Second Class Citizenship: The Limited Freedom of the Children of Undocumented Immigrants (Privacy, Freedom, and Technology)

This study aims to explain the conditions of immigrants in Latin America, especially regarding differences in race and status of immigrant family members. The method in this study used a descriptive method with a review of case studies based on social conditions and conflicts that occur in America. The results of this study illustrated that the condition of Latin American immigrants, especially people with the black race, is still became social problem, namely discrimination against black children. Black people in America feel watched over and considered as "slaves" to white people. They feel that the freedom to mingle in society is still very limited, especially to illegal immigrants who do not have citizenship documents. In addition, to being discriminated against by Americans, this social gap is also difficult to eliminate because the American government also feels unsure of illegal immigrants, especially from the black race, to be trusted, thus severely limiting their freedom

Improved upscaling scheme for steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and semi-analytical modeling of the SAGD rising phase

textSteam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process commonly applied for heavy oil and bitumen recovery consists of two production phases: a steam rising phase and a spreading phase. Extensive research has been done on modeling the SAGD spreading phase, but fewer analytical/semi-analytical models exist for the unstable rising phase. This thesis presents a semi-analytical method, MS-SAGD, to model the SAGD rising phase. In addition, an improved upscaling technique that takes into account the unique flow geometry observed during SAGD is presented that enables more accurate predictions of oil recovery rates in heterogeneous reservoirs during both phases. The MS-SAGD semi analytical method, based on the Myhill and Stegemeier frontal advance model for steam drive processes, tracks the growth of the steam chamber as a function of time. Two different oil production rate models are proposed and the comparison of results from flow and transport simulations is presented. Model 1 is similar to Butler’s approach using the rising steam finger theory. Model 2 is obtained by modifying Butler's spreading phase model and applying it to the rising phase. Both models use the outputs of the MS-SAGD model to estimate the oil production rates during the SAGD rising phase. The application of the MS-SAGD model is extended to heterogeneous reservoirs by treating the heated volume estimated by the original MS-SAGD model as an effective heated volume. In addition, the homogeneous permeability in the proposed oil production rate model is replaced with an upscaled effective permeability that is a function of time. The improved upscaling technique is based on a global approach that minimizes the differences between the fine scale and upscaled model pressure solutions. Sources and sinks by means of wells are used in the upscaling to simulate the convergent flow pattern observed during the SAGD process. The proposed models outperform existing analytical/semi-analytical methods and are in good agreement with the results obtained from CMG-STARS reservoir simulation. Both oil production rate models perform comparatively well, producing similar results in terms of cumulative oil production. However, Model 2 performs better than Model 1 in describing the overall behavior of the oil production observed in the reservoir simulation and is thus a better model for the SAGD rising phase.Petroleum and Geosystems Engineerin

Effect of debt on corporate profitability (Listed Hotel Companies Sri Lanka)

The determination of a company’s capital structure constitutes a difficult decision, one that involve several and opposed factor, such as risk and return. This study an attempt has been made to find the effect of debt on company’s profitability during the 2008 to 2012(05 years). Eleven companies were selected form Hotel companies listed in Colombo stock Exchange as sample companies. Correlation and regression analysis are used to find out the effect of debt on corporate profitability. Accordance with the regression analysis there were no significant relationship between debt and profitability. But based on the correlation analysis, there were strong negative relationship between short term liabilities, ROE and ROA. Further total liabilities to total assets had the strong negative relationship between ROE and ROA.  But there was no significant relationship between long term liabilities, ROE and ROA. Key words: Debt, Return on Assets and Return on Equit

Resonant Tunneling in Truly Axial Symmetry Mn12 Single-Molecule Magnets: Sharp Crossover between Thermally Assisted and Pure Quantum Tunneling

Magnetization measurements of a truly axial symmetry Mn12-tBuAc molecular nanomagnet with a spin ground state of S = 10 show resonance tunneling. This compound has the same magnetic anisotropy as Mn12-Ac but the molecules are better isolated and the crystals have less disorder and a higher symmetry. Hysteresis loop measurements at several temperatures reveal a well-resolved step fine-structure which is due to level crossings of excited states. All step positions can be modeled by a simple spin Hamiltonian. The crossover between thermally assisted and pure quantum tunneling can be investigated with unprecedented detail.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Impact of Aggressive investment policy on the firm performance (Listed manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka)

The working capital management plays an important role for success or failure of firm in business because of its effect on firm’s profitability as well on liquidity. An optimal working capital management is expected to contribute positively to the creation of firm value. To reach optimal working capital management firm’s manager should control the tradeoff between profitability and liquidity accurately. The study sample consists of 20 Manufacturing companies listed in Colombo stock Exchange. Here, Correlation, and Regression are used to analyze the data. According to our results return on equity and Tobin Q have not significant impact on the aggressive investment working capital policy. But correlation analysis had shown strong negative relationship between return on assets and Aggressive investment policy. Therefore we can conclude aggressive investment policy have negative relationship between return on Assets Key words: Aggressive investment policy, Return on equity, Return on assets, Tobin

Effect of Cash Conversion Cycle on Profitability: Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka

Working capital is needed for day-to-day operations of a firm. Cash conversion cycle (CCC) has been considered a useful measure of firm’s effective working capital management and especially the cash management. This study was an attempt to examine the effect of cash conversion cycle on profitability in ten listed plantation companies in Sri Lanka between 2008 and 2012. Results revealed that there is negative relationship between return on equity and cash conversion cycle.48.5 percent variation of ROE explained by CCC. Further Cash conversion cycle also had negative impact on Return on asset. In here 61.6 % explained by CCC.  In addition cash conversion cycle had 60.2 % negative impact on net profit. Therefore the effect of cash conversion cycle on total profitability as whole contains significant value. Key words: Cash conversion cycle and Profitability

Functional outcome of microsurgical clipping compared to endovascular coiling

Objective: Endovascular coiling has been used increasingly as an alternative to neurosurgical clipping for treating subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to aneurysm rupture. The purpose of this study was to compare functional outcomes at 6 months post-subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to cerebral aneurysm rupture in subjects who were either surgically clipped or endovascularly coiled. In addition, the present study aims to identify the predictors in the clinical course of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Materials and methods: A retrospective case review on the treatment methods of aneurysm rupture in Hospital Kuala Lumpur over the period of five years (2005-2009). A total of 268 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study. These patients were broadly categorized into two groups based on their treatment mode for ruptured aneurysm. The case notes, CT brain films reports and angiography reports were analyzed with respect to their clinical, radiological, surgical clipping or endovascular coiling treatments and outcome data. Statistical analysis was determined using Chi-Square tests to study these associations. Results: There was a female predominance with male-to-female ratio 1:1.4. The mean age was 50.9 years old in this series. 50 patients were less than 40 years (18.7%) and 218 patients were more than 40 years(81.3%). 37 patients(74%) in age group less than 40 years had significant good outcome as compared to125(57.3%) patients above 40 years old.(p=0.03). One hundred and eighty one patients (67.5%) presented with Good WFNS (WFNS1-2) and 87 patients (32.5%) presented with Poor WFNS (WFNS 3-5) prior to intervention. One hundred and sixty two patients (60.4%) had good functional outcome (mRS grade 0- 2) as compared to 106 patients(39.6%) who had poor mRS outcome(MRS 3-6) while 50 patients died(18.7%) during our follow up at 6 months . When we analyzed the WFNS group with functional outcome (mRS), there was significant association (p<0.01). In good WFNS, 143(79%) had good outcome and in poor WFNS, 68 patients (78.2%) had poor mRS outcome. There were 204 (76.1%) patients in clipping group and 64 (23.9%) patients in coiling group. Patients who underwent coiling, initially showed a better mRS outcome with 47patients (73.4%) than, 115 patients (56.4%) in clipping. Further comparison showed that 89(43.6%) patients in clipping group had poor functional (MRS) outcome as compared to17 patients (26.6%) coiling, which was significant (p=0.015). However when we controlled the WFNS grade of presentation in the treatment groups, we obtained a different result. In good WFNS group, it was noted that 98 patients (76%) out of 129 patients in clipping group had a good MRS outcome while, 45 patients (86.5%) out of 52 patients in coiling group had good mRS outcome (p=0.114). In poor WFNS presentation, it was noted that in clipping group, 58 patients (77.3%) out of 75 had poor mRS outcome. Similarly with poor WFNS presentation, 10 (83.3%) out of 12 patient in coiling group had poor outcome. (p=1.00). Hence when we control the WFNS group, there was no significant association between treatment group (clipping and coiling) and mRS outcome at 6 months. Further we noted that age less than 40 and Fisher grade of 1-2 have better outcome while patients with EVD, CSF infection and pneumonia have poorer outcome. Using multiple logistic regression analysis we have determined that good mRS outcome is associated with good WFNS and absence of EVD Conclusion: Clinical severity of the SAH (WFNS grade) was the most significant predictor of functional outcome (mRS) at 6 months. Therefore the decision regarding treatment option needs to be individualized based on the presentation of the patient