Abstract. This is a generalization of the classic work of Beilinson, Lusztig and MacPherson. In this paper (and an Appendix) we show that the quantum algebras obtained via a BLM-type stabilization procedure in the setting of partial flag varieties of type B/C are two (modified) coideal subalgebras of the quantum general linear Lie algebra,U  andU ı . We provide a geometric realization of the Schur-type duality of Bao-Wang between such a coideal algebra and Iwahori-Hecke algebra of type B. The monomial bases and canonical bases of the Schur algebras and the modified coideal algebraU  are constructed. In an Appendix by three authors, a more subtle 2-step stabilization procedure leading tȯ U ı is developed, and then monomial and canonical bases ofU ı are constructed. It is shown thatU ı is a subquotient ofU  with compatible canonical bases. Moreover, a compatibility between canonical bases for modified coideal algebras and Schur algebras is established.

Four economically important brown algae species (Ascophyllum nodosum, Laminaria japonica, Lessonia trabeculate and Lessonia nigrecens) were investigated for phenolic compound extraction and evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and pancreatic lipase and tyrosinase inhibition activities. Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) at 110 °C for 15 min resulted in both higher crude yield and higher total phenolic content (TPC) for all algae species compared with those obtained by conventional extraction at room temperature for 4 h, and Ascophyllum nodosum yielded the highest TPC. Antioxidant tests indicated that extracts acquired by MAE from four species all exhibited higher DPPH, ABTS free radical scavenging ability and reducing power than the conventional method. The extract of Lessonia trabeculate exhibited good α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and tyrosinase inhibition activities, and the MAE extract showed even better α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than acarbose.

Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has been used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures for over 10 years; however, clinically speaking it is still controversial as to whether the use of unipedicular PKP or bipedicular PKP is best. Our study aimed to compare the different effects of unipedicular PKP and bipedicular PKP on the stiffness of compression fractured vertebral bodies (VBs), as well as to assess how cement distribution affect the bilateral biomechanical balance of the VBs. During this study, 30 thoracic VBs were compressed, creating vertebral compression fracture models; then they were augmented by unipedicular (group A and B) PKP and bipedicular (group C) PKP. In group A (unipedicular PKP), the cement was injected into one side and the augmentation was limited to the same side of the VB. In group B (unipedicular PKP), the cement was injected at only one side but the augmentation extended across the midline and filled both sides of the VB. In group C (bipedicular PKP), the cement was injected into both sides and thus achieved the bilateral augmentation. For the unipedicular PKP, the amount of cement injected was 15% of the original VB volume; while in bipedicular PKP, the amount of cement injected was a total of 20% of the original VB volume (10% was injected into each side). Using a MTS-858, we examined three phases of the VBs (intact, pre-augmented, post-augmented), by applying loads axially to the total vertebra and bilateral sides of the vertebra for each of three cycles, respectively. The changes of force and displacement were then recorded and the stiffness of the total vertebra and bilateral sides of the vertebra were calculated. For the pre-augmentation stage, the total VB stiffness of groups A, B and C significantly decreased when the compression fracture models were established (P < 0.05). After the cement augmentation (the post-augmentation stage), both groups A and B, showed that the stiffness could be restored to the initial, intact state; however, in group C, the stiffness was significantly higher than the initial, intact state (P < 0.01). The stiffness of the augmented side of group A was significantly higher than the non-augmented side (P < 0.001). In groups B and C, no significant differences were observed in the stiffness between total VB and each individual side. Thus, we can conclude that both unipedicular PKP and bipedicular PKP significantly increase the total VB stiffness. Bipedicular PKP creates stiffness uniformly across both sides of the vertebrae, while unipedicular PKP, creates a biomechanical balance depending on the distribution of cement. If bone cement is augmented only on one side, the stiffness of non-augmented side will be significantly lower than the augmented side, which might lead to an imbalance of stress on the VB. However, when cement augmentation crosses the midline, stiffness of both sides increase comparatively and biomechanical balance is thus achieved.

Satisfactory and unsatisfactory hips show different patterns of acetabular development after reduction. AI, CEA and RI are all predictors of final radiographic outcomes in DDH treated by CR, although AI showed the best results. AI continues to improve until seven years after CR in hips with satisfactory outcomes, while it ceases to improve three to four years after CR in hips with unsatisfactory outcomes. According to our results, surgery is indicated if AI >28° 1 year following CR or AI >25° two to four years after CR. CEA and RI should be used as a secondary index to aid in the selection of patients requiring surgery.

No abstract

Soil salinity reduces plant growth and is a major factor that causes decreased agricultural productivity worldwide. Seaweed polysaccharides promote crop growth and improve plant resistance to abiotic stress. In this study, polysaccharides from brown seaweed Lessonia nigrescens polysaccharides (LNP) were extracted and further separated and fractionated. Two acidic polysaccharides (LNP-1 and LNP-2) from crude LNP were obtained and characterized. The latter had a lower molecular weight (MW) (40.2 kDa) than the former (63.9 kDa), but had higher uronic acid and sulfate content. Crude LNP and LNP-2 were composed of mannose, glucuronic acid, fucose, and xylose, whereas LNP-1 has little mannose. Moreover, the effects of the three polysaccharides on plant salt tolerance were investigated. The results showed that crude LNP, LNP-1, and LNP-2 promoted the growth of plants, decreased membrane lipid peroxidation, increased the chlorophyll content, improved antioxidant activities, and coordinated the efflux and compartmentation of intracellular ion. All three polysaccharides could induce plant resistance to salt stress, but LNP-2 was more effective than the other two. The present study allowed to conclude that both MW and sulfate degree contribute to salt resistance capability of polysaccharides derived from L. nigrescens.

No abstract

Compared with other enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques like gas flooding, chemical flooding, and thermal production, the prominent advantages of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) include environment-friendliness and lowest cost. Recent progress of MEOR in laboratory studies and microbial flooding recovery (MFR) field tests in China are reviewed. High biotechnology is being used to investigate MFR mechanisms on the molecular level. Emulsification and wettability alternation due to microbial effects are the main interests at present. Application of a high-resolution mass spectrum (HRMS) on MEOR mechanism has revealed the change of polar compound structures before and after oil degradation by the microbial on the molecular level. MEOR could be divided into indigenous microorganism and exogenous microorganism flooding. The key of exogenous microorganism flooding was to develop effective production strains, and difficulty lies in the compatibility of the microorganism, performance degradation, and high cost. Indigenous microorganism flooding has good adaptation but no follow-up process on production strain development; thus, it represents the main development direction of MEOR in China. More than 4600 wells have been conducted for MEOR field tests in China, and about 500 wells are involved in MFR. 47 MFR field tests have been carried out in China, and 12 field tests are conducted in Daqing Oilfield. MFR field test’s incremental oil recovery is as high as 4.95% OOIP, with a typical slug size less than 0.1 PV. The input-output ratio can be 1 : 6. All field tests have shown positive results in oil production increase and water cut reduction. MEOR screening criteria for reservoirs in China need to be improved. Reservoir fluid, temperature, and salinity were the most important three parameters. Microbial flooding technology is mature in reservoirs with temperature lower than 80°C, salinity less than 100,000 ppm, and permeability above 5 mD. MFR in China is very close to commercial application, while MFR as quaternary recovery like those in post-polymer flooding reservoirs needs further study.