Middle East North Africa Region Research Articles

Submicron aerosol pollution in Greater Cairo (Egypt): A new type of urban haze?

Greater Cairo, the largest megacity of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, is currently suffering from major aerosol pollution, posing a significant threat to public health. However, the main sources of pollution remain insufficiently characterized due to limited atmospheric observations. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted a continuous 2-month field study during the winter of 2019–2020 at an urban background site, documenting for the first time the chemical and physical properties of submicron (PM1) aerosols. Crustal material from both desert dust and road traffic dust resuspension contributed as much as 24 % of the total PM1 mass (rising to 66 % during desert dust events), a figure not commonly observed in urban environments. Our observations showed significant decreases in black carbon concentrations and ammonium sulfate compared to data from 15 years ago, indicating an important reduction in both local and regional emissions as a result of effective mitigation measures. The diurnal variability of carbonaceous aerosols was attributed to emissions emanating from local traffic at rush hours and nighttime open biomass burning. Surprisingly, semi-volatile ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) originating from local open biomass and waste burning was found to be the main chemical species in PM1 over Cairo. Its nighttime formation contributed to aerosol water uptake during morning hours, thereby playing a major role in the build-up of urban haze. While our results confirm the persistence of a significant dust reservoir over Cairo, they also unveil an additional source of highly hygroscopic (semi-volatile) inorganic salts, leading to a unique type of urban haze. This haze, with dominant contributors present in both submicron (primarily as NH4Cl) and supermicron (largely as dust) modes, underscores the potential implications of heterogeneous chemical transformation of air pollutants in urban environments.

DiaNet v2 deep learning based method for diabetes diagnosis using retinal images

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent chronic metabolic disorder linked to increased morbidity and mortality. With a significant portion of cases remaining undiagnosed, particularly in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, more accurate and accessible diagnostic methods are essential. Current diagnostic tests like fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), random plasma glucose (RPG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) have limitations, leading to misclassifications and discomfort for patients. The aim of this study is to enhance diabetes diagnosis accuracy by developing an improved predictive model using retinal images from the Qatari population, addressing the limitations of current diagnostic methods. This study explores an alternative approach involving retinal images, building upon the DiaNet model, the first deep learning model for diabetes detection based solely on retinal images. The newly proposed DiaNet v2 model is developed using a large dataset from Qatar Biobank (QBB) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) covering wide range of pathologies in the the retinal images. Utilizing the most extensive collection of retinal images from the 5545 participants (2540 diabetic patients and 3005 control), DiaNet v2 is developed for diabetes diagnosis. DiaNet v2 achieves an impressive accuracy of over 92%, 93% sensitivity, and 91% specificity in distinguishing diabetic patients from the control group. Given the high prevalence of diabetes and the limitations of existing diagnostic methods in clinical setup, this study proposes an innovative solution. By leveraging a comprehensive retinal image dataset and applying advanced deep learning techniques, DiaNet v2 demonstrates a remarkable accuracy in diabetes diagnosis. This approach has the potential to revolutionize diabetes detection, providing a more accessible, non-invasive and accurate method for early intervention and treatment planning, particularly in regions with high diabetes rates like MENA.

Appraisal of amyloidosis imaging practices in the Middle East/North Africa (PYP-MENA)

Abstract Aims Whereas recommendations to optimize performance and yield of cardiac scintigraphy studies with bone-seeking tracers have been published, little is known about real-world adherence to these best practices, especially outside North America and Europe. Accordingly, we described imaging practices with this modality in a sample of nuclear laboratories in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region. Methods and results Laboratories performing radionuclide imaging for cardiac amyloidosis in the MENA region were invited to participate in this study to describe installed camera systems, type and dose of bone-avid tracers used, imaging protocols, and criteria used for study interpretation. Out of 19 invited sites, 10 completed the survey (70% government-run; 90% accredited), sites have been involved with amyloid imaging for a median of 49 months (interquartile range 24–60). The median injected dose was 20 mCi (range 10–25), and PYP was used by 90% of sites in this sample. Planar imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) reconstruction was performed at all sites, including seven sites that performed SPECT/CT reconstruction. Lastly, only 50% of sites relied on evidence of myocardial uptake by SPECT to confirm the diagnosis of ATTR cardiomyopathy, while the rest relied on visual assessment and heart/contralateral ratio. Conclusion This study is the first to describe variation in imaging practices across sites in the MENA region, especially in acquisition protocols and interpretation standards. Eliminating heterogeneities identified by this study will harmonize image interpretation and reporting and will facilitate successful conduct of regional multi-centre studies.

The Interaction of Domestic Politics with the Foreign Relations of Chad: A Geopolitically Important State on the Periphery of the Middle East–North Africa Region

The Interaction of Domestic Politics with the Foreign Relations of Chad: A Geopolitically Important State on the Periphery of the Middle East–North Africa Region

Benign bureaucracies? Religious affairs ministries as institutions of political control

ABSTRACT Despite calls for examining how authoritarian regimes employ state structures to prolong their rule and evidence that they regulate religion to shape the behaviour of religious elites, there has been little attention devoted to religious affairs ministries, which are key sites of interaction between religious actors and the state, and are often the primary institution through which regimes manage religion. This study identifies and describes eight core areas these ministries regulate that can be used as instruments for repression and co-optation of regime opponents, and state legitimation: prayer, appointments, education, religious advice and decisions, religious endowments, media, registration, and charity. In this analysis, we seek to bridge the gap between the literatures on religion, the Middle East, and authoritarianism by synthesizing recent research and analysing religious affairs ministries in the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region. We argue that by fulfilling these functions, religion ministries are not benign bureaucracies but impactful institutions of political control. In highlighting key questions that remain unanswered, we outline a research agenda for continued advances towards theorizing how authoritarian regimes might make use of state resources to protect their rule.

Evaluation of WRF Model Boundary Layer Schemes in Simulating Temperature and Heat Extremes over the Middle East–North Africa (MENA) Region

Abstract We assess the sensitivity of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model to the use of different planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations focusing on air temperature and extreme heat conditions. This work aims to evaluate the performance of the WRF Model in simulating temperatures across the Middle East–North Africa (MENA) domain, explain the model biases resulting from the choice of different PBL schemes, and identify the best-performing configuration for the MENA region. Three different PBL schemes are used to downscale the ECMWF ERA-Interim climate over the MENA region at a horizontal resolution of 24 km, for the period 2000–10. These are the Mellor–Yamada–Janjić (MYJ), Yonsei University (YSU), and the asymmetric convective model, version 2 (ACM2). For the evaluation of the WRF runs, we used related meteorological variables from the ERA5 reanalysis, including summer maximum and minimum 2-m air temperature and heat extreme indices. Our results indicate that simulations tend to overestimate maximum temperatures and underestimate minimum temperatures, and we find that model errors are very dependent on the geographic location. The possible physical causes of model biases are investigated through the analysis of additional variables (such as boundary layer height, moisture, and heat fluxes). It is shown that differences among the PBL schemes are associated with differences in vertical mixing strength, which alters the magnitude of the entrainment of free-tropospheric air into the PBL. The YSU is found to be the best-performing scheme, and it is recommended in WRF climate simulations for the MENA region.

The determinants of sustainability reporting: evidence from Saudi petrochemical companies

Purpose This study aims to investigate the determinants of sustainability reporting in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Design/methodology/approach Twenty unstructured interviews were conducted to understand thoroughly the determinants and motivations of sustainability reporting among Saudi petrochemical shareholding companies. Findings This study finds that cultural aspects, compliance with international best practice, competitiveness, reputation and legitimacy are common motivations for sustainability reporting in KSA. Research limitations/implications This study has significant implications for industry, especially petrochemical and other highly polluting industries, and for policymakers. There are economic benefits to industry in adopting sustainability reporting, including transparency; and it is suggested that policymakers encourage industries to give more attention to sustainability reporting. Originality/value This study provides an original contribution to the extant literature on sustainability reporting, and incrementally adds to knowledge on sustainability reporting in KSA, Gulf cooperation council and Middle East North Africa region countries.

District cooling in the Middle East & North Africa; history, current status, and future opportunities

Air conditioners are responsible for substantial portion of electricity consumption all around the world. It is anticipated to require more cooling load in near future due to the global warming, population increment and increased tendency toward better life quality. In this regard, it is crucial to make use and develop more efficient systems for cooling particularly in hot and arid regions. District Cooling (DC) systems have significantly higher efficiency and lower energy consumption in comparison with the traditional cooling technologies. Owing to hot climate in the majority of the Middle East& North Africa (MENA) region, utilization of DC systems would be incredibly attractive option. In this article, status of DC systems in the countries of the MENA regions is represented and discussed and the planned future projects are represented. Furthermore, challenges and opportunities related to the development of these systems are provided. In order to get the required information, different sources such as the data provided by the companies and institutes working on the development of cooling technologies and responsible of it in this region in addition to the publications on the relevant subjects are used. Although there are some huge projects under construction and planning or operation in some of the countries like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, there is not any plan for development of these systems in some other countries such as Iraq. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges related to the development of these systems in the MENA region are provided. The findings of the present work would be beneficial for the policymakers and scholars working on the relevant subjects.

The Relations of Vietnam with the Middle East-North Africa Region: From a Divided State to an Important Member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

During the Cold War, three countries were partitioned into two states: Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. The last was a result of its war of independence against the French following World War II and continued until 1954. Following a victorious war against the United States-backed government in the south, the communist government in the north reunited the country between 1975 and 1976. In 1988, facing economic troubles, Vietnam instituted Doi Moi market reforms while relaxing its ideological worldview and expanded its diplomatic and economic relations. In 1995, Vietnam joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which it had regarded as a pro-Western organization during the Cold War. Meanwhile, first North Vietnam and later a reunified Vietnam went from a country whose relations were exclusive with states in the communist bloc and a few other non-aligned countries to one that today has ties with almost every country in the world. Academic studies on Vietnam’s foreign relations largely focus on those with Russia, China, the US, its ASEAN partners, and other countries in Asia. However, since the end of the Cold War, countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are an import source of Vietnam’s crude oil and natural gas and an expanding market for its exports, while MENA states, in this era of globalization, have sought to increase diplomatic and economic ties throughout Asia.

Public service motivation research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region: A systematic review of progress and implications for public administration theory and practice

The research on public service motivation (PSM) has seen a growing internationalization, necessitating efforts to organize and systematize its findings to assess research progress and enhance the value of PSM theory in various contexts, including public administration. This paper aims to review the progress of PSM research in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region over the past decade. The primary methodology employed is a systematic literature review, where a total of 20 papers published between 2013 and 2020 were located and analyzed. The assessment of these papers includes an examination of their country of origin, publication source, underlying theory, research design, and lines of study. A critical evaluation of the findings is conducted, focusing on their theoretical and practical contributions to PSM scholarship. The key conclusion drawn from this review is that while PSM research in the MENA region is advancing, it reveals certain methodological limitations and underexplored themes that need to be addressed. Consequently, this paper significantly contributes to public administration research and PSM-specific studies by providing the long-awaited organization, systematization, and integration of regional research. The outcomes of this review enable the identification of relevant contextual factors that can enrich the conceptualization and operationalization of PSM on a regional basis. Additionally, this paper offers a comprehensive overview of existing PSM knowledge in the MENA region, thereby guiding future research in this domain. By acknowledging both the methodological strengths and weaknesses, as well as the thematic aspects of the reviewed studies, specific suggestions are put forth to enhance the quality and depth of future PSM research in the MENA region. This paper thus serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to further develop the understanding of PSM within the context of the MENA region.

Satellite precipitation bias estimation and correction using in situ observations and climatology isohyets for the MENA region

The availability of reliable gridded precipitation datasets is limited around the world, especially in arid regions. In this study, we utilized observations from satellite-based precipitation data and in situ rain gauge observations to determine a suitable precipitation dataset in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. First, we evaluated seven different precipitation products using rain gauge observations. The validation was conducted at the daily, monthly, and annual time scales. Results indicated a weaker correlation between in situ rain gauge observation and satellite precipitation data at the daily time step (r: 0.02 to 0.44), mainly due to the lack of range in precipitation distribution. However, the agreement between precipitation estimates and in situ gauge observations improved at monthly (r: 0.02 to 0.66) and annual time scales (r: −0.22 to 0.57), indicating greater reliability of satellite-based precipitation at monthly and annual time scales. Based on the results and dataset availability, the Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP) was deemed suitable to create a bias-corrected new precipitation dataset for the MENA region. This study highlights the benefits of an adjusted regional precipitation product for hydrologic applications in the MENA region, such as streamflow or runoff estimation, to improve the reliability of the model outputs.

Central nervous system tumors in patients coming from areas of conflict in the Middle East/North Africa region: an experience from King Hussein Cancer Center.

The global cancer burden has been disproportionately shifting towards low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Limited availability and accessibility to screening, treatment and surveillance, increase in the prevalence and lack of control of risk factors, and underdeveloped healthcare infrastructures have greatly contributed to the disparity in the global cancer burden. A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included adult and pediatric patients with an established diagnosis of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors including brain or spinal tumors of which different demographic, clinical characteristics, and financial burden were presented. 749 patients were included stemming from various countries in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region including Libya (34.2%), Palestine (19.8%), Iraq (15.4%), Syria (14.6%) Yemen (14.5%), and Sudan (1.5%). Most patients were adults (66%) with a median age of 34-year-old. 104 patients had died (13.9%), 80 patients were still alive (10.7%) and most of the patients (n= 565, 75.5%) were lost to follow-up. The added cost of managing these patients is 10,172,935 Jordanian Dinars (JOD), with King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) covering around 34.3% of the total cost. Our study aimed at taking a closer look at patients coming from areas of conflict in the MENA region diagnosed and treated for CNS tumors at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) over a 12-year period. It was found that even with the contributions of the Jordanian sources almost half of the patients were faced with the entire financial burden of treatment alone.

An evaluation of cancer aging research group (CARG) score to predict chemotherapy toxicity in older Iranian patients with cancer

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the Cancer Aging Research Group (CARG) in Iranian patients as a representative of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region population. Methods This prospective longitudinal study involved patients 65 years and older starting a new cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen. We did general (including Karnofsky performance status, KPS) and CARG-based assessments before chemotherapy. Chemotherapy toxicities were recorded during chemotherapy courses. The predictive values of CARG and KPS were evaluated using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). Chemotherapy toxicities were sub-analyzed per hematologic and nonhematologic types. Results Chemotherapy-related toxicity was reported in 23.6 % of patients. The corresponding area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) was 0.56 (95 %CI, 0.40–0.69) for total toxicity, 0.67 (95 % CI, 0.48–0.78) for hematologic toxicity, and 0.39 (95 %CI, 0.21–0.66) for nonhematologic toxicity. Conclusions CARG model had an acceptable ability to predict hematologic toxicities; however, its efficacy for total and nonhematologic toxicities was limited.

Does overconfidence blur out the investment efficiency? The managerial overconfidence and internal financing effect on investment efficiency: evidence from MENA region

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate whether managerial overconfidence has an impact on investment inefficiency beyond its influence on the use of internal financing or whether internal financing behaves as a full intermediary.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed three dependent variables, namely business investment scale, overinvestment and underinvestment, and analyzed data from 282 firms across five different industries listed in 11 Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries between 2013 and 2019 using regression analysis via least square dummy variable (LSDV).FindingsThe findings indicate that while internal financing can provide funding for investment opportunities and address capital shortages, it may also result in overinvestment, particularly in companies led by overconfident managers.Practical implicationsStakeholders, including shareholders and board of directors, should pay attention to the chief executive officer (CEO)'s behavioral aspects such as overconfidence in decision-making while undertaking new investment projects. Additionally, regulators and policymakers in emerging markets like MENA should re-evaluate the corporate governance framework, devise a corporate governance index and promote boardroom gender diversity as it can significantly reduce risk.Originality/valueThis study adds to the limited research on the impact of managerial overconfidence on investment efficiency in the MENA region. By focusing on this region, which has unique economic, political and social characteristics, the study provides new insights into the role of behavioral biases in investment decision-making in emerging markets.

The impact of institutions' quality and information availability on capital inflows volatility in selected MENA countries

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the main characteristics of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region's capital inflows volatility. It also examines the effect of institutional quality and information availability on capital inflows volatility in selected MENA countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia) in the period 1996–2017.Design/methodology/approachThe study's assessments are based on the International Country Risk Guide (ICRG) and globalization indices. It also employs an updated data set of balance of payments indicators released by the International Monetary Fund. Moreover, the study uses econometric panel modeling of random effect model, with Driscoll-Kraay robust standard error, to analyze the relationship between capital inflows volatility, institutional quality and information availability.FindingsThe paper finds that both institutional quality and information availability are in an inverse relationship with the total capital inflows volatility in the MENA region. However, the findings vary across the different components of total capital inflows. For example, the volatility of foreign direct investment (FDI) declines, like total capital flows, as the two factors improve. However, the volatility of foreign portfolio investment (FPI) is negatively related to institutional quality but does not have any significant relationship with information availability. While the volatility of foreign other investments (FOI) decreases with the availability of information, but does not have any significant relationship with institutional quality.Originality/valueThis paper expands the limited literature regarding the determinants of capital inflows volatility. Furthermore, it is the first study that investigates the effect of institutional quality and information availability on capital inflows volatility in the MENA region.

Can the Middle East-North Africa region mitigate the rise of its food import dependency under climate change?

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10113-023-02045-y.

Power, politics & resistance: secularism and women’s marital rights in Egypt and Iran

ABSTRACT Family law in the Middle East North Africa region has been critically scrutinized by both adherents to Islam and Western observers. There is consensus between both traditions that secularism has had no meaningful impact on women’s marital rights due to Islam’s continued influence on socio-cultural and legal practices. Building on this, this article examines the effects of the secular nature of Egypt and Iran, between 1900 and 1939, on women’s marital rights. Contributing to the current literature by examining two countries which are rarely exclusively compared in this field, significant insights into the relationship between gender equality, marriage, and secularism emerge through interpretive textual analyses of memoirs and laws. It illustrates how secular identities affect marital laws; the importance of the political environment within the state, and how secularism is a tool for pursuing or challenging power. This article challenges homogenizing assumptions that secularism had limited effects on marital laws.

Multiple Sclerosis in Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region: Challenges, Achievements and Opportunities.

Multiple Sclerosis in Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region: Challenges, Achievements and Opportunities.

A Qualitative Multi-Methods Research Protocol: Applied Research Ethics in the Middle East North Africa Region

In generating new knowledge in all fields related to human subjects research, research ethics is key. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has witnessed a remarkable increase in research involving human participants, but robust contextually relevant guidelines and local capacity to guide ethical research are lacking. The research protocol presented and discussed here represents the methodology used to assess the landscape of applied research ethics in the region from the narratives of several constituencies in the research process, namely researchers, research ethics committee chairs and directors of research institutions. The study is a three-year multi-phase, multi-method research which involved a sequence of phases starting with a desk review, writing country reports, focus groups, and in-depth interviews, followed by a regional survey. The lead research team worked with country teams in 6 sites in the MENA region to conduct the empirical research which will be described in detail and reflected on for rigor and challenges.

Innovative hybrid waste to energy–parabolic trough plant for power generation and water desalination in the Middle East North Africa region: Jordan as a case study

This research proposes a hybrid system consisting of a parabolic trough solar field coupled with a waste incineration facility to produce power and desalinated water in Jordan. To predict the performance of the proposed system, EBSILON Professional (13.02) was used to simulate the entire system and for a more realistic simulation process, a prime sample of 100 tons of municipal waste from Jordan was obtained, processed, and homogenised, after which 4 kg was brought to Germany for laboratory analysis. The laboratory results were inserted into EBSILON. Solar radiation data were adapted from meteonorms and input to EBSILON. Heat transfer between the receiver wall and the heat transfer fluid was analysed to calculate the time required to increase the temperature of the Heat Transfer Fluid from the influent temperature to the desired effluent temperature. The results show that this system can produce 34 MWe of power and 13,824 m3/d of distilled water. On the 1st January, the temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the solar field was increased by 6 °C for 20 min in an open cycle. After 5h, it reached 390 °C in a closed cycle, assuming a fixed direct normal irradiance. Economically, five scenarios were analysed to assess the impact of the cost of heat harvested to produce this amount of water on the annual cost of handling each ton of garbage which was approximately 57 US$ in the first year of operation and 19.5 US$ in the 15th year of plant operation (for the scenario in which the tariff of power sales was considered to evaluate the cost of heat for water desalination).