Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Rainfall over Different Terrain Features in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Basin during the Warm Seasons of 2016–20

Based on hourly rain gauge data during May–September of 2016–20,we analyze the spatiotemporal distributions of total rainfall(TR)and short-duration heavy rainfall(SDHR;hourly rainfall≥20 mm)and their diurnal variations over the middle reaches of the Yangtze River basin.For all three types of terrain(i.e.,mountain,foothill,and plain),the amount of TR and SDHR both maximize in June/July,and the contribution of SDHR to TR(CST)peaks in August(amount:23%;frequency:1.74%).Foothill rainfall is characterized by a high TR amount and a high CST(in amount);mountain rainfall is characterized by a high TR frequency but a small CST(in amount);and plain rainfall shows a low TR amount and frequency,but a high CST(in amount).Overall,stations with high TR(amount and frequency)are mainly located over the mountains and in the foothills,while those with high SDHR(amount and frequency)are mainly concentrated in the foothills and plains close to mountainous areas.For all three types of terrain,the diurnal variations of both TR and SDHR exhibit a double peak(weak early morning and strong late afternoon)and a phase shift from the early-morning peak to the late-afternoon peak from May to August.Around the late-afternoon peak,the amount of TR and SDHR in the foothills is larger than over the mountains and plains.The TR intensity in the foothills increases significantly from midnight to afternoon,suggesting that thermal instability may play an important role in this process.

基于高分辨率再分析风场的高原涡三维识别技术及应用

高原涡(TPV)是生成于青藏高原主体的一类浅薄中尺度涡旋系统,其发生频繁、影响范围广、造成灾害强,是我国最重要的致灾中尺度系统之一。全面揭示高原涡的统计特征是本领域研究的重要基础。其中,高原涡的精准识别是认识其统计特征的关键。随着高时空分辨率再分析资料的出现,高原涡的研究有了更好的数据基础,然而,无论是人工识别方法还是基于较粗分辨率的客观识别算法都难以高效地适用于当前的新再分析资料。因此,亟需发展一种高精度的、适用于高时空分辨率再分析资料的高原涡客观识别方法。本文提出了一种适用于高分辨率再分析资料、基于风场的限制涡度高原涡客观识别算法(Restricted-vorticity based Tibetan-Plateau-vortex Identifying Algorithm,简称RTIA)。该方法首先判断高原涡候选点,然后以候选点为中心,划分多个象限,通过象限平均风场限定条件和象限组逆时针旋转(北半球)条件确定高原涡中心,无需复杂计算及对各气压层分别设定阈值,即可快速实现高原涡的水平和垂直追踪。基于1979~2020年共42个暖季(5~9月)、15466个高原涡(共计99090时次)大样本的评估表明,RTIA方法识别高原涡的平均命中率超过95%,平均空报率低于9%,平均漏报率少于5%,可以十分准确地对高原涡进行识别。此外,评估还表明RTIA方法应用于不同空间分辨率的再分析资料(如0.5°或0.25°)时,仍能保持高原涡识别的高准确率,其识别结果主要受涡旋自身强度的影响,对弱涡旋的识别精度比强涡旋偏低。该方法对其他中尺度涡旋识别也具有一定的借鉴意义。

Electroacupuncture reduces injury to the blood-brain barrier following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

This study used electroacupuncture at Renzhong （DU26） and Baihui （DU20） in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Neurological deficit scores, western blotting, and reverse transcription-PCR results demonstrated that electroacupuncture markedly reduced neurological deficits, decreased corpus striatum aquaporin-4 protein and mRNA expression, and relieved damage to the blood-brain barrier in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. These results suggest that electroacupuncture most likely protects the blood-brain barrier by regulating aquaporin-4 expression following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Organizational Modes of Severe Wind-producing Convective Systems over North China

Severe weather reports and composite radar reflectivity data from 2010-14 over North China were used to analyze the distribution of severe convective wind（SCW） events and their organizational modes of radar reflectivity. The six organizational modes for SCW events（and their proportions） were cluster cells（35.4%）, squall lines（18.4%）, nonlinear-shaped systems（17.8%）, broken lines（11.6%）, individual cells（1.2%）, and bow echoes（0.5%）. The peak month for both squall lines and broken lines was June, whereas it was July for the other four modes. The highest numbers of SCW events were over the mountains, which were generally associated with disorganized systems of cluster cells. In contrast, SCW associated with linear systems occurred mainly over the plains, where stations recorded an average of less than one SCW event per year. Regions with a high frequency of SCW associated with nonlinear-shaped systems also experienced many SCW events associated with squall lines. Values of convective available potential energy, precipitable water, 0-3-km shear, and 0-6-km shear, were demonstrably larger over the plains than over the mountains, which had an evident effect on the organizational modes of SCW events. Therefore, topography may be an important factor in the organizational modes for SCW events over North China.

Typical Circulation Patterns and Associated Mechanisms for Persistent Heavy Rainfall Events over Yangtze–Huaihe River Valley during 1981–2020

Persistent heavy rainfall events(PHREs)over the Yangtze–Huaihe River Valley(YHRV)during 1981–2020 are classified into three types(type-A,type-B and type-C)according to pattern correlation.The characteristics of the synoptic systems for the PHREs and their possible development mechanisms are investigated.The anomalous cyclonic disturbance over the southern part of the YHRV during type-A events is primarily maintained and intensified by the propagation of Rossby wave energy originating from the northeast Atlantic in the mid–upper troposphere and the northward propagation of Rossby wave packets from the western Pacific in the mid–lower troposphere.The zonal propagation of Rossby wave packets and the northward propagation of Rossby wave packets during type-B events are more coherent than those for type-A events,which induces eastward propagation of stronger anomaly centers of geopotential height from the northeast Atlantic Ocean to the YHRV and a meridional anomaly in geopotential height over the Asian continent.Type-C events have“two ridges and one trough”in the high latitudes of the Eurasian continent,but the anomalous intensity of the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH)and the trough of the YHRV region are weaker than those for type-A and type-B events.The composite synoptic circulation of four PHREs in 2020 is basically consistent with that of the corresponding PHRE type.The location of the South Asian high(SAH)in three of the PHREs in 2020 moves eastward as in the composite of the three types,but the position of the WPSH of the four PHREs is clearly westward and northward.Two water vapor conveyor belts and two cold air conveyor belts are tracked during the four PHREs in 2020,but the water vapor path from the western Pacific is not seen,which may be caused by the westward extension of the WPSH.

Main Energy Paths and Energy Cascade Processes of the Two Types of Persistent Heavy Rainfall Events over the Yangtze River–Huaihe River Basin

Two types of persistent heavy rainfall events （PHREs） over the Yangtze River-Huaihe River Basin were determined in a recent statistical study： type A, whose precipitation is mainly located to the south of the Yangtze River; and type B, whose precipitation is mainly located to the north of the river. The present study investigated these two PHRE types using a newly derived set of energy equations to show the scale interaction and main energy paths contributing to the persistence of the precipitation. The main results were as follows. The available potential energy （APE） and kinetic energy （KE） associated with both PHRE types generally increased upward in the troposphere, with the energy of the type-A PHREs stronger than that of the type-B PHREs （except for in the middle troposphere）. There were two main common and universal energy paths of the two PHRE types： （1） the baroclinic energy conversion from APE to KE was the dominant energy source for the evolution of large-scale background circulations; and （2） the downscaled energy cascade processes of KE and APE were vital for sustaining the eddy flow, which directly caused the PHREs. The significant differences between the two PHRE types mainly appeared in the lower troposphere, where the baroclinic energy conversion associated with the eddy flow in type-A PHREs was from KE to APE, which reduced the intensity of the precipitation-related eddy flow; whereas, the conversion in type-B PHREs was from APE to KE, which enhanced the eddy flow.

Comparison of two types of persistent heavy rainfall events during sixteen warm seasons in the Sichuan Basin

Based on hourly precipitation from national surface stations,persistent heavy rainfall events(PHREs)over the Sichuan Basin(SCB)are explored during the warm season(May to September)from 2000 to 2015 to compare synoptic circulations and maintenance mechanisms between different PHRE types.There are two main types of PHREs:one is characterized by a rain belt west of 106°E over the SCB(WSB-PHREs),and the other features a rain belt east of 106°E over the SCB(ESB-PHREs).In total,there are 18 ESB-PHREs and 10 WSB-PHREs during the study period.Overall,the rain belts of WSB-PHREs are along the terrain distribution east of the Tibetan Plateau,while the precipitation intensity of ESB-PHREs is stronger.For the two types of PHREs,the shortwave trough over the SCB and the western Pacific subtropical high act as their favorable background environments,particularly for ESB-PHREs.The water vapor of WSB-PHREs is mainly transported from the South China Sea,whereas for ESB-PHREs the South China Sea and Bay of Bengal are their main moisture sources.The composite vorticity budgets of southwest vortices during their mature stage indicate that the convergence effect is a dominant factor for maintaining the two types of PHREs,and the strong vertical vorticity advection is also favorable,but the relative contribution of vertical advection is larger for WSB-PHREs.

Energy Paths that Sustain the Warm-Sector Torrential Rainfall over South China and Their Contrasts to the Frontal Rainfall: A Case Study

Predicting warm-sector torrential rainfall over South China,which is famous for its destructive power,is one of the most challenging issues of the current numerical forecast field.Insufficient understanding of the key mechanisms underlying this type of event is the root cause.Since understanding the energetics is crucial to understanding the evolutions of various types of weather systems,a general methodology for investigating energetics of torrential rainfall is provided in this study.By applying this methodology to a persistent torrential rainfall event which had concurrent frontal and warm-sector precipitation,the first physical image on the energetics of the warm-sector torrential rainfall is established.This clarifies the energy sources for producing the warm-sector rainfall during this event.For the first time,fundamental similarities and differences between the warm-sector and frontal torrential rainfall are shown in terms of energetics.It is found that these two types of rainfall mainly differed from each other in the lower-tropospheric dynamical features,and their key differences lay in energy sources.Scale interactions(mainly through downscale energy cascade and transport)were a dominant factor for the warm-sector torrential rainfall during this event,whereas,for the frontal torrential rainfall,they were only of secondary importance.Three typical signals in the background environment are found to have supplied energy to the warm-sector torrential rainfall,with the quasi-biweekly oscillation having contributed the most.

On the Variation of Divergent Flow： An Eddy-flux Form Equation Based on the Quasi-geostrophic Balance and Its Application

Based on basic equations in isobaric coordinates and the quasi-geostrophic balance,an eddy-flux form budget equation of the divergent wind has been derived. This newly derived budget equation has evident physical significance. It can show the intensity of a weather system,the variation of its flow pattern,and the feedback effects from smaller-scale systems(eddy flows). The usefulness of this new budget equation is examined by calculating budgets for the strong divergent-wind centers associated with the South Asian high,and the strong divergence centers over the Tibetan Plateau,during summer(June–August) 2010. The results indicate that the South Asian high significantly interacts with eddy flows. Compared with effects from the mean flow(background circulation),the eddy flows’ feedback influences are of greater importance in determining the flow pattern of the South Asian high. Although the positive divergence centers over the Tibetan Plateau intensify through different mechanisms,certain similarities are also obvious. First,the effects from mean flow are dominant in the rapid intensification process of the positive divergence center. Second,an intense offsetting mechanism exists between the effects associated with the eddy flows’ horizontal component and the effects related to the eddy flows’ convection activities,which weakens the total effects of the eddy flows significantly. Finally,compared with the effects associated with the convection activities of the mean flow,the accumulated effects of the eddy flows’ convection activities may be more favorable for the enhancement of the positive-divergence centers.

Initiation and Evolution of Long-Lived Eastward-Propagating Mesoscale Convective Systems over the Second-Step Terrain along Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley

Based on the previous statistical analysis of mesoscale convective systems(MCSs)over the second-step terrain along Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley,eight representative long-lived eastward-propagating MCSs are selected for model-based sensitivity testing to investigate the initiation and evolution of these types of MCSs as well as their impact on downstream areas.We subject each MCS to a semi-idealized(CNTL)simulation and a sensitivity(NOLH)simulation that neglects condensational heating in the formation region.The CNTL experiment reveals convection forms in the region downstream of a shortwave trough typified by persistent southwesterly winds in the low-to midtroposphere.Upon merging with other convective systems,moist convection develops into an MCS,which propagates eastward under the influence of mid-tropospheric westerlies,and moves out of the second-step terrain.The MCS then merges with pre-existing local convection over the plains;the merged convection reinforces the cyclonic wind perturbation into a mesoscale vortex at 850 hPa.While this vortex moves eastward to regions with local vortex at 850 hPa,another vortex at 925 hPa is also intensified.Finally,the vortices at 850 and 925 hPa merge together and develop into a mesoscale convective vortex(MCV).In contrast,MCSs fail to form and move eastward in the NOLH experiment.In the absence of eastward-propagating MCSs,moist convection and mesoscale vortices still appear in the plains,but the vortex strength and precipitation intensity are significantly weakened.It is suggested the eastward-propagating MCSs over the second-step terrain significantly impact the development and enhancement of moist convection and vortices in the downstream areas.

Bone morphogenetic protein-7 induced bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into neuron-like cells

Bone morphogenetic protein-7 is widely accepted as an inducer for bone marrow stem cells differentiating into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Whether bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into neuron-like cells remains unclear. The current study examined the presence of positive cells for intermediate filament protein and microtubule associated protein-2 in the cytoplasm of bone marrow stromal cells induced by bone morphogenetic protein-7 under an inverted microscope, while no expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein was found. Reverse transcription PCR electrophoresis also revealed a positive target band for intermediate filament protein and microtubule-associated protein 2 mRNA. These results confirmed that bone morphogenetic protein-7 induces rat bone marrow stromal cells differentiating into neuron-like cells.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for quantification of MMAE-conjugated ADCs and total antibodies in cynomolgus monkey sera

Antibody-drug conjugates(ADCs)are commonly heterogeneous and require extensive assessment of exposure-efficacy and exposure-safety relationships in preclinical and clinical studies.In this study,we report the generation of a monoclonal antibody against monomethyl auristatin E(MMAE)and the development,validation,and application of sensitive and high-throughput enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA)to measure the concentrations of MMAE-conjugated ADCs and total antibodies(tAb,antibodies in ADC plus unconjugated antibodies)in cynomolgus monkey sera.These assays were successfully applied to in vitro plasma stability and pharmacokinetic(PK)studies of SMADC001,an MMAE-conjugated ADC against trophoblast cell surface antigen 2(TROP-2).The plasma stability of SMADC001 was better than that of similar ADCs coupled with PEG4-Val-Cit,Lys(m-dPEG24)-Cit,and Val-Cit linkers.The developed ELISA methods for the calibration standards of ADC and tAb revealed a correlation between serum concentrations and the OD450 values,with R2 at 1.000,and the dynamic range was 0.3-35.0 ng/mL and 0.2-22.0 ng/mL,respectively;the intra-and inter-assay accuracy bias%ranged from -12.2% to -5.2%,precision ranged from -12.4% to -1.4%,and the relative standard deviation(RSD)was less than 6.6% and 8.7%,respectively.The total error was less than 20.4%.The development and validation steps of these two assays met the acceptance criteria for all addressed validation parameters,which suggested that these can be applied to quantify MMAE-conjugated ADCs,as well as in PK studies.Furthermore,these assays can be easily adopted for development of other similar immunoassays.

A Review of Research on Warm-Sector Heavy Rainfall in China

Warm-sector heavy rainfall (WSHR) events in China have been investigated for many years. Studies have investigated the synoptic weather conditions during WSHR formation, the categories and general features, the triggering mechanism, and structural features of mesoscale convective systems during these rainfall events. The main results of WSHR studies in recent years are summarized in this paper. However, WSHR caused by micro- to mesoscale systems often occurs abruptly and locally, making both numerical model predictions and objective forecasts difficult. Further research is needed in three areas:(1) The mechanisms controlling WSHR events need to be understood to clarify the specific effects of various factors and indicate the influences of these factors under different synoptic background circulations. This would enable an understanding of the mechanisms of formation, maintenance, and organization of the convections in WSHR events.(2) In addition to South China, WSHR events also occur during the concentrated summer precipitation in the Yangtze River-Huaihe River Valley and North China. A high spatial and temporal resolution dataset should be used to analyze the distribution and environmental conditions, and to further compare the differences and similarities of the triggering and maintenance mechanisms of WSHR events in different regions.(3) More studies of the mechanisms are required, as well as improvements to the model initial conditions and physical processes based on multi-source observations, especially the description of the triggering process and the microphysical parameterization. This will improve the numerical prediction of WSHR events.

Preface to the Special Issue on Summer 2020:Record Rainfall in Asia—Mechanisms,Predictability and Impacts

Throughout vast areas of Asia,the summer of 2020 was extraordinarily wet.After an exceptionally wet May in Northeast India and Bangladesh,excessive rainfall hit at least 10 provinces in central and southern China in June and July,causing extensive flooding in many rural and urban locations.Long standing rainfall,lake and river level records were consequently broken in several parts of the region with the Yangtze-Huaihe river valleys,particularly badly impacted,with consequential economic losses.Floods and landslides also affected parts of Japan with at least one location in Kumamoto province even experiencing a record-breaking 1000 mm of rainfall in just 3 days in early July.The 2020 wet season in South Korea was also exceptionally long,lasting 54 days,compared to their more usual 32.

Screening of Cellulase Producing Fungus ZDTJ097-1-(7) from Bohai Bay and Its Yielding Conditions

Abstract [ Objective ] This study aimed to screen a marine-derived cellulase producing filamentous fungus and to investigate the yielding conditions and celluase activity. [ Method] A total of 25 marine-derived filamentous fungus were screened out of from Bohai Bay, and one producing cellulase was obtained through Congo red transparent circle method and cellulase activity assay. After that, optimum conditions were examined for cellulase producing and catalyzing. [ Result] CMC-Na could induce ZDTJ097-1-（7 ） strain to produce filter paper cellulase, CMC cellulase and 13-glucosidase. The optimum conditions for ZDTJ097-1-（7） to produce en- zymes were 0.5% CMC-Na, 0. 2% NH4NO3 , pH 6.0 at 25 ℃. [ Conclusion] This study provided reference for furfller development and utilization of cellulase produ-cing fungus ZDTJ097-1-（7）.

Initiation,organizational modes and environmental conditions of severe convective wind events during the warm season over North China

Based on the significant weather report,CG lightning,composite radar reflectivity,and ERA5 reanalysis data,we first studied the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of four types(only severe convective wind(SCW);SCW and hail;SCW and short-duration heavy rainfall(SDHR);and SCW,hail,and SDHR)of convective weather events related to SCW during the warm season(May to September)from 2011 to 2018 in North China.Second,severe convective cases producing SCW were selected to statistically analyze the initiation,decay,lifetime,and organizational characteristics of convective systems.Finally,using ERA5 reanalysis data and conventional surface observation data,preconvective soundings were constructed to explore the differences in environmental conditions for initiating convective systems between SCW and non-SCW.The results indicate that mixed-type of SCW and SDHR events occur more frequently over plains,while other types of convective weather occur more frequently over mountains.The frequency peak of SCW occurs in June,while mixed convective weather peaks in July.The initiation time of convective systems is concentrated between 1000 and 1300 BST,with a peak at 1200 BST.Over mountains,the daily peaks of ordinary and significant SCW generally occur at 1700-1800 BST and 1600-1700 BST,respectively,while over plains,the peak of ordinary SCW typically lags behind that of mountains by 1-2 hours.Additionally,SCW systems are mainly initiated over mountains,with most lifetimes lasting 7–13 hours.Nonlinear convective systems produce the most SCW events,followed by trailing-stratiform convective systems.The convective available potential energy(CAPE),downdraft convective available potential energy,and the temperature difference between 850 and 500 hPa can all distinguish between SCW systems and non-SCW systems occurring over plains.Compared to non-SCW convective systems,SCW convective systems over mountains are more likely to occur in environments with less precipitable water,while SCW convective systems over plains are more likely to occur in environments with higher CAPE and stronger deep-layer wind shear.

Association between ICU quality and in-hospital mortality of V-V ECMO-supported patients—the ECMO quality improvement action(EQIA)study:a national cohort study in China from 2017 to 2019

This cohort study was performed to explore the influence of intensive care unit(ICU)quality on in-hospital mortality of veno-venous(V-V)extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)-supported patients in China.The study involved all V-V ECMO-supported patients in 318 of 1700 tertiary hospitals from 2017 to 2019,using data from the National Clinical Improvement System and China National Critical Care Quality Control Center.ICU quality was assessed by quality control indicators and capacity parameters.Among the 2563 V-V ECMO-supported patients in 318 hospitals,a significant correlation was found between ECMO-related complications and prognosis.The reintubation rate within 48 hours after extubation and the total ICU mortality rate were independent risk factors for higher in-hospital mortality of V-V ECMO-supported patients(cutoff:1.5%and 7.0%;95%confidence interval:1.05–1.48 and 1.04–1.45;odds ratios:1.25 and 1.23;P=0.012 and P=0.015,respectively).Meanwhile,the V-V ECMO center volume was a protective factor(cutoff of≥50 cases within the 3-year study period;95%confidence interval:0.57–0.83,odds ratio:0.69,P=0.0001).The subgroup analysis of 864 patients in 11 high-volume centers further strengthened these findings.Thus,ICU quality may play an important role in improving the prognosis of V-V ECMO-supported patients.

Review of Chinese atmospheric science research over the past 70 years: Synoptic meteorology

Synoptic meteorology is a branch of meteorology that uses synoptic weather observations and charts for the diagnosis,study,and forecasting of weather.Weather refers to the specific state of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface during a short period of time.The spatial distribution of meteorological elements in the atmosphere can be represented by a variety of transient weather phenomena,which are caused by weather systems of different spatial and temporal scales.Weather is closely related to people’s life,and its development and evolution have always been the focus of atmospheric scientific research and operation.The development of synoptic meteorology is closely related to the development of observation systems,dynamical theories and numerical models.In China,observation networks have been built since the early 1950 s.Up to now,a comprehensive meteorological observation systembased on ground,air and space has been established.In particular,the development of a new generation of dense radar networks,the development of the Fengyun satellite series and the implementation of a series of large field experiments have brought our understanding of weather from large-scale environment to thermal dynamics,cloud microphysical structure and evolution characteristics of meso and micro-scale weather systems.The development of observation has also promoted the development of theory,numerical model and simulation.In the early days,China mainly used foreign numerical models.Lately,China has developed numerical model systems with independent intellectual property rights.Based on the results of high-resolution numerical simulations,in-depth understanding of the initiation and evolution mechanism and predictability of weather at different scales has been obtained.Synoptic meteorology has gradually changed from an initially independent development to a multidisciplinary approach,and the interaction between weather and the change of climate and environment has become a hot and frontier topic in atmospheric science.This paper reviews the important scientific and technological achievements made in China over the past 70 years in the fields of synoptic meteorology based on the literatures in China and abroad,from six aspects respectively including atmospheric dynamics,synoptic-scale weather,typhoon and tropical weather,severe convective weather,numerical weather prediction and data assimilation,weather and climate,atmospheric physics and atmospheric environment.

Use of antenatal corticosteroids among infants with gestational age at 24 to 31 weeks in 57 neonatal intensive care units of China: a cross-sectional study

Background:Antenatal corticosteroids(ACS)can significantly improve the outcomes of preterm infants.This study aimed to describe the ACS use rates among preterm infants admitted to Chinese neonatal intensive care units(NICU)and to explore perinatal factors associated with ACS use,using the largest contemporary cohort of very preterm infants in China.Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled all infants born at 24^(+0)to 31^(+6)weeks and admitted to 57 NICUs of the Chinese Neonatal Network from January 1st,2019 to December 30th,2019.The ACS administration was defined as at least one dose of dexamethasone and betamethasone given before delivery.Multiple logistic regressions were applied to determine the association between perinatal factors and ACS usage.Results:A total of 7828 infants were enrolled,among which 6103(78.0%)infants received ACS.ACS use rates increased with increasing gestational age(GA),from 177/259(68.3%)at 24 to 25 weeks’gestation to 3120/3960(78.8%)at 30 to 31 weeks’gestation.Among infants exposed to ACS,2999 of 6103(49.1%)infants received a single complete course,and 33.4%(2039/6103)infants received a partial course.ACS use rates varied from 30.2%to 100%among different hospitals.Multivariate regression showed that increasing GA,born in hospital(inborn),increasing maternal age,maternal hypertension and premature rupture of membranes were associated with higher likelihood to receive ACS.Conclusions:The use rate of ACS remained low for infants at 24 to 31 weeks’gestation admitted to Chinese NICUs,with fewer infants receiving a complete course.The use rates varied significantly among different hospitals.Efforts are urgently needed to propose improvement measures and thus improve the usage of ACS.

Progress in Severe Convective Weather Forecasting in China since the 1950s

Located in the Asian monsoon region, China frequently experiences severe convective weather(SCW), such as short-duration heavy rainfall(SDHR), thunderstorm high winds, hails, and occasional tornadoes. Progress in SCW forecasting in China is closely related to the construction and development of meteorological observation networks,especially weather radar and meteorological satellite networks. In the late 1950 s, some county-level meteorological bureaus began to conduct empirical hail forecasting based on observations of clouds and surface meteorological variables. It took over half a century to develop a modern comprehensive operational monitoring and warning system for SCW forecast nationwide since the setup of the first weather radar in 1959. The operational SCW forecasting, including real-time monitoring, warnings valid for tens of minutes, watches valid for several hours, and outlooks covering lead times of up to three days, was established in 2009. Operational monitoring and forecasting of thunderstorms,SDHR, thunderstorm high winds, and hails have been carried out. The performance of operational SCW forecasting will be continually improved in the future with the development of convection-resolving numerical models(CRNMs), the upgrade of weather radar networks, the launch of new-generation meteorological satellites, better understanding of meso-γ and microscale SCW systems, and further application of artificial intelligence technology and CRNM predictions.