Effects of Changing Precipitation and Warming on Functional Traits of Zonal Stipa Plants from Inner Mongolian Grassland

The mechanisms driving changes in dominant plant species are the key for understanding how grassland ecosystems respond to climate change.In this study,we examined plant functional traits（morphological characteristics：plant height,leaf area,and leaf number;biomasses：aboveground,belowground,and total;and growth indices：root-to-shoot ratio,specific leaf area,and leaf mass ratio） of four zonal Stipa species（S.baicalensis,S.bungeana,S.grandis,and S.breviflora） from Inner Mongolian grassland in response to warming（control,＋1.5,＋2.0,＋4.0,and ＋6.0℃）,changing precipitation（-30%,-15%,control,＋15%,and＋30%）,and their combined effects via climate control chambers.The results showed that warming and changing precipitation had significant interactive effects,different from the accumulation of single-factor effects,on functional traits of Stipa species.The correlation and sensitivity of different plant functional traits to temperature and precipitation differed.Among the four species,the accumulation and variability of functional traits had greater partial correlation with precipitation than temperature,except for leaf number,leaf area,and specific leaf area,in S.breviflora,S.bungeana,and S.grandis.For S.baicalensis,the accumulation and variability of plant height,aboveground biomass,and root-to-shoot ratio only had significant partial correlation with precipitation.However,the variability of morphological characteristics,biomasses,and some growth indices,was more sensitive to temperature than precipitation in S.bungeana,S.grandis,and S.breviflora—except for aboveground biomass and plant height.These results reveal that precipitation is the key factor determining the growth and changes in plant functional traits in Stipa species,and that temperature mainly influences the quantitative fluctuations of the changes in functional traits.

Study on the Changes of Precipitation and Sunshine in Shenyang from 1951 to 2009

Based on the data of precipitation in Shenyang from 1951 to 2009,the variation characteristics of precipitation and sunshine hours in Shenyang in recent 59 years were analyzed and studied comprehensively from different time scales of annual,seasonal and monthly,etc..And the relationship between the precipitation and sunshine duration was analyzed.It was concluded that the changes of precipitation between years is big,the distribution of the precipitation among four seasons is uneven,and the overall change trend of the precipitation is in downward from 1951 to 2009.It was also found that the sunshine duration changes are generally in decreased trend.

Projection of Future Precipitation Change over China with a High-Resolution Global Atmospheric Model

Projections of future precipitation change over China are studied based on the output of a global AGCM, ECHAM5, with a high resolution of T319 （equivalent to 40 km）. Evaluation of the model’s performance in simulating present-day precipitation shows encouraging results. The spatial distributions of both mean and extreme precipitation, especially the locations of main precipitation centers, are reproduced reasonably. The simulated annual cycle of precipitation is close to the observed. The performance of the model over eastern China is generally better than that over western China. A weakness of the model is the overestimation of precipitation over northern and western China. Analyses on the potential change in precipitation projected under the A1B scenario show that both annual mean precipitation intensity and extreme precipitation would increase significantly over southeastern China. The percentage increase in extreme precipitation is larger than that of mean precipitation. Meanwhile, decreases in mean and extreme precipitation are evident over the southern Tibetan Plateau. For precipitation days, extreme precipitation days are projected to increase over all of China. Both consecutive dry days over northern China and consecutive wet days over southern China would decrease.

Near Future (2016-40) Summer Precipitation Changes over China as Projected by a Regional Climate Model (RCM) under the RCP8.5 Emissions Scenario: Comparison between RCM Downscaling and the Driving GCM

Multi-decadal high resolution simulations over the CORDEX East Asia domain were performed with the regional climate model RegCM3 nested within the Flexible Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System model, Grid-point Version 2 （FGOALS-g2）. Two sets of simulations were conducted at the resolution of 50 km, one for present day （1980-2005） and another for near-future climate （2015-40） under the Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5 （RCP8.5） scenario. Results show that RegCM3 adds value with respect to FGOALS-g2 in simulating the spatial patterns of summer total and extreme precipitation over China for present day climate. The major deficiency is that RegCM3 underestimates both total and extreme precipi- tation over the Yangtze River valley. The potential changes in total and extreme precipitation over China in summer under the RCP8.5 scenario were analyzed. Both RegCM3 and FGOALS-g2 results show that total and extreme precipitation tend to increase over northeastern China and the Tibetan Plateau, but tend to decrease over southeastern China. In both RegCM3 and FGOALS-g2, the change in extreme precipitation is weaker than that for total precipitation. RegCM3 projects much stronger amplitude of total and extreme precipitation changes and provides more regional-scale features than FGOALS-g2. A large uncertainty is found over the Yangtze River valley, where RegCM3 and FGOALS-g2 project opposite signs in terms of precipitation changes. The projected change of vertically integrated water vapor flux convergence generally follows the changes in total and extreme precipitation in both RegCM3 and FGOALS-g2, while the amplitude of change is stronger in RegCM3. Results suggest that the spatial pattern of projected precipitation changes may be more affected by the changes in water vapor flux convergence, rather than moisture content itself.

Analysis of precipitation characteristics of South and North China based on the power-law tail exponents

Precipitation sequence is a typical nonlinear and chaotic observational series, and studies on precipitation forecasts are restricted to the use of traditional linear statistical methods, especially when analysing the regional characteristics of precipitation. In the context of 20 stations＇ daily precipitation series （from 1956 to 2000） in South China （SC） and North China （NC）, we divide each precipitation series into many self-stationary segments by using the heuristic segmentation algorithm （briefly BG algorithm）. For each station＇s precipitation series, we calculate the exponent of power-law tall （EPT） of the cumulative probability distribution of segments with a length larger than l for precipitation and temperature series. Our results show that the power-law decay of the cumulative probability distribution of stationary segments might be a common attribution for precipitation and other nonstationary time series; the EPT somewhat indicates the precipitation duration and its spatial distribution that might be different from area to area. The EPT in NC is larger than in SC; Meanwhile, EPT might be another effective way to study the abrupt changes in nonlinear and nonstationary time series.

Precipitation Changes in Wet and Dry Seasons over the 20th Century Simulated by Two Versions of the FGOALS Model

Seasonal precipitation changes over the globe during the 20th century simulated by two versions of the Flexible Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System （FGOALS） model are assessed. The two model versions differ in terms of their AGCM component, but the remaining parts of the system are almost identical. Both models reasonably reproduce the mean-state features of the timings of the wet and dry seasons and related precipitation amounts, with pattern correlation coefficients of 0.65-0.84 with observations. Globally averaged seasonal precipitation changes are analyzed. The results show that wet sea- sons get wetter and the annual range （precipitation difference between wet and dry seasons） increases during the 20th century in the two models, with positive trends covering most parts of the globe, which is consistent with observations. However, both models show a moistening dry season, which is opposite to observations. Analysis of the globally averaged moisture budget in the historical climate simulations of the two models shows little change in the horizontal moisture advection in both the wet and dry seasons. The globally averaged seasonal precipitation changes are mainly dominated by the changes in evaporation and vertical moisture advection. Evaporation and vertical moisture advection combine to make wet seasons wetter and enhance the annual range. In the dry season, the opposite change of evaporation and vertical moisture advection leads to an insignificant change in precipitation. Vertical moisture advection is the most important term that determines the changes in precipitation, wherein the thermodynamic component is dominant and the dynamic component tends to offset the effect of the thermodynamic component.

CHANGES OF PRECIPITATION IN CHINA DUE TO THE ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT

We mainly discuss changes of precipitation in China due to growinggreenhouse gases using GCM1 model assuming the IPCC 'Business-as-Usual'Scenario. An increasing greenhouse effect will lead to precipitation increasesmostly in north of 30°N for winter, and strongly increases alap a slant belt fromNortheast China to Bay of Bangal for summer in China. The mp of increasingprecipitation are about 7.9, -0.7 and 13.6 percent for winter, and 6.4, 12.9 and 8.4percent for summer m China, Changjinang and Huanghe river valleys, respectively.The model results are also shown to imply that an increasing greenhouse effectenhances chanas of intense storms and shown for winter and summer in China.

Precipitation changes in the mid-latitudes of the Chinese mainland during 1960–2014

Based on daily precipitation data from 163 meteorological stations, this study investigated precipitation changes in the mid-latitudes of the Chinese mainland（MCM） during 1960–2014 using the climatic trend coefficient, least-squared regression analysis, and a non-parametric Mann-Kendall test.According to the effects of the East Asian summer monsoon on the MCM and the climatic trend coefficient of annual precipitation during 1960–2014, we divided the MCM into the western MCM and eastern MCM. The western MCM was further divided into the western MCM1 and western MCM2 in terms of the effects of the East Asian summer monsoon. The main results were as follows：（1） During the last four decades of the 20^（th） century, the area-averaged annual precipitation presented a significant increasing trend in the western MCM, but there was a slight decreasing trend in the eastern MCM, where a seesaw pattern was apparent. However, in the 21^（st） century, the area-averaged annual precipitation displayed a significant increasing trend in both the western and eastern MCM.（2） The trend in area-averaged seasonal precipitation during 1960–2014 in the western MCM was consistent with that in the eastern MCM in winter and spring. However, the trend in area-averaged summer precipitation during1960–2014 displayed a seesaw pattern between the western and eastern MCM.（3） On an annual basis,both the trend in rainstorms and heavy rain displayed a seesaw pattern between the western and eastern MCM.（4） The precipitation intensity in rainstorms, heavy rain, and moderate rain made a greater contribution to changes in the total precipitation than precipitation frequency. The results of this study will improve our understanding of the trends and differences in precipitation changes in different areas of the MCM. This is not only useful for the management and mitigation of flood disasters, but is also beneficial to the protection of water resources across the MCM.

Runoff variation affected by precipitation change and human activity in Hailiutu River basin,China

For recent years,runoff generation and hydrological processes in Hailiutu River basin have been greatly changed by climate change and human activity,especially water and soil conservation construction.In this study,the trends in precipitation,evapotranspiration(ET)and river runoff as well as the effects of precipitation change and human activity on runoff variation have been studied.The results showed that during 1960-2000,annual precipitation and river runoff,monthly precipitation and ET in September and October as well as monthly runoff in all months showed a significant decrease.In addition,peak flow and base flow had a large decrease.Under the joint influence of precipitation change and human activity,the mean annual runoff decreased by 35 million m3 from the baseline period(1960-1985)to the change period(1986-2000),which accounted for 60.9%and 39.1%of the total runoff decrease,respectively.Precipitation change played a primary role in the decrease of annual runoff whereas human activity,particularly water and soil conservation construction,also had remarkable impacts on runoff variation.

Analysis on Precipitation Variation in Anyang and Nanyang in Recent 57 Years

[Objective] The aim was to analyze precipitation variation in Anyang and Nanyang in recent 57 years. [Method] Based on the data of annual precipitation in Anyang and Nanyang from 1953 to 2009, the changes of precipitation in Anyang and Nanyang were compared by means of mathematical statistics, regression analysis and wavelet analysis. [Result] In recent 57 years, annual precipitation in Anyang and Nanyang showed decrease trend, especially Anyang with obvious decrease trend; from seasonal variation, average precipitation in spring and winter went up in Anyang and went down in Nanyang, while average precipitation in summer and autumn reduced in two cities; from periodic variation, when the time scale of precipitation in Anyang was 12-15 years, there was a catastrophe point in 1970, and Nanyang had two catastrophe points in 1965 and 1997 when the time scale of precipitation was 15 years and 4 catastrophe points in 1968, 1978, 1987 and 1999 when time scale was 7-10 years. [Conclusion] The study could provide theoretical foundation for the forecast of local climate changes.

The Projected Changes of Precipitations over Niger Under the Scenarios RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5

The socio-economic activities of Niger rely on agriculture which is strongly affected by changes in precipitation during the rainy season.The ultimate aim of this study is to assess the projected changes of precipitation over Niger under the Representative Concentration Pathways(RCP)scenarios 4.5(RCP 4.5)and RCP 8.5 using multi-RCM(Multi-Regional Climate)model approach.The observation data are from CHIRPS(Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station)and the RCMs are from the SMHI(Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute)model(RCA4)driven by ten(10)different GCMs(General Circulation Model)(e.g.,CCCma,CSIRO,ICHEC,IPSL,MIROC,MOHC-HadGEM2,MPI,NCC-NorESM1,NOOA,and NRCM)within the framework of CORDEX(Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment)Africa experiment.The reference and projections periods in this study are respectively 1981-2005 for the present and 2011-2100 for the near,medium and far future divided into three periods,2011 to 2040(P1),2041 to 2070(P2)and 2071 to 2100(P3).The methodology used,consists of assessing the performance of the multi-RCMs of RCA4 model(with respect of CHIRPS)in simulating the precipitations changes by computing the spatial distribution and anomalies of precipitations;and their indices of RMSE(Root Mean Square Error),the bias,SPI(Standardized Precipitation Anomaly Index),correlation coefficient,statistical t-test,spatial evolution rate and the rate of temporal change.After the validation of the multi-RCMs RCA4 models,the ensemble mean of the models is used to assess the projected changes of precipitations over Niger in the future.The results show that most of the multi-RCMs capture the four climatic zone except for IPSL.While the ensemble mean of the models simulates(as compared to CHIRPS)more accurately the monthly,annual precipitations anomalies and their indices than individual’s models in the reference period,some RCMs(e.g.,CSIRO-IPSL and CCCma-HadGEM)poorly reproduce them.The projected changes of precipitations indicate for the scenario RCP 4.5 respectively a moderately surplus of precipitation years in the period P1 and moderately deficit years in the period P2 while the period P3 shows a small upward precipitation trend.In contrary,for the scenario RCP 8.5,all the three periods(P1,P2 and P3)indicate an intensification of precipitation leading to a longer wet period which may lead to extreme precipitations and flooding.Moreover,both scenarios have projected an increase of total monthly precipitation in May and September and a decrease in July and August respectively which will likely lead to an early onset and late cessation of the rainy season;and a shift of the peak of the rainy season.Therefore,this study shows the need of a monitoring system for the projected changes of precipitation in the near future to anticipate urgent action in wet/dry periods to adapt to a changing climate.

Bianisotropy Picture of Higher Permeability at Higher Frequencies

With an effective bianisotropy picture, high-frequency behaviours of different magnetic materials can be reconciled, and the higher permeability and higher resonance frequencies are achieved even in the GHz range. The validity of the bianisotropy picture is quantitatively verified by the in-plane anisotropic Fe34Co55Zr11 thin films. A prolate elliptical precession of the magnetization about its equilibrium direction is the key point, which can be induced by an artificial or an intrinsic bianisotropy system.

Conserved Quantities and Conformal Mechanico-Electrical Systems

The conformal meehanico-electrical systems are presented by infinitesimal point transformations of time and generalized coordinates. The necessary and suflleient conditions that the eonformal meehanieo-eleetrieal systems possess Lie symmetry are given. The Noether conserved quantities of the eonformal meehanieo-eleetrieal systems are obtained from Lie symmetries.

Similarity Reductions and Similarity Solutions of the （3＋1）-Dimensional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili Equation

Employing the compatibility method, we obtain the symmetries of the （3＋1）-dimensional Kadomtsev Petviashvili （KP） equation. Four types of similarity reductions of the KP equation are obtained by solving the corresponding characteristic equations associated with symmetry equations. In addition, a lot of similarity solutions to the KP equation are obtadned.

Viscoelastic BISQ Model for Low-Permeability Sandstone with Clay

A modified BISQ （Blot/Squirt） model for wave propagation in low-permeability sandstone is developed by introducing the viscoelastic mechanism of a porous skeleton into Dvorkin＇s model. The linear viscoelasticity of the Kelvin Voigt constitutive law is employed to describe the stress-strain relation of a solid frame with clay while the ultrasonic waves propagate through the fluid-saturated sandstone. The phase velocity and attenuation of two p-waves are given based on the present BISQ model. The comparisons between numerical results and experimental data indicate that our viscoelastic model is more realistic and feasible for wave propagation in the low-permeability sandstone, especially with clay, than traditional BISQ models.

Optical Emission Spectroscopy Investigation of a Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Aerodynamic Actuator

The optical emission spectroscopy of a surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma aerodynamic actuator is investigated with different electrode configurations, applied voltages and driving frequencies. The rotational temperature of N2 （C^3 Ⅱu） molecule is calculated according to its rotational emission band near 380.5 nm. The average electron energy of the discharge is evaluated by emission intensity ratio of first negative system to second positive system of N2. The rotational temperature is sensitive to the inner space of an electrode pair. The average electron energy shows insensitivity to the applied voltage, the driving frequency and the electrode configuration.

Experimental Investigations on Leading-Edge Vortex Structures for Flow over Non-Slender Delta Wings

The dye injection and hydrogen bubble visualization techniques are used to investigate the dual-vortex structure including its development, breakdown and the spatial location of vortex core over nonslender delta wings. It is concluded that the dual-vortex structure can be affected significantly by sweep angle and Reynolds number, and generated only at small angle of attack. The angle between the projection of outer vortex core on delta wing surface and the root chord line has nothing to do with the Reynolds Number and angle of attack, but has simple linear relation with the sweep angle of the model tested.

Challenge on the Astrophysical R-Process Calculation with Nuclear Mass Models

Our understanding of the rapid neutron capture nucleosynthesis process in universe depends on the reliability of nuclear mass predictions. Initiated by the newly developed mass table in the relativistic mean field theory （RMF）, we investigate the influence of mass models on the r-process calculations, assuming the same astrophysical conditions. The different model predictions on the so far unreachable nuclei lead to significant deviations in the calculated ^-process abundances.

High-Breakdown-Voltage Submicron InGaAs/InP Double Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor with ft=170 GHz and fmax=253 GHz

The layer structure of InGaAs/InP double heterojunction bipolar transistor （DHBT） is designed to enhance the frequency performance and breakdown voltage. The composition-graded base structure is used to decrease the base transit time. The InGaAs setback layer and two highly doped InGaAsP layers are used to eliminate the conduction band spike of the collector. The submicron-emitter InGaAs/InP DHBT is fabricated successfully. The base contact resistance is greatly decreased by optimization of contact metals. The breakdown voltage is more than 6 V. The current gain cutoff frequency is as high as 170 GHz and the maximum oscillation frequency reached 253 GHz. The DHBT with such high performances can be used to make W-band power amplifier.

Experimental Investigation of Quality of Lensless Ghost Imaging with Pseudo-Thermal Light

Factors influencing the quality of lensless ghost imaging are investigated. According to the experimental results, we find that the imaging quality is determined by the number of independent sub light sources on the imaging plane of the reference arm. A qualitative picture based on advanced wave optics is presented to explain the physics behind the experimental phenomena. The present results will be helpful to provide a basis for improving the quality of ghost imaging systems in future works.