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Following the signing of the JCPOA nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 countries in June 2015 and the subsequent lifting of international sanctions, many observers predicted that Chinese carmakers would be squeezed out of the Iranian market by European and South Korean manufacturers. In 2018 however, after the Trump administration withdrew the United States from the agreement and reinstated sanctions, the situation moved in favour of the Chinese car industry. China has now become the biggest overseas player in Iran's automobile market. This article argues that the abandonment of the JCPOA by Washington led to the 'China-ization' of the car industry in Iran and shows how Iranian carmakers played an instrumental role in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing environmental awareness accompanied by the recent fluctuations in the fossil fuels underline the need to focus more on the management of energy mix and turn the attention towards renewable energies (REs). Diffusion and commercialization of renewable energy technologies are of paramount importance, particularly for developing countries. However, there are serious challenges and barriers that can be discussed in different aspects. This paper presents an applied and novel framework to tackle the challenges of diffusing and commercializing biomass energy technologies (BET) in developing countries. As a good example, our study focuses on the commercialization of the BETs in Iran. For this purpose, we provide an overview of the importance of commercialization of BETs. Then, by analysis of the literature and best cases, we identify crucial elements for commercialization of the BETs. Conducted surveys and theme analysis have resulted in a framework with 8 major dimensions and a total of 73 diverse components. The dimensions are technical and infrastructural; R & D and technology transfer; investment; social, cultural and behavioral; promotion and distribution; marketing and market building; macroeconomics; and support policy. Findings suggest that 'investment' and 'technical and infrastructural' dimensions are the two major pillars of the framework for commercialization of the BETs for developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participatory approaches have been advocated as ways of increasing knowledge through technology transfer to farmers. Model sites as a participatory approach consist of a Main Unit (MU), owned by the extension local assistant or facilitator, and about 25 subordinate units belonging to the surrounding farmers. These sites disseminate technical knowledge through the MU among the subordinate units. This approach seeks to create synergies among researchers, extension agents, field experts, and farmers to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural products. This investigation, carried out in the production units of Extension Local Assistants (ELA) along with the participation of farmers through the dissemination of knowledge, benefits from the results of a survey through researchermade checklists. The sample population consisted of 724 farmers in Khuzestan Province, Iran, selected through census method, 34 of whom were extension local assistants and the rest (as large as 690) included ordinary farmers. The results showed that the farmers participating in the sites had gained significantly higher quantity and quality of field crops, horticulture, and vegetables production. Degrees of reduction in water consumption, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides application were observed in MU sites and subordinate units. Moreover, in each site, some new technologies were transferred to subordinate farmers. The sites could be considered as demonstration farms for nonmember farmers. This study brings new insights into the impact of synergy between all stakeholders in the form of new agricultural extension approach to improve quantity and quality of field crops, horticulture, and vegetables production, using the capacity of local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, knowledge is one of the essential elements of wealth creation, ability and knowledge of countries and is considered as a powerful tool in national development. The purpose of this study is A Review of Factors Affecting the Commercialization of Research Projects of Iranian Medical Universities. In this review study, using Persian keywords (knowledge commercialization, research commercialization, and research projects) in Persian databases such as Irandoc, SID, Magiran, Normags, and Civilica) and in English Databases Proquest, EBSCO, Emerald, JSTORE, Science Direct, ISI, Scopus, Pubmed and LISA. In this regard, it is attempted to extract the closest and most relevant articles in the period between 2010-2019 as follows. As a result of the search, in the search result, based on the keyword in the article title, 22 articles with reliable and trustworthy information were reviewed. The findings extracted from the studies showed that various and diverse factors such as marketing research factors, factors (individual, environmental, contextual, structural and content, social, cultural, organizational, legal, political, economic, industrial, intellectual property, technology management, and so on) are effective in commercializing research projects and research. Therefore, effective steps can be taken by employing competent and experienced research and interested managers and paying attention to the factors influencing the commercialization of knowledge and research. In order to make the most of the economic and social benefits of the scientific potential of the country's research sector, it is necessary to commercialize research projects more seriously in medical universities than other organizations because of their important mission and vision to community health which necicitate effective research management is from start to finish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to find the differences between national and international relationships in Iran and Switzerland's Nanoscience research between 2008–2015. The results show significant differences some of which are attributed to the general dichotomy of developed-developing countries like stronger University-Industry-Government relations in Switzerland; but others are not, especially those pertaining to bilateral relations. In summary, the Government-Industry relations in Switzerland are generally closer in this field because the emerging characteristics of Nanoscience call for more state intervention, even in the context of developed countries. Greater Government-University relations in Iran can be explained by referring to the structure of national innovation system of this country. However, the no significant differences between University-Industry relations result needs further research so that it may in turn lead to improvements of the triple-helix calculations. Lastly, some theoretical implications and further research directions are suggested at the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A suitable policy and development strategy plays a great role to increase the share of renewable energy in the countries. • The status of two-decade geothermal energy development in Iran is summarized. • Geothermal activities in Iran is addressed and its benefits in National Development Plan (NDP) are analyzed. • The main geothermal development barriers are lack of legislation, poor human resources management, and wrong way of technology transfer. • By establishing national and local legislations and developing human resource by international training the geothermal utilization can speed up. Abstract There is broad consensus that renewable energies have to play a more critical role in our future energy society. A suitable policy and development strategy plays a great role in the status of the renewable energy fraction in the total energy supply of the countries. In this paper, the status of two-decade geothermal energy development in Iran is summarized. A brief of the geothermal activities in Iran is pointed and the benefits of the geothermal developments in National Development Plan (NDP) are analyzed. There is a wide range of managerial, technical, and regulatory challenges preventing the logistic progress of the geothermal projects in the world in general and some challenges in the first (NW Sabalan) geothermal project in Iran, in particular. The main disputes and obstacles in the first geothermal project are lack of national and local legislation, poor management of human resources, and inability in technology transfer. To attain a suitable geothermal resource development one can apply policy changes by establishing new national and local legislation, human resource development by internationally training the scientists and engineers, and persuading them to continue working in geothermal projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how publicly funded technologies could diffuse industries and other sectors in developing countries has been a challenge for researchers in the field of cross-sector technology transfer. Specifically, advanced technologies are rarely commercialized or transferred to industries. Technology transfer projects are highly dependent on many regional and contextual conditions. This study aims to determine how high-tech technology transfer in a developing economy can be operationalized by studying its complexities. A thematic analysis was applied to semi-structured interviews with 18 participants in the qualitative phase, investigating the critical factors affecting the transfer of space technologies to other sectors. The results explained the critical factors within ten categories and their inter-relation with one another. The results suggest that technology transfer in high-tech industries can be better understood if analyzed within a complex paradigm. Policy recommendations and implications have been presented in three layers, dealing with systems, responsibilities, and direct failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's insights on the failure of the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) to examine the availability and status of the nuclear weapons in Iran. Topics discussed include the country's proliferation issue on the nuclear program after Nonproliferation Center's (NPC's) creation, the control of nuclear-technology transfers to Iran during former U.S. President George H. W. Bush, and the NIE initiated by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on its foreign policy.

Technology spillover is evident in the renewable energy sector due to the significant development of technology. However, the lack of proper laws and regulations is an obstacle for technology-leader renewable energy suppliers to promote technological innovation. Therefore, some suppliers are interested in free-riding behavior instead of investing in their technologies. Consequently, we investigate the role of government support strategies and licensing contracts in promoting technological innovations under market failure by applying a game-theoretic approach. We consider government supports under two strategies: fixed-in-tariff (FIT) and grid's subsidy (GS); and cooperation between the rival renewable energy suppliers under two licensing contracts: royalty licensing (RL) and joint venture (JV). The two competitor renewable energy suppliers, the grid company, and the government are considered as players. One of these suppliers is a technology leader, and the other is a technology follower. The decision variables are the wholesale electricity price, level of electricity reliability, the quantity of electricity, and the subsidy amount. Based on the results of the case study, the government strategies provide more development of technology than the cooperation strategy between the two suppliers. The lowest and the highest pricing of electricity occur in the GS and RL scenarios, respectively. • We study a renewable electricity supply chain with technology spillover. • We investigated government role and licensing contracts to prevent market failure. • Electricity pricing, level of reliability, and the order quantity are considered. • Nash and Stackelberg competitions are established between the players. • Several managerial insights based on a case study of Iran are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines contemporary China-Iran relations, focusing on the economic and strategic ties that have helped solidify the relationship since 1979. We begin with an overview of the arms and technology transfers that mark the early years of the relationship, analyzing the benefits each side gained from these transactions. In addition to discussing the short-term financial benefits behind forging stronger ties, we examine how the regional ascent of both states has also presented several long term factors that helped motivate their cooperation. These developments shed light on the important role the U.S. has played, both in terms of where it has tried to intervene and what success it has had influencing the Sino-Iranian relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrusted with the responsibility of establishing and administering the international safeguards system with the purpose of ensuring that nuclear energy would not be used for furthering military purposes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (hereinafter "IAEA" or "the Agency") is a key piece of the international system for the maintenance of world peace and security. Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding the foundation of the IAEA in the 1950s, it required several years for the Agency's safeguards to be accepted and applied in a broad manner. Since the beginning, the safeguards system evolved along with the progress of nuclear technology and most importantly in light of the development of the geopolitical context and the commitment shown by the international community in critical circumstances. Hence, in the same way in which the discovery of the Iraqi clandestine nuclear weapons programme after the 1990-1991 Gulf War posed a serious challenge to the safeguards system, the IAEA is currently dealing with two very serious international conflicts involving States arguably with nuclear ambitions, namely: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (hereinafter "North Korea" or "DPRK") and the Islamic Republic of Iran (hereinafter "Iran"). Besides, the events of 11 September 2001 changed the system of international relations radically and posed a serious challenge to the very foundations of the world legal order in which the IAEA is a significant actor. The present article aims to provide the reader with a clear idea of the role and work of the IAEA and its safeguards system in the field of nuclear non-proliferation verification as well as the current challenges to the international safeguards regime. It is thus hoped that the concepts developed in this work may contribute to a better understanding and analysis of international conflicts involving present or potential nuclear proliferation threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the potential shift in Iran's foreign policy. Developments that have promoted pragmatic or cosmopolitan policy on the part of Iranian foreign-policy makers; Implications of the technology acquisitions of Iran for the region; Technology transfers from Russia, China and North Korea; Relations with several countries; Conclusions.

Endogenous breeds of cattle despite of their genetic values in terms of adaptability to the suboptimal or adverse environmental, management, and disease conditions are becoming extinct. They are either being crossed with exotic breeds or totally replaced in most cases by the European breeds. Preservation of the breeds has been an important implication of the embryo transfer technology. A program concerning preservation of several native cattle breeds was launched by the Animal Breeding Center, Karaj, Iran. The program consists of collection and freezing of both semen and embryos. The results of production and freezing of embryos from Sarabi, a breed of cattle native to the north-east of Iran is reported here. A total of 127 Sarabi cows were super-ovulated by either eCG or FSH following synchronization by two injections of PGF 11 days apart. Embryo collection by non-surgical technique was attempted on 97 cows (76%) which were considered to have responded favorably to the super-ovulatory treatments. The remaining cows were not flushed due to failure of response (ovarian cysts or difficulties in passing the Foley catheter as very large and prolapsed cervical rings was a common finding in this breed). Of 940 eggs, 694 were classified as fertilized (73.8%) and 452 as suitable for freezing (65.1%). The mean numbers of eggs per super-ovulated cows and collected cows were 7.4 and 9.7, respectively. The corresponding mean numbers for the fertilized eggs were 5.5 and 7.15, respectively. The mean number of frozen embryos per collected cow was 4.6. Thirty two percent of the donor cows produced more than 10 eggs (range: 0 -52). It was concluded that despite the large size of the cervix with the prolapsed rings in Sarabi cows, embryo production can be carried out as successfully as in European breeds [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]