What is Grid Computing? What is HIV?

Grid Computing Introduction: 

           A variety of different professionals, ranging from scientists to businessmen, may work online and use grid computing in order to accomplish their online goals. According to Jonathan Strickland, an expert in this field, grid computing essentially involves a computer network that consists of various computers that share information. This information includes memory, data, and processing power. Another expert in grid computing describes a computer grid as a “grouping of computer resources for use as a single, powerful computer” (Coppola, 1). In short, grid computing forms a super computer, consisting of different devices from different locations that collectively work on certain tasks.
         In terms of the practical applications of grid computing, there are many potential uses for this technology. In this class, the service project that students will complete involves the usage of computing projects like GPUGRID. According to their website, this project is a volunteer-based research endeavor that utilizes graphic cards in order to construct various biomolecular simulations. The research that is performed in GPUGRID and other similar computing based projects may require a supercomputer. With the help of volunteers who are willing to donate computing power (i.e. set up their computer with the project), these scientists may continue their research without the need of an expensive super computer.

HIV: 

  1.2 million people in the United States alone have it. 1 in 7 of those people are unaware that they have it. Making a controversial debut in the 1980s, HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, has changed the lives of millions. This virus causes the immune system to deteriorate, and could possible lead to AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Unfortunately, a person cannot get rid of HIV. Once a person has HIV, there is no way to get rid of it (CDC 2014). HIV received it's name in 1983. There were disagreements about who found it first, but in 1987, France and the United States reached an agreement that allowed both countries to take credit. 
 

Below is an image of HIV's structure.

HIV Structure

https://hivskeptic.wordpress.com/tag/electron-microscopy-of-hiv/

HIV's structure is crucial to it's replication process. Below is a video that describes the replication process. 

HIV Replication 3D Medical Animation

HIV Transmission 

HIV is transmitted through blood, breast milk, seminal, vaginal and rectal fluids, when these fluids come into contact with a mucous membrane the virus is able to pass from the carrier into its next host.  In the United States, HIV is usually passed by having unprotected sex or sharing needles with someone who has HIV. Less commonly, HIV can also be passed from an infected mother to an infant during birth and breast feeding. It is important to note that HIV does not survive outside a body for long and thus it cannot be transmitted through air, water, insects, shaking hands or having casual contact with someone who is infected.

To minimize your risk of getting HIV you should practice safe sex consistently and correctly as well as limiting the number of sexual partners you have.

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References

Coppola, Jay. “Grid Computing and its Applications in the Biomedical Informatics Domain.”         Biomedical Informatics 2008. University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, online.

"HIV Basics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and    Prevention,    15 Oct. 2014. Web. 21 Jan. 2015.  http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html
"In Their Own Words." In Their Own Words. NIH, n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2015.                                http://history.nih.gov/NIHInOwnWords/index.html             

"U.S. Statistics." U.S. Statistics. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n.d. Web. 20    Jan. 2015.   <https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/statistics/>.