Admissions to the Cardiff Poisons Unit involving paracetamol poisoning (1989–2002)

In this study, the trends in paracetamol poisoning were examined over more than a decade in Cardiff and compared with patterns for other substances taken in overdose. All data concerned patients aged 14 years and over of both genders, who were referred to the Cardiff Poisons Treatment Unit between 1989 and 2002. The Chi-squared test for trend was used. During the 14-year study period, there were 18,834 admissions to the hospital, involving poisoning either with pure paracetamol or paracetamol in combination with other drugs (37%, N = 6975), and the proportion of admissions with paracetamol poisoning increased from 36% in 1989 to 44% in 2002. Paracetamol was the second most common drug associated with admissions related to poisoning to the Cardiff Poisons Treatment Unit (37%), after alcohol (48%). Thus, paracetamol poisoning remains a major public health concern in the UK.     

Environmental Impact Evaluation Model for Industrial Processes

This paper proposes a model to evaluate the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. This model uses the potency factor approach to classify environmental impacts into five ecological health impact groups and uses their toxicological, cancer, and physical effects as the bases to rate the seven groups of human health impacts. The environmental impacts in each impact group are reported, and their hazard scores on ecological and human health are determined. The model also generates a single score for the overall environmental impacts of a process. This single score system helps to identify, among all the viable processes, which is the most environmentally friendly process. This model can serve as a tool to highlight the potential environmental hazards of process operations and to provide information about environmental performance for decision making. The model has been developed into a computer software program, Environmental Impact Evaluation System, and is demonstrated by using the processes employed for the manufacture of paper bags.     

中国三类自然资本的关键性检验与分析:1949-2007年

论文围绕关键自然资本的测算、"关键性"假设检验及案例展开,研究指出:随着观察期的延长,中国境内自然资本与物质资本的互补性不断下降,从20 a来看,淡水、化石能源及生产性土地具有物质资本无法替代的影响效力;中长期回归式中关键自然资本的回归系数为负数,由于生产性足迹描述关键自然资本开采情况,故而当下我国关键自然资本开采水平对可持续发展较不利。以此为据,估算南水北调工程引发相关区域淡水变动对当地可持续发展的影响,结果显示:受水区福利的增加对应着水源区福利的下降,南水北调东、中线工程缓和了受水区关键自然资本不可持续开采的压力,增加了水源区承担的关键自然资本不可持续式开采负外部性。     

Computing payment for ecosystem services in watersheds: An analysis of the Middle Route Project of South-to-North Water Diversion in China

An improved watershed criteria model was developed in light of research on payment for ecosystem services outflows theory.     

实施环境网格化管理——对《水污染防治行动计划》的解读

随着流域水环境精细化管理的推进,基于控制单元的网格化管理模式已在国家、地方环保工作中得到广泛应用。文章深入剖析了环境网格化管理的重要作用,探索性提出了适应新形势下环境管理需求的网格划分技术体系,以及基于控制单元的网格化管理体系,为推进《水污染防治行动计划》实施及提升我国环境管理水平提供借鉴     

区域尾水控制初探--以昆山市为例

该文提出了“三级控制、三级标准”的区域水污染控制模式 ,分析了区域尾水控制的定位及意义。对区域尾水控制的三种主要方式做了较为详细的对比分析 ,并针对昆山市实际情况 ,初步构建了昆山市尾水导流方案。     

Available Water Supplies in Beijing,China, Under Single‐ and Multi‐Year Drought

Since its implementation in 2015, the Middle Route of the South‐to‐North Water Diversion Project (MR‐SNWDP) has transferred an average of 45 billion cubic meters of surface water per year from the Yangtze River in southern China to the Yellow River and Hai River Basin in northern China, but how that supply is able to cope with droughts under different scenarios has not been explored. In this study, using the water demand for 2020 as the guaranteed water target, a Water Evaluation and Planning system was used to simulate available water supplies in Beijing under different drought scenarios. In the case of a single‐year drought, without the MR‐SNWDP, Beijing’s water shortage ratio was 16.7%; with the MR‐SNWDP, this ratio reduced to 7.3%. In the case of a multi‐year drought, without the MR‐SNWDP, Beijing’s water shortage ratio was 25.3%; with the MR‐SNWDP, this ratio reduced to 7.4% and domestic water supply was improved. Our research suggests that to prepare for multi‐year drought in the Beijing area, the SNWDP supports increased supplies to the region that would mitigate drought effects. This study is, however, mostly focused on water supply provision to Beijing and does not comprehensively evaluate other potential impacts. Multiple additional avenues could be pursued that include replenishing groundwater, increasing reservoir storage, and water conservation methods. Further research is needed to explore the relative costs and benefits of these approaches.     

The contribution of traumatic brain injury to the medical and economic outcomes of motor vehicle-related injuries in Ohio

Objective

To describe traumatic brain injury (TBI) among injured roadway users. Aim 1 assessed the association of age, gender, alcohol/drug use, safety equipment use, type of roadway user, metropolitan area, and primary payer with motor vehicle-related TBI outcome. Aim 2 assessed the relationship of motor vehicle-related TBI and risk/protective factors with medical and economic outcomes.

Methods

Population-level hospital and trauma databases from the Ohio Hospital Association and Ohio Department of Public Safety, respectively, were probabilistically linked for 2003 through 2006. Injured roadway users (motor vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and others) were assessed for TBI, ventilator use, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, injury severity score (ISS), need for rehabilitation, death, and total hospital charges.

Results

The odds of a motor vehicle-related TBI were greater among those not using safety equipment (OR = 1.56). The interactions of alcohol/drug use by gender and of alcohol/drug use by location were significant. Sustaining a TBI increased the odds of requiring ventilation (OR = 3.66), being admitted to the ICU (OR = 2.51), having a high ISS (OR = 4.24), requiring rehabilitation (OR = 2.22), or death (OR = 2.52). When compared with a non-TBI, total hospital charges increased by a factor of 1.35 for a TBI. Hospital charges were $46,441 on average for individuals who sustained a TBI, whereas mean hospital charges were $32,614 for patients with a non-TBI.

Conclusions

Among injured roadway users, individuals who sustain a TBI are more likely to require extensive medical care and have injuries resulting in death.

Impact on industry

Prevention strategies aimed at reducing alcohol use and increasing safety device use should be encouraged to reduce the burden of TBI.     

山西万家寨引黄工程沿线生态环境特征及其保护

山西万家寨引黄工程从万家寨水利枢纽至太原市呼延水厂,全长285km。论述了引黄工程沿线的生态环境特征,主要为(1)降水偏少分布不均水资源缺乏,(2)水土流失严重,(3)植被覆盖率较低,(4)生物多样性贫乏。预测了引黄工程对生态环境的潜在影响。提出了生态环境保护的科学对策:(1)科学规划降低对植被的扰动程度,(2)综合治理减少水土流失,(3)加强环境保护工作,(4)植树种草提高植被覆盖率,(5)合理放牧防止草地继续退化,(6)调整产业结构,减轻对生态系统的压力。