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Urban pluvial flooding now occurs more frequently than it has in past decades, mainly due to an increasing number of extreme precipitation events occurring in the context of a changing climate. To limit the evolving risks of urban pluvial flooding in a more environmentally friendly manner, the research community has recently paid increasing attention to Nature‐Based Solutions (NBS), which are based on new green technologies. To meet the urgent demand for a comprehensive review of the most recent literature, this review conducts a systematic survey of the literature to characterize various NBS adopted in different regions of the world and to elaborate on the benefits and limitations of such NBS. The review highlights the role of NBS in urban flood risk management under ongoing climate change and rapid urbanization. It shows that NBS could effectively mitigate urban flooding caused by high‐frequency precipitation events, with additional economic, ecological, and social benefits. However, NBS are less effective at helping cope with pluvial flooding caused by extreme precipitation events over a short period of time, while gray infrastructures also have limitations as a mitigation measure against extreme pluvial flooding. We thus recommend identifying flood risk management strategies by evaluating the performance of alternative combinations of NBS with gray infrastructures in preventing pluvial flooding in the cities. Finally, recent advances made in the applications of NBS are presented with suggestions (e.g., long‐term monitoring) to improve urban flood adaptive management. This article is categorized under:Engineering Water > Planning WaterEngineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of WaterScience of Water > Water Extremes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce and study a new Stackelberg-population competition model which captures the desired features of both population games and Stackelberg competition model within the same framework. We obtain some characterization results for the Stackelberg-population equilibrium response set and the Stackelberg-population equilibrium leader set by using the variational inequality technique and Brouwer's fixed point theorem. We also show an existence theorem of Nash equilibrium for Stackelbergpopulation competition model under some mild conditions. Finally, we give an example to illustrate our main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer and exhibits high morbidity and mortality in the world. We recently identified LHX3 as a preferentially expressed gene with a possible involvement in HCC. OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression, clinical relevance, prognostic significance and functions of LHX3 in HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LHX3 expression was assessed in 190 cancerous and 40 adjacent non-cancerous tissues by PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. Associations between LHX3 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients were investigated. Correlations between LHX3 expression and overall survival of patients were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression methods. Functional roles of LHX3 were evaluated by transwell assays. RESULTS: LHX3 expression is significantly increased in carcinoma tissues, and associated with clinical stage and metastasis of patients. LHX3 expression is much higher in the advanced-stage patients than the early-stage patients, and is sharply increased in metastasic patients. High LHX3 expression is associated with unfavorable overall survival, and is an independent prognostic factor of patients. Moreover, LHX3 is an unfavorable and independent prognostic factor unique to advanced-stage patients. Knockdown expression of LHX3 obviously inhibits tumor cell migration and invasion. CONCLUSION: LHX3 is an advanced-stage prognostic biomarker, and acts as a new potential metastatic oncogene in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Northeast China is the center of maize production in the country. • Assess varying impacts of drought across different maize growth stages in Northeast China. • Probability of extreme events in irrigation water shortage will increase in the future. • Irrigation infrastructure and efficient irrigation scheme and technologies are of great importance. Abstract Northeast Farming Region of China (NFR) produces about one-third of the national maize output. Shortage of crop irrigation water is one of the main threat to the stable level of maize production in the NFR. Previous studies on the sensitivity of maize production to drought are typically based on field experiments and treat the maize growing season as a whole, with rare attention to the varying impacts of drought across different maize growth stages. Given the importance of NFR on China's food security, it is crucial to optimize the irrigation schedule to mitigate the adverse effects of drought. In this study, we employ Agro-ecological Zone (AEZ) model to investigate how climate change affects irrigation water requirement (IWR) of maize during different growth stages and under different climate change scenarios. Results indicate that the NFR would experience a substantial increase in the probability of extremely shortage of crop irrigation water under future climate change. The ensemble simulation under future climate projections indicates more frequent demands for irrigation with substantially increased amount in the mid-season stage (G3) when maize is more sensitive to water deficit compared with other stages. These findings indicate that earlier planning of irrigation infrastructure and development of more efficient irrigation scheme and technologies is of great importance to secure maize production in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the effects of a combination of Yiqi Huazhuo Gushen formula and valsartan on metabolic syndrome (MetS) complicated with microalbuminuria. Methods: Patients with MetS (100), recruited from Department of the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital; Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University; and Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Yueyang, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, were randomly divided into two sets: control group (n = 50) given valsartan treatment, and Chinese herbal medicine (CHF) group (n = 50) given Yiqi Huazhuo Gushen formula in addition to valsartan. Both therapeutic regimens were given once a day for 12 weeks. The parameters measured were conversion rate of microalbuminuria (MA), ratio of urinary albumin to creatinine (UACR), 24-h total volume of urinary protein (24hTP), urinary transferrin, urinary ß2 microglobulin, constitutional index (CI), and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Other indices assessed were peak systolic and diastolic pressure (SBP and DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial 2 h blood glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (GH), steadystate model for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), glycerin trilaurate (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Results: All 100 subjects completed the clinical study. The outcome revealed that compared with 10.00 % in controls, the negative conversion of MA reached 28.00 % in the CHF group (p < 0.050). CHF produced reductions in MA, UACR, BMI, 24hTP and urinary ß2 microglobulin (p < 0.05). It also led to marked increases in BMI, WHR, SBP, MAP, FPG, 2hPPG, HbA1c and HOMA-IR, and significant decreases in TG (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that CHF treatment results in alleviation of microalbuminuria and multiple cardiovascular risk factors in metabolic syndrome complicated with microalbuminuria. These effects correlate with improvements in insulin sensitivity and rectification of abnormal fat distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the largest wheat-producing country in the world. Wheat is one of the two major staple cereals consumed in the country and about 60% of Chinese population eats the grain daily. To safeguard the production of this important crop, about 85% of wheat areas in the country are under irrigation or high rainfall conditions. However, wheat production in the future will be challenged by the increasing occurrence and magnitude of adverse and extreme weather events. In this paper, we present an analysis that combines outputs from a wide range of General Circulation Models (GCMs) with observational data to produce more detailed projections of local climate suitable for assessing the impact of increasing heat stress events on wheat yield. We run the assessment at 36 representative sites in China using the crop growth model CSM-CropSim Wheat of DSSAT 4.5. The simulations based on historical data show that this model is suitable for quantifying yield damages caused by heat stress. In comparison with the observations of baseline 1996-2005, our simulations for the future indicate that by 2100 the projected increases in heat stress would lead to an ensemble-mean yield reduction of −7.1% (with a probability of 80%) and −17.5% (with a probability of 96%) for winter wheat and spring wheat, respectively, under the irrigated condition. Although such losses can be fully compensated by CO fertilization effect as parameterized in DSSAT 4.5, a great caution is needed in interpreting this fertilization effect because existing crop dynamic models are unable to incorporate the effect of CO acclimation (the growth-enhancing effect decreases over time) and other offsetting forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, many megacities in the world have suffered from increasingly frequent heat waves. During heat waves, air-conditioners, refrigerators, and electric fans add a considerable peak demand on electrical utility grids, and on the supply side, high temperatures exert adverse effects on electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Without pro-active planning and mitigation measures, the overloading would result in more frequent blackouts (the complete failure of electricity distribution) and brownouts (voltage reductions). To facilitate a pro-active planning, which aims to replace blackouts and brownouts by a rationing regime in selected sectors, this research proposes an integrated modeling tool which couples a regression model between daily electricity use and maximum temperature over the summer and a mixed input–output model with supply constraints. With the help of available data in Shanghai, China, we show that this tool is capable of quantitatively estimating the overall economic effects and sequential changes in carbon emissions, which a given magnitude of power rationing in a specific sector can exert across all sectors. The availability of such information would enable decision makers to plan an electricity rationing regime at the sector level to meet the double criterions of minimizing the overall economic losses and maximizing the extent of carbon emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been increasing concerns on risks and uncertainty posed by climate change to China's future crop production. The existing assessments using popular process-based and site-specific crop growing models highlight the significant extent of climate-induced yield reduction, and thus suggest a scary downward risk for China's future food production. Surprisingly, much less attention has been paid to exploring the potential gains that may also be brought by climate change. To address this imbalance, we develop an integrated agro-climatic and ecological assessment tool that is capable of detecting the shifts of multicropping opportunities under different climate change scenarios. The application of this tool to the context of China reveals significant extension of multicropping opportunities brought in by climate change. We argue for an active adaptation to such emerging opportunities through both market and policy incentives, because the aggregate gain of such adaptation is sufficient to outweigh the loss as revealed by the existing assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new transition-metal (TM)-containing polytantalotungstates, CsNa2H[Cu(bpy)(H2O)3]3{[Cu(bpy)2]2[Cu(bpy)(H2O)2]3[Ta4O6(SiW9Ta3O40)4]} ⋅17 H2O ( 1) and K4Na4H4[Ta4O6(SiW9Ta3O40)4][Cu(apy)(H2O)2]4 ⋅42 H2O ( 2) (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine, apy=3-aminopyridine), have been synthesised under hydrothermal conditions. Both compounds 1 and 2 were determined and characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, IR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 contain W/Ta mixed-addendum nanoclusters decorated by TM-organic fragments. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first TM-containing polytantalotungstates promise a more diverse set of structures of the polytantalotungstate family. The obtained materials can harvest a wide spectrum of solar light, from UV to near-infrared (NIR) wavelength. Photocatalytic study revealed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited UV- and visible-light-driven photocatalytic water splitting activity. Compound 1 could also be used as a catalyst for the photocatalytic decomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenol in water with NIR-light irradiation. This is the first NIR photocatalyst obtained in polyoxometalate chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The recent warming trends have led to rising concerns on how the changing climate has been altering and will continue to alter agroclimatic conditions in China. In this study, high resolution climate scenarios from regional climate models ( RCMs) are used as input to the agro-ecological zones ( AEZ) model for China and to compute a comprehensive set of agroclimatic indicators. Uncertainties in the projected impacts of climate change on agroclimatic conditions are also discussed with respect to (1) RCM outputs for different emission scenarios, and (2) differences in projections obtained from two different RCMs under the same emission scenario. The results indicate a significant extension of the crop growing period in tandem with the rising temperatures during the crop growing season, which may lead to increase in multi-cropping opportunities at high latitudes and thus advance the total potential output per unit of cropland. However, the results show that the Southwest China will experience a significant reduction in the value of humidity index, implying severe challenges for future agricultural development in the region. Spatially explicit patterns of changes in future agroclimatic conditions, as revealed in this study, can be beneficial for policy-makers, farming communities and other stakeholders to assess risk factors, design adaptation and mitigation measures, and improve management practices at the local to regional scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-blog has become one of the main Internet platforms for information acquireing and sharing. Prediction on information sharing is the basis for controlling and supervising information. Attributes of micro-blog users and information contain data of users' preferences, physiological characteristics, content type. etc. Based on these data can predict information sharing. This paper analyzed modes of micro-blog information dissemination, theory and methods for predicting information sharing, based on PA algorithm, it proposed information sharing prediction model. Through Sina micro-blog data verified the model, it shows that the model has high prediction accuracy of information sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dense meteorological station network-derived data on daily surface air temperatures over the period 1961-2007 were used to investigate the changes in the thermal growing season (GS) indicators for east China. The 394 stations are classified into six categories: metropolises, large cities, medium-sized cities, small cities, suburbs, and rural area using satellite-measured night-time light imagery and census data. Only the temperature data on 258 small cities and rural stations were used to calculate the GS indicators to reflect more 'natural' changes in thermal GS parameters. During the studied period, the regional mean length of the GS significantly extended by 3.05 and 2.61 d decade−1 for base temperatures of 5 and 10 °C, respectively. This extension is attributed primarily to the GS initiating at an earlier time (2.49 and 2.10 d decade−1 for base temperatures of 5 and 10 °C, respectively), rather than to the delayed end of the GS (0.55 and 0.51 d decade−1 for base temperatures of 5 and 10 °C, respectively). The mean growing degree days (GDD) has increased by 51.84 and 35.89 degree days decade−1 on average at temperatures higher than 5 and 10 °C. When the temperature data from all the 394 stations(including metropolis, large city, medium city, and suburban) were used to calculate the GS indicators, urban heat island (UHI) effects were evident, especially in highly urbanized Yangtze River Delta. The GS extension and GDD increase in metropolises increased by more than onefold over those observed for rural areas. This result indicates significant UHI effects on climatic GS changes. On the basis of the GDD changes, we find that UHI effects contributed to more than 10% in the GDD increase at temperatures higher than 10 °C. Therefore, excluding the urbanization effects from station observational data in evaluating changes in GS indices is necessary, especially for regions characterized by rapid urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a study aimed to determine the effect of palmitate, a saturated fatty acid, on glucose metabolism in C2C12 mouse myotubes. It indicates that palmitate decreases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and consumption by downregulating the Src-mediated phosphorylation of Akt. This provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms of free fatty acid (FFA)-induced insulin resistance.

Abstract: Three new Fe-containing MOFs, H3O[Fe5(BTC)3(OAc)2(DMF)2]·H2O 1, [FeNa(m-BDC)2]·NH2(CH3)2 2 and [N(CH3)4]2[Fe3(HBTC)(BTC)2(H2O)]·5.5H2O 3 (BTC=1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, m-BDC=1,3-benzene-dicarboxylate), have been synthesized from the solvothermal reactions of iron salts and carboxylate ligands. The framework of 1 is constructed from two kinds of secondary building units (SBUs): the sinusoidal chain of iron octahedra SBU [Fe2(COO)6] n 2 n − and paddle-wheel SBU [Fe2(COO)4(DMF)]. Compound 1 represents the first example of Fe-containing MOFs constructed from two kinds of SBUs. The framework of 2 is built from zigzag-chain SBUs [FeNa(COO)6] n 3 n − and m-BDC linkers. The framework of 3 is formed by linear tri-nuclear iron SBUs [Fe3(COO)8(H2O)]2− and triangular BTC linkers. To our knowledge, the Fe-containing sinusoidal chain SBU in 1, zigzag-chain SBU in 2 and linear tri-nuclear iron SBU in 3 are found in Fe-containing MOFs for the first time. Magnetic investigation indicates the present of antiferromagnetic exchange interaction within the iron units of compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A 2-D framework composed of a chair-like {Fe6} cluster and BTC linkers, [Fe6(BTC)2(HCOO)6(DMF)6] (1, BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate), has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The {Fe6} cluster contains six iron ions and six formate ligands, with each formate coordinating with three iron ions to construct the hexa-nuclear iron wheel. The {Fe6} wheels are further connected via BTC ligands resulting in the first example of a 2-D framework based on {Fe6} clusters and BTC linkers. A magnetic study indicates that intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions exist in the hexa-nuclear iron cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have previously reported that the repeated electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation significantly increased the concentrations of circulating estradiol and restored the depressed function of the hypothalamus–pituitary–ovary axis (HPOA) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. We hypothesize that extragonadal aromatization in specific brain areas might be responsible for these changes. Thus, various assays, including radiometric assay, Western blot, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), were employed to determine the aromatization in the hypothalamus of rats that received both OVX and electroacupuncture (OVX + EA). The results showed that EA significantly increased the aromatase activity as well as the expressions of its mRNA and protein (P &#60; 0.05) in the OVX rats. These results suggest that EA enhances brain aromatization, which might contribute to influence the function of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons and promote the hypofunction of the HPOA in the ovariectomized rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The true precocious puberty animal model induced by the single dose of danazol was used for investigating the expressions of hypothalamic aromatase in the advanced onset of puberty in rats. The day of vaginal opening and first estrus showed significant advancement in the model rats compared with the normal and vehicle rats (P < 0.01, respectively). The hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) mRNA expression increased significantly in the model rats compared with that in the normal and vehicle ones (P < 0.01). The levels of aromatase mRNA and protein expressions detected by RT-PCR and Western blot both decreased in the model rats compared with those in the normal and vehicle groups (P < 0.05). The results suggested that the hypothalamic aromatization might diminish in the onset of true precocious puberty of female rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Utilizing push-pull perfusion, we examined secretary profiles of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the nucleus paraventricularis (PVN) of freely moving intact (INT) and ovariectomized (OVX) rats, and in the meanwhile the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the release patterns of CRH were observed. The PVN was perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid between 08:00 and 12:00 h, and perfusates were collected every 10 min. The average CRH output was significantly larger in OVX rats than that in INT and INT with EA (INT+EA) groups. Interestingly enough, the CRH output showed a significant elevation in OVX with EA (OVX+EA) group during the EA procedure and further increase immediately after the EA. It is the first time to present the temporal profiles of CRH secretion in the PVN of OVX and OVX+EA rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the present study, the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at a group of specific acupoints on corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunoreactivity (ir) in the hypothalamuses of ovariectomized rats were observed. Meanwhile the blood E2 level was detected. The results showed that EA might significantly increase the blood level of E2 and GnRH cell number in the ovariectomized rats. The number of CRH neurons was higher in the group ovariectomized with EA than that in the ovariectomized and intact groups. Interestingly enough, only in the group ovariectomized with EA was observed the co-localization of CRH-ir and GnRH-ir substances in one cell of hypothalamic nucleus paraventricularis by immunofluorescent double-labeling histochemistry combining laser con-focal scanning microscope. The results suggest that CRH might be an important factor in EA normalizing the subnormal function of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The front cover image is based on the Overview Nature‐based solutions for urban pluvial flood risk management, Zhan Tian et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1421 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keratins are highly attractive natural biomaterials for medical applications due to their inherent self‐assembly characteristics and biocompatibility. In this study, the molecular mechanism of rabbit hair keratin (RHK) gelation during cryogelation is investigated and the influence of cryogelation parameters on the gelation of keratin is systematically evaluated. Re‐xidation of free cysteine thiols and formation of hydrogen bond are determined to be the main stabilizing forces in self‐assembly of RHK gel, and ionic bonds are found to affect the uniformity of keratin hydrogels. pH affects the gelation by changing the electrostatic interaction between keratin molecules. Keratin will accumulate when pH is too low, but the stability of keratin hydrogels becomes worse when the pH is too high. With successive freezing–thawing (FT) cycles, the storage modulus of RHK cryogels substantially improved from 240.66 Pa at FT cycle 3 to 2483.3 Pa at FT cycle 9. Maintaining the balance of the interactive force between keratin molecules and between keratin molecules and water molecules is the basis of preparing uniform and stable keratin hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious threat to human health worldwide. Oxaliplatin is a platinum analog and is widely used to treat CRC. However, resistance to oxaliplatin restricts its effectiveness and application while its target recognition and mechanism of action also remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to develop an oxaliplatin-resistant prognostic model to clarify these aspects. Methods: We first obtained oxaliplatin-resistant and parental cell lines, and identified oxaliplatin-resistant genes using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and differential gene analysis. We then acquired relevant data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Cox regression and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression were used to identify satisfactory resistance genes, and a prognostic model was established. Finally, small-molecule drugs targeting the high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) groups were predicted. Results: We identified 14 oxaliplatin-resistance genes in CRC. We built a model with these and used it to classify patients with CRC. Overall survival was better in the LR group than in the HR group (p < 0.001). Multivariate and univariate prognostic analyses revealed that this newly developed model had an independent prognostic value (p < 0.001). The risk score was found to be associated with the tumor microenvironment (TME) and 11 types of immune cells as per the CIBERSORT algorithm results. Finally, we screened 47 small-molecule drugs with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values that were related to the risk scores. Conclusion: Our novel prognostic model for oxaliplatin resistance can be used to stratify the risk of CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arid and semi‐arid regions are highly vulnerable to climate change and variability. Agricultural production in these regions is particularly vulnerable because of its heavy dependence on climate conditions. Therefore, it is important to improve the projections of future agro‐climatic conditions. This study investigates the changes in agroclimatic conditions for growing Chinese Medicinal Yam (CMY) in the semi‐arid North China during 2031–2050 under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 emission scenarios. It employs high‐resolution climate data provided by the regional climate model (RCM) of Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies (PRECIS‐2.0). The changes in CMY yield and producing area under future climate change are simulated by the Agro‐Ecological Zone model. The simulations are based on newly calibrated cultivar parameters. The results show that the high‐resolution RCM simulation corresponds better with the observations of precipitation and temperature than the general circulation model (GCM). Because of the increased temperature and precipitation, the agroclimatic conditions for CMY are going to improve. While the traditional yam production area will maintain suitable for CMY production, the CMY production areas will further expand northward in the future. The average yield will increase by 1,196 and 1,336 kg DM/ha under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 emission scenarios, respectively. Key Points: Improving the projections of future agro‐climatic conditions in the semi‐arid North ChinaThe high‐resolution Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies projections correspond better with the observationsThe Chinese Medicinal Yam production areas will expand northward in the future, the average yield will increase by 1196–1336 kg DM/ha in the future [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report summarizes the preliminary analysis of the PRECIS 2.0 simulation results, with an emphasis on the priority concerns of Shanghai municipal government and other local governments in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) Region, and research gaps in the literature. This study employs two regional climate models (RCMs) that are the Providing REgional Climate Impacts for Studies (PRECIS) and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), being driven by HadGEM2‐ES and IPSL‐CM5A, two global circulation models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), to investigate the impact of global warming on the characteristics of mean and extreme precipitation over Eastern China. The capacity of two RCMs and its driving GCMs in reproducing the historical climate during the baseline period (1981–2000) are first evaluated, and then the projections of mean and extreme precipitation over future warming climate period (2041–2060) under the scenarios of the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 are carried out. Our analysis shows that with the improved resolution and better representation of finer‐scale physical processes, WRF and PRECIS downscaling displays obvious advantages over their driving GCMs (IPSL and HadGEM, respectively) in the validation runs. In particular, the two RCMs are able to capture the observed features of spatial distributions of extreme precipitation indices including V95p, R95t, and SDII. The future projections indicate that increased radiative forcing from RCP4.5 to RCP8.5 emission scenarios would add further strength to the daily precipitation intensity by 2041–2060. Key Points: This report presents projections of changes in mean and extreme precipitation over Eastern China for the middle of the 21st centuryWe use two regional climate models driven by two global circulation models to reduce the modeling uncertainty [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piroplasmosis is a serious debilitating and sometimes fatal disease. Phylogenetic relationships within piroplasmida are complex and remain unclear. We compared the intron–exon structure and DNA sequences of the RPS8 gene from Babesia and Theileria spp. isolates in China. Similar to 18S rDNA, the 40S ribosomal protein S8 gene, RPS8, including both coding and non-coding regions is a useful and novel genetic marker for defining species boundaries and for inferring phylogenies because it tends to have little intra-specific variation but considerable inter-specific difference. However, more samples are needed to verify the usefulness of the RPS8 (coding and non-coding regions) gene as a marker for the phylogenetic position and detection of most Babesia and Theileria species, particularly for some closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study establishes a procedure to couple Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) and China Agroecological Zone model (AEZ-China). This procedure enables us to quantify the effects of two natural adaptation measures on soybean production in China, concern on which has been growing owing to the rapidly rising demand for soybean and the foreseen global climate change. The parameters calibration and mode verification are based on the observation records of soybean growth at 13 agro-meteorological observation stations in Northeast China and Huang-Huai-Hai Plain over 1981–2011. The calibration of eco-physiological parameters is based on the algorithms of DSSAT that simulate the dynamic bio-physiological processes of crop growth in daily time-step. The effects of shifts in planting day and changes in the length of growth cycle (LGC) are evaluated by the speedy algorithms of AEZ. Results indicate that without adaptation, climate change from the baseline 1961–1990 to the climate of 2050s as specified in the Providing Regional Climate for Impacts Studies-A1B would decrease the potential yield of soybean. By contrast, simulations of DSSAT using AEZ-recommended cultivars with adaptive LGC and also the corresponding adaptive planting dates show that the risk of yield loss could be fully or partially mitigated across majority of grid cells in the major soybean-growing areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are currently no objective biomarkers that allow the quantification of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. This study therefore explored the use of acoustic features in identifying the severity of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.Methods: We recruited 79 inpatients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (the schizophrenia group) at the Huilongguan Hospital in Beijing, China, and 79 healthy controls from the surrounding community (the control group). We assessed the clinical symptoms of the patients with schizophrenia using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) and recorded the voice of each participant as they read emotionally positive, neutral, and negative texts. The Praat software was used to analyse and extract acoustic characteristics from the recordings, such as jitter, shimmer, and pitch. The acoustic differences between the two groups of participants and the relationship between acoustic characteristics and clinical symptoms in the patient group were analysed.Results: There were significant differences between the schizophrenia and control groups in pitch, voice breaks, jitter, shimmer, and the mean harmonics-to-noise ratio (p < 0.05). Jitter was negatively correlated with the blunted affect and alogia subscale scores of the BNSS, both in the positive and neutral emotion conditions, but the correlation disappeared in the negative emotion condition. However, shimmer exhibited a stable negative correlation with the blunted affect and alogia subscale scores of the BNSS in all three emotion conditions. A linear regression analysis showed that pitch, jitter, shimmer, and age were statistically significant predictors of BNSS subscale scores.Conclusions: Acoustic emotional expression differs between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Some acoustic characteristics are related to the severity of negative symptoms, regardless of semantic emotions, and may therefore be objective biomarkers of negative symptoms. A systematic method for assessing vocal acoustic characteristics could provide an accurate and feasible means of assessing negative symptoms in schizophrenia.Tweet: Acoustic emotional expression differs between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. A systematic method for assessing vocal acoustics could provide an accurate and feasible means of assessing negative symptoms in schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realistic representation of rainfall characteristics on local scales by state-of-the-art climate models remains a key challenge, especially on sub-daily timescales. In this study, the convection-permitting Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model configured with 1.5 km grid spacing is used to simulate precipitation on sub-daily timescales over the Yangtze River Delta Region of China for continuous 10 years (2005–2014). The simulations are compared with rain gauge observations, reanalysis data, and the simulations of a lower resolution WRF with 9 km grid spacing that has a parameterization of convection. The results show that precipitation over the region can be well captured by using the convection-permitting model (CPM). Furthermore, the intensity, duration and coverage of these precipitation events can be more accurately described by the CPM. On the convection timescales of 1–4 h, especially for heavy rainfall events, the CPM is more accurate than the convection-parameterized model in capturing the short-duration events, which may be due to its better account of physical processes related to the convection on the convection-permitting scale. In addition, the extreme events which are more localized and with short-duration can be represented better by the CPM while the convection-parameterized model tends to produce widespread precipitation events covering more grid cells than observations Biases of the simulation by the 9-km mesh convection-parameterized mode appear to be related to the deficiencies in the representation of convections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We designed and developed the probe W-3 for selectively detecting Cu2+. • The combination of test strips and a smartphone facilitates on-site testing of Cu2+. • The W-3 can be used for the detection of Cu2+ in cells and mice. We designed and developed the probe W-3 for detection of Cu2+. The results showed probe can selectively detect Cu2+, accompanied by noticeable color change. The probe can detect the Cu2+ in water samples and drinks based on absorption detection. In addition, the combination of portable test paper and the smartphone platform obtained great convenience for on-site and visual detection of Cu2+, with satisfactory sensitivity and reliability. More importantly, the fluorescence probe W-3 can be used for the detection of Cu2+ in cells and mice. Therefore, the W-3 provided potential chemical tools for detecting Cu2+ in vitro and vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and accurate streamflow predictions are important for urban water management. Data-driven models, especially neural network (NN) models can predict streamflow fast, while the results are uncertain in some complex river systems. Physically based models can reveal the underlying physics, but it is relatively slow and computationally costly. This work focuses on evaluating the reliability of three NN models (artificial neural networks (ANN), long short-term memory networks (LSTM), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)) and one physically based model (SOBEK) in terms of efficiency and accuracy for average and peak streamflow simulation. All the models are applied for a tidal river and a mountainous river in Shenzhen. The results show that, the ANN model calculates fastest since the hidden layer's structure is simple. The LSTM model is reliable in average streamflow simulation in tidal river with the lowest bias while the ANFIS model has the best accuracy for peak streamflow simulation. Furthermore, the SOBEK model shows reliability in simulating average and peak streamflow in mountainous river due to its ability to capture uneven spatial rainfall in the area. Overall, the results indicate that the LSTM model can be a helpful supplementary to physically based models in streamflow simulation of complex urban river systems, by giving fast streamflow predictions with usually acceptable accuracy. Our results can provide helpful information for hydrological engineers in the application of flooding early warning and emergency preparedness in the context of flooding risk management. • Accurate and efficient streamflow simulations are important for urban flooding management. • Neural network models have better performance than physically based models in terms of urban flooding prediction time. • The LSTM model has the best performance in tidal river basin. • The SOBEK model performs better than neural network models in mountainous river basin. • The ANFIS model is a better choice for quick flood events prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been shown that the proportion of intense tropical cyclones (TCs) has been increasing together with a poleward migration of TC track. However, their relative importance to TC surge at landfall remains unknown. Here we examine the sensitivity of TC surge in Shanghai to landfall location and intensity with a new dynamical modelling framework. We find a surge sensitivity of 0.8 m (°N)−1 to landfall location, and 0.1 m (m s−1)−1 to wind speed in Shanghai during landfall. The landfall location and intensity are comparably important to surge variation. However, based on a plausible range of reported trends of TC poleward migration and intensity, the potential surge hazard due to poleward migration is estimated to be about three times larger than that by intensity change. The long‐term surge risk in Shanghai is therefore substantially more sensitive to changes of TC track and landfall location than intensity. This may also be true elsewhere and in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A fowlpox virus expressing the chicken infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) S1 gene of the LX4 strain (rFPV-IBVS1) and a fowlpox virus co-expressing the S1 gene and the chicken type II interferon gene (rFPV-IBVS1-ChIFNγ) were constructed. These viruses were assessed for their immunological efficacy on specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens challenged with a virulent IBV. Although the antibody levels in the rFPV-IBVS1-ChIFNγ-vaccinated group were lower than those in the attenuated live IB vaccine H120 group and the rFPV-IBVS1 group, the rFPV-IBVS1-ChIFNγ provided the strongest protection against an IBV LX4 virus challenge (15 out of 16 chickens immunized with rFPV-IBVS1-ChIFNγ were protected), followed by the attenuated live IB vaccine (13/16 protected) and the rFPV-IBVS1 (12/16 protected). Compared to those of the rFPV-IBVS1 and the attenuated live IB vaccine groups, chickens in the rFPV-IBVS1-ChIFNγ group eliminated virus more quickly and decreased the presence of viral antigen more significantly in renal tissue. Examination of affected tissues revealed abnormalities in the liver, spleen, kidney, lung and trachea of chickens vaccinated with the attenuated live IB vaccine and the rFPV-IBVS1 vaccine. In rFPV-IBVS1-ChIFNγ-vaccinated chickens, pathological changes were also observed in those organs, but were milder and lasted shorter. The lesions in the mock control group were the most severe and lasted for at least 20 days. This study demonstrated that chicken type II interferon increased the immunoprotective efficacy of rFPV-IBVS1-ChIFNγ and normal weight gain in vaccinated chickens although it inhibited serum antibody production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Frequent floods and droughts have brought serious impact on economy, society and living environment in East China. Based on the disaster census data of rainstorm-induced flood (including landslide and mud-rock flow) and drought disasters in 637 counties (districts) in East China, the distribution and change of flood and drought disasters were analyzed. The results indicate that the number of records of flood disaster increased at a rate of 77.4 times per decade from 1984 to 2010, while that of drought disaster had no significant trend in East China as a whole. Population affected by floods and droughts increased at rates of 8.7 million and 3.8 million persons per decade, respectively, and the direct economic losses increased at rates of 12.6 billion and 1.9 billion Chinese Yuan per decade respectively, whereas the affected area and the total failure area of crops caused by floods and droughts showed no clear trends. Spatially, the number of records of floods in the southern parts of East China was higher than that in the northern parts, and Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Fujian had more records of affected population, deaths, affected crops, total crop failures and direct economic losses, as well as more affected population and deaths. The affected crop area and total crop failure area by floods were also larger in Anhui, Jiangxi and Jiangsu. Drought disaster had higher number of records of affected population, affected crops, total crop failures and direct economic losses in Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Shandong, and also affected more people and larger area of crops, leading to larger area of total crop failures and higher direct economic losses in Anhui, Jiangxi and Shandong. The results can provide reference for disaster risk regionalization and environmental risk assessment in East China. • The impacts and losses of flood and drought disasters were analyzed at the county (district) scale. • Flood disaster was one of the most frequent and severe meteorological disasters in East China. • The number of records of flood disaster was higher in the southern parts of East China. • People affected by floods and droughts increased, while the deaths caused by floods decreased [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Northeast Farming Region (NFR) of China is a critically important area of maize cultivation accounting for ~30% of national production. It is predominantly rain fed, meaning that adverse climate conditions such as drought can significantly affect productivity. Forewarning of such events, to improve contingency planning, could therefore be highly beneficial to the agricultural sector. For this, an improved estimate of drought exposure, and the associated large-scale circulation patterns, is of critical importance. We address these important questions by employing a large ensemble of initialized climate model simulations. These simulations provide 80 times as many summers as the equivalent observational dataset and highlight several limitations of the recent observational record. For example, the chance of a drought greater in area than any current observed event is approximately 5% per year, suggesting the risk of a major drought is significantly underestimated if based solely on recent events. The combination of a weakened East Asian jet stream and intensified subpolar jet are found to be associated with severe NFR drought through enhanced upper-level convergence and anomalous descent, reducing moisture and suppressing precipitation. We identify a strong 500-hPa geopotential height anomaly dipole pattern as a useful metric to identify this mechanism for relevance to seasonal predictability. This work can inform policy planning and decision-making through an improved understanding of the near-term climate exposure and form the basis of new climate services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsustainable overexploitation of groundwater for agricultural irrigation has led to rapid groundwater depletion and severe environmental damage in the semi-arid Hebei Plain of China. Field experiments have recommended annual winter fallowing (i.e., forgoing winter wheat production) as the most effective way to replenish groundwater. However, adopting the recommendation across the Hebei Plain would lead to a significant reduction in total wheat production. This research aims to find the most favorable water-sustainable cropping systems for different localities in the Hebei Plain, which at the regional aggregation level maintains the uppermost overall levels of wheat and grain production respectively. Our simulations indicate that in the Hebei Plain, an optimal allocation of a wheat-early maize relay intercropping system and an early maize-winter fallow cropping system across the Hebei Plain could lead to significant water savings while minimizing grain production losses to around 11%. Compared to the prevailing wheat and summer maize cropping system , to prevent a drop in the water table, 39% of the current wheat cropping land would need to be fallowed in winter, reducing irrigation water use by 2639 × 106 m3. Replacing the prevailing wheat and summer maize cropping system with our optimized allocation system could lead to a 36% increase in total maize production and 39% decrease in total wheat production, resulting in total agricultural irrigation water savings of 2322 × 106 m3 and a total grain production reduction by 11%. The findings indicate the potential benefits of our cropping system adaptation method to meet the challenge of recovering local groundwater level with the least possible reduction of wheat and total grain production in the Hebei Plain. • The current practice of overexploiting groundwater in the Hebei Plan is unsustainable • We search for the desired water-sustainable cropping systems across localities in the Plain • Minimizing the reduction of wheat production and recovering water table • The crop allocation procedure and findings enrich the literature and inform policy makers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Consecutive climatic extremes have more intense impacts on natural ecosystems and human activities than occasional events. There were many studies about the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events, but few focused on the consecutiveness or continuousness of climatic extremes. We analyzed the temporal and spatial distributions and tendencies in the consecutive temperature and precipitation extremes in China during 1961–2015. Methods Daily temperature and precipitation data at 1867 meteorological stations over China was used and four consecutive indices of climate extremes, i.e. cold spell duration indicator (CSDI), warm spell duration indicator (WSDI), consecutive dry days (CDD) and consecutive wet days (CWD), were calculated by RClimDex 1.0. Linear trends in the time series of consecutive days of temperature and precipitation extremes were examined and their statistical significance was evaluated using Mann–Kendall test. Results and discussion There were obvious differences in the spatial distributions of consecutive days of climate extremes in China. During 1961–2015, CSDI and CWD decreased significantly at rates of 0.9 and 0.1 days per decade respectively, while WSDI increased significantly at rate of 0.8 days per decade in China. Spatially, CSDI decreased at rates of 0–3.0 days per decade in almost all parts of China, and WSDI increased at rates of 0–2.0 days per decade in most parts of China. The spatial trends of CDD and CWD were significant only in several regions of China. CSDI and WSDI had higher percent changes than those of CDD and CWD. Changes in the CSDI and WSDI were associated with large-scale oceanic and atmospheric circulation oscillations, such as Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). With global warming, there will be fewer cold extremes, more frequent hot extremes and precipitation extremes. Conclusions Given the increases in the frequency and intensity of some consecutive climatic extremes and an increasing physical exposure and socio-economic vulnerability to such extremes in China, more strategies and capacities of mitigation and adaptation to consecutive climatic extremes are essential for the local government and climate-sensitive sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insufficient precipitation and continuous over-exploitation of groundwater for agricultural irrigation led to rapid drop of groundwater table in a large part of the North China Plain (NCP), the bread basket of China. It has become widely acknowledged that current practice of winter wheat-summer maize sequential cropping system (WM-S) in the NCP will have to come to an end as soon as possible. Great research efforts have been made at the local level via both field experiments and model simulations to construct groundwater neutral cropping systems but virtually all such constructs show a substantial penalty on total output per unit of land per year. In this research, we propose a strategy to meet the double challenge of maintaining regional grain production level and recovering local groundwater table: 1) Widely adopt winter fallow and early-sowing summer maize monocropping (E-M) in water scarce part of the region to enable groundwater recovery; 2) replace WM-S by wheat-maize relay intercropping system (WM-R) in the water richer part of the NCP to increase grain production so as to compensate yield losses in the water scarce part of the region. Our simulations using DSSAT 4.6 at the site level show that both yield and water productivity of E-M are 33.7% and 41.8% higher than those of existing summer maize, with less than 20% of increase in water requirement. In comparison with spring maize, E-M requires 62.4% less irrigation water, with a yield penalty of only 4.52%. At the regional scale, the simulations targeting at maximizing groundwater saving in water scarce area subject to maintaining the current level of regional total output indicate that about 20.45% of the wheat planting area can be put on fallow in winter, most of which is located in the driest regions of the NCP. This can result in a large amount of groundwater saving at 5.62 × 10 9 m 3 and a substitution of wheat by maize at 24.3% of the total wheat output. These findings provide new rooms for the relevant policy makers and stakeholders to address the urgent groundwater recovering issues in the northern NCP without compromising the level of food grain production of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A challenging but critical question is that new foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines should be to induce B cell memory to provide antibodies for long-term protection. The maintenance of B cell memory is dependent on long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) and memory B cells. We developed a chimeric FMDV virus-like particles (FMDV-VLPs), fusing VP1-VP4 into HBcAg. In our study, we investigated if or how long B cell memory was induced by FMDV-VLPs in mice. The data showed that FMDV-VLPs can induce memory humoral responses with a high level of total IgG1, IgG2a, IgA, and FMDV-specific IgG antibodies in serum. The persistence of antibody levels in serum could depend on LLPCs. The proportion of LLPCs in CD19+ cells in bone marrow exhibited a dynamic trend with two peaks at 28 days post-immunization (dpi) and 72 dpi, respectively. Additionally, the proportion of memory B cells in CD19+ cells in the spleen increased significantly both at 7 days post primary immunization and at 7 days post -boost immunization. Of note, LLPCs together with memory B cells contribute to the production of FMDV-specific IgG and IgG1. The changes of LLPCs and memory B cells may be related to TNF-α, IL-6 and, CXCL12. Taken together, FMDV-VLPs could induce B cells memory responses. A further understanding of the mechanisms that FMDV-VLPs how we can manipulate the induction and maintenance of memory B cells and LLPCs will promote vaccine design and likely address several challenges to develop FMDV new vaccines in the future. • FMDV-VLPs can induce memory humoral responses. • LLPCs and memory B cells contribute to IgG1 and FMDV-specific IgG production. • TNF-α, IL-6 and, CXCL12 influence the ratio of LLPCs and memory B cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is a chronic disease with a high prevalence, and is associated with a high risk of vascular disease and premature death. Traditional Chinese medicine has been administered to treat hypertension for many years. In the present study, the effects of Yiqi Huaju formula (YQ; a compound used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine) were observed in salt-sensitive hypertension, which was induced by a high-salt and high-fat (HSF) diet and the potential mechanism was investigated. YQ was prepared from five plant extracts and was dissolved in normal sodium chloride prior to use. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, and fed either a normal diet (control), an HSF diet or an HSF diet with YQ. At week eight, blood pressure was measured and 24-h urine samples were collected from all of the rats. The rats were subsequently sacrificed, and their blood was collected for biochemical analyses and kidney tissue samples were dissected for the immunohistochemical assay. YQ was observed to decrease the high arterial pressure and serum total cholesterol level, which had been induced by the HSF diet. It also enhanced the excretion of urinary angiotensinogen, Na+, and decreased the loss of urinary aldosterone, K+ and microalbuminuria. In addition, YQ inhibited the high mRNA expression level of renal renin, angiotensin II (Ang II), and Ang II receptor, type 1 (AT1R), and inhibited the protein expression of renal AT1R and Ang II receptor type 2, which had been induced by the HSF diet. These results indicate that YQ may reduce the arterial pressure in salt-sensitive hypertension via the inhibition of renin-angiotensin system activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate spreading dynamics on complex networks with active nodes based on SIR (Susceptible–Infected–Removed) model. Different from previous studies, each node of the network rotates between active state and inactive state according to certain probabilities. An active susceptible node can be infected by all its infected neighbors, while an inactive susceptible node can only be infected by its active infected neighbors. By means of ​mean-field approach and numerical simulations, we explore the critical phenomenon by the combined effects of activity rate and infection rate on spreading dynamics. We show that the critical threshold of infection rate is increased by node activity, and node activity also shows a critical phenomenon given certain infection rate. On the whole, there exists a critical curve consists of pairs of critical activity rate and infection rate. We also analyze theoretically the impact of activity rate and infection rate on the final size of spreading dynamics, which is verified by numerical simulations. This work complements our understanding of spreading dynamics with active nodes and may be used to develop more feasible and more economical methods to control spreading dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1980s, the industrialization and urbanization of the Beijing area has entered a period of high-speed growth. This paper asks the question: How have such great changes in urban land-use over the past decades impacted urban precipitation? In this study, we investigate and analyze the effects of urbanization on the summer precipitation in Beijing using numerical modeling approaches. Applying the numerical mesoscale atmospheric model METRAS, we determine the impact of surface cover on 13 heavy precipitation events. We implement five idealized land-use scenarios: Reference scenario, No-urban scenario, High-building scenario, Urban-expand scenario, and No-vegetation scenario. There is nearly no difference in the mean precipitation sum across all 13 simulated rain events and between the urban-scenarios and the rural-scenario. We find effects of urbanization on precipitation only in some single cases. We conclude urbanization does effect the local precipitation of Beijing; it reduces rainfall in the urban area and increases rainfall downwind of the city. In some cases, larger percentage of sealed area could give rise to the heavier precipitation or extreme rain events. And we conclude the urban pattern significantly impacts rainfall area and intensity. Increased urban size or density may speed up rain clouds while increased urban height may disrupt or bifurcate the clouds. Our results offer a new viewpoint and further the study of urban impacts on precipitation (UIP). The results are important for sustainable and harmonious development of the economy, society, and environment in Beijing as well as other cities with rapid urbanization. • The effects of urbanization on the precipitation can only be found in single cases. • Less rainfall in the urban area and more rainfall downwind of the urban area. • Extreme precipitation events could be more common in response to the urban expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Machine learning (ML) models can determine the rainfall flooding threshold as a line. projected in a plane spanned by two principal components, thereby providing a binary result (flood or no flood). • Compared to the conventional critical rainfall curve, the proposed models, especially the subspace discriminant analysis, greatly raise the accuracy (ACC) to 96.5% and lowering the false alert rate to 25%. • Rainfall threshold based flood prediction can be executed rapidly and simply, this method allows decision makers time for a high-level assessment of flood risk, providing valuable lead time for citizens in the flood-prone areas to be warned. Urban pluvial flooding is a threatening natural hazard in urban areas all over the world, especially in recent years given its increasing frequency of occurrence. In order to prevent flood occurrence and mitigate the subsequent aftermath, urban water managers aim to predict precipitation characteristics, including peak intensity, arrival time and duration, so that they can further warn inhabitants in risky areas and take emergency actions when forecasting a pluvial flood. Previous studies that dealt with the prediction of urban pluvial flooding are mainly based on hydrological or hydraulic models, requiring a large volume of data for simulation accuracy. These methods are computationally expensive. Using a rainfall threshold to predict flooding based on a data-driven approach can decrease the computational complexity to a great extent. In order to prepare cities for frequent pluvial flood events – especially in the future climate – this paper uses a rainfall threshold for classifying flood vs. non-flood events, based on machine learning (ML) approaches, applied to a case study of Shenzhen city in China. In doing so, ML models can determine several rainfall threshold lines projected in a plane spanned by two principal components, which provides a binary result (flood or no flood). Compared to the conventional critical rainfall curve, the proposed models, especially the subspace discriminant analysis, can classify flooding and non-flooding by different combinations of multiple-resolution rainfall intensities, greatly raising the accuracy to 96.5% and lowering the false alert rate to 25%. Compared to the conventional model, the critical indices of accuracy and true positive rate (TPR) were 5%-15% higher in ML models. Such models are applicable to other urban catchments as well. The results are expected to be used to assist early warning systems and provide rational information for contingency and emergency planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]