Showing 15 results for Middle East
Volume 3, Issue 1 (1-2017)
Abstract
Background: The global control of the drug resistance tuberculosis has remained as major challenge. The present study was the first review study in the Middle East region in order to determine levels of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to the first-line anti-TB drugs among both new and previously treated cases.
Materials and Methods: The computer-assisted search was performed by using PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus databases and related keywords. Within the time span of 1981-2014, a total of 480 articles were collected on the antibiotic resistance rates of M. tuberculosis in different countries of the Middle East region. About 63 relevant articles were selected by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: By using meta-analyses, we determined mono drug resistance, any drug resistance, and multidrug resistance (MDR-TB) rates in both new and previously treated TB patients living in different parts of the Middle East. Other aspects related to patients, antimicrobial resistance, and methods used to assess the resistance rate were also analyzed.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that in comparison with the global average rate, the prevalence rate of drug resistant TB, especially MDR-TB, may be increasing in the Middle East. Therefore, in order to prevent the spread of drug-resistant isolates, detecting primary resistance to anti-TB drugs with the use of new rapid diagnostic methods is necessary.
Volume 3, Issue 1 (12-2020)
Abstract
Investigating and studying the political relations of countries in the international arena, especially the countries of a particular region, is of particular importance. Such studies investigate issues related to the interactions between states and factors affecting political relations between them from different perspectives. Geopolitical studies are among such studies which provide national interests and national security for countries to identify political and geographical factors and variables affecting the political relations of states and accordingly, to investigate the regional and global impacts of these relations. By looking at the political relations between Iran and Syria, as two important non-bordering Middle East countries with special geopolitical and geostrategic importance in the axis of Islamic Resistance, which plays an essential and decisive role in regional interactions and geopolitics which is significantly impacted by these relations, we can observe fluctuations due to the influence of geopolitical, political and economic factors in the interactions between them. The current study tries to examine the impact of major geopolitical factors between the two countries and finally answer the following question: What predictable prospect exists for Iran-Syria relations in the future"? In this regard, using a descriptive-analytical research method, we will test the hypothesis that "the future of Iran-Syria relations depends on the future of Syria and its future positioning." This research investigates other aspects of the future effect of the two countries' relations on the region and, like any other research studies, there were limitations and obstacles.
Maryam Sadeghi, Majid Fallahzadeh, Hadi Ostovan, Toshko Ljubomirov, Shahram Hesami,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (12-2018)
Abstract
The current paper presents new data on the distribution of 51 species of crabronid wasp (Hymenoptera: Spheciformes: Crabronidae) from the subfamilies Crabroninae (42 species of 15 genera and 5 tribes) and Pemphredoninae (9 species of 6 genera and two tribes) collected at 21 sampling sites in the Fars Province of Iran. Three species, Tachysphex nitidus (Spinola, 1806), Liris memnonius (F. Smith, 1856), and Spilomena mocsaryi Kohl, 1898 are newly added to the Iranian insect fauna. General distribution and Iranian localities are given for each species. The biogeographic affinities of the collected species are also discussed.
Hossein Lotfalizadeh, Jean-Yves Rasplus, Maryam Asadi-Farfar,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (3-2019)
Abstract
The species of Notanisus Walker (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae: Cleonyminae) from Iran were revised. Four Palaearctic species are recognized: N. clavatus Bouček, N. oulmesiensis (Delucchi), N. vanharteni Gibson and N. versicolor Walker; including one species with macropterous male and the rests with macropterous females. Of which, N. oulmesiensis and N. versicolor are new records for Iran. The species are briefly described based on available materials, illustrated through macrophotography, and their distributions in Iran was mapped.
Gholamhossein Moravvej, Minoo Heidari Latibari, Mostafa Ghafouri Moghaddam,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract
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This paper presents new information on black fungus gnats (Sciaridae) based on field studies at seven localities in Iran. Five sciarid species from the genera Bradysia Winnertz, Corynoptera Winnertz and Lycoriella Frey were collected with Malaise traps, yellow sticky traps, sweep net and an aspirator between 2015 and 2021: Bradysia cellarum Frey, 1948; B. ocellaris (Comstock, 1882); B. tilicola (Loew, 1850); Corynoptera fatigans (Johannsen, 1912); Lycoriella sativae (Johannsen, 1912). All species are first records for the Sistan and Baluchestan province. Bradysia tilicola (Loew) is new to Iran and was recorded for the first time in the Middle East. This brings the number of known sciarid species from Iran to seven. For five species are given a short morphological diagnosis and the global distribution. A map illustrates the distribution of all identified sciarid species in Iran.
Zahra Rahmani, Ehsan Rakhshani, Hossein Lotfalizadeh, Azizollah Mokhtari,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract
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Species of the family Pteromalidae from the Middle East countries are reviewed. A total of 445 species within 134 genera and 17 subfamilies are recorded from 20 countries including Algeria (25 genera, 37 species), Egypt (27 genera, 37 species), Iran (84 genera, 211 species), Iraq (13 genera, 18 species), Israel (34 genera, 53 species), Jordan (8 genera, 9 species), Kuwait (1 genus, 1 species), Lebanon (5 genera, 5 species), Libya (9 genera, 10 species), Morocco (71 genera, 122 species), Oman (3 genera, 5 species), Palestine (5 genera, 5 species), Saudi Arabia (10 genera, 14 species), Syria (11 genera, 15 species), Tunisia (15 genera, 17 species), Turkey (75 genera, 236 species), United Arab Emirates (7 genera, 7 species), Yemen (27 genera, 45 species). There are no published records from Pteromalidae from Bahrain and Qatar. On the basis of the new findings in this study, 22 species in 15 genera are collected and identified from various regions of Iran. Among them, the genera Blascoa Askew, 1997 and Plutothrix Förster, 1856 and three species, Blascoa ephedrae Askew, 1997, Plutothrix trifasciata (Thomson, 1878) and Homoporus pulchripes Erdös, 1953 are newly recorded for the fauna of Iran, the genus Blascoa Askew and three species are new for the Middle East fauna. Biogeographically, the species of Pteromalidae recorded from the Middle East are widely distributed in the Western Palaearctic region. Of which, 268 species were found only throughout the Palaearctic with no records from other regions. Among the countries of the Middle East, the highest percentage of endemism for Pteromalidae species were found in Turkey (56 species, 12.6%) and Yemen (25 species, 5.6%), later country representing the fauna of both Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions. The distribution in the Middle East and zoogeographical distribution For each species are presented.
Maryam Hajian, Saber Sadeghi, Zohreh Eslami Barzoki, Majid Moradmand, Ali Gholamhosseini, Mehregan Ebrahimi,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Ants (Hym., Formicidae) have been recognized as vital components of arid ecosystems. Determining the diversity patterns of ants and the ecological factors behind these patterns is expected to improve our understanding of the functioning of arid ecosystems. Here, we explored patterns of ant species diversity and community composition along an elevational gradient (800 to 2800 m) in the arid area of Central Iran. The elevational gradient in ant diversity and the effects of environmental factors on various indices of ant diversity and species composition were investigated using generalized linear mixed models and variance partitioning analysis. We recorded 34 ant species of 12 genera and 8 tribes from 120 surveyed quadrats. Climate variables were the most important predictors of ant community structure. Indices of ant alpha diversity including Hill numbers and taxonomic diversity increased with elevation. Hill numbers were negatively influenced by temperature, while they were positively affected by precipitation. The observed diversity pattern could be explained by the diversity-productivity hypothesis. In our study area, the maximum primary productivity and consequently the maximum species diversity occurred at high elevations, where precipitation is high and temperature is lower than the extremes that could limit plant productivity. Ant assemblages are expected to become increasingly composed of warm-tolerant species in response to warmer and drier conditions driven by climate change. The distribution of species with lower heat tolerance will be limited to high-elevation areas in Central Iran. These areas could act as refuges for ants and should be considered priorities for conservation
Mahla Shojaey, Ali Asghar Talebi, Hossein Lotfalizadeh, Mohammad Mehrabadi, Mohammad Khayrandish,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
The family Macromesidae Graham, 1959, and the genus Epicopterus Westwood, 1833, from the family Eunotidae Ashmead, 1904, are recorded for the first time from Iran, by two species Macromesus amphiretus Walker, 1848, and Epicopterus choreiformis Westwood, 1833, respectively. Specimens were collected using Malaise traps during 2010–2011 from the Guilan and Qazvin provinces in north-central Iran. Detailed morphological characters of the newly recorded species are provided. The number of Macromesidae and Eunotidae species in Iran is newly raised to one and four species, respectively. An updated list of all known species of these taxa from the Middle East is also included.
Volume 13, Issue 2 (10-2009)
Abstract
Studing and explaining the regional power system structure in different geographical regions of the world help us effectively to know the regional countries and powers, specially to reveiew their overseas policies. Grading of such countries based on national power helps us to know them much better. We can determine the geopolitic position of each one of these countries through their geopolitic characteristics in relation to other countries of the world. To find out the geopolitic status of any country, testing the national power of that country is a "must". In other words, it is a necessary evaluate and calculate different physical and non-physical parameters in this sense. In fact, the resultant of the forces, weight or gravity and also the positive and negative elements of national power producers, i.e. the algebric sum of power producing elements will determine the geopolitical status of countries. National power that forms the geopolitical status of countries, is produced based on the indexes of geopolitical structure.Considering the situation of the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the Middle Eastern countries, and by studying and comparing the differences of power elements in these countries, one can determine the real place of Iran in this strategical region.
By determining the superior or inferior powers and also by knowing Iran’s status in the structure of this power system, the regional cooperations will be performed more clearly, and this will help the politicians and policy makers to protect the national interests and to materialize the national goals.
Volume 14, Issue 2 (3-2023)
Abstract
This article explores the genesis and consolidation of the Qom religious seminary in modern Iran. It’s argued that the emergence of this religious institution in Iran as a rival to seminaries in Iraq’s shrine cities, was the result of transformations within the Shia clergy and material forces in the Middle East. Contrary to the orthodox view that seeks a transcendental origin for this institution, it’s argued here that the almost simultaneous emergence of the modern state in Iran and Qom seminary was not a paradoxical process. It's argued here that following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the gradual decline of religious seminaries in Najaf and Karbala, Shia ulama were in need of a new place to survive. That material change encouraged them to relocate to Iran and work with a state that was deemed secular.
Volume 14, Issue 4 (1-2015)
Abstract
Political instability as one the domestic factors has the nearest interaction with the concept of economic security in influencing on production factors. In developing countries, uncertainty is created in an unstable political environment and violent behavior atmosphere. It results in reduction in the investment levels, failure in attracting foreign capital, and capital flight. Terrorism is one of the important political risk indicators. This study examines the effect of terrorism on inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Middle East region. The statistical sample includes Iran, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey over the period 1970-2008. Using panel data method, findings show that Terrorism has negative impact on FDI in selected countries. Adversely, GDP and Openness degree have positive impact on FDI.
Volume 18, Issue 3 (8-2018)
Abstract
This research aims to analyze interaction between governance and development in oil- exporting countries. In this regard, the interactions are compared in two groups of countries, namely oil-exporting countries in the Middle East and oil-exporting countries beyond the Middle East. The function of governance has become one of the fundamental issues, and the Middle East countries are particularly important for research because of their geographic location and oil revenues. In this paper, three-stage least squares method is used to estimate the model based on the World Bank data during 1996-2014, and Wald, Kruskal-Wallis, and Least Significant Difference (LSD) tests are used to check the research hypotheses. The results indicate a significant difference in interaction between governance and development among oil-exporting countries in the Middle East and those beyond the Middle East. In both groups of the countries, effect of development on governance was greater than that of the governance on development. Despite the similarity in oil exports, geographic environment (i.e. similarities in culture, religion, and some of customs) affects the interaction between governance and development. As such, paying adequate attention to the development not only improves its indices, but also enhances situation of the governance and hence improves their performance. This is also the case for the governance, but the rate of changes fueled by the development is higher.
Volume 19, Issue 3 (7-2012)
Abstract
Although the Zarzian was first identified in the 1920s, it has not been until recently that detailed investigations of it have been undertaken. In contrast to the intensive research on the Epipaleolithic period in the Levant, the Zarzian in the Zagros area is less well known, although it shares some similarities (as well as differences) with the Levantine Epipaleolithic including trajectories of hunter-gatherer subsistence and other behavioral strategies that may have played a role in long-term processes ultimately leading in both regions to the advent of food production economies
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2022)
Abstract
Financial instability can lead to failure in financial markets and create macroeconomic costs. Therefore, by examining this harmful event, we can achieve conditions of economic stability and security. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the financial instability of Middle Eastern countries during the years 2000 to 2019 in a dynamic model and using a two-stage system of Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). To reach this goal, the index of instability and financial development was created on the basis of the influential variables of the banking sector and the stock market in two groups of oil exporting and non-exporting countries in the region. The estimation results show the different effects of variables on financial instability in exporting and non-exporting countries. Most countries in the region are oil exporters and the results of the estimate confirm the negative and significant impact of financial development and economic growth on financial instability. Also, in order to create a more comprehensive view, the control variables of the terms of trade, government spending and inflation have been used in the model. The first lag of financial instability and inflation variable have positive and significant effects and the terms of trade and government spending have negative and significant effects on financial instability. In oil non-exporting countries, due to less financial instability than exporting countries, the relationship between a number of variables and financial instability was not significant and different results were obtained. It is recommended that policy makers reduce financial instability by controlling prices and directing liquidity and credits to production, reforming the level and composition of government spending, and improving trade relations.
Volume 31, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
The term “free zone” refers to designated areas in which companies are taxed very lightly and it enhances global market presence by attracting new business and foreign investments. For over a century, governments around the world have sought to boost and exploit the economic power of their particular regions and zones by designating them as “special” or “free” economic zones. The trend of establishing such zones or areas have gained momentum in the last four or five decades with countries accounting for small businesses and millions of direct or indirect jobs. The Middle East, especially the countries in the Persian Gulf, for some and other reasons, have particularly embarked on such a trend. The current paper tries to highlight benefits and challenges faced by free trade zones in Iran, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, taking into account recent global financial crises.
