Biosorption of some Heavy Metals by Metal Resistant Bacillus thuringiensis Isolated from Soil in Basra Governorate- Iraq

In present study heavy metal resistant bacteria were isolated from soil collected from Fao district in Basra governorate South of Iraq.  On the basis of morphological, biochemical, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogeny analysis revealed that, the isolates were authentically identified as Bacillus thuringiensis. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of isolates against cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) was determined on solid medium. B. thuringiensis showed significant resistance to high concentrations of Pb (1800 mg/l) and Cd (50 mg/l). The biosorption capabilities of B. thuringiensis for Cd and Pb were monitored at different ion concentrations and contact times. The functional groups of bacterial surface were determined using Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Key Words: Bacillus thuringiensis, Minimal Inhibitory Concentration, Biosorption, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray powder diffractio

Investigating the relationship between knowledge management practices and organizational learning practices in the universities’ environment

The concept of knowledge management (KM) and organizational learning (OL) has been embraced by organizations to complement each other. Higher education institutions have embraced KM and OL as a means to improve organizational efficiency. This research explores the link between KM and OL. The target population included all the 432 academicians and administrators from 35 public universities in Iraq. The sampling was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. The correlation among the components of KM and OL was tested as well as the effect of KM components on OL. The findings were derived using smart partial least square. The findings showed that there is significant correlation between components of KM and components of OL. The regression analysis showed also that the effect of KM and its components; knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, knowledge storage, knowledge application and knowledge acquisition on OL are significant. These findings provide insights to universities management on strategies to implement KM practices that can align with OL practices to assure dynamic lifelong mechanisms for the basic daily activities such as teaching, learning, researching, and supervision

Biosorption and bioaccumulation of some heavy metals by deinococcus radiodurans isolated from soil in Basra Governorate - Iraq

The bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans has been isolated from soil. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogeny analysis revealed that, the isolates were authentically identified as D. radiodurans. D. radiodurans showed significant resistance to high concentrations of Pb and Cd, but it was more tolerant to Cd than Pb. Minimum inhibitory concentration was 400 mgl-1 for Pb, while it was 600 mgl-1 for Cd. The potent bacterium has the optimal bioaccumulation capacity differ according to metal type, concentration, and contact time. In bioaccumulation experiment, the results showed the highest increase in accumulation of Pb in the concentration 50 mgl-1 at 6 h of incubation (0.33 mgg-1), while the lowest accumulation was in concentration 5 mgl-1 (0.029 mgg1 ) at 2h of incubation. For Cd the results showed maximum accumulation at 24h for concentration 100 mgl-1 then decreased at 48 h. The results of biosorption experiment showed that D. radiodurans has a good ability to absorption both Pb and Cd in considering to the metals concentrations and times. This which can be clarified from the elevated percentage of Pb absorption (63.46%) in concentration 50 mgl-1 and during 2h. For biosorption of Cd the was decreased with the increasing time and the high biosorption noticed during 2h at concentration 50 mgl-1 (31.23%)

The Reality of Knowledge Management Practices at King Abdulaziz University from the Point of View of the Academic and Administrative Leaders

This study aimed to identify the reality of Knowledge Management Practices at King Abdulaziz University from the point of view of academic and administrative leaders. The study used the descriptive and analytical approach based on the questionnaire as a tool to collect information from academic and administrative leaders. The study sample consisted of (56) leaders from the academic and administrative leaderships of the university, and it reached a number of findings about Knowledge Management Practices at King Abdulaziz University from the point of view of academic and administrative leaders, the most important points of which are as follows: - The university seeks to develop the available knowledge as it works, continuously, to identify the knowledge it needs. The university, also, provides technology facilities for transferring and disseminating knowledge between employees and departments of the Academy and Administrative Units such as e-mails. - The university documents the achievements and experiences that went through during its scientific career. - The university supports monitoring rewards and incentives for employee knowledge achievement, scientific publication and patents. - The university is keen to address the problems and proposals in the work environment accurately and quickly.             The study also reached a number of recommendations, the most important of which are: -         The university is working on designing knowledge maps to locate knowledge sites in it. -         The university periodically monitors the available and renewable knowledge from its various sources. -         The university is, constantly, updating its knowledge base. -         The university is keen to employ social media networks in the formation of collective knowledge, such as: (WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and others. -         The university creates an organizational environment that encourages employees to exchange ideas and experiences with confidence. -         The university is keen to provide education according to new knowledge and skills appropriate for the labor market