private boolean eq(Integer aThis, Integer aThat){
    boolean result = false;
    if(aThis == null && aThat == null){
      result = true;
    }
    else if (aThis != null && aThat != null){
      result = aThis.equals(aThat);      
    }
    else {
      log("At least one is null");
    }
    return result;
  }