ABSTRACT THE DETERMINANTS OF LIFE SATISFACTION IN POST-SOVIET AZERBAIJAN Galip, Hilal MSc., Department of Sociology Supervisor: Dr. Adnan Ak&ccedil / ay September 2007, 99 pages The study aims to investigate main determinants of life satisfaction in newly independent country, Azerbaijan. Taking into consideration of local and cultural characteristics of the region, this research will give the opportunity for making cross-cultural analysis to understand subjective well-being of people living in the country in transition. Moreover, it provides deeper interpretation of daily experiences of people in different fields of life compared to Soviet period. In the survey, 1030 households were selected according to multistage cluster sampling and face to face interviews were conducted with those families. In addition, fifty in-depth interviews were applied to people who are coming from different social backgrounds. All macro societal changes influences subjective well-being of the Azerbaijani people and the further analysis of data will help to taking picture of the society and individuals in a closer perspective. Within this framework, this paper attempts to figure out the quality of life in Azerbaijan from the eyes of Azerbaijani people.

The purpose of the study is to illustrate to the management of entities and professionals who are against the application of IAS/IFRS in Azerbaijan why it is essential to adopt IAS/IFRS. The thesis aims to provide differences of current accounting policies and procedures applied by those entities from IAS/IFRS and justify the application of IAS/IFRS. The thesis provides benefits associated with the adoption of IFRS/IAS, and illustrates the problems that may be faced by the management of entities.

This study examines the history and ethnic identity of Turks living in Bor&ccedil / ali (Kvemo-Kartli) region of Georgia. It focuses on the mechanisms that led to the formation and strengthening of their ethnic identity and the impact of the shifts in political borders on ethnic identification. Characteristics of the region and the people are provided and socio-political developments are analyzed with an historical perspective. Different dimensions of the concepts of ethnicity and ethnic identity are discussed with an interdisciplinary approach.

The Caspian region and specifically the Apsheron peninsula of Azerbaijan is known to be polluted with a variety of environmental contaminants, making risk assessment difficult. The wetlands of Sumgayit contain particularly complex mixtures of contaminants. Flow cytometry and the micronucleus assay were used to assess chromosomal damage in aquatic turtles and frogs inhabiting contaminated wetlands in Azerbaijan. By evaluating biomarkers that are indicative of somatic effects, elevated chromosomal damage was documented at several sites in Azerbaijan relative to reference sites. Sediment samples were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorines (OCs), and mercury to evaluate contaminant associations with genetic damage. Sediment samples revealed heterogeneous patterns of PAH and mercury concentrations throughout Sumgayit. Significant positive correlations were documented between both PAH and mercury sediment concentrations and chromosomal damage. Population genetic methods were employed to study the effects of long-term chronic contaminant exposure in marsh frogs from Sumgayit. The Sumgayit region has reduced levels of genetic diversity, likely due to environmental degradation. One of the most contaminated sites in Sumgayit, WTP, appears to be a source of new mutations as a result of an increased mutation rate. Finally, the Sumgayit region seems to act as an ecological sink, with levels of gene flow into the region exceeding gene flow out of the region. This study provides not only exposure and biomarker data, but also an integrated method for assessing the cumulative population impacts of contaminant exposure by studying both population genetic and evolutionary effects. The results presented here will be used in conjunction with those of ongoing research involving both wildlife and humans to develop comprehensive ecological and human risk assessments.

After the Soviet dissolution, the newly independent post-Soviet state of Azerbaijan intensified its efforts at developing its relations with the United States. Based on the analysis of the Azerbaijan&ndash / U.S. relations between1991-2006, the thesis tries to answer which factors could account for the existing political problems between these countries, given that both countries have a common interest in deepening their cooperation concerning the Caspian energy resources as well as the fight against international terrorism. This thesis argues that although both countries have many interests in common, they are unable to deepen their level of cooperation because of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem which, since it breaches the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, is that state&rsquo / s main priority. The thesis has four main chapters: after a general overview of the evolution of Azerbaijan&rsquo / s foreign policy in the post-Soviet era and the U.S. policies towards the Caucasus, I examine Azerbaijan&rsquo / s cooperation with the U.S. in the field of energy, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem in Azerbaijan&rsquo / s relations with the U.S., and Azerbaijan&rsquo / s cooperation with the U.S. in the fight against international terrorism. In this thesis I focus on these three interests of Azerbaijan in its relations with the U.S. because in analyzing this country&rsquo / s foreign policy these are vital issues that include economic development, territorial integrity and its global political role concerning security.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 166-171).

abstract: Social determinants of health present significant barriers to utilization of maternal health services in transitional countries. This dissertation study examined associations between household autonomy and utilization of prenatal services among women of reproductive age in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Using nationally representative survey data, this study explored if household autonomy of women positively influenced the timing of the first prenatal visit, the number of prenatal care visits, and the content of care during visits. Results showed that household autonomy was positively associated with the timing of the first visit for prenatal care and the number of prenatal care visits. The content of care was negatively associated with the autonomy of women. Findings also pointed to an endogenous influence of a woman's position in the household structure. Additionally, this study analyzed associations between women's reproductive history and utilization, and economic disparities in utilization of prenatal care. The findings demonstrated that a history of complications during pregnancy and stillbirths were positively associated with utilization of prenatal care. Economic disparities in utilization of care were identified. Future interventions to increase utilization of maternal health services should account for traditional household structures in transitional countries. Women from poor families should receive support from social assistance and the health sector in accessing services pertaining to their health and well-being. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Social Work 2015

Im Anschluss an die von der Fugro Consult GmbH durchgeführte geotechnische Baugrunderkundung für die geplante Erweiterung eines Öl- und Gasterminals im Sangachal Distrikt südlich von Baku, Aserbaidschan, wurde durch die Fugro Consult GmbH in Zusammenarbeit mit Fugro Loadtest ein geotechnisches Monitoring-Programm in Form von Pfahlprobebelastungen durchgeführt und in diesem Zusammenhang verschiedene statische Zustände simuliert. Neben Vertikallasten, den Hauptlasten aus den zukünftigen Bauwerken, wurden auch horizontale Lasten am Pfahlkopf aufgetragen und mit verschiedenen Monitoring-Methoden während der Versuchsdurchführung überwacht. Das Monitoring-Programm wurde in zwei Feldkampagnen durchgeführt. In der ersten Kampagne wurden Probepfähle an ausgewählten Lokationen bis zum Versagen belastet, um Grenzzustände zu ermitteln, das Pfahldesign zu optimieren und die in der Baugrunderkundung ermittelten geotechnischen Parameter zu überprüfen. In einer zweiten Kampagne wurden dann Bauwerkspfähle getestet, um die Qualität der Pfahlherstellung zu prüfen und die vom Statiker vorgegebenen zulässigen Setzungen der Pfähle unter der geplanten Bauwerkslast zu kontrollieren. / Following the geotechnical site investigation for the extension of the Oil- and Gas terminal in the Sangachal district, south of Baku, Azerbaijan performed by Fugro Consult GmbH a comprehensive pile monitoring program was performed subsequently by Fugro Consult GmbH in collaboration with Fugro Loadtest. The monitoring program comprised full scale static axial, lateral and bi-directional pile load tests using the O-cell® method. Beside vertical loads induced by the future building, also lateral loads were applied and monitored by means of different monitoring methods. The monitoring Program was performed in two field campaigns. During the first campaign only preliminary piles were loaded until failure in order to determine the ultimate limit state, to optimize the pile design and to verify the geotechnical parameter acquired during the preceding site investigation. During the second field campaign only working piles were tested to assure constant quality during pile installation and to confirm that allowable settlements stipulated by the designer are not exceeded.

One of the defining features of contemporary zeitgeist is that we live in an era of mediatization – a metaprocess, through (and by) which all everyday relations increasingly depend on networked media technologies and online communication channels. Due to rapid developments in digital electronics, all these Internet- or mobile-enabled platforms, and devices, are prone to the processes of quantification and datafication, and as such, surveillance is a principal dimension that lies at the core of mediatization. Through five peer-reviewed academic articles and the cover text, this dissertation provides a multi-faceted analysis of the complex relationships – built by Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s state intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies with a number of local, and global, private information, entertainment and telecommunications companies. The articles are focused on different cases: the complete dispersion of commercial social media based oppositional activists in Azerbaijan, and the arrests of Anonymous led hacktivists in Turkey, both happening in 2011; and, the mass mobilization of millions of Turkish citizens during the Gezi Park protests of 2013. The current compilation puts forth in-depth accounts and scrutiny of how various social movements (in general), and individual activists (in particular), are affected by an amalgamation of public, political; and, private, economic, surveillance practices and seeks to illuminate the abusive extents of this transformation – vis-à-vis the changing media and communication environment – by way of using mediatization as an analytical tool. Overall, this dissertation contributes a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between the increasingly mediatized natures of activism and surveillance in semi-authoritarian states. The conclusions have relevance and significance – in considering both similar country contexts and on a global scale – in the light of contemporary technological and political transformations. / One of the defining features of contemporary zeitgeist is that we live in an era of mediatization – a metaprocess, through (and by) which all everyday relations increasingly depend on networked media technologies and online communication channels – and surveillance is a principal dimension that lies at its core. Through five peer-reviewed academic articles and the cover text, this dissertation provides a multi-faceted analysis of the complex relationships built by Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s state intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies with a number of local, and global, private information, entertainment and telecommunications companies. The current compilation puts forth in-depth accounts and scrutiny of how various social movements and individual activists are affected by an amalgamation of public, political; and, private, economic, surveillance practices and seeks to illuminate the abusive extents of this transformation by way of using mediatization as an analytical tool. Overall, this dissertation contributes a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between the increasingly mediatized natures of activism and surveillance in semi-authoritarian states.

The thesis deals with the issue of energy security in the European Union, and the role played by Azerbaijan in the provision of the EU's energy independence and long-term stability. The author investigates the current issues of the European Union's energy policy, and the main threats impairing the EU's energy independence. Countries of the Caspian Basin, and particularly Azerbaijan, are investigated as the main alternative suppliers of energy resources for the European Union to increase its energy security. The author justifies and forecasts the future development of the EU-Azerbaijani relations in the energy sector taking into account the current policies implemented by the European Union in the field of energy security.