIDS-like immune suppression in a mouse right at the moment when the mouse needs this type of immunity the most to fight off an exploding pox infection. 6.There are two ways to vaccinate a mouse against mousepox. One way is to infect it with natural mousepox. The other way is to vaccinate the mouse with the smallpox vaccine. 7.The Australian scientists found that mice immunized with natural mousepox become completely immune to IL-4 mousepox, however it was different because the IL-4 mousepox crashed through the smallpox vaccine, killing the mice they had previously vaccinated. 8.Scientists should definitely be allowed to create a supervirus, as long as they are doing so for scientific reasons. If there was a complete ban on scientific experimentation that may lead to the creation of superviruses, then at the same time there wouldn’t be vaccines created. Before the Eradication began, there were two million people dying every year. Those doctors who ended the virus as a natural disease ended up saving fifty to sixty million human lives. Those who end up getting the short end of the stick (if there is no creation of superviruses and vaccines) are the people living in third world nations, where medical vaccinations are not readily available. On the flip side, if scientists are given free reign to create superviruses whenever they want, then that will ultimately lead to biological warfare with countries threatening each other. This can lead to intimidation and blackmailing of smaller nations, who may not be able to compete and keep up. There need to be strict guidelines governing viruses (like smallpox) that countries create and expand on. Last month, Australia was in the news because scientists there had genetically modified the virus that causes smallpox. They managed to create a new strain that had caused the death of all the animals involved in the study. What makes this different from what I read in the book is that the new virus was done with mice that had been previously immunized. This is a scary possibility because there are countries out there that are still looking to improve on the smallpox virus.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Comparing Victor Frankenstein and the Monster in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Similarities Between Victor and the Monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein and the monster that he creates are very similar. For example, Victor creates the monster to be like himself. Another similarity is that the anger of both Victor and the monster is brought about by society. One more parallel between Victor and the monster is that they both became recluses. These traits that Victor and the monster possess show that they are very similar. One way that Victor and the monster are alike is that Victor creates the monster like himself. Victor does not plan to create the monster like himself, but the monster becomes very much like Victor. â€Å"God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance† (93). The monster does not resemble Victor physically; instead, they share the same personalities. For example, Victor and the monster are both loving beings. Both of them want to help others and want what is best for others. Victor and the monster try to help the people that surround them. Victor tries to console his family at their losses, and the monster assists the people living in the cottage by performing helpful tasks. However, Victor and the monster do not reflect loving people. The evil that evolves in Victor’s heart is also present in the monster. The evil that is present in Victor and the monster is another example of similarity between the characters. This evil in both characters is caused, although not directly with Victor, by society. The monster tries to be accepted by society. He shows kindness toward society and he tries to help people. However, he is immediately rejected by society because of his ugly physical appearance. The evil and the anger present in the monster comes when the monster presents himself as a friend to a family that he has secretly helped. Instead of accepting the monster as one of their own, the family immediately sees the ugly form of the monster and rejects him. â€Å"There was none from the myriads of men who would pity or assist me; and should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No: from that moment I declared ever-lasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me, and sent me forth to this insupportable misery† (97).

Monday, January 13, 2020

Eye Injury Risk from Water Stream Impact Essay

Ocular injuries caused by solid projectiles have been described in the literature (Duma, 2005; Kennedy, 2006; Kennedy, 2007). However, the impact of a high-velocity water stream on the globe has not been previously quantified. Such pressurized water jets can be found in children’s water toys, squirt guns, and interactive water fountains. As the velocity of these water streams increases, product capabilities, and therefore popularity, likewise increase. In addition to those on the market, water gun enthusiasts custom build powerful guns in order to maximize flow rate, often in excess of 55 ft/s. Interactive water fountains (also called wet decks, splash pads, spray pads, or spray parks) are found in public areas and water parks throughout the country. The attractions feature synchronized jets of water, typically directed vertically from nozzles in the ground. While playing, it is possible for a child to look into the nozzle in anticipation of the next spurt of water which could in theory cause an eye injury. However, the increasing popularity of these fountains has not been matched by appropriate regulation. The CDC recommends that health departments update pool codes to include interactive water features that do not have standing water (Prevention, 2007) due to a series of outbreaks of gastroenteritis (Minshew, 2000). The lack of research and injury assessment has delayed the process, as most states have not established codes. Current available legislation is listed in Table 1. The primary focus of concern in current legislation is centered on the filtration system and prevention of spread of bacterial infection. This concern has taken attention away from the potential for mechanical injury due to a high-velocity water jet directed toward a child’s eyes, ear, or mouth. This study consisted of five parts: Part I includes previous research and case studies that have been reviewed to begin to understand the need for water eye injury research and the previous efforts made to investigate this injury mechanism. In Part II, a range of objects and devices were analyzed to determine water characteristics and the associated injuries. A summary table of the results was produced. In Part III, projectile impact tests were performed with three different projectiles and a range of velocities to measure normalized energy and internal pressure within the eye. For Part IV, water jet impacts were performed with three nozzle diameters and a range of water velocities to measure internal eye pressure to assess injury. In Part V, data from Part III were used to determine a correlation between normalized energy and internal eye pressure to then calculate normalized energy for the measured internal eye pressure during the water jet impacts (Part IV). Previously developed injury risk curves for corneal abrasion, hyphema, lens dislocation, retinal damage and globe rupture were applied to the calculated normalized energy to determine injury risk for the water jet impacts. Nozzle type, size, and maximum velocity are a critical part of an interactive water fountain’s performance, but until relationships between these factors and injury have been established, it is hard to place numerical guidelines on their design. This report aims to quantify the incidence and mechanics of water-induced eye injuries and benchmark the fluid mechanics of current water systems and toys. Documented cases of high-velocity water-induced eye injuries confirm the potential danger of these water blasts (Table 2). Many of the reported incidents occurred in the workplace and involve pressure washers, agricultural irrigation sprinklers, or fire hoses. While studies of water-induced eye injuries on humans have not been conducted, animal studies have linked high-velocity water jets to eye damage. Fish (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) exposed to submerged water jets at velocities ranging from 40 to 65 ft/s were examined for injury. Nearly half of all fish suffered eye injuries (bulged, hemorrhaged, or missing) at velocities of 55 ft/s and above (Deng, 2005). In a similar study, fish were released at velocities from 0 to 70 ft/s and the authors found velocity to be positively correlated to severity of injury (Nietzel, 2000). Minor severity was noted when there was a visible injury that had no threat to life and major severity was noted when the injury was a threat to life and persisted throughout time.

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Essay on Project Management Plan of Wyalkatchem - 3548 Words

Note: The essay examples we publish on UK Essays have been submitted to us by students. The essays are the student s work and are not examples of our expert essay writers work. We never publish the work produced by our expert writers as their work is unique to the customer that ordered it. Thank you to all the students that have submitted essays to us. Please use the essay below to inspire and help you with your own studies, but please ensure you reference the essay if you quote it in your own work. Wyalkatchem Airport Up grade Project Management Plan: Analysis - 1 INTRODUCTION The Project Management Body of Knowledge is an inclusive term that describes the sum of knowledge with in the profession of the project management. Project†¦show more content†¦The project will be planed and managed by the Council of Wyalkatchem which endorses the establishment of a Reference Group. This group consists of a Shire President, CEO, RADS representative, Chair Work Committee, Principal Wyalkatchem District High School, CFI of sports Aviation academy and Principal of AFITS. The council authorises CEO to manage this project of upgrade and appointed Mr Barney Fernandes as Project Co-ordinator. The upgrade cannot commence until Regional Airport Development Scheme does not secure the funds and it get ratified by the Council!!! Project Management Plan (PMP) It is defines as an approved document, formal in nature, that describes how is the project executed, monitored and controlled. It can be a detailed summary of the work that may or may not involve subset of management plans. The Objective of the PMP The Purpose of the PMP is to define (PMBOK Guide Third Edition). Its emphasis is on the approach. The goal is to lay down the path to be followed by the team working on the project. The intention of the PMP is to deliver the scope of the work!! The Structure of a PMP A PMP typically covers the areas used extensively in the execution of the work. The main aspects could be the Scope of the management to Risk management. The structure also consists of the Schedule Management and Financial Management. It also covers the quality part and the Resource management part.