Iraq is facing water shortage problem despite the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In this research, long rainfall trends up to the year 2099 were studied in Sulaimani city northeast Iraq to give an idea a...Iraq is facing water shortage problem despite the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In this research, long rainfall trends up to the year 2099 were studied in Sulaimani city northeast Iraq to give an idea about future prospects. The medium high (A2) and medium low B2 scenarios have been used for purpose of this study as they are more likely than others scenarios, that beside the fact that no climate modeling canter has performed GCM (global climate model) simulations for more than a few emissions scenarios (HadCM3 has only these two scenarios) otherwise pattern scaling can be used for generating different scenarios which entail a huge uncertainty. The results indicate that the average annual rainfall shows a significant downward trend for both A2 and B2 scenarios. In addition, winter projects increase/decrease in the daily rainfall statistics of wet days, the spring season show very slight drop and no change for both scenarios. However, both summer and autumn shows a significant reduction in maximum rainfall value especially in 2080s while the other statistics remain nearly the same. The extremes events are to decrease slightly in 2080s with highest decrease associated with A2 scenario. This is due to the fact that rainfall under scenario A2 is more significant than under scenario B2. The return period of a certain rainfall will increase in the future when a present storm of 20 year could occur once every 43 year in the 2080s. An increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall depends on several factors such as the return period, season of the year, the period considered as well as the emission scenario used.展开更多
Water samples, sediments from three stations in Euphrates River, lraq were analyzed quantitatively for some physical and chemical characters and six heavy metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb) using flam atomic absorpt...Water samples, sediments from three stations in Euphrates River, lraq were analyzed quantitatively for some physical and chemical characters and six heavy metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb) using flam atomic absorption spectrophotpmeter in period Sept. 2009-Oct. 2010. The physical and chemical characters included temperature, pH, water flow, salinity, dissolved oxygen, BOD5, alkalinity total hardness, calcium and nutrients (nitrite, nitrate reactive phosphate and silicate). The results showed variation in water flow 0.05-0.40 m/sec., according to the values of salinity 0.40%-0.60% values of the BOD5 were ranged between 0.2-4.3 mg/L. The mean concentration of the heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Mn, Co, Cu and Fe) of the dissolved phase in water were 0.13 μg/L, 0.021 μg/L, 0.31 μg/L, 4.29 μg/L, 7.78 μg/L, 6.46 μg/L and 79.04 μg/L, respectively, while their concentration in the particulate phase were 0.59 μg/g, 0.06 μg/g, 0.42 μg/g, 50.06 μg/g, 6.61 μg/g, 7.17 vg/g and 149.42 μg/g dry weight, respectively. Also the mean concentrations of heavy metals in sediment (exchangeable phase) were 0.51 vg/g,0.18 vg/g, 0.08 μg/g, 61.39 μg/g, 5.40 μg/g, 14.06 vg/g and 130.05 μg/g dry weight respectively, and 0.40 μg/g, 0.17 μg/g, 0.10 μg/g, 63.01 μg/g, 4.64 μg/g, 18.44 μg/g and 126.26 μg/g D.W. respectively in residual phase of sediment.展开更多
Greater Zab is the largest tributary of the Tigris River in lraq where the catchment area is currently being plagued by water scarcity and pollution problems. Contemporary studies have revealed that blue and green wat...Greater Zab is the largest tributary of the Tigris River in lraq where the catchment area is currently being plagued by water scarcity and pollution problems. Contemporary studies have revealed that blue and green waters of the basin have been manifesting increasing variability contributing to more severe droughts and floods apparently due to climate change. In order to gain greater appreciation of the impacts of climate change on water resources in the study area in near and distant future, SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) has been used. The model is first tested for its suitability in capturing the basin characteristics, and then, forecasts from six GCMs (general circulation models) with about half-a-century lead time to 2046-2064 and one-century lead time to 2080-2100 are incorporated to evaluate the impacts of climate change on water resources under three emission scenarios: A 1 B, A2 and BI. The results showed worsening water resources regime into the future.展开更多
The plant aerial parts of three species, Urtica dioica L., Viola odorata L. and Melissa officinalis L. were collected at randomly-different locations, according to altitudes in May 2010. The aerial parts of Urtica wer...The plant aerial parts of three species, Urtica dioica L., Viola odorata L. and Melissa officinalis L. were collected at randomly-different locations, according to altitudes in May 2010. The aerial parts of Urtica were collected within three replications from different locations: Biare 1,090 masl (meters above sea level), Tawile 1,450 masl and Awiser 1,680 masl. The aerial parts of Viola and Melissa were collected randomly within three replications at different locations: Biare 1,090 masl, Degashikhan 1,250 masl and Tawile 1,450 masl. The extracts of the aerial parts of these species were purified by filtrations for several times in preparation for HPLC analyses. The chromatograms of Urtica indicated the presence of five major important alkaloid components (fragrine, benzylisoquinoline, scopoletin, glucoquinone and dotriacotaine) and ten major important phenolic compounds (formic acid, tannin, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid, anthocyanine, quercetin, zeaxanthin, luetin epoxide, coumarine and vanillin). All the concentrations of alkaloid and phenolic compounds were increased significantly due to higher altitudes, except that of alkaloid dotriacotaine. The chromatograms of Viola indicated the presence of four major important alkaloid components (violine, isoquinoline, cycloviolacin and luteolin-3-glucoronide) and ten major important phenolic compounds (formic acid, tannin, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid, anthocyanine, quercetin, zeaxanthin, luetin epoxide, coumarine and vanillin). The results of the influence of altitudes showed that the concentrations of all alkaloids and phenolic compounds were increased significantly due to higher altitudes, except that of the alkaloid luteolin-3-glucoronide and the phenolic compounds zeaxanthin and luetin epoxide. The chromatograms of Melissa indicated the presence of five major essential oils (pinene, linalool, citronellol, geraniol and rosmarinic acid). Their quantitative evaluations were influenced by altitudes indicating that the concentrations of all oils were increased significantly due to the higher altitude, except that of the pinene.展开更多
Abstract: 40K, 238U and 232Th in dust storms samples from AI-Najaf Holy Area - lraq in year 2013 were measured using a high efficiency gamma ray spectroscopy NaI(Tl) detector. From the measured gamma rays spectra, ...Abstract: 40K, 238U and 232Th in dust storms samples from AI-Najaf Holy Area - lraq in year 2013 were measured using a high efficiency gamma ray spectroscopy NaI(Tl) detector. From the measured gamma rays spectra, the specific activity were determined for 40K (range from 237.166 to 368.689 Bq/kg), 23SU (range from 11.531 to 34.997 Bq/kg) and 232Th (range from 2.805 to 11.162 Bq/kg). Hazard indices (external hazard index, internal hazard index, radium equivalent activities and absorbed effective dose rates) were calculated for the measured samples to assess the radiation hazards arising from dust storms samples, which is the average of Hazard indices equal (0.214, 0.192, 25.359 nG/y and 50.855 Bq/Kg), respectively. All results of Hazard indices were compared with safe limit values recommended by UNSCEAR (2008) below the safe limit.展开更多
Since the advent of the U.S. Iraq war in 2003, there has seen an acceleration of functions and operations which used to be the province of government become increasingly privatized. The division of the world into publ...Since the advent of the U.S. Iraq war in 2003, there has seen an acceleration of functions and operations which used to be the province of government become increasingly privatized. The division of the world into public and private spheres is at the center of a debate over what the government's role should be. This paper seeks to frame the debate between public and private roles regarding security issues. The military has been one area where there has never been a question of nation states outsourcing or privatizing. This paper will touch on the use of mercenaries and then discuss the growing use of corporate entities to supply what were considered to be traditional military activities and objectives.展开更多
Currently, 86% of the energy originates from fossil fuelsforelectricity. These are expected to run out, causing severe environmental damage threatening future generations. The total impact of Small and Medium Enterpri...Currently, 86% of the energy originates from fossil fuelsforelectricity. These are expected to run out, causing severe environmental damage threatening future generations. The total impact of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on the economy is significant. Solar cells harness the sun's energy to generate electricity in an environmentally friendly manner. This study compares silicon solar cells to flexible Organic Photovoltaic solar cells (OPV) for electricity energy for a micro-business in the UK and Iraq. It shows that it is feasible to replace existing fossil fuel sources with solar cells in Iraq due to a greater amount of solar radiation striking the earth's surface. Flexible solar cells can replace a proportion of the energy requirements in the UK and a larger proportion in Iraq. Using existing 20% efficient solar cells, 28% and 83% of the energy requirements of the microbusiness can be replaced in UK and Iraq respectively. Assuming 20% efficiency for solar cells placed on windows, 74% and 220% of the energy requirements of UK and Kurdistan can be replaced respectively and the surplus stored.展开更多
The genus Phaeoacremonium is associated die-back of various woody hosts. In this study, Phaeoaeremonium specie was isolated from necrotic woody tissue of Platanus occidentalies L. (Platanus). Morphological and cultu...The genus Phaeoacremonium is associated die-back of various woody hosts. In this study, Phaeoaeremonium specie was isolated from necrotic woody tissue of Platanus occidentalies L. (Platanus). Morphological and cultural characteristics were used to identify the species, which known, and being described as Phaeoacremonium aleophillum. This is the first report on identifying Phaeoacremonium aleophillum from Platanus in Iraq, previously reports accommodate Cephalosporium acremonium from Platanus trees. This specie is able to produce toxic metabolites. Applications of P. aleophillum crude and cell-free filtrates induced severe chlorosis and necrosis on Platanus leaves after 24 hours of treatment with P. aleophillum culture filtrate. A novel phytotoxin was isolated from P. aleophillurn and culture filtrate was identified as galactouronic acid.展开更多
In recent years, land use/cover dynamic change has become a key subject that needs to be dealt with in the study of global environmental change. In this paper, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) a...In recent years, land use/cover dynamic change has become a key subject that needs to be dealt with in the study of global environmental change. In this paper, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) are integrated to monitor, map, and quantify the land use/cover change in the southern part of Iraq (Basrah Province was taken as a case) by using a 1:250 000 mapping scale. Remote sensing and GIS software were used to classify Landsat TM in 1990 and Landsat ETM+ in 2003 imagery into five land use and land cover (LULC) classes: vegetation, sand, urban area, unused land, and water bodies. Supervised classification and normalized difference build-up index (NDBI) were used respectively to retrieve its urban boundary. An accuracy assessment was performed on the 2003 LULC map to determine the reliability of the map. Finally, GIS software was used to quantify and illustrate the various LULC conversions that took place over the 13-year span of time. Results showed that the urban area had increased by the rate of 1.2% per year, with area expansion from 3 299.1 km2 in 1990 to 3 794.9 km2 in 2003. Large vegetation area in the north and southeast were converted into urban construction land. The land use/cover changes of Basrah Province were mainly caused by rapid development of the urban economy and population immigration from the countryside. In addition, the former government policy of "returning farmland to transportation and huge expansion in military camps" was the major driving force for vegetation land change. The paper concludes that remote sensing and GIS can be used to create LULC maps. It also notes that the maps generated can be used to delineate the changes that take place over time.展开更多
Objective: Sulfur mustard (SM) causes various systemic disturbances in human beings. This study aimed to assess paraclinical changes caused by exposure to SM gas in Iranian veterans during the war between lraq and ...Objective: Sulfur mustard (SM) causes various systemic disturbances in human beings. This study aimed to assess paraclinical changes caused by exposure to SM gas in Iranian veterans during the war between lraq and lran. Methods: A literature review was carried out in international and national medical databases including ISI, Medline, Scopus, lranmedex and lrandoc. Both Earsi and English literature were searched. Results: Search of the literature yielded 422 medical articles related to SM poisoning. Among them, 30 relevant articles were thoroughly reviewed. The most important reported complications were leuko- penia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, eosinophilia, thromboc^topenia, increased bleeding time, positive C- reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), decreased T helper cells, natural killer cells, IL6, and IL8 levels, elevation of serum immunoglobulins, decreased levels ofT3, T4 and cortisol, increased level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), proteinuria, hematuria, and elevated liver enzymes. Also, there were some changes in chest assessments, Conclusions: SM causes profound systemic complications in victims, even years after exposure. The paraclinical changes can be observed in hematology, immune system, biochemistry, hormonal profile and some imaging studies.展开更多
文摘Iraq is facing water shortage problem despite the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In this research, long rainfall trends up to the year 2099 were studied in Sulaimani city northeast Iraq to give an idea about future prospects. The medium high (A2) and medium low B2 scenarios have been used for purpose of this study as they are more likely than others scenarios, that beside the fact that no climate modeling canter has performed GCM (global climate model) simulations for more than a few emissions scenarios (HadCM3 has only these two scenarios) otherwise pattern scaling can be used for generating different scenarios which entail a huge uncertainty. The results indicate that the average annual rainfall shows a significant downward trend for both A2 and B2 scenarios. In addition, winter projects increase/decrease in the daily rainfall statistics of wet days, the spring season show very slight drop and no change for both scenarios. However, both summer and autumn shows a significant reduction in maximum rainfall value especially in 2080s while the other statistics remain nearly the same. The extremes events are to decrease slightly in 2080s with highest decrease associated with A2 scenario. This is due to the fact that rainfall under scenario A2 is more significant than under scenario B2. The return period of a certain rainfall will increase in the future when a present storm of 20 year could occur once every 43 year in the 2080s. An increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall depends on several factors such as the return period, season of the year, the period considered as well as the emission scenario used.
文摘Water samples, sediments from three stations in Euphrates River, lraq were analyzed quantitatively for some physical and chemical characters and six heavy metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb) using flam atomic absorption spectrophotpmeter in period Sept. 2009-Oct. 2010. The physical and chemical characters included temperature, pH, water flow, salinity, dissolved oxygen, BOD5, alkalinity total hardness, calcium and nutrients (nitrite, nitrate reactive phosphate and silicate). The results showed variation in water flow 0.05-0.40 m/sec., according to the values of salinity 0.40%-0.60% values of the BOD5 were ranged between 0.2-4.3 mg/L. The mean concentration of the heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Mn, Co, Cu and Fe) of the dissolved phase in water were 0.13 μg/L, 0.021 μg/L, 0.31 μg/L, 4.29 μg/L, 7.78 μg/L, 6.46 μg/L and 79.04 μg/L, respectively, while their concentration in the particulate phase were 0.59 μg/g, 0.06 μg/g, 0.42 μg/g, 50.06 μg/g, 6.61 μg/g, 7.17 vg/g and 149.42 μg/g dry weight, respectively. Also the mean concentrations of heavy metals in sediment (exchangeable phase) were 0.51 vg/g,0.18 vg/g, 0.08 μg/g, 61.39 μg/g, 5.40 μg/g, 14.06 vg/g and 130.05 μg/g dry weight respectively, and 0.40 μg/g, 0.17 μg/g, 0.10 μg/g, 63.01 μg/g, 4.64 μg/g, 18.44 μg/g and 126.26 μg/g D.W. respectively in residual phase of sediment.
文摘Greater Zab is the largest tributary of the Tigris River in lraq where the catchment area is currently being plagued by water scarcity and pollution problems. Contemporary studies have revealed that blue and green waters of the basin have been manifesting increasing variability contributing to more severe droughts and floods apparently due to climate change. In order to gain greater appreciation of the impacts of climate change on water resources in the study area in near and distant future, SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) has been used. The model is first tested for its suitability in capturing the basin characteristics, and then, forecasts from six GCMs (general circulation models) with about half-a-century lead time to 2046-2064 and one-century lead time to 2080-2100 are incorporated to evaluate the impacts of climate change on water resources under three emission scenarios: A 1 B, A2 and BI. The results showed worsening water resources regime into the future.
文摘The plant aerial parts of three species, Urtica dioica L., Viola odorata L. and Melissa officinalis L. were collected at randomly-different locations, according to altitudes in May 2010. The aerial parts of Urtica were collected within three replications from different locations: Biare 1,090 masl (meters above sea level), Tawile 1,450 masl and Awiser 1,680 masl. The aerial parts of Viola and Melissa were collected randomly within three replications at different locations: Biare 1,090 masl, Degashikhan 1,250 masl and Tawile 1,450 masl. The extracts of the aerial parts of these species were purified by filtrations for several times in preparation for HPLC analyses. The chromatograms of Urtica indicated the presence of five major important alkaloid components (fragrine, benzylisoquinoline, scopoletin, glucoquinone and dotriacotaine) and ten major important phenolic compounds (formic acid, tannin, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid, anthocyanine, quercetin, zeaxanthin, luetin epoxide, coumarine and vanillin). All the concentrations of alkaloid and phenolic compounds were increased significantly due to higher altitudes, except that of alkaloid dotriacotaine. The chromatograms of Viola indicated the presence of four major important alkaloid components (violine, isoquinoline, cycloviolacin and luteolin-3-glucoronide) and ten major important phenolic compounds (formic acid, tannin, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylmalic acid, anthocyanine, quercetin, zeaxanthin, luetin epoxide, coumarine and vanillin). The results of the influence of altitudes showed that the concentrations of all alkaloids and phenolic compounds were increased significantly due to higher altitudes, except that of the alkaloid luteolin-3-glucoronide and the phenolic compounds zeaxanthin and luetin epoxide. The chromatograms of Melissa indicated the presence of five major essential oils (pinene, linalool, citronellol, geraniol and rosmarinic acid). Their quantitative evaluations were influenced by altitudes indicating that the concentrations of all oils were increased significantly due to the higher altitude, except that of the pinene.
文摘Abstract: 40K, 238U and 232Th in dust storms samples from AI-Najaf Holy Area - lraq in year 2013 were measured using a high efficiency gamma ray spectroscopy NaI(Tl) detector. From the measured gamma rays spectra, the specific activity were determined for 40K (range from 237.166 to 368.689 Bq/kg), 23SU (range from 11.531 to 34.997 Bq/kg) and 232Th (range from 2.805 to 11.162 Bq/kg). Hazard indices (external hazard index, internal hazard index, radium equivalent activities and absorbed effective dose rates) were calculated for the measured samples to assess the radiation hazards arising from dust storms samples, which is the average of Hazard indices equal (0.214, 0.192, 25.359 nG/y and 50.855 Bq/Kg), respectively. All results of Hazard indices were compared with safe limit values recommended by UNSCEAR (2008) below the safe limit.
文摘Since the advent of the U.S. Iraq war in 2003, there has seen an acceleration of functions and operations which used to be the province of government become increasingly privatized. The division of the world into public and private spheres is at the center of a debate over what the government's role should be. This paper seeks to frame the debate between public and private roles regarding security issues. The military has been one area where there has never been a question of nation states outsourcing or privatizing. This paper will touch on the use of mercenaries and then discuss the growing use of corporate entities to supply what were considered to be traditional military activities and objectives.
文摘Currently, 86% of the energy originates from fossil fuelsforelectricity. These are expected to run out, causing severe environmental damage threatening future generations. The total impact of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on the economy is significant. Solar cells harness the sun's energy to generate electricity in an environmentally friendly manner. This study compares silicon solar cells to flexible Organic Photovoltaic solar cells (OPV) for electricity energy for a micro-business in the UK and Iraq. It shows that it is feasible to replace existing fossil fuel sources with solar cells in Iraq due to a greater amount of solar radiation striking the earth's surface. Flexible solar cells can replace a proportion of the energy requirements in the UK and a larger proportion in Iraq. Using existing 20% efficient solar cells, 28% and 83% of the energy requirements of the microbusiness can be replaced in UK and Iraq respectively. Assuming 20% efficiency for solar cells placed on windows, 74% and 220% of the energy requirements of UK and Kurdistan can be replaced respectively and the surplus stored.
文摘The genus Phaeoacremonium is associated die-back of various woody hosts. In this study, Phaeoaeremonium specie was isolated from necrotic woody tissue of Platanus occidentalies L. (Platanus). Morphological and cultural characteristics were used to identify the species, which known, and being described as Phaeoacremonium aleophillum. This is the first report on identifying Phaeoacremonium aleophillum from Platanus in Iraq, previously reports accommodate Cephalosporium acremonium from Platanus trees. This specie is able to produce toxic metabolites. Applications of P. aleophillum crude and cell-free filtrates induced severe chlorosis and necrosis on Platanus leaves after 24 hours of treatment with P. aleophillum culture filtrate. A novel phytotoxin was isolated from P. aleophillurn and culture filtrate was identified as galactouronic acid.
基金Supported by the Al-Basrah University, Iraq, the Geo-information Science and Technology Program ( No IRT 0438)China)
文摘In recent years, land use/cover dynamic change has become a key subject that needs to be dealt with in the study of global environmental change. In this paper, remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) are integrated to monitor, map, and quantify the land use/cover change in the southern part of Iraq (Basrah Province was taken as a case) by using a 1:250 000 mapping scale. Remote sensing and GIS software were used to classify Landsat TM in 1990 and Landsat ETM+ in 2003 imagery into five land use and land cover (LULC) classes: vegetation, sand, urban area, unused land, and water bodies. Supervised classification and normalized difference build-up index (NDBI) were used respectively to retrieve its urban boundary. An accuracy assessment was performed on the 2003 LULC map to determine the reliability of the map. Finally, GIS software was used to quantify and illustrate the various LULC conversions that took place over the 13-year span of time. Results showed that the urban area had increased by the rate of 1.2% per year, with area expansion from 3 299.1 km2 in 1990 to 3 794.9 km2 in 2003. Large vegetation area in the north and southeast were converted into urban construction land. The land use/cover changes of Basrah Province were mainly caused by rapid development of the urban economy and population immigration from the countryside. In addition, the former government policy of "returning farmland to transportation and huge expansion in military camps" was the major driving force for vegetation land change. The paper concludes that remote sensing and GIS can be used to create LULC maps. It also notes that the maps generated can be used to delineate the changes that take place over time.
文摘Objective: Sulfur mustard (SM) causes various systemic disturbances in human beings. This study aimed to assess paraclinical changes caused by exposure to SM gas in Iranian veterans during the war between lraq and lran. Methods: A literature review was carried out in international and national medical databases including ISI, Medline, Scopus, lranmedex and lrandoc. Both Earsi and English literature were searched. Results: Search of the literature yielded 422 medical articles related to SM poisoning. Among them, 30 relevant articles were thoroughly reviewed. The most important reported complications were leuko- penia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, eosinophilia, thromboc^topenia, increased bleeding time, positive C- reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), decreased T helper cells, natural killer cells, IL6, and IL8 levels, elevation of serum immunoglobulins, decreased levels ofT3, T4 and cortisol, increased level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), proteinuria, hematuria, and elevated liver enzymes. Also, there were some changes in chest assessments, Conclusions: SM causes profound systemic complications in victims, even years after exposure. The paraclinical changes can be observed in hematology, immune system, biochemistry, hormonal profile and some imaging studies.