Sustainable water management in Iraq (Kurdistan) as a challenge for governmental responsibility

During the last few decades, a critical scarcity of water has occurred in the Middle East due to climate change and the mismanagement of water resources. The situation is complicated by the absence of an effective legislative framework at the local level as well as by the incapability and disrepute of the local water authorities. Most Iraqi citizens depend on the surface waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which have their sources in upstream neighbouring countries. Water crises concerning the shared waters urgently require a solution at the international level. Unfortunately, Iraq has faced several wars in a row (1980-2003), which has prevented the country from establishing its institutions. The rapid increase in the population of the transboundary countries on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and the high demands on agriculture, are accelerating water exploitation. In this paper, the present state of water management in Iraq from the viewpoint of the legislative framework, water balance, and transboundary issues will be discussed, with special attention to Kurdistan. Many legislative documents have been established or amended by the Iraqi and Kurdistan parliaments since 2003. In 2015, the Kurdistan Government Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, in cooperation with the EU, issued a guide for environmental legislation related to all environmental components such as air, water, and soil. The recommendations on actions needed in the water management in Kurdistan will be presented; they are inspired by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) implemented in EU member states.Web of Science1011art. no. 165

Water Resources Management in Kurdistan (Iraq), Case study of Khazir Basin

During recent decades the whole Middle East countries encountered water scarcity due to two main factors external and internal. The external factors cover draught phenomenon during two sharped rows (1999-2011) and (2007-2009) as well as the over-harvesting by upstream countries. While, internal ones include mismanagement by downstream countries. Tigris-Euphrates basin is the most highlighted issue in the region. The conflict among riparian countries intensified between two poles, upstream countries (Turkey and Iran) and downstream countries (Syria and Iraq). Iraq, as main affected country faces many dramatic challenges concerning its water resources management. Actually, the water resources management in Iraq including Kurdistan Region suffer from lack of both qualitative and quantitative measures. In spite of having great budget, the country has not issued necessary legislations to overcome these problems. The reasons attributed to its political instability since 1980s as well as the fanciful corruption in all governmental joints specially after 2003. This study will focus on the current water resources in Iraq including Kurdistan region as well as the most legislations related to water resources management in Iraq and Kurdistan and comparing what exist in other riparian countries and some other countries concerning both quantity and quality of water. Moreover, it indicates to the historical events as a bibliography of agreement among riparian countries. On the other hand, a study area called Khazir basin was selected to make a comprehensive research concerning the current status of both surface water and groundwater perspectives. Monitoring of groundwater levels, groundwater movement, the performance of productive geological aquifers was studied. The principle of water balance equation was applied through finding out the required parameters including infiltration, surface runoff, evapotranspiration as well as groundwater recharge and discharge.During recent decades the whole Middle East countries encountered water scarcity due to two main factors external and internal. The external factors cover draught phenomenon during two sharped rows (1999-2011) and (2007-2009) as well as the over-harvesting by upstream countries. While, internal ones include mismanagement by downstream countries. Tigris-Euphrates basin is the most highlighted issue in the region. The conflict among riparian countries intensified between two poles, upstream countries (Turkey and Iran) and downstream countries (Syria and Iraq). Iraq, as main affected country faces many dramatic challenges concerning its water resources management. Actually, the water resources management in Iraq including Kurdistan Region suffer from lack of both qualitative and quantitative measures. In spite of having great budget, the country has not issued necessary legislations to overcome these problems. The reasons attributed to its political instability since 1980s as well as the fanciful corruption in all governmental joints specially after 2003. This study will focus on the current water resources in Iraq including Kurdistan region as well as the most legislations related to water resources management in Iraq and Kurdistan and comparing what exist in other riparian countries and some other countries concerning both quantity and quality of water. Moreover, it indicates to the historical events as a bibliography of agreement among riparian countries. On the other hand, a study area called Khazir basin was selected to make a comprehensive research concerning the current status of both surface water and groundwater perspectives. Monitoring of groundwater levels, groundwater movement, the performance of productive geological aquifers was studied. The principle of water balance equation was applied through finding out the required parameters including infiltration, surface runoff, evapotranspiration as well as groundwater recharge and discharge.224 - Katedra geotechniky a podzemního stavitelstvívyhově

Development and evaluation of biodegradable controlled release microspheres of venlafaxine

  In this study we developed and evaluated stable, biodegradable microspheres for controlled release of venlafaxine. For this purpose, polycaprolactone, a hydrophobic polymer was used in different ratios. Following are the drug to polymer ratios P1 (1:1), P2 (1:1.5), P3 (1:2), P4 (1:2.5) and P5 (1:3); employed to develop controlled release microspheres. Drug loading efficiency increased with increasing quantity of polycaprolactone. The mechanism of venlafaxine release was studied by applying First order, Zero order, Higuchi’s, Hixon-Crowell and korsmeyer-Peppas models to dissolution data. Higuchi model was found the best fit model followed by First order release. The mechanism of release was non-Fickian diffusion. All formulations showed an initial burst of 69.53%, 62.37%, 55.45%, 53.76% and 49.32% from P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 formulations, respectively at the end of 1st h dissolution. P5 was the superior formulation in terms of reduced initial burst and after which sustained release occurred up to 8 hours. The developed microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, scanning electron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis

Predictors of obesity among post graduate trainee doctors working in a tertiary care hospital of public sector in Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives: To identify the predictors of obesity among post graduate trainee doctors working in a tertiary care hospital of public sector at Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted at one of the tertiary care hospitals of public sector in Karachi. Information was collected from 117 post graduate trainee doctors via pre-tested self administered questionnaire and standard tools were used for height and weight measurement. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) \u3e or =23 by using South Asian cut-off points. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis, and logistic regression technique was applied to come up with predictors of obesity.Results: Frequency of overweight and obesity among doctors was 31.6% and 28.2% respectively. Nearly, 18% were using tobacco and family history of obesity was present in 44%. Approximately 64% doctors were taking lunch outside home, 76% were taking tea at least once a day, 59% were taking snacks between meals and 50% were physically inactive. Predictors of obesity among doctors include; taking lunch outside home OR = 7.11 (2.28-22.09), snacks between meals OR = 5.36 (1.51-19.03), tea OR = 7.85 (1.63-37.63), physical activity OR = 0.18 (0.05-0.57), increase duration of training OR = 1.7 (1.15-2.49), family history of obesity OR = 3.35 (1.11-10.08) and male gender OR = 3.83 (1.07-13.72).Conclusion: Frequency of overweight and obesity was high among post graduate trainee doctors. Taking lunch outside home, snacks and tea intake between meals, increase duration of training, family history of obesity, male gender and lack of physical activity were found to be predictors of obesity among doctors

Generation X and Y: Impact of Work Attitudes and Work Values on Employee Performance

Sustainable competitive advantage lies in the intellectual capital of firms, where it has become important to retain employees and train them for future leadership. Hence, firms must recognize the importance of the work values and attitudes of the employed Generation. Understanding Generational diversity and using the right strategy is crucial for the firm’s success. Theorization of Generational differences have been applied in Western Cultures more often than Eastern Cultures, hence this research expanded the concept of Generational diversity to the banking workforce of Karachi, Pakistan. The relationship between Generation X and Y work values and attitudes on employee performance was examined. Three hundred people from Generation X and Y were taken as a sample from the Commercial Banks in Karachi and responses on different work attitudes and values were taken. It was found that values and attitudes have a significant relationship with employee performance for both Generation X and Y. However, cognitive and social values are important for Generation X while cognitive, instrumental and prestige values are important for Generation Y employees. The study theoretically contributes to work values and attitudes perspective, generational theory and performance perspective and offers implications for creating a suitable combination of tasks and rewards with respect to individual needs

Transformational Leadership and Leader Member Exchange: An empirical examination of Knowledge Management Practices and Organizational Performance through Employee Involvement

Abstract   Purpose: Human resource behaviour tends to play a vital role in organizational overall performance. The study incorporates two of the most prominent behaviours of leadership and examine their influence on organizational performance and knowledge management practices through employee involvement

Effect of visible range electromagnetic radiations on Escherichia coli

Background: Escherichia coli is the agent responsible for a range of clinical diseases. With emerging antimicrobial resistance, other treatment options including solar/photo-therapy are becoming increasingly common. Visible Range Radiation Therapy/Colour Therapy is an emerging technique in the field of energy/vibrational medicine that uses visible spectrum of Electromagnetic Radiations to cure different diseases. In this study, our goal was to understand the effect of Visible Range Electromagnetic Radiations on E. coli (in vitro) and therefore find out the most appropriate visible range radiation for the treatment of diseases caused by E. coli.Materials and Methods: A total of 6 non-repetitive E. coli isolates were obtained from urine samples obtained from hospitalized patients with UTI. Single colony of E. coli was inoculated in 3 ml of Lysogeny Broth (LB) and 40 μl of this E. coli suspension was poured into each of the plastic tubes which were then irradiated with six different wavelengths in the visible region (Table. 1) after 18 hours with one acting as a control. The Optical Densities of these irradiated samples were then measured. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (TEFCAN ZEGA3) was carried out.Results: The analysis of the microscopic and SEM images of irradiated E. coli samples with six different visible range radiations is representative of The fact that E. coli responded differently to every applied radiation in the visible region and the most profound inhibitory effects were that of 538nm Visible Range Radiation (Green) which proved to be bactericidal and 590nm Visible Range Radiation (yellow) which was bacteriostatic. The enhanced growth of E. coli with varying degrees was clearly observed in 610nm (orange), 644nm (red), 464nm (Purple) and 453nm (blue).Conclusion: It can be concluded that 538nm (Green) and 590nm (Yellow) can effectively be used for treating E. coli borne diseases.Keywords: Visible Range Radiation Therapy, E. coli, UTI, Alternative Treatment, Colour Therap

Role of awake prone positioning in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19: An experience from a developing country

There is limited evidence on the efficacy of awake prone positioning (PP) in non-ventilated patients with COVID-19 who have hypoxemia. We, therefore, aim to describe our experience with the use of early proning in awake, non-intubated patients with confirmed COVID-19. In our retrospective observational study, 23 patients with confirmed positive PCR test results for Severe Acute respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and hypoxemia that required oxygen therapy with or without non-invasive ventilation were treated with PP. Patients were classified into mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 disease. There were no targeted number of hours for proning per day and patients were kept in prone position according to their tolerance. The primary outcome measure was the avoidance of intubation and secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stays and complications related to PP. The mean (standard deviation) age of our cohort was 54.5 (11.7) years, and the majority were males (21/23, 91.3%). Sixty-one per cent (14/23) of the patients were suffering from severe disease and 82.6% (19/23) had bilateral lung involvement with interstitial infiltrates. Majority of the patients were prone positioned for a median of 6 days (IQR 4 - 8). Only one patient required transfer to ICU for mechanical ventilation and subsequently died due to severe ARDS. All 22 patients showed progressive improvement in oxygen requirement and PF ratio, mostly after 3-5 days of proning. The mean length of hospital stay was 12 days. All patients, except one, were discharged in stable conditions, on room air or on a minimal oxygen requirement of 1-2 liters. No major complication of PP was recorded. Awake prone positioning is a valuable and safe therapeutic adjunct that can be applied in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19. It can also be included in the home-based management protocols of COVID-19 to improve patient outcomes and mitigate the burden on health care facilities

Effect of &#946-Glucuronidase on Extraction Efficiency of Silymarin from Human Plasma Samples Using Validated HPLC-UV Analysis

Purpose: To investigate the effect of β-glucuronidase on the extraction efficiency of silymarin (mainly as silybin) from spiked human plasma using a sensitive and reproducible high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.Methods: The importance of β-glucuronidase was evaluated by comparing the extraction efficiency of silymarin in β-glucuronidase-treated and untreated plasma samples. Isocratic HPLC with simple UV detection (288 nm) was applied to analyze the major silymarin components using Thermo-Electron C18 column (200 mm, 4.6 mm I.D., 5μm particle size). The mobile phase, consisting of methanol and 20 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (50:50 v/v pH 2.8), was pumped at 1 ml/min.Results: The mean extraction efficiency was 98.97 % (CV = 1.69 %) for treated and 40.88 % (CV = 2.77 %) for untreated plasma samples, compared with nominal concentrations.Conclusion: The studied method showed 60 % reduced extraction efficiency of untreated samples compared to treated samples.Keywords: Silymarin, Silybin, Extraction Efficiency, β-glucuronidase, HPL