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Continuing current (CC) in cloud‐to‐ground (CG) lightning plays a critical role, particularly in wildfire ignition, yet CC's mechanism remains an open question. This study analyzes six CG flashes captured by the high‐speed camera at Beijing and Lhasa, which reveal the propagation of intracloud negative leaders before and after each return stroke. While the positive leaders are invisible, obscured by the cloud, we quantified the cumulative channel extension of negative branches. We find that the short CC is linked with vigorous negative branches after the stroke, while the long CC correlates with near absence of negative branches. Assuming a stable propagation of positive leaders before and after negative strokes, the duration of CC could be controlled by the current competition between intracloud negative leaders and the stroke channel. This study provides novel insights into CC mechanisms and suggests a new method to evaluate CC duration.

Caligula Japonica has continuously broken out in large scale in Longnan City, Gansu Province of China, causing heavy economic losses. In order to ef- fectively control the insect and to increase the production benefit of walnut in Longnan, the authors have investigated and observed the morphological characters and living habits of C. Japonica. The major causes of continuous large-scale occurrence of C. Japonica in Longnan City are analyzed concretely, and the integrated con- trol measures are put forward from the aspects of silvicultural measures, physical control, chemical control and biological control.

Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma asiaticum and Hyalomma detritum are wide-spread tick vectors in China. They could transmit a great variety of serious animal and human pathogens, which are great threats to the health of human beings and the safety of stockbreeding. Most of them are distributed in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, and they share similar morphologies. This study is to establish a method for identifying H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum and H. detritum with molecular markers and to revealing the phylogenetic relationship of these ticks. Ticks were collected from domestic animals in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia autonomous regions and classified by morphological characters. 16S rRNA and mitachondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gone （CO1） of ticks were amplified by PCR and subsequently sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by MEGA 5.0 and Mrbayes 3.2. On the 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic tree, H. anatolicum and H. aisaticum were clustered together with their respective classes. H. detritum was clustered with their respective class and the H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum formed distinct branches on the phylogenetic trees based on the COL The method based on morphology that combined with molecular 16S rRNA and COl seemed a simple and accurate method for species identification of H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum and H. detritum. n

The microstructure of a composite electrode determines how individual battery particles are charged and discharged in a lithium-ion battery. It is a frontier challenge to experimentally visualize and, subsequently, to understand the electrochemical consequences of battery particles’ evolving (de)attachment with the conductive matrix. Herein, we tackle this issue with a unique combination of multiscale experimental approaches, machine-learning-assisted statistical analysis, and experiment-informed mathematical modeling. Our results suggest that the degree of particle detachment is positively correlated with the charging rate and that smaller particles exhibit a higher degree of uncertainty in their detachment from the carbon/binder matrix. We further explore the feasibility and limitation of utilizing the reconstructed electron density as a proxy for the state-of-charge. Our findings highlight the importance of precisely quantifying the evolving nature of the battery electrode’s microstructure with statistical confidence, which is a key to maximize the utility of active particles towards higher battery capacity. Developing understanding of degradation phenomena in nickel rich cathodes is under intense investigation. Here the authors use learning-assisted statistical analysis and experiment-informed mathematical modelling to resolve the microstructure of a Ni-rich NMC composite cathode.

Herein, we report hybrid fibrous artificial muscles with reversible actuation, i.e., expansion upon cooling and contraction upon heating, under external compression. Although many fibrous polymeric artificial muscles by twist insertion in precursor fibers have been developed, most of them cannot reversibly actuate without an external tensile load. While heterochiral Nylon muscles can reversibly actuate under external compressive load, the compressive stress applied is low (0.078 MPa). In this study, we inserted pre-tensioned polymeric fibers with reversible actuation into pre-compressed helical metallic spring and obtained hybrid fibrous artificial muscles. We employed two types of two-way shape memory polymers, one type of fishing line artificial muscle, and seven types of helical springs in preparing seven types of hybrid muscles. A structural mechanics model was developed, and numerical simulation was conducted to evaluate the effect of the design parameters on the actuation strain. It is found that all the hybrid muscles were free-standing (reversibly actuate without external load) and beyond free-standing (reversibly actuate under external compression load). As an example, one hybrid muscle actuated reversibly under 24 MPa compressive stress without buckling. We expect that this study will open new opportunities for the use of fibrous artificial muscles as linear actuators in soft robotics or other applications that need reversible actuation under external compression.

Synthetic gauge fields in synthetic dimensions are now of great interest. This concept provides a convenient manner for exploring topological phases of matter. Here, we report on the first experimental realization of an atom-optically synthetic gauge field based on the synthetic momentum-state lattice of a Bose gas of 133Cs atoms, where magnetically controlled Feshbach resonance is used to tune the interacting lattice into noninteracting regime. Specifically, we engineer a noninteracting one-dimensional lattice into a two-leg ladder with tunable synthetic gauge fields. We observe the flux-dependent populations of atoms and measure the gauge field-induced chiral currents in the two legs. We also show that an inhomogeneous gauge field could control the atomic transport in the ladder. Our results lay the groundwork for using a clean noninteracting synthetic momentum-state lattice to study the gauge field-induced topological physics.A two-leg ladder with tunable gauge fields is achieved by one-dimensional synthetic momentum-state lattice of a noninteracting Bose gas.

With the deepening of cultural heritage conservation concepts, the preservation and revitalization of former residences of historical figures face challenges such as one-dimensional value recognition and imbalanced resource allocation. It is therefore necessary to construct a systematic value evaluation framework grounded in public participation, so as to scientifically identify multidimensional values, accurately guide conservation priorities and revitalization pathways, and promote the continuation of heritage values and functional transformation in contemporary contexts. This study focuses on 20 former residences of historical figures located in the Dongguan Historical and Cultural Block of Yangzhou. Using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), the non-use value of these residences was quantified, revealing an average willingness to pay (WTP) of 60.07 CNY per person per year, with an annual total value of approximately 177 million CNY. These findings underscore their significance in social memory and cultural transmission. Furthermore, by integrating “Cultural Triad Theory” with UNESCO’s six categories of heritage values, a “3 × 6” value identification framework was constructed. The results indicate that value weights are distributed as follows: cultural value (41.86%), architectural value (33.22%), and institutional value (24.92%). Building on this, different regression models were developed to analyze the determinants of whether the public is willing to pay and the specific amount they are willing to contribute. Based on the results, revitalization pathways are proposed that emphasize cultural leadership, architectural support, and institutional safeguards. This research not only provides empirical evidence for the conservation and funding allocation of former residences of historical figures in Yangzhou’s Dongguan Historical and Cultural Block but also offers a replicable methodology and empirical support for similar practices in other regions.

With the advancement of refined urban governance and the construction of high-quality public spaces, street furniture design and usage face multiple challenges, including insufficient public participation and a neglect of actual user experience. These issues highlight the urgent need to establish a scientifically grounded user evaluation framework to inform design practices. This study focuses on Yangzhou Ecological Science and Technology New Town and, drawing on field investigation, grounded theory, and the Delphi method, develops a street furniture design evaluation framework encompassing three core dimensions: planning and configuration, environmental coordination, and operational management. Building on this framework, the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method are employed to conduct a holistic assessment of the street furniture and to identify critical design deficiencies. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework effectively identifies the strengths and weaknesses of street furniture and provides robust support for formulating targeted optimization strategies. The results reveal significant variations in the perceived importance of design factors among different user groups. Residents primarily emphasize practicality and convenience in daily use. Tourists value aesthetic expression and cultural resonance, whereas government officials focus on construction standardization and maintenance efficiency. In terms of satisfaction, all three groups reported relatively low scores, with the ranking as follows: “planning and configuration” > “management and operations” > “environmental coordination.” Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted design guidelines for future practice. The evaluation framework has been adopted by local authorities, incorporated into official street furniture design guidelines, and implemented in pilot projects—demonstrating its practical applicability and value. This research contributes to the theoretical advancement of street furniture design and provides empirical and methodological support for applications in other emerging urban areas and new town developments.

With the ongoing advancement of urban renewal and cultural tourism, public spaces within historic cultural districts face dual challenges of structural complexity and diverse user demands. There is an urgent need to establish a scientific, user-oriented evaluation system to enhance spatial quality and user satisfaction. This study takes the Nanhesha Historic and Cultural Quarter in Yangzhou as a case study, focusing on two primary user groups: tourists and local residents. Employing semi-structured interviews and grounded theory, it distils a demand evaluation framework comprising four dimensions—spatial structure, environmental perception, socio-cultural aspects, and facility systems—with a total of 21 indicators. Subsequently, employing the Delphi method, experts were invited to refine the indicators through two rounds of deliberation. The Kano model was then applied to classify the demand attributes of different groups, identifying five common demands and sixteen differentiated demands. These were categorised into three sensitivity levels. Further integrating the Satisfaction Increment Index (SII), Dissatisfaction Decrement Index (DDI), and sensitivity values, a two-dimensional prioritisation model was constructed. This yielded a unified three-tier priority system alongside independent ranking frameworks for each user group. Findings reveal that visitors prioritise immediate experiential attributes such as spatial accessibility, appropriate scale, and environmental cleanliness, whereas residents favour long-term usage-oriented aspects including cultural expression, convenient facilities, and climate adaptability. This research not only enriches the theoretical framework for studying public space perception in historic cultural districts but also provides actionable evaluation criteria and practical pathways for multi-stakeholder spatial optimisation design. It offers guidance for the high-quality, refined development of public spaces within historic quarters.

Green coating research and development has taken a new turn in recent years because of the combination of nanomaterials and anticorrosive and antifouling coatings. Because of its distinct physicochemical characteristics, graphene, a novel two-dimensional material, exhibits significant promise in anticorrosive and antifouling coatings. The fundamental characteristics of graphene are presented in this paper along with an overview of its uses in anticorrosive films, anticorrosive coatings, and antifouling coatings. The mechanism underlying graphene anticorrosive and antifouling coatings is also presented, along with the difficulties associated with them and their potential future development. It seeks to serve as a resource for the study and use of anticorrosion and antifouling coatings based on graphene.