Smuckers Co. Case Analysis free essay sample

Mission/Vision Analysis The Smucker mission statement (appendix) is weak from an investment standpoint. It is clearly targeted at the consumer. It vaguely mentions cultural values and a tradition of â€Å"success† not measured financially but by factors such as an impact on society. The vision statement is concise and clearly states Smucker’s objectives of growth, ethics, independence, and quality that will guide all future strategies. Their vision statement gives Smucker’s an opportunity to inform future investors on their intention to grow. External analysis In February 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent letters to more than a dozen food or beverage manufacturers, looking for them to correct or change such label items as health or nutrient claims. In the future, product labeling and advertising will receive additional reviews from the FDA, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and other agencies† (Graves). For Smucker’s this will translate as increased research and development costs as they strive to meet the health and wellness needs of the US consumer. We will write a custom essay sample on Smuckers Co. Case Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This is an opportunity for Smucker’s to be an industry leader in more healthful processed food choices. It will be costly preemptively taking measures to ensure labels are up to the FDA’s standards will save us money in the future. Currently, the state of the recovering economy is a major threat to Smucker’s market share for processed goods. Consumer confidence is low and commodity prices are on the rise (table 1). Unemployment rose from 9. 3 in 2009 to 9. 6 in 2010, this coupled with weakness in the job, real estate, and stock markets, and a large population approaching retirement, has made US consumers more cautious about spending. Price sensitive buyers are likely to continue buying less expensive private label products. The increased value of personal health in American society is an opportunity for Smuckers. Many manufacturers promote both what their products contain (e. g. , antioxidants) and what they don’t (e. g. , trans fats). Several companies such as Cambell Soup have reformulated their foods to lessen the amount of sugar and salts in them. This trend is an opportunity for Smuckers to develop new product lines with healthier options. The increased inventory and price monitoring capabilities of large retailers poses a threat to Smucker’s in a competitively priced environment. This technology allows retailers to see what consumers are buying and what price differential it took to get them to switch from name brand to private brand products. Technology is also changing the way people shop. Websites and apps allow cost-conscious consumers to create and manage shopping lists, count calories as they shop, and stay on budget. By putting coupons and promotions on the web we will not have to compete for attention at the point of purchase. Developing markets like China, India, and Brazil, offer long-term opportunities for higher sales and profits. Income growth and lifestyle changes such as more women in the work place will increase the appeal of the packaged goods that are popular in more developed markets. Because the retailers in America have so much power and are quickly gaining economies of scale, the opportunity for manufacturers overseas is attractive. The USDA’s low expectation for crop yields in the US in 2010, drought and heat hurting the Russian wheat crop, and higher demand for food in developing markets caused the commodities prices to rise (Graves). Obviously, such fluctuation in the cost of direct materials is threatening to the price structure of Smucker’s. However, entering into a contract with suppliers could be an opportunity for an advantage if prices continue to rise at a steady pace. Industry Analysis The processed foods industry is highly consolidated. There are three factors causing this—rapidly consolidating retail outlets, slowed growth in the food sector, and increased competition between brand name and private label products. 70 percent of industry sales are accounted for by Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Supervalu/Albertson’s, and Ahold USA. This gives them a large advantage as far as buying power and allows them to demand slotting fees for good shelf space in their isles. The growth rate in the food industry in developed markets hung around 2 percent whereas in developing markets, the growth rate was around 3-4 percent. Developments in inventory monitoring technologies, increased capabilities to match brand name quality, and scale economies shifted power decisively towards retailers and escaladed competition with manufactures. For a list of Smucker’s competitors see table 3. Internal analysis (non-financial) The company operates 4 divisions (see Table 2). Their three part corporate strategy consisted of growing the market share of its existing brands, introducing new products, and making strategic acquisitions such as the 2009 acquisition of Foldgers. Smucker’s spent between $50 million and $77 annually between 2006 and 2009 on advertising. In 2010, they increased this by 70 percent to $131 million, developed 15 new commercials, and utilized digital marketing through search based ads, banner ads, and adds on social media sites. Financial In 2010 gross profit increased by 43 percent from 2009, and improved to 38. 8 percent of net sales from 33. percent over the same period (exhibit 1). Much improvement is due to the Folgers acquisition business and other coffee-related impacts in 2010 compared to 2009, such as low Green Coffee costs and volume-related plant efficiencies. Driven by gross profit improvements, operating income increased 75 percent in 2010 compared to 2009, and improved from 12. 0 percent to 17. 2 percent of net sal es (Annual). Restructuring, merger, integration costs were $43. 5 million lower in 2010 compared to 2009, as integration activities related to Folgers were near completion and restructuring costs had minimal impact. Broad general environment For packaged food manufacturers, higher food commodity prices heighten the prospect of profit margin pressure ahead. Demand has risen but price elasticity remains strong for this reason, it would be unwise to adjust prices to absorb the rising costs of commodities. In the processed foods industry, consolidation will continue for both retailers and manufacturers. Growth will continue to be higher in developing markets than in developed markets. Critical Issues The increased buying power of retail chains presents a threat to Smuckers. As they have an increased ability to charge stocking fees and make quality products for much less than we are able to. Another critical issue is the increasing price of commodities (Table 1). Objectives The strategic objectives are to increase the market share of its existing brands, introduce new products, and make strategic acquisitions. Financially, Smucker’s should increase its gross profit by 50% in 2010 and increase its market value by 2 million in order to overtake Hersey’s Co. (Table 3). Alternatives The first alternative is to invest in the developing market of India. The second alternative is to focus on developed markets and increase advertising. The third alternative is a supply contract with suppliers to lock in commodity prices. Analysis of Alternatives The advantage of expanding into the Indian market would be the increased sales revenue and the long term growth of the processed foods industry in developing markets. The disadvantages would be the increased costs of distribution and research. The risks would be to lose money in more than two consecutive periods after having invested in this or having a competitor enter into the market. The obstacles would be the Indian culture and developing a product that would be widely accepted. The advantage of protecting our market share with advertising is increased gross profits and higher customer retention. The disadvantage would be that if we don’t meet our sales goal, we will have lost a significant amount of money. The risk is that we have already invested a company record in advertising in 2010. The obstacle to this would be that we would not have any room to adjust the price down to compete with private brands as we would have to cover extra marketing costs.

The Jacksonian Era essays

The Jacksonian Era essays The Jacksonian Era encompassed a period of massive changes. These changes, whether they be social, economic, or political, were embraced by Americans with a new found vigor. This enthusiasm, motivated by a new common man president, Andrew Jackson, gave Americans new hope to pursue their own personal successes in a politically and socially charged society. Andrew Jackson was probably best remembered as the hero of the Battle of New Orleans, where he defeated British forces led by Sir Edward Packenham. The battle greatly boosted American morale and had instilled a sense of unity within the United States. It was no surprise that Jackson would vie for a seat as president of the United States later on. His first attempt, however, proved to be less than successful. Led by an ambiguous campaign with no staunch issues, Jackson was defeated by Adams in 1824. In his second attempt at presidency, Jacksons personality centered the campaign served him better in the election of 1828. With mudslinging and other scandalous activities tossed about the campaign, Jackson defeated Henry Clay and John Adams. Winning the election, however, Jackson did not enter office unscathed. With the loss of his beloved wife, Rachel, Jackson felt certain that her death was due to the malicious lies thrown at her during his campaign of 1828. Jacksons democracy consisted of a strong belief in the majority and its ability to rule. He opposed elitism and aristocracy, and everything that expressed its ideals, including the Second National Bank of the United States (BUS). With that strong sentiment, he sent a veto to Congress to kill the BUS. Jacksons veto of the BUS, however, proved less than satisfactory. The consequences after that would haunt the future of creating a future banking system for generations. The cause of the mistrust was due to the fact that funds that were placed in the BU ...

Business Question3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business Question3 - Essay Example Such managers are successful as long as everybody agrees with them. Perseverance and care a necessary ingredient in successful management because not everybody gets along well with others some people are controversial and are still part of the team. Terminal convictions about long-term goals and achievement make managers successful too, (Johnes and George 2002). Managers do get much satisfaction from their jobs and they get too committed to their organizations. Salary, wages and conditions of service foster enthusiasm in managers. Monetary rewards also foster enthusiasm to the job, Fredrick Taylor proved it in his experiments in 1911. (Jones and George 2002) Information and communication is another contributor to job satisfaction. Managers get too committed to their organizations to keep membership of such organizations need for association with successful companies, the willingness to exert high levels of efforts for better results such as Frazier’s Merck CEO, and the belief and acceptability of goals of an organization. Need for power makes managers work hard and get too committed to organizations they want to have control and influence. Frazier is open to experience, he is daring and takes risks, he handled litigation cases when Mark pulled the drug vioxx from the market and thousands of plaintiffs filed suits against Mark. Frazier chose to fight each case to the verdict and saved the company billions of dollars winning 11 out of 16 lawsuits. Frazier is a performer he believes in immediate results he has won tough litigation cases such as the famous murder case for the Alabama man who spent two decades on death row .He is visionary he wanted to become a lawyer and his friend Cobb recalls Frazier telling him he was not happy until Harvard’s admission letter arrives even though he had received letters from other prestigious universities. Frazier is Conscientious, careful and

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

History - Essay Example In this essay I will attempt an outline of five of the earliest religions that are known including those of Ancient Greece and India, the early Islamic religion and the early religious views of Africa. However, to begin I will examine the religious views of the early Chinese civilization. In fact, in the early Chinese civilization there are said to have existed three separate doctrines. These doctrines were Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. The religions of Christianity and Islam are said not to have reached this region until the 7th century A.D. The ideas of Taoism are said to have originated in the 6th century B.C and were founded upon the thought of a man named Lao Tzu (although there are many who believe this man is purely a mythical figure). In reality, while Taoism can be viewed in terms of religious practice, it is essentially more of a system of philosophical thought. It is based on a few simple principles which include the belief that there is a kind of universal 'life-forc e' that is inherent in all things. Therefore, respecting and caring for all things is a vital element within this system, and individuals are duly encouraged not to use force but should rather be prepared to compromise and have faith in more natural forces. 2 Around a century later, Confucius (551-479 B.C) reacted somewhat against the teachings of Taoism and set about creating his own system that became known as Confucianism. Again, it can be argued that this system, while it is generally considered as a Religion of China, is in reality more focused on both political and social morality. Nevertheless, Confucianism was to become enormously influential, especially during the Han Dynasty that ruled from 206 B.C. until 220 A.D. In simple terms, this doctrine asserts that people should remain faithful to both their rulers and their Gods and that humbly carrying out their duties is the way to peace and happiness. Let us now move across the map and look at the religious views of Ancient Gr eece. In fact, the original motivation behind the religious views of the Ancient Greeks lay in a reaction against the 'gloomy' religion of Ancient Egypt. In addition, we find there is a fundamental difference between the religion of Greece and many others (including the above Religions of China) and that is the fact that it was not founded by any one figure and had neither sacred scriptures nor system of priestly hierarchies. The religious views of this country were in fact not limited to faith or belief but were rather focused on incorporating a positive practice into the quotidian life of its inhabitants. This is mainly due to the fact that the Greek gods were largely based on the image of man, and were little different with regards to character from man himself. For certain, the gods were seen as both stronger and more intelligent than mere mortals, but neither holy nor omnipotent. Therefore, man was regarded as their spiritual equal. 3 In particular, the people of Ancient Greece are said to have taken great joy in participating in the practice of looking into the future and thereby attempting to predict its outcome. For this reason the so-called 'oracles' were both much revered and respected. Of all the known oracles, the oracle known as Delphi was said to be the most revered of all. Delphi was in fact considered to be something of a 'center' for the earth and thus was consulted often with regards to matters of earthly significance. In fact, the

The Difference Between Chinese And Western Culture Cultural Studies Essay

The Difference Between Chinese And Western Culture Cultural Studies Essay Food diet is a cultural in china. The daily regimen is often talking object. China and the West have the very big difference in aspect; they are in the diet idea, the cooking, raw material, dined aspects and so on. this point as early as already some people raised in the 19th century, then, East and Wests cultural masters have not stopped down to this aspects research. Then, Chinese people Xu xiong (2001) pointed out that Chinese and western diet culture difference. It is due to countrys culture, the custom, the atmosphere, the historical connotation, the nutrition values and the current economic condition factor. Recently, many people think western and Chinese diet culture biggest difference is Chinese people used the chopsticks, is eating rice and western people used knife and the fork, eating the beefsteak and the bread. These are only on the superficial difference; also it still has deeply level differences. This point that it had been ignore to people Food habits difference, the diet ways difference, the diet concept difference, the cooking methods difference. These differences are the fundamental differences between Chinese and western food culture difference. China has 5,000 years of history, China has brightly rich, the broad and profound diet culture; Chinese people pay attention to the nature and humanity, Chinese food to feed the ideographic, by thing of expressing characteristics. So it makes the famous traditional Chinese diet food Chinese food culture theory founder in the analects of Confucius The Analects in there on the food, food is too refined, cypress tire size exposition Up to two thousand years later, still has a very high theoretical guidance Sima Qian in Lishiqi Commentary Section of the Historical Records write that : a countrys king depend on people, then people depend on grain Yan Zhitui, Family Instructions of Yan Clan say: grain is people depend on, people cannot live without eating, The Chinese diet culture has long development process, if from Peking man invented offensive and began a real sense of diet culture creation began, starting with China diet culture development process from today ,there were fifth year s of history, this is a long standing uninterrupted history. Chinese peoples diet emphasize the perceptual and the artistry, pursue the taste of the food feeling, and no attention to the foods nutrition composition, many from color, aroma, taste and shape wait for a respect to evaluate the stand or fall of diet quality, pursuit is a difficult to explain in words of artistic conception. Chinese people are pay attention to eat, American sociologist Ian. Robert Johnson wrote a book in his Sociology, said that American do not eat snails to eat oysters, French eats snail dont eat locusts, Lu tribe in Africa who do not eat fish to eat locusts, the Jews do not eat pork, Hindus pork do not eat beef, Russians eat beef dont eat snake meat. While Chinese have no dont eat, the Chinese people in taste dishes, We often will taste this dish and said yummy or not delicious; however if you want ask the people why this dish is good ,we not answers, This shows that Chinese on diet of pursuit is a kind of difficult to explain in words mood, namely, use people say normally color, aroma, taste and shape, implement to the state materialize and Im afraid is still difficult to cover it. The Chinese diet is has its distinctive charm, the key lies in its flavors. And delicious produced to reconcile, for the original taste of food, Coupled with the taste of ingredients and materials, and to reconcile the taste of spices, Intertwined with the integration of coordination, Pay attention to the harmony of Chinese cooking Beauty This is the essence of Chinese culinary art key point.. The dishs shape and color is external things, and the taste is something inside, Chinese food is not deliberate modification of the internal re-appearance. Westerners focus on rational analysis, focus on food science, and pay attention to nutrition, whatever how to the food color, smell, taste, shape , and nutrition must be assured, pay attention to how many calories a day intake, vitamins, protein, and so on. Even if taste thousand pieces of the same tune, also they must continue to eat because there are nutritious. Lin Yutan in my country and my people pointed out: English and American people are eating is defined as a biological machine fuel injection As long as they eat to be able to keep the body strong enough to resist the infection of bacteria Do not pay attention to other aspects of . In the banquet, you can pay attention to tableware, pay attention to the use of materials, pay attention to service, attention to vegetables, raw material shape and color with respect. But no matter how luxurious high-grade, from Los Angeles to New York, steak is only a kind of taste, without art at all. As dishes, chicken is chicken, steak is ste ak, although the dishes are with, that is carried out in the disk French lamb chops, while put mashed potatoes, next to the lean lamb chops, green beans cooked with the other side, add a few slices of tomato. Contrasting color, but the taste of the variety of disparate materials, to reconcile, the taste is different, you taste it, and you know it. Westerners are used to divide and eat, there are be allocated a personal food, it is one of a rationing. In the West dinner, while also sitting, but each single plate of food is the single loaded. Do not have fixed seats that can move around freely, Not only it can fully meet the individual food preferences, but also to facilitate social. Be easy to Feelings between individuals and to facilitate the exchange of information, Instead of all activities at the table will be made public, In Western food on the table not weave in games. Also eat time shorter than the Chinese food. We usually to eat beef in silence and quietly. This diets way fully show that Westerners humanity, self respect and emphasize the individuals independence and autonomy. In china, In china, whether Family dining is or a formal banquet, we are sitting around dinner, Sitting in a table, we look toward cheers each other, and help people to distribute food to guests at the table reflect the mutual respect between people, the virtues of comity, and Harmony, happy atmosphere. Shows that the Chinese people pay attention harmony is most precious In 3000 years ago, it is The Book of Songs Era Our ancestors first know to eat have affinity function, Use food to regulate the relationship in the Book of Rites, said the By drinking the diet this way, to express our good mood. reflects Chinese people peaces idea. Especially in the various festivals, we by drinking diet this way, to express .we are very happy. This diet way is the Chinese food culture an important tradition. Chinese people put the eating as an elegant pleasure .So take a seat, the mutual laughter throughout the entire process of meal. To eat time weave in some interesting games, so eat time for up t o two or three hours .Because people can maintain a good appetite and a strong appetite, so enjoy the culinary arts how to maintain the best state of mind. Chinese to trail by eating, and eating to regulate relationships .As Mr Qian in the eat, said Dinner have many social functions, such as a feel for the business meetings by the so on In China, cooking is an art, it with extremely strong interest, even with certain game play, it is attracted by diet for the life of fulfilling the Chinese. Chinese cooking have many methods, for example, Slip, braised, burning, boil, steamed, fried, crispy, braised, grilled, stewed, explosion, fry, casserole, candied and so on . These methods make use of dazzling dishes. Chinese people have a grasp on the heat of the traditional methods, it is rich and varied , and every type have detail methods, such as Such as leavened partition into brittle and slippery and so on. Chinese food is more complicated changes in technology, many dishes are time-consuming work fees Chinese food a lot of embellishment, when we eat the food, many embellishment of food, we dont eat. Not only cause the waste of raw materials, but also the effect may not be good A Chinese chef in the industry saying goes ¼Ã… ¡ As a good cook, one-third of the craft, and seven in the used materials side. It is Emphasizes personal chef selection of raw materials, the importance of sub-file to use. That is, the standard of raw materials produced on the dishes of Chinese and Western food culture differences play a decisive role. Westerns Cooking pay attention to nutrition to the neglect of taste, they with cold drinks table, also coupled with the cold chilled ice wine And the bloody steak with white fish, big white meat, raw vegetables, white boiled beans, boiled potatoes with relish, although the dishes are very authentic taste, but the dish flavor is not good. These all reflect the taste of the neglect of Westerners. Westerners diet emphasizes science and nutrition, the whole process of cooking are acting in strict accordance with scientific standards, Thus the chefs work to become a very monotonous and mechanical to work. Westerners to grasp the furnace temperature and quantitative data can not be separated, Its cooking methods is frying, deep-fried, and grilled, the taste of food is a single, Western do not pay attention to a knife, a piece of steak, vegetables and salad placed at random, there is no knife at all Westerns transfer to a plate dimension, edible is strong, the vast majority of all the food into the dish can be eaten, and embellishment is the main course dishes. Most raw materials for western food is fresh, clean, natural Operation process of nature, to play the original taste of food, not too much used to dry raw materials, milk is essential in the Western raw materials. Based on the importance of nutrition, Westerners most of eat raw vegetables, not only they eat tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, onions, but also they can eat raw broccoli , The majority of the American West as the representative, they seem to like to eat cold dish., and sitting after the first dish is mostly Sarah one dish icy leftovers, And the main course steak end up, First ,you used a knife and cut a while, until chopped, hot steak to cool gradually, but also the side dishes and a good steak with a fork with your mouth. Thus westerners ignore flavor Chinese tableware is mainly chopsticks, chopsticks is More accurate than the knife and fork, we used the chopsticks can freely and convenient. Whether the dish is article, is the lump is the piece, and it is cube. Chinese people pick up the chopsticks; it can be applied with ease. So, like talking about something at the dinner table for the Chinese people, they can not tolerate silent Western food instrument. Not only Chopsticks are eating utensils, but also it is talking about assistant props the dinner table, a group of people around the table, Each other take their food with chopsticks, and the guests served you food at a meal. It shows between the master and guest relationship, also it is add to harmonious atmosphere in the table. So when Mr. Cai Yuanpei talking about the chopsticks, in ancient time, Chinese people once used it, and used many various of shapes, cuptray bowl and see. Chinese cooking emphasis the shape, size, color coordination with the dishes ¼Ã…’and pay atten tion to exquisites utensil. The delicious food must have exquisites utensil combine, and to pay attention to harmony with it. Dishes and utensils in color decoration, in the form, and harmony in the space is supposed to match. They put diet regard as artistic activity treat. Not only can eat delicious food, but also get a beautiful art from which to enjoy it. Westerners with a metal knife and fork, and a variety of cups, plates, cup, dish. The western food dress up plate and combine aspect, Unlike the Chinese, emphasis on the artistic beauty. The types of utensils, dishes shape, are both of relatively monotonous. In short, West people focus on the content of the food, Chinese people emphasis to cuisine in the form and the more pleasure they reap from it. Recently, with the quality of life improve. Chinas food and beverage utensils are specialized, diversified portfolio of the new faces appear. it is for family dinner add to new meaning and Japanese food culture and interest. West people also began to focus on the design. There are a variety of different styles of tableware in market. These are usually with color and pattern, and appeared to different in various styles, with a view, interesting characteristics, and the put eating utensils as gifts to sell. Is due to International economic development, also country and country are communication frequently and international tourism development. It make them cultures exchange and merge in the worldwide, forming an unstoppable trend. Specially, country and country communication and merge in food aspects. For western food Traditionally, Western absorbed the steam and fried from the Chinese food methods. At the same time, they also absorb a lot of Chinese food ingredients and condiments. While Chinese food also emphasis to food nutrition. We can start to eat western styles food. For example, Hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, and butter. In conclusion, in china appear Chinese and Western styles combineds style.there are Western medicate food and beef of porridge in Chinese and Western styles combineds style.now,western food use Chinese cooking to eat, and Chinese food used the western cooking to do ,those are Chinese and Western food culture continually and exchanges, it can appear new phenomenon

mississippi burning trial Essay -- essays research papers

The Mississippi Burning Trial† was not for the cold-blooded murders of three young civil rights workers, but rather for the violation of their civil rights. The federal government wanted to break Mississippi’s â€Å"white supremacy† stronghold on the South. â€Å"The Mississippi Burning Trial† proved to be the opportunity to do so. The three branches of the federal government and their various departments were actively involved in bringing about this civil rights trial in Mississippi and these activities and personal views are well documented in court records, department records, and the press. The federal government’s Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman were working to register black voters in rural areas and small towns of Mississippi. Their deaths were brutal at the hands of local Klu Klux Klan members. Brutality, however, was the norm for dealing with â€Å"outsiders, niggers, and nigger lovers† who dared to try to force Mississippi to change. The violence and racist language that make our skin crawl today was not only accepted by the majority of white Mississippians, but was openly practiced. Being of like minds,the powers of Mississippi knew they could count on one another for support from the local to the national levels. The federal government had the manpower, communications network, and finances to break apart Mississippi’s white racist unity. If racial equality were to succeed in the South, it would have to come by way of the powerful federal government. In 1964 The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organized a 600 volunteer campaign to go into Mississippi and register black voters. It would be highly dangerous for there was little to no protection offered by local and county officials against KKK violence. J. Res Brown, one of only four black lawyers in Mississippi warned, â€Å"You’re going to be classified into two groups in Mississippi: niggers and nigger-lovers, and they’re tougher on nigger lovers.† Michael Schwerner, a Jewish New Yorker, had already spent six months in Mississippi working for the Congress of Racial Equality. He knew how bad it was in Mississippi. He described Mississippi, â€Å"Is the decisive battleground for America. Nowhere in the world is the idea of white supremacy more firmly entrenched, or more cancerous, than in Missi... ...Sheriff Lawrence Rainey. Three defendants had no verdict. Judge Cox sentenced Bowers to ten years and Cecil Price to six. In defending his sentences Judge Cox was quoted as saying, â€Å"They killed one nigger, one Jew, and a white man. I gave them what I thought they deserved.† The South was shocked that even seven of the defendants were found guilty; the rest of the nation was relieved. The Imperial Wizard of Mississippi’s Klu Klux Klan was sentenced to prison. The arrogant Judge Cox had been humbled. "The Mississippi Burning Trial† was the first trial in Mississippi history where white jurors found white men guilty of crimes against â€Å"outsiders, niggers, and nigger lovers†. The controlling white supremacist mentality of Mississippi had been cracked. From the President of the United States and the US Supreme Court to the FBI field workers and Navy Sailors, the federal government had invested a great deal of man-hours and money into this civil rights trial. The federal government viewed this partial victory as a giant step towards civil rights equality not only in the state of Mississippi, but the rest of the South.

Antitrypsin Deficiency

Alpha- l -Antitrypsin (AAT), is a chemical synthesized in the liver and circulating throughout via bloodstream. Also known as Alpha- l -Proteinase Inhibitor (A1 -PI), it is a member of the serpin or the serine protease inhibitor family. Its physiological target is elastase.A normal individual inherits two AAT genes: one from each parent. Nevertheless, when individuals inherit two abnormal AAT genes they tend to show symptoms of alpha-1 deficiency. Some people inherit only one abnormal gene and they are called alpha-1 â€Å"carriers. † Alpha-1 is therefore purely a genetically inherited condition.According to the American Thoracic Society (2006), risk of major health problems in a person with one abnormal gene or a carrier may be lower as compared to a person with two abnormal genes (American Thoracic Society, 2006). WHO (2008) categorizes Alpha- l -Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) as a genetic disorder that can cause liver and lung disease in adults and children. Alpha-1-antit rypsin (AAT) deficiency is associated with 85%-90% reduction in serum concentrations of AAT. This causes increased risk for liver and lung ailments such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and emphysema (Stoller, 2005; Primhak and Tanner, 2001).In normal and healthy individuals, the primary role of AAT is to defend the connective tissue of lung against breakdown by a degradative enzyme called neutrophil elastase. In AAT deficient individuals, lack of AAT allows neutrophil elastase to destroy the connective tissue in the lungs (Stoller, 2005) and apart, in affected individuals, deficiency of blood levels below a level called â€Å"protective threshold† value makes them vulnerable to emphysema. This conditional may usually occur in prime of life, i. e. by age 40 even though there is absence of added risk factors such as cigarette smoking (Stoller, 1998).Polymerization of a mutant AAT protein in the liver cells, along with abnormal accumulation of AAT in the liver ends in hep atocellular injury (Primhak and Tanner, 2001). It is believed that this abnormal accumulation of AAT within the liver cells is mainly due to a structural abnormality of the AAT protein. Normally, it is secreted from the hepatocyte and circulates through bloodstream, but in abnormal conditions it accumulates within liver cells leading to deficiency of AAT in the blood (Brantly et al. , 1988).The mutant AAT molecules are usually retained in the endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocyte and are also hepatotoxic . Teckman et al. (1996) reveals that these retained AAT appear to be periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive, diastase-resistant eosinophilic inclusions in the periportal hepatocytes. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency disorder occurs also in newborns. Primary symptoms in newborns are jaundice, swelling of the abdomen, and poor feeding. In late childhood or adulthood Alpha-1 disorder can be detected by symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, swelling of the abdomen and legs or abnormal l iver tests.