The Tianlai Cylinder Pathfinder array: System functions and basic performance analysis

The Tianlai Cylinder Pathfinder is a radio interferometer array designed to test techniques for 21 cm intensity mapping in the post-reionization Universe, with the ultimate aim of mapping the large scale structure and measuring cosmological parameters such as the dark energy equation of state. Each of its three parallel cylinder reflectors is oriented in the north-south direction, and the array has a large field of view. As the Earth rotates, the northern sky is observed by drift scanning. The array is located in Hongliuxia, a radio-quiet site in Xinjiang, and saw its first light in September 2016. In this first data analysis paper for the Tianlai cylinder array, we discuss the sub-system qualification tests, and present basic system performance obtained from preliminary analysis of the commissioning observations during 2016-2018. We show typical interferometric visibility data, from which we derive the actual beam profile in the east-west direction and the frequency band-pass response. We describe also the calibration process to determine the complex gains for the array elements, either using bright astronomical point sources, or an artificial on site calibrator source, and discuss the instrument response stability, crucial for transit interferometry. Based on this analysis, we find a system temperature of about 90 K, and we also estimate the sensitivity of the array

Study on the Effect of Organic Additives and Inorganic Fillers on Properties of Sodium Silicate Wood Adhesive Modified by Polyvinyl Alcohol

To enhance the properties of sodium silicate wood adhesive modified by PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol), different organic additives (compound A) and inorganic fillers (compound B) were added into the system. Their effects on the thermal stability and molecular structure of the composite adhesive were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), spectroscopic analysis (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermo- gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that when the compound A consisting of amino acid, TEOS (Tetraethyl orthosilicate), sodium dodecyl sulfate with the mass ratio of 5:3:3 and B consisting of 50% active magnesium oxide and 50% nano-silica were added into the cross-linked sodium silicate adhesive system with the ratio of 90:3, the bonding and water resistance properties were improved by 97.6% and 46.7%, or 13.7% and 36% relative to pure and cross-linked sodium silicate, respectively. The addition of organic additives and inorganic fillers had a good effect on both the bonding strength and thermal stability of sodium silicate wood adhesive modified by PVOH

The Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Addition on the Properties of Starch-based Wood Adhesive

Starch adhesive was prepared utilizing corn starch, polyvinyl alcohol, and borax as raw materials. A certain amount of water-soluble carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was added in the preparation process, and a certain percentage of polymethylene polyphenylene isocyanate pre-polymer as cross-linking agent was used to improve its water resistance. To evaluate the water resistance, three-layer plywood was fabricated by hot pressing, and bonding strength was measured using a mechanical testing machine according to the National Standard of the People’s Republic of China GB/T 17657-2013. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize curing of the adhesion. The results showed that the initial viscosity, solids content, and bonding strength of the starch adhesive, as well as the interface compatibility between starch adhesive and pre-polymer, were all improved. The curing temperature of the adhesive decreased, and the optimal addition of CMC was 0.375%

Preparation and Characterization of Hydrophobically Grafted Starches by In Situ Solid Phase Polymerization

Three kinds of hydrophobic groups grafted starches of maleic anhydride grafted starch (MAH-g-starch), lactic acid grafted starch (LA-g-starch), and methyl acrylate grafted starch (MA-g-starch) were prepared by in situ solid phase polymerization. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed successful grafting. The grafting ratios of MAH-g-starch, LA-g-starch, and MA-g-starch were 6.50%, 12.45%, and 0.57%, respectively. Influenced by the grafting ratio, LA-g-starch had the best relative hydrophobicity and the largest molecular weight, and those for MA-g-starch were the worst. The surfaces of grafted starches were covered with graft polymer, with obvious surface roughness and bond degree of MAH-g-starch and LA-g-starch. The crystalline structure of grafted starches showed some damage, with LA-g-starch exhibiting the greatest decrease in crystallinity, and less of a change for MA-g-starch. Overall, the grafting reaction improved thermoplasticity, with LA-g-starch the most improved, followed by MAH-g-starch, and then MA-g-starch

Preparation and Characterization of Esterified Bamboo Flour by an In Situ Solid Phase Method

Bamboo plastic composites have become a hot research topic and a key focus of research. However, many strong, polar, hydrophilic hydroxyl groups in bamboo flour (BF) results in poor interfacial compatibility between BF and hydrophobic polymers. Maleic anhydride-esterified (MAH-e-BF) and lactic acid-esterified bamboo flour (LA-e-BF) were prepared while using an in situ solid-phase esterification method with BF as the raw material and maleic anhydride or lactic acid as the esterifying agent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed that BF esterification with maleic anhydride and lactic acid was successful, with the esterification degrees of MAH-e-BF and LA-e-BF at 21.04 ± 0.23% and 14.28 ± 0.17%, respectively. Esterified BF was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle testing, X-ray diffractometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results demonstrated that esterified BF surfaces were covered with graft polymer and the surface roughness and bonding degree of MAH-e-BF clearly larger than those of LA-e-BF. The hydrophobicity of esterified BF was significantly higher than BF and the hydrophobicity of MAH-e-BF was better than LA-e-BF. The crystalline structure of esterified BF showed some damage, while MAH-e-BF exhibited a greater decrease in crystallinity than LA-e-BF. Overall, the esterification reaction improved BF thermoplasticity, with the thermoplasticity of MAH-e-BF appearing to be better than LA-e-BF

Study on the Effect of Acrylic Acid Emulsion on the Properties of Poplar Wood Modified by Sodium Silicate Impregnation

Inorganic silicate impregnation-modified fast-growing wood shows improved mechanical properties and thermal stability, but inorganic silicate agent loss and moisture absorption affect its processability. This study proposes a method to improve the impregnating agent loss and modified wood moisture absorption of poplar wood modified by using an acrylic acid emulsion/sodium silicate composite. The acrylic acid emulsion coated the sodium silicate and cell wall surfaces with a cured film that blocked water molecules from entering the modified wood. The acrylic acid emulsion adhered to the wood and sodium silicate, thus reducing impregnating agent loss. The addition of the acrylic acid emulsion maintained the excellent mechanical properties of sodium silicate-modified poplar wood and greatly improved its bending strength. The water absorption and moisture swelling rate were significantly decreased, and the dimensional stability of modified poplar wood was more than 50% higher than that of unmodified poplar wood. The thermogravimetric analysis (TG)results showed that the addition of organic components reduced the heat resistance of modified wood, but the thermal stability was still higher than unmodified wood. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results showed that acrylic esters in acrylic acid emulsion reacted with hydroxyl groups on sodium silicate and wood to form covalent bonds that improved the impregnating agent’s resistance to loss and reduced the moisture absorption of the wood. The modified poplar wood showed better dimensional stability and water resistance

Effect of material parameters on thermal shock crack of ceramics calculated by phase-field method

Based on alumina ceramics, we employ the phase-field method to study the effects of thermal conductivity, specific heat, density, thermal expansion coefficient, Young's modulus, and fracture toughness on thermal shock cracks. The results show that increasing thermal conductivity and fracture toughness will reduce thermal shock damage. That is, the long crack length becomes shorter, or the crack density becomes smaller. However, increasing the thermal expansion coefficient and Young's modulus will increase thermal shock damage. It is consistent with the previous thermal shock theory. The effect of material parameters on crack propagation speed was also considered. In addition, we carried out a thermal shock test of the zirconia. The results of the phase-field calculation are the same as the thermal shock results of the zirconia. This paper verifies that the phase-field method is suitable for simulating thermal shock cracks in other ceramics

Willingness to Pay for Cataract Surgery Provided by a Senior Surgeon in Urban Southern China.

To study willingness to pay for cataract surgery and surgical service provided by a senior cataract surgeon in urban Southern China.This study was a cross-sectional willingness-to-pay (WTP) interview using bidding formats. Two-hundred eleven persons with presenting visual impairment in either eye due to cataract were enrolled at a tertiary eye hospital. Participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination and a WTP interview for both surgery and service provided by a senior surgeon. Demographic information, socioeconomic status and clinical data were recorded.Among 211 (98% response rate) persons completing the interview, 53.6% were women and 80.6% were retired. About 72.2% had a monthly income lower than 1000 renminbi (US $161). A total of 189 (89.6$968). And 102 (50.7%) were willing to pay additional fees for surgery performed by a senior surgeon, and the median amount of WTP was 500 renminbi (US$81). In regression models adjusting for age and gender, persons with preexisting eye diseases other than cataract, were more likely to pay for cataract surgery and service provided by a senior surgeon (P = 0.04 for both).In urban China, cataract patients, especially those with preexisting eye conditions, are willing to pay additional fees for a senior surgeon. Moving to a system where the price of cataract surgery is proportional to the consultant' skill and expertise is possible and may have a potential impact on waiting list and quality of eye care. Further studies are needed to examine the impact of such pricing system on attitudes and choices of cataract patients

Severe H7N9 Infection Is Associated with Decreased Antigen-Presenting Capacity of CD14⁺ Cells

<div><p>The outbreak of H7N9 human infection has caused concern worldwide, but the immunological characteristics of infected patients and the determinants of diverse outcomes remain to be thoroughly understood. In this study, twenty-three patients with H7N9 infections were classified into severe and mild cases. We found that severe patients were commonly lymphopenic with significantly lower levels of T cells, monocytes and related cytokine levels compared to the mild cases. The expression of HLA-DR on CD14⁺ cells were significantly lower in the severe infection group compared to the mild group (in acute phase: 34.65±4.88 vs. 10.37±1.69, <i>p</i><0.001). Importantly, the expression of HLA-DR on CD14⁺ cells was negatively correlated with H7N9 infection severity. Furthermore, although the phagocytosis capabilities of monocyte were similar between two groups, the monocytes of severe infection patients had a lower antigen-presenting capacity. And some in vitro experiments suggested that the impaired antigen-presenting function is associated with lower activation of T cells in responses to immune stimulation. Our present study suggested that the severe H7N9 patients were in a state of immune decrease which presented with general lymphopenia and low antigen-presenting capacity resulting in impaired T cell response. Additionally, HLA-DR levels of CD14⁺ cells may be a potential biomarker for predicting H7N9 disease progression.</p></div