Palace Museum

This study presents a comprehensive network meta-analysis (NMA) of 16 empirical studies comparing listener evaluations of human-performed traditional music to three types of AI-generated renditions (generic AI, fine-tuned AI, and hybrid AI-human). Following PRISMA-NMA guidelines, we synthesized Hedges' g effect sizes for aesthetic ratings (e.g., beauty, authenticity, and likeability) across these conditions. Network geometry reveals a fully connected loop (Human–Generic–Fine–Hybrid). Results show that human performances were rated significantly more favorably than purely generic AI renditions (g≈+0.60, 95% CI [0.35, 0.85]), with moderate advantages over hybrid (g≈+0.20) and smaller differences versus fine-tuned AI (g≈+0.10). Fine-tuned AI slightly outperformed generic AI (g≈–0.40), and hybrid AI (combining AI and human elements) also modestly exceeded generic AI (g≈–0.30). These effect sizes (small to medium, according to Cohen's conventions) suggest that anthropomorphic elements (animacy, human-like "fit") drive preference, aligning with research showing that human-like AI voices boost likability. We discuss the implications for science and STEAM education: algorithmic music can serve as a vehicle for AI literacy and computational creativity in curricula, but educators must address concerns about perceived authenticity and fairness. Drawing on insights into anthropomorphism and Cheng's recommendations for AI in music education, we argue that science educators should incorporate AI-generated music thoughtfully—using it to engage students in computational thinking, ethics, and digital literacy, while also considering the equity of access. The paper concludes with future directions on ethical design, inclusivity, and the evolving role of AI in musical learning and science pedagogy.

Abstract The material properties of ancient timber structural components exhibit strong dependencies on the temporal variations in their chemical composition and microstructural characteristics. To elucidate the degradation mechanisms, this study conducted a systematic investigation on the wooden elements of Guhuaxuan in the Forbidden City. Through an integrated multi-scale analytical approach incorporating Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we quantitatively characterized the deterioration patterns of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, while establishing their structure-property relationships with key macroscopic parameters including apparent density and dynamic modulus of elasticity (Ed). Key findings reveal that surface-exposed regions (designated as A2, D2, G2) subjected to prolonged photo-thermal-hygric aging exhibited substantial depletion of carbohydrate polymers, with 20%-45% reductions in cellulose and hemicellulose content. In contrast, the interior D1 region demonstrated superior lignin preservation (30.29% residual content), attributable to microenvironmental heterogeneity within the timber matrix. Mechanistic analysis identified α-cellulose crystallinity as the predominant governing factor for mechanical performance (with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.82 for Ed), where crystalline domain disintegration directly drives the coordinated deterioration of density and Ed. This study advances the synergistic chemical-microstructural degradation mechanism of wood components and proposes a quantitative evaluation framework for ancient architecture restoration based on cellulose crystallinity and chemical degradation.

Cultural relics are a symbol of various times. The protection and restoration of cultural relics is a multidisciplinary work covering archaeology, physics, chemistry, and biology, etc. Exploring scientific means of nondestructive testing has always been the development direction of cultural relic protection workers. Terahertz has been widely used in various fields as an emerging discipline in the past 20 years. Utilizing the terahertz technology to the cultural relic has also been a research hotspot in recent years. This paper mainly describes the application of terahertz reflection imaging to a lacquer box. The experimental results show that the lacquer box sample has a double-layer structure. The bottom layer is a wooden basis, however, the upper surface is painted with lacquer and painted on it in order to achieve the purpose of decoration. The results demonstrate that the potential of terahertz reflection imaging can carry out non-destructive testing of samples with layer structure to study whether there is damage inside.

The unique structure of ancient buildings poses a significant risk of fire hazards, so the assessment of potential fire risk is of great significance to fire safety management. This paper examines the fire risk associated with the building complex of the Palace Museum. Firstly, a fire risk assessment indicator system was constructed based on three dimensions: hazard factors, sensitivity of hazard-bearing bodies, and loss control factors. Secondly, the weight values for each index were calculated based on the entropy weight method. Finally, the monthly fire risk assessment levels in the year 2019 were visualized by using a geographic information system. Based on the fire risk assessment results, this study quantitatively reveals the fire risk driving mechanism of ancient buildings in the Palace Museum from the perspective of spatial stratified heterogeneity by using the geodetector model. The results show that there are differences between the main factors that affect the weight of fire risk assessment and the main factors that cause the spatial heterogeneity of fire risk. Factors such as the safety protective grade and staff number contribute to a stronger explanation of the spatial stratified heterogeneity for fire risk within the museum. The results can help us to understand the driving factors affecting the distribution patterns of fire risk for the Palace Museum and could provide support for the formulation of fire prevention and safety management measures.

The imperial clothing of the Qing Dynasty collected by the Palace Museum is the most complete imperial clothing system in the world, and boots and shoes are an important part of it. Taking the restoration process of an apricot yellow embroidered lotus pattern dark texture satin pointed boots as an example, this paper introduces the historical background, artistic style and technological characteristics of this kind of clothing in the Palace Museum collection. Then, analyzes the common injuries and causes of the footwear cultural relics. Through the analysis to determine the restoration of the cultural relics and the technical means to be taken, through a series of measures, the cultural relics have been properly protected. The restoration concept, method and technical route of the whole cultural relic can provide a reference for the restoration and preservation of the same type of cultural relics.

Abstract The opacity/transparency, color, and production of designs in Changsha ware, a Tang dynasty Chinese stoneware renowned for its polychromy and pioneering high‐temperature red glaze, are studied by analyzing the composition, micro/nanostructure, and copper/iron speciation. The results shed new light on some of the most debated questions about Changsha ware. In particular, the role of glaze thickness, composition, and firing conditions on the coexistence of transparent and opaque glazes and of oxidized green and reduced red copper designs on the same object, and on the reason for the development of either green or turquoise colors. New data obtained by reproducing a copper red overglaze and underglaze painting with a similar glaze composition and thickness have provided new insights into the origin of the first high‐temperature copper reds and, in the absence of essential knowledge, their discontinuity. This study also contributes to the long debate regarding the use of overglaze versus underglaze painting techniques.