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Accurate analysis of living circulating tumor cells (CTCs) plays a crucial role in cancer diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. However, it is still challenging to develop a facile method for accurate, sensitive, and broad-spectrum isolation of living CTCs. Herein, inspired by the filopodia-extending behavior and clustered surface-biomarker of living CTCs, we present a unique bait-trap chip to achieve accurate and ultrasensitive capture of living CTCs from peripheral blood. The bait-trap chip is designed with the integration of nanocage (NCage) structure and branched aptamers. The NCage structure could "trap" the extended filopodia of living CTCs and resist the adhesion of filopodia-inhibited apoptotic cells, thus realizing the accurate capture (∼95% accuracy) of living CTCs independent of complex instruments. Using an in-situ rolling circle amplification (RCA) method, branched aptamers were easily modified onto the NCage structure, and served as "baits" to enhance the multi-interactions between CTC biomarker and chips, leading to ultrasensitive (99%) and reversible cell capture performance. The bait-trap chip successfully detects living CTCs in broad-spectrum cancer patients and achieves high diagnostic sensitivity (100%) and specificity (86%) of early prostate cancer. Therefore, our bait-trap chip provides a facile, accurate, and ultrasensitive strategy for living CTC isolation in clinical. A unique bait-trap chip integrated with precise nanocage structure and branched aptamers was developed for the accurate and ultrasensitive capture of living CTCs. Compared with the current CTC isolation methods that are unable to distinguish CTC viability, the nanocage structure could not only "trap" the extended-filopodia of living CTCs, but also resist the adhesion of filopodia-inhibited apoptotic cells, thus realizing the accurate capture of living CTCs. Additionally, benefiting from the "bait-trap" synergistic effects generated by aptamer modification and nanocage structure, our chip achieved ultrasensitive, reversible capture of living CTCs. Moreover, this work provided a facile strategy for living CTC isolation from the blood of patients with early-stage and advanced cancer, exhibiting high consistency with the pathological diagnosis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tar production is a key factor hindering the industrialization of biomass gasification technology. Understanding the mechanisms of tar formation can help predict and reduce tar yield. A gasification model was proposed to investigate the effects of oxygen ratio (OR) and temperature on products formation. Its accuracy was validated using experimental data. The relative content of PAHs from corn straw gasification decreased from 95 % to 53 % with OR and temperature increasing, indicating PAHs relative content could be decreased by increasing OR and temperature. The concentrations of phenanthrene from cellulose and corn straw gasification at 900 °C were 0.85 and 378 ppm, separately. The concentrations of pyrene were 52 and 558 ppm, respectively. The content of PAHs from cellulose gasification was much less than that from corn straw gasification. However, the contribution of cellulose to PAHs formation increased with temperature increasing. Furthermore, the mechanism of benzene formation was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. C 2 H 2 , C 3 H 3 , and C 4 H 6 were main precursors and exhibited a considerable role in benzene formation. H, OH, CH 3 , and C 6 H 5 were the key radicals. The analysis results indicated that CH 3 →C 2 H 2 →C 3 H 3 →benzene and C 2 H 3 /C 2 H 4 →C 4 H 6 →n-C 4 H 5 →benzene were two main paths for benzene formation during corn straw gasification. [Display omitted] • Corn straw structure model was constructed based on the cellulose-to-lignin ratio. • C 2 H 2 , H, OH, CH 3 , and C 6 H 5 were the key intermediates for benzene formation. • Detailed paths of benzene formation during corn straw gasification were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions among chlorine (Cl), sulfur (S), and alkaline and alkaline-earth metals (AAEMs) are the critical factors that affect the formation, transformation, and deposition of ash during biomass and coal gasification and combustion. These issues cause slagging, agglomeration, corrosion, and other problems related to the safety performance of gasifiers and boilers. A better understanding of the determination methods, modes of occurrence, migration routes, and control technologies of Cl and S is the basis for clean and efficient utilization of biomass and coal. The paper summarizes the research work in this field, namely: (1) The modes of Cl and S occurrence in biomass and coal are introduced, mainly in different forms of inorganic and organic Cl/S compounds; (2) The principles, merits and demerits of quantitative determination methods for Cl and S are sorted out and compared; (3) The migration routes of Cl and S, mainly related to their modes of occurrence, reaction evolution, temperature, and atmosphere; and (4) The interactions among Cl, S, and AAEMs and its induced issues, especially the challenging problems related to ash, including alkali-induced slagging, silicate melt-induced slagging (ash fusion), agglomeration, and corrosion. Finally, ecological and technological significance of the Cl and S release is discussed. This knowledge is of great significance to effectively control the emission of Cl and S pollutants, stable operation of gasifiers and boilers, cleaner and more efficient utilization of coal, as well as to diminish the consumption of fossil energy and heighten the availability of renewable energy in such thermochemical conversion processes. • Migration routes of chlorine and sulfur are elucidated. • Interactions among chlorine, sulfur, and AAEMs are summarized. • Ecological and technical significance of chlorine and sulfur release is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer remains a substantial burden on society. Our objective was to update projections on the number of new cancer diagnoses in the United States by age, race, ethnicity, and sex through 2040. Population-based cancer incidence data were obtained using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. Population estimates were made using the 2010 US Census data population projections to calculate future cancer incidence. Trends in age-adjusted incidence rates for 23 cancer types along with total cancers were calculated and incorporated into a second projection model. If cancer incidence remains stable, annual cancer diagnoses are projected to increase by 29.5% from 1.86 million to 2.4 million between 2020 and 2040. This increase outpaces the projected US population growth of 12.3% over the same period. The population of older adults is projected to represent an increasing proportion of total cancer diagnoses with patients ≥65 years old comprising 69% of all new cancer diagnoses and patients ≥85 years old representing 13% of new diagnoses by 2040. Cancer diagnoses are projected to increase in racial minority groups, with a projected 44% increase in Black Americans (from 222,000 to 320,000 annually), and 86% in Hispanic Americans (from 175,000 to 326,000 annually). The landscape of cancer care will continue to change over the next several decades. The burden of disease will remain substantial, and the growing proportion of older and minority patients with cancer remains of particular interest. These projections should help guide future health policy and research priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in precipitation have a large effect on human society and are a key factor in the study of the patterns of hydrological and meteorological variables. Based on daily precipitation records during 1960–2012 at 24 meteorological stations in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), the spatial and temporal variations of six extreme precipitation indices were detected by the modified Mann–Kendall test. Then, the characteristics of dryness/wetness patterns were assessed by Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and principal component analysis (PCA) on a 24-month time scale. For precipitation extremes, most of the precipitation indices had increasing trends, especially the annual total precipitation in wet day (PRCPTOT), which showed a significant positive trend distributed mainly in the southern part of the YRD. In contrast, decreasing trends in consecutive dry days (CDD) were detected at most stations of the YRD, with more than 20% of the stations having negative trends that were statistically significant. Additionally, three dominant geographic sub-regions of dryness/wetness pattern were identified in YRD: the central and southern, northeastern, and northwestern areas of the YRD. With respect to temporal variations of dryness/wetness conditions in each sub-region, a long-term wet tendency in the central and southern area was characterized as being stronger than the tendency in other parts of the YRD over the past 53 years, which indicates that flood disaster may become increasingly serious in the area. Furthermore, a 4 to 8-year period of variation was observed for each sub-region. The results of this study suggest that adaptive water resource measures for future water resource management and water-related disaster reduction mitigation should be considered separately for these regions in the YRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Damage occurred primarily in austenite during the incubation stage. • Slip bands and strain-induced martensite were the main reasons for damage. • Brittle ferrite fracture dominated erosion after the incubation stage. • One hour of exposure induced a more compact passive film. Z3CN20–09M stainless steel, a candidate material for coolant pump shells, experiences cavitation erosion (CE) in nuclear reactor service. Z3CN20–09M steel's CE behavior is studied using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron back-scatter diffraction, and optical profilometry. The influence of CE on corrosion resistance is analyzed through potentiodynamic polarization tests and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. During the incubation stage, damage occurs primarily in austenite. A higher Taylor factor increases the CE. Slip bands and strain-induced martensite are the main reasons for damage. After the incubation stage, brittle ferrite fracture dominates, which induces large grooves and holes. One hour of exposure improves the corrosion resistance. Slip bands, strain-induced martensite, and stacking faults provide diffusion paths for the Cr and O atoms to form a more compact passive film. Finally, approaches aiming to improve the CE resistance of Z3CN20–09M steel are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the yield strength of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel is important both scientifically and commercially. In this work, 18Mn18Cr0.6 N steel was cold rolled and annealed at 800 °C. the microstructure was investigated using electron backscatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The yield strength was examined through tensile tests. The fracture morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion resistance was analyzed through potentiodynamic polarization tests. Unusual dispersed fine globular Cr 2 N precipitates, rather than usual detrimental discontinuous cellular Cr 2 N precipitates, were obtained in 18Mn18Cr0.6 N steel after thermomechanical processing that comprised 70% cold rolling and 20 min annealing at 800 °C. the yield strength was increased by ~228 MPa, up to 910 MPa, because of the precipitation-strengthening effect of Cr 2 N. The ductility remained well. Cr 2 N precipitation behavior was analyzed. The strengthening effects of Cr 2 N, grain size, and interstitial elements on yield strength and their inter-relationship are discussed. This study provides a new insight into enhancing the yield strength of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels [Display omitted] • Unusual dispersed fine globular Cr 2 N precipitates were obtained. • The yield strength of 18Mn18Cr0.6 N steel was increased up to 910 MPa. • The ductility remained well and the elongation was 43%. • The Cr 2 N precipitation behaviors were analyzed. • The proposed process is suitable for mass production of plate and strip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The amorphous phase was found intermingled with α-FeOOH nanograins in the inner rust layer. • Cr was enriched in the amorphous phase, but depleted in the α-FeOOH nanograins in the inner layer. • Cu was enriched in the innermost rust near the rust-steel interface with Cr to promote the formation of the amorphous phase. • A new formation mechanism of the rust layer formed on weathering steel in simulated industrial atmospheres is proposed. The rust layer (RL) structure of a weathering steel was characterized in a simulated industrial atmosphere by STEM-EDS and HRTEM. The amorphous phase was found intermingled with α-FeOOH nanograins in the inner RL, while rod-like γ-FeOOH was found in the outer RL. Moreover, the concentration of Cr was uneven in the inner RL, and Cr was enriched in the amorphous phase but depleted in the α-FeOOH nanograins. Additionally, Cu was enriched in the innermost RL near the rust-steel interface together with Cr to promote the formation of the amorphous phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrogenic char (biochar) with a high sorption capacity (B-HSC) can sequester hazardous chemicals (e.g., phenanthrene). However, when sorption inhibits bioavailability of some functional chemicals (e.g., the herbicidal efficacy of diuron in soil), biochar with a low sorption capacity (B-LSC) is required to prevent sorption effects. The pyrolytic B-HSC generation has been reported, but information on B-LSC formation is scarce. How fast B-HSC and B-LSC could be generated is unknown until now. Here, biochars were rapidly prepared (the shortest heating time reached 5 min and the cooling time reached < 30 min) by a direct-pyrolysis method by directly exposing packaged rice straw and pine wood to 350 °C, 500 °C and 700 °C and out-of-furnace cooling at room temperature. The sorption of diuron, phenanthrene, and twelve other chemicals was investigated. B–HSCs were obtained within 30 min of rice straw pyrolysis, and the biochar K d values quickly increased to 7-730-fold that of the raw biomass as –OH and C–O–C in (hemi)cellulose of rice straw rapidly degraded, increasing hydrophobic interactions between the char and chemicals (solubility ≤ 82.8 g/L). In contrast, B-LSCs were generated within 30 min of PW pyrolysis, and the K d values of the biochars were 0.2–3.0-fold that of the raw biomass, as the surface area development and hydrophobicity-driven sorption were probably delayed by the late degradation of lignin aromatic C–O and phenolic –OH. Biochar amendment revealed an enhancement effect of B-HSC but not of B-LSC on soil sorption. The fast formation of B-LSC and B-HSC provides a guide to develop time- and cost-effective technique in pyrolytically producing weakly or strongly sorbing biochars for organic chemical management. Image 1 • Biochars with high and low sorption capacity are required for organic chemical management. • The direct-pyrolysis method was superior for capturing the rapid formation of biochar. • B-HSC and B-LSC formed quickly from direct pyrolysis of rice straw and pine wood, respectively. • B-HSC and B-LSC were valid for chemicals of different structures and solubilities (0.01–82800 mg/L). Capsule: It was confirmed that biochar with high or low sorption capacity can be formed rapidly (pyrolytic time <30 min), providing a guide to optimize biochar production for organic chemical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An nanoscaled characterization of the rust layer structure on weathering steel in high chloride environment was performed. • The combination of HRTEM, STEM-EDS and FIB-SEM is a powerful technique to implement this characterization. • Ni was enriched at the steel-rust interface and Cr was only distributed in the inner rust layer. • A large amount of α-FeOOH nanograins formed in the inner rust, which improved the corrosion resistance. The structure of rust layer and corrosion kinetics of weathering steel in a high chloride environment were investigated. Using a combination of HRTEM, STEM-EDS, and FIB-SEM, the rust was characterized as a three-layer structure: inner layer containing α-FeOOH nanograins, outer layer containing spindle- and rod-like α-FeOOH and rod- and fiber-like β-FeOOH, and outermost layer containing laminar γ-FeOOH. Moreover, Ni was enriched at steel-rust interface and Cr was in the inner layer. Additionally, the corrosion involved two stages: the early rapid corrosion stage and the late slow corrosion stage due to the formation of a large amount of α-FeOOH nanograins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trend detection in hydro-climatological time series is a prime task under the context of climate changes. Rainfall is a key component of the water cycle and its variability can profoundly influence agriculture, ecosystems and water resource management. In this paper, an innovative trend analysis (ITA) method with a significant test is used for rainfall trend detection at 14 stations in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) during 1961–2016. The trends are separately evaluated for low (<10th percentile), medium (10th–90th percentile) and high (>90th percentile) rainfall at the annual and seasonal scales. The slope and significance of the rainfall trends derived from the ITA method are compared with those from the classical trend analysis methods Theil-Sen approach and Mann-Kendall test, respectively. The ITA shows significant increasing trends at the 99% confidence level in annual rainfall at all stations. While the same significant increasing trends are identified for summer and winter, decreasing trends dominate in spring and autumn. Contrasting trends are found for extreme rainfall with strong increasing trends in high rainfall in summer and winter and decreasing trends in low rainfall in spring and autumn. The results of the ITA confirmed by the classical trend analysis methods call for more attention to the risk management of flood in extreme seasons and drought in transitional seasons across the YRD region. • Trends analysis of rainfall across the Yangtze River Delta is performed by the innovative trend analysis (ITA) method. • Separate trends in low, medium and high rainfall are quantitatively calculated based on the ITA method. • Some advantages of the ITA method to classical trend methods (Mann-Kendall test and Theil-Sen approach) are presented. • High rainfall in summer showed significant increase while low rainfall in spring and autumn exhibited decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Multifractal analysis has been applied as a pattern recognition method based on numerical verification. The approach was successfully used to estimate the river network structure in previous research but has been seldom used in temporal analyses. The Lower Qinhuai basin, which is located in the lower part of the Yangtze River Delta, was chosen as the study area. In order to analyze the morphological characteristics of river network, to determine their spatial and temporal variations, and to discriminate the prevailing forces of the variations from the 1960s–1980s and 2010s, the remote sensing images, topographic data, digital line graphs and statistical data of the study area were collected. Based on ERDAS 9.3 and ArcGIS 10.2, the river network data were reconstructed, and multifractal analysis was performed. The results demonstrated that the capacity dimension of the river network decreased from 1.67 to 1.60 and then to 1.59 from the 1960s–1980s and 2010s. The sub-basins with relatively high river densities dominated the multifractal structure. Additionally, the main rivers and tributaries were on increasing trend in filling capacity and spatial heterogeneity respectively, and they jointly determined the multifractal features of the river networks. Urbanization process, instead of morphology or lithology force, was confirmed as the main driving factor of the multifractal structural dynamics of the river network in the basin and sub-basins in decades scale. The results would provide solid support for the river conservancy and urban planning, and finally promote the sustainable development of the "water-society" system. Graphical abstract River network change and its multifractal dynamics during 1960s-2010s. Black, blue and grey lines refer to the overlaid, new constructed and disappeared river segments; α is the singularity exponent; f(α) refers to the multifractal spectrum; f(α) max represents the filling capacity of the river networks; Δα and Δf(α) mean the spatial distribution heterogeneity and the domination sub-basin of river networks; the grey arrows denote the increasing and decreasing trend of each parameter. Fig. 12 Highlights • The capacity dimension of this highly urbanized basin was on a decreasing trend. • The filling capacity and spatial heterogeneity were increasing, and they jointly determine the multifractal spectrum. • Right-arm dominated multifractal spectrum represented the controlling force of sub basin with higher river density. • The anthropic influence on river network structure was more obvious than those of morphology and lithology in decades scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Thermoplasticity of test steel is improved through pre-deformation. • Sample pre-deformed by 20% obtains the best area reduction. • Large pre-deformation degree promotes sigma precipitation. This study investigated the hot tensile deformation behavior of super austenitic stainless steel (SASS) with different pre-deformation degrees within 1150–1250 ˚C. The influence of pre-deformation on the number of annealing twin (AT), grain size, dislocation evolution, sigma phase precipitation, static recrystallization (SRX), and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behaviors at hot tensile deformation stages is analyzed. Results show that the thermoplasticity of the SASS increases first and then decreases with the increase of pre-deformation degree at each deformation temperature. The area reduction of the samples pre-deformed for 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, and 25 % are 0.25, 0.32, 0.37, and 0.35, respectively at a tensile temperature of 1150 ˚C. When the pre-deformation degree is within the range of 0–20 %, the deformation storage energy (DSE) gradually increases with the pre-deformation degree. The SRX amount at the high-temperature holding stage and the DRX amount in the high-temperature deformation stage significantly increases, and the grain size gradually decreases. As a result, crack initiation and propagation are inhibited, and thermoplasticity improves. However, when the pre-deformation degree is increased to 25 %, the grains grow abnormally during the high-temperature tensile deformation, and a large number of sigma phases are induced, which deteriorates the thermoplasticity of the SASS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inherent brittleness of silicon carbide (SiC) poses a significant challenge in concurrently enhancing its fracture toughness and hardness. While nanostructuring has effectively increased SiC hardness through the Hall−Petch effect, its impact on improving fracture toughness remains less explored. Consequently, there is an urgent need for strategies that can simultaneously enhance both hardness and fracture toughness. This study investigates the effects of microstructural modulation on nanocrystalline SiC bulks sintered under high pressure high temperature. By employing multidimensional modifications encompassing grain size, grain boundary, and lattice defect density, we successfully improved the mechanical properties of SiC ceramics. Notably, SiC bulks sintered at 25 GPa and 1500 °C, characterized by nanoscale grains, strong intergranular bonding, and abundant lattice defects within individual grains, exhibited an impressive combination of high hardness (32.2−33.3 GPa) and remarkable fracture toughness (4.8−4.9 MPa·m0.5). Detailed transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed multiple toughening mechanisms intimately linked to the microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High manganese steel is influenced by the combined effects of corrosion and wear during service under specific conditions, resulting in components with shortened service life. Under harsh service environments, newly developed Cr+N alloyed austenitic high manganese steel (Mn18Cr7C0.6N0.2 steel) as a new type of railway steel has shown promising results. Herein, the tribocorrosion behaviors of Mn18Cr7C0.6N0.2 and Mn13C1.1 steels in artificial acid rain were studied using electrochemical methods, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopemicroscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The results showed the formation of passive film and gradient-nanostructure on surfaces of both test steels during tribocorrosion. A dense and tightly adhering amorphous passive film was formed on Mn18Cr7C0.6N0.2 steel surface with a superior blocking effect toward invasive ions. The high strain resistance and plasticity of the Mn18Cr7C0.6N0.2 steel resulted in an intact gradient-nanostructure, suitable for obtaining high surface hardness and maintaining the toughness of the matrix, contribute to providing high wear resistance. The oxide film on the Mn13C1.1 steel surface comprised crystal α-FeOOH. Vortex cracks formed in its gradient structure due to strain localization. Meanwhile, the relatively poor corrosion protection ability and vortex cracks of its gradient-nanostructure prevented it from maintaining interface integrity of the gradient nanostructure, resulting in inferior tribocorrosion resistance. In artificial acid rain, the new type of Cr+N alloyed Mn18Cr7C0.6N0.2 steel exhibited higher tribocorrosion resistance than traditional high manganese steel, promising for use as an excellent wear-resistant material under corrosive environments. • An amorphous passive film formed on the surface of Cr+N alloyed high-Mn steel. • The gradient-nanostructure of Cr+N alloyed high-Mn steel maintained integrity. • Vortex cracks formed in the gradient-nanostructure of traditional high-Mn steel. • Gradient-nanostructure and passive film determined the tribocorrosion resistance. • The surface layer and passive film were fully observed by FIB and TEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small molecular volatilized during the leather fogging process will pollute the air environment inside the car and make leather products flammable. In this paper, layered double hydroxide (LDH) was modified by different dosage of oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) via exfoliation-reassembly, and its structure were investigated by XRD and TEM. Then modified Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Maxim Seed Oil/ OSA modified LDH (MZBMSO/OSA-LDH) were obtained by introducing OSA modified LDH (OSA-LDH) into modified Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Maxim Seed Oil (MZBMSO), and used MZBMSO/OSA-LDH in leather fatliquoring process. The effect of the introduction of OSA-LDH on the anti-fogging and flame retardancy of leather was investigated. Compared to the MZBMSO treated leather, MZBMSO/OSA-LDH-0.2 treated leather exhibited remarkable improvement on fogging value of the leather, which was decreased by 45%. Furthermore, the leather treated by MZBMSO/OSA-LDH-0.4 has reduction of length of charring and smoke density around 36.1% and 37.5%, respectively. A potential interaction mechanism demonstrates that under the influence of OSA-LDH, an organic-inorganic interpenetrating network structure formed by leather collagen fibers-fatliquor molecule-LDH layer, which utilized to the steric hindrance and adsorption effect to hinder small molecule migration inside the leather fibers, thereby suppressing the fogging of the leather. • Oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) can stabilize LDH nanosheets in an aqueous solution. • OSA-LDH nanocomposite were prepared by exfoliation-reassembly of LDH. • A fatliquor was obtained by Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Maxim Seed Oil and OSA-LDH. • The OSA-LDH could inhibit the fogging of the fatliquoring agent. • The fogging value of leather was reduced by adsorpting of OSA-LDH on small molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use/cover changes (LUCC) as well as climate change have the potential to significantly alter the characteristics of extreme hydrological events under changing environments. This study evaluates the individual and combined impacts that LUCC and climate change have on extreme hydrological events using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) applied in the Xitiaoxi River Basin (XRB). Two future land-use conditions, projected by CA-Markov model, and 21 climate scenarios, downscaled from three general circulation models, are considered. The results show that urban area would expand dramatically from 4.4% to 12.63%, which mainly occupy the forest-grass and agriculture land. The LUCC will decrease low flow index as well as increase high flow index, annual maximum 1-day and 5-day streamflow. Extreme precipitation indices all exhibit trends toward an increase in future occurrence. Furthermore, in testing the response of extreme hydrological events to climate change, most extreme hydrological indices are predicted to become greater than they were throughout the 1970s. The combined effects of LUCC and climate change would increase all extreme hydrological indices. Moreover, the climate change would contribute >50% of these hydrological impacts. These findings indicate that the XRB will experience more severe extreme hydrological events in both flooding and drought due to climate and land-use change. It is advised that disaster mitigation measures must be updated accordingly to respond to this changing situation. • The impacts of LUCC and climate change on hydrological extremes is studied using SWAT model. • Future land-use scenarios are projected by CA-Markov model, and 21 climate scenarios are downscaled by SDSM from GCMs. • LUCC would decrease the QL, and increase the QH, SX1day and SX5day in the study area. • Climate change would lead extreme floods and droughts to become more severe, contributing >50% to the total increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the individual and combined effects of land-use and land-cover changes (LUCCs) on spatial hydrological responses by using an integrated approach involving the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models in the Xitiaoxi River Basin (XRB). The LUCCs and their spatial patterns from 1985 to 2008 were evaluated in the XRB. The hydrological processes during the period from 1980–2015 were then generated by the SWAT model under the 1985 and 2008 land-use scenarios. GWR models were constructed to quantify the spatial impacts of LUCCs at the sub-basin scale. The results showed that the predominant trend of land-use conversion was between forest-grass land and agricultural land, and the diminishing portion of forest-grass land (25.93 km 2 ) and agricultural land (46.77 km 2 ) contributed to the expansion of urban land during the period 1985–2008. Moreover, the urban area increased from 5.6% to 17.05%, and the change ratio progressed towards the centre of the XRB. These changes in land use caused the average annual water yield and surface runoff to increase by 1.09% and 11.87%, respectively, and the average annual evapotranspiration (ET), percolation and baseflow to decrease by 0.73%, 16.53% and 17.26%, respectively. In addition, the results of the GWR models indicated that the responses of each hydrological component exhibited spatial differences. The comprehensive land-use intensification index ( La ), selected to reflect the combined effects of LUCCs, was positively correlated with water yield and surface runoff but negatively correlated with ET, percolation and baseflow. La had a greater effect on water yield, surface runoff, percolation and baseflow in rural areas than in the urbanized region. The combined effects of LUCCs in certain local areas increased water yield and surface runoff by up to 13.7% and 114.2%, respectively. The local coefficient indicated that rural regions might be exposed to greater effects of LUCCs. The results of this study could be useful to understand the effects of LUCCs on the spatial patterns of each hydrological component and to help improve flood control and water resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]