Thursday, December 26, 2019

The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allen Poe - 1282 Words

In Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, the cask of Amontillado, many readers take the words of the characters at face value. This story is designed and presented in a very different manner and most of the people are not ready to accept the facts that are presented in the story. Due to the structure complex structure of the story many other people explain the thoughts of the story in a very critical way. The main purpose of this paper is to see and analyze the critical reviews of how Frederic Jameson would analyze it. Most of the critical views presented in this story are up to the mark, but most of them are considered very effective and true. As for Frederic Jameson in regards to the Edgar Allen Poe story titled; the Cask of Amontillado.†¦show more content†¦The only thing that is revealed in the story is the plot of revenge towards Fortunato by the narrator. The narrator presents the following statement in regards to the argument, for example, â€Å"I must punish, but pu nish with impunity. (218)† This means that the sins that the victim committed goes on unaddressed based on his deep desire, and carefully cut out plan to execute his revenge on his perpetrator. In this story, the victim ensures that his plan is full proof in and nobody knows the events that took place on that fateful night until he decides to reveal what took place fifty years ago (Poe 15). He does this by charming his victim based on his expertise in relation to wines that were deemed to be of high class, thus the name, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† He had selected a day that would be of festivities and even released his servants so that there would be no witnesses. He had then laid a trap at his house chambers whereby he enclosed his victim and left him to die. The victim as he is about to be enclosed realizes that this was all a plot along in order to trap him at the house chambers. Jameson uses this story and the way the plot of execution was carried out to perfection in order to show Poe’s skills in terms of fulfilling his analytics, carrying out his puzzle-solving abilities and execution of Montresor’s plot in terms of rationality that Poe seemed to value in his books. At the end, when

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

A Report On Going Green Essay - 1600 Words

Going green also means supporting your local independently owned and operated businesses in your area. I m a firm believer in frequenting our local coffee shops, especially when it comes to supporting all the other businesses that feed these stores-like the local pastry chef who supplies the baked goods, the local musicians who garner a little extra income from playing these venues, or the local authors who show up to do book signings and readings. I fall into the last category and have been fortunate to meet and greet the public on several occasions at the local coffee houses in Annapolis. Thank you independent coffee shop owners! City Dock Coffee Located near the town docks (thus the name!) in historic downtown Annapolis, City Dock Coffee is a favorite with locals and tourists alike. There is a European coffee house vibe to City Dock Coffee, where cafà © tables are situated in the front of the store and along the sidewalk outside, weather permitting. The interior is a little dar k, but after all, it is located in an historic building where natural light is limited. City Dock also sells books; the walls around the perimeter are lined with bookshelves and there are several book racks in the back of the store. There s a section that highlights local authors or books that feature nautical topics. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, typically remembering your favorite drink from past visits, or recommending excellent choices of new brews. Of course they offer all theShow MoreRelatedGoing Green1405 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"GOING GREEN† Number of Words: 1288 CONTENT 1. Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 3 2. â€Å"Going Green† 4 2.1. Description 4 2.2. Happenings 4 3. Hotel’s standpoint 5 3.1. â€Å"Going Green† in the Hospitality Industry 5 3.2. â€Å"LEED† Certificate 5 3.3. Examples of Change 5 4. Acting 7 4.1 Advantages 7 4.2 Disadvantages 7 5. Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 8 6. Reference List†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦.. 9 6.1 Internet†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦9 Read MoreAdvantages and Disadvantages of Going Green662 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿ Advantages Challenges of Going Green for a Company Introduction Many companies are either thinking about instituting green strategies and technologies, or have already put some of those environmentally responsible technologies and strategies in place. This paper reviews some of the advantages and challenges of going green. Challenges There are reasons for companies to be cautious and do the research before launching a program that includes green technologies and practices. The small businessRead MoreBenefits Of Supply Chains Going Green1388 Words   |  6 Pageschains going green has become a bone of contention among major stakeholders in the industry. The discussion started after the Carbon disclosure project released a report indicating that supply chains contributed greatly to the emission of carbon in the atmosphere. Due to the report, pressure has been mounting on the administration of supply chains to implement strategies on their carbon management. Analysts have however stated that there are various pros and cons of the supply chains going green, whichRead MoreGoing Green And Global Solutions Management1255 Words   |  6 Pages Going Green Key to the Cleaner Future Saurabh Gurung 8-25-2015 E227 Global Solutions MEMORANDUM To: Division Manager Anne Brown and Global Solutions Management From: Saurabh Gurung Date: Aug 25, 2015 Subject: Going green â€Å"Key to the cleaner future† Dear Annie Brown, This is the report regarding to the going green program to reduce Carbon Footprint requested by Global Solutions. I have attached the report which goesRead MoreResearch Reports And Annual Reports From Auxiliary Sources Essay1620 Words   |  7 PagesDiscussion Research reports and annual reports from auxiliary sources have been thought seriously about while gathering information. The systems utilized amid the information investigation phase of the research task included enlightening insights, for example, mean, standard deviation and extent, recurrence appropriations and rates, Michael Blanding in 2011 spoke to certain disturbing actualities on CSR and corporate sustainability responsibility execution. He said that organizations are currentlyRead MoreEssay on Environmental Impact of Green Companies1112 Words   |  5 PagesThere are many companies out there that claim to be â€Å"green†. But are they really and how much impact does it have on the environment? Labels such as â€Å"organic†, â€Å"biodegradable†, â€Å"earth-friendly†, vegan and â€Å"Fair Trade† are everywhere in today’s market. These labels are marketing tools used to influence consumers. Greenwashing is defined as â€Å"The dissemination of misleading information by an organization to conceal its abuse of the environment in order to present a positive public image † and â€Å"superficialRead MoreThe Most Commonly Used Definition Of Sustainable Development1446 Words   |  6 PagesThe most commonly used definition of sustainable development is still that given in the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (1987), i.e. sustainable development is ‘a process to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ Sustainable development is therefore about creating a better life for all people in ways that will be as viable in the future as they are at present. In other words, sustainable developmentRead MoreThe Rail Line Extension Of The Metro Bus System1579 Words   |  7 Pageshas been a Green Line extension from St. Paul to Minneapolis. The original Blue Line provid ed 10.6 million rides as of last year and the Green Line has provided 12.4 million rides. Both lines have contributed to the decrease to the overall ridership of the Metro bus system. Due to the success of the Minneapolis light rail system there has been plans to expand it even further. In May 2010, a southwest Green Line extension was finally approved. The southwest light rail would extend the green line fourteenRead MoreBusiness Analysis : Kellogg Company1654 Words   |  7 Pagescorporations, which are Wuhan Frealth, Arla, Danone and so on (Labreport, 2008). The local alliances offer Mengniu with the opportunities to build a capillary distribution network and help the company be the sole supplier for Starbucks (a pioneer in the green marketing area) outlets within the China. The international partnership helped Mengniu enter the overseas market and learnt many advanced methods on reducing the carbon emissions during the transportation. Kellogg’s case study Introduction KelloggRead MoreThe Business Roundtable Institute For Corporate Ethics1572 Words   |  7 Pagesnot very prone to recycle, composting, and reducing waste. As you can tell, there are many companies that partake in greenwashing. This method definitely is not the right way to function a business. Lying about how you run your business and how â€Å"green† and environmentally conscious your business is, could lead to your demise and cause your business to diminish. When a company does the greenwashing method and then precedes to get caught, it gives a bad name to that certain company like the ones above

Monday, December 9, 2019

Interviewing My Roommate Essay Example For Students

Interviewing My Roommate Essay I have recently interviewed one of my roommate, who has been immigrated to United States few years ago. His name is Jageun Lee. He is from South Korea and primary language is Korean. By interviewing him, I found out that lot of information about Korean culture and how it works. Lee has been in United States for about four years ago. His family is staying in Denver and himself is in station in Fort Carson, Colorado Springs. Lee mention how it was journey to become where he was right now. Military have provide the financial needs and citizenship problem he faced because he was not the citizen of America. His family have moved out from the Korea to have better living. The quality of life was not that bad, however they wanted a turnover in their life, to live in the United States of America. Since they thought America was consider as number one well off country, which is the reason why they picked to move to states. When they first moved to Denver, they were lost because they could not speak English. They knew some English, words and sentence but was not able to communicate with other people. Lee’s family have settle down in the Aurora, Korean populated county, to reduce the hardship of language barrier. Lee mentioned some of the favorite Korean food that he could not find in Denver area. First food that he misses is the Korean street food. Street food includes, ddokbo-kki, teekim, juan, dakgoochi, and hodduk. He said these foods can be found anywhere at night. They were affordable price and very delicious that he could not forget about how it taste. Another thing he miss is the Korean culture. He mention Korean culture is very polite and respect the elders, where in the United States everyone one can be â€Å"friend†. It was very difficult for him to consider elder as friend, which was not allow in Korean culture. Difference in both culture he found was that, in English the words that was used to speak was also same for everyone. In Korea, the words they use are different from the elders and everyone else. This made him stutter when he speak in English because he did not know if he was able to use the words that he knew. When Lee’s family moved to Denver, they also faced financial struggle. When they first got here, they started a cigarette business in the neighborhood. However within a year, the business went bankrupt. With holding financial hardship, they started another business called â€Å"Check into Cash†. However in about two years, this business also went to bankrupt due to fraud checks they have checked in. Now both parents are working in a part time job in restaurant. Also his sister is working in part time job to support her family. Financial issue was a huge problem they had to overcome. Luckily, Lee have joined a military two years ago, which have helped out the family a lot, money and resident issues. His family is not settle in the Denver, where they do not have to face these issues no more. Lee’s family have went through long journey to get to the point where they are standing. They said they do not regret the past choice they made and they would definitely move again to United States if they had a chance. Overall, I learned many fact about Korean culture and how people goes through hardship in their life. I am Korean but I was raise in the California, so I did not have that much of background in my native culture. Also financial and resident issues were never a hardship I went through in my life. I know in fact my future family can stand in that position so I should always beware about these issues. Lastly I found out that culture is very important to each one of us because it represent who we are.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Internet History Essays (704 words) - Internet Protocols

Internet History In the early 1960's, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) became very concerned about the possible effects of nuclear attack on its computing facilities. As a result, it began to examine ways to connect their computers to each other and to weapons installations that were distributed all over the world. The DOD charged the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (now known as DARPA) to fund research that would lead to the creation of a worldwide network. The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) was an experimental wide area network (WAN) that consisted of the four computers networked by DARPA researchers in 1969. These first four computers were located at the University of California at Los Angeles, SRI International, the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the University of Utah. By 1990, a network of networks, now known as the Internet, had grown from the four computers on the ARPANET to over 300,000 computers on many interconnected networks. As ARPANET grew to include more computers, researchers realized the need for each connected computer to conform the same set of rules. The Network Control Protocol (NCP) was developed as the first collection of rules for formatting, ordering, and error-checking data sent across a network. Vincent Cerf, who is often referred to as the Father of the Internet, along with his colleague Robert Kahn, developed the Transmission Control Protocol and the Internet Protocol (referred to by their combined acronym TCP/IP), which are still used today. The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) includes rules that computers on a network use to establish and break connections. The Internet Protocol (IP) includes rules for routing individual data packets. The term Internet was first used in 1974 in an article written by Cerf and Kahn about the TCP protocol. The open architecture philosophy ensured that each network connected to the ARPANET could continue using its own protocols and data-transmission methods internally. Four key points characterized the open architecture philosophy: ? Independent networks should not require internal changes to be connected to the Internet. ? Packets that do not arrive at their destination must be retransmitted from their source network. ? Router computers do not retain information about the packets they handle. ? No global control will exist over the network. This lack of global control is perhaps one of the most amazing features of the Internet, considering the fact that the Internet began as a way for the military to maintain control while under attack. The Internet is a network of networks, as shown in my diagram. A network includes a network backbone, which is the long-distance lines and supporting technology that transports large amounts of data between major network nodes. Many of the networks that developed in the wake of the ARPANET eventually joined together into the Internet we know today. As PCs became more powerful, affordable, and available during the 1980s, firms increasingly used them to construct LANs. The term intranet is used to describe LANs or WANs that used the TCP/IP protocol but do not connect to sites outside the firm. Proir to 1989, most universities ans businesses could not communicate with people outside their local intranet. However, businesses soon wanted their employees to be able to communicate with people outside corporate LANs. Since the National Science Foundation (NSF) prohibited commercial network traffic on the networks it funded, businesses turned to commercial e-mail services. Larger firms built their own TCP/IP-based WANs that used leased telephone lines to connect field offices to corporate headquarters. As I continue I will show how the Internet evolved from a resource used primarily by the academic community to one that allows commercial services. In 1989, the NSF permitted two commercial e-mail services, MCI Mail and CompuServe, to establish limited connections to the Internet. These commercial providers allowed their subscribers to exchange e-mail messages with members of the academic and research communities who were connected to the Internet. These connections allowed commercial enterprises to send e-mail directly to Internet addresses and allowed members to research and education communities on the Internet to send e-mail directly to MCI Mail and CompuServe addresses. The NSF justified this limited commercial use of the Internet as a service that would primarily benefit the Internet's noncommercial users. In 1991, the NSF eased its restrictions on the Internet commercial activity and began implementing plans to eventually privatize much of the Internet. Businesses and individuals began to connect to the Internet in ever-increasing numbers. From 1991 there was almost one million to 1997 there were over twenty million.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Pimples and Acne Treatments Essay Example

Pimples and Acne Treatments Essay Example Pimples and Acne Treatments Essay Pimples and Acne Treatments Essay Pimples and acne appear on the skin when a pore(s) on the skin is blocked by oil from the oil glands, dirt, or other debris that end up on the skin throughout the day. What happens next is the body naturally reacts to the foreign object by using the bacteria present in the pores which unfortunately causes inflammation, thus a pimple is born. Pimples and acne are a result from hormonal imbalances, sedentary lifestyle or improper diet combined with other factors. While treating the root cause of pimples may take time, there are various natural pimple treatments that can be used to soothe or get rid of the pimple very quickly. Natural Treatments: Aloe Vera: The liquid extract or gel from Aloe-Vera plant is excellent for soothing individual pimples and acne as well as helping to prevent a breakout. The skin absorbs this gel 4x’s faster than water, plus the ingredients in the gel soothe the irritated pores. The excellent anti-bacterial properties of the gel reduces the inflammation by quickly penetrating through several layers of tissues and breaking up residue, dead cells and destroying the bacteria. You can also create other home-made remedies to soothe inflammation of the pimple without it scarring. Some examples: Hold an ice cube against the pimple will reduce the redness but it may not eliminate the pimple entirely. A teaspoon of juice from crushed cilantro or mint leaves combined with a pinch of powdered turmeric, when applied on the pimple reduces the inflammation and redness of the pimple. Applying lemon juice on the pimple for about fifteen minutes is an effective remedy to treat the pimple without scarring. The citric acid in the lemon juice is a great exfoliant. Garlic can be applied topically by rubbing crushed garlic on the pimple. It will reduce inflammation and prevent the infection from causing a breakout. A paste made from crushed cinnamon and honey is also effective in treating individual pimples. Apply this paste on the pimple for 15 minutes and then wash it with water. Cinnamon has natural anti-bacterial properties, which reduces the pimple quickly and gives a clear skin. Most importantly, never try to burst the pimple as this will spread the infection and cause scarring. However, natural treatments may be effective against individual pimples but they are not as effective against moderate or severe forms of acne such as cystic acne. Conventional Treatments: In cases of mild acne, benzoyl peroxide solution is considered particularly effective, but it has its share of controversies. It is known to cause side-effects like skin irritation, blistering, reddening and discoloration of hair clothes or any product that comes in contact with it. Studies are also being conducted to investigate if the free radicals, produced in the skin by benzyl peroxide, will cause skin cancer. In the case of a severe form of acne called cystic acne, utmost care needs to be exercised. If not treated immediately, these can leave a permanent acne scar on the skin. Hence, powerful oral medications like isotretinoin are recommended by the dermatologists, which act swiftly against the infection and prevent scarring. However, isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects and should not be taken by pregnant women. Finally, drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily, intake of nutritious well balanced diet and a healthy fitness regimen helps maintain pimple and acne free skin, naturally. If you want to get rid of your pimples and acne for good, it is certainly possible. I was a former sufferer and have gotten rid of them by using natural pimples and acne treatments.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Stereotypes of Latinos in Television and Film

Stereotypes of Latinos in Television and Film Latinos may now be the largest racial minority in the United States, but their rise in numbers hasn’t necessarily made it easier for them to challenge stereotypes. Racial stereotypes about Latinos abound in television and film. This overview of the most common Hispanic stereotypes portrayed in the media- from maids to gangbangers- reveals why sweeping generalizations about Latinos are harmful.​ All Maids All the Time In the earlier days of television and film, African Americans were the racial group most likely to portray domestic workers. Black housekeepers played key roles in television sitcoms such as 1950’s â€Å"Beulah† and films such as 1939’s â€Å"Gone With The Wind.† By the 1980s, however, Latinos increasingly replaced blacks as Hollywood’s domestics. The 1987 TV show â€Å"I Married Dora† was even about a man who married his Latina housekeeper to prevent her from being deported. Even megastar Jennifer Lopez played a housekeeper in 2002’s â€Å"Maid in Manhattan,† a romantic comedy reminiscent of the Cinderella fairytale. The late actress Lupe Ontiveros estimated that she played a maid as many as 150 times on screen. In 2009, Ontoveros  told National Public Radio, â€Å"I long to play a judge. I long to play a lesbian woman. I long to play a councilman, someone with some chutzpah.† Latin Lovers Hollywood has a long history of portraying Hispanics and Spaniards as Latin Lovers. Men such as Antonio Banderas, Fernando Lamas, and Ricardo Montalban all starred in a number of roles that perpetuated the idea that Hispanic men are incredibly suave, sexy and skilled in the sheets. The stereotype became so popular that a film called â€Å"Latin Lovers† debuted in 1958. Ricardo Montalban and Lana Turner starred. Tired of being typecast as a Latin Lover, Fernando Lamas, father of actor Lorenzo Lamas, told the Free Lance-Star in 1958 that he wanted to redefine the term. â€Å"A Latin lover shouldn’t be a greasy character,† he said. â€Å"He doesn’t even have to be Latin. But he must be a guy who loves life, and since life includes women, his loves include women. Sometimes he gets a girl and sometimes he gets his face slapped. The most important thing is that he be a real man with problems to solve.† Sexpots While Hispanic men are often reduced to Latin Lovers in television and film, Hispanic women are commonly typecast as sexpots. Rita Hayworth, Raquel Welch, and Carmen Miranda are some of the Latinas in early Hollywood who capitalized on their sexy image. More recently, Eva Longoria played a conniving Latina homemaker who used her looks to advance her agenda in â€Å"Desperate Housewives,† and Sofia Vergara continues to play the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on â€Å"Modern Family,† which many prominent Latinas argue not only fuels the stereotype that Hispanic women are sexy but also loud, crazy and spicy. â€Å"The problem here is that this idea of the curvy, sexy and sultry Latina denies many Latinas their cultural identification based on their physical appearances and sexual attractiveness, alone,† explained Tanisha Ramirez in the Huffington Post. â€Å"In essence, this sort of thinking traps our culture within our bodies, ignoring the values, ethics, and tr aditions that contribute to our sense of culture and community.† Thug Life There has been no shortage of Latinos playing thugs, drug dealers and gangbangers in U.S. films and television shows, especially police dramas. Popular films such as 1992’s â€Å"American Me† and 1993’s â€Å"Mi Vida Loca† chronicled the lives of fictional Hispanic drug kingpins and gangsters. Even the 1961 classic â€Å"West Side Story† centered on the rivalry between a Caucasian gang and a Puerto Rican one. The gangster stereotype aimed at Latinos is particularly harmful, as it gives the public the idea that Hispanics aren’t law-abiding citizens but cholos. Accordingly, they should be feared, shunned and certainly not treated as equals. While some Latinos, just as some whites, find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system, the majority of Hispanics aren’t criminals. They work as lawyers, teachers, pastors, police officers and in a host of other areas. Immigrants Television programs such as â€Å"The George Lopez Show,† â€Å"Desperate Housewives† and â€Å"Ugly Betty† were unique in that they portrayed Latinos as Americans rather than as recent immigrants to the United States. Not only have many Hispanics lived in the United States for several generations but some Hispanics also descend from families that predate the establishment of the present day U.S.-Mexico border. For far too long Hollywood has featured Hispanics speaking heavily accented English in television and in cinema. Lupe Ontiveros told NPR that during auditions casting directors made it clear that they prefer her to play immigrant types. Before auditioning, she’d ask them, â€Å"‘You want an accent?’ And they’d say, ‘Yes, we prefer for you to have an accent.’ And the thicker and more waddly it is, the more they like it. This is what I’m against, really, truly.†

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Financial Accounting Analysis of Pearson Group Case Study

Financial Accounting Analysis of Pearson Group - Case Study Example The Company operates a variety of pension plans, the largest being the UK Group plan which includes both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. It also operates a few smaller defined benefit plans in the U.S [(401 [K)] and Canada. Defined contribution pension plans and post-retirement medical benefit plans (PRMB) are principally for employees located in the U.S. The plan assets for the UK Group plan are held by a trust independently of the Company and hence are accounted for at their net value in the balance sheet as per IAS 19 (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group, 2008). Based on the discount rate of 5.80% (FY06: 5.20%), present value of this obligation was 1,682m (FY06: 1,683m) and the fair value of plan assets were 1,744m (FY06: 1,528). The net value of 62m was carried to the balance sheet as Retirement Benefit Asset. Deficit in FY06 amounting to 155m was reported under non-current liability as Retirement Benefit Obligations. In FY07, the Company contributed 121m (including a special contribution of 100m) to fund this shortfall and disclosed it as a reduction from cash flow from operations. The Management expects to eliminate this shortfall by FY14 and has agreed to further contribute 21m in FY08 and 21.9m per annum thereafter in excess of an estimated 30m of regular contributions. Any further deficit in funding can add significa nt burden on the Company's cash flows from operations. As per IAS 19, service cost of 29m (FY06: 27m) for UK Group plan was charged to income statement as an operating expense. Excess of expected returns on these plan assets over the interest paid on plan liabilities amounting to 12m was reported as finance income. While the expected return was 96m (FY06: 85m), the interest paid was 84m (FY06:78m). The rate used for discounting these plan assets is based on the annualized yield on the iBoxx over 15-year AA-rated corporate bond index. As required by IFRS, the Company has disclosed the details of retirement benefits arrangement for its directors and the assumptions used for estimating the present value of benefit obligations. The expected sensitivity of present value of obligations to changes in discount rate and the changes in the value of plan assets and liabilities are also disclosed under notes to consolidated financial statement. The Company has also reported Retirement Benefit Obligations amounting to 95m (FY06: 95m) under non-current liabilities as their present value of obligations were exceeded the fair value of their plan assets. These liabilities relate to other defined benefit obligation pension plans, US PRMS and other pension accruals. Service costs of these plans amounting to 3m were charged as an operating expense; whereas and the interest on the PRMS liabilities of 2m was recognized as finance expense in income statement. PRMS are unfunded but are accounted for and valued similarly to defined benefit pension plans. The total actuarial gains on defined pension benefit plans and post retirement plans amounting to 80m (FY06: 107m) was directly charged to equity and reported under Statement of Recognized Income and Expense (SORIE). Discount rate for all the U.S plans are based on a U.S bond portfolio matching model, which