Search

Objectives: Describe the prevalence, frequency, and longitudinal development of regulatory offences within Dutch inland shipping on both the ship and business level. Examine whether latent groups with differing trajectories can be distinguished and compare differences between these trajectory groups. Methods: Longitudinal inland shipping inspection data from several inspection agencies are analysed. Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients are used to describe offence distributions. Group-based trajectory modelling is applied to analyse the longitudinal development of regulatory violations of ships and corporations. Between-group comparisons are made using (multivariate) analysis of variance. Results: A skewed distribution of offending on both the ship and business level is found. On both levels of analysis, four trajectory groups display differing developments in the distribution of offending. Although differences in characteristics between trajectory groups were present, effect sizes were small. Conclusions: Disproportionality in corporate offending at both levels of analysis is in constant motion. Regulators need to regularly (re)identify their target groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreational open spaces (ROS), as essential public amenities, provide a multitude of benefits for city residents. The rapid growth of urban population is raising significant concerns about diminishing green infrastructure, shifts in land use, and erosion of valuable ecosystem services. This necessitates the equitable allocation of green infrastructure in appropriate proximity to the city residents. This study assessed disparity in ROS distribution, considering both availability and accessibility at varying administrative levels. The distribution is assessed with respect to resident population, providing special regard to the adolescent age group. Study is conducted taking Bhopal, India as the case. The Green Space Index and the Lorenz curve are utilized to assess social equity of ROS distribution. In addition, location quotient is employed to assess spatial equity concerning ROS distribution with respect to distribution of resident population. The study outcome illustrates that urban park accessibility varies at different administrative levels. Analysis reveals that higher number of ROS do not necessarily translate to higher ROS accessibility, especially for the adolescent age group. This is due to the inadequate size and proximity of ROS to residents, particularly in recent developments. A participatory GIS survey of 651 adolescents is conducted to further confirm the preceding spatial analyses by exploring associations between ROS accessibility and adolescents ROS visits. The prevailing urban ROS planning in India and several developing nations primarily relies on per capita availability and ratios of ROS to developed land. This approach alone is insufficient. The study results hold vital implications and can be incorporated in the existing urban ROS guidelines. This analysis is pivotal for sustainable ROS planning and policy-making, aiming to achieve environmental and social sustainability, centered on population, especially adolescents. Practical Applications: This study centers on assessing the spatial allocation of ROS with a focus on equity considerations. The particular emphasis lies in examining how well the spatial distribution of ROS aligns with the requirements of its population in the same planning region. The outcomes of this investigation reveal that the conventional metrics used in ROS planning, namely the per capita ROS area and ratio of ROS to urban land, do not adequately capture the equity dimensions of ROS provision. The results reveal that spatial misalignment exists in the allocation of ROS and its distribution among the population, especially among adolescents. Furthermore, the results highlight that urban growth and densification can result in a general decline in urban green infrastructure. Such results will help to implement green initiatives across identified administrative levels to enhance the wellbeing of residents with an understanding of the population distribution within a region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research on retail sales distributions finds both product concentration and long tails. However, gross margin dollars (rather than sales dollars) are critical drivers of retail financial performance, especially in sectors characterized by short product cycles and declining average selling prices. The paper is the first to use sku level data to estimate both sales and margin distributions for an office supply/technology retailer. We calculate Lorenz curves, Gini coefficients, and Pareto curves for in-store, on-line, and omni-channels. The estimated distribution of gross margin dollars is less skewed than the sales distribution; that is, more of the margin dollars are in the middle of the distribution. Significant differences in sales and margin distributions are found in store, online, and omnichannel products. These differences are only partially explained by price architecture and by private label merchandise. We analyze the decile distributions of sales and margin across channels and develop a classification matrix with implications for merchandise planning. Because merchandise strategies often focus on best sellers and managing long tails, the paper highlights opportunities for increasing profitability by emphasizing the middle of the margin distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on measuring the accessibility and equity of park green spaces (PGSs) often overlook differences in walking speeds across age groups, which may lead to research results that deviate from actual conditions. This study expands the current literature by investigating whether ignoring age-related differences in walking speeds affects the measurement of PGS accessibility and equity. The Gaussian Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (G2SFCA) method, along with the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient are used to measure and evaluate the accessibility and equity of PGSs in Wuhan, China, taking into account both average walking speed and variations in walking speed across different age groups. This empirical study reveals significant spatial disparities in walking speeds across Wuhan's districts, ranging from 77.2 to 78.55 m per minute (m/min), with urban areas having faster walking speeds than suburban areas. This study finds that ignoring variations in walking speed across age groups leads to an overestimation of PGS accessibility and equity in Wuhan. Furthermore, regardless of whether average walking speeds or age-specific walking speeds are considered, spatial disparities in PGS accessibility remain evident, with urban areas demonstrating significantly better accessibility compared to suburban areas. Additionally, small changes in walking speed differences between age groups (−3% to 3%) have minimal impact on accessibility and equity results, demonstrating low sensitivity to variations in speed differences among groups. Overall, scholars and policymakers should consider differences in walking speeds among various populations when planning public facilities such as PGSs to ensure stronger policy support for vulnerable groups and achieve the goal of social equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how Free-Floating Bike-Sharing (FFBS) affects the accessibility equity of public transit sytems by serving as a first-mile feeder. To evaluate accessibility improvements for various opportunities within a 30-min travel time, we construct a complete travel chain approach based on multi-source, real-world data from Nanjing, China. The results indicate that FFBS significantly enhances accessibility, particularly for job opportunities and green spaces, with improvements of up to 180.02% and 155.82%, respectively. This integration also enhances the accessibility equity of public transit systems, particularly in green spaces, with a Gini coefficient improvement of 0.0336. Additionally, we find that areas with low housing prices exhibit greater accessibility inequality, while those with moderate housing prices benefit more from FFBS integration. These findings can potentially support transport planners in optimizing and managing FFBS and public transit systems to facilitate sustainable and inclusive transportation networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study emphasized the importance of providing equal access to rescue and emergency services for all individuals involved in road accidents, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status.Methods: This study involved gathering data on the number of Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) stations in 31 provinces of Iran. It entailed calculating the Gini coefficient and creating the Lorenz curve to assess the station distribution. To present road traffic injuries (RTIs) mortality, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and prevalence in Iran from 1990 to 2019, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 estimates were utilized.Results: The findings revealed that Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, Isfahan, Fars, and Khuzestan provinces were equipped with the most stations; whereas, Ilam, Semnan, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad had the fewest. The Gini coefficient for the distribution of RCS and EMS stations was found to be 0.23 and 0.38, respectively. Additionally, the study examined the prevalence, DALYs, and mortalities caused by road injuries across the 31 provinces and presented the findings in the form of a geographical representation.Conclusion: The results of this study highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure the equitable allocation of RCS and emergency services, with a particular emphasis on road accidents and disaster management scenarios.

With the increasing demands of urban populations, achieving a balance between the supply and demand in the spatial allocation of urban green park spaces (UGSs) is essential for effective urban planning and improving residents' quality of life. The study of UGS supply and demand balance has become a research hotspot. However, existing studies of UGS supply and demand balance rarely simultaneously improve the supply side, demand side, and transportation methods that connect the two, nor do they conduct a comprehensive, multi-dimensional supply and demand evaluation. Therefore, this study evaluates the accessibility of UGS within Hefei's built-up areas, focusing on age-specific demands for UGS and incorporating various travel modes, including walking, cycling, driving, and public transportation. An improved two-step floating-catchment area (2SFCA) method is applied to evaluate the accessibility of UGS in Hefei's built-up areas. This evaluation combines assessments using the Gini coefficient, Lorenz curve, location entropy, and local spatial autocorrelation analysis, utilizing the ArcGIS 10.8 and GeoDa 2.1 platforms. Together, these methods enable a supply–demand balance analysis of UGSs to identify areas needing improvement and propose corresponding strategies. The research results indicate the following: (1) from a regional perspective, there are significant disparities in the accessibility of UGS within Hefei's urban center, with the old city showing more imbalance than the new city. Areas with high demand and low supply are primarily concentrated in the old city, which require future improvement; (2) in terms of travel modes, higher-speed travel (such as driving) offers better and more equitable accessibility compared to slower modes (such as walking), highlighting transportation as a critical factor influencing accessibility; (3) regarding population demand, there is an overall balance in the supply of UGS, with local imbalances observed in the needs of residents across different age groups. Due to the high specific demand for UGS among older people and children, the supply and demand levels in these two age groups are more consistent. This study offers valuable insights for achieving the balanced, efficient, and sustainable development of the social benefits of UGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry practices (AFPs) play a critical role in enhancing income and reducing poverty. This study assessed the effect of AFPs on income and poverty status of farmers in Lay Armachiho (LA), Bahir Dar Zuria (BDR), and Banja districts of Northwestern Ethiopia. 387 households, and 63 key informants were interviewed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, FGT index, Gini coefficient, and multiple linear regression. About 49.35% of the respondents are categorized poor with a poverty gap of 18.93 and a poverty severity level of 9.7. Banja was the greatest with persons below poverty level (59.2%), followed by BDR (49.72%). Agroforestry practices contribute 28.43% to household income. Income from AFPs lowered the poverty ratio, poverty gap index, and poverty severity level of households by 13%, 9%, and 7%, respectively. Income from AFPs lowered the area between the line of equality and the Lorenz curve, as well as the Gini coefficient, by 7.97%. AFPs also lowered the income disparity of households in all districts. Age, AFPs land size, road accessibility, irrigation, AFPs experience, and AFPs types affect households AFPs income positively. Family size and membership to credit institutions had a negative effect. Thus, in order to lower poverty and raise household income, labor productivity, the credit service system, the road and irrigation infrastructure, and AFPs all need to be improved and scaled up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the second most populous country in the world, China has a huge demand for health human resources. Over the past decade, the Chinese government has continuously increased investment in the health sector and implemented relevant policies and systems in an attempt to enhance the overall quantity and equity of health human resources. This study aims to analyze the equity and developmental trends in the allocation of health human resources in China from 2012 to 2021, providing reference and theoretical support for the government's further optimization of health human resources allocation. Methods: This study collected health human resources data from 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China from 2012 to 2021. The methods employed included Lorenz curves, Gini coefficients, and agglomeration degree analysis, which examined the developmental trends and equity of health human resources from the perspectives of population and geographical. Results: This study found that over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the total quantity of health human resources in China, accompanied by an improvement in equity, although disparities still exist. There are notable variations in the distribution of health human resources based on geographical area, with disparities between different regions. Relative shortages of health human resources are observed in western regions, while some areas in the eastern and central regions exhibit an abundance or surplus of health human resources. Conclusion: Overall, health human resources in China have experienced stable development, with an incremental improvement in allocation equity, yet there remains considerable room for progress. It is imperative to continue strengthening policy guidance and regulation to facilitate the rational flow of health human resources, narrow regional disparities, and achieve the goal of universal health coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to analyze the configuration, distribution, and equity of nursing human resources in Sichuan Province, China, providing a reference for the future development of nursing care in the region. A descriptive analysis was conducted to describe the configuration of nursing human resources in 2010, 2015, and 2020. The Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient, health resource density index, and distribution density maps were used as resources and methodology to evaluate the changes and equity in the configuration of nursing human resources. The result of this research determined that the nurse-to-population ratio was 1.17, 2.09, and 3.42 in 2010, 2015, and 2020, and nursing staff accounted for 24%, 49%, and 35% of technical health personnel. The nurse-to-physician ratio was 1:0.72, 1:1.05, and 1:1.22 in the three years. The Gini coef- ficients of nursing resource allocation for permanent population and area were 0.24, 0.20, and 0.12 and 0.74, 0.72, and 0.72, respectively. The nursing resource density index was 0.50, 0.91, and 1.42, respectively. In conclusion, the study shows that the equity of nursing resources based on population increased, while the equity based on region still showed disparity, with a sustained increase in nursing human resource density from 2010 to 2020. However, it is necessary to continue increasing the number of nurses and improving the geographical accessibility of nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Socio-economic inequalities are an inherent part of the functioning of societies. These inequalities primarily concern differences in income, material living conditions, education, and health. Despite progress in civilizational development, this issue persists, leading to increased societal discontent, which in turn results in uncontrolled migration, terrorism, and difficulties in ensuring energy security. The rejection of global inequality (both social and consequently political) has become one of the most important reasons for seeking ways to mitigate these unfavorable phenomena. Developmental issues threaten political stability, but above all, they weaken the dynamics of socio-economic development in countries. These considerations do not aspire to comprehensively address the issue of social inequalities worldwide but instead focus on selected aspects analyzing the asymmetry of social development. The aim of this research is to assess the differences in the level of social development in selected European countries in the years 2010 and 2022. Methodology: For the assessment in question, a descriptive method was applied using the Human Development Index (HDI) and Gini coefficient indicators, Ward's method, and the Lorenz curve. These were used to analyze and evaluate the variations in the level of social development in selected European countries, along with determining their ranking positions. The HDI indicator allowed for capturing the distance that separates European countries in terms of social development (long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living). Based on data obtained from HDI, the Gini coefficient enabled the evaluation of income distribution inequality in the studied countries, while cluster analysis helped identify similarities between countries concerning their level of social development. Findings: The research results indicate that despite overall progress in social development, inequalities in the level of social development persist among the 32 European countries analyzed. The countries studied exhibit significant disparities in social development levels, despite the fact that nearly all of them belong to the group of nations with the highest levels of social development worldwide (with only Bulgaria holding the top position among countries with high social development). Widening asymmetries are even observed, as evidenced by Bulgaria's HDI indicator. Research limitations/implications: Due to the still significant inequalities, there is a need to intensify efforts aimed at counteracting them, which could ultimately lead to an improvement in the quality of life. Originality/value: The analysis is crucial for assessing the gap between European countries in terms of social development levels, in the context of global efforts aimed at improving societal well-being and promoting social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disparity in the distribution of income is one of the main reasons for the failure to achieve social justice among members of society, which creates an unhealthy environment for workers in government sectors and institutions and also works to reduce the quality of work and lower the level of productivity. Conversely, reducing disparity leads to increased productivity and creates a suitable environment. It contributes to increasing productivity rates and improving the quality of institutional performance. The research discussed an important topic related to the extent of the discrepancy between the salaries of employees in Iraqi government institutions using the Lorenz curve and the Gini coefficient through a presentation of the research problem, which is the extent of the discrepancy in the salaries of state employees according to the approved salary scale, and what impact this has on social justice in the distribution of income, assuming that the adoption of A salary scale set by the authorities is based on reducing financial disparities between state employees with equal qualifications, such as educational attainment and work tasks, and reduces disparities of discrimination between workers in various government sectors and achieves social justice in income distribution. The research concluded that the actual distribution curve was very close to the symmetry line curve, in addition to the presence of a very small gap between the two lines, which indicates fairness in the distribution of monthly salaries among workers in government ministries who are in the fourth degree/first stage of the approved salary scale. The value of the Gini coefficient complementary to the work of the Lorenz curve was about (0.4), which means that the value of the Gini coefficient is close to zero. This indicates that the distribution of salaries of employees of government ministries is close to equitable distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equitable distribution of docked bikeshare is an important issue for transportation decision-makers. Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves can be used to study transportation inequality. This study used these methods to achieve three outcomes. First, this study identified a gap in bikeshare equity literature and provided a more nuanced measure of bikeshare supply to better evaluate how well bikeshare meets demand. Second, the updated measure of distributional equity was used to evaluate bikeshare equity in Washington, DC. Third, using historical trip data, the Gini coefficient calculations indicated which trip types are better served. Comparison of the results highlighted a potential conflict in program goals: equity versus supporting existing bikeshare members. Policy feedback may bias this trade-off in favor of members, reinforcing spatial inequalities. Overall, this paper further demonstrated how Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves can be useful tools for evaluating inequality in transportation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At present, unequal allocation of medical resources represents a major problem for medical service management in China and many other countries. Equity of intensive care unit (ICU) bed allocation is essential for timely and equitable access to medical care for critically ill patients. This study analysed the equity of ICU bed allocation in 31 provincial regions in China, and the associated factors, to provide a theoretical basis for improvement in the allocation of ICU beds. Methods: The equity of ICU bed allocation was investigated in 31 provincial regions in China in 2021. The Gini coefficient combined with Lorenz curves were used to analyse the current status of ICU bed allocation by both population and service area. The spatial heterogeneity and aggregation of ICU bed density were analysed using the Global Moran's index. The spatial distribution pattern was visualized via LISA maps using the Local Moran's index. Three grey correlation models were constructed to assess the key factors influencing ICU bed density. Finally, robustness analysis was performed to test the reliability of the results. Results: The allocation of ICU beds in China was highly inequitable by service area (Gini = 0.68) and showed better balance by population distribution (Gini = 0.14). The distribution of ICU beds by service area was highly spatially clustered (Global Moran's I = 0.22). The bed utilization rate exhibited the strongest association with ICU bed density by population. Registered nurses per 10,000 square kilometres was the strongest factor affecting ICU bed density by service area. Conclusions: The allocation of ICU beds by population is better than by service area; the allocation by service area is less equitable in China. These findings emphasise the need to implement better measures to reduce ICU bed equity differences between regions and balance and coordinate medical resources. Service area size, bed utilization, the number of registered nurses and other key factors should be considered when performing regional health planning for ICU bed supply. This will increase the equitable access to critical medical services for all populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient are prominent statistical tools used in various fields to measure income inequality, wealth distribution, and other distributions of resources within a population. However, traditional estimations of Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient often overlook the utilization of prior information, relying solely on sample data. This paper adopts credibility theory principles to propose a novel approach, combining empirical and collective Lorenz curves through weighted estimation. By optimizing these weights under the integral square loss function, the study derives two credibility estimations for the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient. Asymptotic properties of these estimations are established, and numerical simulations validate the comparison of their small-sample properties with traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Public Administration & Civil Service / Memlekettìk Basķaru Ža̋ne Memlekettìk Ķyzmet is the property of Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan / Akademiya Gosun and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Analyzing seasonality in the modern tourism industry is essential for successful organization and destination management. The purpose of this paper is therefore to provide an in-depth analysis of seasonality in the main destinations in Turkey. The methods used include the seasonal index of the time series model, the seasonality indicator, the Gini coefficient, the Theil index, the Lorenz Curve, and the coefficient of variation. The results suggest that domestic tourism was moderately seasonal, whereas inbound tourism was highly seasonal during 2017–2020. Moreover, capacity utilization on average was approximately half of the relative capacity, which indicates a substantial discrepancy. One of the salient findings of this study is that the novel coronavirus disease has aggravated the seasonal fluctuations in the country's tourism demand. In addition, the paper provides an adjustment to an interpretation of the Gini coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retrievability measures the influence a retrieval system has on the access to information in a given collection of items. This measure can help in making an evaluation of the search system based on which insights can be drawn. In this paper, we investigate the retrievability in an integrated search system consisting of items from various categories, particularly focussing on datasets, publications and variables in a real-life digital library. The traditional metrics, that is, the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient, are employed to visualise the diversity in retrievability scores of the three retrievable document types (specifically datasets, publications, and variables). Our results show a significant popularity bias with certain items being retrieved more often than others. Particularly, it has been shown that certain datasets are more likely to be retrieved than other datasets in the same category. In contrast, the retrievability scores of items from the variable or publication category are more evenly distributed. We have observed that the distribution of document retrievability is more diverse for datasets as compared to publications and variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Dermatology treatments require adherence for safe and effective use. Real‐world healthcare databases can reveal drug utilization patterns and uncover inappropriate or unexpected use. This study aimed to analyse dermatology drug utilization patterns using epidemiological and inequality measures, leveraging Danish nationwide registries. It also assessed the feasibility of this method for detecting aberrant drug use. Methods: We formed a 2019 cohort of all patients treated for skin conditions through Danish healthcare registries. We calculated prevalence, incidence rates and treatment duration for dermatological drugs. Inequality in drug utilization was assessed using Lorenz curves, Gini coefficients and other measures. Results: The study encompassed 1 021 255 patients using 94 dermatology drugs. Most usage aligned with 'expected clinical use', but we detected inequality, with some drugs having high Gini coefficients and disproportionate consumption by the top percentile of users. Notable findings included potential inappropriate antibiotic use, excessive topical corticosteroid use and unexpected drug use duration. Conclusions: In Denmark, dermatology drugs are used primarily as anticipated, with minimal unexpected patterns. Specific follow‐up is required to draw conclusions about inappropriate use. This approach demonstrates broad applicability for screening aberrant drug utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the equity of bed allocation of the department of stomatology in Chinese hospitals and predict the development in the next 5 years, so as to provide a scientific basis for promoting the development of oral health. Methods: Data on the beds of the department of stomatology in Chinese hospitals from 2017 to 2021 were obtained from the China Health Statistical Yearbook. The Gini coefficient, Lorenz curve, Theil index and agglomeration degree were used to analyze the equity of the bed allocation, and the grey prediction model GM(1,1) was used to predict the development from 2022 to 2026. Results: From 2017 to 2020, the Gini coefficient of bed allocation of the department of stomatology in Chinese hospitals was below 0.2 by population. From 2017 to 2021, the Gini coefficient of beds was above 0.6 by geography and between 0.2 and 0.3 by economy. The Theil index of beds ranged from 0.022 to 0.056 by population, from 0.532 to 0.564 by geography, and from 0.042 to 0.047 by economy. The inequity in the allocation by population was mainly from between regions, and the inequity in the allocation by geography and economy was mainly from within regions. Health resource agglomeration degree (HRAD) was greater than 2 in the eastern and central regions and less than 1 in the western region. HRAD/ population agglomeration degree (PAD) was greater than 1 in the northeast, eastern, and central regions and less than 1 in the western region. According to the prediction, the number of beds of the department of stomatology in Chinese hospitals will continue to increase, reaching 47,862.485 in 2026. Conclusion: The equity of bed allocation was better by population and economy than by geography. The equity of beds in the western region is insufficient equity by population and geography, and the equity of beds in the eastern region is insufficient equity by economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how Free-Floating Bike-Sharing (FFBS) affects the accessibility equity of public transit sytems by serving as a first-mile feeder. To evaluate accessibility improvements for various opportunities within a 30-min travel time, we construct a complete travel chain approach based on multi-source, real-world data from Nanjing, China. The results indicate that FFBS significantly enhances accessibility, particularly for job opportunities and green spaces, with improvements of up to 180.02% and 155.82%, respectively. This integration also enhances the accessibility equity of public transit systems, particularly in green spaces, with a Gini coefficient improvement of 0.0336. Additionally, we find that areas with low housing prices exhibit greater accessibility inequality, while those with moderate housing prices benefit more from FFBS integration. These findings can potentially support transport planners in optimizing and managing FFBS and public transit systems to facilitate sustainable and inclusive transportation networks.

The Lorenz curve is used to describe the relationship between the cumulative proportion of household income and the number of households of an economy. The extent to which the Lorenz curve deviates from the line of equality (i.e., y = x) is quantified by the Gini coefficient. Prior models are based on the simulated and empirical data of income distributions. In biology, the Lorenz curves of cell or organ size distributions tend to have similar shapes. When the Lorenz curve is rotated by 135 degrees counterclockwise and shifted to the right by a distance of 2 , a three-parameter performance equation (PE), and its generalized version with five parameters (GPE), accurately describe this rotated and right-shifted curve. However, in prior studies, PE and GPE were not compared with the other Lorenz equations, and little is known about whether the skewness of the distribution could influence the validity of these equations. To address these two issues, simulation data from the beta distributions with different skewness values and six empirical datasets of plant (organ) size distributions were used to compare PE and GPE with three other Lorenz equations in describing the rotated and right-shifted plant (organ) size distributions. The root-mean-square error and Akaike information criterion were used to assess the validity of the two performance equations and the three other Lorenz equations. PE and GPE were both validated in describing the rotated and right-shifted simulation and empirical data of plant (organ) distributions. Nevertheless, GPE worked better than PE and the three other Lorenz equations from the perspectives of the goodness of fit, and the trade-off between the goodness of fit and the model structural complexity. Analyses indicate that GPE provides a powerful tool for quantifying size distributions across a broad spectrum of organic entities and can be used in a variety of ecological and evolutionary applications. Even for the simulation data from hypothetical extreme skewed distribution curves, GPE still worked well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work investigates the relationship between income inequality, poverty reduction strategies, and the Lorenz curve in India from 2015 to 2023, with forecasts extending to 2030. Data from the World Bank reveals positive trends in per capita expenditure and a declining population growth rate. The analysis employs the Lorenz curve to visualize income distribution. While the Gini coefficient remained high at 3.70 in the period, income inequality appears to have stabilized since the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, future projections suggest a remarkable decrease in inequality towards 2030, with the Lorenz curve positioned above the line of equality. This, coupled with rising per capita income and a shrinking population, paints a promising picture towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 (eradication of poverty). Regression analysis further strengthens these findings, demonstrating a statistically significant association between per capita income growth and poverty reduction. These results suggest that India's poverty reduction strategies are yielding positive outcomes, but continued policy interventions and investments in social programs are crucial for sustained progress towards a more equitable and prosperous future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic activity and structure of microbial communities are important indicators for soil health and fertility. BIOLOG's Ecoplate patented technology provides a method for estimating soil microbial community structure based on different substrate utilization. The optical density (OD) in the wells changed during the plate incubation due to the reduction of the tetrazolium dye and the OD values are used for the calculation of different indexes as parameters for microbial activity and community structure. The Gini coefficient, which was originally employed by economists for the estimation of wealth and income, has applications in a variety of biological studies. The Gini coefficient, alone or in combination with other indexes, can be used for the assessment of microbial diversity and species evenness. The aim of the current study was to calculate the Gini coefficient at several consecutive time points during the EcoPlate incubation, to make a graphical presentation through the corresponding Lorenz curves and to estimate the effect of applied biofertilizer on the soil microbial diversity. The results showed that the Gini coefficient decreased with the EcoPlate incubation and in case of a small difference between estimated coefficients, the graph was not very representative. The clear visual distinction between the corresponding Lorenz curves was not achievable. The Gini coefficient can be a useful parameter for estimating microbial diversity with a proper choice of time point measurement. Additional computations, which involve other indexes, comparisons or correlation analysis between them, can increase the benefits of the Gini coefficient application in the EcoPlate technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the equity and efficiency of health resource allocation in township health centers in Sichuan Province, and to provide a scientific basis for promoting the development of township health centers in Sichuan Province, China. Methods: The Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient and health resource density index were used to analyze the equity of health resource allocation in township health centers in Sichuan Province from 2017 to 2021, and data envelopment analysis(DEA) was used to analyze the efficiency of health resource allocation in township health centers in Sichuan Province from 2017 to 2021. Results: The Gini coefficient of health resources of township health centers in Sichuan Province is below 0.2 by population in addition to the number of beds in 2020–2021 and practicing (assistant) physicians in 2021, and the Gini coefficient of health resources of township health centers in Sichuan Province is above 0.6 by geography. The Lorentz curve of health resources of township health centers in Sichuan Province is closer to the equity line by population allocation and further from the equity line by geographical allocation. The average level of township health centers in Sichuan Province is used as the standard to calculate the health resource density standard index(W) of each region, the Ws of Panzhihua, Ganzi, Aba and Liangshan are less than 1, and the Ws of Ziyang, Neijiang, Deyang and Meishan are greater than 1. The overall efficiency of township health centers in Sichuan Province in 2017 and 2021 is 1, and the DEA is relatively effective. The overall efficiency of township health centers in Sichuan Province in 2018 and 2019 is not 1, and the DEA is relatively ineffective. The overall efficiency of all health resources in Mianyang and Ziyang is 1, and the DEA is relatively effective. The overall efficiency of all health resources in Suining, Neijiang, Yibin, Aba and Ganzi is not 1, and the DEA is relatively ineffective. Conclusion: The equity of health resource allocation by population is better than that by geography in township health centers in Sichuan Province. Combining population and geographical factors, the health resource allocation of Panzhihua, Ganzi, Aba and Liangshan is lower than the average level of Sichuan Province. The efficiency of health resource allocation in township health centers in Sichuan Province is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo evaluate the current status and equity of older adult resource allocation in the 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of mainland China, and to offer recommendations for the optimization of these allocations.MethodsFour key indicators, namely, the number of older adult institutions, employees, professionals, and beds in mainland China in the year 2020, were used and analyzed using various methods and tools, including agglomeration analysis, the Gini coefficient, and the Lorenz Curve. These methods were applied to evaluate the equity of older adult resource allocation across the different provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and regions of China, using two dimensions, namely, the geographical area and the older adult population.ResultsOverall, the number of older adult resource allocations was found to be increasing in China, while the number of employees with educational levels of junior college or above was relatively low and the population structure was aging. In terms of the equity of older adult resource allocation, the results showed that this was good according to the dimensions of the older adult population but was on the low side based on the dimension of geographical area, and the Gini coefficient of the western region, in particular, was in an alarming state. Different provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) were found to have an uneven allocation of resources for older adults, with large differences, with some areas having a serious under-allocation of resources, while others showed resource over-allocation.ConclusionWhile China’s allocation of older adult resources is relatively equitable, there is nevertheless a need to take into account recent changes in the older adult population and strengthen the construction of a reasonably structured, high-quality team of professionals and technicians, as well as consider factors such as geographical area and the older adult population, and rationally allocate older adult resources in the eastern, middle, and western regions, to achieve a balanced allocation in terms of equity and efficiency and enhance social capital, to better satisfy the demands for older adult services in older adults at multiple levels.

This study analyses economic inequality in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) using tools such as the Lorenz Curve and the Gini coefficient. Originating in 1905, the Lorenz Curve, conceptualized by Max O. Lorenz, serves as an essential tool in illustrating income distribution, complemented by the Gini coefficient for assessing numerical inequality. Examining a decade of data from eleven CEE countries through Eurostat, the study constructs Lorenz curves, providing a visual and quantitative description of variations in income distribution. Percentile analysis reveals nuanced disparities, providing insight into the evolution of inequality. Methodologically, the study addresses the challenges, recognizing the advantages of the Lorenz curve in detailed information on income distribution, but also its disadvantages in data sensitivity. The findings show that the Lorenz curve and the Gini coefficient work synergistically, providing a comprehensive overview of economic inequality in CEE.

The distribution of income among the members of the society is the most important issue for economic policymakers, as it affects the pattern of household expenditure and how it is distributed by commodity groups. The research was based on the method of economic analysis, both descriptive and quantitative, for the analysis of household expenditure data for the years 2007 and 2012. The distribution and analysis of the total consumption expenditure, the expenditure on the groups of goods and services between the expenditure categories, Disparities in the distribution of consumer spending using the indices of inequality measures such as the Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient, variance coefficient and Kuznets coefficient. The results of the study indicate that the high level of inequality in the distribution of total expenditure for 2012 compared to 2007 according to genetic factors, reached in 2007 about 0.333, but in 2012 it reached 0.348. The results of the other statistical and statistical disparities agreed that the year 2012 was characterized by an increase in inequality compared with 2007. The transport and communications group during the 2007 and 2012 surveys were the most common commodity groups, with Gini coefficient values reaching 0.620 and 0.591 and difference coefficient to 1.52 and 1 .35 and Kuznets coefficient 0.54 and 0.52 for the two consecutive years compared to other commodity groups. Therefore, the government should contribute to alleviating the disparities between the groups of society through the development of an appropriate economic makers, including financial policy, and the redistribution of incomes, with a focus on the low-income group. The Iraqi government must also intervene to reduce disparities within the transport and communications group by imposing appropriate customs duties.

Background: COVID-19 has reportedly resulted in disparities in the use of telemedicine due to several socioeconomic factors. While telemedicine was developed to overcome geographical distance, under COVID-19 telemedicine conversely might have deepened the urban-rural telemedicine divide. Especially in Japan, the authority has virtually regulated distant telemedicine use, which favored telemedicine providers who are located in close proximity to patients. This study aimed to quantify the urban-rural disparity in access to telemedicine and investigate heterogeneity between devices (phone and video visits). Methods: We used two nationally comprehensive data sources in Japan. One was a municipality-level telemedicine provider database. Municipality-provider-level analysis intended to measure the uneven distribution of telemedicine providers compared to usual health care providers as well as the difference among clinical departments. The second source was prefecture-level telemedicine utilization data. Prefecture-utilization-level analysis aimed to quantify how the use of telemedicine converged in urban areas. We investigated the heterogeneity between types of devices and time periods. To measure inequality, this study used the Lorenz Curve and Gini coefficients. Ethical review was not required. Results: The data included 16,927 providers (14,111 clinics and 2,816 hospitals) and 88,952 first visits throughout Japan. The main findings were the geographically converged distribution of telemedicine providers compared with overall providers who were not limited to telemedicine and, possibly as a result of it, the geographically unequal utilization of telemedicine compared with in-person visits. Furthermore, video visits were more unequally utilized than phone visits, let alone in-person visits. The disparity was not resolved over time, which implied a systematic cause. Conclusion: Using comprehensive nationwide data, this study revealed geographical inequality relating to access to telemedicine under the COVID-19 special deregulation in Japan. While telemedicine initially aimed to provide access to care for people in rural areas, several factors, including the digital divide, COVID-19, and the Japanese policy, paradoxically could have caused this disparity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health of city inhabitants is considerably impacted by the urban park green spaces (UPGS). Existing studies lack an assessment of the UPGS equity from different perspectives and are limited to poor accuracy. This study reviews the definition and determination methods of UPGS, as well as UPGS accessibility and spatial equity related studies. Then, a spatial equity evaluation system is established from the dimensions of equity in providing UPGS services and equity in supply and demand matching. This study extrapolates from micro to macro analysis using network big data and census data to pinpoint the population down to the building level in the main urban area of Fuzhou City, China. The network analysis method, improved Gaussian floating catchment area method, Gini coefficient, and Lorenz curve measurement help to evaluate UPGS service euquity, explore the similarities and differences of UPGS fairness under different travel modes. It also helps to understand the service relationship between UPGS service and population demand under objective space, and to pinpoint the weak supply area using the locational entropy method. The results show that: (1) The overall accessibility and per capita accessibility show similar spatial distribution patterns under different travel modes, which are "high around and low in the middle" and "centered on the Minjiang River and dispersed to the north and south, respectively" in study area. (2) The supply of UPGS services in Fuzhou is relatively adequate and at a relatively equity level, while varies in the allocation of UPGS services among sub-districts. The spatial equity of different traveling modes varies widely. (3) The sub-districts on the periphery of the study area should be subject to increased UPGS and improvements to the road network and public infrastructure. Sub-district with high population density and old neighborhoods should implement micro-renewal and build community parks. Our study presents a new idea for spatial equity research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletín Criminológico is the property of Instituto Andaluz Interuniversitario de Criminologia (Seccion Malaga) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The spatial-temporal mismatch of water resources and socio-economic development in rapidly urbanized regions has been the focus of water resource management, and is one of the main limitations to sustainable development goals (SDGs). Guangdong Province is represented by a highly developed economy and society, and has been undergoing disproportionately rapid population growth during the past two decades. The uneven distribution and spatial mismatch of water resources have aggravated the contradictions between water supply demand. In this paper, we evaluate the matching degree of water resources and social economic elements, detect the spatial-temporal changing pattern of the matching degree, and reveal the changing mechanism using the combined methods of the Thiel index, the space–time Gini coefficient, and the Lorenz curve. The results show that (1) the temporal matching is relatively balanced and reasonable, while the spatial mismatch is prominent and deteriorating constantly, especially the connection between the amount of water and GDP; (2) the water volume pressure is mainly concentrated in the Peral River Delta and eastern and western Guangdong, while water consumption stress is relatively lower in northeastern Guangdong; and (3) the water volume inequality is dominated by an intercity difference and is primarily caused by regional differences. Based on the results, policy implications, such as the implementation of integrated water resource management plans, investment in the development of alternative water sources, as well as enhanced public education and the establishment of a water saving society, have been provided to alleviate the mismatch issue between water elements and socio-economic parameters, and to push the realization of water-related SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista CEA is the property of Revista CEA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The available evidence indicates that a majority of the world's impoverished population resides in rural areas, where agriculture and natural resource management are crucial for their livelihoods and food security. In North Macedonia, rural areas house a significant proportion of the population, accounting for 57.5%. However, these regions face high levels of poverty due to limited access to resources, essential services, technologies, markets, and economic opportunities. The study analyzes multiple income scenarios of monetary rural poverty in order to explore the impact of social transfers and subsidies on poverty rates and income inequality in two North Macedonian regions, Pelagonia and Polog. In order to measure rural poverty, a poverty threshold is employed, which is set at 60% of the median equivalent income. Additionally, widely recognized metrics like the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient are utilized to assess income inequality. Data was collected through field interviews of 140 rural households in 2018 from Pelagonia and Polog statistical regions. The findings highlight a significant reduction in the poverty rate and a more equal distribution of income when social transfers and subsidies are considered. At the overall sample level, poverty decreases from 32% to 17% when transfers are factored in, and the Gini coefficient exhibits a decline from 0.48 to 0.29. To effectively reduce poverty, improve livelihoods, and foster sustainable development in rural areas of Macedonia, it is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize key recommendations such as enhancing resource management, long-term investments, technological advancements in agriculture and promoting income diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irregular or plenter forestry evolved in Central Europe around a small number of shade-tolerating species; however, increasing interest in developing more climatically resilient, diverse forest structures has seen a greater range of species being studied. A critical question is whether stands comprising a wide geographic mix of species can form irregular structures in the long term. Using data from a unique experimental site established in 1953 at Faskally Forest, North Scotland, temporal changes in structure, density, growth and species diversity were studied in a stand comprising a mix of European and North American species undergoing the latter stages of transformation. A 1-ha permanent sample plot was established in 1997 and data evaluated from five complete inventories carried out at six-yearly intervals (latest in 2021). Metrics describing the irregular structure – defined by negative exponential diameter distributions, q values, Lorenz curves, Gini coefficients and stand density indices – have stabilized over the last three inventories suggesting a relative balance has been achieved between recruitment and harvesting/mortality losses. Whilst shade tolerating species dominate regeneration and recruitment, species diversity has increased since the start of the study. Analyses of transition periods (average time required for all trees to progress from one diameter class into the next) and annual recruitment (average number of trees moving from each diameter class into the next higher class) highlight a growth advantage of shade tolerating species. The range of values defining the irregular stand at Faskally compare well with those from long-term plenter forests in Continental Europe highlighting the potential of forming irregular stand structures comprising geographically diverse species. The study also indicates that the silvicultural characteristics of species are more important than whether they are native or non-native. Stand characteristics reported here could aid managers of irregular/plenter forests by indicating values of such characteristics to guide the transformation of similar mixed-species stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Les Cahiers du CREAD is the property of Centre de Rrecherche en Economie Appliquee pour Developpement and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Equity in the distribution of medical facilities is critical to the effectiveness of healthcare investments and the equality of residents' right to health. In recent years, the Chinese Government has been working to establish a well-organized hierarchical system of medical facilities. However, few studies have focused on the evaluation of multilevel medical facility accessibility and equity, and they are usually based on a single urban road network without considering the distinction between walkways and carriageways. To address these issues, this study analyzed and calculated results on the distribution of multilevel medical facilities in terms of accessibility and equity evaluation based on a Gaussian two-step floating catchment area method, an improved medical facility supply capacity model, and two road networks of walkways and carriageways in the central urban area of Jinan, China. The results showed that the distribution of medical facilities shows the vacuum phenomenon of primary medical facilities and the polarization phenomenon of tertiary medical facilities and that the shortage of accessibility of primary medical facilities is masked when comprehensive accessibility calculations are performed. The results of the Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve showed that the distribution of primary medical facilities is extremely inequitable and that increasing the number of primary medical facilities and their supply capacity remains a priority for China to promote health equity. The results of the aforementioned study suggested strategies for medical facility system improvement and urban road network planning: planning new primary hospitals in densely populated areas, building large general hospitals in the eastern and western edges of the city, building east–west road networks to increase road centerline density, and so on. The improved Gaussian two-step floating catchment area method (Ga2SFCA) helps to construct a spatial accessibility model for multilevel medical facilities, and the adopted methods of accessibility and equity analysis are also useful for siting studies on the layout of other service facilities such as education and elderly care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socioeconomic inequalities among foreign-born populations in the United States in minor-emerging gateways are rarely discussed in existing inequality literature. This study helps to fill that gap by examining inequality and spatial integration among immigrant, US–born White, and Black populations in a minor gateway metropolitan area of Greensboro–High Point, NC. The 2020 Census five-year (2016–2020) estimate of American Community Survey (ACS) housing and demographic data, the location quotient (LQ), Lorenz curve, and Gini Index are utilized. The LQ values suggest immigrant groups are more concentrated with Black populations than White populations, but US–born Black and White populations are far more segregated than immigrant groups. Lorenz curve and Gini coefficients confirm that White populations experience the least inequality while the greatest income inequality exists among US–born Black populations, followed by immigrant populations. Further, disparities in income are greater for immigrants living in their underrepresented communities than those who live in overrepresented neighborhoods. The study concludes that immigrant populations living in segregated neighborhoods with a higher proportion of racial and ethnic minorities have lower education and English language competency than those living in neighborhoods with a higher percentage of US–born residents, and hence have lower income inequality among populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 lockdown has deepened inequity among vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. Reducing inequity in access to essential service facilities is an effective way to improve community resilience in dealing with pandemics. In this research, three indexes were created to measure community resilience in accessing essential services. Specifically, we have considered the different walking capacity and different needs of the elderly and the general population. We selected Shanghai as the case for our research and analyzed the spatial patterns of both space-based and population-based essential service facilities. The Lorenz curve and the Gini coefficient were used to measure the spatial equity. And, we attempted to reveal the relationships between the population density and three indexes through bivariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association. The results suggest that the Diversity Index enjoys the highest equity, followed by the Demand Accessibility Index, and the equity of the Per Capita Quantity Index is the lowest. Furthermore, the accessibility of essential services in urban areas is excellent, while in some suburban areas it is low. Our findings contribute valuable scientific insights for policy makers to strengthen community resilience and address inequities for immediate or long-term measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a major energy consumer, however, related empirical research on China's unequal energy consumption is very limited. Therefore, according to the data from 30 provinces and cities, this study aims to establish a simulation model to analyse the Gini coefficient (the Lorenz curve) of China's energy consumption, and identify the main factors affecting the Gini coefficient through dynamic scenario analysis. During the simulation cycle (from 2022 to 2081), the average Gini coefficient of energy consumption fluctuates between 0.30 and 0.41, which indicates the inequality is slightly high. But the maximum value fluctuation ranges from 0.40 to 0.50, which indicates the inequality is high. The author also found that three factors—technological level, government subsidies, and growth rate of energy supply—can significantly affect the Gini coefficient of energy consumption. It is necessary to promote the technological level, increase subsidies for energy production, and promote the growth of total energy supply to significantly reduce inequity in energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background In recent years, China has attached great importance to strengthening the development of general practitioner (GP) workforce and primary care service system. To innovate the incentive mechanism for GP training and employment and improve the training system for GPs, the government has also promulgated a series of policies and put forward major reform measures involving many aspects. Objective To analyze and evaluate the fairness of distribution of general practitioner (GP) resources in China, and to provide theoretical support for scientific and equitable allocation of GP resources. Methods Data were sourced from five volumes of China Health and Family Planning Statistical Yearbook (2017—2021), China Health Statistical Yearbook (2017—2021), and China Statistical Yearbook (2017—2021) in June 2022, including the number of GPs, the number of people registered as general medicine professionals, the number of people who obtained the General Practitioner Certificate after training, the number of GPs per 10 000 population, and the number of practicing (assistant) physicians in China, in each geographical division (eastern, central or western), and in each regionin, and the annual gross domestic product (GDP), gross regional product (GRP), and the year-end total population data of each region during 2016 and 2020. Additionally, the total land area of each region was extracted from the China ABC column on the website www.gov.cn. The Lorenz curve and the Gini coefficient were used to analyze the fairness in the distribution of GP resources. The Theil index was used to analyze differences in the distribution of GP resources in eastern, central and western China. Results The number of GPs in China increased from 209 083 in 2016 to 408 820 in 2020, showing a growth rate 95.53%. In 2020, the proportion of GPs among all practicing (assistant) physicians reached 10.01% (408 820/4 085 689), and the number of GPs per 10 000 population was 2.90. The Gini coefficients measuring demographic, economic, and geographical distribution inequalities of GP resources were 0.235, 0.178, 0.722, respectively for 2016, 0.231, 0.170 and 0.726, respectively for 2017, 0.225, 0.161 and 0.729, respectively for 2018, 0.177, 0.147 and 0.714, respectively for 2019, and 0.157, 0.136, and 0.707, respectively, for 2020. Overall, the Lorenz curve measuring the inequality in the distribution of GP resources by demographics or economy had lower degree of curvature than that by geography. A reduction was found in Theil index measuring unequal demographic, economic or geographical distribution of GP resources in 2020 compared with that in 2016 (from 0.046 to 0.020; from 0.022 to 0.013; from 0.482 to 0.428) . Conclusion During the five years, the distribution of GP resources in China presented the following features: the number of GPs increased rapidly and became an important part of the workforce of practicing (assistant) physicians, the registration rate of GPs gradually increased, and the total GP resources showed a continuous growth, but the ratio of GPs per 10 000 population was still unsatisfactory, great inter-region differences existed in the distribution of GP resources, and the equity of the distribution of GP resources by geography was more unsatisfactory than by demographics or economy.

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the capacity and distribution of intensive care unit (ICU) beds in China from 2007 to 2021. The study found that the number of ICU beds in China increased significantly during this period, but the proportion of ICU beds in relation to hospital beds remained low at 0.91% in 2021. Furthermore, the number of ICU beds per 100,000 population in China was still insufficient compared to OECD countries. The study also identified regional differences in ICU bed distribution, with some provinces having higher ICU bed availability than others. The authors recommend increasing China's ICU capacity and improving the equitable distribution of ICU beds between regions to meet future demands. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Equity in the delivery of health services, including diagnostic imaging, is crucial to achieving universal health coverage. The Health Transformation Plan (HTP), launched in 2014, represents a major healthcare policy to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. This study aimed to explore the impact of the HTP on equity in the access to medical imaging in Lorestan province, located in west Iran, from 2014 to 2023. Annual growth rates (AGR) of imaging devices were calculated, whilst equity assessment of medical imaging distribution was carried out by means of the Gini coefficient and the Lorenz curve per 100,000 population. The latter was generated using the cumulative distribution of imaging devices, as well as the cumulative population ratio. Results: Between 2014 and 2023, the number of imaging devices has increased threefold. The AGR of installing CT and MRI scanners in Lorestan province increased between 2014 and 2023. The Gini coefficients increased from 0.12 for CT and 0.16 for MRI in 2014 to 0.33 in 2023 for both devices. This indicates a decrease in equity in access to these fundamental health technologies despite the increase in their figures. Policymakers should better allocate medical equipment based on the specific health needs of different regions throughout Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As approximately 3/4 of the population lives in county-level divisions in China, the allocation of health resources at the county level will affect the realization of health equity. This study aims to evaluate the disparity in hospital beds at the county level in China, analyze its causes, and discuss measures to optimize the allocation. Methods: Data were drawn from the Chinese County/City Statistical Yearbook (2001–2020). The health resource density index (HRDI) was applied to mediate between the influence of demographic and geographical factors on the allocation of hospital beds. The trends of HRDI allocation were evaluated through the growth incidence curve and the probability density function. The regional disparity in the HRDI was examined through the Lorenz curve, and Dagum Gini coefficient. The contribution of the Gini coefficient and its change were assessed by using the Dagum Gini decomposition method. Results: From 2000 to 2019, the number of hospital beds per thousand people at the county level in China increased dramatically by 1.49 times. From the aspect of the HRDI, there were large regional disparities at the national level, with a Gini coefficient of 0.367 in 2019 and in the three subregions. In 2019, the Gini coefficient of the HRDI exhibited regional variations, with the highest value observed in the western region, followed by the central region and the eastern region. Decomposition reveals that the contribution of interregional disparity changed from the dominant factor to the least important factor, accounting for 29.79% of the overall disparity and the contribution of trans-variation intensity increased from 29.19% to 39.75%, whereas the intraregional disparity remained stable at approximately 31% and became the second most important factor. Conclusion: The regional disparity in hospital beds allocation at the county level in China was large and has not improved substantially. Trans-variation intensity was the main reason for the overall disparity and changes, and the intraregional disparity was more important than the interregional disparity for the overall disparity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) causes a high mortality rate each year, which is a threat to human well-being and health. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is an effective device for heart attack-related diseases and is a panacea to save OHCA. Most relevant literature focuses on the spatial distribution, accessibility, and configuration optimization of AED devices, which all belong to the characteristics of the spatial distribution of AED devices. Still, there is a lack of discussion on related potential influencing factors. In addition, analysis of AED facilities involving multiple city comparisons is less considered. In this study, data on AED facilities in two major cities in China were obtained through the WeChat applet. Then, the AED equity at the city and block scales and its socioeconomic factors were analyzed using the Gini coefficient, Lorenz curve, and optimal parameters-based geo-graphical detector (OPGD) model. Results show that the number of AEDs in Shenzhen was about eight-times that of in Guangzhou. The distribution of AEDs in Shenzhen was more equitable with a global Gini of 0.347, higher than that in Guangzhou with a global Gini of 0.504. As for the determinants of AED equity, residential density was the most significant determinant in both Guangzhou and Shenzhen from the perspective of individual effects on AED equity. Differently, due to the aging population in Guangzhou, the proportion of the elderly in blocks was influential to local AED equity. The local economic development level was crucial to local AED equity in Shenzhen. The results of the interaction detector model illustrate that relatively equitable AED distributions were found in the high-density residential areas with a balance of employment and housing, high-aging residential areas, and high-mobility residential areas in Guangzhou. The area with a high level of local economic development, dense population, and large mobility was the area with a relatively equitable distribution of AEDs in Shenzhen. The results of this paper are conducive to understanding the equity of AEDs and its socio-economic determinants, providing scientific reference for the optimization and management of AEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Late Classic period (a.d. 550–900), ancient Maya settlement spread throughout western Belize, including the Vaca Plateau, a rugged karstic region with high densities of ritually utilized cave systems. Within the past decade, archaeologists have increasingly drawn on LiDAR technology to document the extent of such settlement at local and regional scales. Combined with traditional pedestrian survey, we have begun to amass substantial data on variation within household groups, disparities which may indicate inequality within these communities. Here, we use settlement data generated from the Las Cuevas region to quantify residential variation through Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves. Special attention is given to areal and volumetric deviation of identified households within three samples: (1) the complete 95.25 km2 study area; (2) a 12.25 km2 zone of higher population between the primary centers of Las Cuevas and Monkey Tail; and (3) households situated within 500 m of ritually utilized caves within the study area. Results indicate some degree of variation within household area and volume for all samples, suggestive of unequal access to labor within the region. This research adds to the growing database of Gini-based analyses to improve our understanding of wealth differentials within pre-modern populations throughout the Lowlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gini coefficients for residential groups at Coba for roofed surface area, volume of architecture, and houselot space range from 0.423 to 0.551, fitting well within the range of many ancient and modern state-level cities and societies and other Mesoamerican centers. These values are also similar to other large, Classic period, Northern Lowland cities, such as Dzibilchaltun and Chunchucmil. These data do not support the idea that autocratic regimes exhibit greater wealth inequality. We also failed to find a pattern in which inequality grew over the course of the Classic period. The Lorenz curves for Coba and other sites do not indicate any breaks that would allow households to be sorted into wealth classes. Thus, wealth differences were fluid, continuous, and out in the open, giving these settlements the dynamism and attractiveness that helped them grow into some of the largest and most remarkable ancient Maya cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inequality is present in all human societies, but building a robust understanding of how that inequality developed and persisted for centuries requires historical and archaeological data. Identifying the degree of inequality (or disparity) in ancient communities can be addressed through a variety of methods. One method becoming standard practice in archaeology evaluates inequality through quantitative analysis of robust settlement data. In this Compact Special Section, we assess household size as a potential reflection of wealth inequality among Classic period (a.d. 250–900) Maya settlements. First, we generate house-size data from both pedestrian and remotely sensed LiDAR surveys. Then we use those data to calculate Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves, which provide measures of variation. Gini coefficients range from 0 to 1, where 0 reflects perfect equality and 1 indicates perfect inequality, regardless of the actual values in the distribution. Both area (m2) and volume (m3) provide different, complementary metrics to investigate residential size as a metric for wealth inequality among Classic Maya Lowland settlements. Proposed mechanisms that generate inequality include the intergenerational transmission of wealth and differential access to resources; however, addressing these and other pathways for how inequality develops and persists, and how it was maintained in the past provides insight into similar processes of systemic inequality worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being a form of labor investment, house size is frequently analyzed as an index of socioeconomic inequality. However, datasets that lack wide-ranging residential stratigraphic information are not reliable sources of labor investment estimates. This is the case for Late Classic domestic architecture data from three polities in the Rosario Valley (modern-day Chiapas) on the southwest Maya frontier: Rosario, Ojo de Agua, and Los Encuentros. Although the sample's house size inequality generally cannot index period-specific labor investment, it may signify prestige differentiation. For each polity we generated Lorenz curves and calculated Gini coefficients for five variables representing house size (area and volume). Results resemble inequality data from lowland Classic Maya centers. We also demonstrate that the smallest, shortest-lived polity had more equal house size values, likely due to the modesty of its apical elite architecture. In contrast, the two larger, older polities were more unequal because they had substantial palaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]