Governmental repression: the cases of China

This thesis explores what factors can explain why the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) response to two pro-democracy movements – 1989 Tiananmen Square and the 2014 Umbrella Movement – had varied repression levels. Specifically, this thesis will explore the impact of social media, breakdowns in government cohesion, and the type of protest on governmental responses. This research finds that a breakdown in government cohesion during the 1989 protest caused the declaration of martial law and the use of tanks followed by infantrymen. Although the 2014 protest was regime-threatening, social media constrained the government’s ability to use alternative media and harsh repression. Especially due to a large number of users live posting uncensored information. Furthermore, there was not a breakdown in government cohesion during the 2014 protest which is why the CCP’s response utilized soft repression

The Inefficacy of Termination and Nullification of the Main Contract on Contractual Stipulations as a Consequence of the Principle of Autonomy of Arbitration Agreement from the Main Contract

One of the most important results and effects of the principle of autonomy of arbitration agreement from the main  contract is the inefficacy of termination and nullification of the main contract. It might be stated that with the termination or nullification of the main contract, the arbitration agreement, either as an arbitration condition in the terms of the main contract or as a separate agreement which is nonetheless related to the main contract, would not be localized in any instance, and thus it cannot be considered as an independent legal institution. The nullification of the terms based on the termination of main contract is justified by the principle implying the compliance of terms with the main contract, yet this rule is not universal. In some instances, based on the rule of autonomy and also the tacit agreement of parties, and considering the deviation of objectives in terms and the main contract, the principle may not be implied. By this argument, not only the acceptance of the doctrine of the autonomy of arbitration from the main contract becomes legitimate in our law, but it can also be argued that one of the most important consequences here is the autonomy of inefficacy of main contract on the arbitration agreement in Iranian law. Keywords: Rule of Compliance of Condition, Principle of Autonomy of Condition, inefficacy of termination of contract on arbitration claus

Diagnostic Accuracy of Chest x-Ray and Ultrasonography in Detection of Community Acquired Pneumonia; a Brief Report

Introduction: Chest x-ray (CXR) is the simplest diagnostic tool of Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), but it has some limitation. Therefore, the aim of this study is comparing the diagnostic accuracy of CXR and chest ultrasonography (CUS) in detection of CAP. Methods: In the present study, a consecutive sample of suspected patients with CAP was underwent CUS, CXR, and chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Diagnostic accuracy of CUS and CXR was assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios using SPSS 20 statistical software. Results: 30 patients with CAP were enrolled (93.3% male with mean age of 63.8 ± 18.3 years). Sensitivity of CUS and CXR in detection of CAP were 100.0% (95% Cl: 85.4-100.0) and 93.1% (95% Cl: 75.8-98.8), respectively. Specificity of CXR was 0.0 (95% Cl: 0.0-94.5), while the CUS specificity was not calculable. Conclusion: Findings of the present study demonstrated on the higher diagnostic accuracy of CUS versus CXR in detection of pneumonia

Impact of environment and cultural index to development of the desired model buying habits: A case study among Iranian customers

Buying behavior in this study refers to the consumer behavior toward the type of the selected product, time, repetition and condition of buying or not buying a product by someone. In other words, the buying behavior is the buyer's decision-making process on selection or not selection of products according to behavior without further research. It is understood that there are some effective factors in the consumers buying behaviors such as environmental factors, whether minor or macro, such as economic, politic, social, cultural and technological factors. Therefore, there is a major difference in the people buying behaviors through the world. Whereas no study has been done on the buying behaviors in Iran, this research deal with the buying behaviors of the other nations and effective indices in them and more important indices which are more common were extracted. These indices were, then, examined by using the experts' points of view in this field (University Lecturers, managers of Ministry of Commerce, religious authorities and etc) and Delphi method in order to extract the indices which are more similar to the Iranian's national and religious culture, specially, the citizens of Tehran and develop a certified desired model for the buying behaviors of the citizens of Tehran

Impact of environment and cultural index to development of the desired model buying habits: A case study among Iranian customers

Buying behavior in this study refers to the consumer behavior toward the type of the selected product, time, repetition and condition of buying or not buying a product by someone. In other words, the buying behavior is the buyer's decision-making process on selection or not selection of products according to behavior without further research. It is understood that there are some effective factors in the consumers buying behaviors such as environmental factors, whether minor or macro, such as economic, politic, social, cultural and technological factors. Therefore, there is a major difference in the people buying behaviors through the world. Whereas no study has been done on the buying behaviors in Iran, this research deal with the buying behaviors of the other nations and effective indices in them and more important indices which are more common were extracted. These indices were, then, examined by using the experts' points of view in this field (University Lecturers, managers of Ministry of Commerce, religious authorities and etc) and Delphi method in order to extract the indices which are more similar to the Iranian's national and religious culture, specially, the citizens of Tehran and develop a certified desired model for the buying behaviors of the citizens of Tehran

A factor analysis of identifying the customer behavior patterns: A case study in Tehran

Studying shopping habit patterns of the customers is an area of interest among the marketing experts. Identifying these patterns provides suitable information for planning in relation to marketing, and identifying this profile could present useful information concerning the target group. Therefore, this piece of research seeks to identify the customers’ shopping habit patterns and has been carried out by means of the survey method. The statistical population includes the customers in Tehran province from among whom 496 individuals were randomly selected (based on Cochran’s formula) in observance of appropriate attribution. The research tools include a questionnaire, the validity of which was verified according to the views expressed by a group of lecturers at the Payame Noor University of Tehran. Then, in order to examine the reliability of the questionnaire, 30 copies were distributed to the customers as pre-test. The Cronbach’s alpha (a = 0.80) suggested that the research tools is highly competent for data collection. Research findings indicated that the people’s shopping habits in Tehran province may be summarized in 10 factors which totally demonstrate 56.31% of the customers’ shopping habits in a factor pattern and 33 items based on the data. Finally, practical suggestions are put forward for planners

A factor analysis of identifying the customer behavior patterns: A case study in Tehran

Studying shopping habit patterns of the customers is an area of interest among the marketing experts. Identifying these patterns provides suitable information for planning in relation to marketing, and identifying this profile could present useful information concerning the target group. Therefore, this piece of research seeks to identify the customers’ shopping habit patterns and has been carried out by means of the survey method. The statistical population includes the customers in Tehran province from among whom 496 individuals were randomly selected (based on Cochran’s formula) in observance of appropriate attribution. The research tools include a questionnaire, the validity of which was verified according to the views expressed by a group of lecturers at the Payame Noor University of Tehran. Then, in order to examine the reliability of the questionnaire, 30 copies were distributed to the customers as pre-test. The Cronbach’s alpha (a = 0.80) suggested that the research tools is highly competent for data collection. Research findings indicated that the people’s shopping habits in Tehran province may be summarized in 10 factors which totally demonstrate 56.31% of the customers’ shopping habits in a factor pattern and 33 items based on the data. Finally, practical suggestions are put forward for planners

Investigation of the Efficiency of Phosphorus Removal Using Anionic Resins From the Continuous Flow in the Waste Stabilization Pond Outlet: A Case Study of Kaboodrahang Wastewater Treatment Plant

This research mainly aimed to investigate phosphorus removal from stabilization pond effluent by using anionic resins in the continuous flow mode of operation due to high amounts of phosphorus in the wastewater treatment plant effluent of Kaboodrahang, western Iran, as well as the violation from a prescribed effluent standard to discharge receiving the surface waters. For this purpose, the pilot was made of a plexiglass cylinder and other equipment such as pump and other accessories, as well as Purolite A-100 resin. The reactor effects on the desired study parameters were assessed in two warm and cold seasons. The results showed that the phosphorus concentrations reduced from 7-10 mg/L to 4-7 mg/L and the rate of phosphorus removal was higher in the hot season compared to the cold season. Moreover, the optimum temperature and pH were obtained 21ºC and 8.5, respectively. The mean inlet biological oxygen demand (BOD) was 150 mg/L for both warm and cold seasons, where the highest removal rate of 17% was obtained in the cold season. The mean chemical oxygen demand concentration of the pilot was 250 mg/L for both seasons, and the highest removal rate was observed in the cold season with an efficiency of 18%. Regarding the total suspended solids with the mean inlet of 230 mg/L, the highest removal efficiency was obtained 6% in the warm season