Energy consumption simulations of rural residential buildings considering differences in energy use behavior among family members

The“average occupant”methodology is widely used in energy consumption simulations of residential buildings;however,it fails to consider the differences in energy use behavior among family members.Based on a field survey on the Central Shaanxi Plain,to identify the energy use behavior patterns of typical families,a stochastic energy use behavior model considering differences in energy use behavior among family members was proposed,to improve the accuracy of energy consumption simulations of residential buildings.The results indicated that the surveyed rural families could be classified into the following four types depending on specific energy use behavior patterns:families of one elderly couple,families of one middle-aged couple,families of one elderly couple and one child,and families of one couple and one child.Moreover,on typical summer days,the results of daily building energy consumption simulation obtained by the“average occupant”methodology were 25.39%and 28%lower than the simulation results obtained by the model proposed in this study for families of one elderly couple and families of one middle-aged couple,and 13.05%and 23.05%higher for families of one elderly couple and one child,and families of one couple and one child.On typical winter days,for the four types of families,the results of daily building energy consumption simulation obtained by the“average occupant”methodology were 21.69%,10.84%,1.21%,and 8.39%lower than the simulation results obtained by the model proposed in this study,respectively.

Do large-scale farmers use more pesticides? Empirical evidence from rice farmers in five Chinese provinces

It is of great theoretical and practical significance to understand the rules of the differences in pesticide use behaviors between large-scale and small-scale farmers,so as to regulate the behavior of farmers differently and improve the quality and safety of rice.The overall pesticide use behavior of large-scale farmers was characterized by large doses and high application frequency,while that of small-scale farmers was characterized by small doses and low application frequency.The econometric test showed that(i)the proportion of staple food ration has a significant negative impact on the single dose exceeding the standard and pesticide application frequency of small-scale farmers,and the increase of the proportion of staple food ration will reduce the demand among small-scale farmers for pesticides;(ii)yield effect has a greater impact on the frequency of pesticide application by large-scale farmers,and the large yield effect will increase the frequency of pesticide application among large-scale farmers.Therefore,in pesticide use behaviors,large-scale farmers should reduce pesticide quantity and increase efficiency,while small-scale farmers improve the level of plant protection.

Differentiation of Rural Households′ Consciousness in Land Use Activities: A Case from Bailin Village, Shapingba District of Chongqing Municipality, China

What rural households think and what kind of strategies they take, the basic driving force in land use activities, contribute greatly to the increase of their own revenues, the development of agricultural yields, and even the prosperity of rural areas. Differentiation in rural household behaviors and their consciousness in land use activities is widespread in rural China nowadays. It is important to understand the changing characteristics and laws of land use behaviors of rural households driven by their consciousness, so as to regulate their land use activities. In most empirical studies of land use change at rural household level, the land use consciousness, which acts directly on land use behaviors, is often neglected. In our research, the changes of land use behaviors of rural households are analyzed, through identifying how the land use consciousness affect the land use objectives, land management scales and land inputs of all the rural households in Bailin Village of Chongqing Municipality in the western mountainous China. Also, how the land use consciousness of different rural households comes into being under external stimuli is examined and the self-adjustment process of their consciousness according to their own conditions is also discussed. Finally, broad policy instruments are suggested to promote the rationalization of rural households′ land use consciousness and the standardization of their land use behaviors.

Does New Media Substitute Old Media? A Cohort Analysis of Media Use in China

This study examines generational differences in media use based on pooled-data analysis of CGSS(Chinese General Social Survey)2010-2015.In order to show a full picture of the substitutability between new and old media,the study brings age heterogeneity of respondents and time effect into consideration.This study distinguishes four generations based on the year of birth,with the“newspaper generation”(people who born before 1969),“broadcast generation”(1970-1979),“TV generation”(1980-1989),and“Internet generation”(born after 1990)and aims to explore whether generations differ in their frequency of media use.The research analyses five-year pooled data CGSS 2010-2015(CGSS 2014 data is missing)to examine the influence of Internet on old media among different birth cohorts and how this effect changes over time.New media refers to the Internet;old media includes newspaper,broadcast,and television.The results are summarized as follows:First,for the“newspaper generation”,“broadcast generation”,and“TV generation”,Internet heavy users are usually more willing to use newspaper and broadcast as well.Internet heavy users are information seekers.They have a strong need of information and usually are involved in multi-tasking media activities.Nevertheless,only the Internet heavy users in“TV generation”will regard TV as another channel to get more information,which indicates that generations may adopt specific patterns of media use when they are young and remain faithful to those throughout their lifespans.“TV generation”have a stronger attachment to television than their previous and later generation.Second,in terms of the time effect,the empirical data proved that the broadcast shows a stronger vitality in digital age compared with newspaper and television.The frequency of broadcast use does not drop significantly until 2015.However,the frequency of newspaper and television use has shown a significant downward trend since 2011.Third,for the“Internet generation”,the use of the Internet has no effect on the use of other media.Even Internet heavy user,the one who has strong need of information,would not choose other media to search more information.This suggests that these digital natives would rather confine themselves to the Internet cocoon than collect new information through old channels.This study provides new insight to understand the current media ecology.The relationship between the new and the old media is a changeable and dynamic process and cannot be simply understood as“more-more”or“more-less”relationship.

Factors influencing academic library users' intention to use mobile systems: A comparison of current users and potential adopters

Purpose: The study intends to examine the factors influencing the behavioral intention to use academic libraries’ mobile systems from the perspective of current users and potential adopters, respectively. Design/methodology/approach: Our study investigates the mobile library system’s acceptance by using a context-specific extension of the theory of reasoned action(TRA) and the technology acceptance model(TAM), which includes such factors as mobile self-efficacy, personal innovativeness and perceived playfulness. Structural equation modeling was used to test the validity of the proposed model based on the empirical data which was collected from 210 questionnaire survey participants.Findings: The result shows that 1) for both current users and potential adopters, attitude toward use and subjective norm both have a significant and positive impact on behavioral intention to use; 2) perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are significantly correlated to potential adopters’ attitude toward use whereas perceived usefulness and perceived playfulness are significantly related to current users’ attitude toward use; 3) as for the comparison between the two groups of users, personal innovativeness not only affects perceived usefulness of both current users and potential adopters, but also affects potential adopters’ perceived playfulness positively. Mobile self-efficacy has a significant effect on perceived ease of use for both types of users.Research limitations: Although the sample size met the basic statistics requirements for the social research, the participants were mainly college students, and other mobile system users like faculty members and researchers were not investigated. In addition, some influencing factors, such as information quality, system quality and service quality were not considered in the research model.Practical implications: This study reveals main factors which influence both current users and potential adopters’ intention to use the mobile system, providing academic libraries withinsights into management strategies to offer customized mobile services to different types of users. Originality/value: Previous studies did not distinguish current users from potential adopters, which is not conducive for academic libraries to provide customized services and attract potential users. We presented an exploratory study to address this issue.

Evaluation of an HIV-related behavior change project for female sex workers in Central China

Background As female sex workers （FSWs） were becoming the driving force behind the HIV epidemic in Central China, a project to promote condom use by FSWs was implemented from 2004 to 2009. In this study, we discussed the evaluation of the project, the factors associated with condom use among FSWs within the Chinese context, and proposed suggestions for future interventions for FSWs in China. Methods Two surveys using structured questionnaires were conducted in 2004 and 2009. Data collected from the surveys were analyzed and guided by a behavior change framework. We reviewed relevant articles to supplement the information that was not able to be obtained from the surveys. Results In general, the HIV prevalence among FSWs remained low （less than 1%） in the 5 years. With a high coverage of interventions for all FSWs in Central China, the project yielded better outcomes than the national average over the same time period. The awareness about HIV and condom use grew dramatically during the project period. The four factors/ determinants that influence the behavior of FSWs using condoms are population characteristics, opportunity, ability, and motivation. Statistical model shows that the significant variables for using a condom are age, availability of services, HIV- related knowledge, and intention. Conclusions With a high coverage of interventions for FSWs, the project achieved its goals. The differences among workplaces of FSWs may serve as a symbol of their socioeconomic status, patterns of condom use, and therefore risks of acauirina HIV.