In the new era of modern flexible and bendable technology, graphene-based materials have attracted great attention. The excellent electrical, mechanical, and optical properties of graphene as well as the ease of functionalization of its derivates have enabled graphene to become an attractive candidate for the construction of flexible devices. This paper provides a comprehensive review about the most recent progress in the synthesis and applications of graphene-based composites. Composite materials based on graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), as well as conducting polymers, metal matrices, carbon–carbon matrices, and natural fibers have potential application in energy-harvesting systems, clean-energy storage devices, and wearable and portable electronics owing to their superior mechanical strength, conductivity, and extraordinary thermal stability. Additionally, the difficulties and challenges in the current development of graphene are summarized and indicated. This review provides a comprehensive and useful database for further innovation of graphene-based composite materials.

In situ synthesized oxygen vacancy-enriched MoO3−x nanobelts realized excellent electrochemical performance as asymmetric supercapacitors at room/low temperature.

Classical amino-functionalized Fe-terephthalate metal-organic framework NH-MIL-53(Fe) and its parent framework MIL-53(Fe) were prepared via simple hydrothermal methods. The catalytic performaces of these two Fe-MOFs were explored for the selective oxidation of HS. The physicochemical properties of the fresh and used Fe-MOFs catalysts were investigated by XRD, BET, SEM, FT-IR, CO-TPD, and XPS techniques. It was found that the introduction of amino groups reduces the activation energies for HS oxidation and endows this catalyst surface with moderate basic sites. As a result, the NH-MIL-53(Fe) catalyst displays high HS conversion and near 100% S selectivity in the temperature range of 130-160 °C, outperforming commercial FeO and activated carbon. Moreover, a plausible reaction route for HS selective oxidation over NH-MIL-53(Fe) is proposed. This work opens up the possibility of utilizing MOFs as efficient catalyst for desulfuration reactions.

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BackgroundTraditional Chinese Medicine Constitution (TCMC) refers to an integrated, metastable and natural specialty of individual in morphosis, physiological functions and psychological conditions. It is formed on the basis of innate and acquired endowments in the human life process, which can be divided into normal constitution and unbalanced ones. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of TCMCs of Chinese women in Hong Kong and its acquired influencing factors.MethodsLocal Chinese women between 30 to 65years old, were recruited from 18 districts of Hong Kong (n = 944), and were assessed using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Physical Constitution Scale for their TCMC types. Social-demographic, reproductive, lifestyle, systemic health and emotional status information were collected through structured questionnaire. The associations between different independent factors and each TCMC type, as well as the complex unbalanced TCMC types were tested individually. Significant factors related to unbalanced TCMC types were identified in final models using multiple factor analysis.ResultsA total of 764 (80.9%) participants were diagnosed with unbalanced TCMCs. The most common TCMC type was Qi-deficiency constitution (53.9%), followed by Phlegm-wetness (38.9%), Yang-deficiency (38.2%), Yin-deficiency (35.5), Blood-stasis (35.4) and Qi-depressed (31%) constitution. Six hundred and eleven participants (64.7%) had at least two types of combined and unbalanced constitutions. Stepwise logistic analysis indicated that poor systemic health condition (OR, 1.76-2.89), negative emotions (OR = 1.39), overweight (OR = 1.58), high educational level (OR = 1.18) and mental work (OR = 1.44) were significantly positively correlated with certain unbalanced TCMCs. Meanwhile, aging (OR, 0.59-0.73), exercise habit (OR, 0.61-0.79) and reproductive history (OR = 0.72) showed inverse associations with unbalanced constitutions. In addition, systemic health condition and emotional status, exercise habit and age were significantly associated with the combined unbalanced TCMC types.ConclusionThe majority of middle-aged Chinese women in Hong Kong had unbalanced and complex TCMCs. Qi-deficiency, Phlegm-wetness and Yang-deficiency constitutions are the most common constitutions. Poor systemic health condition, less-than-satisfactory emotional life, overweight and mental work are associated with and may be contributors for the formation of unbalanced TCMCs, while regular physical exercise was found to be a potential protective factor for unbalanced TCMCs.

Microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD), originally developed for improving healthcare in developing countries, presents a simple yet powerful platform for performing low-cost and portable diagnostic devices. Here, we report an enzyme-free μPAD for the detection of two tumor markers. First, a porous structure of gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-modified paper working electrode (Au-PWE), with a feature of all-round conductivity and plenty of active sites favoring biological ligand attachment, was fabricated as a sensor substrate. Next, cyclodextrin functionalized AuNPs (CD@AuNPs) as dual mimicking enzyme were prepared to load secondary antibodies or peptide. On one sample zone, in the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CD@AuNPs could be introduced into the Au-PWE through a sandwich immunoreaction, boosting the electrochemical signal of o-phenylenediamine (o-PD) via the trigger of a cascade catalysis reaction toward glucose and o-PD, eventually resulting in the sensitive detection of CEA. On another working zone, with the introduction of another target prostate-specific antigen (PSA), peptide cleavage took place, which further led to CD@AuNPs being released from Au-PWE, and then, the variation of electrochemical signals was recorded for the detection of PSA. We demonstrated, using the device, that the detection of CEA and PSA clinically had high sensitivity, wide linear ranges, and low detection limits. We believe that our work provides a promising platform for point-of-care testing, especially in resource-limited regions.