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As the understanding of natural gas hydrates as a vast potential resource deepens, their importance as a future clean energy source becomes increasingly evident. However, natural gas hydrates trend towards secondary generation during extraction and transportation, leading to safety issues such as pipeline blockages. Consequently, developing new and efficient natural gas hydrate inhibitors has become a focal point in hydrate research. Kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) offer an effective solution by disrupting the nucleation and growth processes of hydrates without altering their thermodynamic equilibrium conditions. This paper systematically reviews the latest research progress and development trends in KHIs for natural gas hydrates, covering their development history, classification, and inhibition mechanisms. It particularly focuses on the chemical properties, inhibition effects, and mechanisms of polymer inhibitors such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinylcaprolactam (PVCap). Studies indicate that these polymer inhibitors provide an economical and efficient solution due to their low dosage and environmental friendliness. Additionally, this paper explores the environmental impact and biodegradability of these inhibitors, offering guidance for future research, including the development, optimization, and environmental assessment of new inhibitors. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing research, this work aims to provide a theoretical foundation and technical reference for the commercial development of natural gas hydrates, promoting their safe and efficient use as a clean energy resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue consists of nine surveys that delve into the recent development in the literature on inequality, examining its perception, sources, implications, and potential solutions. The review synthesizes key aspects, from the conceptualization of inequality perception to its profound consequences such as deteriorated social cohesion, unethical behaviors, and even violent conflicts. The papers underscore the complexity of individuals' preferences for redistribution, influenced by myriad factors like procedural fairness, societal norms, and ethnicity composition. They also explore the potential for interventions, such as wage transparency reforms, to tackle inequality. This synthesis underscores the persistent challenge posed by inequality, while also pointing towards unexplored avenues for future research, thus advancing our understanding of the socio‐economic implications of inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inequality is perhaps one of the most challenging issues of our time. Empirical literature, using observational data, indicates that higher inequality is associated with lower social capital. Oftentimes, however, the causal effects of inequality are difficult to establish based on survey and empirical observations. To this end, we review a large body of experimental literature and assess the causal effects of inequality on experimental proxies for social capital. We find compelling evidence that inequality undermines trust, discourages cooperation, and encourages unethical behaviors. The overall effect on generosity is, however, less clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed primary tumor originating from the nasopharynx, and the preferred treatment modality is radiotherapy.Aims: To identify nasopharyngeal carcinoma prognostic factors in patients with residual or recurrent cervical lymph node metastases after radiotherapy.Patients and Methods: The clinicopathologic characteristics and prognoses of 67 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with residual or recurrent cervical lymph node metastases who were diagnosed and treated were analyzed retrospectively. The Chi-squared test and Cox proportional hazard regression model were used to investigate associations between survival and clinicopathological features. Cumulative survival plots were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results: Data analysis using the Cox proportional hazard regression model revealed that the size of residual or recurrent lymph node metastases, level V lymph node involvement, number of involved levels, surgical procedure performed, and distant metastases were significantly associated with overall survival. Chi-squared analysis only determined a significant correlation between distant metastases and patient survival. Furthermore, the Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for patients were 86.6%, 52.2%, and 38.6%, respectively. Radical neck dissection resulted in substantially longer overall survival than modified neck dissection.Conclusion: The size of residual or recurrent lymph node metastases, level V lymph node involvement, number of involved levels, surgical procedure performed, and presence of distant metastases were prognostic factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with residual or recurrent cervical lymph node metastases after radiotherapy, with distant metastases being the most important determinant. Classical radical neck dissection is recommended for treating recurrent nodal disease in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider whether asymmetric information about correlations between assets can induce financial contagion. Contagion, unjustified by fundamentals, would arise if participants react in one market to uninformative trades in the other market that actually convey no relevant information. The authors also consider whether the market accurately disseminates insider information about fundamental value correlations when such information is indeed present. Design/methodology/approach – The authors employ experimental asset markets to answer the research questions. The experimental markets allow participants to simultaneously trade two assets for multiple rounds. In each round, a shock occurs, which either have an idiosyncratic effect on the shocked asset, or a systematic effect on both assets. Half of the time, there exist insiders who know the true nature of the shock and how it affects the value of the other asset. The other half of the time, no agent knows whether there is a correlation between the assets. In such cases, there is the potential for the appearance of information mirages. Uninformed traders, in either condition, do not know whether or not there exist insiders, but can try to infer this from the market activity they observe. Findings – The results of the experiment show that when inside information about the nature of the correlation between assets does exist, it is readily disseminated in the form of market prices. However, when there is no private information (PI), mirages are common, demonstrating that financial contagion can arise in the absence of any fundamental relationship between assets. An analysis of individual behavior suggests that some unprofitable decisions appear to be related to an aversion to complex distributions of lottery payoffs. Originality/value – The study focusses on one of the triggers of unjustified financial contagion, namely, asymmetric information. The authors have studied financial contagion in a controlled experimental setting where the authors can carefully control information, and specify the fundamental interdependence between assets traded in different markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and efficient high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint method was developed to discriminate Semen cassiae from two related species: Cassia obtusifolia L. (CO) and Cassia tora L. (CT), the seeds of which are abbreviated as COS and CTS, respectively. 22 major bioactive ingredients in 42 samples (20 COS and 22 CTS) collected from different provinces of China were identified. The statistical methods included similarity analysis and partial least-squares discriminant analysis. The pattern analysis method was specific and could be readily used for the comprehensive evaluation of Semen cassiae samples. Therefore, high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint in combination with pattern analysis provided a simple and reliable method for discriminating between COS and CTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the analysis on the geology characteristics and drilling history of Beibuwan Basin in the west of South China Sea, the paper analyzed the reasons for poor dillability, and summarized the exploration and practice in ROP acceleration technology in the west of South China Sea. Combined with the experiences acquired from several newly drilled wells in Beibuwan Basin, a ROP acceleration strategy which is suitable for the poor drillability formation in this basin was introduced, meanwhile a new type of bit was developed to deal with these formations, therefore a set of ROP acceleration technology for Beibuwan poor drllability formation was formed. Field experience witnessed the significant improvement of ROP in poor drillability formation in Beibuwan Basin. This new technology has played a striking role in drilling cost control in the west of South China Sea, and can be a good reference for field drilling job on similar type of formations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Carthamus tinctorius L. (Compositae), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, was known as Hong hua (Chinese: ▪), safflower. Safflower with a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects has been used to treat dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and mass, trauma and pain of joints, etc. The present paper reviews the advancements in investigation of botany and ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of safflower. Finally, the possible tendency and perspective for future investigation of this plant are discussed, too. Materials and methods: The information on safflower was collected via piles of resources including classic books about Chinese herbal medicine, and scientific databases including Pubmed, Google Scholar, ACS, Web of science, CNKI and others. Results: Over 104 compounds from this plant have been isolated and identified, and quinochalcones and flavonoids are considered as the characteristic and active constituents of safflower. Safflower with its active compounds possesses wide-reaching biological activities, including dilating coronary artery, improving myocardial ischemia, modulating immune system, anticoagulation and antithrombosis, antioxidation, antiaging, antihypoxia, antifatigue, antiinflammation, anti-hepatic fibrosis, antitumor, analgesia, etc. Conclusions: As an important traditional Chinese medicine, it is important to investigate the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of this plant based on modern realization of diseases' pathophysiology. More bioactive components should be identified using bioactivity-guided isolation strategies, and the possible mechanism of action as well as potential synergistic or antagonistic effects of multi-component mixtures derived from safflower need to be evaluated integrating pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, bioavailability-centered and physiological approaches. Further studies on safflower can lead to the development of new drugs and therapeutics for various diseases, and how to utilize it better should be paid more attention to. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here new zircon U-Pb age and Hf-isotope as well as geochemical analyses of the recently discovered Archean-Paleoproterozoic Zhongxiang Complex in the northern-central Yangtze Craton, South China, and interpret the early crustal evolution of the Yangtze Craton. Zircon LA-ICP-MS dating yielded magmatic crystallization ages of ca. 2.90–2.87 Ga for two monzogranites, ca. 2.77 Ga for a trondhjemitic gneiss, and ca. 2.67–2.62 Ga for three potassic granites. The trondhjemitic gneiss also contains zircon rims that record a metamorphic event at ca. 2.08 Ga. These results demonstrate that the Zhongxiang Complex is significantly older than previously thought, and it contains the only potential TTG with ages of 2.8–2.7 Ga for the Yangtze Craton. These granitoids vary considerably in zircon Hf isotopic and geochemical characteristics. The ca. 2.90–2.87 Ga monzogranites correspond in composition to alkaline and calc-alkalic peraluminous granites originated from mixing of ancient and juvenile crustal components at relatively shallow depths. In contrast, the ca. 2.77 Ga trondhjemitic gneisses are calc-alkalic and peraluminous with relatively high Sr/Y and (La/Yb) N ratios and slightly evolved zircon Hf signatures, but without significant Eu anomaly that is, typical of a medium-pressure TTG component. Consequently, they are interpreted to be the products of partial melting of a basaltic source with appreciable involvement of pre-existing crustal components (i.e., tonalites), with garnet and amphibole in the residue. The ca. 2.67–2.62 Ga potassic granites are alkaline, faintly peraluminous and ferroan, exhibiting a high-silica A-type granite affinity. They are characterized by low Al 2 O 3 /TiO 2 ratios with dominantly undepleted zircons, suggesting their derivation from melting of meta-sedimentary rocks under high-temperature conditions with plagioclase as the main residual phases. The Zhongxiang Complex thereby differs from the Kongling Complex and other Archean provinces in the Yangtze Craton by preserving distinct magmatic pulses (ca. 2.90–2.87 Ga; ca. 2.77 Ga; ca. 2.67–2.62 Ga) with different nature and sources. A comparative analysis of the crustal evolution of the Zhongxiang Complex and other Archean provinces of the Yangtze Craton indicates a compositionally heterogeneous Archean Yangtze Craton, which likely comprises several Archean terranes that accreted together to form a uniform craton during the late Archean to Paleoproterozoic time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]