This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum folate levels and the risk of psoriasis by integrating observational study with Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis.We firstly conducted an observational study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Subsequently, genetic instruments were selected for two-sample MR analyses to investigate the causal relationship between serum folate levels and the risk of psoriasis. The observational study showed no significant association between serum folate levels and psoriasis. In the fully adjusted model: serum folate as a continuous variable (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.00, P = 0.071); serum folate quartiles Q4 vs Q1 (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58 to 1.19, P = 0.309). The MR analysis revealed that higher genetically predicted serum folate levels from Icelandic and Danish populations was significantly associated with a reduced risk of psoriasis (OR = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.88, P = 0.005). Similarly, higher genetically predicted serum folate levels from South Asian populations were also significantly associated with a lower risk of psoriasis (OR = 0.84, 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.98, P = 0.025). Integrating observational study with MR analysis suggests that serum folate levels are protective factors against psoriasis, indicating that higher serum folate levels may help prevent the onset of the disease.

Reconstructing the history of elite communication in ancient China benefits from additional archaeological evidence. We combine textual analysis with new human stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data from two Chu burials in the Jingzhou area to reveal significant dietary differences among Chu nobles of the middle Warring States period (c. 350 BC). This research provides important new information on the close interaction between the aristocratic families of the Qin and Chu.

The electrode materials for VRFB should possess higher electric conductivity, corrosion resistance and hydrophilic properties in sulfuric acid. The characteristics of the electrode materials affect the stability and the energy efficiency of VRFB. Carbon materials are the best suited for VRFB applications. In this study, the calcined treatment, acid treatment and ozone treatment were used to modify the surface of carbon papers. The redox reaction of [VO]2+/[VO2]+ on the modified carbon papers was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The surface compositions of carbon materials were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). The experimental results reveal that three oxidative methods enhance the redox reaction of [VO]2+/[VO2]+. The calcined treatments and acid treatments also enhanced hydrolysis reaction. The mole ratio of O/C apparently increased, but the binding energy of C1s and O1s were not chemically shifted in the acid treatment. The intensity of binding energy of O1s, between 532 eV and 534 eV, apparently increased in the ozone and calcined treatments. The Ox treated samples were more hydrophilic than the Oz treated samples. In the Ox treated samples, the decrease of Rct value indicates that was contributed from the redox reaction of [VO]2+/[VO2]+ and hydrolysis reaction. It does not completely benefit the energy efficiency of VRFB. The 5 x 5 cm2 modified carbon papers were used as electrode materials in the VRFB. The voltage efficiency, coulomb efficiency and energy efficiency reached 93 %, 90 % and 83 %, respectively, at a current density of 12 mA．cm-2 at 0.8-1.8 V.

The stability of the negative electrode electrolyte affects the efficiency and capacity of energy storage in the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) system. To explore the stability of vanadium electrolytes, the study prepared five types of V(II) electrolytes that were exposed to air in a fixed open area and monitored the charge state of vanadium ions over time by UV/Visible spectrophotometer. This study succeeded in preparing pure V(II) electrolytes. Five characteristics are found in the UV/Visible spectra, respectively, during the oxidation process from V(II) electrolytes to V(III) electrolytes and V(III) electrolytes to V(IV) electrolytes. The experimental results show that the oxidation rate of a solution of 1 M V(II) electrolytes to V(III) electrolytes and 1 M V(III) electrolytes to V(IV) electrolytes under an atmosphere of air is 4.79 and 0.0089 mol/h per square meter. The oxidation rates of 0.05-1 M V(II) electrolytes to V(III) electrolytes are approximately 96-538 times than that of V(III) electrolytes to V(IV) electrolytes.

Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) is a technique of material processing and surface modification, using controllable negative high voltage pulsed bias to attract the ion generated from the plasma. The method using PIII treatment quickly improves the performance of solar cell made of crystalline silicon, including monocrystalline, multicrystalline and polycrystalline silicon. Hydrogen ions are attracted and quickly implanted into solar cell under a predetermined negative pulse voltage, thus, the passivation of the crystal defects of the solar cell can be realized in a short period. Meanwhile, the properties of the antireflection layer can not be damaged as the proper operating conditions are used. Consequently, the series resistance can be significantly reduced and the filling factor increases as a result. Both the short-circuit and the open-circuit voltage can be increased. The efficiency can be enhanced.

The black-and-white snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus bieti (Colobinae), categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, is endemic to the Trans-Himalayas (the Hengduan Mountains) of north-west Yunnan and south-east Tibet. To evaluate the species’ current status in Tibet we surveyed six sites in Honglaxueshan National Nature Reserve, believed to be the area's only remaining location of R. bieti. Sites were identified from previous surveys and interviews with villagers and local officials. Three sub-populations, with a total of >300 individuals, were located in conifer and evergreen broad-leaf forests, which together comprise 971 km2. One of the sub-populations, in Zhina, is a new discovery, and is the northernmost known sub-population of R. bieti. Identified threats to the species include habitat destruction through wood extraction, uncontrolled grass fires, cutting of oak Quercus aquifolioides branches, inappropriate attitudes to R. bieti when people carry out economic activities in the forest, and hunting. Opportunities for conservation include the existence of sacred mountains, the limited possibilities for agriculture, and the economic dependency of villagers on the forest. We recommend the development of a sustainable ecosystem to reduce pressure on R. bieti and its forest habitat, including use of solar energy for heating and cheap electricity for cooking to minimize dependence on firewood, introduction of techniques for high crop yields to improve food supplies, and release of some farmland for planting grass, which can be used to raise livestock in enclosures and thus reduce the cutting of oak.

The study reported is about an integrated wireless physiological monitor module of the flexible patch type, used on a non-woven material to package this module by a hot press process. The module can monitor the body temperature and heart rate. Experimental results showed that the specification and accuracy should be 25-40 °C ± 0.5 °C and 50-200 bpm ± 2 bpm. The main advantage of the module is that the postural change can be monitored. At the same time, it has also a good adhesion between substrate and components, without crack of conductor trace line after bending the module repeatedly. Thickness is about 2 mm. The aim of this study is to speed up the physiological technology and to create more efficiency by miniaturization. In addition, the acceptance level of wearing it is increased by the small and ergonomic design.

Ultrafine SiC and Al2O3 particles with 30–50 nm sizes were used to codeposit with Ni in a sulfamate bath to form composite coatings. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the layers were investigated by x-ray diffractometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, microindentation, and wear testing. The microstructural results revealed that 7 vol% of SiC or Al2O3 particles dispersed randomly in the Ni matrix. The addition of the ultrafine SiC or Al2O3powder into the Ni matrix apparently reduced the size of Ni grains during the electroplating and inhibited the grain growth during heat treatment. The microhardness and wear resistance were improved by the addition of SiC and Al2O3 particles, especially for SiC/Ni samples after heat treatment at 400 °C for 24 h. The mechanisms of hardening and wearing of Ni-based electroplated layers are discussed.

A vacuum infiltration process has been developed to fabricate the aluminum matrix composites reinforced with low volume fraction (<50 vol%) of SiCp. Generally, it is difficult to fabricate low volume fraction particulate composites by traditional infiltration processes because the particles always pack up to about 50 vol% in the preforms or compacts. In this study, the powder compacts were prepared of the well-mixed Ni-coated SiCp and pure aluminum powders and then were packed in quartz tubes. An aluminum alloy (Al–8.7% Si–2.6% Cu) with a composition similar to AA 380.0 was used to infiltrate these compacts. Experimental results showed that the infiltration temperature of 640 °C is favorable for the fabrication of these composites. Infiltration behavior, microstructure, nickel distribution, bending test, and fractography of the composites were investigated.

We have investigated TiN/TiSi2 films as diffusion barriers between copper and silicon. The TiN/TiSi2 films were formed by annealing Ti/Si via rapid thermal process at a temperature of 850'C for 30 seconds in N2 ambient. The contact resistance and leakage current of the Cu/TiN/TiSi 2/n+-p Si contact system were measured after sintering at 350-600°C for 30 minutes in an N2 ambient. We found an abrupt increase of contact resistance occurred at a sintering temperature of 600°C. From the leakage current of n+-p diode, we observed that the thermally stable temperature was about 475ycC. Meanwhile, XTEM photographs showed small Cu3Si crystallites with size of about 0.25 μm precipitated in the n+Si substrate at a sintering temperature 500°C. The formation of Cu3Si increases the occupied volume, generates the gap between TiSi2 and n+Si, and gradually increases the specific contact resistance. SIMS profiles also showed that a certain amount of Cu atoms diffused into the n+-p Si junction and that Si atoms existed in the Cu film. The Cu3Si formation across the n+-p junction can explain the abrupt increase in the leakage current measurement at 500°C. So the failure mechanisms for contact resistance and leakage current are different.