Calculation of carbon emissions in wastewater treatment and its neutralization measures: A review.

As the pursuit of "carbon neutrality" gains momentum, the emphasis on low-carbon solutions, emphasizing energy conservation and resource reuse, has introduced fresh challenges to conventional wastewater treatment approaches. Precisely evaluating carbon emissions in urban water supply and drainage systems, wastewater treatment plants, and establishing carbon-neutral operating models has become a pivotal concern in the future of wastewater treatment. Regrettably, limited research has been devoted to carbon accounting and the development of carbon-neutral strategies for wastewater treatment. In this review, to facilitate comprehensive carbon accounting, we initially recognizes direct and indirect carbon emission sources in the wastewater treatment process. We then provide an overview of several major carbon accounting methods and propose a carbon accounting framework. Furthermore, we advocate for a systemic perspective, highlighting that achieving carbon neutrality in wastewater treatment extends beyond the boundaries of wastewater treatment plants. We assess current technical measures both within and outside the plants that contribute to achieving carbon-neutral operations. Encouraging the application of intelligent algorithms for the multifaceted monitoring and control of wastewater treatment processes is paramount. Supporting resource and energy recycling is also essential, as is recognizing the benefits of synergistic wastewater treatment technologies. We advocate a systematic, multi-level planning approach that takes into account a wide range of factors. Our goal is to offer valuable insights and support for the practical implementation of water environment management within the framework of carbon neutrality, and to advance sustainable socio-economic development and contribute to a more environmentally responsible future.

Inequalities in health-related quality of life and the contribution from socioeconomic status: evidence from Tibet, China.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to understand the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and the contribution of SES to health inequality among Tibetans of agricultural and pastoral areas (APA) in Tibet, China. METHODS: The data were from Health Survey of Tibetans in APA conducted in 2014. A total of 816 respondents were enrolled for the analysis Multiple linear regression was employed to examine the relationship between SES and HRQoL. Concentration index (CI) was used to measure the degree of health inequality and a Wagstaff-type CI decomposition method was applied to measure the contribution of SES to inequality. RESULTS: SES had significant association with HRQoL among the Tibetans in APA. The high SES group was more likely to have a higher Eq-5d index (0.77 vs. 0.67, P < 0.001) and VAS (72.94 vs. 62.41, P < 0.001) than the low SES group. The Concentration index of the Eq-5d index and VAS for total sample was 0.022 and 0.026 respectively, indicating a slight pro-rich inequality among this population. The decomposition analyses showed the SES is the main contributor to health inequality and contributed 45.50 and 41.39% to inequality for the Eq-5d index and VAS, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results showed SES is positively associated with HRQoL among Tibetans in APA. There was a slight pro-rich inequality in the health of the participants and most health inequality was attributable to SES. This study is helpful in gaining an insight into the HRQoL, health inequality and the relationship between SES and health inequality among Tibetans of APA in China.

Factors Associated With Prescribed Antenatal Care Utilization: A Cross-Sectional Study in Eastern Rural China.

With relatively sufficient antenatal health service supplies in eastern rural China, the utilization still needs to be improved. The objective of this study was to identify factors that correlate with antenatal care (ANC) utilization from the demand-side in Jiangsu, China. In a cross-sectional survey, a sample of 896 rural women who had a childbearing history in the previous 5 years answered ANC questions and formed the final analysis. Questionnaire was designed based on Andersen's behavioral model. The outcome variables included receiving times and items of prescribed ANC utilization, and the explanatory variables were organized into 3 hierarchical levels: predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted. In the results of multivariate logistic regression, factors significantly associated with ANC examination times included income, odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 2.90 (1.92-4.39); the distance from the nearest hospital, OR (95% CI) = 0.67 (0.47-0.95); chronic disease, OR (95% CI) = 1.77 (1.15-2.72); and parity, OR (95% CI) = 0.66 (0.46-0.95), while factors significantly associated with ANC examination items included education, OR (95% CI) = 8.02 (1.08-59.67); income, OR (95% CI) = 3.90 (1.72-8.85); female medical staff in towns and villages, OR (95% CI) = 2.64 (1.39-5.02); and parity, OR (95% CI) = 0.41 (0.23-0.75). In reducing inadequate ANC utilization in rural area, efforts should be made not only to target the rural women with lower income, lower educational level, and multi-parity, but also to further improve the accessibility of the primary medical facilities and female staff at the grassroots level.

Measurement and decomposition of income-related inequality in self-rated health among the elderly in China.

BACKGROUND: Population ageing in China has brought increasing attention to the health inequalities of the elderly. The purpose of this paper is to measure income-related health inequality among the elderly in China and decompose its causes. METHODS: The data are from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) survey in 2013, which contains 6176 individuals aged 60 years and above. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of self-rated health (SRH) among the elder people. Furthermore, the corrected concentration index were used to measure income-related health inequality. Wagstaff-type decomposition analysis was employed to explore the cause of inequality. The measurement and decomposition of health inequality was also performed separately in the male and female subgroups. RESULTS: Most elderly declared their health status as "fair" (51.33%) or "poor" (21.88%). Income, gender, residence, region, health insurance and other factors had significant association with SRH (P < 0.05). The corrected concentration index (CCI) was 0.06, indicating pro-rich inequality in health among the elderly. Decomposition analyses revealed that the main contributors to health inequality included income, residence, region, health insurance, and employment. For female elderly, most of the inequality was due to residence (50.78%) and income (49.51%); for male elderly, most of the inequality was due to insurance (38.65%) and income (22.26%); for the total sample, employment had a negative contribution to health inequality (- 25.83%). CONCLUSION: The findings confirm a high proportion of elderly with poor SRH, and health inequality in the Chinese. Some socioeconomic strategies should be conducted to reduce this health inequality among the elderly, such as reducing income disparities, consolidating health insurance schemes, and narrowing urban-rural and regional gaps. Older females with low incomes in rural areas are a vulnerable subgroup and warrant targeted policy attention.

[Generalized science of Chinese material medica-from preventive treatment of disease to Chinese medicine health industry].

Based on the systematic summary of the results of the fourth general survey of traditional Chinese medicine resources, the cultivation of large varieties of Chinese material medica and the latest research on health industrial development, the novel concepts and scientific connotations of generalized science of Chinese material medica are put forward, and the basic ideas and methods of a new Chinese medicine academic system, the cultivation system of large varieties of Chinese medicinal materials and the application system of the large health industry are constructed. This kind of generalized science of Chinese material medica, rooted in the traditional Chinese culture and the theory of "preventive treatment of disease", can avoid the narrow prospect induced by the increasing specialization and refinement of knowledge of science of Chinese material medica. It will play an important role in the modernization, industrialization, internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine.