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The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a large complex of cryptic species and is considered an invasive pest transmitting many plant viruses. It is a highly polyphagous insect that causes damage and economic losses to many plant species including vegetables, cotton, ornamentals, and weeds either in the open field or the greenhouses. A two-year survey (2016 to 2018) was conducted to biotype B. tabaci for B (MEAN1) and Q (MED) biotypes putative species. 18 host plants were screened from 14 different locations with a total of 101 samples that were collected and tested. Microsatellite markers and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mt COI) gene sequencing were used. The results showed that biotype B is dominant and prevailed in all surveyed locations.

Genetic selection is an important method to enhance productive traits in local sheep through crossbreeding and selection programs. The objectives of this study were to estimate the genetic parameters of total milk yield (MY) and lactation period (LP), and to investigate the association between the estimated breeding values of milk yield with 50 K SNP chip results in Awassi sheep. Heritability and repeatability estimates were 0.19 and 0.317 for MY and 0.085 and 0.163 for LP, respectively. The Genomic scan covered 42,478 SNPs and revealed two candidate loci (s244475780.1 and s51470.1) that significantly affect milk production, located on Spermatogenesis-Associated Protein6 (SPATA6) and Galactose-3-O-Sulfotransferase 3 (GAL3ST3) genes. The genotype frequencies for the SPATA6 gene variant were 0.0566 for AA, 0.4528 for AG, and 0.4906 for AA, with allele frequency of 0.283 for A and 0.717 for G. The genotype frequencies for the GAL3ST3 gene variants were 0.07843 for TT, 0.4118 for TG, and 0.5098 for GG, with allele frequency of 0.284 for T and 0.716 for G. The two SNPs genotypes are promising biomarkers to increase milk production during genetic selection programs by reducing the frequency of G alleles in the two loci in Awassi sheep genome.

Flash flood is among the most catastrophic hazards worldwide. Jordan has been witnessing unusual shocks of flash floods with regular intervals. It is best described as sudden events involving “too ...

The development of multikilogram scale green and economical synthetic route of enantiomerically pure cis-4-amino-3-fluoro-1-methylpiperidine 1 is described. The synthesis features a highly regio-, ...

Varroasis is a dangerous pathogen of the honey bee caused by the mite Varroa destructor, the aim of this work is to assess the effectiveness of two natural products (oxalic acid and thymol) in the fight against varroasis. The experiment covered 40 colonies in the central region of Algeria. Two doses of oxalic acid were used: 30 and 45 grams per liter of sugar syrup. For thymol (Thymovar), two treatments were carried out: ½ strip with one and two applications for each group of colonies. The 1/2 strip formulation in two applications at an interval of two weeks apart seems the most effective; the 45 gm solution of oxalic acid has a higher efficacy compared to that of 30 gm, that the effectiveness of oxalic acid is directly linked to the presence of brood at the time of the intervention. these two treatments are of control measure to be integrated by beekeepers as part of an alternative control strategy.

An efficient general methodology for the synthesis of 4-quinolinyl ethers is demonstrated via a highly reactive SNAr reaction of 4-quinolinyl sulfones with a range of structurally diversified 1°, 2°, and 3° alcohols with a wide substrate scope and high yields. By adapting this methodology, a convergent synthesis of a complex target of HCV NS3/4a protease inhibitor BI 201420 was accomplished.

5-Cyanoimidazole was identified as an inexpensive ligand for nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile couplings by screening a diverse set of pharmaceutical compound library. A strategic screening approach led to the discovery of this novel ligand, which was successfully applied in the preparation of various alkylated arene products with good to high yields. Furthermore, the properties of this ligand allowed expanding the scope of reductive couplings to challenging substrates, such as sterically hindered neopentyl halides, which are known to generate motifs that are prevalent in biologically active molecules.

Insecticides can affect development and survival of non-target and beneficial arthropods like honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Thiamethoxam and spinosad are widely used as pesticides in agriculture but they have become an important concern for beekeepers and researchers focusing on bee health; multiple reports stressed adverse effects on bees, notably on honey bees. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of these two insecticides on the development of the HPGs and on the survival of Apis mellifera intermissa a native African subspecies of honey bee present in Algeria. Newly emerged workers were acutely and chronically exposed to thiamethoxam and spinosad through sugar syrup and pollen pastry. The effects of these insecticides were assessed by measuring the size of HPGs acini and the total head protein content. The survival of the workers was also evaluated over 60 days when they were chronically exposed to the insecticides at concentrations corresponding to LC25 and LC10. We found that the insecticide-treated workers, after both acute and chronic exposure, exhibited smaller and irregularly shaped HPG acini. The total head protein content also decreased in treated individuals with the two concentrations of insecticides at day 6 and 9 compared to the respective controls. While the control group exhibited an LC25 (i.e. the time needed to kill 50% of the tested workers) of 22 days, the LC25 was only 3 days for the workers exposed to the LC25 of spinosad and all workers were dead at day 17. In contrast, thiamethoxam exposure at LC25 had no significant detrimental effect on honey bee survival. This study demonstrated the toxicity of thiamethoxam and spinosad to workers of A. mellifera intermissa and highlighted potential detrimental effects of the bioinsecticide spinosad on HPGs and survival of the bee workers.

Background: Jordanian Awassi sheep (Ovis aries) is the dominant fat tail sheep breed that appeals to customers because of its various production systems, including fiber, meat and milk. This report is the first whole ewe genome sequence (WGS) of O. aries submitted in the NCBI database from Jordan. Methods: 64 Paired-end sequencing libraries were constructed and subjected to Illumina Hiseq 2500 sequencing system. High-quality reads were aligned against the reference sheep genome and detecting comprehensive sources (SNPs, InDels, SV, CNVs) of genetic variations. We have deposited data sequences at the NCBI under SRA (sequence reads archives) under the accession numbers SRR11128863, PRJNA574879. Result: Genome resequencing of Jordanian Awassi ewe was carried out with approximately 93.88 Gb with a mapping rate and effective mapping depths were 99.28% and 36.32. Around 19 million SNPs, 3,6 million InDels, 35,180 Structure variation and 13,524 copy number variation among the Jordanian ewe genome were detected. This wide range of genetic variation provides a framework for further genetic studies that will help understand the molecular basis underlying phenotypic variation of economically important traits in sheep and improve intrinsic defects in domestic sheep breeds.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), when carrying an activating mutation like del19 or L858R, acts as an oncogenic driver in a subset of lung tumors. While tumor responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are accompanied by marked tumor shrinkage, the response is usually not durable. Most patients relapse within two years of therapy often due to acquisition of an additional mutation in EGFR kinase domain that confers resistance to TKIs. Crucially, oncogenic EGFR harboring both resistance mutations, T790M and C797S, can no longer be inhibited by currently approved EGFR TKIs. Here, we describe the discovery of BI-4020, which is a noncovalent, wild-type EGFR sparing, macrocyclic TKI. BI-4020 potently inhibits the above-described EGFR variants and induces tumor regressions in a cross-resistant EGFRdel19 T790M C797S xenograft model. Key was the identification of a highly selective but moderately potent benzimidazole followed by complete rigidification of the molecule through macrocyclization.

In developing countries, like Jordan, climate change and population growth have prompted land-use and land-cover changes that have profoundly affected ESs, especially by poor people living in fragile ecosystems. This study aimed to analyze the attitudes towards ES among households living in Wadi Araba, a study area located in a dry ecosystem with limited natural resources, as well as to determine the value of ES and the main socio-economic and perceptions factors influencing households’ willingness to accept (WTA) compensation according to the families’ priorities. The face-to-face method was used to interview a random sample of 296 residents from the study sites, using a structured questionnaire to capture the accepted level of compensation for conservation by the local community. Additionally, multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine the main socio-economic factors affecting WTA. More than 91% of the respondents were willing to accept compensation for three different conservation plans that reflect the resident’s priority. For the three priorities, the weighted average of the compensation levels was JOD 436, 339, 261 per household per year, respectively, and the aggregate values were about JOD (1,196,977.8, 930,601.2, and 719,411.8, respectively) (JOD 1 = USD 1.41). The residents’ gender, age, and income were among the most important factors that affect the compensation level. The main policy implications are that the government and non-governmental organizations should strengthen advocacy and education of arid ecological and natural resources protection, besides including the local community in any decisions in establishing differentiated compensation strategies and regulations. Eventually, the conservation and restoration activities will become self-initiated.

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of honey bee subspecies, Apis mellifera sahariensis (Apidae) belonging to the African lineage. The assembled circular genome has a length of 16,569 bp which comprises 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and AT rich region.

This study aimed to explore how ecosystem services (ES) identification varies among the local communities based on gender perceptions, considering the differences in usage and access to natural resources. We conducted research through two methods; focus groups and personal interviews. Four focus groups were formed in four communities in Wadi Araba (WA), Southern Jordan. A structured face-to-face interview method was used to evaluate a random sample of 200 residents. A binary logistic analysis was conducted to explore how the respondent's gender is seen to influence the type and use of services, and their perceptions of services in an arid ecosystem. The analysis generated three models; the first model showed that women were able to recognize and use provisioning services related to livestock production as they use rangeland for grazing for long periods and long daily hours, and the second model results reflected those women were able to recognize few ES. The identified services were linked to income-generating activities for a long time. The third model indicated that men were more likely to recognize and indicate the establishment of government services in support of the region as a result of the thriving and developed tourism sector.

An efficient general methodology for the synthesis of 4-quinolinyl ethers is demonstrated via a highly reactive S

A series of new dihydrobenzooxophosphole-based Lewis base organocatalysts were designed and synthesized. They are shown to be effective in trichlorosilane-mediated stereoselective conjugate reductions of C=C bonds. DFT calculations reveal that the strong hydrogen bonds between the amide linker and the chloride on silicon in the transition state contribute to the high reactivity of the catalyst.

Metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are extensively employed in both academia and industry for the synthesis of biaryl derivatives for applications to both medicine and material science. Application of these methods to prepare tetra-ortho-substituted biaryls leads to chiral atropisomeric products that introduces the opportunity to use catalyst-control to develop asymmetric cross-coupling procedures to access these important compounds. Asymmetric Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura and Negishi cross-coupling reactions to form tetra-ortho-substituted biaryls were studied employing a collection of P-chiral dihydrobenzooxaphosphole (BOP) and dihydrobenzoazaphosphole (BAP) ligands. Enantioselectivities of up to 95:5 and 85:15 er were identified for the Suzuki-Miyaura and Negishi cross-coupling reactions, respectively. Unique ligands for the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction vs the Negishi reaction were identified. A computational study on these Suzuki-Miyaura and Negishi cross-coupling reactions enabled an understanding in the differences between the enantiodiscriminating events between these two cross-coupling reactions. These results support that enantioselectivity in the Negishi reaction results from the reductive elimination step, whereas all steps in the Suzuki-Miyaura catalytic cycle contribute to the overall enantioselection with transmetalation and reductive elimination providing the most contribution to the observed selectivities.

RNA viruses are associated with honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses in many parts of the world. Their consequences may be exacerbated when the ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor is present in hives. While evidence of pathogenic, viral-induced disease is abundant in western honey bees (Apis mellifera mellifera) from many parts of the world, less information exists regarding the pathogen load of Apis mellifera syriaca and Apis mellifera intermissa, honey bees from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that play substantial roles in regional beekeeping. Here, we used next-generation sequencing to evaluate the viral populations of these subspecies and their associated mites. We found that both A. m. syriaca and A. m. intermissa, as well as the Varroa mites infecting their colonies, bear a suite of RNA viruses including major pathogenic viruses like Deformed wing virus, Acute bee paralysis virus, Black queen cell virus and Sacbrood virus, and less common viruses (e.g., bee Macula-like virus and Apis mellifera filamentous virus). The two native honey bee MENA subspecies have acquired different but overlapping suites of pathogens, which also differ, but overlap, with the suites detected in the mites. The presence of plant viruses suggests that they were acquired from foraging for pollen and nectar. Phylogenetic analysis of the above common pathogenic RNA viruses showed unexpected genetic relationships with other known strains, indicative of import to MENA from outside of the region. Our findings indicate that it is important to carefully consider the impact of the movement of queens and mobile colonies, and the effects such movement have, on the transmission of disease.

The Pd-catalyzed 3-arylation of 2-oxindoles with aryl bromides, chlorides and triflates is found to proceed using i-Pr-BI-DIME and Me2-BI-DIME ligands. The mono-arylation of 3-unsubstituted oxindoles is accomplished using a Pd2(dba)3/i-Pr-BI-DIME catalyst system, and gives good yields of 3-aryloxindoles from aryl bromides and chlorides. The arylation of 3-substituted oxindoles is also possible using this catalyst/ligand system. The asymmetric arylation of 3-substituted oxindoles is accomplished using Me2-BI-DIME to furnish oxindoles bearing a quaternary C-3 stereocenter in enantiomeric ratios of up to 93:7.

A new family of dihydrobenzoazaphosphosphole ligands was prepared and shown to enable modification of the phosphine electronic character by variation of the N-substituent. This new family of phosphines was shown to be highly active in the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction with hindered coupling partners.

A chromatography-free, asymmetric synthesis of the C2-symmetric P-chiral diphosphine t-Bu-SMS-Phos was developed using a chiral auxiliary-based approach in five steps from the chiral auxiliary in 36% overall yield. Separtion and recovery of the auxiliary were achieved with good yield (97%) to enable recycling of the chiral auxiliary. An air-stable crystalline form of the final ligand was identified to enable isolation of the final ligand by crystallization to avoid chromatography. This synthetic route was applied to prepare up to 4 kg of the final ligand. The utility of this material was demonstrated in the asymmetric hydrogenation of trifluoromethyl vinyl acetate at 0.1 mol % Rh loading to access a surrogate for the pharmaceutically relavent chiral trifluoroisopropanol fragment in excellent yield and enantiomeric excess (98.6%).

A new class of tunable heterophosphole dimeric ligands have been designed and synthesized. These ligands have enabled the first examples of Cu-catalyzed hydrogenation of 2-substituted-1-tetralones and related heteroaryl ketones via dynamic kinetic resolution, simultaneously creating two contiguous stereogenic centers with up to >99 : 1 dr and 98 : 2 er. The ligand-Cu complexes were isolated and characterized by single crystal X-ray, and DFT calculations revealed a novel heteroligated dimeric copper hydride transition state.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Olea europaea subsp. europaea cultivar Mehras was determined using high-throughput sequencing technology. Chloroplast genome was 155,897 bp in length, co...

[Image: see text] Enantioenriched aldehydes are produced through asymmetric hydroformylation of styrene derivatives using BIBOP type ligands. The featured example is enantioselective synthesis of 4-methyl-3,4-dihydroisocoumarin, which was prepared in a 95.1:4.9 enantiomeric ratio from asymmetric hydroformylation of ethyl 2-vinylbenzoate, then in situ lactonization during reduction process. The conditions are compatible with both electron-rich and electron-poor substituents.

The application of a Buchwald's third generation palladacycle containing a dihydrobenzooxaphosphole-based ligand (e.g., BIDIME) was reported in the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. Using flow technology, high yield and reproducible Suzuki cross-coupling reaction for one of our key intermediates was achieved with Pd loadings as low as 0.5 mol %. This continuous flow approach overcomes catalyst deactivation and scale dependence issues that can be a problem in some traditional batch-mode operations and responds to the challenge of improving process greenness.

This study was carried out to find chlorinated pesticides residues in foodstuff of animal origin in Jordan through 2013 and 2014. Ministry of Environment of Jordan asked the Royal Scientific Society to monitor the pesticides residues of these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in foodstuff of animal origin under the supervision of official scientific committee. Results of milk products showed that there were two samples from 30 were contaminated, but less than the maximum residue limit (MRL). Results of table eggs showed that 11 samples from 35 were contaminated, but less than MRL. Results of meat and poultry analysis showed that 21 samples from 55 were contaminated, but less than MRL. However, the contaminated samples were contained β-HCH, γ-HCH, p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, heptachlor and aldrin. Conclusions and recommendations were reported to minimize pesticides residues in foodstuff of animal origin in Jordan.

Through a computer-guided approach, new series of monophosphine ligands were designed and developed for asymmetric Suzuki–Miyaura couplings of challenging heterocyclic substrates. Computer modeling pointed to a tunable, yet unexplored quadrant in BI-DIME, leading to the discovery of the 3′,5′-dimethyl-substituted ligand which improved the atropisomeric selectivity of the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction from the previously reported 5:1 dr to 15:1 dr for the synthesis of a challenging HIV integrase intermediate, and up to 24:1 dr with various other quinoline substrates.

An Ir-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of 2-alkyl-pyridines has been developed using ligand MeO-BoQPhos. High levels of enantioselectivities up to 93:7 er were obtained. The resulting enantioenriched piperidines can be readily converted into biologically interesting molecules such as the fused tricyclic structures 5, 6, and 7 in 99:1 er, providing a novel, concise synthetic route to this family of chiral piperidine-containing compounds.