Locating Parent Lightning Strokes of Sprites Observed over a Mesoscale Convective System in Shandong Province,China

In this paper, we report the location results for the parent lightning strokes of more than 30 red sprites observed over an asymmetric mesoscale convective system(MCS) on 30 July 2015 in Shandong Province, China, with a long-baseline lightning location network of very-low-frequency/low-frequency magnetic field sensors. The results show that almost all of these cloud-to-ground(CG) strokes are produced during the mature stage of the MCS, and are predominantly located in the trailing stratiform region, which is similar to analyses of sprite-productive MCSs in North America and Europe. Comparison between the location results for the sprite-producing CG strokes and those provided by the World Wide Lightning Location Network(WWLLN) indicates that the location accuracy of WWLLN for intense CG strokes in Shandong Province is typically within 10 km, which is consistent with the result based on analysis of 2838 sprite-producing CG strokes in the continental United States. Also, we analyze two cases where some minor lightning discharges in the parent flash of sprites can also be located, providing an approach to confine the thundercloud region tapped by the sprite-producing CG strokes.

Triangulation of red sprites observed above a mesoscale convective system in North China

The triangulation of red sprites was obtained, based on concurrent observations over a mesoscale convective system(MCS) in North China from two stations separated by about 450 km. In addition, broadband sferics from the sprite-producing lightning were measured at five ground stations, making it possible to locate and identify the individual causative lightning discharges for different elements in this dancing sprite event. The results of our analyses indicate that the sprites were produced above the trailing stratiform region of the MCS, and their parent strokes were located mainly in the peripheral area of the stratiform. The lateral offset between sprites and causative strokes ranges from a few km to more than 50 km. In a particularly bright sprite, with a distinct halo feature and streamers descending down to an altitude of approximately 48 km, the sprite current signal identified in the electric sferic, measured at a range of about 1,110 km, peaked at approximately 1 ms after the return stroke.

Analysis of the Spectral Characteristics of Triggered Lightning

The spectra with wavelength range of 390 nm to 660 nm of triggered lightning were observed in Guangdong Area using a slitless spectrograph. The characteristics of the lightning spectra during the initial continuous current and return strokes were analyzed, and the differences between the metal section and air section of the lightning channel were compared. The results showed that the metal spectra were contained in the metal section during the initial continuous current. As for the lightning channel of the return strokes, the line spectra for both the metal section and the air section were identical;neither of the two sections contained the metal spectra, but the relative intensity of its emission spectrum was different. Owing to different radiation mechanisms, the spectral structures and luminance of the two sections were not the same. Combined with the current data, it was found that there was a good positive correlation between the total spectral strength and the transferred charge. The total intensity of the lightning channel spectrum increased with the height of the channel, indicating that the radiation sequence of the lightning channel was different. High temporal resolution observations showed that the spectral line duration could be divided into three categories, in which the lines with higher excitation energy appear first and decay rapidly, while those with lower excitation energy appear later but last longer.

Identification of Avian-Derived Ingredients in Livestock and Poultry Meat by PCR Technology

In order to establish a quick and specific method which could identify the avian-derived ingredients,this study used 16 S rRNA gene sequence as target site,and designed the specific primers of chicken,pigeon meat and quail meat. The DNA of common livestock and poultry meat( including mutton,beef,pork,rabbit meat,pigeon meat,quail meat,chicken,duck and goose) was used as template. Though PCR amplification and specific detection,a quick determination method was established to identify the avian-derived ingredients. The results showed that the selected primers could identify the ingredients of animal origin effectively and quickly. The method was convenient and concise,and could detect the chicken-derived,pigeon-derived,quail-derived ingredients in livestock and poultry food quickly and accurately.

Research on factors influencing an individual’s behavior of energy management: a field study in China

With the rapid rising of distributed appliance,smart home appliances and mobile Internet,smart home manufacturers in Europe and America have all developed energy management solutions for individual usage,while domestic manufacturers have also launched similar products.This technique helps people to manage their energy consumption more efficiently.This article focuses on the factors that affect energy management behavior(EMB)at the individual level.By reviewing academic literature,conducting surveys in Beijing,Shanghai and Guangzhou,the author built an integrated model of the energy management of Chinese people.This article is the first to separate EMB into two types of behaviors:the more innovative energy management intention(EMI)and the more traditional energy saving intention(ESI).The author conducts statistical analysis on these two behavioral concepts.An individual’s EMB is mainly driven by EMI.EMI is affected by behavioral attitudes,subjective norm and perceived behavioral control(PBC).Among these three key factors,PBC has the strongest influence.This implies that the promotion of the energy management concept is mainly driven by good user experience,which is based on products’features.The traditional ESI also demonstrates a positive influence on EMB,but its impact is weaker than those three factors of EMI.In other words,the government and manufacturers will not be able to promote individual EMB by only selling the concept of traditional energy saving.At the same time,the study finds that the government may achieve better advertising results by developing subsidy policy.