A General Overview on Children＇s Rights Situation in Kurdistan Regional Government

Undoubtedly, children are one of the biggest assets of any society and it is the duty of all authorities to have a systematic plan to educate the next generation and make a better life for children so that they can progress and be effective for their communities. In an effort, Kurdistan Regional Government （KRG） has adopted standards to improve the condition for children; however, there are challenges that remain, such as child abuse, child labor, children right＇s law, orphans, street children and etc.. In this paper, a descriptive-analytical method is used to discuss the general situation of children in today＇s Iraqi Kurdistan and the issues such as drug abuse, child labor, orphans and street children, forced marriages, sexual abuse, handicapped children, school dropouts, child soldiers, nutrition, immunization, female genital mutilation and etc. will be explained. The questions this research addresses are： How is the situation of children in Iraqi Kurdistan and what are their challenges？ Also, what is the KRG＇s strategy and through which ways can they make a better life for children and change their current status？ The author believes that nowadays, the KRG is trying to crack down on problems against children; however, their effort is not adequate and some other activities should be performed, one of which is passing the children＇s law against violence.

The Pushtashan juvenile suprasubduction zone assemblage of Kurdistan (northeastern Iraq): A Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Neo-Tethys missing link

The Pushtashan suprasubduction zone assemblage of volcanic rocks, gabbros, norites and peridotites occurs in the Zagros suture zone, Kurdistan region, northeastern Iraq. Volcanic rocks are dominant in the assemblage and consist mainly of basalt and basaltic andesite flows with interlayered red shale and limestone horizons. Earlier lavas tend to be MORB-like, whereas later lavas display island arc tholeiite to boninitic geochemical characteristics. Tholeiitic gabbros intrude the norites and display fractionation trends typical of crystallisation under low-pressure conditions, whereas the norites display calc-alkaline traits, suggesting their source included mantle metasomatised by fluids released from subducted oceanic crust. Enrichment of Rb, Ba, Sr, Th and the presence of negative Nb anomalies indicate generation in a suprasubduction zone setting. Trondhjemite and granodiorite intrusions are present in the volcanic rocks, gabbros and norites. SHRIMP U-Pb dating of magmatic zircons from a granodiorite yields a mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U age of 96.0 ±2.0 Ma(Cenomanian). The initial ε_(Hf) value for the zircons show a narrow range from +12.8 to+15.6, with a weighted mean of + 13.90±0.96. This initial value is within error of model depleted mantle at 96 Ma or slightly below that, in the field of arc rocks with minimal contamination by older continental crust. The compositional bimodality of the Pushtashan suprasubduction sequence suggests seafloor spreading during the initiation of subduction, with a lava stratigraphy from earlyerupted MORB transitioning into calc-alkaline lavas and finally by 96 Ma intrusion of granodioritic and trondhjemitic bodies with juvenile crustal isotopic signatures. The results confirm another Cretaceous arc remnant preserved as an allochthon within the Iraqi segment of the Cenozoic Zagros suture zone. Implications for the closure of Neo-Tethys are discussed.

Groundwater Flow Modeling for Qushtapa Plain Unconfined Aquifer in Southern Erbil Basin, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Increasing population growth and water demand for various purposes such as irrigation, domestic and industrial production in many parts of the Kurdistan Region is causing deficit in fresh water and rising groundwater dependence. Drilling many deep wells in the area unsystematically and continuously increased pumping water from groundwater reservoirs results in lowering of water table. Therefore, it is essential to assess the management of water resources. The study focuses on the groundwater modeling for the Qushtapa District plain area in particular under steady state flow conditions. The aquifer was simulated under unconfined condition and is represented by a single layer of 100 m thickness. MODPATH was used to measure contamination track lines and travel times. This approach involved the introduction of particles at sources of contaminants in the wells and the recharge area, then the identification of the path lines and the determination of the special distribution of contaminants through steady state flow conditions. The simulation of the groundwater head shows that the groundwater head starts from the northeastern part of the plain and decreases towards Lesser Zab River in the south of the plain from 420 m to 140 m above sea level. The modeled layer was calibrated under steady state conditions using hydraulic parameters obtained from observation and pumping wells. The calibrated model is effective in producing steady-state groundwater head distribution and good compliance with observed data. The standard error was estimated as 4.88 m, the normalized root mean square error is 8.3% and the residual mean is 15.79 m. The results of the forward tracking show the source of potential pollutants from the recharge area after different travel time, the particles released at the northern boundary travels to the center and the western part toward the pollution sources. The results of the backward tracking show that the particles located in the extraction wells moved toward the recharge area in the north and northeastern part of the study area.

Macro Rain Water Harvesting Network to Estimate Annual Runoff at Koysinjaq (Koya) District, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Macro rainwater harvesting techniques (Macro RWH) are getting more popular to overcome the problem of water scarcity in arid and semi-arid areas. Iraq is experiencing serious water shortage problem now despite of the presence of Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. RWH can help to overcome this problem. In this research, RWH was applied in Koya City in its districts, North West Iraq. Twenty-two basins were identified as the catchment area for the application of RWH technique. Watershed modeling system (WMS), based on Soil Conservation Service-curve number (SCS-CN) method, was applied to calculate direct runoff from individual daily rain storm using average annual rainfall records of the area. Two consecutive adjustments for the curve number were considered. The first was for the antecedent moisture condition (AMC) and the second was for the slope. These adjustments increased the total resultant harvested runoff up to 79.402 × 106 m3. The average percentage of increase of harvested runoff volume reached 9.28%. This implies that water allocation is of the order of 2000 cubic meter per capita per year. This quantity of water will definitely help to develop the area.

Heparin versus Saline Solution for Locking of Totally Implantable Venous Access Port (TIVAP): Cohort Study of the First Kurdistan Series of TIVAP

Introduction: Totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) is essential prerequisite for most of chemotherapy protocols. Flushing with 0.9% sodium chloride becomes an alternative to heparinized solution. As flushing and locking solutions are still controversial, this study was conducted to compare efficacy of heparinized solution versus normal saline solution for locking in ports TIVAP. Patients and Methods: Prospective Cohort study performed in teaching hospital Sulaymaniyah-University of Kurdistan, Iraq, including 384 TIVAP implanted in cancer and non-cancer patients. The study reports the TIVAP outcome in 2 groups of patients where 2 different solutions used for maintaining catheter’s patency by heparinized solution in group (A), versus normal saline for group (B). Results: In group A, the rate of complications was 8.2% (n = 16) while in group B complications rate was 7.9% (n = 15). Thrombosis in group A occurred in 1.03% of the cases and in group B was 1.57%. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the causes for unwanted removals of the TIVAP. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that heparin has no role in preventing the early or late complications of TIVAP and we do not recommend using it as a locking solution.

An Investigation of Radiation Protection Status in Radiology Centers of Kurdistan in 2014-2015

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) properly and following available rules and regulations in the field of ionizing radiation protection can significantly decrease these harms. If these equipment and facilities are not available in diagnostic radiation centers or are not used properly, radiographers’ and people’s health will be jeopardized. To date, no study has examined the protective condition against radiation in diagnostic radiation centers of Kurdistan province. The present study, therefore, was an attempt to address this gap. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014-2015 among 35 diagnostic radiation centers of Kurdistan. Data were collected through a checklist (which was developed based on the available radiation protection laws), a survey for patients and their caregivers, and insite observation and dosimetry. The radiation health expert of the province proceeded to each of the radiology centers personally. Upon arrival to each center, he informed health physics officials of the centers about the study and collected data through observation, interview, and the checklist. On the other hand, in order to examine radiation leakage in different modes of imaging session, dosimetry was conducted by the use of an environmental dosimeter (Fluke 451 manufactured in the United States). The collected data were analyzed through Excel. It was found that in 67.3% of the cases, there was personal protective equipment for patients and their caregivers (robes, thyroid strap, gonadal shield, glasses, and lead gloves). Furthermore, this equipment and other physical holders were used for patients and their caregivers in 75.7% of the cases. This rate was 87.6% for pregnant women. In addition, we found that around 94% of the personnel went through medical examinations every six or twelve months, a rate that was much higher than that found in Nohi’s study. When it comes to improving the indices of protection against radiation in radiation centers, it seems that adding the proposed items in this study to the present data collection form (form 110 used for urban areas) or designing a new form will change the attitude toward the concept of protection. This will highlight the importance of this topic and will result in decision makers’ more serious attempts to promote the protection condition.

Petrography and Tectonic Setting of Dykes in the Granitoid Intrusive, South to East-Qorveh(Kurdistan Province), Iran

The studied area is located in the south to east of the Qorveh city(Kurdistan Province)in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone.Based on field observations,the dykes are mafic to dioritic in composition,and followed by granitic dykes

Estimation of annual harvested runoff at Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Kurdistan region of Iraq

Kurdistan Region (KR) of Iraq has suffered from the drought period during the seasons 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 that affected the human and economic activities of the region. Macro rainwater harvesting (Macro RWH) is one of the techniques that can ensure water availability for a region having limited water resources. This technique is based on Soil Conservation ServiceCurve Number (SCS-CN) method and the Watershed Modeling System (WMS) was used to estimate the runoff. Rainfall records of Sulaymaniyah area for the period 2002-2012 were studied and an average season was selected (2010-2011). The results of the application of the WMS model showed that about 10.76 million cubic meters could be harvested. The results also showed that the quantity of the harvested runoff was highly affected by rainfall depth, curve number values, antecedent moisture conditions (AMC) and the area of the basins.

Reservoir Characterization of the Early Jurassic Butmah Formation Using Well Log Data in Selected Wells from Iraqi Kurdistan Region

The reservoir characterization of Butmah Formation (Early Jurassic) was studied in two wells: (AT-1) and (SH-1B) from Atrush and Shaikhan Oilfields respectively, in Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Well logs including;sonic, density, neutron, gamma ray, and resistivity, were employed to investigate the formation. The petrophysical properties, such as lithology, shale volume, porosity, water saturation, hydrocarbon saturation, and bulk water volume, were estimated using Interactive Petrophysics Software (IP). Water saturation, bulk volume of water, residual hydrocarbon, and movable hydrocarbon were plotted as Computer Processed Interpretation (CPI) for Butmah Formation in the studied wells. In order to check reliability of log data, lithology of the formation was detected using neutron-density cross plot and M-N cross plot. The results of log interpretation display that Butmah Formation is composed of dolomite, limestone with anhydrite and shale in the studied wells. The calculated shale volume shows low clay content. Therefore, Butmah Formation is considered as a clean formation in both wells. Porosity was estimated using porosity logs (sonic, density, and neutron) and had the average total porosity of (7% - 8%) in the two wells. Based on the determined petrophysical properties, particularly porosity and hydrocarbon saturation, it can be concluded that Butmah Formation seems potentially good in reserving oil.

GIS Based Soil Erosion Estimation Using EPM Method, Garmiyan Area, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Using empirical model is one of the approaches of evaluating sediment yield. This research is aimed at predicting erosion and sedimentation in Garmiyan area at Kurdistan Region, Iraq used EPM （erosion potential model） incorporating into GIS （geographic information system） software. This basin area is about 1,620 km2. It has a range of vegetation, slope, geological, soil texture and land use types. The spatial distribution of gully erosion shows three main zones in the studied area （slight to moderate gully, high gully and sever fluvial erosion）. They form about 10%, 89% and 1% of gully erosion in the studied area respectively. The results of the EPM model show that the values of the coefficient of erosion Z are classified as moderate to high erosion intensity. They increase northward due to increasing of slope, elevation and rate of precipitation that generate Hortonian overland flow, which is due to high discharge and huge fluvial erosion power that cause ground surface erosion to produce large quantity of sediment. The results of GSP （spatial sediment rate） are increasing northward similar to Z due the same reasons, while the value of total sediment rate, shows different values for each watershed because they are mainly affected by the total watershed area.

Immediate and Intermediate Results of Patent Ductus Artriosus Transcatheter Closure in Kurdistan (Multicenter Experience)

Background: Patent Ductus Artriosus (PDA) is abnormal vascular communication between aorta and pulmonary artery and it is a common congenital heart anomaly seen in pediatric practice forming 5% - 10% of all congenital heart defects. A retrospective study aims to review our experience and determine the efficacy and safety of transcatheter PDA closure in different age groups and has the procedure replaced the conventional surgical closure of the PDA in the majority of the cases. To assess the results and outcomes of early experience, transcatheter closure of patent ductus Arteriosus in all three cardiac centers in Kurdistan, using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder type I and II (ADO), and Cook coil for the first time in Kurdistan are analyzed. Patients & Methods: A total of three hundred and nine patients which included 228 females & 81 males were diagnosed to have PDA, between March 2008 to February 2011 in all three cardiac centers in Kurdistan, namely Hawler, Sulaimani and Duhok cardiac centers, where they underwent transcatheter closure of the PDA with ADO type I and II. The common age on closure was 1 - 5 years old (range 5.5 months old to 32 years old), and weight ranged from 6 kg to 58 kg. We retrospectively analyzed medical records, echocardiography, angiographic and hemodynamic data and follow-up results of the patients. Patients included in the study were according to standard recommendation for transcatheter closure of PDA, and in any age they should be above 6 kilograms with exclusion of cases with pulmonary hypertension and interrupted IVC. Results: Among 309 cases did catheterization procedures, the ratio of female to male ratio was 2.6:1 and the age of doing PDA closure at time of procedure was between 5.5 months old to 33 years old, the mean age was 6.3 ± 6.5 years old and the weight ranges between 6 kg and 58 kg, mean of 11.5 ± 7.5 kg. The most commonly used device was Amplatzer I PDA device with high closure success rate of 97.1% after 6 and 12 months followup and the first case of Amplatzer II PDA Device closure done in Iraq and Kurdistan. There was immediate & complete closure in 271 on angiography. Complication was noted as embolized PDA device to Right Pulmonary Artery (RPA) in two patients, one of them retrieved by cath and other one by surgery. Conclusion: Transcatheter Amplatzer duct occluder is safe and effective in closing PDA in most patients with PDA even large as much as 10 mm and the advantage of new Amplatzer PDA II device allows small delivery sheath in which it can be done for children with less than 6 kg with fewer complications. Disadvantage is that it cannot close more than 6 mm PDA.

Drought mapping using Geoinformation technology for some sites in the Iraqi Kurdistan region

Iraq has suffered severely from drought in recent years and the year 2008 was the driest,particularly in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.This study incorporated Geoinformation technology into mapping the drought that severely affected the Kurdistan region in the years 2007
2008.Geoinformation technology provides support in the theories,methods and techniques for building,and development of Digital Earth aspect.Five vegetation,soil,water,and land surface temperature(LST)indices were applied to two Landsat 7 ETMimageries of June 2007 and June 2008,to assess the drought impacts in Erbil governorate Kurdistan during the study period.The indices that were employed in this study were Normalized Difference Vegetation Index,Bare Soil Index,Normalized Differential Water Index,Tasseled Cap Transformation Wetness,and LST.The results revealed a significant decrease in the vegetative cover(56.7%)and a decline in soil/vegetation wetness(29.9%)of the total study area.Likewise,there was a significant reduction in the water bodies surface area in the region such as Dokan Lake,which lost 32.5%of its surface area in comparison with the previous year,2007.The study results showed that the soil moisture content was the most effective actor on the vegetative cover,LST,and drought status in the study area.

英国的库尔德斯坦政策探析(1915-1922)

"一战"爆发后,英国开始调整其传统的中东政策。根据战时英国主导的多边协定,库尔德斯坦被分割为英、法、俄三国的势力范围,这一安排契合了英国重建中东防御的需要。出于战略和经济考虑,在已与奥斯曼帝国签订停战协定的情况下,英印联军占领了战时协定划给法国的南库尔德斯坦地区。迫于缩减财政支出和裁撤兵员的压力,英国无力在这一地区施行直接统治,扶植一个亲英的库尔德斯坦自治政府作为美索不达米亚北部的战略缓冲区这一政策获得了英国政府的支持。《色佛尔条约》正式确认了库尔德民族自治。但随着凯末尔领导的民族解放运动的发展和英国内外决策环境的变化,英国最终选择抛弃库尔德自治方案。

中东局势的新动向与地区格局的新变化

当前中东地区继续呈现冲突激化、战乱不断的动荡场景,叙利亚、伊拉克等旧有热点依然温度不减,继续占据各国新闻媒体的醒目位置,而一度沉寂的也门也经受战火"洗礼",成为舆论关注热议的新起焦点,俄土军机事件则再次给本已火爆的地区局势"火上浇油"。中东局势的持续动荡推动地区政治格局的演变,随着埃及难以恢复旧日威望、沙特影响日益上升,阿拉伯世界的政治版图呈进一步碎片化之势,土耳其忧患加重、伊朗以守为攻、以色列相对被外缘化等因素共同促使地缘力量对比朝向新形态发展。从外部结构看,美国仍然是决定该地区秩序的核心力量,欧洲日渐衰落难以成为主要角色,俄罗斯则强势回归地区前台,诸多域外势力的沉浮起落也对地区战略格局的变化和走势产生着重大而深远的影响,而这又决定地区格局未来数年内仍旧处于变幻不定之中、继续在跌宕曲折中前行。

Molecular Study of a New Disease of Peach in Iran Associated with a Phytoplasma

In recent years, a disease has been reported to affect peach trees in Kurdistan province of Iran causing serious losses to the production. Main symptoms of disease include leaf stunting and yellowing, which lead to failure in fruit production at harvest. For diagnosis of disease and identification of the causal agent, symptomatic leaf samples were collected in Kurdistan orchards during summer 2010 and were carried to the laboratory. Total DNA was extracted from plant samples according to the standard procedures and indexed by grafting and nested PCR using phytoplasma generic primers, P1/P7 and R16F2n/R2. PCR products were characterized by RFLP technique and direct sequencing. The 16S rDNA sequences were compared with those of other phytoplasmas in GenBank. Phytoplasma rDNA was amplified from 20 out 35 samples. The 16S rDNA sequences of the phytoplasma were identified in Peach samples which showed 98% similarity to that of “Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium” which is considered to be the causal agent of Almond witches’ broom. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences placed peach strains in Almond witches broom isolate as a member of pigeon pea witches broom (PPWB) group. Further studies on the epidemiology of “Ca. Phytoplasma phoenicium” and its vector(s) in Iran are recommended in order to identify new natural hosts and develop successful disease management programs.

Comparative Study between Endoscopic Ultrasonography and Transabdominal Ultrasonography in the Assessment of Pancreatobiliary Diseases (with Literatures Review)

Background: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and transadominal ultrasonography (TUS) are two imaging investigations which can be used to assess pancreatobiliary status, although both of these imaging techniques are operator and machine dependent, but they have different sensitivity and specificity in detecting pancreatobiliary diseases. Objective: To compare the diagnostic value of EUS versus TUS in the assessment of pancreatobiliary diseases. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted in KCGH (Kurdistan Center for Gastroenterology and Hepatology) in Sulaimani city. Iraqi Kurdistan;the duration of study was 14 months and conducted after approval of Iraqi board ethical committee. One hundred cases were enrolled in the study: 52 of them were females and 48 were males;their ages ranged between 16 - 90 years;informed consent was taken from all patients;all patients underwent proper clinical evaluation;TUS, EUS and Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD), and in some of them (25 patients) Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), CT scan of abdomen and laboratory investigations were done. Results: EUS detected more cases with common bile duct (CBD) dilatation, CBD stones and pancreatic space occupying lesion (SOL) than TUS, but the differences in the results were not statistically significant. Also EUS detected more cases of intra-abdominal lymph nodes (LNs) and ampullary/peri-ampullary neoplasms than TUS and the differences in the results were statistically significant. Conclusions: Eus is more sensitive than TUS in diagnosing CBD dilatation;it has higher sensitivity than TUS in suspected pancreatobiliary neoplasms;furthermore, EUS can be used for staging and resectability assessment of pancreatobiliary neoplasia.

Building an Empire： Terrorism VS Organized Crime

This article has the objective of putting forward the claim that there is a strong convergence between terrorism and organized crime. The terrorist organization Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan （PKK） is the perfect example in portraying the organized crime and terrorism nexus. PKK uses organized crime as a technique in broadening the financial resources of the terrorist organization. In order to reach that goal the paper has the objective of contributing to the theoretical framework of the terror-crime nexus. It borrows Prof. Tamarenko＇s conceptual framework of ＂The Crime-terror nexus＂. Europe is the logistical base for PKK. Despite all the counter terrorism measures that Europe tried to bolster after the attacks in Spain and UK how can a region still be a base for a terrorist organization？ Is Europe a safe haven for terrorist organizations？ The first part will put forward a theoretical framework of the article centered upon the argument whether organized crime and terrorism converge or diverge in terms of motivations, objectives and anticipated outcomes. The second part will concentrate on the PKK. A brief historical introduction of how the terrorist organization was formed will be provided. The second sub pan in this section will mainly deal with PKK＇s methods of using organized crime as its tool in achieving its political goals. The third pan will be the concluding section of the paper. Points for further research and policy suggestions will be discussed,

库尔德油气投资环境分析及投资策略建议

伊拉克库尔德地区油气资源丰富,2016年该地区(含基尔库克)主要油田石油产量约60万桶/日,但油气市场发展受制于基础设施瓶颈。2002年以来,库尔德地区政府与外国投资者共签订产品分成合同50多份。2006年以后大量石油公司涌入,这些石油公司面临两个最为棘手的问题,一是储量缩水严重;二是欠款回收困难。当前库尔德地区政治、经济、安全形势依然严峻,但政府正采取措施改善投资环境,吸引国外油气投资。建议我国石油企业积极寻找库尔德上游投资机会,尽量与大公司合作开拓库尔德油气市场,做好政治风险的防范和规避,多措并举提高账款回收率。

伊拉克库尔德A油田原油注氮欠平衡钻井技术

伊拉克库尔德A油田主力产层Bekhme碳酸盐岩储层裂缝发育,经过多年开发,地层压力逐年降低,钻井过程中极易发生钻井液漏失,不但导致机械钻速低,而且造成储层污染而出现单井产量低、含水率高等问题。为此,研究应用了以原油为钻井液、环空注氮气的欠平衡钻井技术,该技术改变了传统的充气方式,氮气由套管头侧出口注入井眼,从尾管悬挂器上部筛管进入环空,随井眼内钻井液直接返至井口,即氮气只参与钻井液的部分循环,通过降低上部井眼内钻井液液柱压力来降低井底钻井液液柱压力,实现欠平衡钻进,且不影响井下MWD的测量和传输。该技术在A油田现场应用6口井,均顺利钻至设计井深,未发生井漏、井涌和井眼失稳等井下复杂情况,且实现了边钻进边生产的目的,与应用常规钻井技术的油井相比,机械钻速明显提高,单井产量提高了1~3倍,取得了良好的提速提产效果。研究与应用表明,原油注氮欠平衡钻井技术能满足老油田低地层压力、窄安全密度窗口地层安全钻井的需求,可提高油藏采收率及勘探开发效益。

伊拉克库尔德地区两党政治格局的演化

1946年伊拉克库尔德民主党的成立,奠定了伊拉克库尔德地区政党政治格局形成的基础。在土地改革、城市化、私有化和两伊战争等多重因素的作用下,伊拉克库尔德地区在20世纪80年代末形成了以库尔德民主党与库尔德爱国联盟为主导的两党政治格局,并在1991年和2003年后不断得到强化。但地区社会与经济发展的脱节催生出新兴的政治反对派及其对旧有格局的挑战,使伊拉克库尔德地区在伊拉克战争后向两个阵营并立、三股力量互动、两种理念竞争的政党政治格局方向演进。