Tuning wettability and electrical conductivity of single-walled carbon nanotubes by the modified Hummers method.

Partial oxidation of nanocarbon materials is one of the most straightforward methods to improve their compatibility with other materials, which widens its application potential. This work studied how the microstructure and properties of high crystallinity single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can be tailored by applying the modified Hummers method. The influence of temperature (0, 18, 40 °C), reaction time (0 min to 7 h), and the amount of KMnO4 oxidant was monitored. The results showed that depending on the oxidation conditions, the electronic characteristics of the material could be adjusted. After optimizing the parameters, the SWCNTs were much more conductive (1369 ± 84 S/cm with respect to 283 ± 32 S/cm for the untreated material). At the same time, the films made from them exhibited hydrophilic character of the surface (water contact angle changed from 71° to 27°).

Fluorometric and colorimetric detection of cerium(IV) ion using carbon dots and bathophenanthroline-disulfonate-ferrum(II) complex.

Cerium, an abundant lanthanide element, is widely used in human industry. The accumulation of Ce4+ ion, however, will damage the environment and biological organism. Therefore, its facile detection is highly needed. Herein, we design a hybrid sensing platform consisting of carbon dots (C-dots) and bathophenanthroline-disulfonate-Fe2+ complex (Bphen-Fe2+) for trace-level determination of Ce4+. Based on inner filter effect (IFE), the red-colored Bphen-Fe2+ complex severely quenches the fluorescence of C-dots. After addition of Ce4+, Fe2+ is oxidized to Fe3+, and the colorless Bphen-Fe3+ complex generates, which weakens the IFE efficiency and leads to the fluorescence recovery of C-dots. Meanwhile, due to the decreasing amount of Bphen-Fe2+ upon Ce4+ addition, the red color of the solution gradually fades, which enables visual detection of Ce4+ by the naked eyes. Under the optimized conditions, the C-dots/Bphen-Fe2+ system realizes the fluorometric and colorimetric sensing of Ce4+ in the range of 0.5-100 and 1.9-80 µM, with the limits of detection as low as 0.5 and 1.9 µM, respectively. This method also shows high selectivity over other common ions, and has an excellent applicability for monitoring of Ce4+ in real water samples.

[The campaign of returning to the ancient in sphygmology in the Republican Period as viewed from Mai xue cong shu (Series of Pulse Taking)].

From the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty, the models of "master and apprentice" and "physician of long family tradition for generations" were the main ways for teaching medical knowledge. With the rapid amassment of medical books in the Due to the rapid transmission of western science and technology into China in the Republican period, the art of pulse taking had been treated as unscientific. Yao Xinyuan advocated the recovery of ancient pulse taking of the three-portion approach, i.e., taking the pulses at the neck, hands, and feet for comparison. To spread this idea, Yao and Zhang Ziying compiled the Mai xue cong shu (Series of Pulse Taking) in 1937-1947. Altogether 4 issues were published carrying 29 articles concerning the theoretical exploration, experimental research, and clinical practice. Their thinking and approaches were influential to the study and development of modern sphygmology.

[The inaugural meeting of Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a milestone in the career of TCM in New China].

On 19 October, 1955, the Founding Congress of Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine was held at the Academy Hall located at Beixiange, Guang'anmen Nei, Beijing. The main issues of the Congress include: the report of Academy's preparatory process, speeches delivered by leading comrades, announcement of Academy's leading group, awards granting, and speeches of the guests. Nowadays, by reviewing the past 60 years, the high attention to the TCM career paid by the Party and people's government still can be sensed. It could be said that the establishment of Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a milestone of TCM career in New China.