Future ethical implications and potential health consequences of nanotechnology research in Jordan: A scientometric analysis

Purpose: To evaluate the implanted legislation and regulations in Jordan, in order to minimize nanotechnology research-related health concerns. Methods: In the first part, all nanotechnology published research in Scopus database and the Jordanian National Database for Researchers were mined. The growth in nanotechnology research was analyzed by calculating the relative growth rate (RGR), doubling time (DT), and compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Thereafter, the results were compared to global preferences. Furthermore, this research explored all possible factors that may influence decision-makers and health policies in Jordan. Results: Data analysis showed that the quantity of nanotechnology research in Jordan is exponentially increasing with RGR (1.96), DT (0.37), and CAGR (33 %) very close to the figures obtained worldwide. The trend line analysis (R2 = 0.9638) expected that more than 65 % of nanotechnology research will be produced within the next 5 years. Moreover, no legislation has been adapted in Jordan to regulate nanotechnology research and industry. Conclusions: Adopting nanotechnology without having any corresponding legislation constitutes a violation of the ethical codes of research, and ignorance of public safety. Moreover, the research suggests a set of steps to organize the crafting of nanotechnology and research in Jordan, and other similar contexts in developing countries.

Impact of the Green Deal on copper imports from Russia to the EU

The article analyzes the prospects for copper imports from the Russian Federation to the EU in the context of the implementation of the plan for decarbonization of the EU economy by 2050. It is noted that green economy is more metal-intensive, but in the medium-run, the impact of the traditional drivers (population growth and rising welfare) on the global copper market will remain significant. Similar trends are shown in the EU copper market: in the current decade, the rapid relative growth of the green sectors of the economy and the demand for copper from them will not lead to fundamental changes in the dynamics and structure of the market. At the same time, the introduction of a cross-border carbon adjustment mechanism (CBAM) could disrupt the sustainability of the established business model in the European copper industry. Eight scenarios of the financial burden for copper imports from the Russian Federation to the EU after the introduction of CBAM are presented, showing that the new EU foreign trade instrument will not have a restrictive effect on copper imports from the Russian Federation. However, the increase in the supply of Russian copper to the growing EU market may be constrained by the geographic remoteness of new copper mining and refining facilities.

Population structure and relative growth of rock snails Reishia bitubercularis (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from Ambon Island, Eastern Indonesia

The present study reports and discusses population structure and morphometric relationships of muricid <em>Reishia bitubercularis</em> in two populations from Ambon Island, Maluku. Field sampling was conducted at two locations with typical hard substrate i.e. Ambon Bay and Central Maluku, where each location comprises three different stations. Morphometric relationships were analyzed for shell dimensions i.e., shell length (SL), shell width (SW), shell height (SH) and total weight (TW). A total of 496 individuals of <em>R. bitubercularis </em>were collected in both locations. SL ranged from 7.07 to 42.38 mm in Ambon Bay, and 12.45 to 42.69 mm in Central Maluku. The highest number of individuals in Ambon Bay and Central Maluku was in size 26-28 mm and 30-32 mm, respectively. The mean SW/SL ratio ranged from 0.67 mm to 0.73 mm. Sex ratio was significantly different from 1:1, with females outnumbered males in both locations. Morphometric relationships indicated SL grows faster than SW in both locations and faster than SH and TW in Central Maluku. While the growth rate between SL vs SH; and TW vs SL are relatively similar in Ambon Bay. Overall, both Ambon Bay and Central Maluku have a similar variation of abiotic factors which also play an important role in shell morphometrics and relative growth of muricids, especially related to the exposed area in the rocky intertidal zone where sampling was conducted.

Addition of Ginseng (Withania Somnifera) To the Diet and Its Effect on Productive Performance for Broilers Raised with Two Different Densities: إضافة الجينسنغ (Withania somnifera) إلى العليقة وتأثيره في الأداء الإنتاجي لفروج اللحم المربى بكثافتين مختلفتين

The study was conducted to find out the effect of adding ginseng root powder (Withania somnifera) at (0, 1.5 and 3.0) g/kg under two densities of breeding (12 and 17) birds/m2 on performance, economic indicators. Chicks were raised from the age 1 day-42 and distributed to the treatments at the second week in T1:12 bird\m2 +0%, T2:12 bird\m2 +1.5%,T3:12 bird\m2 +0.3%,T4:17bird\m2+0%,T5:17bird\m2+ 1.5%,T6:17 bird \m2 +0.3%.The statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in density in body weight, weight gain, relative growth, feed conversion factor, production index, production coefficient,while the density was 12 birds/ m2 superior in consumption The feed density of 17 birds/m2 gave a higher productivity in kg/m2 compared to 12 birds/m2. The addition of ginseng did not affect the weight gain, relative growth, conversion factor, index, production coefficient, productivity yield in kg/m2, while there was a superiority of adding (1.5 and 3.0) g of ginseng compared with no addition in live body weight and in Feed consumption and production factor and in the effect of the interaction there were no significant differences in the weight gain, growth, feed consumption, evidence and production factor, while we note that the interaction(12 birds/ m2+1.5 gm ginseng) gave the highest body weight and a significant improvement in the feed conversion factor for the addition of (1.5 and 3.0) gm under the influence of breeding density 17 birds/m2 and the productivity yield exceeded kg/m2.

A Pilot Study of the Influence of Natrum muriaticum at 6CH and 30CH Potency in a Standardized Culture of Phaseolus vulgaris

The use of highly diluted and dynamized solutions is widespread. Its use extends to all living beings, including vegetables, acting effectively in primary and secondary metabolism. The aim of the present pilot study was to confirm the action of Natrum muriaticum at 6 CH and 30 CH dilutions in comparison to the action of a 5.0% NaCl solution, when administered separately in population of Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean). An evaluation was performed by determining the Relative Growth Rate (RGR) of bean population treated for six weeks and subdivided into 4 groups (with 5 vases each): P1, the control group, which was treated with a 30% alcohol solution only; P2, treated with an aqueous 5.0% NaCl solution; P3, treated with Natrum muriaticun at 6 CH dilution; P4, treated with Natrum muriaticum at 30 CH dilution. The results obtained showed that an increase in soil salinity caused inhibition of the development of bean population (P2). In addition, the use of the Natrum muriaticum dilution promoted a significant increase in vegetable growth, chiefly related to the 6 CH (P3), causing a significant increase in the RGR of the bean population. The use of this high dilutions provided evidence that method is efficient in vegetables.

Influence of compost and irrigation systems on the growth indices and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.)

Field trial was conducted during the 2017 dry season from March to June at Bayero University, Kano and Birji village both in Sudan savannah to determine the effect of compost rates and irrigation intervals on the growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) The treatments were conducted in five rates of compost (0 t ha-1, 5 t ha-1, 10 t ha-1,15 t ha -1 and 20 t ha-1) and three irrigation intervals (5, 10 and 15 days). The treatments were laid out in a split plot design and replicated three times. Irrigation intervals were assigned to the main plot while compost rates were assigned to the sub plot. The gross plot size was 1.5 m x 2.0 m (3.0 m2) consisting of 10 rows of 2 m length. Data on growth and yield parameters were collected, weighed and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Treatment means were separated using Student-Newman-Keuls Test. The result ssize was 1.5 m x 2.0 m (3.0 m2) consisting of 10 rows of 2 m length. Data on growth and yield parameters were collected, weighed and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Treatment means were separated using Student-Newman-Keuls Test. The result showed that compost rates and irrigation intervals had significant effect on cropgrowth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and cured bulb yield. Application of 10 t ha-1 of compost had the heaviest cured bulb yield. Interactions between compost rates and irrigation intervals were significant on all the measured parameters as well as the cured bulb yield of onion at both locations. The optimum rate of compost was 15 t ha1 at both locations, while that of irrigation intervals were 10 and 5 days for BUK and Birji village, respectively. Therefore, these levels were recommended to be used by farmers of the study areas.

Soil minerals affect taxon-specific bacterial growth

Secondary minerals (clays and metal oxides) are important components of the soil matrix. Clay minerals affect soil carbon persistence and cycling, and they also select for distinct microbial communities. Here we show that soil mineral assemblages—particularly short-range order minerals—affect both bacterial community composition and taxon-specific growth. Three soils with different parent material and presence of short-range order minerals were collected from ecosystems with similar vegetation and climate. These three soils were provided with 18O-labeled water and incubated with or without artificial root exudates or pine needle litter. Quantitative stable isotope probing was used to determine taxon-specific growth. We found that the growth of bacteria varied among soils of different mineral assemblages but found the trend of growth suppression in the presence of short-range order minerals. Relative growth of bacteria declined with increasing concentration of short-range order minerals between 25–36% of taxa present in all soils. Carbon addition in the form of plant litter or root exudates weakly affected relative growth of taxa (p = 0.09) compared to the soil type (p < 0.01). However, both exudate and litter carbon stimulated growth for at least 34% of families in the soils with the most and least short-range order minerals. In the intermediate short-range order soil, fresh carbon reduced growth for more bacterial families than were stimulated. These results highlight how bacterial-mineral-substrate interactions are critical to soil organic carbon processing, and how growth variation in bacterial taxa in these interactions may contribute to soil carbon persistence and loss.

Allometry of the box crab Calappa convexa De Saussure, 1853 (Brachyura, Calappidae) in the southeastern Gulf of California

The relative growth of Calappa convexa can be used to identify dimorphism or morphological change related to sexual maturation. The carapace width (CW) against width and length of the propodus of the right and left cheliped were tested to obtain a coefficient of allometry. CW against total wet weight WT values were analysed for length-weight relationships (LWR). Relative growth was analysed by a multi-model approach. Five models were tested and the best was selected due to the greater weight of the Akaike criterion (). Significant differences between sexes were found in CW (, ) and WT (, ). The negative or positive allometry varied according to the morphometric relationship and sex. No real winner model () was observed in the LWR analysis under a multi-model approach. The average model estimated a breakpoint at 118 mm CW in males and 132 mm CW in females.

Effect of aqueous extracts of three different plants on Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infesting pepper plants under laboratory conditions

This study aimed to determine the percentage infestation and population parameters of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae under laboratory conditions and evaluate the effect of aqueous extracts of three different plants (pot marigold: Calendula officinalis, mint: Mentha viridis and rosemary: Salvia rosmarinus) on the mortality of this aphid. Extracts of these plants were used at three concentrations (C1 = 15%, C2 = 30% and C2 = 45%). Results indicate a percentage infestation of 76.9 ± 9.4%, a mean relative growth rate of 0.062 ± 0.007 and generation time of 11.12 ± 1.42 days. All treatments reduced the numbers of aphids and statistically significantly reduced the number (α < 0.01) recorded after treatment with C1, C2 and C3 of each extract. C. officinalis extract was more effective than those of M. viridis and S. rosmarinus. The highest mortality (69.82 ± 5.23%) and efficacy (61.71 ± 4.46%) were recorded for the C3 of aqueous extract of C. officinalis, whereas the lowest mortality (38.24 ± 2.42%) and efficacy (32.41 ± 1.23%) were recorded for the C1 of extract of M. viridis. The data provided indicate that aqueous extracts of C. officinalis, M. viridis and S. rosmarinus have an insecticidal effect on M. persicae and can be integrated into a pest management strategy to reduce M. persicae abundance on pepper plants.