The great inflation of the 1920s Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The great inflation of the 1920s - Essay Example In the initial stages of the great inflation, German citizens did not experience its effects partly due to the stability of German’s economy before World War I. At the end of 1923, the effects of the great inflation started being felt by the German citizens. The great inflation reached its peak at the last half of 1923 when the prices of basic commodities had increased by more than five hundred times. The price continued to increase steadily putting German’s economy at the risk of collapse. Although the inflation resulted from economic factors, it was related to German’s governance. This essay will investigate the great inflation, and its impacts on Germany and the German people. Like most other inflations, the great inflation had its source in poor monetary policies and governance issues. Germany’s involvement in World War I is believed to have been the source of its monetary crisis. At the height of World War I, the German government exhausted its moneta ry reserves forcing it to turn to money printing press as a quick intervention measure. The German government needed money to pay its soldiers and officers serving in the war. The government also needed money to purchase military equipment that was required during the war. The government considered the act of printing extra money as a quick intervention strategy of winning the battle. ... This measure was meant increase the amount of liquid money under government’s control. This measure could not however, guarantee the government adequate money to pay its military personnel. To contribute to the government’s efforts of increasing the amount of money in the treasury, the parliament passed policies that allowed the government to offer war bonds. The Reich bank was to respond to this offer by printing extra money to balance the amount of money in government’s position with that in circulation. From 1914 to 1918, the amount paper money printed for both the government and private sector spending had reached 33.12 billion marks. This was a significant increase since before the war the German government and the private sector spending accounted for nearly 2.37 billion marks. Before the war, one US dollar traded for approximately 4.12 marks. At the end of World War I, the exchange rates had changed significantly since one US dollar traded for 8.32 marks. This was however, the initial stages of the inflation. Although the effects of this inflation were not sufficient to cause an economic breakdown, they greatly influenced German’s economy. The worst phase of the monetary crisis was experienced during the first five years that followed the war. At the first quarter of 1919, the supply of paper money had reached 50.16 billion marks. This figures changed constantly to reach 1,310.56 billion marks at the close of 1922. On the other hand, 192.3 marks traded for one US dollar at the beginning of 1919. The exchange rate increased dramatically and reached 7,589.37 in 1922 and, the worst situation occurred in November 1923 when one US dollar traded for 4,200,000,000.00 marks. This figure is absurd and it implied great

Business Ethics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business Ethics - Case Study Example As with most ethical decisions, there is likely no one solid answer, but I have done my best below to provide some possible courses of action that the judge in this case could consider. Question 1 In this situation, Mr. Groetsch has done nothing wrong. As such, he is under no obligation to allow other people to handle his personal fight against Securities America. He is convinced that he has been financially damaged as a result of this case, and he is perfectly able to work through arbitration on his own, with a judge, to come a fair resolution. Let us remember that arbitration was set up as a way to settle disputes between two parties who simply cannot come to an agreement on any given problem. The judge in this situation should only concern himself with the specific arbitration case that Mr. Groetsch has dutifully bought before him, regardless of any potential impact on cases that might be pending before other courts at a future date. This is a decision that will likely weigh on th e judge, knowing that many more clients may lose out on a judgment in the future that is rightfully due them. In the end, however, the judge is ethically responsible for the arbitration hearing in this case and should let it proceed without delay. Question 2 This case is particularly troublesome because of the sheer number of clients that were adversely impacted as a result of the fraudulent acts partaken by Securities America. Due to this unique situation, no one person should receive the benefit of arbitration at this time until the outcomes of the class action suits are settled. The actions of one fraudulent company has negatively impacted the lives of many people, so the judge should ethically do everything in his power to make sure all alleged victims have an equally opportunity at a fair judgment. The judge should go ahead and table the arbitration hearing and allow the cases in Montana and Massachusetts to proceed. This will allow the money that is currently available to be p aid out to victims to remain in a frozen, yet liquid account to be distributed once the case is completed. Once settled, the judge should then allow the arbitration to proceed until finished. The reasoning behind this lies in simple numbers. Should one person benefit greatly from arbitration, draining a limited pool of funds that will be available, while the masses are left to scrounge what is left over? In this case, that would not be a beneficial course for anyone involved, except Mr. Groetsch. It needs to be pointed out that he had the option to join the class action suit, yet for whatever reason, decided not to. As such, he has given up his claim to that hearing. His actions, however, do nothing to mitigate the fact that class action suits are filed to level the playing the field. That is what the judge should do in this case – level the playing field so all victims will eventually be compensated in a fair and equitable manner. Question 3 The judge in this case can also a ct as an advisor. In the legal system, judges are put in place to protect those that appear before them. In this particular situation, it appears that the interests of Mr. Groetsch will be best served if he were to drop his arbitration claim and fold his interests into the class action suits that are pending. This becomes particularly helpful advice if the judge has already determined that he is going to table the arbitration hearing until the current cases in Montana and Massachusetts are resolved. If this were to happen, there would simply be little to no money left to pay Mr. Groetsch in any event. While the estimated 10 cents to the dollar is not a happy outcome for this client, it will certainly be better than

Marketing Communications Plan To Launch A New Brand Marketing Essay

Marketing Communications Plan To Launch A New Brand Marketing Essay DESCRIPTION Hydra is to be launched as a premium brand for still unflavored and flavored water. It would be available in two sizes of 750ml and 330 ml each. The bigger bottle is to be made available in sports pack and the smaller in a screw cap. Along with unflavored water, Hydra offers four water plus flavors which are orange n cherry, ginger n lemon, mint n herbs and just grape. The flavored bottles would be available as Hydra! to differentiate them from unflavored. COMPETITION ANALYSIS The bottled water industry is essentially a part of the soft drinks sector which also includes carbonated drinks, still drinks, juices and other dilatable; representing a total customer value worth  £219 billion (Leijh, 2006). The image of carbonates, the biggest player of this sector, has been on a decline due to growing health concerns and the manufactures consequently try to reinvent their offerings in order to attract the consumers. Thus the traditional boundaries between carbonated drinks, water and juices and being dropped as newer blends hit the shelves every day. The competition therefore in this industry is immense and proactive. Offerings in the market which provide the value of quenching thirst must be regarded as indirect competition. These will include carbonated drinks, juices, milk, energy drinks, still drinks and even sparkling water; across all flavors. Some of the indirect competitors identified are Pepsi, Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, Britvic, Cresta, Tango, Sunkist, Lucozade, Tropicana, Nesquik and Scheweppes Tonic. The direct competition comes from other bottled water brands which target the same market as Hydra. These brands provide almost the same value that is, still unflavored and flavored water to the same market segments. The brands identified as direct competition for further analysis are Vittel and Aqua Pura. The Vittel brand belongs to the Perrier family owned by Nestle while Aqua Pura is an own label production from Well Well. Both these brands offer still flavored and unflavored water. MARKET SEGMENTATION The bottled water market in the UK posted strong positive growth and total value of  £ 1.4 billion in 2007 (Data Monitor Industry Profile, 2008). The volume of sales has also been constantly increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7% from 2 billion liters in 2003 to 2.5 billion in 2007. Data monitor study also reveals that still unflavored water consists of 48.4% of total sales in this industry and still unflavored consists of 12.2%. A study of 24000 samples by Livingstone (2004) reemphasizes the large number of still water drinkers over sparkling. Figure 1 shows the dominance of still water in this market. Figure : Changing youth drinking habits Figure : Dominance of Still waterThe youth market segment in this industry has also been increasing in importance for the brands. Livingstone (2004) charts an almost 20% increase in use of bottled water in 11-19 years old over 1997 to 2004. This is shown in Figure 2. The communication strategies of the brands also reflect responding to this. Nestle Waters launched Vittel Red, aimed at young men and women through an edgy branding approach (Haymarket Publication, 2006). Aqua Puras Activa and Revive are two sub brands aimed at targeting the youth. Salazar (2007) states how demographics affect the usage of bottled water across UK. Women constitute the majority of bottled water drinkers. Around 45% of 18 to 34 year old women and 44.6% of 35 to 54 year old women consume bottled water. Mens percentages of the 18 34 age groups drank 35.3% and those in the age group from 35 to 54 consumed 34.5%. In addition, according to WQA surveys (cited in Salazar, 2007), some 47% of 18 to 34 year olds do not think that their water is safe; therefore 41.4% of them consume bottled water regularly. TARGET MARKETING In the value exchange approach to marketing, Gabbott (2004), states that the brand should identify target segments based on the meaning and viability of the product for the target. Targeting includes identifying specific group of consumers with similar preferences for whom the product is most meaningful and appropriate. This analysis identifies three target segments for the bottled water brands in study. Sports Active Both Aqua Pura and Vittel have sports cap available and are leading sponsors of sporting events. While Aqua Pura sponsors the UK Athletics and the great run programme; Vittel has been a sponsor of London marathon since the past 8 years. It would be interesting to note that Vittel even has marathon training and hydration tips from expert Jamie Baird on its web site. Vittel also launched a new drink Vittel +Energy with performance enhancing ingredients (refer to Figure 3) Go For It Guys/Girls Livingstone (2004) identifies lifestyle and fashion driven drinkers as Go-For-It target. These are active young males and females who are heavy internet users and fast food consumers. Both the brands provide sleek bottle options for this group. To target this group, Vittel operates as a lifestyle water option with edgy branding. Its David Bowie commercial was primarily targeted at this target group. Aqua Pura on the other hand attracts this group through its sub brands Activa and Revive. Figure : Vittel +energy Source: food manufacture(2003), ebsco publishingChildren Both the companies target children as one of the important target groups. With smaller bottles available which can fit into the school lunch boxes, to tie ups with Warner Bros and Looney Toones; Vittel strives to create a full fledging division for child consumers only. Aqua Puras Champions programme (Aqua Pura, 2008) is again a children specific programme through which it spreads the message of everyday healthy hydration along with the help of school teachers. MARKET POSITIONING To study the market positioning of the bottled water industry, it is essential to identify the broad values that the consumer demands and the values that are provided by the existing market players. The basic value demanded and supplied in this industry is that of quenching the thirst. As King (2002) points out, there has been a lot of weight placed on research and development to enhance this value supplied. Lots of research and marketing has been focused into development of water + options from vitamins to oxygen to new flavors being introduced. As the basic value is served by all the market players, differentiation is possible only through value additions and brand development. To develop a brand positioning map for this study, the brand appeal (premium, sophisticated urban, young) and the value differentiation (regular flavored) are chosen as the attributes. The positioning map thus developed is shown as Figure 4. URBAN TESCO VOLVIC VITTEL HYDRA FLAVORED REGULAR AQUAPURA HIGHLAND SPRING PERRIER SOPHISTICATED EVIAN FIGURE 4: MARKET POSITIONING MAP OF LEADING BRANDS MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS PLAN OBJECTIVES The objectives of this plan are identified below. To create brand awareness. The target market has to be made aware of the existence of the brand. This is to be achieved through a mix of both above and below the line activities. Seventy five percent of the target market is to be made aware over the time plan. To achieve market penetration. This is to be done through a combination of aggressive below the line and pricing strategies. Fifty percent of the target market is to be penetrated over the time plan. To create brand promotion. Hydra is to be promoted aggressively and to be established as an active and urban brand of bottled water. Establishment of Hydra! as a definitive sub-brand. TIME PLAN Exploratory Research 3 weeks Concept Development and Creative Idea 4 weeks Market Tests 1 week Integrated Communications Above-the-line Strategies 12 weeks Below -the-line Strategies 26 weeks Exploratory Research Focus group interviews to be for product development and buyer behavior research. Concept Development and Creative Idea The brands communication concepts are developed internally, media planning and budgeting is carried out. External services are hired to create communications. Market Tests Tests are carried to check the response, validity and effects of communications designed. Integrated Communications Validated communications are issued through above-the-line and below-the line. Monitor and Evaluation The feedbacks generated by the communications are to be monitored consistently. Evaluation of the plan is to be done constantly and tight control is to be maintained. TARGET SEGMENTS The broad target market for this brand is everyone who wants to quench its thirst. But through the segmentation process, a few segments have been identified to which to which this communication plan is to be targeted. These are identified below Young urban professionals. Below 35 years of age, city dwellers male or female. Sports enthusiasts. Children from the age 8-16 Age group 16-22. Market influence leaders Through behavioral segmentation, target segments identified include Experiences, Innovators and Early Adopters. ABOVE-THE-LINE STRATEGIES The brand Hydra will be launched through an aggressive above-the-line communications campaign. A strong pull and profile strategy is to be realized through above-the-line. The advertisements to be used for the campaign must be first used to introduce and recall the brand, differentiate it from the competition, inform the consumers of the values in exchange and persuade their buying decision. Media Planning Keeping in mind the huge size of target audience and relative concentration in certain centers, the media to be used to deliver the communications has been decided. It is only after this that communications are developed to be broadcast through these sources. The media selected for Above-the-line communications are Television, Print, Outdoor, In Store, and Internet. Television Television is the most common medium for mass advertising. For Hydras launch two TV commercials are to be created. It is aimed to promote Hydra as an individualistic, stylized and aspirational sports and lifestyle brand through these commercials. The first TV ad should kick start the campaign and to be followed by other mediums. The second TV ad is to be launched after two weeks of the first commercial. Spots to be bought include lifestyle and sports channels at prime time and evening. Print The print campaign for Hydra will begin simultaneously with the television commercial appearing. The print ads will be complementary to the message of the television ads. The print media to be used is newspapers (The Sun, Guardian) magazines (Mens Health, Womens Health, OK!) and tabloids (Daily Mirror, The London paper). Full back page advertisements in daily tabloids twice a week for first four weeks and medium sized ads three days a week thereafter, are to be placed. Medium sized advertisements in newspapers are to be placed five days a week for the first two weeks; each day for a new flavor (regular plus four). The burst at the launch is to be followed by two ads a week. The magazines ad is to be accompanied with a reader competition as well. Outdoor and In Store Banners, logo and ads are to be placed in public transport systems, high streets, shopping centers and inside the store at points of sale. Internet Internet is to be very strategically used in order to communicate with the target. The market influencers of the World Wide Web are to be targeted through community web sites, blogs, interactive gaming and social networking sites. The web site of Hydra is to include an interactive game where the player would need to keep his level of Hydra high. The game would also be linked to facebook as one of its applications. Video blogging and YouTube channels are also to be used to promote the brand. Hydra ads on the internet would be seen in portals, news and lifestyle sites. BELOW-THE-LINE STRATEGIES It is imperative too design relevant below-the-line communication strategies for the success of the launch of Hydra. Below-the-line communications of Hydra would be a mix of pull and push strategies. These are to be carried over a period of 26 weeks and then reassessed. Sales promotion, organizing and sponsoring events, effective public relations, effective distribution and personal selling are effective techniques used. Sales Promotion In the initial period of launch, sales promotion activities are essential. The aim of aggressive sales promotion would be to make the target market try the product. It is planned that discount coupons offering fifty percent discount to be accompanied in the print ads. It is also planned to have discount coupons for every individual flavor on different days. This would help promote each flavor equally. Different discounts are also planned for department stores and convenience stores. Also, bulk buys in six packs would attract discounts. Through sales promotion, Hydra is to be pushed to the consumers. Events The profile strategy calls for sponsoring events as it helps establish and sustain the brand. It is worthwhile to sponsor only if the brand identifies with the event. With Hydra being an active lifestyle and sports brand, sponsorships of sports and other events would come naturally. It is planned to start with sponsoring corporate sports meets and move on to sponsor international sporting events and other events such as a music festival. Sponsorships and events are a part of the pull strategy. Public Relations Effective PR has to be maintained while launching the brand. It would require liaisons with different press and news agencies. News releases for the brand should be prominently featured. The influence leaders of the society need to be targeted. Print articles regarding health, hydration and fitness are to be released in different publications. Personal Selling The largest buyers of the bottled water industry are the departmental stores. Water is also sold through other merchandisers, convenience stores, news agents, tobacconists, some restaurants, kiosks and vending machines. Personal selling is required to effectively create and maintain strategic relationship with the channels. It is a classic part of the push strategy. Although the sales person would not be selling directly to the end user, its job would be all the more important as it would be dealing in larger quantities with larger parties. INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH LOCATION After the launch of Hydra in the United Kingdom, it is to be launched in the international market as well. It would be done after closely monitoring the performance of the brand in the UK. To launch the brand internationally, the first step is to decide on the new market. Hydra would look to venture into different European markets keeping in mind the proximity to the UK, geographically and culturally. It would look forward to launch the brand in Ireland and France first and then expand to Germany, Spain and Poland. OBJECTIVE After establishing the brand in the UK, the objective of Hydra would be to repeat its local success in the international market as well. In the Irish and the French markets, Hydra would still be an unknown entity. Therefore the first objective is to introduce the brand and create brand awareness. The second objective is to establish Hydra and Hydra! as lifestyle brands. Overall the objective is to culturally fit in the new market. STRATEGIES Ireland and France have been chosen as markets for international launch because they do not differ much from the UK in terms of culture. In terms of market segmentation, the target segments for Hydra are the same as that in UK and so will be the positioning of the brand. Therefore it is planned to go forward with the same communications plan tuned out with local language.

Golden Days of Placerville :: essays research papers

Approximately forty-five miles east of Sacramento, California, is the friendly town of Placerville, which marks a major â€Å"Gold Rush† historical landmark in the United States. In the early days of this small gold mining boomtown, Placerville was known as â€Å"Hangtown.† If you come into town, you will see the sign of Placerville, and underneath it you will see its nickname reading, â€Å"Old Hangtown.† Nooses can be seen all over town, on police cars, on historical landmark signs – even at the firehouse and on the Placerville City Seal. Placerville has a great deal of history behind its name. Many people who pass through the town, or even those that live there, don’t realize the history behind the town. There are different accounts on how Placerville attained the name of Hangtown, but the most famous is an episode that occurred one January night in 1849. A gambler named Lopez hit it rich at a local saloon. After he retired for the evening, several robbers tried to overpower him. Lopez fought back like a tiger, and with the help of others, the robbers were captured and beaten like pià ±atas. Three of the robbers had been wanted for previous robberies, as well as for murder at a gold camp on the Stanislaus River. A thirty-minute trial was held for the robbers and after a unanimous â€Å"guilty† verdict, the crowd called out, â€Å"Hang 'em! Hang 'em!† The most historic location in Placerville is the 147-year-old Hangman’s Tree Saloon. On the outside wall of the building is a weathered dummy in jeans, cowboy boots, and pink flannel shirt that dangles lifelessly from a wood block. Inside the saloon, where a noose swings on a fake tree, it is said that the hangman’s ghost lingers there. What used to be Elstner’s Hay Yard is where the original tree used to stand, from which the people originally hung. The dummy still hangs from that same location to this day. Actually, Hangtown conducted only a small number of hangings. Just one year later, in 1850, Hangtown was renamed Placerville and was named after the placer deposits of placer gold found in the river bed between Spanish Ravine and the town plaza. The town of Placerville began with the Gold Rush in California in the 1840’s. Gold was discovered in the tailrace at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, which is about ten miles from Old Hangtown, in 1848.

Marfan Syndrome Research Paper

Jethro LeRoy Gibbs Mr. Vance Biology 24 December 2012 Strong Externally, Weak Internally There was a high debate and many aweing theories arguing if Abraham Lincoln had a disorder called Marfan syndrome or not, which was eventually resolved when Lincoln actually inherited a disease called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2B. Contributing to the dispute of Marfan syndrome in Abraham Lincoln, in 1964 a physician published his findings and observations in the Journal of the American Medical Association which diagnosed Abraham Lincoln that he had Marfan syndrome (Kugler).However, his conclusions were eventually proven wrong. But despite the false accusations, Marfan syndrome does exist in this world. Anyone who inherits Marfan syndrome faces the real risks and threats which contain devastating consequences. For example, a hard blow to the upper chest can result in immediate death because the connective tissues are alarmingly weak which can lead to serious heart complications and interna l bleeding (Schnitzer 198). Abnormalities in the skeleton, heart, and eyes all contribute to the characterization of Marfan syndrome (Schnitzer 198).Any affected or damaged connective tissues can create or cause internal complications, especially concerning with the heart and the aorta (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†), which is the most serious life threatening risk that can prove to be fatal (Jay). Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder, characterized by several malfunctions including long bone overgrowth and several abnormalities of the skeleton, heart, and eye, which is caused by a defect and negative mutations in the fibrillin gene or fibrillin-1 that can weaken and devastate the connective tissues throughout the body guaranteeing further complications.In other words, Marfan syndrome weakens the connective tissues, augmenting the risk of damage in bone overgrowth, the skeleton, heart, and eye and at the same time affecting multiple crucial systems throughout the body. Marfan sy ndrome is a no laughing matter, according to four significant reasons: its expanded history, problematic causes, genetic description, and current research. First, Marfan syndrome was carefully observed in the late 1800 century. In 1896, a young patient was meticulously examined by Antoine Bernard – Jean Marfan, hence the name Marfan syndrome, who observed and first described the disorder (Keane).Marfan observed that the young patient had developed long, thin digits – such as the fingers, thumbs, and toes on the hands and feet – as well as the development of unusual long limbs (Keane). Little did he know, however, that this disorder was caused by mutations in the fibrillin gene that encodes a significant component, connective tissues (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†). But the cause was eventually discovered and identified by researchers in 1991, with the help of a generous foundation, the March of Dimes (â€Å"Birth Defects†), which is the second reason why Marfan syndrome is a serious matter.Fibrillin is a protein found in different areas of the body such as the aorta, ligaments, bones, and the lungs (â€Å"Birth Defects†). Thus, fibrillin helps regulate a transforming growth factor called Beta that plays a crucial role in tissue growth and repair (â€Å"Birth Defects†) which helps stabilizes many significant areas throughout the body. Genetic description becomes the third reason. Marfan syndrome can be inherited by anyone (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†), making it autosomal dominant (Jay).Autosomal dominant basically means that one parent can be diagnosed with the disorder (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†) and have a 50-50 chance of passing it on to their children (Jay). The bottom line is that Marfan syndrome is a dominant genetic trait and that everyone can inherit it under certain circumstances (â€Å"Birth Defects†). Finally, being the fourth reason, current research is still underway, despite the fact that the re is no cure yet. However, beginning in the year 2007, a clinical trial began comparing the effects of two different medicines in the effort to reduce the rate of progression of aortic complications (â€Å"Birth Defects†).Unfortunately, studies show that about 25 percent of cases dealing with Marfan syndrome are sporadic, or in other words, caused by a new mutation (â€Å"Birth Defects†). Affecting as many as one in every 10,000 to 20,000 people (â€Å"Donohue†), Marfan syndrome is one of the most common genetic abnormalities. Despite the fact that a cure has not been discovered yet, medical researchers as well as doctors are striving their best to prevent or slow the symptoms of Marfan syndrome and to reduce the complications as well.Marfan syndrome comes with some unfortunate factors such as the signs and symptoms, test screening and diagnosis, and the prognosis also known as the outcome. First, signs and symptoms are crucial to identify as soon as possible. The symptoms of the disorder include, but are not limited to, flat feet, chest that sinks in or sticks out, thin and narrowed face, small lower jaw, nearsightedness, dislocation in the lenses of the eye’s, learning disability, and scoliosis or when the spine curves to one side (Board).However, identifying the symptoms of the disorder can prove difficult (Jay) since age is a crucial factor involved (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†) and that the establishment of a specific, formal test still does not exist (Jay). In other words, doctors become aware of this disorder in people only when the noticeable signs occur caused by the disruption of the connective tissues. Also, the disorder is present at birth even though it may not be diagnosed until at a later time (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†).But when the symptoms do occur, the hands, fingers, feet, and toes may be unusually long as well as the tallness in height with long, thin arms and legs (Schnitzer 198). Skeletal abnormalities include a few deformities of the chest and face (Schnitzer 198). Other symptoms deals with the eyes, such as the dislocation of the eye’s lenses (â€Å"What is†), and the lungs, which can increase the risk and trigger asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and collapsed lungs (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†). Secondly, the diagnosis of this syndrome can be determined by some medical evaluation.Based on a clinical diagnosis, the heart, eyes, blood vessels, spine, and skeletal system are most likely to be checked out by medical professionals (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†). When diagnosing a disorder, machines and methods are used to receive valuable information about the status of it. For example, to monitor the changes in the heart and blood vessels, chest x-rays, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram – which is a type of machine that uses high frequency sound waves to produce a moving picture – all may be used in the process (â€Å"Marfan Syndrom†).Thirdly, the outcomes may seem very challenging to those who have the disorder, but there is a feasible way to live through it all. Changes in the heart and blood vessels were developing in about 90 percent for those who inherit the disorder (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†). Because of this change, people must restrain from heavy activities and exercise as well as strenuous competitive sports which can all place high stress on the heart and aorta (â€Å"Birth Defects†). Thus, participation in less vigorous activities – such as walking, golfing, swimming, and slow-paced tennis – was consider safer to do (â€Å"Birth Defects†).But despite the helpful guidance and support of many programs, treatments, and changes, 50 is usually the average age of death for those who sadly have the disorder (Schnitzer 198). Heart complications and failure is usually a cause for this. However, there have been records and reports where patients have survived beyond the age o f 50, well into their 60s (Board). Despite whether the factors are negative or not, inheriting this type of disorder requires immediate attention and possibly significant changes as well.People who inherit Marfan syndrome will most likely face devastating changes due to the many negative complications and the risks factors that follows. Concerning with the complications, there are four main areas where the disorder can create devastating results which include the heart, face, eyes, and chest. Heart malfunctions is the first one, which is the most serious not to mention the most deadly complication of all (Jay). This is because the aorta, connected with the heart, could easily rupture due to enlargement (Jay).Cardiomyopathy, which is basically the enlargement and the weakening of the heart muscle, is another problem because this could lead to heart failure (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†). But the bottom line for the heart complications associated with the disorder is that the large b lood vessels connecting to the heart may gradually weaken and expand, which can eventually rupture causing death (Schnitzer 198). Complications in the eye, such as nearsightedness and the dislocation of the lenses, can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses; however, more advanced methods may include the usage of medical lasers (â€Å"Birth Defects†).Other complications involve with the chest – in which it may protrude outward or inward – joints – where it becomes increasingly flexible – and the face – where patients may have a long, narrow face and the roof of the mouth may be higher than normal (â€Å"Marfan Syndrome†). Risk factors are another concern, closely following the complications of the disorder. For example, activities that demand such strength and vigorous energy should be avoided at all cost for those who inherit the syndrome because of the following risks, capable of damaging the aorta and eyes (Jay).When someone d iscovers that a family member has Marfan syndrome, it would be the best course of action to visit a genetic counselor to discuss and ascertain who else have or may have inherit the syndrome. Another example involves with pregnancy. If a woman inherits the disorder and becomes pregnant, not only is she at great risk of her aorta rapidly enlarging, causing it to burst resulting in death, but she is also at risk of passing the inherited disorder to her newborn (â€Å"Birth Defects†).Thus it is considerably wise when one or the other parent inherit the syndrome speaks to a genetic counselor and avoid pregnancy to avoid death in return. Despite the numerous complications and risk factors associated with the disorder, there are many feasible solutions and methods on better controlling the outcome of the situation and matter. Despite the many complications associated with Marfan syndrome, there are several ways to fight back and come up with positive solutions using the advantage of special treatments and knowing how to prevent it. First, knowing how to fight back the disorder can be helpful.Some will need regular, medical check-ups, while other may need surgery. Otherwise, three significant steps can be taken to either detect or monitor the disorder thus preventing further complications. One, a medical examination by a cardiologist can examine the heart and other vital organs (Jay). Two, examination of the eye to check the position of the lens on a regular basis can prove crucial (Jay). Three, the participation of genetic counseling is recommended where patients are informed about the risks of passing the disorder on to children and are given advice to deal with the disorder (Jay).Another way to treat the syndrome is using beta blockers, which are high blood pressure medications where they help reduce the strength and frequency of heartbeats (â€Å"Birth Defects†). Surgery is the last defense against the disorder for many. Surgery is only required when the aorta dilates or stretches too much to the extent where necessary repairs need to be made to avoid extensive internal damage (â€Å"Birth Defects†) which can be fatal. Secondly, prevention is harder than it looks when it comes to Marfan syndrome, since the symptoms usually begins at a very early age in either childhood or adulthood.Thus, there is really not a successful way to prevent the disorder (â€Å"Birth Defects†). However, if the diagnosis can be detected at an early age, there is the opportunity where help and treatment can increase the chances of avoiding serious complications (â€Å"Birth Defects†). Although there are several feasible solutions and treatments that can be used to the full extent in treating the disorder, the many fatal risks are still present, and alarmingly high.The one, inherited disorder where connective tissues are consequently very weak caused by the defect in a gene called fibrillin-1 which results in many internal organ comp lications – such as the skeleton, heart, and eyes as well as the development in the long thin limbs and digits – is Marfan syndrome which can become increasingly deadly if not given the proper treatment it deserves. People who have the disorder suffer physically, internally, and mentally. Physically, they can develop skeleton abnormalities, changing the way how they look, and develop long, thin digits making them look unusually tall and thin.Internally, people can suffer all kinds of damage in the heart, eyes, skin, bones, blood vessels, the aorta, and the lungs. The disorder mentally affects both the patient and their relations with others, forcing change in their lives. Even though a cure for the disorder has not been successfully discovered, treatments and versatile methods have been introduced throughout the years since its discovery by Marfan himself. And, researchers today are still striving hard through their own success, failures, and teachings, hopefully openi ng up the gates to a cure of this devastating disorder, Marfan syndrome.Works Cited â€Å"Birth Defects. † March of Dimes. March of Dimes Foundation, n. d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. . Board, A. D. A. M. Editorial. â€Å"Marfan Syndrome. † PubMed Health. U. S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Jan. 0001. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. . Donohue, Paul G. , Dr. â€Å"Marfan Syndrome Is a Genetic Abnormality Marfan Syndrome Is a Genetic Abnormality. † Providence Journal [Providence] 7 Oct. 1986, ACCENT sec. : C-13. ProQuest Newsstand. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. . Keane, Martin G. , and Reed E. Pyeritz. â€Å"Medical Management of Marfan Syndrome. † Circulation. American Heart Association, n. d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. . Kugler, Mary, R. N. â€Å"President Lincoln and Marfan Syndrome. † About. com Rare Diseases. About. com, n. d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013. . â€Å"Learning About Marfan Syndrome. † Learning About Marfan Syndrome. Genome. gov, n. d. Web. 25 Mar. 2013.

African American and Conflicting Perspective Essay

Every individual has a perspective on things in life and their personal idea of the truth. These are universal concepts and are widely seen in ted Hughes poems â€Å"birthday Letters†. Birthday letters is a set of poems, said to have been written by Hughes for six years prior to his death, on his ex wife’s birthday each year this the selection of poems being called birthday letters. The selection on poems surrounds his problematic marital issues between himself and his wife Sylvia Plath. It is also to show the conflicting perspective on their relationship. This is mainly towards the criticism he received all those years after her suicide. He had been blamed for being the catalyst for her suicide/death and so began a collection of poems regarding their relationship but in some way, excusing himself and explaining that she was already on a destructive path. Through two of his poems, Fulbright scholars and the shot, an understanding of the poems have thrown lighten the concepts of conflicting perspectives. Two other complementary texts such as letters from two jima and to kill a mockingbird convey conflicting perspectives however on issues such as racial discrimination and the perspectives of an opposing country that has been marked as enemies. Fulbright scholars are the first poem in the birthday letters collection. Hughes here tries to remember how he met her and first know of her existence. He does this whilst looking at a picture that was taken at university, when he was a naive young man. He ponders about her throughout the poem trying hard to delve into his psyche hopelessly to recollect something about her when they met at a party. This can be noted by the quote â€Å"were you among them? † which refers to the picture of Fulbright scholar. In terms of conflicting perspectives, the e poem can also be seen as a text that he wrote implicating how difficult it is t recall that first meeting, however he begins to explain his perspective of Sylvia Plath. He says â€Å"your exaggerated American grin for the cameras† which referred to her as someone with false appearances. The various techniques Hughes used to convey his ideas were the use of rhetorical questions such as â€Å"were you among them? †, the repetitions of the word maybe and the use of the I persona, and metaphors such as the â€Å"first fresh peach†. Rhetorical questions he used as a means of asking himself how he met her and what she first looked like to him. The metaphor ‘delicious peach† can be said to be another way to say she was the first girl he â€Å"ever tasted†, in terms of the experience of truly liking someone who seemed special to him. Reputation is used throughout the poem of maybe can be analyzed as a way of trying to remember what he saw of her and his knowing of her existence. The ‘I’ persona is an important tool in terms of Hughes alluding to the very personal nature of his reflection. The poem ‘the shot’ is also one from the collection and conveys Plath as someone different to what her fans saw her to be. As he says that she was deceitful in terms of appearance of a good and decent person/poet. In the poem, the shot is a metaphor of Plath being bullet shout out a gun. It can also e sad that Hughes thinks that he was the one shot. Hughes perspective on paths â€Å"destructive path† is one that she has always been on, saying that she was already a bullet long before she has met him. Followers of Plath as a victim view him as a catalyst for her suicide but in the poem he tries to explain that she was already suicidal as she tried to commit suicide when she was younger. The use of word â€Å"daddy† is one of great importance as it refers to her childish attachment to her father. This is also the title of her famous poem daddy. Hughes also explains that from his perspective, that he himself has become the father figure that she had ways been looking for. Overall, the concept of the two poems depict conflicting perspectives through analysis of ted Hughes’ birthday letters. The text letters from Iwo jima is similarly to birthday letters, a conflicting perspective however of the Japanese however of the Japanese soldiers during the American invasion of to two jima in ww2. It depicts their perspective throughout the turbulent time, showing that even were still human beings with the same universal feelings. Clint eastwood directed the film letters from Iwo Jima in 2006, trying to show an American or non Japanese audience their side of the story or their perspective. Here, a conflicting perspective is shown. Throughout the film, eastwood wants us to empathise with the Japanese perspective f the same terror and emotions that the Americans felt at that time too. The main character is a young Japanese soldier called saigo who is little enthused on fighting and going to war. This is all seen through techniques eastwood input such as flashbacks- which were important in the film. The audience is then able to see how the soldiers were like before the war and what it was like for them when they got conscripted. Their reflections are a huge part in their conflicting perspective and also a great important technique is the Japanese language. Eastwood used the language to give a strong sense of ethnicity and strong sense of tradition. To kill a mocking bird written by Harper lee in 1960 conveys the conflicting perspectives of the treatment of African Americans in Alabama. This conflicting perspective is seen through the eyes of a young white girl, rather than n African American person. The text shows her view o the racial discrimination against the Negroes and the treatment, prejudice and violence they receive. The event takes place that’s how a conflicting perspective is the court case scene, where an African American man is accused of raping a young white girl. The perspective here is not only through the girl, Scout Finch, but also her father Atticus finch which is the lawyer defending the accused. However he took on a case he know that with all the racial discrimination and prejudice around, he would inevitable lose. The fact that he took on the case shows a conflicting perspective of a white American man who has no prejudice against African Americans. The daughter scout finch views the situation on a different level as well as she was basically raised by African American woman and didn’t judge her, as many people did in Maycomb County. She begins to see and understand the prejudice and discrimination when the man is accused of rape as the majority people did not like his race at that time. It was seen as stereotypical to blame him for the rape. The conflicting perspective here is that the perspective o a young white American and her family on the treatment the Negroes received. It can be said that harper lee wanted the audience to challenge their beliefs and see events from the perspective of a young child who is horrified by the treatment of the Negroes.