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This study explores how local managers, in practicing Human Resource management (HRM), may pursue their own interests that are out of line with the agendas of headquarters in multinational companies (MNCs). It is widely acknowledged that informal networks have an impact on HRM practices in emerging markets. While these networks are often regarded as beneficial for organizations in compensating for institutional shortfalls, they may also lead to corruption, nepotism, or other ethical transgressions. Indigenous scholarship on informal networks in emerging markets has highlighted how their impact occurs through a dynamic process; powerful placeholders deploy informal networks to entrench existing power and authority relations when managing people. Qualitative data were gathered through 43 in‐depth interviews and documentary evidence from MNCs operating in Jordan. MNCs are subject to both home and host country effects; we highlight how, in practicing HRM, country of domicile managers deploy the cultural scripts of wasta informal network to secure and enhance their own relative authority. HRM practices are repurposed by actors who secure and consolidate their power through wasta. They dispense patronage to insiders and marginalize outsiders; the latter includes not only more vulnerable local employees but also expatriates. This phenomenon becomes particularly evident during the performance appraisal process, which may serve as a basis for the differential treatment and rewards of employees. Consequently, this further dilutes the capacity of MNCs to implement—as adverse to espousing—centrally decided approaches to HRM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the main factors that helped facilitate the transformation of Kuwait from an Emirate ‘Emarah’ (a non‐state) to an internationally recognised state during the rule of Sheikh Abdullah Al‐Salem from 1950 to 1965. It identifies the soft power actions and public relations communication strategies that facilitated the transformation of Kuwait from Sheikhdom to statehood. Sheikh Al‐Salem's strategies set the foundations for Kuwait to become recognised and respected in international affairs, not only in the Middle East but also globally. Data were collected and reviewed from the academic literature, from public records, legal documents, letters, press releases and newspaper and magazine articles as well as songs and TV interviews. The evidence shows that Sheikh Al‐Salem's use of soft power actions and public relations techniques were influential in facilitating the formation of the new state and made Kuwait an important player in the international arena while maintaining Arab nationalism and Islamic values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To accurately assess the current atmospheric methane budget and its future trends, it is essential to apportion and quantify the anthropogenic methane emissions to specific sources. This poses a significant challenge in the under‐sampled Middle East, where estimates predominantly depend on remote sensing observations and bottom‐up reporting of national emissions. Here, we present in situ shipborne observations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and non‐methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) collected along a >10,000‐km route from Vigo, Spain, to Abu Dhabi, UAE. By comparing our observations with Lagrangian dispersion model simulations, coupled with two methane emission inventories, we identify periods of considerable mismatch and apportion the responsible sources. Employing interspecies relationships with NMHCs has enabled the characterization of methane emissions from oil and gas (O&G) operations, urban centers, Red Sea deep water, enteric fermentation, and agriculture across diverse atmospheric environments. Our analysis reveals that the Suez area is a regional emission hotspot, where simulations consistently underestimate the methane emission sources. Importantly, the Middle Eastern O&G sector has been identified as an additional source of considerable uncertainty. Here, methane emissions were alternately underestimated and overestimated by the two inventories, exposing significant gaps in our understanding of fuel exploitation‐related emissions in the Middle East. This underscores the need for further targeted field campaigns and long‐term observations to improve the accuracy of emission data in the inventories. Plain Language Summary: For the mitigation of human‐induced methane emissions, a detailed characterization of its numerous sources is vital. This is particularly challenging in understudied regions where the source attribution and emission strength thus far relies on satellite observations and country reports. Although such data, representing the entire atmospheric column, are invaluable, source specific emission estimates remain highly uncertain. In this study, we used shipborne measurements of methane to evaluate the performance of two emission inventories commonly used in computer‐based models to simulate methane atmospheric concentrations. The relationships between methane and various co‐emitted reactive trace gases revealed the causes of discrepancies between observations and model simulations. Our results show that, while models are generally reliable at capturing high methane concentrations, they are deficient in the Suez and Middle East areas due to inadequate characterization of emissions from Oil and Gas operations. The research outcomes of this study underscore the crucial role of ground‐based observations in improving the accuracy of methane emission inventories and their reporting, and in supporting evidence‐based policies to mitigate climate change and improve air quality. Key Points: The Suez Canal and the Gulf of Suez are regional pollution hotspots with underestimated methane emission sourcesDiscrepancies between observed and modeled methane mixing ratios were resolved using non‐methane hydrocarbon observationsMethane sources from the oil and gas exploitation sector in the Middle East are particularly uncertain in emission inventories [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a retrospective study of paediatric and adolescent patients in Abu Dhabi, UAE, who experienced their first unprovoked seizure between March 2016 and March 2020, with a minimum one‐year follow‐up, we identified significant risk factors associated with seizure recurrence. Among 317 patients, 96.2% experienced seizure recurrence, with the majority (68.8%) occurring within the first 6‐month follow‐up period. Notable risk factors for recurrence included focal seizures, symptomatic seizure causes, abnormal initial electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging results, and the presence of neurological disorders. Interestingly, the type of epileptiform activity in the initial EEG did not predict recurrence risk. Over a 3‐year period, the overall recurrence risk was 98.4%, particularly higher in cases with symptomatic seizures compared to idiopathic (genetic) ones. These findings underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring, particularly in the early post‐seizure follow‐up period, and advocate for initial EEG assessments, especially in cases of remote symptomatic first unprovoked seizures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School feeding programs can support children's nutrition, health, and education in emergencies. This study assessed the feasibility, trade‐offs, cost efficiency, and perceived benefits of school feeding modalities operating in urban Yemen. It draws on primary data from a qualitative evaluation with 21 school feeding implementers and 88 beneficiaries conducted in Feb–Mar 2023, and secondary data from a desk review of published and program literature on school feeding operations. Results showed that school feeding provided students with on average 18%, 40%, and 66% of daily energy, protein, and micronutrient requirements, respectively. Models including fortified snacks were 3–11 times more cost‐efficient in terms of nutrient delivery. The most prominent strength of the models examined were the perceived benefits on child, family, and financial outcomes. Among the main weaknesses was the poor nutritional quality of the meal, which in turn emerged as a primary opportunity to improve school feeding through hybrid models providing a combination of fortified snacks and healthy meals. Other weaknesses such as poor water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, and desired improvements such as the school kitchen and canteen, require considerable investments. Hybrid models are cost‐efficient, acceptable, and feasible in Yemen and can serve the diet and nutrition needs of school‐aged children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet‐based interventions have proven to be effective for the treatment of depression in different samples, but evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and efficacy of an internet‐based cognitive behavioural writing intervention for Arabic‐speaking participants with depression living in the MENA region. A total of 259 participants (167 female, age in years: M = 25.58, SD = 6.39) with depressive symptoms indicative of clinical relevance were randomly allocated to a treatment group (TG; nTG = 128) or a waitlist control group (WG; nWG = 131). The TG received an internet‐based intervention over a 6‐week period. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms, and secondary outcomes were anxiety and quality of life (QoL). T‐tests with change scores from pre‐ to post‐treatment were used for data analyses. Intention‐to‐treat (ITT) as well as completer analyses were calculated. The ITT analysis revealed significant differences between the TG and WG in depression (T257 = −4.89, p < 0.001, d = 0.70) and QoL (T257 = 3.39, p < 0.001, d = 0.47). Significant differences regarding anxiety symptoms (T257 = 3.25, p < 0.05, d = 0.53) were identified for the completer sample. The general dropout rate was 39.9%. The results indicate the feasibility and efficacy of an internet‐based cognitive behavioural writing intervention in adults from Arabic‐speaking countries. The development and implementation of such interventions can be used to improve access to psychological help and adequate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to comprehend the contributions of Iran's health‐care system (HCS) in the "crisismanship" of the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic from the perspectives of citizens, policy makers, managers, and public sector employees. The primary question is what have been the contributions of Iran's HCS in the crisismanship of COVID‐19? The study was designed and conducted using a qualitative strategy. It is reported that three core contributions were made: (1) the leadership of "a whole of crisis governance," (2) the leading "a whole of crisis management," and (3) conducting "a whole of operational activities during the COVID‐19." Through this empirical study, we hope to fill a gap by examining the leadership contributions of the Iranian HCS in fighting COVID‐19. The findings of this study can provide researchers and thinkers with insights into policy and strategy making in times of crises such as those surrounding COVID‐19. Related Articles: Kasseeah, Harshana, and Susan Opp. 2023. "Wicked policy problems and COVID‐19 in small island developing states: The cases of Mauritius and Seychelles." Politics & Policy 51(6): 1008–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12565. Onyango, Gedion, and Japheth Otieno Ondiek. 2022. "Open Innovation during the COVID‐19 Pandemic Policy Responses in South Africa and Kenya." Politics & Policy 50(5): 1008–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12490. Vince, Joanna. 2023. "A Creeping Crisis When an Urgent Crisis Arises: The Reprioritization of Plastic Pollution Issues during COVID‐19." Politics & Policy 51(1): 26–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12512. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the relationship between corporate governance and carbon accounting disclosure (CAD) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to address how firms can achieve sustainable development goal (SDG) 13. We employed purposive sampling to select 277 companies from 20 MENA countries from the period 2012–2022. A favorable relationship was found between board independence and CAD. Gender diversity was also found to have a beneficial effect on CAD. The sustainability committee and CAD also had a positive and significant connection. A positive association was also found between foreign nationals and CAD. We found positive and significant connection between board meetings and CAD. In contrast, we found a negative relationship between board size and CAD, as well as between boards with CEOs duality and CAD. We also found that shareholding proportion has inverse but insignificant impact on CAD. The results concur that corporate boards have a role to reduce carbon emission in MENA to accomplish SDG 13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the author's deep conflict regarding the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel's military actions, particularly in Rafah. Topics include the unresolved status of Palestinians in the West Bank, the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza exacerbated by Israeli military actions, and the violations of international humanitarian law that have led to increased suffering among civilians in both regions.

Animal domestication led to changes in the interaction between animals and humans, including new ways of exploitation, which could potentially leave lesions on the animals' bones. This study aims to examine changes in the prevalence of pathological manifestation following changes in human‐animal interactions as a result their domestication. For this purpose, we studied 19,565 animal remains recovered from archaeological excavations, dated from the Pre‐Pottery Neolithic period to historical periods and assigned the pathologies into types. Of these, 60 animal remains presented pathological lesions. The suspected pathological cases were validated using a microscope, X‐ray, and/or micro‐CT scan. Lesions were divided into four categories: trauma, aging/musculoskeletal stress marks (MSM), periodontal diseases, and inflammatory processes. Then, our database was combined with previously published data to a total of 26,596 animal remains, out of which 128 demonstrated pathological lesions. We found that the prevalence of lesions in animals was higher in the historical periods compared with prehistoric periods. Moreover, based on a comparison between recent gazelles living in captivity and those living in the wild, we found that captivity resulted in the deterioration of the animals' health. We concluded that pathologies were more frequent in livestock in historic periods, in comparison with wild species and livestock from earlier periods. Such lesions were common not only in working livestock (cattle and donkeys) but also in non‐working domesticates (caprines and chickens) and companion animals (dogs and cats). Variations in the pathological frequencies between these three categories may be attributed to differences in exploitation, including the intensification of farming and herding. Finally, this study provides a unique reference dataset for zooarchaeologists when studying ancient animal assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although violent extremism is often attributed to clinical (dysfunctional) dispositions, it is also possible that violent Jihadists might be clinically "normal" but bear certain personality signatures. This alternative view has yet to be tested. Method: In six studies, employing hard‐to‐reach Muslim samples, including one study of former Mujahideen, we investigated the relationship between basic personality traits and violent extremism. We further used a known group paradigm to validate the personality signatures of violent extremism, comparing a sample of former Mujahideen with another sample from Afghanistan. Results: These studies and an internal meta‐analysis revealed that Lower Openness to Experience, lower Emotionality, and lower Altruism were associated with more violent intentions to support Muslims. Higher Altruism was associated with higher levels of nonviolent intention to support Muslims. Supporting the validity of the nonviolent intention measure, similar associations were found in Study 3 with overt behavioral support of Muslims (donations). More important, compared to the nonMujahideen, the Mujahideen sample scored lower on average on, for instance, Openness, indicating that these results go beyond self‐reported, findings. Conclusion: We demonstrated that personality predicts violent and nonviolent defense of Muslims among four general populations of Muslims living in the West and in Asia (including the Middle East), and a sample of Mujahideen in Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lebanon is a country in the Middle East that had been witnessing nutrition transition to a westernized diet high in trans fats (TFs) and saturated fatty acids (TFAs) that had been linked to cardiovascular diseases and many other health issues. This study examines TF‐related awareness, knowledge, and self‐reported behaviors among a sample of Lebanese adults aged between 18 and 64 years, as well as their association with sociodemographic factors and anthropometric measurements. Using a multicomponent questionnaire, a cross‐sectional study was conducted online, across all Lebanese regions based on a convenience sampling method (n = 401). Factors associated with TF‐related awareness, knowledge, and behaviors were examined by multivariate linear regression analysis. The study highlighted specific gaps in TF‐related awareness, knowledge, and behavioral practices as well as differences by sociodemographic factors. Most of the participants (36%) had heard of partly hydrogenated oils (PHOs) rather than TFs (49%). A higher proportion of respondents (54%) said they understood a little about TFs, the majority had inadequate knowledge about the foods that contain TFs, and 44% said they would not give up eating their favorite snack even if they knew it contains TFs. Overall, consumers' awareness and knowledge about TFs are rather low and the majority had fair behavioral practices. In addition, being a woman and having higher education level were significantly associated with higher levels of TFs awareness, knowledge, and behavior scores. Higher behavior scores were shown in older participants, married, and those who had part‐time jobs, whereas having higher income and normal weight were significantly associated with higher awareness scores. These findings offer valuable insight into TF‐related awareness, knowledge, and behaviors in a sample of Lebanese adults and provide key information that could spur the development of evidence‐based TFs reduction interventions specific to the Middle East. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over consumption of added sugar beyond the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of 10% of daily energy intake has well‐established negative health consequences including oral diseases. However, the average consumption of added sugar in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA—World Bank's regional classification) is 70% higher than the WHO recommended level. Imposing taxes on added sugar has been proposed by the WHO to decrease its consumption. Yet, only 21.6% of the total MENA population are covered by taxation policies targeting added sugar. Challenges: Well‐recognized challenges for the implementation of sugar taxation in MENA include the tactics used by the food and beverage industry to block these type of policies. However, there are also other unfamiliar hurdles specific to MENA. Historically, there have been incidents of protest and riots partially sparked by increased price of basic commodities, including sugar, in MENA countries. This may affect the readiness of policy makers in the region to impose added sugar taxes. In addition, there are also cultural, lifestyle and consumption behavioural barriers to implementing added sugar taxation. Ultra‐processed foods and sugar‐sweetened‐beverages (SSBs) rich in added sugar are perceived by many in MENA as essential treats regardless of their health risks. Furthermore, some countries even provide subsidies for added sugar. Also, (oral) healthcare providers generally do not engage in policy advocacy mainly due to limited training on health policy. Ways forward: Here, we discuss these challenges and suggest some ways forward such as (1) support from a health‐oriented political leadership, (2) raising public awareness about the health risks of over consumption of sugar, (3) transparency during the policy‐cycle development process, (4) providing a free and safe environment for a community dialogue around the proposed policy, (5) training of (oral) healthcare professionals on science communication and policy advocacy in local lay language/dialect, ideally evidence informed from local/regional studies, (6) selecting the appropriate political window of opportunity to introduce a sugar tax policy, and (7) clear and strict conflict of interest regulations to limit the influence of commercial players on health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transplantation of European legal systems in the periphery often occurred via semi‐colonial institutions, where Europeans were subject to their own jurisdictions that placed them outside the reach of local courts. In nineteenth‐century Egypt, the option of extraterritoriality was extended to local non‐Muslims. Drawing on Egypt's population censuses in 1848 and 1868, we show that locals did not seek extraterritoriality to place themselves under more efficient jurisdictions. Rather, legal protection mitigated uncertainty about which law would apply to any contractual relationship in an environment where multiple legal systems co‐existed and overlapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimate a gravity model for 205 countries, with data from 1954 to 2014, allowing for multiple layers of heterogeneity. The first layer arises from the interactions between a set of traditional gravity variables. The second one comes from country pairs that differ in values of the binary time‐independent gravity variables. Further layers come from different income groups and regions. Our results show the importance of heterogeneities at various levels. For instance, landlockedness is less restrictive when trading partners are contiguous or colonially linked. We also find, for example, that the positive interaction between landlockedness and contiguity is more (less) pronounced when non‐high‐income countries import (export) or when Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries import, and the negative interaction between landlockedness and language similarities is stronger when MENA countries export. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a high‐frequency survey in Yemen, we demonstrate how school attendance responds to a series of conflict‐related shocks. First, there are a number of plausibly exogenous events that significantly change the severity of violence but have limited impacts on school attendance. These events include the capture of the southern capital by secessionist forces, an unexpected partial ceasefire, and the capture of a governorate from the internationally recognized government by Houthi forces. Second, we demonstrate how shocks aside from living in close proximity to violence—institutional declines and macroeconomic shocks associated with the conflict—can have large impacts on school attendance and the ability to afford essential services. For example, a teacher strike associated with conflict‐induced instiutional declines caused an immediate doubling of the share of households with poor school attendance. Combined, the results better illustrate some of the mechanisms by which conflict impedes school attendance and human capital formation, and the results have implications for education assistance being delivered in conflict settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence is absent in the legal, policy and programmatic landscape of online child sexual exploitation in countries in the Global South. Our work begins to contribute to filling this literature gap, drawing evidence from Tunisia, one of the least studied countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We reviewed legal and policy documents directly or indirectly connected to online child sexual exploitation, complemented with interviews from diverse actors in the child protection space at the national and sub‐national levels. We note that Tunisia is a signatory to several international and regional treaties and conventions that can be leveraged to tackle online sexual exploitation of children. Still, these have yet to be fully exploited for the benefit of children. Furthermore, we observed several disparate laws at the country level. These laws are scattered in many legal documents, and some aspects could be more specific, but currently not, which poses significant legal challenges to protecting children. Finally, many institutions implementing programmes in this space create less coordination and sometimes confusion. At best, interventions seem ad hoc without any clear mandate of specificity in institutional leadership. The implications of the findings for policies and programmes are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration is a prevalent social concern in the Middle East/North Africa. In addition to emigration, the countries struggle to incorporate immigrant and transiting populations. This article examines the influence of ethnodoxy—the linking of Arab and Muslim identity—on public opinion on immigrants and migration in the MENA region. Using original surveys of Egyptian and Moroccan Muslims from February and May–June 2023, it shows the more ethnodoxic respondents are, the more likely they are to hold anti‐immigrant views. These results are consistent with the principle that social identity complexity encourages tolerance and change acceptance. Thus, this study contributes to the growing literature on comparative race and ethnic politics and to the understanding of religion's role in political attitude formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbon is an attractive adsorbent for capturing various environmental pollutants, including CO2. Herein, an optimal synthesis and impressive performance of activated carbon made from Balanites aegyptiaca (Desert date) seed shells is reported, which is an abundant agricultural waste in the Middle East and Africa. The synthesis route involved pretreating the biomass with KOH and heating it under a suitable temperature profile. An optimal KOH‐to‐biomass ratio and multi‐stage carbonization yielded activated carbon with a surface area above 3000 m2/g and an average pore size of nearly 4.1 nm. At 0 °C, this activated carbon exhibited CO2 uptake of 11.3 mmol g−1 that surpassed the uptake capacity of previously reported activated carbons. The selectivity towards CO2 was also found to be significantly higher compared to other gases. Thus, the present approach demonstrates an efficient conversion of agricultural waste to activated carbon for capturing CO2 and other environmental contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Deserts represent dynamic ecosystems that support communities of endemic and specialised species. We analysed the role of present and past climatic conditions in shaping the distribution of the widespread Bunopus geckos in the Arabian and south‐west Asian deserts. We studied their phylogeographic and demographic history to test whether the Bunopus geckos colonised Arabia from Asia or, vice versa, Asia from Arabia and to identify migration corridors that have historically enabled the dispersal of Bunopus geckos. Location: The Middle East, especially the Arabian Peninsula. Taxon: Genus Bunopus (Squamata; Gekkonidae). Methods: We generated sequence data for four genes and performed maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and time‐calibrated phylogenetic analyses and ancestral area reconstruction to infer the phylogenetic and biogeographic history of the genus. We modelled the species' distribution and projected it to several past time periods spanning from mid‐Pliocene to the present. We analysed contemporary landscape connectivity across the peninsula to identify dispersal corridors that enable migration and promote gene flow among Bunopus populations in Arabia. Results: Bunopus is formed by deeply divergent lineages that correspond to up to eight candidate species. The genus originated in southwest Asia and dispersed to Arabia in the late Miocene. The Arabian populations were stable through most of their history in terms of size and distribution extent. Major corridors for contemporary Bunopus dispersal stretch along the eastern Arabian coasts from where they cross through the peninsula to the northern Red Sea coasts. Main Conclusions: The evolutionary history of Bunopus was substantially influenced by paleoenvironmental conditions. The generalist habits and ground‐dwelling lifestyle enabled the geckos to colonise most of the arid regions of southwest Asia, with Arabia being colonised from the Iranian Plateau in the late Miocene. The distribution extent of Bunopus responded to the past climatic and habitat oscillations; the range was fragmented during moist climatic phases, and it expanded in times of increased aridity. The genus requires taxonomic revision to formally assess its diversity. Based on the results obtained in this study, Crossobamon orientalis is reassigned to Bunopus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the impact of converting from subscription‐based publishing to open access ("flipping") in three obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) journals. Methods: We compared original articles in three OBGYN journals during a matched subscription‐based and open access publishing period. We analyzed citation metrics and country of authorship. Results: Overall, 1522 studies were included; of those, 869 (57.1%) were before flipping and 653 (42.9%) were after flipping. There was a decrease in publications by lower‐middle income countries from 7.7% in subscription‐based publishing to 1.8% in open access (P < 0.001). There was a decrease in the proportion of articles from South Asia (2.5% vs 0.5%), North America (14.4% vs 9.4%), and the Middle East (7.4% vs 2.5%), and an increase in publications from East Asia and Pacific (17.4% vs 30.9%; P < 0.001). The relative citation ratio was higher in the open access period (median 1.65 vs 0.95, P < 0.001). The number of citations per year was higher in the open access period (median 3.0 vs 2.0, P < 0.001). There was an increase in the proportion of funded studies (from 40.2% to 47.8%; P = 0.003). Conclusions: Flipping to open access in OBGYN journals is associated with a citation advantage with major authorship changes, leading to inequity. Synopsis: Transition to open access leads to a citation advantage, coupled with increasing gaps in equity of authorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Syrian uprising and subsequent civil war have been extensively studied with a predominant emphasis on sectarianism between the Sunni and Alawite sects. This narrow focus overlooks the profound influence of other religious and ethnic elements within Syrian society. This article aims to broaden the analytical lens by examining the position and attitudes of Christians in the Al‐Hasakah governorate regarding the Syrian uprising and opposition forces. The article addresses two key inquiries: first, the factors influencing Christians' position in Al‐Hasakah regarding the Syrian uprising, and second, the ramifications of these positions on intercommunal relationships in the region. The paper argues that the collective memory of fear experienced by Christians, manipulated by the Syrian regime, has contributed to the emergence of "sectarianism from below" and "sectarianism from above." The former reflects the construction of sectarian identities by Christians in response to discrimination and marginalization, while the latter pertains to influential institutions perpetuating sectarian identities and divisions. The findings highlight the complex interplay of factors shaping communal attitudes and relations during times of upheaval and conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the sources of Turkish, Iranian, and Saudi soft power in the Middle East through the utilization of Joseph Nye's soft power concept. The study is based on three claims. The first claim argues that there exists an increasing discrepancy between espoused values and actual practices in Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia at home, which may undermine their soft power. The second claim contends that cognizant of the fact that the Palestinian cause is a major concern for most of the Middle Eastern people, all of the three states pursue an active foreign policy to alleviate the plight of the Palestinians. Finally, the last claim upholds that Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia have been benefitting, albeit to varying extents, from high culture products such as education and popular culture products such as mass entertainment and tourism to appeal to the public in the Middle East. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longstanding evidence in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries shows a high prevalence of unemployment and informality among a large fraction of population, and at the same time gender disparities in labour force participation and occupational mobility. Why is there such persistent labour‐market segmentation? What is the impact and potential of various formalisation policies? An overview of the informal economy across three middle‐income MENA countries (Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia) is provided with respect to taxonomy, coverage and drivers. Transition matrices and multinomial logistic regressions are applied to longitudinal microdata from Labour‐Market Panel Surveys, focusing on workers' occupational mobility in relation to their previous status, age cohort, gender and other demographics. Persistent segmentation and low occupational mobility in all countries suggest that informal employment is not driven by choice on the labour supply side but by structural constraints on the demand side. Existing formalisation policies based on distinct stick and carrot strategies, and targeting of existing businesses and workers achieve rather modest impacts. One recommendation to supplement policies for decent jobs creation is to promote social and solidarity enterprises and extend microfinance to informal enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline of habitats supporting medicinal plants is a consequence of climate change and human activities. In the Middle East, Ferulago angulata, Ferulago carduchorum, and Ferulago phialocarpa are widely recognized for their culinary, medicinal, and economic value. Therefore, this study models these Ferulago species in Iran using the MaxEnt model under two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) for 2050 and 2070. The objective was to identify the most important bioclimatic (n = 6), edaphic (n = 4), and topographic (n = 3) variables influencing their distribution and predict changes under various climate scenarios. Findings reveal slope percentage as the most significant variable for F. angulata and F. carduchorum, while solar radiation was the primary variable for F. phialocarpa. MaxEnt modeling demonstrated good to excellent performance, as indicated by all the area under the curve values exceeding 0.85. Projections suggest negative area changes for F. angulata and F. carduchorum (i.e., predictions under RCP4.5 for 2050 and 2070 indicate −34.0% and −37.8% for F. phialocarpa, and −0.3% and −6.2% for F. carduchorum; additionally, predictions under RCP 8.5 for 2050 and 2070 show −39.0% and −52.2% for F. phialocarpa, and −1.33% and −9.8% for F. carduchorum), while for F. phialocarpa, a potential habitat increase (i.e., predictions under RCP4.5 for 2050 and 2070 are 23.4% and 11.2%, and under RCP 8.5 for 2050 and 2070 are 64.4% and 42.1%) is anticipated. These insights guide adaptive management strategies, emphasizing conservation and sustainable use amid global climate change. Special attention should be paid to F. angulata and F. carduchorum due to anticipated habitat loss. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1046–1059. © 2024 SETAC Key Points: This national study on Ferulago species reveals a substantial decline in medicinal plant habitats triggered by climate change.For Ferulago angulata and Ferulago carduchorum, slope percentage emerges as the pivotal variable, while solar radiation takes precedence for Ferulago phialocarpa.MaxEnt modeling demonstrated robust performance, with all area under the curve values exceeding 0.85, ensuring reliable predictions.Projections suggest negative area changes for F. angulata and F. carduchorum, emphasizing potential habitat loss, while for F. phialocarpa a habitat increase is anticipated, providing valuable insights for adaptive management strategies amid global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 2nd most common cancer and 3rd most common cause of death in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region. We aimed to explore CRC stage at diagnosis data from population‐based cancer registries in MENA countries. In 2021, we launched a Global Initiative for Cancer Registry Development (GICR) survey on staging practices and breast and CRC stage distributions in MENA. According to the survey results, population‐based data on TNM stage for CRC were available from six registries in five countries (Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Türkiye, UAE). The proportion of cases with unknown TNM stage ranged from 14% in Oman to 47% in Casablanca, Morocco. The distribution of CRC cases with known stage showed TNM stage IV proportions of 26–45%, while the proportions of stage I cancers were lowest in Morocco (≤7%), and highest (19%) in Izmir, Türkiye. Summary extent of disease data was available from six additional registries and four additional countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar). In summary, the proportions of CRC diagnosed with distant metastases in Oman, Bahrain and UAE were lower than other MENA countries in our study, but higher than in European and the US populations. Harmonising the use of staging systems and focusing stage data collection efforts on major cancers, such as CRC, is needed to monitor and evaluate progress in CRC control in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonrenewable energy sources have been shown to be a cause of conflict and terrorism, highlighting the global conflict aspect, but little is known about the causal relationship between the energy system and terrorism in Turkey. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the causal links among renewable energy consumption, fossil fuels, terrorist attacks, education, trade opening, and geopolitical risks in Turkey from 1980 to 2016. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and Granger causality tests, the study analyzes the short and long‐term relationships between the variables. Additionally, robustness tests are conducted using a powerful multiresolution ARDL approach to ensure the stability of the statistical findings. The results reveal the existence of long‐term relationships between all the variables, particularly among terrorism, renewable energy, and education. In the short term, a one‐way relationship exists between terrorism and education to renewable energies and from trade openness to terrorism. The study demonstrates that nonrenewable energy increases terrorism in the long term, whereas renewable energy and trade openness reduce terrorism, highlighting the potential impact of global conflicts on Turkey's sustainable development. Therefore, renewable energy is a powerful tool to fight against terrorism, and Turkey has encouraged its use and deployment of diplomatic efforts to resolve political and military conflicts, particularly in the Middle East. This study provides insights into the complex relationship among sustainable energy consumption, terrorism, education, and trade opening, contributing to the understanding of the geopolitical risks and economics in Turkey. It has implications for policymakers in the region, highlighting the importance of renewable energy and trade openness as tools for conflict resolution and sustainable development in the face of global conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do political crises affect the interaction between economic and political outcomes? In this paper, we study one of the consequences of political turmoil by empirically examining whether the Arab Spring influenced the relationship between corruption and income inequality. Using panel data from 1996 to 2019 for the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, we find that while corruption is positively associated with income inequality, the interaction term between corruption and the Arab Spring is negatively associated with income inequality. This result is consistent with the view that corruption has become more democratized after the Arab Spring. We use instrumental variable (IV) analysis to address potential endogeneity issues. Our findings suggest that not only studying the direct effects of political crises on economic and institutional variables is important, but studying their effects on shaping the association between economic and institutional variables can be insightful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mesoscale dynamics of a record‐breaking Atmospheric River (AR) that impacted the Middle East in mid‐April 2023 and caused property damage and loss of life are investigated using model, reanalysis and observational data. The high‐resolution (2.5 km) simulations revealed the presence of AR rapids, narrow and long convective structures embedded within the AR that generated heavy precipitation (>4 mm hr−1) as they moved at high speeds (>30 m s−1) from northeastern Africa into western Iran. Gravity waves triggered by the complex terrain in Saudi Arabia further intensified their effects. Given the rising frequency of ARs in this region, AR rapids may be even more impactful in a warming climate, and need to be accounted for in reanalysis and numerical models. Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) are narrow and long bands of high water vapor content, which largely originate in the tropics or subtropics and propagate into mid‐ and high‐latitudes. They can bring beneficial rain and snow but, in particular the most intense, can lead to catastrophic flooding and loss of life. One of such occurrences in the Middle East in mid‐April 2023 is investigated using model and observational data. The high‐resolution (2.5 km) simulation put in evidence narrow (5–15 km) and long (100–200 km) convective structures within the AR, known as AR rapids, which produced heavy precipitation (>4 mm hr−1), further enhanced by gravity waves that developed over the high terrain in western Saudi Arabia, and propagated at high speeds (>30 m s−1). ARs are occurring more frequently in the Middle East as they are globally, and with increased atmospheric water vapor in a warming climate, AR rapids may be even more destructive. Key Points: The exceptional and impactful Atmospheric River of mid‐April 2023 in the Middle East is investigated with model and observational dataA 2.5 km simulation reveals the presence of "Atmospheric River rapids," narrow along‐flow structures that generated rain rates >4 mm hr−1Model simulations and ground‐based observations underlined the effects of the Atmospheric River and associated trailing cold front [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Background Methods Results Conclusion This study examines perceptions of change in intimate relationships among partnered, immigrant women in New York City during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. We pay close attention to how structural oppression, particularly related to undocumented immigration status, shaped women's experiences with their intimate partners during a period of social upheaval.COVID‐19 has exacerbated many existing structural inequities and subsequent stressors that have been shown to have an adverse effect on intimate relationships, including increased economic instability and mental health distress. Immigrant women may be particularly vulnerable to relationship strain because of intersecting social and structural inequities.We draw on in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews among a heterogenous sample of 22 women with varied legal status from Latin America, South and East Asia, and the Middle East.Findings reveal three primary pathways through which structural inequities shaped women's experiences with intimate partnership strain, including financial and material scarcity; uneven caregiving burdens; and constrained access to support in situations of violence and abuse.Our analysis demonstrates ways that structural oppression, particularly driven by exclusionary immigration laws, influences intimate partner relationships through the legal status of immigrant women. Understanding how structural oppression shapes immigrant partnerships is essential for the field of family demography and for family‐serving professionals in referring clients to resources and services, as well as helping women explore sources of resilience and coping within their families and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescents' attachment security toward parental figures has been assessed in multiple cultures and languages. In some cultural contexts, the presence of a secondary parental figure is ubiquitous, though its effect on children's and adolescents' well‐being has been understudied. The present study aimed to validate a culture‐specific Arabic instrument of attachment security, in an adolescent sample of Qatar. Since foreign domestic workers (Khadama) play a key role as secondary caring figures in Middle Eastern countries, the new instrument included parents (i.e., mother and father) and domestic workers as providers of attachment security. Methods: A sample of 387 adolescents (ages 12–17 years; 48.3% females) participated in the study in the 2020–2021 school term. While 286 students completed the version in modern Arabic, 101 counterparts attending international schools filled in the English version for comparison purposes. Results: Confirmatory Factor Analysis for all three forms (i.e., mother, father, and domestic worker) showed the one‐dimension of the Arabic tool. Optimal Tucker's Phi coefficient indicated a comparable one‐factor structure of attachment security across linguistic versions. Moderate correlations (positive and negative, respectively) of attachment security towards father and mother (but not towards domestic workers) with family cohesion and family conflict dimensions of the Family Environment Scale provided evidence for the concurrent validity. Discussion: Gender differences in the links between adolescents' attachment security and family conflict were observed; culturally relevant relationship family patterns are stressed. The practical implications of the Arabic Inventory of Parent and Domestic Worker Attachment (A‐IPDWA) validation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and ams: Despite the evident public health impact, the extent and patterns of alcohol use in the Eastern Mediterranean countries remain understudied. The latest estimation for the last 12‐month use of alcohol in the region was 2.9% in 2016 by the World Health Organization. We reviewed the main indicators for alcohol consumption in the region since 2010. Methods: We systematically searched on‐line databases until September 2023, together with other global and regional sources for studies on the adult general population (aged ≥ 15 years) and young general populations (aged < 18 years) and studies on the treatment‐seeking individuals with substance use in Eastern Mediterranean countries. Studies were included from 22 countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Results: A total of 148 were included (n = 95 on the prevalence of alcohol use, n = 46 on the prevalence of alcohol use disorder, regular use and heavy episodic drinking, n = 35 on alcohol use pattern among people who use substances and one report on alcohol per capita consumption, n = 29 had data for more than one category). The pooled prevalence of the last 12‐month alcohol use in the adult general population was 9.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 6.4–13.7] among males, 2.8% (95% CI = 1.3–5.5\) among females and 6.2% (95% CI = 3.9–9.6) in both sexes in the region, with notable subregional variations. Data on the prevalence of alcohol use disorder and heavy drinking were limited to several countries, with heterogeneous indicators. The pooled estimate of alcohol as the primary substance of use among treatment‐seeking people who used substances was 16.9% (95% CI = 8.8–26.9). Conclusions: More than 30 million adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region used alcohol in the last 12 months, with a prevalence of 6.2%. This is far fewer than the global estimate of 43% of the population aged 15 years and above, but is approximately two times more than the previous estimate (2.9%), reported by the World Health Organization in 2016, which might show an increasing trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk perception of lay people is believed to be guided by qualitative characteristics of risk they perceive. Outrage factors refer to perceived characteristics of risk that arouse emotional responses and thereby influence risk perception. Conducting a content analysis of coronavirus disease 2019 online news coverage, we identified outrage factors embedded in news stories to determine how those factors are associated with audience engagement, measured by counting news consumer comments and clicks on emotional expressions on each news story. As a result, the average outrage score for a news story was significantly associated with the number of clicks on emotional expressions and comments. When it comes to individual outrage factors, a news story covering a case of violation against social distancing or other governmental guidelines was found to be accompanied by more comments and more emotional expressions, indicating the strongest power of moral nature. The outrage factor of voluntariness, human origin, accident history and controllability were also associated with one or both types of the audience responses. The news stories of business owners who involuntarily shut down their businesses or those comparing the current pandemic to Middle East respiratory syndrome that broke out in 2015 in the nation showed a similar pattern of audience engagement. Furthermore, liberal media were more likely to convey outrage factors than media with a less liberal orientation, which was manifested in the outrage score for each story. We discuss the potential of outrage factors as a new content‐based factor for audience engagement in online risk communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While aspiring to be a diverse and global science, developmental science continues to be dominated by EuroAmerican epistemologies, researchers, and communities in its published scholarship. Adolescents in communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America comprise 85% of the world's adolescent population, and yet their experiences and perspectives are marginalized in our science. Adolescents in the Majority World live in highly diverse social, cultural, political, economic, educational and healthcare contexts that contribute to their development, and we have much to learn from their experiences. This article situates the marginalization of the global majority within coloniality embedded in developmental science. The article describes the impetus for this special issue Towards a decolonial developmental science and the process of putting it together, along with providing an overview of the 18 articles in this collection that push us towards decoloniality. The special issue serves as a call to transform developmental science to be decolonial by empowering adolescent development in Majority World communities to take center stage. Adolescent development research from Majority World communities has the potential to challenge the knowledge base generated from Minority World samples, contributing to a science that is comprehensive, inclusive, and can inform prevention and intervention efforts to support the well‐being of adolescents globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research shows positive bystander intervention effectively mitigates bullying experiences. Yet, more evidence regarding bystander responses to bias‐based social exclusion (BSE) is needed in intergroup contexts, especially in the majority world and in areas of intractable conflict. This study assessed the effectiveness of skills and skills + contact‐based interventions for BSE among 148 Palestinian Citizens of Israel (Mage = 10.55) and 154 Jewish‐Israeli (Mage = 10.54) early adolescents (Girls = 52.32%) in Tel Aviv‐Yafo. Bystander responses were assessed by participants' reactions to hypothetical BSE scenarios over three time points. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed both interventions significantly increased positive and decreased negative bystander responses, with changes maintained at the follow‐up. The opposite result pattern emerged for the control group. Findings suggest that both interventions can effectively encourage youth to publicly challenge BSE, even amidst intractable conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: The metabolically‐based liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common cause of chronic liver disease currently affecting 38% of the world's adult population. NAFLD can be progressive leading to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver transplantation, liver cancer, liver‐related mortality and is associated with decreased quality of life from impaired physical functioning and increased healthcare resource utilisation. However, screening for NAFLD is cost‐prohibitive but screening for high risk NAFLD (NAFLD with F2 fibrosis or greater) is imperative. Aim: To review the global perspective on NAFLD and NASH Methods: We retrieved articles from PubMed using search terms NAFLD, prevalence, clinical burden, economic burden and management strategies. Results: NAFLD/NASH shows geographical variation across the globe. Highest prevalence rates are in South America and the Middle East and North Africa; lowest prevalence is in Africa. NAFLD's economic impact is from direct and indirect medical costs and loss in worker productivity. It is projected that, over the next two decades, the total cost of NAFLD and diabetes will exceed $1.5 trillion (USD). Risk stratification algorithms identifying "high risk NAFLD" were made following non‐invasive tests for NAFLD identification and fibrosis development. These algorithms should be used in primary care and endocrinology settings so timely and appropriate interventions (lifestyle and cardiometabolic risk factor management) can be initiated. Conclusions: To reduce the burgeoning burden of NAFLD/NASH, management should include risk stratification algorithms for accurate identification of patients, linkage to appropriate settings, and initiation of effective treatment regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epiploic appendagitis (EPA) is an uncommon emergency surgical condition that causes acute abdominal pain, rendering a list of differential diagnoses. Therefore, careful examination and imaging tools are required. EPA is a self‐limiting condition that can be resolved in 1–2 weeks and rarely needs surgical intervention. Its low incidence makes EPA less well‐known among the public and some medical professionals, and it is frequently under‐diagnosed. We aimed to explore the incidence, clinical presentation, modalities of imaging to diagnose and options for treating EPA. Methods: An observational retrospective analysis was conducted between 2016 and 2022 at a tertiary hospital in an Arab Middle Eastern country. Results: There were 156 EPA cases diagnosed over six years, with a mean age of 33 years. Males represented 82% of the cohort. The entire cohort was treated non‐operatively except for eight patients who had surgical intervention using open or laparoscopic surgery. The diagnosis was made by a computerized tomographic scan (CT). However, plain X‐ray, abdominal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed initially in a few selected cases to rule out other conditions. No specific blood test indicated EPA; however, a histopathology examination was diagnostic. No mortality was reported in the study cohort. Conclusion: This is the most extensive study analyzing EPA patients from the Middle East. EPA is a rare and mostly self‐limiting acute abdominal disorder; however, early ultrasound and CT scan can pick it up quickly after a high index of suspicion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the effect of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict on the firms operating in the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, focusing on how different sectors of the economy have responded. The empirical methodology utilizes firm‐level data from MENA countries, employing fixed effect and instrumental variable estimations to control for the potential endogeneity of casualties in the war and firm dynamics. The results of this study reveal that (1) an increase of 1% in the hostility of the Russian–Ukrainian war corresponds to a 0.13% decrease in the market cap of MENA firms. (2) This effect is more pronounced among highly indebted firms, conducting business solely within the domestic market, and operating on a small scale. (3) The monetary policy is vital in mitigating the effect of the conflict on firms. This study has two main contributions. First, it empirically assesses how firms operating in the MENA region respond to geopolitical events, highlighting differences in responses between firms and sectors. Second, this paper serves as guidelines for governments to face the challenges raised by wars. In particular, the paper shows the relevance of sector‐specific policy responses based on the extent to which each sector is affected by geopolitical events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental sustainability is essential to the country's financial position and economic growth. Geopolitical situations and green activities significantly contribute to enhancing sustainable development goals. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of green finance, investment in renewable energy sources and geopolitical risk on the environmental sustainability of the Middle East and North America (MENA) region over the period 2000–2021. When using a cross‐sectional dependence autoregressive distributed lag model (CS‐ARDL), it is discovered that a rise in geopolitical risk will decrease environmental performance in the form of carbon dioxide emission. At the same time, the other factors (green finance and investment in renewable energy) have a positive relationship with sustainability. This observation can be ascribed to the association between increased geopolitical risk and the inclination of crude oil consumers, who are most affected by such risk, to contemplate renewable energy as an alternative to conventional energy sources. This finding could also be attributed to the fact that clean energy is becoming more affordable. In addition, the augmented mean group model findings provide more evidence that a negative linkage is found between geopolitical risk and environmental sustainability. The findings have repercussions for regulators as well as investors who are active in the renewable energy markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the ambivalence among Middle Eastern states about the war in Ukraine stems from multiple sources, Russian influence is a significant, if underappreciated, factor. Several of these countries see Moscow as an external balancer and hedge against the possibility of a broader US pullback from the region. At the same time, Russia maintains significant coercive capabilities thanks to its military presence in Syria and burgeoning strategic partnership with Iran. Many aspiring regional powers are also sympathetic to Moscow's calls for an international order less centered on the West. This article analyzes these concerns and perceptions, and it shows how they have shaped the way states in the region have responded to the invasion of Ukraine. Broadly speaking, these states see it as a peripheral concern—especially following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023—though one that could destabilize the region by stoking inflation or further emboldening Iran. While they are wary of confronting Moscow or facing regional instability, many also directly benefit from Russia's economic decoupling from the West. These countries share President Vladimir Putin's assessment that the war in Ukraine is inaugurating a new age more friendly to middle powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical evidence on the benefits of international ownership for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) financial performance is either not available for most African and Middle Eastern countries or presents mixed results. In this paper, we investigate this further by examining the effects of ownership structure on firm performance, using financial data covering SMEs in 60 African and Middle Eastern countries, for the years 2006–2015. Results from pooled ordinary least squares and random‐effects estimations indicate that international ownership is significantly positively correlated with firm performance for (most of) Africa and the Middle East. Examining the interaction of international ownership with capital resources, we find that internationally owned firms do not use capital more efficiently than locally owned firms, implying that internationally owned firms use international resources—other than capital—more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource abundance characterizes economies within the MENA region from North Africa to the Middle East. As such, to improve financial development (FD) for regional economic sustainability, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the roles of natural resources abundance and institutional quality indicators on the region's FD while underscoring the inflationary levels and general economic growth trends amidst rising globalization. The adopted empirical strategy (CS‐ARDL and AMG) is employed for potential cross‐sectional dependency (CD) and slope homogeneity in the regional data spanning over two decades (2000–2020). Unlike the extant literature, two separate regional FD indicators were considered for an insightful analysis namely, banking financial services via domestic credit to private sector, and financial stability via the Z‐score values showing the tendencies of default in a country's banking structure. Regardless of the FD indicator, the results reveal that natural resources, growth trends, and inflationary levels significantly spur long‐run regional FD thereby invalidating the financial resource curse hypothesis in the region. Furthermore, both institutional quality levels and globalization produced detrimental impacts on FD levels. However, the interaction between institutional quality levels and natural resources shows a desirable FD‐stimulating effect in the region, noticeably when FD is proxied by the Z‐score. Thus, implying that stronger institutions are crucial for MENA's overall financial stability vis‐à‐vis reduction in the risk of default in the banking system. Hence, policy recommendations including the strengthening of institutional capacities among others, were suggested to regional authorities toward harnessing resources for sustainable regional FD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Preparedness for independent clinical practice is a core goal of undergraduate dental education. The aim of this study was to evaluate the self‐reported preparedness for the dental practice among new dental graduates from a University in the Middle East. Methods: Following ethics approval, a purposive sampling techniques were used to invite newly qualified dental graduates at a Middle Eastern University. A validated research instrument, namely the Dental Undergraduate Preparedness Assessment Scale (DU‐PAS), was used to evaluate the self‐perceived preparedness of the participants. Data collection was undertaken online using Google Forms and data were analysed to compute the descriptive statistics, reliability and demographic differences among the participants. Results: A total of 82 participants provided their response yielding a response rate of 68%. The participants included 49 males and 33 females. The overall reliability of DU‐PAS was excellent. (α = 0.93). The participants included less than 40% of participants were able independently to prescribe medications, assess orthodontics needs and perform endodontic treatment on multirooted teeth. In addition, more than 65% indicated low confidence in evaluating new dental materials and products, interpreting new research findings and behavioural management of children. Conclusion: The present findings identified strengths and weaknesses of new dental graduates from a Middle Eastern university. The participants were confident in basic clinical skills but lower confidence was reported for complex dental procedures. The findings highlight the learning needs of new dental graduates and can serve to inform the undergraduate curriculum to enhance the preparedness of future cohorts of dental graduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct a sustainable development model by examining the short‐run relationship, long‐run relationship and causality between renewable energy consumption and economic growth. We consider a sample of 142 countries for 1991–2019 and employ time series analysis. The study noticed the long‐run and short‐run relationship between economic growth and renewable energy consumption in the case of all Countries Groups and regions such as Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub‐Saharan Africa and low‐income economies. Overall, we conclude that renewable energy consumption positively influences economic growth, which can motivate countries to achieve sustainable development goals. A nation cannot only focus on economic development when growing environmental and climatic concerns exist. What is essential is the prioritisation of sustainable development goals. The constructed model will help the countries plan, modify and implement national and international sustainable development policies. The results will also be helpful to intergovernmental organisations for channelling countries' efforts towards sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A leader's wife can be a key player in consolidating his authoritarianism through her public diplomacy activities. Taking the example of Egypt's former First Lady, Suzanne Mubarak (1981–2011), this article demonstrates how her role in public diplomacy framed her as a "modern" woman with a mission of "modernizing" women or the country's whole population. The modernization model adopted in these frames presumes the need for agents to transform "traditional" societies into "modern" societies and the need for agents to build more networks of collaboration with the "West." The second section of the article focuses on political instrumentality, showing how former President Hosni Mubarak attempted to look good, to look democratic, and to look useful to his allies. This process was partly organized by Mrs. Mubarak herself, who used her public diplomacy roles as opportunities and resources to build a personality cult drawn on glorifying herself and aggrandizing her activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sign language is significant in its linguistic complexity and sociocultural values to its users. The linguistic situation of sign languages in the Middle East is controversial. For Arab deaf communities, each country has a rich and complex national sign language without the need for a superior, more standard unifying Arabic sign language (ArSL). There have been attempts to unify sign languages by creating ArSL. This initiative has been mostly taken by nondeaf persons and has been met with opposition and resistance. This paper investigates sign languages in Kuwait and the attitudes towards both Kuwaiti Sign Language (KSL) and ArSL from both deaf individuals and sign language translators/teachers using surveys, informal interviews, and fieldwork visits. The research question is: What sign language would the deaf community and sign language interpreters/teachers in Kuwait choose (KSL, ArSL, or both) to better serve the deaf community. This paper is designed to uncover the impact of language policies on communities' representations of self and explore the richness and complexity of national sign languages that can be underestimated by language policymakers. The findings of this study indicate a preference for KSL or the use of both KSL and ArSL, but not ArSL alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Helicobacter pylori may be found during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) performed to diagnose celiac disease (CeD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to describe the frequency of H. pylori in children undergoing UGE for CeD, IBD, and EoE and the number of children receiving eradication treatment. Materials and Methods: A retrospective multicenter study from 14 countries included pediatric patients diagnosed with CeD, IBD, and EoE between January 2019 and December 2021. Data collected: age, gender, hematologic parameters, endoscopic, histologic, and H. pylori culture results, and information on eradication treatment. Results: H. pylori was identified in 349/3890 (9%) children [167 (48%) male, median 12 years (interquartile range 8.1–14.6)]. H. pylori was present in 10% (173/1733) CeD, 8.5% (110/1292) IBD and 7.6% (66/865) EoE patients (p = NS). The prevalence differed significantly between Europe (Eastern 5.2% (28/536), Southern 3.8% (78/2032), Western 5.6% (28/513)) and the Middle East 26.6% (215/809) [odds ratio (OR) 7.96 95% confidence interval (CI) (6.31–10.1) p < 0.0001]. Eradication treatment was prescribed in 131/349 (37.5%) patients, 34.6% CeD, 35.8% IBD, and 56.1% EoE. Predictors for recommending treatment included erosions/ulcers [OR 6.45 95% CI 3.62–11.47, p < 0.0001] and nodular gastritis [OR 2.25 95% CI 1.33–3.81, p 0.003]. Treatment rates were higher in centers with a low H. pylori prevalence (<20%) [OR 3.36 95% CI 1.47–7.66 p 0.004]. Conclusions: Identifying H. pylori incidentally during UGE performed for the most common gastrointestinal diseases varies significantly among regions but not among diseases. The indications for recommending treatment are not well defined, and less than 40% of children received treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The Middle East, located in the arid belt of the Earth, is home to a diverse range of biodiversity, with its mountain ecosystems being the most important centres of species diversity and endemism. In this study, the impact of climate change on alpine bird species in the Middle East was assessed across five mountain systems: Alborz–Kopet‐Dagh, Caucasus–Pontic, Levant–Taurus, Sarawat–Hijaz and Zagros–Central Iran. Location: Middle East. Methods: Using species distribution models (SDMs), 38 native alpine bird species were analysed under different climate change scenarios. We also identified future multispecies in situ and ex situ climate refugia and assessed the efficiency of the current protected areas (PAs) system in protecting them. Results: The results indicated that, on average, habitat suitability for these species is projected to decline by 36.83% (2050, SSP2‐4.5) to 60.10% (2070, SSP5‐8.5) with an upward range shift. Based on stacking range change of the species, Levant–Taurus, Zagros–Central Iran and Alborz–Kopet–Dagh mountain ranges will experience the highest amount of habitat loss, respectively, with Caucasus–Pontic being least affected. The gap analysis showed that the existing PAs system covers only 13% and 10% of the in situ and ex situ climatic refugia, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the significance of mountainous regions in the Middle East for the persistence of alpine bird species and the urgent need to prioritize climate refugia in transboundary and participatory conservation plans. It is crucial to prevent habitat degradation and alteration resulting from human activities in these areas to ensure the persistence of alpine species and their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Today, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East, the demand for blood is high. Despite this, few companies produce the necessary equipment to draw, store, and transfuse whole blood. This study evaluated the safety and performance of a 3D printed bottle cap in conjunction with a water bottle and some available consumables to draw and store fresh whole blood. Study Design and Methods: Bags of saline, and freshly donated whole blood, was transferred to the water bottle through a 3D printed bottle cap and stored for 72 h. An identical setup, transferring saline to a Terumo blood collection bag was used as control. Performance and safety were evaluated by calculating infusion rate and observing for backflow, respectively. The blood was also tested for hemolysis and bacterial growth at four sampling points. Results: The cap‐and‐bottle setup was faster than control in terms of flow rate when transferring saline (1.53 vs. 1.81 mL/s, p <.001), and non‐inferior to saline control when transfusing blood (1.53 vs. 1.49 mL/s, p =.641). We did not observe any risks of causing the donor iatrogenic harm, and there was no evidence of increased hemolysis. However, there were traces of bacterial contamination in three of six bottles. Conclusion: This study indicates that drawing blood is both feasible and safe, utilizing a 3D printed cap and bottle setup. Flow rate was faster than control, and mechanical properties of the blood were not affected. We were unable to determine the source of bacterial contamination in the blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces significant challenges in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) due to high costs, limited feedstock availability, and underdeveloped infrastructure. However, the region has diverse feedstock options and can leverage existing refining capabilities and advanced conversion technologies for SAF production. Addressing these challenges requires research and development (R&D) collaboration, supportive policies, and international knowledge exchange. To promote the production of SAF in the MENA region, a comprehensive strategy is required that includes collaboration, policy alignment, research and development, infrastructure development, and training. Market incentives such as regulations and financial support can help drive demand for SAF. Collaborating with international organizations can improve knowledge sharing and promote sustainable practices. Research and development collaboration is crucial for innovation and establishing a strong SAF industry. Policy harmonization can create a supportive framework for investment and innovation. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms can ensure transparency and verify sustainability. By addressing these aspects, the region can become a leading hub for SAF production and contribute to a sustainable aviation industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]