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This study investigated the calcareous nannofossil assemblages in detail from the early Miocene aged Lice Formation outcropping in the Kahramanmaraş basin. The biostratigraphy of calcareous nannofossils was outlined and paleoenvironmental features determined. In 81 samples taken from three measured sections in the region, 17 calcareous nannofossil genus and 48 nannofossil species were identified. These calcareous nannofossil genus and species identified the Lice Formation as being in the CNM4 nannofossil biozone. The abundance and diversity of early Miocene calcareous nannofossil species varied in the measured sections, with the samples generally moderate‐poor, apart from a few samples. The relative abundance of individuals of Cyclicargolithus floridanus, Coccolithus pelagicus, Reticulofenestra hagii and Sphenolithus moriformis species, with paleoecological importance identified in the study region, indicate that in early Miocene times, the basin in which the Lice Formation deposited was meso‐eutrophic with excess nutrient input, temperate and generally stable shallow marine conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palestine currently holds contractual relations with 167 States under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. UNCLOS's dispute settlement mechanisms might vary depending on the process States have opted for. In order to pick a preferred mechanism, a State Party should deposit a declaration with the UN Secretary-General. As it did not file any such declaration, Palestine is deemed to have accepted arbitration by default. However, Palestine can still deposit a declaration to choose other procedures and therefore open the possibility to resort to the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, or a special arbitration. Yet, the neighboring States have different approaches. While Egypt has cast opposition to arbitration regarding boundary delimitation, Israel is not a Party to UNCLOS and does not recognize its settlement mechanisms. How can disputes be resolved? Would conciliation work? What are exit channels? This article answers such questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2015 accession of Palestine to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has implications for the rights and obligations of Eastern Mediterranean States. Palestine's maritime entitlements under UNCLOS are almost two and a half times the land area of Gaza in the form of a territorial sea. Palestine's maritime sovereign rights may extend up to 200 NM offshore Gaza within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf with tremendous economic potential. This article examines Palestine maritime claims under UNCLOS and the corresponding delimitation process. It argues that the application of UNCLOS in the East Mediterranean region may contribute to an equitable settlement of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the nature of Turkish-Greek relations, focusing on the question of how these should be characterized. This is an important topic not only because there is a lack of a clear definition of the situation between the two countries in the literature, but also because providing a greater clarity of the issues about Turkish-Greek relations can assist in the long-term envisioning of a possible path that the two countries might take in the future. Employing a descriptive analysis, the article shows that a state of conflict rather than cooperation has determined the evolution of relations between Turkey and Greece. This sheds light on the intractable nature of the problems between the two countries, whether in Cyprus, the Aegean Sea, or the Eastern Mediterranean. The article concludes that Turkish-Greek relations are characterized by a historically grounded condition of fragile stability, with permanent tension and possible crisis prevailing, even if conflicts are frozen and war is not foreseen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on a new translocated population of the Western Greece Goby (Economidichthys pygmaeus Holly, 1929) within the Thrace freshwater ecoregion in Northeastern Greece, approximately 370 km east of the species' native range (Ionian freshwater ecoregion; Western Greece). Specimens were identified by morphological examination and molecular confirmation. Based on a literature review and anecdotal information the Western Greece Goby was possibly introduced within the last two to five years, perhaps associated with fish farm imports from Western Greece. Population characteristics of the species in the new locations indicate that the species is fully established within an important biodiversity hotspot, the Aggitis sub-basin of the Strymon River, a transboundary river shared with Greece, Bulgaria and North Macedonia. This record represents the easternmost range expansion of the Western Greece Goby. In addition, it confirms a noticeable trend of expansion of this species since it has been also documented in the Southeastern Adriatic (Albania, North Macedonia) and the Western Aegean (southern Greece) during the last decade. This introduction may trigger ecological consequences, including the homogenization of formerly isolated ichthyofaunas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the nature of Turkish-Greek relations, focusing on the question of how these should be characterized. This is an important topic not only because there is a lack of a clear definition of the situation between the two countries in the literature, but also because providing a greater clarity of the issues about Turkish-Greek relations can assist in the long-term envisioning of a possible path that the two countries might take in the future. Employing a descriptive analysis, the article shows that a state of conflict rather than cooperation has determined the evolution of relations between Turkey and Greece. This sheds light on the intractable nature of the problems between the two countries, whether in Cyprus, the Aegean Sea, or the Eastern Mediterranean. The article concludes that Turkish-Greek relations are characterized by a historically grounded condition of fragile stability, with permanent tension and possible crisis prevailing, even if conflicts are frozen and war is not foreseen.

This study focuses on 68 terracotta unguentaria discovered during the excavation conducted at the Perge stadium. Monograms were identified in 11 of these. It is understood that the artifacts in question are of the “Late Roman Period” unguentarium type, which was widely used throughout the Mediterranean region in the Late Antique Period. These unguentaria, known to have been in use in the Mediterranean region from the 5th century AD until the mid-7th century AD, and functionally recognized in the literature as vessels used by Christian pilgrims to carry holy waters or oils, exhibit diversity in the discovery areas in Perge. These pieces found in the stadium area were not recovered as context finds. All of these finds were identified together with mixed context within the filled soil. It has been determined that the unguentaria, which are the subject of the article, can be divided into four ware groups in terms of their clay substances. Monogrammed examples differ within themselves. These differences were studied by dividing them into subgroups: x-shaped, cross-centered, block and exceptional. It is noteworthy that almost all of the pieces without monograms are broken at the rim, while the monogrammed pieces are broken near the seal. Taking this into consideration, it has been thought that the breaks of these artifacts, considered as part of a possible ritual, may be significant in the context of sacred finds.

In the Mediterranean region, agricultural soils are seriously polluted with toxic trace elements (TEs) which could enter the food chain via the soil-plant trophic chain. For food safety reasons, the monitoring of TE concentrations in these agricultural soils is thus imperative. The most powerful monitoring method for TE measurements is based on perchloric acid (HClO4) and hydrofluoric acid (HF) digestion, commonly used as reference total digestion (RTD) method, with consequent use of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Unfortunately, HF and HClO4 manipulations are highly dangerous and ICP-OES and ICP-MS apparatus are very expensive, thus they are unaffordable, notably in developing countries. In this paper, an alternative, microwave sulphuric digestion (MSD) method, combined with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is proposed. First, the suggested method was validated on a soil certified reference material, for the determination of 7 TEs (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb). Second, the MSD method was applied on agricultural soil samples situated in the Bekaa valley, East Lebanon and results were compared to those of RTD method. The MSD method, coupled to AAS, offers a promising and feasible alternative to HF, as well as, aqua regia based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HAPSc Policy Briefs Series is the property of Hellenic Association of Political Scientists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A new species in the Chrysis leachii group from Cyprus, Chrysis kalliroi Rosa & Makris, sp. Nov., is described. Distribution, illustrations, and a key to the Cypriot members of this species group are provided. Chrysis lanceolata Linsenmaier, 1959 is recorded from Cyprus for the first time. Chrysis pumilio Balthasar, 1953 stat. nov. is raised to species rank. Chrysis cypruscula Linsenmaier, 1959 (repl. Name for Chrysis leachii cypriana Linsenmaier, 1951 nec Enslin, 1950) is synonymised with Chrysis pumilio Balthasar, 1953.

A new species in the Chrysis leachii group from Cyprus, Chrysis kalliroi Rosa & Makris, sp. Nov., is described. Distribution, illustrations, and a key to the Cypriot members of this species group are provided. Chrysis lanceolata Linsenmaier, 1959 is recorded from Cyprus for the first time. Chrysis pumilio Balthasar, 1953 stat. nov. is raised to species rank. Chrysis cypruscula Linsenmaier, 1959 (repl. Name for Chrysis leachii cypriana Linsenmaier, 1951 nec Enslin, 1950) is synonymised with Chrysis pumilio Balthasar, 1953. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Höyük is the property of Turkish Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of CEDRUS is the property of Mediterranean Civilisations Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The construction of the Suez Canal connected the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, which allowed rapid marine bio-invasion. Over the last century, several bivalve species have invaded the Levantine basin, yet their distribution and impact on the benthic community have not been thoroughly studied. Large-scale benthic surveys along the rocky substrate of the Israeli Mediterranean coastline indicate that invading bivalves, such as Spondylus spinosus, Brachidontes pharaonis, and Pinctada radiata, now dominate the rocky environment, with densities of tens to hundreds of individuals per m2. No native bivalve specimens were found in any of the transects surveyed. The small-scale ecological effects of the established invading populations on the benthic community were examined over a year using an in-situ exclusion experiment where all invading bivalves were either physically removed or poisoned and kept in place to maintain the physical effect of the shells. Surprisingly, the experimental exclusion showed a little measurable effect of bivalve presence on the invertebrate community in close vicinity (~ 1 m). Bivalve presence had a small, but statistically significant, effect only on the community composition of macroalgae, increasing the abundance of some filamentous macroalgae and reducing the cover of turf. The generally low impact of bivalves removal could be due to (1) wave activity and local currents dispersing the bivalve excreta, (2) high grazing pressure, possibly by invading herbivorous fish, reducing the bottom-up effect of increased nutrient input by the bivalves, or (3) the natural complexity of the rocky habitat masking the contribution of the increased complexity associated with the bivalve's shell. We found that established invading bivalves have replaced native bivalve species, yet their exclusion has a negligible small-scale effect on the local benthic community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical procedure in sustainable building design is that building energy consumption has significant implications for the global energy crisis and climate change. This study compares three simulation software programs for a photovoltaic system on a building’s roof. The low-rise residential buildings in three East Mediterranean cities (Amman, Mafraq, and Aqaba) represent moderate dry–warm, semi-arid, and humid subtropical climate zones were compared using three simulation software programs (IES-VE, Design-Builder, REVIT) for a typical building with PV on the roof and the second scenario without a PV system installed on the roof. This investigation aims to evaluate the shading effect of the PV system on a building’s roof structure by calculating the total heating and cooling loads required to maintain thermal comfort inside the building. The results showed significant discrepancies between the three software for the base building design and the PV system on the roof, with a range of around 50 %. This highlights the importance of evaluating and calibrating different simulation tools and using them with a great deal of caution.

Since 2013, the relations between the two biggest conventional military powers of the Middle East became very hostile. The Egyptian-Turkish tensions affected not just the bilateral dimension, but Libya, the Eastern Mediterranean, and other regions too. Moreover, in 2020, there were signs of possible direct military conflict between Ankara and Cairo. This did not happen and the rapprochement slowly but steady developed: in 2022, the leaders of the two countries met with each other and shook hands. Yet before this paper was finalised, however, there were still plenty of questions hanging over a possible Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement. There is no doubt that normalisation has started between Ankara and Cairo in recent years, but its outcome remains uncertain. In summary: this paper strives to present the recent history of Egyptian-Turkish relations since the outbreak of the so-called Arab Spring, the main points of the regional "cold war" between Ankara and Cairo, and in the end, the remaining pitfalls of rapprochement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoterpenes significantly affect air quality and climate as they participate in tropospheric ozone formation, new particle formation (NPF), and growth through their oxidation products. Vegetation is responsible for most biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions released into the atmosphere, yet the contribution of shrub and regional transport to the ambient monoterpene mixing ratios is not sufficiently documented. In this study, we present one-year systematic observations of monoterpenes in the Eastern Mediterranean at a remote coastal site, affected mainly by the typical phrygana vegetation found on the Island of Crete in Greece. A total of 345 air samples were collected in absorption tubes and analyzed by a GC-FID system during three intensive campaigns (in spring 2014, summer 2014, and spring 2015) in addition to the systematic collection of one diurnal cycle per week from October 2014 to April 2015. Limonene, α-pinene and 1,8-cineol have been detected. The mixing ratios of α-pinene during spring and summer show a cycle that is typical for biogenic compounds, with high levels during the night and early morning, followed by an abrupt decrease around midday, which results from the strong photochemical depletion of this compound. Limonene was the most abundant monoterpene, with average mixing ratios of 36.3 ± 66 ppt. The highest mixing ratios were observed during autumn and spring, with a maximum mixing ratio in the early afternoon. The spring and autumn maxima could be attributed to the seasonal behavior of vegetation growth at Finokalia. The green period starts in late autumn when phrygana vegetation grows because of the rainfall; the temperature is still high at this time, as Finokalia is located in the southeast part of Europe. Statistical analyses of the observations showed that limonene and α-pinene have different sources, and none of the studied monoterpenes is correlated with the anthropogenic sources. Finally, the seasonality of the new particle formation (NPF) events and monoterpene mixing ratios show similarities, with a maximum occurring in spring, indicating that monoterpenes may contribute to the production of new particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn as the whole-body burden and the content of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue of Parapenaeus longirostris, were evaluated in shrimp collected from the Pagasitikos Gulf, Greece. The whole-body burden of Fe was 102 ± 39, Mn 71 ± 23, As 64 ± 33, Zn 62 ± 8, Cu 34 ± 16, Ni 4.6 ± 2.9, Cr 1.01 ± 0.39, Cd 0.93 ± 0.33 and Pb 0.88 ± 0.47 ppm wet weight. Muscle tissue content for Cd was 0.47 ± 0.08 and for Pb 0.31 ± 0.06 ppm wet weight. The estimation of weekly intakes and target hazard quotients for the potentially toxic elements Cd and Pb revealed that rose shrimp from Pagasitikos Gulf could be considered safe for human consumption, probably with a general advisory to avoid the consumption of anything other than the muscle tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the ethnobotanical characteristics of some plants distributed in Ceylanlı village (Kırıkhan/Hatay) on the slopes of Amanos Mountain. As a result of the field studies carried out between 2019 and 2021 and the interviews with the local people, it was determined that 75 taxa belonging to 41 families were used by the local people in the research area. The local names of the plants, the harvest season, the parts used, the usage purposes, and forms were determined by face-to-face interviews with different local people in their houses, farms, gardens or natural areas. The families having the highest number of using taxa in the area were determined to be Asteraceae and Lamiaceae (8 taxa each), Rosaceae (6 taxa), Amaryllidaceae, Brassicaceae, and Fabaceae (4 taxa each). In total 116 different uses belonging to the plants in the study area were determined, including uses for medical purposes such as wounds, respiratory tract, and stomachic diseases (47 taxa), food (20 taxa), daily items (6 taxa), spice (4 taxa), firewood (3 taxa), and for other different purposes (14 taxa). The obtained results were discussed by comparing them with the relevant literature. Our results show that most of the plants identified were collected by local people from their natural habitats. The local community in our study area was informed to reduce the collection of natural medicinal plants unconsciously and about the importance of cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants. It is believed that this study will contribute to all relevant studies at national and international scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful plant establishment in a particular environment depends on the root architecture of the seedlings and the extent of edaphic resource utilization. However, diverse habitats often pose a predicament on the suitability of the fundamental root structure of a species that evolved over a long period. We hypothesized that the plasticity in the genetically controlled root architecture in variable habitats provides an adaptive advantage to worldwide-distributed wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum, Rr) over its close relative (R. pugioniformis, Rp) that remained endemic to the East Mediterranean region. To test the hypothesis, we performed a reciprocal comparative analysis between the two species, growing in a common garden experiment on their native soils (Hamra/ Sandy for Rr, Terra Rossa for Rp) and complementary controlled experiments mimicking the major soil compositions. Additionally, we analyzed the root growth kinetics via semi-automated digital profiling and compared the architecture between Rr and Rp. In both experiments, the primary roots of Rr were significantly longer, developed fewer lateral roots, and showed slower growth kinetics than Rp. Multivariate analyses of seven significant root architecture variables revealed that Rr could successfully adapt to different surrogate growth conditions by only modulating their main root length and number of lateral roots. In contrast, Rp needs to modify several other root parameters, which are very resource-intensive, to grow on non-native soil. Altogether the findings suggest an evo-devo adaptive advantage for Rr as it can potentially establish in various habitats with the minimal tweak of key root parameters, hence allocating resources for other developmental requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the different tools of media that have become widespread, the authorities have developed new forms of discourse. In recent years, these sources, among which cartoons are one of the most important for directing public opinion, have often been used in popular geopolitical studies. Greece and Turkey are at different poles regarding the sharing of hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, which has been selected as the subject of this study. The cartoons of the Hellas Journal analyzed in the study are tools that support the policies of Greece towards Turkey. As a result of the study, Hellas Journal magazine is found to introduce Turkey as a country that acts illegally in the region and still has features dating back to the Ottoman Empire (Neo-Ottoman) in the context of the Eastern Mediterranean problem. Thus, it dominates its own public about the opposition to Turkey during sharing Eastern Mediterranean hydrocarbon resources.

Tectonic structures in the Black Sea and the Levantine Sea were mapped using satellite gravity data. The relationship between Antalya and Cyprus arcs is revealed by the deformation traces of the arc formation. The Cyprus arc which over the slice that disappears from the South of the Anaximander seamounts to the Northeast, can traceable at the western end of the Antalya Bay. The distinction of western and eastern basins in the Black Sea is also mapped. Due to the low spatial resolution, additional studies with higher resolution are required.

Successful plant establishment in a particular environment depends on the root architecture of the seedlings and the extent of edaphic resource utilization. However, diverse habitats often pose a predicament on the suitability of the fundamental root structure of a species that evolved over a long period. We hypothesized that the plasticity in the genetically controlled root architecture in variable habitats provides an adaptive advantage to worldwide-distributed wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum, Rr) over its close relative (R. pugioniformis, Rp) that remained endemic to the East Mediterranean region. To test the hypothesis, we performed a reciprocal comparative analysis between the two species, growing in a common garden experiment on their native soils (Hamra/Sandy for Rr, Terra Rossa for Rp) and complementary controlled experiments mimicking the major soil compositions. Additionally, we analyzed the root growth kinetics via semi-automated digital profiling and compared the architecture between Rr and Rp. In both experiments, the primary roots of Rr were significantly longer, developed fewer lateral roots, and showed slower growth kinetics than Rp. Multivariate analyses of seven significant root architecture variables revealed that Rr could successfully adapt to different surrogate growth conditions by only modulating their main root length and number of lateral roots. In contrast, Rp needs to modify several other root parameters, which are very resource-intensive, to grow on non-native soil. Altogether the findings suggest an evo-devo adaptive advantage for Rr as it can potentially establish in various habitats with the minimal tweak of key root parameters, hence allocating resources for other developmental requirements.

Copyright of Alinteri Journal of Social Sciences is the property of Adem Yavuz Sonmez and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The focus on exploiting natural gas resources has been increased in the recent years since it was characterized as the transitional fuel to a net-zero era. Consequently, a reevaluation of the gas resources under a new perspective seems to be logical. Within this context, the gas-bearing Miocene sediments of the Messara basin in Crete (Greece) are discussed in this paper. The gas shows have been first reported during the 1990's, without being thoroughly evaluated. This paper presents the interpretation of eight legacy onshore seismic reflection lines, which led to the construction of the 3D subsurface structural model of the Neogene Messara basin. The seismic data reveals the basin depocenter which accommodates approximately 1500 m of the Miocene sediments. The relationship of the Miocene deposits with the existence of shallow gas is also examined and discussed. New organic geochemical results combined with the published geochemical data are used to discuss the gas generation potential of the Miocene sediments. The porosity and permeability measurements on surface samples are also presented to describe the reservoir characteristics. The integration of the data mentioned above suggests that the Miocene sediments of the Messara basin comprise intervals with adequate organic matter to generate the observed gasses and good reservoir sandstones to accumulate the generated gas. The gas might have been trapped by lateral and vertical facies changes which provide efficient stratigraphic trapping mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoterpenes significantly affect air quality and climate as they participate in tropospheric ozone formation, new particle formation (NPF), and growth through their oxidation products. Vegetation is responsible for most biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions released into the atmosphere, yet the contribution of shrub and regional transport to the ambient monoterpene mixing ratios is not sufficiently documented. In this study, we present one-year systematic observations of monoterpenes in the Eastern Mediterranean at a remote coastal site, affected mainly by the typical phrygana vegetation found on the Island of Crete in Greece. A total of 345 air samples were collected in absorption tubes and analyzed by a GC-FID system during three intensive campaigns (in spring 2014, summer 2014, and spring 2015) in addition to the systematic collection of one diurnal cycle per week from October 2014 to April 2015. Limonene, α-pinene and 1,8-cineol have been detected. The mixing ratios of α-pinene during spring and summer show a cycle that is typical for biogenic compounds, with high levels during the night and early morning, followed by an abrupt decrease around midday, which results from the strong photochemical depletion of this compound. Limonene was the most abundant monoterpene, with average mixing ratios of 36.3 ± 66 ppt. The highest mixing ratios were observed during autumn and spring, with a maximum mixing ratio in the early afternoon. The spring and autumn maxima could be attributed to the seasonal behavior of vegetation growth at Finokalia. The green period starts in late autumn when phrygana vegetation grows because of the rainfall; the temperature is still high at this time, as Finokalia is located in the southeast part of Europe. Statistical analyses of the observations showed that limonene and α-pinene have different sources, and none of the studied monoterpenes is correlated with the anthropogenic sources. Finally, the seasonality of the new particle formation (NPF) events and monoterpene mixing ratios show similarities, with a maximum occurring in spring, indicating that monoterpenes may contribute to the production of new particles.

Over the last few years, the Eastern Mediterranean region has been struggling to capitalize on its natural gas resources due to several technical and financial obstacles and concerns over long-term access to markets in light of European decarbonization plans. These obstacles have been compounded by rising tensions and existing disputes between regional countries. The Russia-Ukraine war and the urgent European need to find alternative gas suppliers to reduce dependence on Russia have created a window of opportunity for regional producers to find short-term collaboration arrangements to export gas to Europe. However, this rush for market access has the potential to disrupt the region's own energy transition to the new global economy. Alignment to grand strategies by global powers also risks undermining the regional collaboration required for climate action. Instead of prioritizing short-term gains, successful regional collaboration must focus on coordinating national energy and climate plans and developing regionally appropriate policies and solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Geographical Sciences / Coğrafi Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Cografi Bilimler Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The 2016 UK EU membership referendum has been a catalyst for a stronger political dialogue between Turkey and Britain. The countries have taken a firm line of strategic partnership which meets the interests of both parties to strengthen their international positions. In late December 2020, the parties managed to forge a trade agreement envisaging most of the previously established rules. At the same time, a full-scale trade agreement is hampered by Ankara’s obligations within the EU Customs Union and Preferential agreements. Turkey occupies an important place in the new foreign strategy of the UK. London considers Ankara, which is pursuing an increasingly tough policy in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Black Sea region, as a situational ally in strengthening its international positions weakened by Brexit. The author notes that the declared strategic partnership in the political sphere has a number of limitations associated with the conflict potential of relations between Turkey and the European Union, as well as the growing importance of the values factor in British foreign policy. The UK actually needs to find a balance between other international players in the Brussels-London-Ankara triangle for its own geopolitical and economic goals. The nature of British-Turkish relations is of considerable interest to Russia.

Gravity data is processed and the problems of the earth are examined. The density of the data can be arranged to solve detail, semi-detail and regional problems. Here, the gravitational data obtained by processing the linearity of the 2D and 3D visuals in terms of plate size large wavelength structures are examined. 2D linearities determine important stress areas but they are affected at different rates with respect to the spatial distribution of source effect. Due to grid formation, these boundaries are affected at different rates from less dense and very dense structures. Different wavelengths in structure boundary analysis; derivative and phase elements and filters. Vertical change in 3D analysis can be made at the approach level with the analytical examination of 2D change. At this stage, the distribution of source effect and depth model structure parameters are calculated. When examining large wavelength structures, some of the buried structures appear due to cover removal. In search of solutions for tectonic structures that we may miss; The tectonic components that need to be confirmed in the Eastern Mediterranean have been tried to be elucidated in this study. 3D building solutions are important in this respect.

The study examines the energy resources specific to the Eastern Mediterranean region in the context of regional energy policies. Although natural gas is already an important energy source, its importance is increasing day by day in our world. This situation showed itself with new regional developments and was felt especially in the Eastern Mediterranean region. With the recent developments, the importance of natural gas has also increased for Turkey. In this context, the reserve status of natural gas in the world as an energy source has been considered, and it has also been interpreted together with data such as its production, import and export in the world. Then, the Eastern Mediterranean issue was examined and in this context, historical developments that have taken place so far have been discussed. In the light of historical developments, energy competition in the Eastern Mediterranean region has also been analyzed. In particular, the interest and needs of the countries in the region in this field were also evaluated. However, also assessed other chronic particularly concerned with reflections on the problems of energy competition between Turkey and Greece. Finally, implications were made about how the potential gas in the region could be used. The proper utilization of this potential will protect the environment of peace that will increase regional prosperity and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global burden particularly in developing countries necessitates the periodical monitoring for these vulnerable population. This study aimed to compare four tools to measure the CVD risk between the East Mediterranean and South Asian population. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 139 patients from East Mediterranean (n=90) and South Asians (n=49) ethnicity who were admitted during the one-year period in a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital located in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Four different tools currently in use across the world were used to analyses the CVD risk. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) from American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) was found to be significant (P=0.0000) than World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) and Framingham Risk Score (FRS) European SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) memo card from European Society of Cardiology risk prediction charts. Meanwhile, FRS looks equally good as it detects 44.89% of South Asian study population with >10% CVD risk while ACC/AHA detects 46.93%. CONCLUSION: The present study recommends ACC/AHA cardiac risk estimator to identify the CVD risk in East Mediterranean population. However, the South Asian population needed a population-based tool to assess the accurate CVD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents thermal structure and active-passive tectonic parts of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Curie point depth, heat flow map, Moho depth and sediment thickness are used for interpretation. The levelled magnetic data that obtained from the World Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map (WDMAM) is used. The magnetic anomaly is divided into 39 zones for Curie point depth estimation. The Curie point depth values are calculated into Fourier domain. Then heat flow map is generated. The estimated Curie point depth values are ranging from 4.5 km to 25 km. Furthermore, heat flow values are between 55 mW/m2 and 277 mW/m2. Moho depth, Moho depth-Curie depth and sediment thickness are used for constraining interpretation. Interpretation indicates that the northern and southern parts of the Mediterranean Ridge present different thermal characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tectonic structures in the Black Sea and the Levantine Sea were mapped using satellite gravity data. The relationship between Antalya and Cyprus arcs is revealed by the deformation traces of the arc formation. The Cyprus arc which over the slice that disappears from the South of the Anaximander seamounts to the Northeast, can traceable at the western end of the Antalya Bay. The distinction of western and eastern basins in the Black Sea is also mapped. Due to the low spatial resolution, additional studies with higher resolution are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to examine Greece's policies related to Egypt and Israel in the context of regional developments. The issue is not limited to those two countries only. In addition, Athens' historical perspective on Turkey is also included in the analysis in order to ensure the integrity of the issue. The factors determining the foreign policy of the Greek governments towards Israel are included and the elements of continuity and rupture in that policy are examined throughout the article. A similar method is used related to the Greece-Egypt relations. The reason why Greece's Israeli policy changed and its Egyptian policy did not change is questioned comparatively through the threat perceptions of Athens. The reasons bringing Israel and Greece closer to each other are dealt with in this context. Accordingly, it has been determined that the two countries first entered a normalization period and then a rapprochement process due to pragmatist reasons in the face of regional developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Macedonia (northeast Greece) is a relatively small part of Greece, where a considerable number of orchid taxa occurs. Some of these orchids can only be found there and this fact makes the specific area of Greece unique. In this study, an up-to date database of orchid records was used to assess the effectiveness of the existing Natura 2000 network. Specifically, the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network was evaluated by identifying the number of orchids whose distribution is overlapping to a lesser or greater extent with the network, which chorological categories are included/excluded from it, and whether the rare and threatened orchid taxa are adequately distributed within that. Out of the 73 orchid taxa recorded in East Macedonia so far, 14 taxa are exclusively distributed outside the Natura 2000 network. Specifically, the Natura 2000 network is not overlapped with a number of Balkan and Mediterranean orchid taxa, which are only sparsely found in East Macedonia. Moreover, most of the orchid taxa that have been classified in the threat categories of the IUCN are distributed within the Natura 2000 network of East Macedonia, and specifically, some of the most threatened ones are almost exclusively distributed within that network. Consequently, although the Natura 2000 network is not congruent with the distribution of a number of species of southern origin, which are widely distributed elsewhere in Greece, it can conserve important floristic elements of Greece, which are orchid taxa of northern or central European origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Due to its colonial heritage over more than a century, Palestine has been unable to regulate its maritime affairs. The 2015 accession of Palestine to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) offers an opportunity to craft comprehensive legislation that may give rise to the domestication of international law of the sea. Such harmonization is called for annually by the UN General Assembly. Some UNCLOS-based laws might accord Palestine the means of claiming particular maritime rights towards other State parties or even non-parties to UNCLOS, relevant international organizations, law of the sea tribunals, or even companies operating ships, submarines, oil rigs and aircrafts. While the reform process is separate from the State's ability to enforce these stipulations, domestication of maritime laws would enhance State's image on the global stage, increasing its credibility and contributing to its independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palynological analysis and radiocarbon dating of a short sediment core from a high-altitude mire in the Arasbaran area of northwestern Iran reveals long-term vegetation dynamics, climate change and anthropogenic impact. Our findings indicate the prevalence of semi-desert steppe vegetation, with a variety of Asteraceae – mainly Lactuceae – species from 3000 to 1440 cal yr BP. This period is followed by a higher occurrence of Artemisia spp. and Brassicaceae (1440–1330 cal yr BP), a re-expansion of Lactuceae (1330–1030 cal yr BP) and Brassicaceae (1030–330 cal yr BP) and, finally, Caryophyllaceae species (since 330 cal yr BP). The reconstructed millennia-long dry climate in the highlands of northwestern Iran is in good accordance with climate reconstructions from other east Mediterranean sites. Two phases of moister conditions between 2100–1400 and 1000–350 cal yr BP would correspond to altitudinal Quercus–Carpinus forest expansion in the Arasbaran area. The earliest indication of anthropogenic activity in the area dates back to the onset of the record, around 3000 cal yr BP. The occurrence of small maxima of Juglans regia, Corylus avellana and Cornus mas pollen at around 1350 cal yr BP is interpreted to reflect a temporary expansion of fruit cultivation. For the last millennium the occurrence of pollen attributable to Polygonum, Euphorbia, Plantago and Rumex suggests a diversification of steppe vegetation, which may reflect intensified agropastoral activities in the Arasbaran highlands. Based on our pollen record, the regional vegetation in the Kalan area remained largely stable over the last three millennia. However, changes in local hydrology caused substantial changes in wetland vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term trends in oxygen, salinity, and nutrients were followed in the Southeastern Mediterranean (SEMS) deep waters from 2002 to 2020. Results show a net decrease in oxygen since 2008 of −0.5 ± 0.1 μmol kg−1 yr−1 in the bathypelagic depths (1,200–2,000 m). Multiannual variability in oxygen levels superimposed this trend, and is likely associated with variations in thermohaline fluxes. The 2020 mean oxygen concentration of 179.5 ± 2.3 μmol kg−1 is comparable to the pre-Eastern Mediterranean Transient (EMT) mean value. The post-EMT signature is clearly demonstrated in both oxygen and salinity over the period of 2002–2013, but since 2014 it diminished, mainly due to mixing of the Aegean deep water (AegDW) mass with the overlying old Adriatic water mass. This trend reflects a switch back to the pre-EMT regime, characterized by thermohaline homogeneity of the deep water column in the SEMS. The long-term decline of deep water oxygen levels is also accompanied by a corresponding increase in dissolved inorganic nutrients, supporting aging of the deep water masses. Our results suggest that ventilation of the SEMS deep water is currently occurring at a lower, pre-EMT rate, probably as a result of moderated deep water formation in recent time.

Within taxonomic studies on Allium sect. Codonoprasum from Mediterranean flora, populations belonging to A. hirtovaginum Candargy group were examined. Based on field investigation and herbarium surveyes, this group is represented by very critical and not well known taxa, distributed in the East Mediterranean, showing a marked morphological variability. Currently, the species referable to this group in addition to A. hirtovaginum are also A. pilosum Sibth. & Sm., A. aeginiense Brullo, Giusso & Terrasi and A. nerimaniae Koçyiğit & Kaya. Besides, other 13 species are here described as new to science, they are A. pythagoricum, A. pignattii, A. hippocraticum, A. abanticum, A. velutinum, A. carium, A. papillosum, A. adenanthum, A. smyrnaeum, A. pavonianum, A. denticulatum and A. compactatum. A detailed morphological description together with a careful illustration, as well as remarks on their karyology, phenology, ecology, geographic distribution, and taxonomic relationships are provided for each investigated species. An analytical key regarding all the species attributable to this group was processed too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Mediterranean has experienced a new phase of struggle in its history since the arrival of Islam. With the Mamluks dominating in Egypt-Syria, they became a party to the Eastern Mediterranean Struggle such as many rivalries in their regions. Throughout Mamluk history, the coasts of Egypt and Syria and the cities located here witnessed various attacks and struggles. After the classical era of the Crusades ends, the 14th century constitutes a new phase of the Crusader attacks. Throughout this century, the Balkans, the Aegean, and the Eastern Mediterranean are the targets of Crusader attacks, and in this century, the Mamluks withstand the Crusader attacks and reverse the attacks on the coasts of Syria and Egypt. In the 13th century, the Mamluks captured the last fortresses of Tripoli and Akka, on the Syrian coast, demolished structures such as the Armenian Barony, and successfully completed this struggle in the Eastern Mediterranean with the conquest of the island of Cyprus and removed the Crusaders from the region. In the middle of this struggle, Tripoli was a leading Mamluk city in Bilad al-Damascus, Syria. The city, a main target of the Crusaders' attacks on the region after the collapse of the county located here, had an indispensable position and value because of its military and economic value. The Crusaders also targeted the city of Tripoli in their continuous attacks during the 14th-century attacks. In this study, the Crusaders'attacks on Tripoli in this period and the corresponding defenses of the Mamluks are discussed. In the process of completing the sweeping operation that started with the conquest of Antakya with the conquest of Baybars with Tripoli and Acre, the attacks on Tripoli in the 14th century were an important phase in the history of the struggle that continues until the conquest of Cyprus and some of our joint work on the Crusader-Mamluk rivalry has been completed.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]