Do smart city policies improve energy efficiency?Evidence from China

To address air pollution and offer a convenient and comfortable living environment,the Chinese government launched a smart city pilot(SCP)project in 2012,accompanied by a comprehensive set of environmental and energy-related laws and regulations.Although academic interest in smart cities has surged,there remains a notable gap in empirical research exploring the economic,environmental,and energy effects of such initiatives.Taking 232 prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2017 as research subjects,this study measures energy effi‐ciency by using energy consumption per unit of GDP and adopts a difference-in-differences(DID)analysis to investigate the impact of SCPs on energy efficiency.The empirical results indicate that SCPs improved energy efficiency by promoting urban technological innovation capabilities and green total factor productivity,and this effect was more pronounced in cities that were more dependent on traditional fossil fuel energy sources and had more developed fiscal and financial levels.Studying the impact of smart city construction on energy utilization efficiency in developing countries,such as China,is not only significantly enlightening for China’s green and low-carbon transition but also provides reference opinions for constructing smart cities and the path to enhancing energy efficiency in other developing countries.The findings provide valuable insights into the global development of smart cities,urban sustainability,and high-quality economic growth.

The Three Principles of Institutional Safeguards for Women's Participation in Legislation in China

The participation of women in legislation is an important aspect and means of safeguarding women’s rights.Feminist theory,based on criticism of both the“citizenship identity theory as rights”and the“citizenship identity theory as responsibilities,”proposes the“citizenship identity theory as subjectivity.”Observing the current practice of women’s participation in legislation in China,two institutional safeguard principles can be summarized:the“minimum proportion”and the“influence evaluation.”However,each of these principles has its inherent limitations.Therefore,it is necessary to supplement them with the principle of“subjective participation”in a reflective manner.This principle requires women to participate substantively in the legislative process as subjects,express women’s needs and demands,input women’s perspectives and experiences,and reconstruct the distribution of rights and responsibilities in the existing legislation.The three principles complement each other and work together to comprehensively constitute the institutional structure of women’s participation in legislation,thereby promoting the reproduction of corresponding action structures.

China to Legislate for Protecting Private Property

China is working on the draft of a law on the protection of private property, which proposes that the state protect personal deposits, investments and profits generated from investments. The move marks an important legal step forward in guaranteeing the private property of Chinese citizens, after the Chinese Communist Party promised in its 16th National Congress "universal protection of lawful income from or out of work".

The Limits of Domestic Spatiality in the Information Age-A Secondary Publication

The limits of spatiality have blurred in the information age;a phenomenon that can be observed through the socio-spatial implications of Internet use in the domestic sphere.How and why are the use and organization of space-time around the Internet shaping a new domestic spatiality that intertwines the digital space with the production of social space through the practice of habits,presence,and interaction of individuals?What are the repercussions of the superimposition of digital space on human existence?The units of analysis were integrated through the sum of people and middle-class housing in the face of the digitalization process in the city of San Luis Potosi,Mexico.The questionnaire consisted of 35 questions designed from the Likert scale under the thematic order of presence,interaction,and habituality.The data were analyzed using SPSS software.This research contributes to explaining the current period in the history of inhabitable space,dominated by the simultaneous interrelationships between individuals,digital space,and architecture,which result in the detachment and devaluation of physical domestic space,while also highlighting the lack of control and regulation of individuals over the Internet.

Euthanasia controversy in China:do we have the right to die?

This research examines the contentious issue of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the context of China's unique conditions.Historically,the debate over euthanasia has been influenced by moral philosophy and ethics,and euthanasia is illegal in China at present.The research explores the difficulty in making euthanasia legalized across five key dimensions:financial,medical,social,legal,and psychological factors.We conclude that while there is a desire among some terminally ill patients for euthanasia,the current situation in China makes it unsuitable for legalization.The profound question of one's right to die remains a significant moral and judicial challenge,indicating the need for continued dialogue and nuanced understanding of this complex issue.

Palliative care with adequate pain relief challenges the need for euthanasia legislation

Background:In today’s society the ongoing discussion about euthanasia triggers emotionally charged debates surrounding the delicate balance between valuing life and respecting an individual’s autonomy.With the persistence of this debate,there has been the emergence of the concept of the so-called alternative:palliative care.Positioned as a substitute for euthanasia,palliative care aims to alleviate suffering in terminally ill patients without engaging in the ethical dilemmas associated with euthanasia.Methods:This paper explores the facets of palliative care highlighting its core objectives such as providing adequate pain relief as a compassionate alternative to euthanasia.Results:By examining palliative care as a comprehensive approach to end of life support,this study challenges the perceived necessity of euthanasia and advocates,for compassionate and dignified end of life experiences.Conclusion:In conclusion,palliative care emerges as a viable and ethically sound alternative to euthanasia,emphasizing the importance of compassionate end-of-life care and pain management.

Impact of Smoke-Free Legislation on Acute Myocardial Infarction and Subtypes of Stroke Incidence in Shenzhen,China,2012-2016:An Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Objective This study assesses the impact of smoke-free legislation on the incidence rate for acute myocardial infarction(AMI)and stroke in Shenzhen.Methods Data on ischemic(n=72,945)and hemorrhagic(n=18,659)stroke and AMI(n=17,431)incidence covering about 12 million people in Shenzhen from 2012 to 2016 were used.Immediate and gradual changes in incidence rates were analyzed using segmented Poisson regression.Results Following the smoke-free legislation,a 9%(95%CI:3%-15%)immediate reduction was observed in AMI incidence,especially in men(8%,95%CI:1%-14%)and in those aged 65 years and older(17%,95%CI:9%-25%).The gradual annual benefits were observed only in hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke incidence,with a 7%(95%CI:2%-11%)and 6%(95%CI:4%-8%)decrease per year,respectively.This health effect extended gradually to the 50-64 age group.In addition,neither the immediate nor gradual decrease in stroke and AMI incidence rates did not show statistical significance among the 35-49 age group(P>0.05).Conclusion Smoke-free legislation was enforced well in Shenzhen,which would generate good experiences for other cities to enact and enforce smoke-free laws.This study also provided more evidence of the health benefits of smoke-free laws on stroke and AMI.

Towards an Indigenous Social Inclusion Paradigm:Igbo Apprenticeship System,Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation in South-East Nigeria

This research looked at how the Igbo trade apprenticeship programme has helped lower poverty rates in that region of Nigeria.Five hypotheses were generated to test the potential existence of a causal connection between the independent and dependent variables.Using a survey methodology,a structured questionnaire was used to collect data,which was then evaluated using chi-square tests.The research found that the Igbo trade apprenticeship system contributed to lessening poverty in Nigeria’s southeast.According to the results,the method was successful in developing rich Igbo entrepreneurs and businesses,who in turn eradicated hunger,poverty,disease,and unemployment in Nigeria’s South East.The study concluded that the Nigerian government might better protect its citizens from exploitation within the Igbo trade apprenticeship system if it passed legislation to regulate,maintain,and prevent such abuse.

Fostering Patient Safety: Importance of Nursing Documentation

Background: Nurses are professionally accountable for assessing and documenting patients’ vital signs. Nurses failing to fulfill this responsibility position their patients at risk. This paper presents two real-life cases pertaining to patients’ safety resulting in fatal outcomes, leading to the professional, legal, and ethical liability of nurses as the providers of patient care. Objective: This paper focuses on the role of organizational culture in fostering patient safety specifically in monitoring and documentation of patients’ vital signs and early recognition of warning signs. Methodology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using various databases, examining the significance of vital signs monitoring and documentation and early warning signs in patient safety. Relevant articles combining quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed. Results: By fostering an environment of honest reporting, healthcare organizations can enhance patient safety and improve the quality of care. This paper offers valuable insights and recommendations for developing effective strategies aligned with organizational policies and protocols. Conclusion: This paper serves as a valuable resource, encouraging healthcare professionals to reflect on their practices and the organizations to assess their contributions to creating a culture of safety. It also highlights the importance of reporting and disclosing adverse events as learning opportunities and outlines the role of ethics, professionalism, legislation, and organizational support in achieving patient safety.

The Dilemma and Path of China's Sports Management System in the New Era

Strong in sports is strong in China,and the prosperity of sports is the prosperity of country.Sports embody the dream of national strength and revitalization,which is not only the true meaning of national strength,but also an important component of people's healthy and happy lives.Since the 18th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China,General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a number of important speeches on sports reform and development,as well as a series of important instructions and comments.China's sports management framework is essentially complete,the sports management mechanism has been improved,and the legalization has been developed.Despite China’s success in sports governance,there are still issues that need to be addressed,such as the conflict between administration and sports management,the imperfection of the relevant sports legislation system,the lack of methods for utilizing modern technology,and unified approach to sports development.This paper will examine the evolution of sports governance in China,analyze its problems.Finally,in response to the existing problems,investigate some viable options for promoting the development of sports in China.

Organ Donation and Obstacles: University Student Survey

Background: Organ transplantation has helped improve the quality of life of patients with lethal terminal organ failure. This success is owed to the progress made in many fields such as surgery, immunology…However, in our country Morocco, we are faced with reluctance to donate. The study’s objective is to evaluate the perception of organ donation among university students. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical aims. Our target population consisted of 991 university students from eight higher education structures. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to those students by a single interviewer. The questions of the survey answered four main themes. Thus, two types of studies were done. The first was a descriptive study of the socio-demographic characteristics of the selected population and their knowledge and attitudes about organ donation. The second was an analytical study of the correlation between the socio-demographic characteristics, type and level of education of the target population and their knowledge and attitudes towards organ donation. Results: 97.2% of the respondents have already heard about organ donation. If 836 of the students (84.4%) thought that transplantation could be an effective therapeutic alternative, 155 of the students (15.6%) were not aware of this possibility. Furthermore, 298 students, which means 30.1% of the students, did not know that organ transplantation was practiced in Morocco. The causes of refusal found in our study were numerous. 68.5% of students blamed the lack of information as the main cause of their reluctance. 64.7% were afraid of organ trafficking. 41.1% refused the idea of mutilating the body of the deceased, which could impact the funeral. 37.3% thought that donation would be a violation of the human body according to religious values. 33.9% were against donation because they hoped that the brain-dead patient could wake up. The main results of our survey showed the very favorable attitude towards organ donation and transplantation, despite the lack of knowledge on the subject. Conclusion: This study revealed the absence of information on the practice of organ transplantation in Morocco and the underestimation of the number of people waiting for transplantation. On the other hand, like the data found in the literature, our study highlights the religious obstacles and the lack of confidence in the legislation governing donation and transplantation in our country.

A Comparative Study of Local Legislation on Family Education in China

Since 2017,10 provinces(cities)in China have promulgated local laws and regulations on family education,ushering in ground-breaking improvements in the working mechanism,content,subjects,system,and local characteristics of family education.Based on a comparative study of the local legislation on family education in the 10 provinces,the characteristics and differences are summarized,and recommendations and prospects for local legislation on family education in other provinces are presented in this paper.

论地方立法效益提高之路径

文章对影响地方立法效益的诸多因素进行了较为全面的分析,提出提高我国地方立法效益的几种可取途径:转变地方立法理念、降低地方立法成本、促进地方立法与地方法规实施的协调。

Research on Product Quality Law System

Product quality law refers to the combination of various economical relationships and legal norms in the process of production,circulation and administration.It combines the operation of the market with the state supervision.Studying on the legislation style will be of theoretical and practical significance.

How Behaviors and Certain Events Influence Legislative Language

Legal language is a pretty formal language.As part of legal language,legislative language has all the basic features of legal language and legislative language has an accurate,plain,solemn,rigorous style.People interprete legislative language and act in accordance with laws.On the contrary,behaviors and certain events also influence the characteristics of legislative language,even trigger some conflicts with it.Confronted with some advantaged influence,legislators have to make some compromises or change the characteristics of legislative language.However,legislators should adhere to remain represantations of laws to resist disadvantaged impacts.As a result,it is need to research how behaviors and certain events influence legislative language.

A Study on American Language Policy

The attempt of this paper is to investigate the main characteristics of the American language policy. It is one important part of the project "A study on the Strategy of Spreading Chinese Language in United States of America". This paper firstly explains the concept of language policy and then introduces the two main characteristics of the American language policy.

Review of preventive and constructive measures for coal mine explosions:An Indian perspective

Firedamp and coal dust explosion constitute a lion’s share in mine accidents in a global mining scenario.This paper reports a list of mine explosion disasters since last two decades,a critical review of the different prevention and constructive measures,and its recent development to avoid firedamp and coal dust explosion.Preventive legislation in core coal-producing countries,viz.China,USA,Australia,South Africa,and India related to firedamp and coal dust explosion are critically analysed.Accidents occurred due to explosion after Nationalisation of Coal Mines(1973)in India are listed.Prevention and constructive measures adopted in India are critically analysed with respect to the global mining scenario.Measures like methane credit concept,classification of mines/seams with respect to explosion risk zone,deflagration index;installation of automatic fire warning devices,canopy air curtain technology,explosion-prevention measures,such as fire-retardant materials,inhibitors,extinguishing agent,dust suppressor,and active explosion barrier are discussed in detail to avoid explosion and thereby adhering to zero accident policy due to coal mine explosion.

Renewable Energy Legislation in China:Politicaland Institutional Strategy for EffectiveImplementation

Over the past decade, the Chinese government has developed several plans regulations and policy measures related to the development of renewable energy technologies and has implemented a series of pilot projects. Chinese policymakers have spent several years studying how renewable energy policy models that have been used internationally could be implemented in China. Programs are currently underway to implement pilot renewable portfolio standards, or mandatory market shares (MMS) for renewable energy, in several provinces. This paper examines the primary institutions that are involved in promoting renewable policies in China, the structure of the policies that currently are being drafted, and the status of the complementary, national-level renewable energy law being drafted to provide a legal basis for ongoing local and national-level policies. It then examines the legal requirements for promoting renewable energy legislation under the Chinese law-making system. Finally, it provides recommendations

Comparison of international mine reclamation bonding systems with recommendations for China

Mine reclamation bonds are used in countries with mineral mining to ensure that reclamation of the mined area is completed. The United States, Canada, and Australia are countries with established mine reclamation bond programs, with the United States coal system having been in place since 1977. China implemented a bonding system in 1998 and by 2013 all 31 provinces had established a system. An effective bonding system must be conditioned on fair and enforceable nationwide reclamation standard, stimulate companies to conduct reclamation by forming economic incentives rather than penalties that become a liability, and allow for full public participation. Based on these principles, this paper compares seven important factors for a successful reclamation bonding system： laws and regulations, administrative authority, bond types, bond size, calculation method, bond release, and public participation. The results show variation in policies and procedures for bonding among countries. Using principles and policies primarily from the United States, China should establish a national reclamation bonding system with legislation that forms a national authority to oversee and enforce reclamation standards and bond requirements. In addition, China can expand bond financial types and strategies, set the size of reclamation bonds at the level of a third-party reclamation cost, and set unified standards for calculation. Phased bond release should be established with specific reclamation criteria for each phase of release. Finally, bonding regulations should clearly identify opportunities for full public participation in the process.

Environmental regulatory and policy framework in China: an overview

China has developed one of the most comprehensive environmental regulatory and policy framework in the world. This paper provides a description of the main institutions for environmental management in China, and overviews the regulatory and policy framework in place.