Hydro Power in Norway- Development, Political Priorities and Public Opinion ——Lessons learned through mora than 100 years of developments

The production of hydro power from its natural water resources has come to mean more to Norway than to possibly any other country in world. The right to utilize the falling water in the rivers belonged to whoever owned the adjacent ground. The acquisition of water rights is not allowed without a license from the government. Any development is also dependent on a governmental licence. Important conditions such as return of the property to the government without any compensation after 60 years, compulsory delivery of power at production cost and license fees to the local municipalities have been important incentives for the public and political acceptance of hydro power development in Norway during a long period of economic development. Today, Norway is a rich and materially well developed country, and there is no longer any acceptance for further hydro power development. Some of the remaining potential will be utilized for small-scale local developments, but most of it will be incorporated in governmental conservation plans.

A Study on the Public Perception in Nuclear Area in Brazil

During the course of the last years the need for the increase in the electric energy production in Brazil as well as in the rest of the world, has raised the tone of the debate about the environment impact of such production. As a result of these debates, both the several levels of government and some of the NGOs （Non-Governmental Organizations） have commissioned innumerous opinion researches aiming at measuring and evaluating the knowledge and perception of the public in relation of the best non-polluting energy sources. Prior to 2001 these researches would not make any sense in Brazil., however due to that year＇s drought, the competent authorities were faced with the necessity of developing a plan, the PNE2030 （Piano Nacional de Energia） aiming, among others objectives, at finalizing the construction of the Angra three plants and implementing new nuclear plants in places still to be determined. Allowing for the complexity of the subject, this paper presents a field research conducted from September 28th, 2010 to October 28th, 2010 assessing the current level of perception of the Brazilian population about the nuclear area, in particular of the residents of three cities of Rio de Janeiro. As a result of this work, the authors suggest how the competent authorities should proceed to reach in an efficient manner a greater understanding of the population about the proposed subject, through communication campaigns being both informative and educational.

Purchase willingness of new energy vehicles: A case study in Jinan City of China

Speeding up the promotion of new energy vehicles is an important measure to optimize the energy structure,promote energy conservation and emission reduction,and develop the economy sustainability.The research uses a questionnaire survey to analyze the residents’willingness to purchase new energy vehicles in Jinan Gty of China,and utilizes the binomial logistic regression model and Global Moran's I to explain the impact of three factors(including responden ts'personal characteristics and subjective cognition,products,and social environment)on the purchase willingness of new energy vehicles.According to the survey,75.12%of the responden ts consider buying new energy vehicles in the future,but only 11.66%of the respondents know new energy vehicles well.It can be seen that the respondents in Jinan City generally have an insufficient understanding of new energy vehicles.It may lead to a decline in residents’trust in new energy vehicles,which will in turm affect their purchase willingness.Based on the survey,we find that women who live far from the city center enjoy high incomes and have a low-carbon awareness,generally exhibit a higher willingness to purchase new energy vehicles.Spatial distribution of the purchase willingness has certain aggregation characteristics,showing a positive spatial correlation pattern.Purchase willingness has a certain positive diffusion effect in space,and areas with a higher purchase willingness have a positive driving effect on their surrounding regions.Spatial distribution of the purchase willingness can be used as one of the breakthroughs in promoting new energy vehicles.In addition,safety,price,after-sales service,and infrastruicture of new energy vehicles are important determinants of people's purchase willingness.Among the types of subsidies,financial subsidy is most effective on the residents’purchase wilingness.Our research provides an impor tant information for the promotion of new energy vehicles in the region.

Factors affecting electric vehicle acceptance,energy demand and CO_(2)emissions in Pakistan

This work aims to investigate the factors accelerating electric vehicle(EV)acceptance at the consumer end in Pakistan and analyzes the implications for policymakers for a fast-track EV transition.The study further in-vestigates the high EV penetration scenario resulting from the technology acceptance model(TAM's 80%EV)and its impact on energy demand and CO_(2)emissions.The study design used a quantitative analysis method with the survey as an instrument for data collection regarding EV acceptance.The model under investigation was adapted from the famous Technology-Acceptance Models(TAMs)and modified with other significant predictors evidenced in the literature.Correlation and stepwise regression were performed with a multicollinearity check for model hypothesis testing.Out of six predictors,only four factors were significant in accelerating the EV transition.Financial policies were found to be highly significant,followed by environmental concern,facilitating conditions and perceived ease of use.The research then used exponential smoothing forecasts for transport demand and developed an EV penetration scenario based on modified TAM results.The results highlight the significant in-crease in transport demand and the opportunity for Pakistan to limit passenger transport emissions to 36.6 MT instead of 61.6 MT by 2040.

Socio-Cultural, Legal and Ethical Issues Related to Gene Banking in Oman

Establishment of genetic databases has socio-cultural, ethical and legal implications particularly in developing countries. However, there are no available data in Oman about the community knowledge and understanding of genetic database and gene banking. Thus, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating Omani public awareness on socio-cultural, ethical and legal aspects of gene studies （with consideration to regional variations） and to assess the public acceptance of initiating gene banking. This study was conducted using self-completed questionnaires by a sample of adult Omani population invited to participate in the study, from 14 health centers, a school and a university. For illiterate subjects, structured interviews were conducted. There were a total of 1,702 participants with nearly equal numbers of males and females. The mean age of respondents was 31 （＋ 12） years for males and 28 （＋ 10） years for females. In general, 9% of the studied population were illiterate and a total of 29% were preparatory school level and below, classified as the uneducated. While, 60% of the respondents were unemployed. The awareness on the genetic disposition of some common diseases was generally higher than 80% with the highest on sickle cell anemia. Only 17% of the participants had knowledge of genetic databases, 95% of whom were from the educated group. Public opinion on acceptance of gene banking, participation in genetic research and setting protection laws in those aware and non-aware, achieved good scores, indicating public acceptance of the above.

Is Swimming in the Nude in Public Places Acceptable Behavior?

Swimming has become a popular sport for both young and old in China as it doesn't require complicated equipment and it is easy to get access to water. Even in winter, it is common to see people plunging into the icy waters of a river or lake. But when some people do so without any clothing, controversy arises. This winter, in some places in Lanzhou, in northwest China's Gansu Province,

Public perception of connected and automated vehicles:Benefits,concerns,and barriers from an Australian perspective

This study investigates the attitudes and concerns of the Australian public toward connected and autonomous vehicles(CAVs),and the factors influencing their willingness to adopt this technology.Through a comprehensive survey,a diverse group of respondents provided valuable insights toward various CAV scenarios such as riding in a vehicle with no driver,self-driving public transport,self-driving taxis,and heavy vehicles without drivers.The results highlight the significant impact of safety concerns about automated vehicles on individuals’attitudes across all scenarios.Higher levels of concern were associated with more negative attitudes,and a strong correlation between concerns and opposition underlines the necessity of addressing these apprehensions to build public trust and promote CAV adoption.Interestingly,nearly 70%of respondents felt uncomfortable driving next to a CAV,but they displayed more confidence in adopting automated public transport in the near future.Additionally,around 40%of participants indicated a strong willingness to purchase a CAV,primarily driven by the desire to reduce their carbon footprint and safety considerations.Notably,respondents with health conditions or disability exhibited heightened interest(almost double those without health conditions)in CAV technology.Gender differences emerged in attitudes and preferences toward CAVs,with women expressing a greater level of concern and perceiving higher barriers to CAV deployment.This emphasizes the importance of employing targeted approaches to address the specific concerns of different demographics.The study also underscores the role of trust in technology as a significant barrier to CAV deployment,ranking high among respondents’concerns.To overcome these challenges and facilitate successful CAV deployment,various strategies are suggested,including live demonstrations,dedicated routes for automated public transport,adoption incentives,and addressing liability concerns.The findings from this study offer valuable insights for government agencies,vehicle manufacturers,and stakeholders in promoting the successful implementation of CAVs.By understanding societal acceptance and addressing concerns,decision-makers can devise effective interventions and policies to ensure the safe and widespread adoption of CAVs in Australia.Moreover,vehicle manufacturers can leverage these results to consider design aspects that align with passenger preferences,thereby facilitating the broader acceptance and adoption of CAVs in the future.Finally,this research provides a significant contribution to the understanding of public perception and acceptance of CAVs in the Australian context.By guiding decision-making and informing strategies,the study lays the foundation for a safer and more effective integration of CAVs into the country’s transportation landscape.

Factors influencing the residence’s intention to adopt solar photovoltaic technology: a case study from Klang Valley, Malaysia

Recently,the Malaysian government has targeted to achieve the 20%renewable-energy goal by 2025.Despite the Malaysian government’s having taken initiatives in promoting the use of renewable energy for more than a decade,to date,more than three-quarters of the electricity supply in Peninsular Malaysia is generated from the burning of fossil fuels.Apparently,the development of renewable energy is still slow and in its infancy.The current study intends to identify the predictors(environmentalism,cost,knowledge and personal innovativeness)that influence the residential intention to adopt solar photovoltaic(PV)in Klang Valley.This study adopts the technology acceptance model as the theoretical framework to analyse the mediation effect on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness between the determinants and the intention to adopt solar PV.Self-administered questionnaires are used to collect data from non-solar PV users who stay in Klang Valley.Structural equation modelling analysis was carried out on the 200 samples from data collection.The findings demonstrated that environmentalism is having a significant impact on the intention to adopt solar PV,followed by knowledge.The perceived usefulness mediates the relationship between the predictors and the intention to use solar PV,although no mediation effect was found for the perceived ease of use.Lastly,several implications are highlighted to the policymakers and solar-market practitioners to improve the existing policies and promote solar PV adoptions among residents.

Wastewater reclamation and reuse in China:Opportunities and challenges

The growing water stress both in terms of water scarcity and quality deterioration promotes the development of reclaimed water as a new water resource use. This paper reviewed wastewater reuse practices in China, and the opportunities and challenges of expanding reclaimed water use were analyzed. Rapid urbanization with the increasing of water demand and wastewater discharge provides an opportunity for wastewater reuse. The vast amount of wastewater discharge and low reclaimed water production mean that wastewater reuse still has a great potential in China. Many environmental and economic benefits and successful reclamation technologies also provide opportunities for wastewater reuse. In addition, the overall strategy in China is also encouraging for wastewater reuse. In the beginning stage of wastewater reclamation and reuse, there are many significant challenges to expand wastewater reuse in China including slow pace in adopting urban wastewater reuse programs, the establishment of integrated water resources management framework and guidelines for wastewater reuse programs, incoherent water quality requirements, the limited commercial development of reclaimed water and the strengthening of public awareness and cooperation among stakeholders.

Liver transplantation:would it be the best and last chance of cure for hepatocellular carcinoma with major venous invasion?

Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with portal vein tumour thrombus(PVTT)signifies advanced disease,whether LT confers any survival superiority over resection remains uncertain.Methods:A propensity score matched(PSM)analysis of liver transplantation(LT)and liver resection(LR)for HCC with PVTT was performed.Results:A consecutive series of 88 patients who received either LT(10 DDLTs and 3 LDLTs)or LR(n=75)respectively were recruited.Before PSM,the LT group has a higher MELD score(17.3 vs.7.8,P<0.001),lower serum AFP levels(96 vs.2,164 ng/mL,P=0.017)and smaller tumour size(4 vs.10 cm,P<0.001).The 5-year overall survival for LT and LR were 55.4%and 15.9%respectively(P=0.007).After matching for serum AFP levels and tumour size,1-,3-and 5-year overall survival for LT were 81 ng/mL,3.9 cm,80%,70%and 70%and the corresponding rates for LR were 1,417 ng/mL,5.3 cm,51.8%,19,6%and 9.8%(P value=0.12,0.27 and 0.009 respectively).Conclusions:LT is associated with significantly better oncological outcomes in HCC patients with PVTT involving the lobar or segmental level.A modest expansion of selection criteria to include small HCC with segmental PVTT should be considered.

Understanding China Through Keywords

Learning keywords is one of the best ways to keep abreast of the latest developments in a country.The China Academy of Translation,a research institute affiliated with the China International Publishing Group,the country’s leading international publisher,regularly analyzes prevailing Chinese terms in various

Understanding China Through Keywords

Learning keywords is one of the best ways to keep abreast of the latest developments in a country.The China Academy of Translation,a research institute affiliated with the China International Publishing Group,the country’s leading international publisher,regularly analyzes prevailing Chinese terms in various sectors and translates them into a number of foreign languages ranging from English to Arabic. In each issue, Beijing Review presents a selection of these keywords to help readers know more about China.