Low-carbon economic growth in Chinese cities: a case study in Shenzhen city.

Low-carbon economic growth in cities is important for reduction of carbon emissions in China. As the best practice city in China, Shenzhen city has experienced rapid economic growth with low carbon emissions. The study aims to evaluate the performance of Chinese cities on low-carbon economic growth through the case study of Shenzhen city. The study carries out the Tapio decoupling model for analyzing decoupling state, and uses the Kaya-Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index decomposition model to determine the main driving factors of carbon emissions in Shenzhen. Results indicate that Shenzhen has greatly decoupled carbon emissions with economic growth. The analysis of driving factors of carbon emission shows that the declining energy intensity and the upgrading industrial structure effectively hamper the increase of carbon emissions in Shenzhen. The decline in energy intensity in Shenzhen may come from an improvement of production efficiency of the industries. However, the irrational energy consumption structure, fast-growing economic output, and industry scale are hampering the low carbon emissions of Shenzhen. All estimated industries are highly dependent on coal and oil although some industries have slightly increased their proportion of clean energy consumption. Pursuing more clean energy consumption in the industry will be a key development strategy for reducing emissions in the future. Moreover, as Shenzhen is a fast-growing city, the increasing economic output and industry scale are inevitable. Changing people's way of living could also help in reducing carbon emissions in cities.

[Clinical observation on electroacupuncture at acupoints for treatment of senile radical sciatica].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and TENS on senile radical sciatica. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-nine cases were randomly divided into 2 groups, electroacupuncture group (n=70) and TENS group (n=69). The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at main points Qihaishu (BL 24), Dachangshu (BL 25), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), etc. and the TENS group was treated with skin electrode sticking at the pressure pain point of the nerve trunk which was connected with pulse current. Their therapeutic effects were observed and compared. RESULTS: At the end of the first course, the cured rate was 41.4% in the electroacupuncture group and 29.0% in the TENS group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05), and at the end of second course, their cured rates were 80.0% and 44.9%, respectively, with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on senile radical sciatica is significantly better than TENS.