Dust Events in the Western Parts of Iran and the Relationship with Drought Expansion over the Dust-Source Areas in Iraq and Syria

The most famous deserts exist in subtropical regions which is the direct outcome of insufficient precipitation and high temperatures. The Middle East deserts are subjected often to dust, which reduces horizontal visibility to 5 km, and sometimes even to less than 100 m. The severe and prolong drought recently afflicting the west Asia region has been suggested to be instrumental in producing an increased output of dust into the atmosphere from the region. Regarding the increasing of dust events over the west of Iran with the external origin in the recent decade (from 2000 to present), so the main dust-source areas over Iraq and Syria have been detected using the dust-source map of the southwest of Asia, satellite images and soil type maps. We considered the relationship between the increasing of dust events in the western of Iran and drought expansion over the main dust-production areas during the recent decade. Dust frequency data series, and drought variables which include the VHI (vegetation health index), precipitation and temperature data series in long-term and monthly scales have been monitored and compared. And then we used the correlation analysis that indicated the significant proximity between the dust events and droughts/dryness in a yearly scale and also during the warm season (May to Aug). Meantime the derived results from the T-student test for the aforementioned data series confirm the fact that the droughts are parallel to the increasing of dust events from 1996 to 2011 (especially in the recent decade). We found that the recent droughts in the external dust source areas had the remarkable potential to increase the dust events in the west of Iran.

Dolomitization of the lower cretaceous carbonate reservoir in the Euphrates Graben,Syria

Results of this study are based on core materials description,thin sections,Cathodoluminescence(CL),and Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM)examinations.The Lower Cretaceous over the Euphrates Graben area was characterized by carbonate sedimentation in shallow marine environments.The low energy lagoonal to inner shelf sediments of the Judea Formation includes micritic mudstone to wackestone texture,dolomitic limestones and dolostones.Two types of dolomites recognized in the carbonates of the Judea Formation,the preserving microcrystalline dolomites which commonly founded in the partially dolomitized micritic limestones,and the destructive coarsely crystalline dolomites which commonly founded in the dolostones and dolomitic limestones.Petrographic examinations indicate that the preserving microcrystalline dolomites represent subtidal cycles developed in a shoal to open marine depositional environments,they probably formed under conditions of the shallow burial diagenesis.The destructive coarsely crystalline dolomites may develop in more basinward,open marine environments under conditions of the deep burial diagenesis that accompanied by rising in temperature,pressure,and burial depth.It is believed that evolution of the diagenetic history of the Judean Formation sediments occurred in two diagenetic stages;the shallow burial diagenesis,and the deep burial diagenesis.Compaction processes,early fracturing,micritization,early calcite,and the early phase of dolomitization were part of the multiple diagenetic alterations during the shallow burial diagenesis.The deep burial diagenesis was marked by dissolution,late stage of dolomitization and replacement,mechanical and chemical compaction,and the late calcite precipitation.It is believed that dolomitization of the Judea Formation carbonates in the Euphrates Graben has contributed to improving the reservoir properties by increasing the porosity and thus the permeability.

Using Bayesian and Eigen approaches to study spatial genetic structure of Moroccan and Syrian durum wheat landraces

The Mediterranean durum wheat landraces are genetically diverse and important sources for improving resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses and developing adapted and productive durum wheat varieties in the Mediterranean region. To study the diversity two distant countries (MoroccoandSyria) durum landraces were studied. Fifty-one microsatellites were used as molecular markers tool to determine the genetic structure and spatial adaptation of these landraces. We used two spatially-explicit methods (Bayesian and Eigen) to determine the genetic diversity and structure of a population composed of Moroccan (98) and Syrian (90) durum wheat landraces. Non-spatial methods were also applied for comparison. A significant genetic difference was detected between the landraces originated from Morocco and Syria. Six subpopulations were revealed for each country using the Bayesian method and the Eigenanalysis, which generated PC1 and sPC1, showed similar structure. Eigenanalysis exhibited a significant global genetic structure for both countries landraces;and showed that neighboring landraces tend to have close genetic profile. The two first axes of PC1 and sPC1 had discriminated four out of the six subpopulations revealed by the Bayesian methodology. Also, our study detected the close relationship between the durum landraces from the coastal areas of Syria and the Moroccan landraces from the Atlantic coastal regions where the Phoenicians/Carthaginians had settled in Morocco. These results demonstrate the importance of using the spatial models in genetic analysis of durum wheat landraces;and also recommend the use of the easily usable Eigenanalysis to analyze the genetic diversity and structure.

Quality of life among Syrian patients with war-related lower limb amputation at the Military Hospital in Lattakia

Purpose:To describe the quality of life(QOL)of Syrian people with lower limb amputation after the war.Methods:A cross-sectional study conducted at the Military Hospital in Lattakia,from May to August 2019.A convenience sample of 65 adult males who had previously undergone amputation of a lower limb was included in this study.Participants'data were collected including age,marital status,employment,time since amputation,level of amputation,type of amputation and the use of assistive devices.The QOL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version(WHO QOL-BREF).Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 20.Results:Forty(61.5%)of subjects were between age of 40-60.Below knee and unilateral lower-limb amputees formed the highest number 52(80.0%)and 51(78.5%)respectively.The mean scores of environment,physical health,psychological,and social relationships domains of QOL were 15.86,15.18,14.66,and 6.64,respectively.There were statistically significant differences in various domains of QOL between groups with different status of employment,financial support,amputated lower limb,duration since amputation,and cause of amputation(P<0.05).Conclusion:There is a need to pay attention to experiences and the quality of life among Syrian patients with war-related amputation.

Preliminary Experiences in Pheromone Trap Monitoring of Zeuzera pyrina （L.） in Syrian Apple Orchards

The leopard moth （Zeuzera pyrina L）, is a cossid whose larvae bore into twigs, branches and trunks of various woody species, weakening and killing trees or shrubs. Recently it caused serious losses of apple trees in Syria. The flight dynamics of Z. pyrina was monitored by pheromone traps （first time in Syria） compared to light trap device. This study was carried out in Damascus countryside, Qunaytirah and Sweida provinces during 2007-2008. Results indicated that the flight of moths during 2007 started in early June in Damascus countryside and Sweida provinces. The highest number of caught adults （the highest peak） was concentrated in mid July in Sweida province, whereas in Damascus countryside province there were a high peak in mid June and a small peak in early July. On the other hand, flight of moths during 2008 started in mid-May in Damascus countryside province while in Qunaytirah province started in early June. The highest number of caught adults （the highest peak） was concentrated in late July in Damascus countryside, whereas in Qunaytirah province there were small peaks in mid June and mid July. Experiments conducted to evaluate capturing efficiency of different types of traps （pheromone traps and light trap） demonstrated that there was significantly high difference within the trap devices, wherein Capta trap got the best results and caught more males than the others.

An Advanced Remote Sensing Mapping Technique Aimed at a Better Rainfall Water Preservation in Syria

The scarcity of water resources in Syria, due to its major arid to semi-arid climate （precipitation less 100 mm/year） in a large part of the country, imposes a better rainfall water management in the humid to semi-humid Syrian coast （precipitation over 1,000 mm/year）, where a high water quantity is lost in the sea. Various hydraulics constructions can be used aimed at a more rainfall water preservation： superficial wells, trenches, ponds, hilly lakes and small dams. Remote sensing techniques can help to build these constructions in places where the geomorphology is appropriate, and the filtration rate relatively limited. They are emplaced according to an advanced remote sensing mapping technique, based on the combination of several thematic maps： tectonics-, linear lineament （including density）, lithological facies drainage and filtration maps. This advanced mapping technique has been used to quantitatively verify ancient established constructions along the Syrian coast, and to propose optimal localizations for future hydraulics constructions. This technique presents a simple, quick and cheap solutions to be applied in Syria and the Arab world.

Syria Muslim Brotherhood After the Arab Spring

Since 2011,the Syria Muslim Brotherhood(SMB,hereafter)activism has been going through a shift at both political and military level.This paper explores various elements of this shift to explain the expansion of SMB political opportunity structure as well as the evolvement of their internal organizational structure and within the wider structure of the Syrian opposition and finally the framing approach adopted by the SMB to mobilize people and communities.The SMB’s efforts to institutionalize the opposition in exile and mobilize a wider spectrum of the Syrian society including the poor and middle class have helped increase their popular bases.On the military front,SMB lack of needed experience and resources hinder their progress in the battle field.Nevertheless,SMB continued to verify its engagement strategies based on application of the opportunity and threat analysis which helped expanding its operational space as a political,military and social movement laying the ground for a presumably steady role of the SMB in the post conflict era.

The Russian Navy is Adrift in the Syrian Doldrums

Modemization of the Russian navy started at the beginning of this decade has improved its posture but is incomplete and negatively affected by the demanding tasks related to supporting the intervention in Syria. The newly-approved naval policy sets ambitious guidelines for expanding the whole range of naval capabilities, but the yet to be approved 2027 State Armament program is set to leave these aspirations underfunded. It is possible to address the needs created by the operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, but such allocation of resources would clash with other priorities, particularly with upgrading the fleet of strategic submarines. The political demands for performing a wide range of tasks clash with the inability to set realistic targets for shipbuilding, and this bad leadership turns the Russian navy to the course of degradation. This high-risk prospect involves a range of implications for US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization （NATO） security and naval policies.

The Effects of Input Factors on the Growth of the Agricultural Economy Empirical Study of Syria

This paper analyzes the effect of input factors on the growth of the agricultural sector in Syria. It estimates the relationship between input factors and agricultural economic growth in Syria using cointegration analysis and Granger causality analysis. The results of the analysis show that： （1） The increase of agriculture labor force and financial support played a vital role in the agricultural economic growth in the long term; （2） The increase in agricultural land and capital investment is significant in promoting agricultural economic growth in the short term; （3） Agricultural capital investment and agriculture labor force are the Granger causes of the agricultural economic growth.

The Use of Sectarian Ties Inside Syrian Modern Political System

This article explores the concept of sects as social formations and the process of secularization sects has been undergone in the modern era, implying their exposition to political manipulation by various internal and external actors. We analyse this subject in the context of the modern Syrian State and, in particular, with reference to the political system established by President Hafez al-Asad in the 70’s. The use of sectarian ties appears as part of the regime patrimonial features, being a political strategy used in order to bind particular society’s groups to the regime. In this sense, sectarianism has nothing to do with religion and it requires to be analysed as a socio-political phenomenon. This kind of analysis permits also to confute the identification between the Asad regime and the Alawite community and to understand the complexity of the relation between the President and the community he originated from.

Evaluation of P53 in Salivary Glands Tumors among a Syrian Sample

Objective： to evaluate the expression of P53 in salivary glands tumors among a Syrian sample. Material and methods： a retrospective analysis of gross and light microscopic features 50 salivary glands tumors that were treated and diagnosed at Almoasat hospital, the main hospital in Damascus. Only benign salivary glands tumors were included in this study, mainly pleomorphic adenoma and warthin＇s tumor. Results： 158 cases were studied from 2009 to 2016. Pleomotphic adenoma was the most occurring tumor （47.7%）, followed by Warthin tumor （30.9%） and mucoepidermoid carcinoma （6.1%）. Lesions of in minor salivary glands compromised （11.03%）. Only pleomorphic adenoma and warthin＇s tumor were included in the practical part of the study. All specimens showed a total negativity for P53 when they were studied under the light microscope. Conclusion： the result of this study agreed with some previously studies in other countries and was not similar to others in other countries. No differences were observed as to the type of the tumor. These results could be related to racial factors.

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Basaltic Rocks and Enclosed Xenoliths from the Ghab Pliocene Volcanic Field in Northwestern Syria

Basaltic rocks and their content of ultramafic xenoliths are common in the Ghab Pliocene Volcanic Field in northwestern Syria in the form of lava flows, cinder cones and pyroclastic deposits. The rocks occur within the Ghab pull- apart graben that formed by sinister strike slip faults within the zone that defines the boundary between the African and the Arabian plates. Three petrographic types occur: basanite, olivine basalt and more commonly alkali olivine basalt. The peridotite xenoliths are spinel lherzolite and harzburgite. Geochemical analysis indicates that the basalts are mostly alkaline to subalkaline. A distinctive feature of these rocks is the narrow compositional variations in the content of most major oxides and minor elements, SiO2 (44.33 - 46.43 wt%) and MgO (4.01 - 8.28 wt%). Some of the refractory and high field strength elements and incompatible minor elements in the basalts are relatively high (Cr average = 303 ppm and Ni average = 185 ppm) compared with their content in average basalts. These geochemical characteristics reflect crystallization of the Ghab basalts from pristine and primary magmas that have experienced minimal fractional crystallization and crustal contamination. Similarly, chemical compositions of the ultramafic xenoliths vary within a restricted geochemical range. They are compatible with the generation of these rocks from partial melting of a primitive mantle pyrolite to yield the xenoliths. These magmatic processes operated during the Pliocene in a regional transtensional stress environment attending the development of the Dead Sea Rift.

Study Genetic Variation Using DNA Molecular Markers and Identification Physiological Races of Wheat Stripe （yellow） Rust Puccinia striiformis f.sp tritici during 2010-2014 in Some Regions of Syria

Yellow Rust （stripe） rust （Puccinia striiformis West. f. sp. tritici） is one of the most epidemic diseases infect wheat in cold and wet regions. In 1988, this disease caused a loss of seasonal production amounted 70% on wheat variety Mexipak in Syria, and recurrent infection in 2010, caused by a virulent race called Yr27, caused a considerable loss in the production of bread wheat cultivars （Cham 8, Cham 6 particularly） amounted 90%. Recently, 15 races of yellow rust had been addressed in Syria for seasons 2010-2014; 159E256, 166E254, 166E256, 255 E112, 0 E0, 64 E 6, 230 El50, 0 E 18, 198 El30, 166 El50, 102 El60, 128 E0, 126 El50, 214E150, and 6E16. The race 6E16 was the most frequent during the two seasons, while the race 255El12 was the most virulent, followed by the race 230E222 and the race 0E0 was the weakest one. This study revealed the presence of fourteen newly observed races in Syria. Molecular Variance Analysis of Molecular Variance （AMOVA） of 55 yellow rust Puccinia striiformis f.sp tritici isolates examined by Amplify Fragment Length Polymorphism （AFLP） revealed high genetic variation within population, and the dimensional scale analysis （MSD） and tree diagram showed that the Syrian yellow rust isolates were clustered in three groups： the first group contained isolates derived from durum wheat, the second one contained bread wheat isolates, but the third was made of isolates derived from both durum and bread wheat species.

Salivary Glands Tumors： A Clinicopathological Study about the Incidence and Distribution of Salivary Glands Tumors among a Syrian Population Amirah Alnour

Objective： to investigate the clinicopathologic characters of salivary glands tumors in Damascus, Syria. Material and methods： a retrospective study on salivary glands tumors diagnosed at Almoasat hospital, the main hospital in Damascus, from 2009 to 2016. We measured the data related to patient age, gender, tumor site and the histopathologic diagnosis. Results： out of 158 cases over eight years, 62.2% was benign tumors, 9.4% was malignant tumors and 28.4% was inflammatory lesions. Pleomotphic adenoma was the most occurring tumor （47.7%）, followed by Warthin tumor （30.9%） and mucoepidermoid carcinoma （6.1%）. Lesions in minor salivary glands compromised （11.03%）. The peak ages of incidence were the third and fourth decades （38.35%）. A slight predilection for females was observed. Conclusion： the results of this study are similar to the previous studies in other countries. However differences were observed as to the frequencies of histopathologic types. These differences could be attributed to racial factor and the latest five years of war in Syria.

China FAW Participates in The China Auto International(Syria)Tour

At the beginning of the new year, a new message was released from the Organization Committee of China Auto International Tour --China FAW Group Corporation and China League of Machinery Industry will jointly sponsor the 4nd China Auto International (Syria) Tour.

Microfracture Characterization in Sandstone Reservoirs:A Case Study from the Upper Triassic of Syria's Euphrates Graben

The Euphrates Graben is located in eastern Syria.The Upper Triassic Mulussa F Formation sandstones serve as the primary reservoir intervals in the majority of the graben fields.The study’s findings were based on core studies:petrographic examination of thin sections,scanning electron microscope(SEM),imaging of backscatter scanning electron microscope(BSE),X-ray microprobe examinations,and carbon-oxygen stable isotope analysis of microfracture-filling cements.Three of the most common types of microfracture found in the investigated sandstones are intragranular or intracrystalline microfractures,grain boundary or grain-edge microfractures,and transgranular(crossing grains)microfractures.Sandstone microfractures that are open and free of secondary mineralization improve sandstone storage and permeability.However,microfractures that are cemented and filled with secondary mineralization reduce storage and permeability.Common siderite and pyrite cements were identified within the microfractures and the nearby sandstone matrix.Larger anhedral or euhedral siderites are thought to form during shallow burial diagenesis,whereas poikilotopic siderites are thought to form during deep burial diagenesis.Poikilotopic pyrite is believed to be a diagenetic cement,which is attributed to the reduction of iron oxides present in the sediments in the presence of hydrocarbons.Microfractures reflect tectonic,overpressure,and diagenetic origins.Microfractures of tectonic origin are associated with folding and thrust activities over the Euphrates Graben area,and they were formed at the beginning of the Upper Triassic with siderite and pyrite cement equilibration temperatures of approximately 100–105℃,and they continued forming from the middle to the end of the Upper Triassic with cement equilibration temperatures of approximately 90–100℃in conjunction with the first phase of the Euphrates Graben.Microfractures related to diagenetic and overpressure processes are tension microfractures and were formed in compression settings during the Upper Triassic.

Cementation Characteristics and Their Effect on Quality of the Upper Triassic, the Lower Cretaceous, and the Upper Cretaceous Sandstone Reservoirs, Euphrates Graben, Syria

This article presents the results of cementation characteristics and their effect on sandstone reservoir quality of the Upper Triassic Mulussa F, the Lower Cretaceous Lower Rutbah, and the Upper Cretaceous Post Judea Sandstone formations in selected fields in the Euphrates Graben area, Syria. This study emphasises the role of cementation in the evaluation of the diagenetic history of the sediments, developing effective porosity, as well as evaluation of reservoirs stimulation procedures and potential for formation damage of the sandstone reservoirs. Quartz cement is present as well developed tabular or pyramidal syntaxial overgrowths. Kaolinite cement is present as vermicular aggregates which are most abundant within sandstones of the Mulussa F Formation. Carbonate cements include siderite and dolomite. Four lithofacies were identified within the studied formations;lithofacies-1 and 2 correspond to fluvial depositional environments, lithofacies-3 and 4 correspond to fluvial to estuarine channel environments. The Post Judea Sandstone and the Lower Rutbah reservoir units are typically lithofacies-3 sequences in which quartz overgrowths are the dominant cement. Because the total cement is more extensive in the Post Judea Sandstone Formation than in the Lower Rutbah Formation, resulting in high porosity(up to 26%) and permeability(6 000 mD), the reservoir quality is predicted to be best in the Post Judea Sandstone Formation. The reservoir units in the Mulussa F Formation contain the highest cement volumes comprised of early siderite and kaolinite, which, with the development of compaction-resisting quartz overgrowths and resultant compactional pore volume loss, has resulted in typically lower porosity being preserved than in the Lower Rutbah and Post Judea Sandstone formations.

Investigation for Uranium Dispersion Adjacent to Cretaceous Phosphatic Outcrops in Al-Nassrieh Basin, Southern Palmyrides, Syria

A detailed radiometric survey including soil gas radon measurements and field gammaray survey, in accordance with geochemical and geological investigations were carried out in AlNassrieh Basin（central Syria）, for the purpose of uranium exploration. Thirty-six samples were collected from various lithofacies of the survey area and analyzed by γ-ray spectrometric technique for determining the concentration values of major radioelements. The relationships between the concentrations of equivalent e U, e Th, and their ratios were examined in order to define their trend of variations and evaluate the degree of uranium remobilization and redistribution. Although the initial results indicate that uranium enrichment is mostly restricted to the Upper Cretaceous phosphate rocks, a considerable portion of uranium appeared to be leached out of the primary phosphatic source and dispersed in the adjacent recent sediments. Further, notable increases of radon level associated with relatively high values of uranium concentration and gamma count rates were found to be spatially correlated with the transition zone between the marine Paleogene and continental Neogene formations throughout the study basin. This observation demonstrates the importance of the concerned zone as a suitable geological environment for hosting probable uranium mineralization along a chemically reducing interface where surface water of terrestrial and marine origin mingled at depth and away from surficial conditions.

Porosity enhancement potential through dolomitization of carbonate reservoirs, a case of study from the Euphrates Graben fields, East Syria

The dolostones and dolomitic limestones of the lower Cretaceous Judea formation are a key target ofhydrocarbons in most of the Euphrates Graben fields. Core materials investigation, thin sections petrographicallyexaminations, and petrophysical evaluations were obtained to determine enhancement ofthe porosity through dolomitization. Results showed that the lagoon-shallow marine carbonates of theJudea formation are subdivided into two main zones;the upper “limestone zone” is micritic limestonesdominated with no reservoir potential, and the lower “dolomite zone” is dolomitic limestones anddolostones dominated with good to very good reservoir potential. Dolomitization of the mudstones andwackestones of the micritic limestones resulted in formation of microcrystalline dolomicrite and earlyfabric destructive dolomites. Conversely, dolomitization of the packstones and grainstones resulted information of the fabric destructive and saddle dolomites. Based on petrography data, dolomitization ofthe “limestone zone” is interpreted by the seawater dolomitization mechanism at low-temperatures,while dolomitization of the “dolomite zone” is interpreted by the burial dolomitization mechanismunder high temperature and pressure conditions. The “limestone zone” is characterized by the poorestreservoir quality, while the “dolomite zone” is characterized by the best reservoir quality. The seawaterdolomitization did not significantly enhance the porosity, while the burial dolomitization contributes toenhancing the preserved secondary porosity. Stylolites microfractures and dissolution seams associatedwith dolomitization played as major factors in porosity enhancement of the dolostones and dolomiticlimestones and serving as pathways for hydrocarbon migration. Dissolution processes increased theporosity and more permeability unless they are filled with the precipitated dolomite and/or calcite.Calcification had significant effects on the porosity by blocking the cavities and channels and decreasedthe effective pore volume.

Syria’s Future

With reform pledges and public support,the Bashar al-Assad administration is likely to survive protests The Syrian domino has finally fallen,joining many other Arab and Middle East nations embroiled in unrest.Demonstrations burst out in southern Syria in mid-March,and rapidly spread to