CLL is considered to be an accumulation of matured lymphocytes.
In blood, bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes, we aimed to assess the correlation of initial hematological features with advanced ...stage in CLL.
A retrospective study was conducted on 138 patients with CLL, confirmed by flow cytometry of peripheral blood collected in the Hiwa Hematological and Oncological Hospital in Sulaimani, Nanakaly Hospital in Hawler, and Azadi Hematology - Oncology Center in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020.
The mean age of patients was 63.07±11 years, with male predominance. The majority of patients at presentation were Rai stage II and Binet stage A. The frequency of direct antiglobulin test (DAT) positivity was 6.5%, which also established an appositive relationship with advanced stage. There also were statistically significant relationships between hemoglobin levels, platelet counts, and lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and Rai stage and Binet stage disease (P<0.001). No association was noted between different age groups and initial laboratory findings, and there also was no relationship between gender and stage.
In the present study, there was a significant relationship between laboratory findings (hemoglobin levels, platelet counts, and LDH levels) and stage. In addition, DAT positivity demonstrated a significant correlation with advanced stage and high LDH levels were associated with more advanced Rai stage.
KRI is one of the safety equipment to save people who fall in the sea in the form of a lifeboat which is used manually. The purpose of this study is to find out how to design and make a CLS design ...and determine the amount of power needed for CLS when operating at sea. The research steps were carried out through problem identification, literature studies and surveys. Software design and testing using Maxsurf Modeller Software. The results of the study are: (a) To design a CLS, it should refer to the SOLAS 1978 rules regarding safety equipment, from the results of the analysis of the design and the 1978 SOLAS rules, it is obtained that the CLS Model-1 design with the shape ∩ has a weight of 21 kg, a displacement of 106 kg, capable of carrying heavy 85 kg man, draft 0.2 m, area 3.578 m², thickness 0.006 m, length 1.482 m with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) material which has a density of 0.93 ton/m³. With the consideration of the factors mentioned above which refer to the 1978 SOLAS rules regarding saving equipment and the results of the analysis of resistance and power calculations, Model-1 is better and superior in operation in various sea conditions; (b) From the results of the analysis of the Model-1 power calculation, a break power of 3,286 kW = 4,406 HP is required to produce a speed of 10 knots.
This thorough analysis focuses on methods for choosing landfill sites in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, with a focus on the cities of Halabja and Koya in particular. The research investigates the concrete ...effects of present landfilling procedures by integrating Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) to illustrate the condition of garbage disposal and the corresponding environmental implications. This review aims to provide a thorough analysis and promote debate on the creation of sustainable waste management plans, the significance of using GIS in decision-making, and the requirement for creative solutions to enhance public health, environmental sustainability, and resource recovery in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The research underscores the importance of increased cooperation between relevant groups and institutions to enhance efficient waste handling. It also proposes potential directions for future exploration, such as more comprehensive inquiries into the effects of various weight allocation methods in AHP, SAW, and WLC procedures, as well as the possibility of advanced GIS technologies and alternative decision-making techniques to enhance the decision-making process.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of the most important trends of this century. Recent advances in many different communication technologies and protocols, and access to low-cost and ...low-power microcontrollers and sensors have made it more prevalent.
Globally, most IoT adoption comes from developed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Western Europe, and East Asia, as these countries have a well-established nationwide IoT infrastructure. In contrast, the IoT application in developing countries such as Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) remains restricted as deployment faces main challenges. On the one hand, selecting the right technology for IoT applications can be complicated with so many IoT connectivity technologies such as Cellular, Wi-Fi, Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), Bluetooth, and ZigBee on the market. On the other hand, the main impediment seems to be the lack of IoT infrastructure technologies in developing countries.
In this paper, a comparative study on the main LPWAN technologies has been carried out in terms of cost and coverage of the network and range to become connectivity technology for IoT applications in the KRI. Based on the study, LoRa technology has been presented and proposed as the optimal connectivity technology to establish an IoT infrastructure for the KRI. The proposed network enables the deployment of IoT applications easier and faster. In addition, various LoRa based IoT applications have been proposed that benefit many sectors. A potential application has been set out as a case study to show case the significance of the new infrastructure.
The proposed LoRaWAN infrastructure can accommodate a vast range of applications and will revolutionize IoT applications in the KRI as it enables data transmission over a long distance while using extremely low power.
Purpose: This qualitative study explores the effectiveness of crowdfunding as a financing alternative for startups and entrepreneurs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), compared to traditional ...funding sources such as bank loans and grants. Specifically, the study examines the Invest My Idea initiative by Rwanga Foundation, which supports small businesses and startups throughout Iraq. The research aims to evaluate entrepreneurs' knowledge and experience with crowdfunding, identify barriers to promoting campaigns in KRI, and provide recommendations for future efforts.
Design/methodology/approach: Data were gathered through online interviews with four experts and ten entrepreneurs, analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings: Findings indicate that crowdfunding holds potential as an effective fundraising strategy for KRI entrepreneurs, contributing to the growth and development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Research limitations/implications: However, various obstacles were identified, including lack of trust, cultural barriers, limited knowledge about crowdfunding, legislative issues, and insufficient government support for online campaigns.
Practical implications: To address these challenges, the study recommends raising awareness among stakeholders, implementing policy support, and promoting crowdfunding as a widely recognized fundraising method. This research offers valuable insights into the potential advantages and challenges of crowdfunding for KRI startups and entrepreneurs, presenting practical recommendations to enhance campaigns and foster entrepreneurial ecosystem growth.
Paper type: Research paper
The onslaught of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (hereafter ISIS) on the Kurdish de facto entity in Iraq in 2014 and the independence referendum in 2017 constituted two important episodes that ...impacted on the foreign policy of the Kurdish entity in multiple ways. This article analyzes and describes the foreign policies of the entity during and after these two episodes until the end of 2022. It attempts to answer the following two questions: How did the ISIS offensive briefly change the priorities of the Kurdish entity's leadership in terms of its foreign policy goals? Secondly, how did the independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the subsequent events shape the foreign policy priorities of the Kurdish entity in Iraq? Through conducting interviews with high‐level Kurdish politicians and using recently published secondary source materials, this article argues that foreign policy and paradiplomacy played vital roles in the preservation of the KRI during these two very tough periods and that the Kurdish entity had to alter its domestic policy goals to achieve its foreign policy aims and ensure the survival of the Kurdish facto entity in Iraq.
Air pollution is an increasingly environmental problem worldwide. People from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) constantly complain of poor air quality in the region. Many studies have ...investigated particular aspects of air pollution in theKRI, the issue, however, has never been comprehensively discussed. This study, unlike its precedents, collects all the documents, research articles, and ground facts available concerning air pollution, and aims to thoroughly understand all dimensions of the issue and classifies its significant factors and sources. The result revealed that, compared to 40 years ago, current air quality in the KRI, specifically in the two largest cities of Erbil and Sulaimani, has deteriorated. The root causes were found to be political instability and wars in the region, a sharp increase in population, and poor public services. Similar to many other cities in the developing countries, sources such as transportation have contributed in the pollution. In addition, other significant sources such as dust storms, large and private power generators as well as household kerosene heaters which might not be present in other countries were found contributing in escalation of the pollution. It is concluded that air pollution in theKRIis the outcome of a variety of causes and sources some of which may not be common in other parts of the world.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an effective framework for implementing Lean strategies in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).
...Design/methodology/approach
Based on the integration of LM tools and techniques with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) criteria a systematic Lean implementation framework for manufacturing SMEs has been proposed. The core values, drivers and tools of the proposed framework were further developed based on case studies in three SMEs in the KRI.
Findings
Proposed framework is able to provide a simple pathway for SMEs to systematically implement Lean techniques in seven functional areas in order to create Lean culture in the organisation. Business performance measurement in terms of profitability, customer satisfaction, employee’s satisfaction, competitiveness growth and ergonomic improvement is presented in favour of evaluating Lean outcomes appropriately. It also presents the experience of small firms in implementing Lean programmes to show that Lean is valid in SMEs.
Research limitations/implications
The framework concentrates only on the internal issues of the organisation, while external variables such as national culture and external support are excluded.
Practical implications
The framework assists improvements in SMEs that either initially attempt to start Lean journey or those that are at more advanced levels towards excellent-Lean manufacturing. The framework can also be used as a self-assessment model to determine the degree of Lean readiness.
Originality/value
To the best knowledge of the author, it is the first framework that integrates Lean techniques with MBNQA criteria to support Lean implementation in SMEs. It is also the first study regarding Lean-excellence in the KRI.