Observation of Air Quality in Iraq during March, 2026 | Chapter 8 | Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 6

 

Climate change in Iraq is exacerbating environmental, security, political, and economic challenges, with rising temperatures, prolonged drought, declining rainfall, desertification, salinisation, and increased dust storms significantly undermining the agricultural sector. This study investigates air quality in Iraq during March 2026 by analysing major air pollutants, including Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Ground-level Ozone (O₃), Particulate Matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂). The study focuses on three Iraqi governorates: Duhok (north), Baghdad (central), and Basra (south), to compare spatial variations in air quality index (AQI) values.

 

Daily air quality data were recorded from March 1 to March 31, 2026. The collected data were analysed and presented graphically to compare pollutant levels among the three regions. Air quality levels were classified according to the AQI scale: Good (0–50), Moderate (51–100), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101–150), Unhealthy (151–200), Very Unhealthy (201–300), and Hazardous (>300).

 

The results indicate that pollution levels varied across regions and pollutants. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) reached a moderate level in Baghdad on March 19, while Ground-level Ozone (O₃) reached a moderate level in Duhok on March 2. Particulate matter showed the highest pollution levels in Basra, where PM₁₀ reached an unhealthy level on March 10, and PM₂.₅ reached a very unhealthy level on March 22. In contrast, Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) levels in Baghdad remained within the good category. Overall, this study highlights the critical need for strengthened environmental policies and sustained monitoring efforts to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health in Iraq.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Saad M. Potrous
Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Basra, Iraq.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crgese/v6/7487

Climate Change Impact Assessment and Mitigation Options in the Energy Sector of African Countries | Chapter 7 | Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 6

 

Access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is vital for achieving several    SDGs, influencing health, climate, land use, and economic development. Modern energy services drive agricultural transformation, support productive enterprises, and foster revenue-generating activities. However, energy consumption leads to emissions of pollutants like CO, hydrocarbons, SOx, NOx, methane, and particulates, impacting climate and health. Many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require access to dependable, affordable, and sustainable energy, as it has a substantial impact on health, climate, land use, and other sectors. Modern energy services are also required for agricultural transformation, the creation of productive firms, and the support of revenue-generating activities. As a result of energy consumption, combustion, and greenhouse impacts from emissions of environmental pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon compounds, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, methane, and particulates are examined. Among the many pollutants that contribute to climate change, CO2 emissions have received a lot of attention as the primary cause of climate change. Special attention should be given to investments and policies that promote all three goals or, at the very least, those that improve one or both without worsening the other. This report provides a (non-exhaustive) synthesis and assessment of energy consumption rates, supply, and access challenges in Africa, focusing on the connections, synergies, and conflicts with climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. The energy supply rate of about 20 African nations has been reported in this review, including petrol, diesel, LPG, coal, and kerosene for the economic years between 2009 and 2019. As income levels rise, energy utilisation patterns shift, and access to cleaner energy sources like electricity improves, enhancing overall well-being. However, Africa's energy mix needs recalibration to balance supply, access, and climate goals.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Godsday Idanegbe Usiabulu
World Bank, Africa Center of Excellence, Center for Oil Field Chemicals Research, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.

 

Eddy Ifeanyi Okoh
FHN 26 Limited (First Hydrocarbon) Block W Shell Estate Edjeba, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

 

Lucia Ndidi Okoh
Environmental management and toxicology, Southern Delta University, Delta State, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crgese/v6/7332

Perceived Economic Empowerment through Self-Help Groups: A Statistical Study of Scheduled Caste Women in Ramgarh District, Jharkhand, India | Chapter 9 | Economics, Business and Management: Recent Advances Vol. 1

 

The issue of financial inclusion and economic upliftment among marginalised sections, particularly Scheduled Caste (SC) women, continues to pose a major challenge in India’s development process, including in Jharkhand. In this context, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as a crucial mechanism for promoting socio-economic advancement and empowerment at the grassroots level. Participation in SHGs not only enables women to achieve financial independence but also helps them acquire essential skills and strengthens their collective voice within their communities.

 

This study aims to examine the transformative impact of SHGs on the economic empowerment of SC women in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand. A total of 100 women associated with SHGs across five blocks—Gola, Mandu, Chitarpur, Ramgarh, and Patratu—were selected for the study. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and interviews, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to assess changes in participants’ economic conditions before and after joining SHGs.

 

The findings reveal a statistically significant improvement in key economic indicators after participation in SHGs, highlighting their strong positive influence on economic empowerment. There has been a notable increase in members’ annual income and savings, along with improvements in employment duration. These results demonstrate the tangible benefits of SHG involvement in enhancing livelihood opportunities and financial stability.

 

The study further suggests that sustained efforts—particularly through targeted training and skill development programs aligned with local market demands—are essential to maintain and expand these gains. It also emphasises the need for further research and supportive policy initiatives to strengthen and extend SHG programs, ensuring continued positive impact on the lives of Scheduled Caste women.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Manisha Kumari
Department of Commerce and Business Management, Ranchi University, Ranchi, India.

 

Shashi Shekhar Murmu
Department of Commerce and Business Management, Ranchi University, Ranchi, India.

 

Rinki Kumari
Department of Commerce and Business Management, Ranchi University, Ranchi, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ebmra/v1/7021

Book of Innovation and Technology for Economic Growth | Book Publisher International

 

This book investigates the impact innovation and technology can have on digital advancements across multiple industries and sectors of the current economy. The evolution and expansion of the digital economy requires businesses and public sectors to incorporate new technologies in order to remain viable, competitive, and provide effective services.

 

This book examines and exemplifies the impact of digitalization on operational frameworks and customer interaction. The first chapter(s) focus on the impact of social media on consumer behaviour, in particular, how advertising on Instagram and the use of nano influencers affect the purchasing intentions of the digital natives of Generations Y and Z. The book also examines the omnipresence of retail mobile applications and how they position themselves to be customer-centric in the South African market.

 

The book also goes beyond consumer markets and critically examines other areas of significant change. It talks about and validates a conceptual framework for digital transformation of the South African public sector. The authors identify and discusses key components of the model, which include: transformational leadership, organizational culture, and adaptable governance. It also discusses and systematically examines the impact of digitalization on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SME), and how it enhances operational efficiency and productivity.

 

Integrating theoretical approaches such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), with practical perspectives, this book is a critical reference for policymakers, marketers, and researchers. It examines the possibilities and complexities of the digital age and articulates strategies for optimizing technology for sustainable value economic creation.

 

Editor(s) Details

Prof. Michael Twum-Darko

Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-69006-58-3

 

Sectoral Output and Employment Dynamics in Nigeria: Evidence from an ARDL Analysis (1981-2021)| Chapter 8 |Economics, Business and Management: Recent Advances Vol. 1

 

Background: In Nigeria, a country with a predominantly youthful population estimated at over 224 million, the capacity for growth to generate productive jobs is a pressing development concern.

 

Aim: This study examines the employment effects of sectoral contributions to Nigeria’s GDP and evaluates the relative labour‑absorption capacity of agriculture, industry and services over 1981–2021. It seeks to identify which sectors are growth‑led in employment generation and to inform policy that aligns growth with inclusive job creation. The core problem addressed in this study is the lack of clear, long-run, sectorally disaggregated evidence showing the employment contributions of the broad sectors of agriculture, industry, or services. Existing studies have either focused on aggregate relationships, examined single sectors in isolation, or limited their analysis to short‑run dynamics.

 

Theoretical Framework: The analysis is grounded in Keynesian demand theory and Okun’s law, which link aggregate output to employment, and extends these to a sectoral perspective. The framework recognises capital intensity, technology bias, and value chain linkages as mediating mechanisms that determine whether sectoral growth translates into net employment gains.

 

Methodology: Using annual data for 1981-2021 sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s statistical bulletin and Penn World Tables, the study proxies sectoral output by agricultural, industrial and services GDP and measures employment by total employed persons. After log transformation and unit root testing, an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach is employed to detect cointegration and estimate short-run dynamics and long-run elasticities. Estimated models control for inflation, public expenditure and lagged employment; diagnostic checks ensure robustness.

 

Results: Bounds tests indicate cointegration at both aggregate and disaggregated levels. Long-run elasticities indicate that agricultural GDP has the highest employment intensity, supporting a growth-led employment strategy. Industrial expansion displays characteristics of jobless growth, while service‑sector growth is associated with job‑loss dynamics, reflecting low labour absorption due to capital and technology intensity. Public expenditure shows a positive long‑run association with employment. In the aggregate analysis, a 1% rise in GDP is associated with a 0.27% increase in employment in the short run.

 

In comparison, a 1% increase in GDP raises employment by about 0.53% in the long run, roughly double the short‑run elasticity, indicating that the employment response to growth strengthens over time. When GDP is disaggregated, short‑run dynamics reveal important heterogeneity across sectors. Agricultural output (AGRGDP) exerts a positive and significant short‑run effect on employment (approximately 0.15% per 1% AGRGDP increase), while industry and services coefficients are negative and statistically insignificant. Agricultural GDP displays a large and significant long‑run elasticity (≈0.52), implying that sustained agricultural expansion is strongly employment‑intensive. By contrast, industry and services show small negative long‑run coefficients (statistically insignificant).

 

Conclusion: Policy should prioritise targeted support for agriculture and labour‑intensive industrialisation, strengthen value‑chain investments, and align fiscal allocations to maximise employment outcomes. Reorienting sectoral growth toward labour‑absorbing activities is essential to mitigate Nigeria’s persistent unemployment challenge. Future research should disaggregate services and industry to identify sub‑sectoral employment potentials.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Ololade J. Olaniyan
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Business School - Ibadan, Nigeria.

 

Rosemary Bukola Ajala
The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ebmra/v1/7319

Investment and Economic Growth in West Africa: Panel Data Evidence from Selected Countries | Chapter 7 | Economics, Business and Management: Recent Advances Vol. 1

 

Economic growth constitutes one of the fundamental macroeconomic objectives, which most nations, especially the developing economies, strive to achieve. Investment plays a critical role in a country’s economic growth by allowing for the use of modern production methods, stimulating innovation, technology transfer and expanding countries’ production efficiency. Both domestic and foreign generally promote economic growth in developing countries. This study examined the impact of investment on economic growth using panel data from selected West African countries over the period 1990–2024. The dependent variable was gross domestic product, while domestic investment, inward foreign direct investment, outward foreign direct investment and insecurity index were the independent variables. The data were sourced from the World Development Indicator and Central Banks of the respective countries. The selected West African countries in focus included Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia and Sierra Leone. A panel random effect model was used in analysing the data. The result obtained revealed that domestic investment had a significant and positive effect on the economic growth of the selected countries, while FDI inflow and the insecurity index exerted negative effects on economic growth. Ghana had the most positive effect as the country recorded positive trends in their domestic investment and inward foreign investment, which exerted positive effects on the country’s economic growth. The study concluded that domestic investments in the selected countries have been appreciable and have increased the economy of the countries, but foreign direct investment inflow and outflow have not had the desired effect on the growth of the countries’ economies. Security challenges continued to pose significant constraints on both inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows within the region. It is therefore recommended that governments in the West African region enhance the attractiveness of their domestic economies to foreign investors by strengthening infrastructure development, accelerating industrialisation efforts, and leveraging regional trade agreements to promote and facilitate cross-border investments.

 

 

Author(s) Details

A. A. Igwemma
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

 

U. Eronini Nnamdi
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

 

A. Mbadugha Onyebuchi
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

 

C. Ike Chigozie
Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ebmra/v1/7194

Superior Sagittal Sinus: Normal and Varied Anatomy and Associated Clinical Implications |Chapter 13 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 7

 

The superior sagittal sinus is the largest venous sinus enclosed in two layers of the dura mater and situated in the midline in the groove in the parietal bone. The superior sagittal sinus drains blood from the cerebral hemisphere of the brain. It begins at the foramen cecum anteriorly and ends at the confluence of sinuses posteriorly. The superior sagittal sinus is divided into three types, namely, the anterior part extending from the foramen cecum to bregma, the middle part extending from bregma to lambda and the posterior part spanning from lambda to confluence of venous sinuses.

 

The anatomical variations of the superior sagittal sinus are common and may involve any of the three parts mentioned, but most commonly involve the cranial part of the superior sagittal sinus. Various variations observed in the cranial part of the superior sagittal sinus include hypoplasia, which may be unilateral or complete and duplication. These variations are important for neurologists and radiologists as they may be mistaken for venous sinus thrombosis, leading to misdiagnosis and mismanagement. The chapter throws light on the normal configurations, variations in its configuration, embryological aspect along with the repercussions of the varied configuration of the superior sagittal sinus. Knowledge of the anatomical variations of the dural venous sinuses is clinically significant during neurosurgical procedures involving the cranial cavity. For surgical resection of the petroclival meningiomas, the information regarding the patterns of drainage of the confluence of sinuses is of paramount importance. Lack of awareness of the detailed anatomy of the dural venous sinuses may lead to misinterpretation of radiographs of the posterior cranial fossa and subsequent mismanagement. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of the anatomical variations of the superior sagittal sinus is essential for accurate radiological interpretation and safe neurosurgical intervention.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Rajani Singh
Department of Anatomy, Graphic Era of Medical Sciences, Dhulkot 248007, Dehradun, UK, India.

 

K. C. Thakur
Department of Anatomy, Graphic Era of Medical Sciences, Dhulkot 248007, Dehradun, UK, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v7/7312