Middle Eastern Cases Research Articles

High School Students’ Perceptions of the Role of Social Support in Cultivating Their Interests in and Aspirations to STEM Degrees and Careers—A Middle Eastern Case Study

This case study intends to comprehend students’ perceptions of social support in cultivating their interests and aspirations for science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM) degrees and careers. Survey-based quantitative research was employed, incorporating data from 1426 high school (grade 11th–12th) students in Qatar. The survey instrument encompassed four dimensions, i.e., (1) participants’ demographics, (2) STEM interests, (3) STEM supports/barriers and (4) STEM career aspirations to understand students’ perceptions. Spearman’s Rho correlation test demonstrated a positive correlation between students’ perceived social support (from family, teachers, and society) and their STEM interests (p < 0.01). Findings from the Mann-Whitney U test illustrated that females perceived enhanced social support (from teachers and society) in Qatar (p < 0.05). Even though teachers and society have been the stimulus to developing students’ STEM interests, there is still room to implement a policy for the consequential influence in constructing students’ STEM career aspirations. Thus, we believe these findings would urge policymakers to design tools that enable teachers and society to nurture, cultivate and sustain interest in STEM among the youth to meet Qatar’s National Vision 2030.

Saturation Determination and Fluid Identification in Carbonate Rocks Based on Well Logging Data: A Middle Eastern Case Study

In the Middle East, there remain many technical challenges in the water saturation evaluation of carbonate rocks and the effective identification of reservoir fluid properties. The traditional Archie equation is not applicable to carbonate reservoirs with complex pore structures and varying reservoir space distribution, as there are obvious “non-Archie” phenomena. In this paper, by analyzing the experimental data on the rock resistivity of the target formation in the study area and analyzing the relationship between stratigraphic factors and porosity, the previous fitting method was modified as a result of using the actual data while avoiding the cementation index as a way to improve Archie’s formula to evaluate the water saturation. Based on the improved Archie formula, the mathematical differential operation of water saturation and porosity was carried out using the formation resistivity. The calculation results of irreducible water saturation were used to calibrate the oil layer, and the water layer was calibrated when the water saturation was 100%, allowing for a novel reservoir fluid property identification method. This total differential method can effectively identify the oil-down-to (ODT) and water-up-to (WUT) levels in an oil–water system and then accurately divide the transition zone of the oil–water layer. When this method was applied, the identification results were in good agreement with production conclusions and test data with an accuracy rate of 89.95%. Although the use of geophysical logging data from open-hole wells combined with the total differential method is only applicable to wells with similar logging time and production time, it is possible to compare geophysical logging data from different periods to construct oil–water profiles to observe the changes in ODT over time to guide development and adjust production plans. The proposed reservoir fluid property identification method and the improved water saturation calculation formula can meet the requirements of water saturation evaluation in the target block with low calculation cost and easy implementation, which provides a new method for water saturation evaluation and rapid identification of reservoir fluid properties.

Earthen architecture in the Mesoamerican classic period: A micromorphological approach to its manufacture process

Earthen construction systems are generally inferred from stratigraphic evidence, without analytical follow-up, leading to poor or erroneous interpretations. Micromorphological analysis has shown potential to differentiate manufacturing techniques, and diagnostic features have been established for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cases. This paper evaluates the method on construction samples from Mesoamerica, where earthen architecture emerged independently from the Old World and where the marked seasonal rainfall pattern characteristic of the tropics, and the human settlement on soils and sediments originating from relatively recent volcanic activity, create conditions that mostly differ from previously analyzed cases. In this first comparative analysis, we use 16 samples of the most representative construction elements in Mesoamerica: mud-brick, cob walls and facings from monumental architecture, obtained from seven major sites, dating to the first millennium AD, located both in coastal lowlands and in semi-arid to arid plateaus.All elements analyzed are made of mixes in plastic state, as there is no evidence of rammed earth or poured earth techniques in Mesoamerica. Therefore, the features related to the amount of water added are similar, with differences appearing in the selection and combination of raw materials, and the manufacturing processes of kneading, adding mineral and organic aggregates, and applying. The use of materials of volcanic origin gives a particular appearance to all samples. The features defined in previous research were useful for the sample analysis, showing that manufacturing process was very similar and that the method can be applied in Mesoamerica, to assist in the correct technological identification of construction systems.

The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Middle Eastern and North African History

The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Middle Eastern and North African History

Regional Variationsofand Regional VariationswithinFunctional Differentiation – The Middle East and World Society

AbstractThis article highlights the territorial and functional embedding of world regions within a functionally differentiated world society, as well as the heterogeneity between different (local) practices of functional differentiation within world regions. Its argument proceeds in two steps. In a first step, it discusses the distinction between regional variationsoffunctional differentiation versus regional variationswithinfunctional differentiation as an important tool in order to characterize specific variations of structural patterns. In a second step it turns to the Middle Eastern case, arguing that while at first glance this may be a candidate for a regional variation of functional differentiation, a closer look reveals that it has been characterized by a very specific variationwithinfunctional differentiation for quite a while. The article concludes by using these observations for some thoughts on the functional differentiation of world society more generally.

Steps-to-War Theory and Interstate Wars in the Middle East: Is State-Sponsored Terrorism Another Escalating Step?

I employ Steps-to-War theory to analyze interstate wars in the Middle East by adding an additional escalating step: state sponsorship of non-state actors. Remarkably, however, the present scholarship completely overlooks a comprehensive assessment of the impacts and roles of state-sponsored terrorism on escalation of interstate militarized conflicts. None of the conflict studies focuses on state-sponsored terrorism and escalation of interstate conflict. This gap still exists despite a remarkable growth in the conflict literature. This article argues that the Steps-to-War thesis is a useful framework for understanding why states end up fighting wars by answering the questions: How does state-sponsored terrorism escalate interstate conflict? And how does each step intertwine with other steps and make war more likely? This paper’s primary argument is that state-sponsored terrorism increases the likelihood of war by providing another escalating step in conjunction with other steps and, therefore, aligns with Steps-to-War theory, and is one of the leading escalating factors. Ultimately, this article argues that this claim has a solid basis, and the Middle Eastern cases vividly demonstrate the escalatory ability of state-sponsored terrorism because state-sponsored terrorism interacts with and reinforces other escalating factors.

Genetic Assessment of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IV and the First Pathological Mutation of c.313A>G in the Iranian Population

Aims Morquio syndrome is a mucopolysaccharidosis (type 4) that has autosomal recessive inheritance. Moreover, it is caused by defects in the two genes; GALNS (Murcio A) and GLB1 (Murcio B). The prevalence rate of this condition is estimated to be about 1 per 200000 live births globally. Besides, Middle Eastern cases shape the greatest ratio, due to higher rates of consanguineous marriages. The most frequent clinical manifestations of the disease include skeletal abnormalities, hearing and vision problems, decreased physical growth, and cardiac malformations. Methods & Materials This study investigated the pathogenic mutations in two Iranian individuals. Both cases were the result of consanguineous marriages with mucopolysaccharidosis type 4 (A or B types, each). Following of genomic DNA extraction, Whole Exome Sequencing was conducted for the study patients. Then, for the validation of observed pathogenic mutations, sanger sequencing was performed for the patients. Findings Two explored patients demonstrated homozygote mutations. Mutation analysis of the GLB1 gene revealed c.443G>A mutation in one patient and GALNS gene c.313A>G in the other. Conclusion Two pathogenic mutations in GLB1 and GALNS gene were found in 2 Iranian patients in this study. The NGS was a desirable and reliable technique for detecting these two mutations. The c.313A> G mutation in the GALNS gene was novel and had not been reported in the world.

Neo-Modernity: A New Framework for Political Reality. The Middle Eastern Case

Neo-Modernity: A New Framework for Political Reality. The Middle Eastern Case

The Pandemic Challenge for the Middle East Vector of “One Belt-One Road”: A View from Beijing

The article analyzes the Chinese approach to risk assessment for the “One Belt, One Road” Initiative (OBOR) in the context of the 2020 global pandemic. Applying for the Middle Eastern case, the authors reveal the contradictory impact of the pandemic crisis on the OBOR international cooperation. Chinese experts consider the main risks for the OBOR Middle East projects implementation are following: increase in the total external debt of the region’s states; significant reduction of their financial resources; interest decrease of international financial institutions in investment support of the OBOR Initiative as a whole; as well as deterioration of the foreign policy atmosphere for certain regional actors. At the same time, according to Beijing, along with the forced decline of China’s economic activity in the Middle East, the pandemic challenge has created new opportunities and perspectives for Chinese regional projects, and also allowed Beijing to significantly expand the toolkit of so-called horizontal diplomacy to promote its integration initiative in this parts of the world. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the risk management mechanisms developed by Beijing for the Middle East OBOR projects. Among the most significant achievements of Chinese policy in the Middle East during the pandemic is the promotion of the Health Silk Road and Digital Silk Road projects. In general, China’s Middle East policy in the context of the 2020 pandemic crisis has confirmed the high effectiveness of the basic principles of modern China’s foreign policy — pragmatism, flexibility, multi-vector approach, and so on. The study was carried out within the framework of a systematic approach and based on official documents and analytical materials of Chinese origin.

Capturing Real Impacts: Environmental Peacebuilding Evaluation in the Middle East: Lessons Applicable Worldwide

This research was conducted to close the knowledge gap relating to suitable evaluation methodologies for interdisciplinary approaches of Environmental Peacebuilding, covering not only intended but also unintended, unanticipated, positive and negative, short and long-term outcomes. Information was gathered on Middle Eastern case studies and from a global perspective, triangulating facts from literature reviews, expert-, NGO-, and beneficiary interviews, and a global expert survey. Findings clarify the complexity of internal and external, donor-based aspects, all indicating the need to fundamentally revise current evaluation structures to ensure effectiveness of projects. Moreover, a framework was developed to support practitioners in their monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities.

Blue blood or true blood: Why are levels of intrastate armed conflict so low in Middle Eastern monarchies?

In the aftermath of the Arab uprisings, the difference between monarchies and republics appears more profound than ever. Aside from Bahrain, all of the Middle Eastern monarchies avoided major anti-governmental protests, and no armed conflict has occurred in any of them since 1979. Inspired by Middle Eastern case studies, this article argues that traditional legitimacy contributes to peace in Middle Eastern monarchies. The article explores the argument with time-series cross-sectional data covering 19 Middle Eastern countries from 1947 (or independence) to 2009. Traditional legitimacy is not measured directly but assumed to be embedded in the monarchical regime type, and the results show that alternative covariates are unable to fully explain the monarchical peace. Moreover, the study finds that horizontal discrimination increases the risk of intrastate conflict in authoritarian republics but that discrimination has no effect in monarchies. Future conflict studies should therefore consider legitimacy connected to authoritarian regime types.

Biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease: neuroimaging features before and after treatment.

Biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease is an autosomal recessive neurometabolic disorder presenting with subacute encephalopathy that can cause death if left untreated. The purpose of this study is to assess the neuroimaging and clinical features of the disease before and after treatment with biotin. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging features of 15 genetically-proved Middle Eastern cases of biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease. Brain MR imaging was done at the onset of symptoms in all cases and within 2-8 weeks after biotin and thiamine therapy in 14 patients. The MR imaging datasets were analyzed according to lesion location, extent, and distribution. Brain MR imaging showed bilateral lesions in the caudate nuclei with complete or partial involvement of the putamen and sparing of the globus pallidus in all cases. In 80%, discrete abnormal signals were observed in the mesencephalon, cerebral cortical-subcortical regions, and thalami. In 53%, when the disease was advanced, patchy deep white matter affection was found. The cerebellum was involved in 13.3%. The signal abnormality of the mesencephalon, cortex, and white matter disappeared after treatment whereas the caudate and putamen necrosis persisted in all patients, including those who became asymptomatic. Biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease is a treatable underdiagnosed disease. It should be suspected in pediatric patients with unexplained encephalopathy whose brain MR imaging shows bilateral and symmetric lesions in the caudate heads and putamen, with or without involvement of mesencephalon, thalami, and cortical-subcortical regions, as the therapeutic trial of biotin and thiamine can be lifesaving.

Environmental Risk Factors for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case-Control Study in a Middle Eastern Migrant Population

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) of multifactorial etiology. Environmental risk factors may explain the recent striking rise in IBD incidence, especially in developing areas. As yet there are few migration population studies assessing the influence of genes and the environment, and no studies focusing on the Middle Eastern (ME) population and their IBD risk upon migration to Western countries. This prospective case-control study focused on an ME migrant population in Australia and investigated known and speculative IBD environmental factors. Cases were recruited from central-South Western Sydney to maximize ME case recruitment. Comparisons with Australian Caucasian IBD factors for ethnic differences, with matched controls from Lebanon to identify environmental changes upon migration, and between first- and second-generation migrants, were done. Matched population controls were randomly selected from similar locations. Adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables were used. The study recruited 673 subjects: 84 migrant ME IBD cases (CD, 51; UC, 33), 136 Australian Caucasian IBD cases (CD, 81; UC, 55), 150 migrant ME controls, 153 Caucasian controls and 150 controls from Lebanon. In the migrant ME group, adjusted ORs for significant factors were: IBD family history (CD, 11.23; 95% CI, 2.38-35.00; UC, 20.40; 95% CI, 4.95-84.12), smoking (CD, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.18-5.86), breastfeeding at 6–12 months and >12 months for CD and UC (P < .05), rural dwelling, owning pets, farm animal contact, bedroom sharing for CD and UC (P < .01), and appendectomy (CD, 6.32; 95% CI, 1.85-21.62; UC, 7.01, 95% CI, 1.79-27.54). Novel risk factors are pet feeding (CD, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11-0.70) and owning dogs (CD, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.15-0.72). Caucasians share some speculative factors: breastfeeding, rural dwelling and owning pets. Migration exposes Middle Easterners to increased risks such as appendectomy (CD, 4.58; 95% CI, 1.42-14.79; UC, 4.76; 95% CI, 1.24-18.24). Earlier age of diagnosis for second-generation ME CD cases was found (mean age, 22 vs 31 years; P = .02). Great influences on second- compared to first-generation migrants are rural dwelling (CD, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.09-0.96] vs 0.49 [95% CI, 0.16-0.98]) and pet ownership (CD, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.06-0.75] vs 0.45 [95% CI, 0.17-0.88]). The hygiene hypothesis, breastfeeding’s protective effect and known environmental factors are supported in a migrant group. Contact with childhood pets is a novel protective factor. Upon migration, Middle Easterners are greatly exposed to risk factors of appendectomies with loss of protective effects. Hygiene hypothesis factors are more frequently detected in migrant Middle Easterners than Caucasians and in second- than first-generation migrants.

Cross-Regional Comparisons: The Arab Uprisings as Political Transitions and Social Movements

The Arab uprisings, like the fall of the Berlin Wall more than two decades ago, are watershed events that have raised fundamental questions about our understanding of the processes of political change, the emergence and diffusion of contentious collective action, and the role of the international context in facilitating or hindering political change. The uprisings have further strengthened a growing focus within Middle Eastern studies on framing questions about the social, economic, and political dynamics in the region in ways that allow for more robust linkages with comparative theorizing about the dynamics of contentious collective action and the processes of political change. In other words, the Arab uprisings have injected new energy into the comparative study of contentious politics. In addition to new research agendas the uprisings have also provided opportunities for introducing students in survey and theory courses to the region's political dynamics, enriching students' engagement with theoretical concepts and honing their critical thinking and analytical skills while making the Middle East less “exceptional” for the students. Here, I focus on how incorporating of Middle Eastern cases allows instructors to raise questions and engage students in discussions about the emergence and diffusion of contentious collective action.

Is ‘Consensus’ Necessary for Inflation Stabilization? A Comparison of Israel and Turkey

By studying two Middle Eastern cases, Israel and Turkey, this study seeks to understand how countries with chronically high inflation achieve permanent stabilization. It is argued that each case of successful stabilization is facilitated by a combination of favourable political conditions. Having an acute crisis is a necessary though not a sufficient condition. It is argued that what politically seems to help most is the creation of 'social and political consensus'. A wide support for stabilization is more likely if the stabilization plan distributes the costs of stabilization more equally. Skilful leaders also help build consensus and they are more important where other conditions are unfavourable. All these conditions were instrumental in the case of Israel, which is a stable and established democracy. The Turkish case demonstrates that if stabilization is initiated without a consensus, it would prove to be a political disaster for the implementing government. However, rapid positive economic results and favourable political changes may later contribute to creating political and social support for stabilization. In fact, for stabilization to be successful, consensus in the medium term is as or even more important than consensus in the short term.

Remembering Our Roots

Scholars of the Middle East based in social science disciplines—especially my own, political science—are likely to feel a bit more welcome by their colleagues as a result of recent events in the Middle East. Not only will we be informative conversationalists in the hallways for a while because of our regional expertise, but also, far more profoundly, the sorts of things that political scientists study, from voting patterns to regime change, are suddenly interesting subjects in the region. This is not to say that Middle East elections were not studied in the past or that research on political change was not undertaken—far from it. But the questions posed, the terms used, and tools employed were often different from those more prevalent in the discipline. Political scientists focusing on the Middle East are therefore likely to find this a gratifying time, ripe with opportunities for comparative and cross-regional analysis. And those nonregional specialists whose interests lie in a wide variety of topics from voting behavior to revolutions may work harder to incorporate Middle Eastern cases into their own work.

Epidemiology of primary brain tumors in the Middle Eastern population in California, USA 2001–2005

Background: The fast growing Middle Eastern (ME) population has rarely been studied in the U.S.. The purpose of this study was to compare the epidemiology of primary brain tumors in this ethnic population with the non-Hispanic, non-Middle Eastern White (NHNMW) in California. Methods: ME cases were identified by surname in the California cancer registry and ME population estimates were based on ancestry. Data for 683 cases of primary brain tumors (429 benign, 238 malignant, 16 uncertain) in the ME and 15,589 cases (8352 benign, 6812 malignant, 425 uncertain) in the NHNMW were available for this study. Results: ME patients were significantly ( p < 0.05) younger and their age-adjusted incidence rates per 100,000 for benign tumors of 10.0 in men and 17.6 in women were higher than similar rates of 7.3 and 10.6 in the NHNMW group ( p < 0.05). Rates for malignant tumors were similar. Meningioma was the main histology responsible for the observed increase in patients over 40 years of age. Also increased were benign tumors of the pituitary and pineal glands. The overall mortality in patients with benign tumors was significantly lower than malignant tumors. Conclusions: This study presents a significantly high incidence of benign meningioma in the ME population in California. This may be due to higher susceptibility or exposure of this ethnic group to the risk factor(s) for this neoplasm. Considering the reported causal association of benign meningioma with childhood radiation exposure from Israel, exposure to this risk factor in this ethnic group needs to be evaluated in future studies.

Thyroid cancer in the Middle Eastern population of California

To describe and compare the epidemiology of thyroid cancer in the rapidly growing Middle Eastern (ME) population and the non-Hispanic, non-Middle Eastern White (NHNMW) residents of California. Population with ME heritage that is officially not recognized as a distinct ethnicity has rarely been studied in the past. ME cases in the California cancer registry files for 1988-2004 were identified by surname recognition. ME population was estimated by ancestry from census data. Thyroid cancer in ME group, 869 cases and 56 deaths were compared with 19,182 cases and 1,327 deaths in the NHNMW population. Age-adjusted rate ratio (RR) for incidence was 1.5 (95% CI 1.3-1.7) in men and 1.5 (95% CI 1.4-1.7) in women. RR for mortality was 1.4 (95% CI 0.9-2.4) in men and 2.3 (95% CI 1.4-3.9) in women. Papillary tumors comprised over 80% of all cases and their pattern correlated with the rapid increase in thyroid cancer in recent years. Five-year observed survival in ME men was significantly higher than in NHNMW men, but similar in women. Eighty-five percent of ME cases identified in this study were born in the Middle East. The higher incidence of thyroid cancer in this immigrant population may largely reflect a combination of sequels of radiation treatment for fungal diseases of the scalp that was common in the area in early 1950s, benign proliferative thyroid disease that is common in the area due to dietary iodine imbalance, and possibly genetic predisposition.

Supporting Hospital Doctors in the Middle East by Email Telemedicine: Something the Industrialized World Can Do to Help

Background Since 1999, the Swinfen Charitable Trust has operated an email referral system between doctors in the developing world and specialists in the industrialized world. Since 2001, it has expanded its operation into the Middle East, in particular Iraq, an area of considerable conflict.Objectives The aim was to compare referral patterns to the Trust from the Middle East with those received from the rest of the developing world and to look for qualitative evidence of health gain.Methods We analyzed referrals to the Swinfen Charitable Trust between July 2004 and June 2007 and compared these by speciality with those received from elsewhere during the same 3-year period. We asked two referring doctors for their views of the process, and we analyzed the total Middle Eastern referrals made to a single specialty (neurology).Results Between July 2004 and June 2007, 283 referrals were received from four countries in the Middle East (Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kuwait) and 500 cases were received from 22 other countries. The 283 cases resulted in 522 separate queries to specialists. The median time to specialist reply for the queries relating to the 283 Middle Eastern cases was 24.3 hours (interquartile range 6.1-63.3). There was a significant difference in case mix between the Middle East and the rest of the world (P < .001), with more obstetric referrals and fewer referrals in medical specialties and radiology. The referring doctors were helped greatly by the service. The neurologist was confident of the diagnosis in 20 of 26 referrals received (77%). Both referring doctors and the specialist were able to cite referred cases where management was improved as a result of the service.Conclusions Email telemedicine can be used in areas of conflict such as the Middle East. Perhaps surprisingly, trauma referrals are not increased but obstetric referrals are. Supporting individual doctor-patient encounters in this way is therefore often beneficial and is easily expandable. As well as improving care for individuals, email telemedicine provides effective case-based learning for local doctors, leading to improved care for subsequent similar patients.

DAVID WALDNER, State Building and Late Development (Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1999). Pp. 256. $49.95 cloth, $18.95 paper.

David Waldner's book is a rigorously argued and impressively sustained account of the relationship between state-building and economic growth in four late-developing countries: South Korea, Syria, Taiwan, and Turkey. By systematically and crisply using a comparative method to bring a unified story to these different histories, Waldner demonstrates in a masterly way the benefits of genuine comparative inquiry; contributes to our understanding of the painful results of economic development in the Middle East; and uses Middle Eastern cases to advance our understanding of the complicated and mediated linkage between state formation and economic development. This ambitious book deserves a wide audience.