The True Dangers of the H5N1 Virus :: Bird Flu Avian Influenza Pandemic

The True Dangers of the Feared Pandemic Abstract The H5N1 strain of the avian flu is a virus. It has the potential to be very dangerous especially through its ways of transmission. The statistics of the current deaths and possible deaths also show the possible pandemic arising in the near future. However, this topic must be put into perspective and the common belief that it will eradicate our world is rather exaggerated. There is actually a higher chance that the avian flu will not become a deadly killer. Still, there are many possibilities and no one can be completely sure of the outcome. The H5N1 Virus Avian flu is probably one of the most feared possible outbreaks. The H5N1 strain is the particular strain in question. If this strain mutates, allowing for easy human to human transmission, there is an immense chance for a worldwide pandemic. This pandemic could leave the Earth barren with the possible eradication of humans unless there is a gene that allows a small percent of humans to be resistant (Siegel 33). The H5N1 virus has been the most feared virus because of its likelihood to mutate. The structure of the H5N1 virus is the main reason of its possible mutation. The envelope of the H5N1 virus is comprised of three proteins. Two of them are the hemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N). The hemagglutinin is the layer used to penetrate the host cell. It has receptors that bind to cells, allowing it to open and infiltrate the host cells. The receptors are very specific to the receptors on the cells to which it binds. This is the reason that viruses with H5N1 Dangers 2 the H5 subtype have not been able to transmit from human to human very easily. Birds have been its main target and up to this point, have been affected to most. The neuraminidase serves as a mechanism used to cut the virus free from the mucus and other inhibiting factors of the immune system, allowing the virus to move about freely in the body (Tambyah, Leung 16). Because this virus very rarely infects humans, the resistance it will face in the human immune system is predicted to be minimal. The virulence of H5N1 in its ability to multiply rapidly, making it more likely for the virus to mutate by chance. The greatest fear is that the virus will mutate in a way that permits it to gain airborne transmission, allowing it to spread rapidly from human to human.

A Microfinance MIS

Mifos is an internet based management information system designed for microfinance. The system is user friendly and flexible for the company and it’s client information. Mifos is a unique system that provides tools which allows the user to research client’s information. This information used for this system would research information such as payments, client personal information for their accounts, reports and much more. The system helps the user navigate to different accounts and provides details of an individual client. There are several tabs the user can navigate to with the system. The first tab is the home tab which allows the user to search for the client’s information by name or groups. The second tab is clients and accounts tab to give full detail of the client’s information. In this tab the user can assist the client with opening accounts, closing and reviewing the client’s information and questions the client may have. The third tab is the report tab; this tab is used to process operational and financial reports. The last tab is the Administrative tab which is only used by a designated office administrator to create new system users and find office products. These tabs are provided to make sure information can be accessed and the side tabs are in place help the user navigate through the system without problems. The Mifos system is for IT skilled users and designed for financing purposes only.

Americas M4 Sherman Tank, a WWII War Machine

The iconic American tank of World War II, the M4 Sherman was employed in all theaters of the conflict by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, as well as most Allied nations. Considered a medium tank, the Sherman initially had a mounted 75mm gun and had a crew of five. In addition, the M4 chassis served as the platform for several derivative armored vehicles such as tank retrievers, tank destroyers, and self-propelled artillery. Christened Sherman by the British, who named their U.S.-built tanks after Civil War generals, the designation quickly caught on with American forces. Design Designed as a replacement for the M3 Lee medium tank, the plans for the M4 were submitted to the U.S. Army Ordnance Department on August 31, 1940. Approved the following April, the goal of the project was to create a dependable, fast tank with the ability to defeat any vehicle then currently in use by Axis forces. In addition, the new tank was not to exceed certain width and weight parameters to ensure a high level of tactical flexibility and permit its use over a wide array of bridges, roads, and transportation systems. Specifications M4A1 Sherman Tank Dimensions Weight: 33.4 tonsLength: 19 feet, 2 inchesWidth: 8 feet, 7 inchesHeight: 9 feet Armor and Armament Armor: 19-91 mmMain gun: 75 mm (later 76 mm)Secondary armament: 1 x .50 cal. Browning M2HB machine gun, 2 x .30 Browning M1919A4 machine gun Engine Engine: 400 hp Continental R975-C1 (gasoline)Range: 120 milesSpeed: 24 mph Production During its 50,000-unit production run, the U.S. Army built seven principle variations of the M4 Sherman. These were the M4, M4A1, M4A2, M4A3, M4A4, M4A5, and M4A6. These variations did not represent a linear improvement of the vehicle but rather changes in engine type, production location, or fuel type. As the tank was produced, a variety of improvements were introduced, including a heavier, high-velocity 76mm gun, wet ammunition storage, a more powerful engine, and thicker armor. In addition, numerous variations of the basic medium tank were built. These included a number of Shermans mounted with a 105mm howitzer instead of the usual 75mm gun, as well as the M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman. Featuring a heavier turret and armor, the Jumbo Sherman was designed for assaulting fortifications and aiding in breaking out of Normandy. Other popular variations included Shermans equipped with duplex drive systems for amphibious operations and those armed with the R3 flame thrower. Tanks possessing this weapon were frequently used for clearing enemy bunkers and earned the nickname Zippos, after the famous lighter. Early Combat Operations Entering combat in October 1942, the first Shermans saw action with the British Army at the Second Battle of El Alamein. The first U.S. Shermans saw combat the following month in North Africa. As the North Africa campaign progressed, M4s and M4A1s replaced the older M3 Lee in most American armor formations. These two variants were the principle versions in use until the introduction of the popular 500 hp M4A3 in late 1944. When the Sherman first entered service, it was superior to the German tanks it faced in North Africa and remained at least on par with the medium Panzer IV series throughout the war. Combat Operations After D-Day With the landings in Normandy in June 1944, it was learned that the Shermans 75mm gun was incapable of penetrating the front armor of the heavier German Panther and Tiger tanks. This led to the rapid introduction of the high-velocity 76mm gun. Even with this upgrade, it was found that the Sherman was only capable of defeating the Panther and Tiger at close range or from the flank. Utilizing superior tactics and working in conjunction with tank destroyers, American armor units were able to overcome this handicap and achieved favorable results on the battlefield. Operations in the Pacific and Later Due to the nature of the war in the Pacific, very few tank battles were fought with the Japanese. As the Japanese seldom used any armor heavier than light tanks, even early Shermans with 75mm guns were able to dominate the battlefield. Following World War II, many Shermans remained in U.S. service and saw action during the Korean War. Replaced by the Patton series of tanks in the 1950s, the Sherman was heavily exported and continued to operate with many of the worlds militaries into the 1970s.