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The prevalence of poverty and inequality in megacities often manifests as high levels of energy poverty and disparities in household energy consumption. A comprehensive survey of 2054 households in Beijing was conducted in 2023 to examine the dynamics of energy poverty within such an urban settings. As one of the world's most influential megacities, Beijing offers a distinct and insightful case study for understanding energy poverty in a rapidly urbanizing global context. Utilizing the 10 % and low-cost/high-income (LIHC) methods, we estimated that the energy poverty rate in Beijing ranges between 16.07 % and 17.53 %, with the highest rates observed in suburban areas. In addition, we explored the spatial differences in energy poverty and the root causes. Our research reveals a significant correlation between economic and geographical factors and the spatial distribution of energy poverty. Furthermore, our findings suggest that larger populations tend to be associated with reduced disparities in energy poverty across different areas. Therefore, we suggest promoting the use of energy-efficient installations, implementing time-sensitive heating systems, and providing electricity and hygienic cooking facilities. • We surveyed 2054 households to measure energy poverty in Beijing, resulting in a range of 16.07–17.53 %. • The spatial structure of energy poverty is closely related to economic and geographical distance. • Energy expenditure, floor area, and heating methods significantly influence spatial differences in Beijing's energy poverty. • As Population size increases, household energy usage is shared, reducing spatial differences in energy poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 20 years, energy consumption in the residential sector in China has grown rapidly, and the growth is faster than that of any other energy form. To assess the limitations of the spatial characteristics of household energy consumption in urban areas, this paper selected Guangzhou as the research area. Specifically, the old town, core area, central area and peri-urban areas, which best reflect the evolutionary characteristics and spatial differentiation of households, were assessed. Based on the surveyed database of community-scale household energy consumption (N = 1097), the spatial heterogeneity of household energy consumption and carbon emissions at the community scale were assessed through exploratory spatial data analysis and the standard deviation ellipse method. The results report that (1) the main sources of energy consumption in Guangzhou households were water heating equipment, kitchen equipment and refrigeration equipment, which were related to the climatic conditions and cultural traditions of the city. (2) There was significant spatial heterogeneity in the carbon emissions from household domestic energy use in Guangzhou. (3) The economic level, the effects of the Lingnan culture and the characteristics of residents are the main drivers influencing the spatial characteristics of household energy consumption and carbon emissions in Guangzhou. We propose that policy development should actively promote energy-efficient equipment, such as water heating and cooling equipment, in urban households and take full account of the basic household energy needs of residents in old urban and suburban areas while promoting the development of low-carbon buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy poverty occurs when a household cannot fulfill its energy needs. Despite its widespread occurrence, Chinese cities have yet to formally recognize energy poverty as distinct from general poverty at the national level, thereby limiting the effectiveness of countermeasures. Guangzhou, a subtropical first-tier city in China, has a complex population comprising diverse migrants and locals of all ages. This age diversity greatly affects energy demand and poverty sensitivity, so analyzing age's impact on energy poverty is crucial. Thus, this paper surveyed 1072 households in 2020 to measure the extent of energy poverty. The energy poverty rate was found to be 13.85 %. Additionally, a U-shaped relationship was discovered between age and energy poverty, with a turning point at age 44. The adults in Guangzhou who are in energy poverty are not in income poverty. Higher education levels were found to impact energy consumption in households of both younger and older adults. For individuals older than 42—or 46 with a higher education level—the likelihood of experiencing energy poverty gradually decreases with age. Our findings indicate a unique pattern in which both younger and older individuals are susceptible to energy poverty in a humid subtropical climate. To achieve the UN's 2030 clean energy goals, policymakers must focus on tailored skill training, enhanced social welfare, and effective affordable housing policies to alleviate energy poverty. • We use survey datato measure Guangzhou household energy poverty. The LIHC indicator is 13.86%. • The relationship between age and energy poverty in the household is U-shaped. • Younger and older residents are vulnerable to energy poverty. • Younger and older highly educated individuals are more vulnerable to energy poverty than those without higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectral lags of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been viewed as the most promising probes of the possible violations of Lorentz invariance (LIV). However, these constraints usually depend on the assumption of the unknown intrinsic time lag in different energy bands and the use of a single highest-energy photon. A new approach to test the LIV effects has been proposed by directly fitting the spectral-lag behavior of a GRB with a well-defined transition from positive lags to negative lags. This method simultaneously provides a reasonable formulation of the intrinsic time lag and robust lower limits on the quantum-gravity energy scales (EQG). In this work, we perform a global fitting to the spectral-lag data of GRB 190114C by considering the possible LIV effects based on a Bayesian approach. We then derive limits on EQG and the coefficients of the standard model extension. The Bayes factor output in our analysis shows very strong evidence for the spectral-lag transition in GRB 190114C. Our constraints on a variety of isotropic and anisotropic coefficients for LIV are somewhat weaker than existing bounds, but they can be viewed as comparatively robust and have the promise to complement existing LIV constraints. The observations of GRBs with higher-energy emissions and higher temporal resolutions will contribute to a better formulation of the intrinsic time lag and more rigorous LIV constraints in the dispersive photon sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strew pellet production not only contribute to regional sustainable development and localized energy transition, but also help to mitigate global greenhouse gas emissions. With the development strew pellet products in China, it is critical to uncover the embodied emissions, land use and economic cost effectiveness from producing strew pellet. In order to reach such a target, two main categories of biomass pellet production including a large-scale centralized factory and a small-scale distributed workshop are investigated. Compared with raw coal production, the unit co-benefits in terms of per gigajoule of straw pellets from centralized factory are 1687 kg CO 2 , 8.65 g SO 2 , 3.21 g NOx, and 3.897 g PM 10 , and 0.33 m2 land use, and those for straw pellets from centralized factory are 1352 kg CO 2 , 8.46 g SO 2 , 3.12 g NOx, and 4.22 g PM 10 , and 0.33 m2 land use. Cost-effectiveness for the two straw pellets production system were also uncovered so that the relevant interested agents such as decision makers, business investors or environmental researchers can see the potential economic performance from developing such kind biomass plants. We conclude that environmental performance of the straw pellets whether from centralized factor or decentralized workshop have attractive alternatives to coal production. Image 108297 • LCA-based co-benefits approach was applied to investigate biomass pellet production. • The analysis framework includes energy consumption, equipment and infrastructure. • Emission factors and land demand for producing one-unit products are presented. • Environmental performance of straw pellets has attractive alternatives to raw coal. • Electricity is an important factor affecting the performance of pellets production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of pulsed high‐intensity focused ultrasound (PHIFU) versus continuous high‐intensity focused ultrasound (CHIFU) ablation at identical doses. Methods: Continuous and pulsed HIFU (1200 J) at duty cycles (DCs) of 60% and 20% were examined for their capacity to ablate bovine liver tissue in vitro and rabbit liver tissue in vivo. After ablation, grayscale changes and pathologic characteristics were observed or measured, and the tissue necrosis volume, energy efficiency factor, and average grayscale density were calculated. Results: The pulsed mode generated greater liquefaction necrosis. An inconspicuous grayscale change was observed for PHIFU at a DC of 20% in some samples, which appeared as an elliptical cavity. The energy efficiency factor of PHIFU at a DC of 60% was significantly lower than that of CHIFU, as observed both in vitro and in vivo (P <.05). The grayscale value and average grayscale density in response to CHIFU were significantly greater than those in response to PHIFU (60% or 20%; P <.05). Histopathologic analysis revealed liquefaction necrosis in all PHIFU groups. Conclusions: At identical doses, compared with CHIFU, a single session of PHIFU can generate liquefaction necrosis and at a higher DC can improve ablation efficiency. This increased efficacy of PHIFU may involve enhancement of tissue destruction by cavitation effects and a reduction in the obstruction effect of endogenous microbubbles through cavitation effects or a more effective diffusion of heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the significance and importance of urban sustainability in China and China's history of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, this paper aims to incorporate the investigation of climate change and air pollution in urban sustainability research in China through a driver-pressure-state-impact-response model. The model has 12 indices: population, enterprise, registered vehicles, energy consumption, emissions and concentrations of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, land use change, annual temperature, tropical nights and reforestation were selected. It was used in the analysis of 14 cities in the Liaoning Province. The results show that the model is an effective tool for urban sustainability research, allowing for the investigation of interactions of climate change and air pollution and contributing to the body of knowledge by aiding generation of realistic and practical measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important for Chinese cities to advance sustainable energy consumption and ensure that they achieve their carbon emission peak and carbon neutrality. This paper develops a comprehensive assessment of the spatial variability and influencing factors of the quantity of household energy consumption per capita in mega-cities. Based on microlevel household survey data from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China (N = 1082), we analyze the spatial effects and factors of urban residents' energy consumption. A spatial econometric model with four spatial weight matrices is employed, and the nested spatial weight matrix, which holds practical economic and geographical significance, is set. We find that (1) the quantity of energy consumption per capita of all households in Guangzhou is 189.57 kgce/year and shows a spatial difference, with 177.5 kgce/year in the central urban area and 203.47 kgce/year in the outskirts urban area. In particular, households in the outskirts of urban areas present a higher percentage of "high" and "medium-high" energy consumption per capita than those in central urban areas. (2) The quantity of household energy consumption per capita of urban residents is characterized by significant spatial correlation and agglomeration, with "high-high" and "low-low" agglomeration in central urban areas. (3) The household labor force, the housing area and household income are the core factors that drive the quantity of household energy consumption per capita, while the region and educational level are also main factors. We observe the diversity of the energy transition by comparing the patterns of the quantity of household energy consumption per capita within the city. A comprehensive picture of the diversity underlying the energy transition applied across cases can be distilled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When designing wastewater aeration systems, fine-pore diffusers are typically selected for their potential energy efficiency. Because aeration is one of the most energy-intensive unit operations during treatment, the accurate quantification of aeration performance parameters is crucial to minimize the process energy footprint. Oxygen transfer efficiency in process water is the key design parameter; however, performance indicators that account for fouling and increased pressure drop with time must be considered. Both fouling and pressure drop increase cause an increase in blower power requirements. This paper presents a new approach to improve this design procedure, without altering the technical structure of the classical approach. Although the administrative and bidding milestones are underway (i.e., in the first few months of the project), an independent aeration team can test candidate diffusers suitable for design in an in situ aeration column. Subsequently, an extended fouling test in the plant's wastewater can be carried out within the design timing, providing the designers with site-specific aeration performance data. This methodology improves the accuracy of the design process and increases overall energy savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on household-level survey data collected from Qinghai Province of China, we estimated the greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions from spatial perspectives, including household energy consumption in pastoral, agropastoral, and agricultural zones. The findings suggest that the total annual GHG and pollutant emissions per capita in the area was 2296.32 kg per year. The highest amount of pollutants was emitted from the pastoral zones, followed by the agropastoral and agricultural zones. CO 2 is the primary GHG emitted by household energy consumption. Dung burning was the cause of the high PM 2.5 emissions in the pastoral areas, while the use of coal was the primary cause of GHG and pollutant emissions in the agropastoral and agricultural zones. • We used empirical data from rural households in Qinghai, China. • This paper indicates the reliance of local energy consumption on non-commercial energy. • We estimate greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions resulting from solid-fuel combustion. • We compare indoor pollutant emissions from pastoral, agropastoral, and agricultural zones spatially. • This paper provides policy recommendations for energy transition towards clean energy. Energy consumption in the household sector has become an important issue in China's energy consumption and an important unit of China's clean energy transformation. Currently, the potential air pollution, carbon emissions and health risks caused by energy consumption in many areas cannot be ignored, and refined and regionalized index-based research data necessary to support decision making are lacking. Based on household-level survey data collected from Qinghai Province, China, we estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions from spatial perspectives, including household energy consumption in pastoral, agropastoral, and agricultural zones. The findings suggest that the total annual GHG and pollutant emissions per capita in the area was 2296.32 kg per year. The highest amount of pollutants was emitted from the pastoral zones, followed by the agropastoral and agricultural zones. CO 2 is the primary GHG emitted by household energy consumption. Dung burning was the cause of the high PM 2.5 emissions in the pastoral areas, while the use of coal was the primary cause of GHG and pollutant emissions in the agropastoral and agricultural zones. These findings highlight the need to integrate household energy policies with rural development to enable a complete transition towards cleaner fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural energy consumption not only significantly affects the national economy but also informs us about the living conditions of rural residents. A comprehensive survey of households in the agropastoral area of Qinghai Province was conducted from 2017 to 2018 to identify its energy consumption characteristics. In this paper, a typical household energy flow model was established. The results show that 1) the proportion of noncommercial energy in the agropastoral area of Qinghai Province is 52.89%, and it is affected by the 'returning farmland to forest' (RFF) policy and the 'returning grazing land to grassland project' (RGLGP). Furthermore, the household energy consumption structure has shifted from traditional biomass to coal and a combination of other energy sources. 2) Households of different cultural backgrounds have different energy consumption patterns. 3) High-income households consume more energy and have more frequent energy flows compared with low-income households. The results of this survey will help policymakers and scholars to formulate strategies for energy conservation and more effectively assess energy policies. • The study is based on household survey during 2017–2018 in Qinghai, China. • A household energy flow model is applied to examine household energy consumption. • The proportion of noncommercial energy use in Qinghai's agropastoral area is 53%. • Household energy use is affected by land policies, cultural backgrounds, and income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]