Kurdistan Region Research Articles

Effect of Chloride Solution on Liquid Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soil in Selected Sites in Erbil /North Iraq

This study is an attempt to investigate the effect of NaCl, CaCl2, KCl, and NH4Cl solutions with different concentrations (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%) on the liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of Sarbasty and Mamwastayan soil samples /Erbil Governorate. The soil samples' liquid and plastic limits were found by using the cone penetrometer method. The Results showed that the soil's liquid, plastic limits, and Plasticity index decreased with increasing salt solution concentration. Maximum reduction of liquid limit and plastic limit in Sarbasty was from 53.6 to 34.3 and in Mamwastayan from 35.9 to 27.2, both accomplished by adding a concentration of 7.5% of KCl and CaCl2 respectively. According to the Unified Soil Classification System, the Sarbasty soils were classified as high plasticity clay (CH), and Mamwastayan low plasticity clay (CL). After adding different concentrations of salt solution to the soil, the Sarbasty soil classification changed from CH to CL. Mineralogically these soils are composed of non-clay minerals of calcite and quartz and clay minerals consisting of Montmorillonite, Chlorite, swelling Chlorite, Kaolinite, Illite, Palygorskite, and Illite- Chlorite. Sarbasty soil was the most effective salt chloride solution than the Mamwastayan soil sample swelling.

Assessment of land degradation susceptibility within the Shaqlawa subregion of Northern Iraq-Kurdistan Region via synergistic application of remotely acquired datasets and advanced predictive models.

Land degradation (LD) is the decline in a land's functional capacity and productive potential, which includes various anthropogenic and natural drivers. This study focuses on three primary manifestations of LD including soil erosion, landslides, and rockfalls, which are the most prevalent in the Shaqlawa district. A set of 22 LD conditioning factors, encompassing curvature, lithology, aspect, river density, soil type, lineament density, river distance, elevation, road distance, length slope (LS), land use land cover (LULC), stream power index (SPI), valley depth, profile curvature, slope, solar radiation, road density, lineament distance, rainfall, topographic wetness index (TWI), plan curvature, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), were integrated into the analysis. Variance inflation factors (VIF) and tolerance (TOL) values from linear regression indicate that most LD factors have acceptable levels of multicollinearity. The Information Gain Ratio (IGR) identified key variables TWI, NDVI, and lithology-as pivotal factors for predicting LD. Additionally, the study evaluated degradation factors using various machine learning (ML) algorithms, including random forest (RF), Naive Bayes, logistic regression, rotation forest, forest penalized attributes (FPA), and Fisher's Linear discriminant analysis (FLDA). This facilitated categorizing the study area into five susceptibility categories. The FLDA model categorized the highest area under very high degradation risk at 26.72%, emphasizing the varied insights each algorithm brought to characterizing the degradation risk. Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were employed for model validation, identifying RF as the most successful model in the training dataset with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.882, while FLDA outperformed in the testing dataset with an AUC of 0.883. The identified LD-prone areas will help land-use planners and emergency management officials apply effective mitigation strategies for similar terrains.

Курдский народ в борьбе за независимость (вторая половина ХХ – начало ХХI в.) и геноцид в Иракском Курдистане

The article delves into the struggle of the people of Southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan for self-determination and the repression of the ruling regime in Iraq, which brought the Kurdish population to the brink of extermination. The issue of Southern Kurdistan in Iraq has been on the agenda for many decades. The Iraqi Kurds achieved self-government at the cost of incredible efforts. It is emphasized that the recognition of the right to territorial autonomy by the Iraqi government in 1974 was a success of the Kurdish national movement. However, the infringement of the rights of the Kurds continued. The apogee of the repressions were the events of the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988 and the use of chemical weapons against the population of the autonomy. In 2005, Iraq promulgated a new draft Constitution, which reflected the opinion of all ethno-confessional groups of the country – Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds: the country was declared a Federal Republic, and the Kurdish language was declared the state language on the territory of Kurdistan. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that the centuries-long struggle of the Kurds of Iraq ended with the proclamation of autonomy and the granting of democratic rights and freedoms to the population of the Kurdish Autonomous Region. And the facts reflected in the documents of international organizations on the deliberate destruction of the Kurdish minority in Iraq, especially during the years of Saddam Hussein’s rule, are obvious. An important condition for the success of the Kurdish national movement at any stage of its development is the unity of its ranks. The methodological basis of the article is the principles of historicism and objectivity. Documentary materials, personal sources, and media news data serve as the empirical basis of the study and are introduced into scientific discourse.

Offensives of the Russian Army in Southern Kurdistan in 1916–1917. — Caucasian “Brusilov's” breakthrough?

The article describes the military operations of the Russian army against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War from the Caucasian direction. The analysis of the motives of the Russian Empire's actions in the southern direction is given. The successes and causes of failures of the main battles in Southern Kurdistan are considered. The results of the off ensives of the Russian army in 1914–1917 are summarized.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of β-Thalassemia in Kirkuk Province of Northern Iraq

To determine the prevalence and molecular basis of β-thalassemia in the Northeastern Iraqi province of Kirkuk, a total of 3954 individuals attending the provincial premarital screening center were recruited. The prevalence of β-thalassemia minor among the screened individuals was found to be 3.0%, while those of Hemoglobin E, and δβ-thalassemia carrier states were 0.05%, and 0.03% respectively. Molecular characterization of the β-thalassemia mutations was achieved by multiplex PCR and reverse hybridization, followed by next generation sequencing for those left uncharacterized by the former technique. Among 19 β-thalassemia mutations identified, seven were the most frequent, namely: IVS-II-1 (G > A), codon 8/9 (+G), IVS-I-6 (T > C), IVS-I-110 (G > A), IVS-I-I (G > A), IVS-I-5 (G > C) and codon 44 (-C) accounting for 78.5% of the mutations. This study further illustrates the heterogeneity of the spectrum of β-thalassemia in different parts of Iraq, and provides an essential step to facilitate prenatal diagnosis in the setting of a future national thalassemia prevention program.

A new species of Pythium hydnosporum as a pathogen associated with vine decline of melon (Cucumis melo L.) in Iraq

Several pathogenic fungi have become an important vine decline of cantaloupe melone (Cucumis melo L.). In 2021, root rot on cantaloupe was observed during the harvest phase in the fields in Penjwen and Shahrazoor in Sulaimani governorate of Northern Kurdistan region Iraq. This present study was conducted to isolate the causal agent of fungi in lesions of root rot of cantaloupe. A total of 16 fungal isolates were obtained of which isolates Monosporascus cannonballus, M. eutypoides, Acremonium vitellinium, Fusarium oxysporium, F. equiseti, Macrophomina phaseolina, Saccharomyces kudriavzevii, F. robinianum, Rhizopus arrhizus, Botrytis cinerea, Cytospora eucalypticola, F. falciforme, Pythium hydnosporum, Alternaria tenuissima, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora colocasiae were obtained from root melon. Identification of all fungal isolates was based on using both morphological characteristics and molecular analysis, on internal transcribed spacer (ITS1, ITS4, LSU) are primers that are used for identification. DNA sequences of the fungal pathogen were identified as Pythium hydnosporum a new pathogenic fungi causal agent of cantaloupe vine decline. A pathogenicity test was conducted to verify Koch's postulates and P. hydnosporum was observed to cause root rot of melon, symptoms of the disease were similar to those seen in the field.

The Role of Media Education in Qualification of Students for Media Work Market (Survey Study)

This research aims to identify the role of media education in qualifying students for the media job market. And investigating the role of media education in developing media talents among media students in universities and government institutes in the Kurdistan Region - Iraq. For its type of descriptive study, the research relied on a sample survey method for the community of graduates of media departments in universities and government institutes. The sample was drawn from the original research community in a non-random, intentional manner. The total number of respondents included (134) media graduates from all governorates of the region. Among the most important findings of the research: The results showed a positive role for media education in qualifying students for the media work market in universities, technical and governmental academic institutes in the Kurdistan Region - Iraq, and a somewhat negative role, related to the lack of availability of media departments with the necessary equipment and applied means for producing media work.

Factors Associated with Student Feedback to Teachers in Quality Assurance in Iraqi Kurdistan

Over the past few decades, the quality of education has emerged as a critical strategic concern in tertiary education institutions worldwide. University managers’ daily tasks now include comparing educational outcomes and rankings, for which quality assurance is significant. Quality assurance incorporates three separate but interdependent elements including student feedback to teachers, teacher portfolios, and continuous academic development. Student feedback concerns the quality and effectiveness of teaching and teacher performance. University instructors often complain about the grades and feedback they gain from students and reckon that the grades are based on students’ rate of success and teachers’ intimacy with students, rather than on teachers’ performances. Therefore, this study is devoted to investigating student feedback and the factors that determine the quality of feedback provided to instructors. To this intent, the study follows the principles of mixed methods in data collection and analysis; using self-reported questionnaires, instructor feedback scores in quality assurance, and student rates of success for each module as well as using IBM SPSS 25 and thematic analysis. The participants include university students and instructors selected from a public university in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The study assumes that three factors play a significant role in determining the level of feedback including the rate of success, instructors’ intimacy and rapport with students, and the quantity of material provided to students. The study concludes with far-reaching implications for higher education institutions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Digital Evolution: Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Local Dialects and Lexicon; An Examination of Central Kurdish Language

This study suggests a digital linguistic approach to multi-mediated communication (MMC), drawing on a case study of language variation on social media. In the early 21st century, social media (SM) has significantly impacted various aspects of human life, including language, as articulated within the theoretical framework of digital linguistics and language variation. This study explores the influence of SM on Kurdish local dialects in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a focus on vocabulary evolution and the ongoing challenge of dialect standardization. Given the high unemployment rates in Iraq, which have led to increased SM engagement, this research examines how these platforms affect dialect usage across diverse demographic groups. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates qualitative content analysis and quantitative surveys to assess SM's role in shaping linguistic practices. Findings reveal thatolder generations are more likely to maintain traditional dialects, while younger users increasingly adopt standardized Kurdish forms. The study highlights SM's dual impact: promoting linguistic convergence while posing risks to dialectal diversity. It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that supports regional dialects alongside the benefits of standardization, advocating for strategic initiatives to preserve linguistic heritage while adapting to digital influences.

Correction: Sulaiman et al. Understanding Antecedents of Learning Management System Usage among University Lecturers Using an Integrated TAM-TOE Model. Sustainability 2023, 15, 1885

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [1]:(1)Adding an affiliation to the first author: Twana Tahseen Sulaiman 1,2,*, Department of Banking and Finance, College of Administration and Financial Sciences, University of Cihan-Erbil, Erbil 44001, Kurdistan Region, IraqSchool of Business and Economics, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia [...]

Delegation of Powers In Higher Education Facilities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region

بما إن العملية الديمقراطية في اي دولة ما تركز على اللامركزية الإدارية وتوزيع الاختصاصات بصورة شفافة بما ينسجم مع حسن سير المرفق العام بانتظام واطراد وان ذلك من المهام الأساسية للسلطة الإدارية، وإن تفويض في الاختصاصات يسهل تمشية أعمال الادارة في مرافقها.ومرفق التعليم العالي من المرافق الحيوية في الدولة وان التفويض في الاختصاص يسهل تمشية اعمال هذا المرفق وسرعة إنجازها،وان هذا البحث يتناول موضوع تفويض الاختصاص في هذا المرفق في العراق وإقليم كوردستان من حيث التنظيم القانوني لهذا العمل الإداري وان هذا البحث بعد ان يمهدلموضوع تفويض الاختصاص وشروطه وانواعه واليات ممارسته يتناول النظام القانوني للتفويض في مرفق التعليم العالي في العراق وإقليم كوردستان بموجب القانون النافذ،حيث تم تحديد الخلل التشريعي في هذا التنظيم في قانوني وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي في العراق وإقليم كوردستان. وذكرنا أهم الاستنتاجات التي توصلنا إليها وتقديم بعض التوصيات لسد الثغرات التي لاحظناها اثناء البحث.

Assessing the Impact of CO2 Emissions from Transport and Power on Health and Environment in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

This study investigates the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by transportation and power generation in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The research highlights the alarming levels of CO2 emissions resulting from the region's 270,315 vehicles and 1,814 private electric power generators, which consume approximately 1,500,000 liters of gasoline and 650,000 liters of diesel daily. These activities contribute to a total daily CO2 emission of 1,741,188 kg, amounting to over 626,827,680 kg annually. The findings reveal the significant environmental and public health threats posed by these emissions, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies. Comparisons with other urban regions such as Cairo, Tehran, New Delhi, Lagos, and Nairobi reveal a similar pattern of high vehicular and generator-induced CO2 emissions, underscoring the global nature of this environmental challenge. The study underscores the importance of addressing CO2 emissions through improved regulations, modernized infrastructure, and sustainable energy practices to protect both the environment and public health.

The Social Support Perceived by Patients with Schizophrenia at Ali-Kamal Center in Sulaimani City, Kurdistan of Iraq

Background: Schizophrenia is a major mental disorder marked by a diverse range of symptoms. Patients’ perception of social support affects the progress of schizophrenia. Aim: This study aimed mainly to assess social support perceived by patients with schizophrenia. Methods: The present study quantitative- descriptive study on a convenience sample of 100 patients experiencing schizophrenia recruited from the outpatient psychiatric clinic of Ali-kamal Center in Sulaiamani City/Iarq. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used which includes sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and a multidimensional of perceived social support scale. The interview method was employed to collect the data. Results: Low social support was perceived by patients with schizophrenia. Gender P = 0.05; economic status,P = 0.04; and educational level P = 0.01 were statistically significantly associated with low social support among the sample. Conclusion and Recommendation: The role of social support emphasized by schizophrenic patients and the essential need for treatment that includes psychological treatment is also addressed to improve prognosis; moreover, additional studies are needed about the effect of social support on schizophrenic patients.

Bully victimization and self-esteem among students with communication disorders

BackgroundBullying is a universal problem among school-aged adolescents, characterized by recurrent and destructive behavior toward peers. Bullying victimization has a strong impact on self-esteem. Students diagnosed with communication disorders are more likely to experience low self-esteem. The study’s main goal is to detect a correlation between victimization and self-esteem in teenage students diagnosed with communication disorders.MethodsFrom October 2023 to March 2024, we conducted this cross-sectional study in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The study included 150 teenage students of both genders diagnosed with communication disorders. Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale was used to measure self-esteem, and the multidimensional peer victimization scale was used to measure bullying victimization. We analyzed the data using independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and simple linear regression analysis.ResultsThis study found that students with communication disorders experience high levels of bullying victimization (M = 18.63) and report low self-esteem (M = 13.56). A significant negative correlation was observed between bullying victimization and self-esteem (r2 = 0.21), indicating that bullying accounts for 21% of the variance in self-esteem. Male students were more likely to experience higher levels of bullying victimization and lower self-esteem compared to female students.ConclusionThe study determined the severe impact of bullying on the self-esteem of adolescent students with communication disorders, particularly among males and those with stuttering. The long-term effects of bullying and potential protective factors that could mitigate its impact on self-esteem require further research.

Temperature and Precipitation Change Assessment in the North of Iraq Using LARS-WG and CMIP6 Models

Investigating the spatial-temporal evolutionary trends of future temperature and precipitation considering various emission scenarios is crucial for developing effective responses to climate change. However, researchers in Iraq have not treated this issue under CMIP6 in much detail. This research aims to examine the spatiotemporal characteristics of temperature and rainfall in northern Iraq by applying LARS-WG (8) under CMIP6 general circulation models (GCMs). Five GCMs (ACCESS-ESM1-5, CNRM-CM6-1, MPI-ESM1-2-LR, HadGEM3-GC31-LL, and MRI-ESM2-0) and two emissions scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585) were applied to project the upcoming climate variables for the period from 2021 to 2040. The research relied on satellite data from fifteen weather sites spread over northern Iraq from 1985 to 2015 to calibrate and validate the LARS-WG model. Analysis of spatial-temporal evolutionary trends of future temperature and precipitation compared with the baseline period revealed that seasonal mean temperatures will increase throughout the year for both scenarios. However, the SSP585 scenario reveals the highest increase during autumn when the spatial coverage of class (15–20) °C increased from 27.7 to 96.29%. At the same time, the average seasonal rainfall will rise in all seasons for both scenarios except autumn for the SSP585 scenario. The highest rainfall increment percentage is obtained using the SSP585 for class (120–140) mm during winter. The spatial extent of the class increased from 25.49 to 50.19%.

Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines in Iraqi Kurdistan: A Population-Based Study

Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines in Iraqi Kurdistan: A Population-Based Study

Morphological and molecular identification of freshwater eutardigrade Dactylobiotus parthenogeneticus (Bertolani, 1982) in the Greater Zab River of Kurdistan Region - Iraq.

Dactylobiotus parthenogeneticus is one of the widespread species of tardigrade all over the world. Tardigrades of this species were collected from the Greater Zab River in Erbil City-Iraq by filtering water of the river through a plankton net with a mesh of 45 µm pore. The samples were mounted on a slide with a cover slip and examined under the microscope to determine morphological characteristics and measurements. Based on these characters the species identified to be D. parthenogeneticus. To support this diagnosis, DNA barcoding techniques were applied to do molecular analysis and sequencing on the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The sequence was subjected to the GenBank database of NCBI and recorded with the accession number PP140905. The result of the sequencing and molecular analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene confirmed to be the same species diagnosed by relying upon morphological characters. This study represents one of the pioneer researches and documents on tardigrades and found D. parthenogeneticus for the first time in the Greater Zab River in Kurdistan, North of Iraq. Tardigrades play a magnificent role in different trophic levels and can be utilized as an indicator of ecosystem health.

Shell morphology and reproductive anatomy of Levantina mardinensis (Gastropoda, Helicidae) from a new locality of Mardin, Türkiye

ABSTRACT The genus Levantina Kobelt, 1871, comprises 25 taxa inhabiting rocky environments across the Middle East. This study focuses on documenting a new location of L. mardinensis Kobelt, 1900, and provides a detailed analysis of its shell morphology and reproductive anatomy, contributing to the knowledge and conservation of this land snail from Mardin, southeastern Türkiye. The distribution of L. mardinensis is widespread in Mardin Province and extends into northern Syria and Iraq. The study provides measurements for previously unreported shell characteristics of specimens from Eskikale (Mardin), including aperture height, aperture width, spire height, and body whorl height, with high-resolution images for visual reference.

The role of education in economic growth - an analytical study of the reality of higher education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The role of education in economic growth - an analytical study of the reality of higher education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The relationship between communication education and communication skill and their impact on creating job opportunities in the hospitality industry in the Kurdistan region of Iraq

The relationship between communication education and communication skill and their impact on creating job opportunities in the hospitality industry in the Kurdistan region of Iraq