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Utilizing acoustic information for search route planning will greatly increase the success rate of searching for underwater targets, which requires rapid computing of numerous underwater acoustic fields. The efficiency of traditional computing methods is too low to meet the requirements of rapid applications. In this paper, a underwater multi-acoustic fields computing model is developed based on ray theory, and multi-level hybrid parallel computing strategies are designed based on the model characteristics, and a dynamic scheduling optimization algorithm at process level is introduced to solve the load imbalance problem. All parallel computing strategies are tested in Tianhe-II High Performance Computer (HPC) system, and the tests show that: 1. compared with the serial version, hybrid parallel computing strategy provides a Speedup of 75.7 under 240 cores; 2. after the introduction of the dynamic scheduling optimization algorithm, the speed of solving the underwater acoustic fields is further increased by 28.99% under the same computing resources, and the Speedup reaches 97.67; 3. the optimal combination of process/thread parameter on the Tianhe-II HPC system is given as 3/8, and the final Speedup reaches 112.13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serving as a crucial part of the Yangtze River Basin (YRB)'s flood control system, Flood Detention Areas (FDAs) are vital in mitigating large-scale floods. Urbanization has led to the development of urban FDAs, but significant losses could ensue if these FDAs are activated. With improved reservoirs and embankments, flood pressure in the middle reaches has lessened, posing challenges in balancing flood control and economic benefits. This paper presents a comparative analysis of land use, GDP, and population in FDAs and adjacent cities, enhancing our understanding of their disparities and interrelations. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)–Entropy Weight Method (EW)–Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) comprehensive evaluation method, we assess changes in flood control and economic values in FDAs. The results show a conflict between flood control and economic policies in FDAs, highlighting their underestimated economic potential, especially in urban areas. This study identifies differences in economic development across FDAs and a strong correlation between flood control value and inundation rates. Based on evaluations and simulations of the 1954 flood, we provide recommendations for the FDAs' construction plan, which serves the development and flood management of the YRB and offer insights for similar assessments elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil samples were analyzed in the water-level fluctuation zone of Chongqing from the Three Gorges Reservoir for the content and distribution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Meanwhile, PAH congeners were analyzed and the potential sources of PAHs in soil were identified by isomer ratio, and the ecological risk of PAHs was evaluated by ecological risk model. The results showed that the content of ∑16PAHs in these regions ranged from 180.2 - 618.0 ng·g-1 (based on dry mass), and the median value was 421.1 ng·g-1 (based on dry mass), which was in the medium-low pollution level. All 16 kinds of PAHs were detected, and phenanthrene was the monomer with the highest abundance, which accounted for 19.5% - 32.8% of ∑16PAHs. The content of Σ16PAHs in these different elevations ranged from 281.0 - 794.1 ng·g-1 (based on dry mass), with the median val- ue of 610.2 ng·g-1 (based on dry mass), showing an increasing trend with the increase of elevation. Whereas the composition ratio of PAHs was dominated by 3- and 4-rings. The composition of PAHs in soil exhibited a moderate coefficient of variation. Human activities and water level fluctuation had a great influence on the distribution of PAHs in the soil from different elevations. Ecological risk assessment results showed that the fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene reached high-level risk. The isomer ratios indicated that incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass were the main sources of soil PAHs. The results provided a theoretical reference for the prevention and control of PAHs in Chongqing of the Three Gorges Reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids (HDLS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by cerebral white matter degeneration and caused by mutations in the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) gene. Involvement of the optic nerves in hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy is rare. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 30-year-old Chinese woman with HDLS, who carried a heterozygous c.2345 G > A (p.782Arg > His) mutation in exon 18 of CSF1R. She developed a gradual decline in motor ability, as well as cognitive and visual function, over the course of 4 months. Brain T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed high signal lesions in the bilateral frontoparietal and periventricular deep white matter. Optical coherence tomography showed that the right peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer was atrophic in the temporal quadrant while the left peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer was thin in the temporal superior quadrant. Conclusions: A diagnosis of HDLS should be considered in patients with white matter lesions and optic nerves injury upon magnetic resonance imaging that mimics progressive multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global warming, comprehending the dynamics of terrestrial water storage (TWS) and its responses to natural and anthropogenic factors is paramount for hydrological research and the management of water resources in China. This study utilized GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment)/GRACE-Follow On (GRACE-FO) satellite data to analyze terrestrial water storage across nine basins in China from 2005 to 2020 at multiple temporal and spatial scales. Subsequently, employing a Geographic detector model, potential influencing factors were identified, and an enhanced Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) method was proposed for attributing changes in TWS in China. The findings reveal a consistent declining trend in TWS based on GRACE/GRACE-FO data across different temporal scales, with the most pronounced decreases observed in August and September. Geographic Detector analysis unveils significant interactions among various environmental factors, with climate variables playing a pivotal role in modulating hydrological characteristics of major river basins, where rising temperatures can exacerbate the severity of precipitation events, thus increasing the risk of floods and droughts. Moreover, analysis of the primary influencing factors indicates significant impacts of population density and topography on water resources in the southeastern and southwestern regions, particularly amidst increasing human activities and urbanization expansion. The results of this study are crucial for comprehending the dynamic changes and mechanisms of TWS in China, as well as for formulating water resource management strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Astrocytes mediate the destruction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during ischemic stroke (IS). IL-9 is a pleiotropic cytokine that we previously found to be highly expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with IS, and the presence of IL-9 receptors on astrocytes has been reported in the literature. Here, we detected the effect of IL-9 on astrocytes using an anti-IL-9-neutralizing antibody to treat rats with experimental stroke. Supernatants from astrocytes treated with or without oxygen-glucose deprivation and/or IL-9 were incubated with bEnd.3 cell monolayers after blocking the IL-9 receptor on the endothelium. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analyses were conducted to observe the change in tight junction proteins (TJPs) in bEnd.3 cells as well as the level of VEGF-A and possible signal pathways in astrocytes. We also applied middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models to determine the effect of anti-IL-9-neutralizing antibodies on IS. As a result, astrocyte-conditioned medium treated with IL-9 aggravated the disruption of the BBB accomplished by the degradation of TJPs in endothelial cells. In addition, IL-9 increased the level of VEGF-A in astrocytes, and blocking the effect of VEGF-A reversed the breakdown of the BBB. In the MCAO model, anti-IL-9-neutralizing antibody reduced the infarct volume and BBB destruction. Mechanistically, the anti-IL-9-neutralizing antibody repaired the damaged TJPs (zonula occludens 1, occludin, and claudin-5) and induced a decrease in VEGF-A expression in ischemic lateral brain tissue. In contrast, a local injection of recombinant murine IL-9 to the brain resulted in a marked up-regulation of VEGF-A in the striatum. In conclusion, anti-IL-9-neutralizing antibody can reduce the severity of IS partially by alleviating the destruction of the BBB via down-regulation of astrocyte-derived VEGF-A. This finding suggests that targeting IL-9 or VEGF-A could provide a new direction for the treatment of IS.-Tan, S., Shan, Y., Lin, Y., Liao, S., Zhang, B., Zeng, Q., Wang, Y., Deng, Z., Chen, C., Hu, X., Peng, L., Qiu, W., Lu, Z. Neutralization of IL-9 ameliorates experimental stroke by repairing the blood-brain barrier via down-regulation of astrocyte-derived vascular endothelial growth factor-A.