Spherical CR uniformization of the "magic" 3-manifold

We show the 3-manifold at infinity of the complex hyperbolic triangle group $\Delta_{3,\infty,\infty;\infty}$ is the three-cusped "magic" 3-manifold $6_1^3$. We also show the 3-manifold at infinity of the complex hyperbolic triangle group $\Delta_{3,4,\infty;\infty}$ is the two-cusped 3-manifold $m295$ in the Snappy Census, which is a 3-manifold obtained by Dehn filling on one cusp of $6_1^3$. In particular, hyperbolic 3-manifolds $6_1^3$ and $m295$ admit spherical CR uniformizations. These results support our conjecture that the 3-manifold at infinity of the complex hyperbolic triangle group $\Delta_{3,n,m;\infty}$ is the one-cusped hyperbolic 3-manifold from the "magic" $6_1^3$ via Dehn fillings with filling slopes $(n-2)$ and $(m-2)$ on the first two cusps of it.Comment: 66 pages, 34 figures. Comments are welcome

The topology of the Eisenstein-Picard modular surface

The Eisenstein-Picard modular surface $M$ is the quotient space of the complex hyperbolic plane by the modular group $\rm PU(2,1; \mathbb{Z}[\omega])$. We determine the global topology of $M$ as a 4-orbifold

Method of Optimal Scheduling of Cascade Reservoirs based on Improved Chaotic Ant Colony Algorithm

Abstract: On the basis of the analysis of the basic information of the river basin reservoirs and application of chaotic ant swarm algorithm, the medium-and long-term optimization operation model is established, which regards the maximum annual generation capacity of the cascade hydropower stations as the main purpose. The simulation result shows the algorithm improves the total annual power generation of the cascade reservoirs, and is better than the basic chaotic ant colony solving method of reservoir operation model, finally provides an effective solution to solve the cascade reservoirs optimization operation problem

Method of Optimal Scheduling of Cascade Reservoirs based on Improved Chaotic Ant Colony Algorithm

On the basis of the analysis of the basic information of the river basin reservoirs and application of chaotic ant swarm algorithm, the medium-and long-term optimization operation model is established, which regards the maximum annual generation capacity of the cascade hydropower stations as the main purpose. The simulation result shows the algorithm improves the total annual power generation of the cascade reservoirs, and is better than the basic chaotic ant colony solving method of reservoir operation model, finally provides an effective solution to solve the cascade reservoirs optimization operation problem

You Watch, You Give, and You Engage: A Study of Live Streaming Practices in China

Despite gaining traction in North America, live streaming has not reached the popularity it has in China, where livestreaming has a tremendous impact on the social behaviors of users. To better understand this socio-technological phenomenon, we conducted a mixed methods study of live streaming practices in China. We present the results of an online survey of 527 live streaming users, focusing on their broadcasting or viewing practices and the experiences they find most engaging. We also interviewed 14 active users to explore their motivations and experiences. Our data revealed the different categories of content that was broadcasted and how varying aspects of this content engaged viewers. We also gained insight into the role reward systems and fan group-chat play in engaging users, while also finding evidence that both viewers and streamers desire deeper channels and mechanisms for interaction in addition to the commenting, gifting, and fan groups that are available today.Comment: Published at ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2018). Please cite the CHI versio

Gut microbiota and acylcarnitine metabolites connect the beneficial association between estrogen and lipid metabolism disorders in ovariectomized mice

Decreased estrogen level is one of the main causes of lipid metabolism disorders and coronary heart disease in women after menopause. Exogenous estradiol benzoate is effective to some extent in alleviating lipid metabolism disorders caused by estrogen deficiency. However, the role of gut microbes in the regulation process is not yet appreciated. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of estradiol benzoate supplementation on lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, and metabolites in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and to reveal the importance of gut microbes and metabolites in the regulation of lipid metabolism disorders. This study found that high doses of estradiol benzoate supplementation effectively attenuated fat accumulation in OVX mice. There was a significant increase in the expression of genes enriched in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and a concomitant decrease in the expression of genes enriched in unsaturated fatty acid metabolism pathways. Further screening of the gut for characteristic metabolites associated with improved lipid metabolism revealed that estradiol benzoate supplementation influenced major subsets of acylcarnitine metabolites. Ovariectomy significantly increased the abundance of characteristic microbes that are significantly negatively associated with acylcarnitine synthesis, such as Lactobacillus and Eubacterium ruminantium group bacteria, while estradiol benzoate supplementation significantly increased the abundance of characteristic microbes that are significantly positively associated with acylcarnitine synthesis, such as Ileibacterium and Bifidobacterium spp. The use of pseudosterile mice with gut microbial deficiency greatly facilitated the synthesis of acylcarnitine due to estradiol benzoate supplementation and also alleviated lipid metabolism disorders to a greater extent in OVX mice. IMPORTANCE Our findings establish a role for gut microbes in the progression of estrogen deficiency-induced lipid metabolism disorders and reveal key target bacteria that may have the potential to regulate acylcarnitine synthesis. These findings suggest a possible route for the use of microbes or acylcarnitine to regulate disorders of lipid metabolism induced by estrogen deficiency

Wear particles enhance autophagy through up-regulation of CD147 to promote osteoclastogenesis

Objective(s): The study aimed to uncover the underlying mechanism linking wear particles to osteoclast differentiation, and we explored the effect of titanium particles of different sizes on CD147 expression and autophagy in macrophages. Materials and Methods: Effects of titanium particles on CD147 and RANKL mRNA were detected by QPCR; protein level of CD147 and Beclin-1 were detected by Western blot; soluble RANKL were detected by ELISA. To determine the effect of CD147 and autophagy, KG-1a cells were transfected with siRNA-CD147 or treated with autophagy inhibitor CQ (chloroquine), and then co-cultured with different sizes of titanium particles.Results: Our results showed that 0.2-1.2 µm and 1.2-10 µm titanium particles up-regulate CD147 to activate autophagy, which increase the level of soluble RANKL to promote osteoclastogenesis. Suppression of CD147 with siRNA could diminish particle-induced autophagy and soluble RANKL expression. In addition, CQ could dramatically reduce particle-induced soluble RANKL expression. Conclusion: Our findings suggested a possible mechanism underlying wear debris-induced osteolysis and identified CD147 as a potential therapeutic target in aseptic loosening

Identification and Characterization of Three New Cytochrome P450 Genes and the Use of RNA Interference to Evaluate Their Roles in Antioxidant Defense in Apis cerana cerana Fabricius

Cytochrome P450s play critical roles in maintaining redox homeostasis and protecting organisms from the accumulation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). The biochemical functions of the P450 family have essentially been associated with the metabolism of xenobiotics. Here, we sequenced and characterized three P450 genes, AccCYP314A1, AccCYP4AZ1, and AccCYP6AS5, from Apis cerana cerana Fabricius; these genes play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis indicated that the three genes were all predominantly expressed in the epidermis (EP), followed by the brain (BR) and midgut (MG). In addition, the highest expression levels were detected in the dark-eyed pupae and adult stages. The three genes were induced by temperature (4°C and 44°C), heavy metals (CdCl2 and HgCl2), pesticides (DDV, deltamethrin, and paraquat) and UV treatments. Furthermore, Western blot analysis indicated that the protein expression levels could be induced by some abiotic stressors, a result that complements the qPCR results. We analyzed the silencing of these three genes and found that silencing these genes enhanced the enzymatic activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT). Additionally, we investigated the expression of other antioxidant genes and found that some were upregulated, while others were downregulated, suggesting that the upregulated genes may be involved in compensating for the silencing of AccCYP314A1, AccCYP4AZ1, and AccCYP6AS5. Our findings suggest that AccCYP314A1, AccCYP4AZ1, and AccCYP6AS5 may play very significant roles in the antioxidant defense against damage caused by ROS