The Development of Global Science.

How do we build research capacity throughout the world and capture the great human potential? To us, the answer is rather straightforward: the time-honored tradition of scientific mentoring must be practiced on a wider scale across borders. Herein, we detail the necessity for expanding mentorship to a global scale and provide several important principles to be considered when designing, planning, and implementing programs and centers of research around the world

Metal Organic Frameworks as Emerging Photocatalysts

Increasing number of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently been recognised as a new generation of emerging porous photocatalysts in photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis, since their intrinsic coordination structure between the metal cluster and organic ligands offers MOFs great flexibility to tune their semiconducting property for enhanced light harvesting. In order to improve their performance substantially and achieve widespread application of MOF photocatalysts, it is necessary to develop effective synthesis strategies and understand their semiconducting crystal structure, photocatalytic mechanism in depth. This chapter firstly provides a brief introduction of the MOF materials; this chapter addresses the crystallinity, porosity and electronic semiconducting structures that are essential in solar energy conversion. Established and innovative syntheses strategies of MOFs are then categorised and illustrated, followed by various characterisations techniques applied to investigate their structural and semiconducting properties (band structure and charge transfer), including X-ray Diffraction XRD, small angle X-ray Diffraction SAXRD, adsorption/desorption, UV-Vis, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), extended fine Auger structures (EXFAS), inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR)TEM and electrochemical measurements. The photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic application of MOFs are introduced addressing their unique photocatalytic mechanism. The perspectives of MOF photocatalysts are finally presented to encourage the future development. The content of this chapter suits the users including beginners, postgraduates and professionals

The (Un)Sustainability of Higher Education Institutions in Jordan

Higher education in Jordan has been tied closely to the state-building process in the century since the modern Hashemite state\u27s foundation in 1921, with its explicit purpose being to educate and train high volumes of students who are competent and capable to serve as contributors to the state\u27s development. Though this purpose has largely been successful to date, it is becoming increasingly clear that more is needed than simply issuing degrees. In an increasingly globalized world, it is necessary to educate those who can contribute to future research arenas and labor markets over which a single state has limited control. Within this perspective, we detail the evolved societal position that higher education institutions in Jordan occupy and how that position has made such institutions a liability in the nation\u27s continued sustainable development. It is important to emphasize that we do not address here classical sustainability issues, but rather focus on more fundamental and culturally-relevant issues pertaining to the survivability of universities in Jordan upon which more global sustainability views and solutions can be predicated. Specifically, we outline the unsustainability of impersonal, inefficient and ineffective infrastructure, centralization of policies and academic practices, lack of autonomy and/or self-governance, considerable financial dependence on the state, and a general hesitation for higher education institutions to seek boldly societal and economic impact beyond the simple production of graduates. To counter this unsustainability, we propose a three-pronged approach that can help catalyze the re-imagining of Jordan\u27s higher education institutions so that they become maximally effective contributors to the state\u27s future sustainable development. Our proposed approach is based on (i) internally decentralizing higher education institutions to enable greater autonomy and academic freedom, (ii) re-purposing these institutions to become more student-centric, and (iii) embracing diversity and academic community recognition. Finally, it is the intention of this perspective to highlight not only those challenges facing higher education institutions in Jordan, but also to present clearly the necessary and practical steps that institutions themselves may take immediately to ensure their relevance in, and impact on, modern society

Within-host evolution of Staphylococcus aureus during asymptomatic carriage

Background Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of healthcare associated mortality, but like many important bacterial pathogens, it is a common constituent of the normal human body flora. Around a third of healthy adults are carriers. Recent evidence suggests that evolution of S. aureus during nasal carriage may be associated with progression to invasive disease. However, a more detailed understanding of within-host evolution under natural conditions is required to appreciate the evolutionary and mechanistic reasons why commensal bacteria such as S. aureus cause disease. Therefore we examined in detail the evolutionary dynamics of normal, asymptomatic carriage. Sequencing a total of 131 genomes across 13 singly colonized hosts using the Illumina platform, we investigated diversity, selection, population dynamics and transmission during the short-term evolution of S. aureus. Principal Findings We characterized the processes by which the raw material for evolution is generated: micro-mutation (point mutation and small insertions/deletions), macro-mutation (large insertions/deletions) and the loss or acquisition of mobile elements (plasmids and bacteriophages). Through an analysis of synonymous, non-synonymous and intergenic mutations we discovered a fitness landscape dominated by purifying selection, with rare examples of adaptive change in genes encoding surface-anchored proteins and an enterotoxin. We found evidence for dramatic, hundred-fold fluctuations in the size of the within-host population over time, which we related to the cycle of colonization and clearance. Using a newly-developed population genetics approach to detect recent transmission among hosts, we revealed evidence for recent transmission between some of our subjects, including a husband and wife both carrying populations of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Significance This investigation begins to paint a picture of the within-host evolution of an important bacterial pathogen during its prevailing natural state, asymptomatic carriage. These results also have wider significance as a benchmark for future systematic studies of evolution during invasive S. aureus disease

ZIF-90 nanoparticles modified with a homing peptide for targeted delivery of cisplatin

To improve the selective delivery of cisplatin (Cis) to cancer cells, we report and establish the significance of active, targeting drug delivery nanosystems for efficient treatment of lung cancer. Specifically, pH-responsive nano-sized zeolitic imidazolate framework (nZIF-90) was synthesized, post-synthetically modified with an Arg-Gly-Asp peptide motif (RGD@nZIF-90), a known cancer cell homing peptide, and loaded with a large amount of Cis (RGD@Cis⊂nZIF-90). RGD@Cis⊂nZIF-90 was shown to be highly stable under physiological conditions (pH = 7.4) with framework dissociation occurring under slightly acidic conditions (pH = 5.0)–conditions relevant to tumor cells–from which 90% of the encapsulated Cis was released in a sustained manner. In vitro assays demonstrated that RGD@Cis⊂nZIF-90 achieved significantly better cytotoxicity (65% at 6.25 μg ml−1) and selectivity (selectivity index = 4.18 after 48 h of treatment) against adenocarcinoma alveolar epithelial cancer cells (A549) when compared with the unmodified Cis⊂nZIF-90 (22%). Cellular uptake using A549 cells indicated that RGD@Cis⊂nZIF-90 was rapidly internalized leading to significant cell death. After successfully realizing this nanocarrier system, we demonstrated its efficacy in transporting and delivering Cis to cancer cells

Surface peptide functionalization of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 for autonomous homing and enhanced delivery of chemotherapeutic agent to lung tumor cells

Chemotherapeutic agents used in treating certain cancer types operate in a non-selective manner tending to accumulate in normal, healthy tissue when high doses are used. To mitigate the toxicity effect resulting from this, there is an urgent need to develop active nano delivery systems capable of regulating optimal doses specifically to cancer cells without harming adjacent normal cells. Herein, we report a versatile nanoparticle – zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (nZIF-8) – that is loaded with a chemotherapeutic agent (gemcitabine; GEM) and surface-functionalized with an autonomous homing system (Arg-Gly-Asp peptide ligand; RGD) via a straightforward, one-pot solvothermal reaction. Successful functionalization of the surface of nZIF-8 loaded GEM (GEM⊂nZIF-8) with RGD was proven by spectroscopic and electron microscopy techniques. This surface-functionalized nanoparticle (GEM⊂RGD@nZIF-8) exhibited enhanced uptake in human lung cancer cells (A549), compared with non-functionalized GEM⊂nZIF-8. The GEM⊂RGD@nZIF-8, experienced not only efficient uptake within A549, but also induced obvious cytotoxicity (75% at a concentration of 10 μg mL−1) and apoptosis (62%) after 48 h treatment when compared to the nanoparticle absent of the RGD homing system (GEM⊂nZIF-8). Most importantly, this surface-functionalized nanoparticle was more selective towards lung cancer cells (A549) than normal human lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) with a selectivity index (SI) of 3.98. This work demonstrates a new one-pot strategy for realizing a surface-functionalized zeolitic imidazolate framework that actively targets cancer cells via an autonomous homing peptide system to deliver a chemotherapeutic payload effectively

Dissolution and biological assessment of cancer-targeting nano-ZIF-8 in zebrafish embryos

Cancer-targeting nanotherapeutics offer promising opportunities for selective delivery of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics to cancer cells. However, the understanding of dissolution behavior and safety profiles of such nanotherapeutics is scarce. In this study, we report the dissolution profile of a cancer-targeting nanotherapeutic, gemcitabine (GEM) encapsulated within RGD-functionalized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (GEM⊂RGD@nZIF-8), in dissolution media having pH = 6.0 and 7.4. GEM⊂RGD@nZIF-8 was not only responsive in acidic media (pH = 6.0) but also able to sustain the dissolution rate (57.6%) after 48 h compared to non-targeting nanotherapeutic GEM⊂nZIF-8 (76%). This was reflected by the f2 value of 36.1, which indicated a difference in the dissolution behaviors of GEM⊂RGD@nZIF-8 and GEM⊂nZIF-8 in acidic media compared to those in neutral media (pH = 7.4). A dissolution kinetic study showed that the GEM release mechanism from GEM⊂RGD@nZIF-8 followed the Higuchi model. In comparison to a non-targeting nanotherapeutic, the cancer-targeting nanotherapeutic exhibited an enhanced permeability rate in healthy zebrafish embryos but did not induce lethality to 50% of the embryos (LC50 > 250 μg mL–1) with significantly improved survivability (75%) after 96 h of incubation. Monitoring malformation showed minimal adverse effects with only 8.3% of edema at 62.5 μg mL–1. This study indicates that cancer-targeting GEM⊂RGD@nZIF, with its pH-responsive behavior for sustaining chemotherapeutic dissolution in a physiologically relevant environment and its non-toxicity toward the healthy embryos within the tested concentrations, has considerable potential for use in cancer treatment

Designing bipyridine-functionalized zirconium metal-organic frameworks as a platform for clean energy and other emerging applications

Nguyen, Ha/0000-0002-4977-925X; Cordova, Kyle E./0000-0002-4988-0497; Yuliarto, Brian/0000-0003-0662-7923; Demir, Selcuk/0000-0002-5719-7145; Tu, Thach N./0000-0003-4240-0224WOS: 000430524800003Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of crystalline and porous materials with modular structural features. This modularity has allowed MOFs to be designed and synthesized with adjustable pore sizes and shapes leading to ultrahigh porosity. Among the tens of thousands of known MOF structures, zirconium-based MOFs (Zr-MOFs) have attracted attention not only for their structural properties but also their superior chemical and thermal stabilities, which are critical for a myriad of practical applications. in particular, bipyridine (BPY) functionalized Zr-MOFs have been received recognition for their interesting intrinsic properties, which arise from various post-modification pathways. the fact that post-modification is readily available for such MOFs paves the way towards anchoring specific components (functional groups, metals complexes, and nanoparticles) via the bipyridine docking centers, thus endowing this MOF platform with the capability to chemically alter and enhance the bulk material's properties. Throughout this review, an emphasis is placed on the preparation of BPY-functionalized Zr-MOFs, their characterization, and subsequent applications, such as electrocatalytic or photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions, heterogeneous molecular catalysis, and gas storage for renewable energy. Furthermore, this review highlights the design and applications of materials from the viewpoint of materials design and the necessity and importance of installing complexity to achieve synergistic interactions. Finally, our perspective for future applications is introduced with the expectation of providing useful information to those interested in this specific MOF platform. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [112T956]; U.S. Office of Naval Research Global: Naval International Cooperative Opportunities in Science and Technology Program [N62909-16-1-2146]; Saudi Aramco [ORCP2390]; World Class Professor (WCP) Grant, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Republic of IndonesiaWe thank Prof. Omar M. Yaghi (University of California, Berkeley) for his support of global science efforts. S.D. gratefully acknowledges the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, (TUBITAK) (No. 112T956) for their support. T.N.T. and M.V.N. are supported by the U.S. Office of Naval Research Global: Naval International Cooperative Opportunities in Science and Technology Program (No. N62909-16-1-2146). K.E.C. and H.L.N. would like to acknowledge Saudi Aramco (ORCP2390) for their continued collaboration and support. K.E.C. and B.Y. acknowledge the World Class Professor (WCP) Grant, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Republic of Indonesia