While the Laptev Sea sedimentary basin belonging to the shelfal area of the Arctic Ocean is promising in terms of hydrocarbon discoveries, its geologic complexity hinders petroleum geologic studies and estimation of its hydrocarbon potential. Existing contradictory views about the tectonic framework and evolution of the Laptev Sea cause considerable uncertainties concerning its prospects. The current situation resulting by the fact that our basic understanding of the geology of the Laptev Sea margin was mostly established before 2000 and was based on a limited amount of seismic data, often of compromised quality. Still, recent years have seen the accumulation of a considerable amount of G&G data capable of improving our understanding of the Laptev offshore geology, although it has not been generalized and comprehensively reviewed to date. A unified dataset comprising both historical and newly acquired G&G data created in the course of this project enabled to revise the tectonic framework of the Laptev Sea. The comprehensive review of the information provided a consistent model for the tectonic evolution of the studied territory and clarified some controversial questions.

A review of both historical and recent geological and geophysical data has provided a comprehensive examination of the sedimentary cover architecture in the Laptev Sea, as well as the tectonic conditions for its evolution. The well-established hypothesis regarding the rift-driven origin of sedimentary basins in the Laptev shelf has been challenged based on extensive geophysical data obtain ed in recent years and the results of fission track and radiometric dating of rock samples from the surrounding onshore area. Structural mapping of the entire Laptev shelf has allowed for the delineation of the main sequences, revealing the development of sedimentary basins, including shifts in depocentres and temporal changes in sedimentation rates. The current understanding of Arctic Ocean tectonic development, which is grounded in plate tectonic theory, has facilitated geodynamic restoration in the study area. This endeavour has yielded a consistent background model suitable for subsequent basin analysis, geological risk assessment, and estimation of hydrocarbon potential.

Fecundity is important for understanding various aspects related to the reproductive physiology of a fish species. The study was aimed to assess the fecundity, gonado-somatic index (GSI) and sex ratio of the Pakistani Chilwa, Barilius pakistanicus in the streams of Salarzai, District Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Fish samples were collected from March 2014 to February 2015. A total of 525 samples of Barilius pakistanicus were captured from different streams of the study area. During the study, the number of eggs was observed directly proportional to fish length, fish weight, and gonad weight. In Barilius pakistanicus the fecundity ranged from 200 to 2700 depending on different seasons with varying temperatures. The fecundity was highest recorded in August and lowest was in December. Gonado-somatic index values ranged from 1.40 to 18.8. The high values of GSI were observed during the months of June and July. A total of 695 fish specimens were taken into the record for sex ratio. Out of 695indivdials, 37 percent were male and the remaining 63 percent were female.

In this paper, we use the ultrasonic backscatter technique for measurement of the thickness of the hardened layer (case depth) on inductions-hardened VCN 100 steel plates. The experiment includes an immersion ultrasonic test where both the sample and the ultrasonic probe are immersed in a water tank. The measurement technique is based on the backscattering of ultrasonic waves from the transition zone which lies between the hardened layer and the soft inner core. The backscattered ultrasonic signals are measured and processed by a number of signal processing schemes to extract the thickness of the hardened layer. A scanning system measures the case depth on the surface of the plate samples and produces C-scan images showing the profile of the hardened layer. This technique could be used for nondestructive testing and quality control of hardened specimens

In this study growth, abundance and distribution of sea cucumber was investigated in the intertidal zoon of Bushehr province in the northern Persian Gulf. Samples were collected at low tide from 29˚ 54´ 17˝ N and 50˚ 08´ 90˝E to 27˚ 34´ 40˝N and 52˚ 25´ 23˝E in autumn and winter seasons of 2017-18. During this study only one species (Holothuria parva) was identified in the three sites of the investigated area. Abundance, growth, condition factor (K) and distribution of the species were determined. Throughout the study area, mean abundance was found to 3.4±3.3 individuals in 100 m2. The mean body weight in autumn and winter was 24.7 ± 15.8 g and 21.3 ± 11.1g respectively. The mean total length ranged from 88.3±26.3 mm in autumn to 102.4±29.3 mm in winter. Condition factor (K) in autumn was 0.64 and decreased to 0.42 in winter. Maximum sediment particles consisted of silt and clay (70%) and minimum percent (6%) was gravel. The results of the study showed low species diversity of this marine organism in the area that should be seriously protected.

With regard to the phenomenon of globalization, investors today consider investment in its international concept. Moreover, the decision makers in countries are inclined towards utilizing their local capital in the fulfillment of domestic objectives and avoiding capital outflow. On the other hand, the researchers in the international arena, especially in the ‘liberal tradition’, emphasize on the effect of international economic cooperation such as trade and investment in the expansion of peace and prevention of war. Based on this, the present study has tried to utilize \"Game theory\" to give a different answer to this main question of, \"how economic cooperation in the form of international investment could prevent peace or promote peace in addition to maximizing the profit of the investors\". In this paper, using game theory and presenting a static game between players, the game modeling between investors and countries has been done. \nThe results indicated that lower risks in foreign market and higher economic power lead to higher risks and output inside and outside the country and vice versa. The increase in b (less risk in foreign investment) and K (economic power) will lead to a decrease in the investor\'s utility. Finally, if the hostility degree (ρ) between countries is zero, then the countries will achieve a maximum positive outcome which will increase with the decrease of economic power.

The concept of value is so wide that could be considered as synonymous with human life and existence. The human being is engaged in the evaluations of being by doing every act. Life is a value that even its ascetic denial is a kind of valuation. When the human being enters the world, in fact he enters a pre-valued world and many values weighed upon him. To what extent is man capable of emancipating from pre-existing values and to what extent can he succeed in creating value? The complex world today is very similar to the mythical world in which the blind and deaf valuing forces have overwhelmed and conquered human choices. It is here that human choices show a confusing and algebraic procedure, and freedom is as s chain that human being wrap around himself.

As warming melts the sea ice and glaciers in the Arctic the opening of the region will lead to new economic opportunities in resource extraction. The prospect of easier access, together with restricted exploration opportunities elsewhere, has captured anew the attention of Arctic nations and upstream companies. Historically, harsh environments, challenging economics, remoteness and technical difficulty have restricted offshore activity in the region and most of the discoveries in the Arctic remain undeveloped. Although many oil and gas deposits have been found in the Arctic Circle, only eight offshore projects have been developed circa 2020. In the near shore shallow water ice pack locations of Alaska’s Beaufort Sea, artificial islands and onshore drilling has been adopted; in the shallow water Barents Sea along Russia’s northwest coast, a gravity-base structure was installed; and in the deepwater ice pack free regions of Norway’s Barents and Norwegian Sea, subsea developments and floating facilities have been utilized. For companies seeking profitable ventures, high economic hurdles have been difficult to surmount, while for government sponsored enterprises with strategic and geopolitical interest, economic conditions are not as critical for project development.