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Simple Summary: This study analyzed the population-habitat relationship of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), and found that 557.43 km2 was the minimum habitat area needed for a sustainable population with 25 pandas. Based on this criterion, this study evaluated the habitat status of 20 counties and 16 nature reserves containing ≥25 pandas. It was observed that 30.0% of counties and 87.5% of reserves had habitat areas less than 557.43 km2, indicating that more restoration efforts are required to increase the habitat area. In some counties and reserves with habitat areas ≥557.43 km2, the habitat had obviously decreased between the third (conducted from 1999 to 2003; the population size was 1596, and the habitat area was 2,304,991 ha) and fourth (conducted from 2011 to 2014; the population size was 1864, and the habitat area was 2,576,595 ha) giant panda surveys. The specific causes should be identified so that targeted conservation measures can be implemented. This study analyzed survey result data of giant panda populations and habitats in the third and fourth giant panda surveys to reveal the population size–habitat area relationship and assess the habitat status at the county and nature reserve levels. Results showed that a significant linear relationship existed between the logarithm of population size (lnS) and the logarithm of habitat area (lnA), with an equation of lnS = 1.145 × lnA − 4.022. Based on this relationship, this study determined that 557.43 km2 was the minimum habitat area for maintaining a sustainable survival population of 25 pandas (the minimum population size to ensure sustainable survival with a relatively low extinction probability). This study selected 20 counties and 16 nature reserves containing ≥25 pandas and found that 30.0% of counties and 87.5% of reserves had habitat areas less than 557.43 km2. More habitat restoration efforts are needed to increase the habitat. The habitat area remained stable in the selected counties but decreased in the selected reserves between the third and fourth surveys. The causes of habitat decline in counties and reserves should be identified so that targeted conservation measures can be implemented. This study provides a theoretical basis and scientific reference for giant panda conservation and habitat management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) faces intense man-land conflicts. However, existing studies rarely focus on the comprehensive and multidimensional development levels in the YRB, and there is a lack of refined county-level studies, making it difficult to fully support the implementation of ecological protection and high-quality development strategy in the YRB. Under the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the spatial distribution, differences, and correlation characteristics of the multidimensional development levels of counties in the YRB are disclosed. This is achieved by comprehensively utilizing geospatial, socio-economic, and other multi-source data in combination with methods such as the entropy weight method, the Theil index, and spatial analysis. Optimal development paths are proposed with a focus on the development types of counties. The findings are as follows: (1) Counties in the YRB have a low overall multidimensional development level, presenting a spatial distribution pattern of "high in the east and low in the west" overall. In terms of each dimension, the average value ranking of lower reach > middle reach > upper reach is observed in each dimension; the exception is the financial dimension (with the ranking of middle reach > lower reach > upper reach). (2) Differences between counties in the development indices vary across different dimensions. The differences in the multidimensional development indices and in the development indices of each dimension (except for the natural dimension) are mainly attributable to differences between counties within each reach. Differences between reaches are non-significant. (3) The multidimensional development levels of counties in the YRB and their development levels in each dimension show strong spatial correlation. And significant counties are mainly identified as LL-type (clusters of low value areas) and HH-type (clusters of high value areas). (4) Depending on the measurement results and advantageous factors of the county multidimensional development index, counties are classified into four development types: weak development type, single-dimension-led development type, potential coordinated development type, and multidimensional coordinated development type. Based on this classification, targeted optimal development paths are proposed with a focus on the specific characteristics of different development types. The research findings can provide effective scientific support for ecological protection and high-quality development in the YRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research compares drivers of full COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses across US counties. Booster doses are contingent upon primary doses being received, and the risk attitudes and propensities to get vaccinated may respond to different motivations across individuals, along with distinctions in the supply chain. Our results, obtained in a quantitative framework through fractional probit, logit and quantile regressions, show that new COVID cases do not significantly impact vaccinations, while supply chain aspects via doctors' visits have a positive impact. Income, race, age, and education also play a significant role. Further, political ideologies matter, while government decentralization does not. The differences in the effects across primary versus booster doses are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected meteorological and urolithiasis-related hospitalization data from four counties in Ganzhou City for 2018–2019 and used the DLNM method to assess the lagged and cumulative effects of temperature on urolithiasis hospitalizations and obtain the total effect after meta-combination. Based on the nonlinear association between temperature and urolithiasis hospitalizations, the relative risk of overall high temperature (30℃) was 2.10 (95% CI: 1.07-4.10). No statistically significant difference (p = 0.07) was observed between males (RR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.42-2.94) and females (RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.09-1.92) for the heat effect, which was higher in the ≥ 60 years age group (RR = 3.18, 95% CI: 1.76-5.76) than in the < 60 years age group (p = 0.007). High temperatures increased the risk of hospitalization for urolithiasis in Ganzhou, China, and the risk was greatest for individuals aged 60 and above, with similar risks observed across counties and genders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of Chinese modernization, the integrated development of urban and rural areas focuses on three major issues: 1 'People' as the fundamental element, with population emerging as the core variable affecting the quality and efficiency of urban-rural integration. 2 'County' as the focal point, serving as an important carrier for stimulating urban-rural integration. 3 'Flow' as the driving force, with new quality productive forces accelerating the reconstruction of the internal logic of urban-rural integration. This empirical analysis of population shrinkage and agglomeration in Chinese counties showed that the trend of normalized population shrinkage at the county level was significant, with continuous population clustering and rapidly increasing population agglomeration in central and western counties. Population agglomeration effectively mitigated the negative effects of population shrinkage. The study found that 80.85% of county-level units in China exhibited a new pattern of 'agglomerative shrinkage' characterized by a decline in total population but an improvement in agglomeration levels, which profoundly affected the development pattern of urban- rural integration in counties. The results indicated that: 1 The social structure of urban-rural integration in counties was evolving rapidly, with an accelerating decline in quantitative population dividend, continuing increase in population aging, and transformation from a 'rural society' to an 'urban-rural society.' 2 The spatial relationship and layout between urban and rural areas in counties were undergoing accelerating adjustment, where the 'urban-rural residence' pattern weakens spatial contradictions and spatial integration stability between urban and rural areas, while 'virtual agglomeration' created both opportunities for rural space revitalization and challenges for sustainability. 3 Population agglomeration at the county level shifted from being industry-driven to service-driven. The imbalance in urban-rural resource allocation based on registered residential population intensified. At the county level, the problem of idle and waste facilities and services coexisted with a severe shortage of public service supply, necessitating reform of the urban-rural resource allocation system. Based on the objective of deepening the urban-rural integration in the new era, this paper proposes ideas and strategies to address the agglomerative shrinkage of county-level population: combining policies to 'keep the city gates open' and 'open village gates' to facilitate the flow of urban and rural resources. coordinating 'virtual agglomeration' and 'physical agglomeration' to accelerate the identity transformation of urban and rural migrant populations. and linking 'zoning policy' and 'co-creation' to enhance the adaptability and satisfaction of urban and rural public services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decentralisation has increasingly been adopted by countries as an important health sector reform aimed at increasing community participation in decision making while enhancing swift response at decentralised levels, to accelerate the attainment of health system goals. Kenya adopted a devolved system of government where health services delivery became a function of the 47 semi-autonomous county governments with planning and budgeting functions practised at both levels of government. This study sought to explore challenges facing health sector planning and budgeting and how they affect immunisation service delivery at the county level. Methods: Data were collected through 77 in-depth interviews of senior county department of health officials across 15 counties in Kenya. We applied an inductive thematic approach in analysing the qualitative data using NVIVO software. Findings: The study found a lack of alignment between planning and budgeting processes, with planning being more inclusive compared to budgeting. Inadequate capacity in conducting planning and budgeting and political interference were reported to hinder the processes. Limited budget allocations and delayed and untimely disbursement of funds were reported to affect execution of health and immunisation budgets. Low prioritisation of preventive health interventions like immunisation due to their perceived intangibility influenced resource allocation to the programs. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for effective strategies to align planning and budgeting processes, increased technical support to counties to enhance the requisite capacity, and efforts to improve budget execution to improve budget credibility. Counties should plan to increase their funding commitment toward immunisation to ensure sustainability of the program as Kenya transitions from GAVI support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Resources Development & Market is the property of Sichuan Resource Development & Market Magazine Co., Ltd 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.)

PurposeInfectious keratitis is a vision-threatening condition requiring close follow-up and disciplined eye drop administration to achieve resolution. Although patients presenting to county hospitals often have more severe presentations, there is a paucity of risk and outcomes data in this setting. This study investigates risk factors predicting loss to follow-up (LTFU), medication noncompliance, and poor outcomes for infectious keratitis in the county hospital setting.MethodsThis was a retrospective case-control study at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. Inclusion criteria were patients who had corneal cultures for suspected infectious bacterial or fungal keratitis between 2010 and 2021. Exclusion criteria were patients with viral keratitis only. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship of social and medical risk factors with LTFU, medication noncompliance, worsened visual acuity (VA), and delayed resolution time.ResultsOf 174 patients with infectious keratitis in this analysis, 69 (40.0%) had LTFU. Unemployment was associated with increased risk of LTFU (odds ratio 2.58, P = 0.049) and worse final VA ( P = 0.001). Noncompliance trended toward an association with homelessness (odds ratio 3.48, P = 0.095). Increasing age correlated with longer resolution time, with each 1-year increase associated with delayed resolution by 0.549 days ( P = 0.042).ConclusionsPatients experiencing unemployment, homelessness, or increased age demonstrate higher risk for treatment barriers including loss to follow-up and medication noncompliance, resulting in worse VA and delayed time to resolution. These risk factors should be considered when determining the need for more deliberate follow-up measures in patients with infectious keratitis.

Urban form is a key factor affecting carbon emissions. Accurately estimating the impact of urban form on the carbon emissions of residents (CER) is an important prerequisite for China to adopt effective low-carbon spatial planning strategies and respond to climate change. However, counties mainly account for China's energy consumption, and the relationship between their urban form and the CER remains unclear, limiting their low-carbon development. Therefore, in this study, the PLS-SEM model and data from 90 counties in the Yangtze River Delta are used to determine the extent and ways that urban form affects the CER. The model considers the impact of both geometric-aspect urban form factors (urban scale, compactness, spatial structure, and urban shape) and built environment-aspect urban form factors (public service facilities, urban greening, road traffic, public transportation, and urban energy infrastructure) on the CER. The results indicate that urban form factors related to the built environment (public service facilities, urban greening, road systems, and municipal infrastructure) have a direct impact on the CER. Geometric-aspect urban form factors (size, compactness, spatial structure, and shape) not only directly affect the CER but also indirectly affect the CER by altering built environment-aspect urban form factors. This study identifies the complex relationship between urban form and the CER, facilitating the coordinated integration of multiple elements and providing a basis for the formulation of low-carbon spatial planning strategies for counties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to understand the role of municipalities, given the current public education financing model in force in the country, and the context of municipalities in relation to the funding of basic education in Brazil. Using a qualitative approach, the work presents an integrative review of articles published in journals, from 2002 to 2022, selected by inclusion methods regarding thematic relevance. They were divided into three categories of analysis: financing policy, model and sources of resources. As a result, there is a need to expand scientific discussions regarding the financing of basic education, mainly to improve current public financing policies, promoting equitable participation of federative entities in financial contributions destined for public basic education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaboration between local governments and businesses for poverty reduction has not yet been fully explored in China. Based on an in-depth investigation of two counties during the Targeted Poverty Alleviation campaign, this study proposes a multilayered and relational approach to understanding how different levels of officials collaborate with business to reduce poverty. Elite bureaucrats at the county and township levels prefer a growth-oriented strategy for attracting large-scale enterprises to make investment. Their coalition with businesses has created profits and employment but also hindered authentic participation of small- and medium-sized businesses and villagers in their selected villages. In contrast, in villages that were not prioritized by elite bureaucrats, local officials could utilize their discretion and indigenous resources to exploit development opportunities and support small- and medium-sized businesses to reach poor villagers. This study unpacks China's multilevel system to understand the various forms of government–business collaboration and their implications for rural poverty reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. County-level prevalences of arthritis and arthritis-attributable pain outcomes have significant spatial clustering patterns, and factors shaping these patterns are different for different outcomes. Research on the geographic distribution of pain and arthritis outcomes, especially at the county level, is limited. This is a high-priority topic, however, given the heterogeneity of subnational and substate regions and the importance of county-level governments in shaping population health. Our study provides the most fine-grained picture to date of the geography of pain in the United States. Combining 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data with county-level data from the Census and other sources, we examined arthritis and arthritis-attributable joint pain, severe joint pain, and activity limitations in US counties. We used small area estimation to estimate county-level prevalences and spatial analyses to visualize and model these outcomes. Models considering spatial structures show superiority over nonspatial models. Counties with higher prevalences of arthritis and arthritis-related outcomes are mostly clustered in the Deep South and Appalachia, while severe consequences of arthritis are particularly common in counties in the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Georgia, Florida, and Maine. Net of arthritis, county-level percentages of racial/ethnic minority groups are negatively associated with joint pain prevalence, but positively associated with severe joint pain prevalence. Severe joint pain is also more common in counties with more female individuals, separated or divorced residents, more high school noncompleters, fewer chiropractors, and higher opioid prescribing rates. Activity limitations are more common in counties with higher percentages of uninsured people. Our findings show that different spatial processes shape the distribution of different arthritis-related pain outcomes, which may inform local policies and programs to reduce the risk of arthritis and its consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) faces intense man-land conflicts. However, existing studies rarely focus on the comprehensive and multidimensional development levels in the YRB, and there is a lack of refined county-level studies, making it difficult to fully support the implementation of ecological protection and high-quality development strategy in the YRB. Under the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, the spatial distribution, differences, and correlation characteristics of the multidimensional development levels of counties in the YRB are disclosed. This is achieved by comprehensively utilizing geospatial, socio-economic, and other multi-source data in combination with methods such as the entropy weight method, the Theil index, and spatial analysis. Optimal development paths are proposed with a focus on the development types of counties. The findings are as follows: (1) Counties in the YRB have a low overall multidimensional development level, presenting a spatial distribution pattern of “high in the east and low in the west” overall. In terms of each dimension, the average value ranking of lower reach > middle reach > upper reach is observed in each dimension; the exception is the financial dimension (with the ranking of middle reach > lower reach > upper reach). (2) Differences between counties in the development indices vary across different dimensions. The differences in the multidimensional development indices and in the development indices of each dimension (except for the natural dimension) are mainly attributable to differences between counties within each reach. Differences between reaches are non-significant. (3) The multidimensional development levels of counties in the YRB and their development levels in each dimension show strong spatial correlation. And significant counties are mainly identified as LL-type (clusters of low value areas) and HH-type (clusters of high value areas). (4) Depending on the measurement results and advantageous factors of the county multidimensional development index, counties are classified into four development types: weak development type, single-dimension-led development type, potential coordinated development type, and multidimensional coordinated development type. Based on this classification, targeted optimal development paths are proposed with a focus on the specific characteristics of different development types. The research findings can provide effective scientific support for ecological protection and high-quality development in the YRB.

Little is known about the inpatient mental health needs of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Based on existing literature, we hypothesized that undocumented patients would have fewer psychiatric admissions than documented patients. We reviewed 2019 inpatient admission data for Hispanic/Latino patients at an urban hospital. Patients were coded as undocumented or documented using insurance proxies. Multivariable logistic regression was used to report odds ratio of admission diagnoses of interest by documentation status. There were no significant differences in psychiatric admissions between undocumented patients (2.1%) and documented patients (2.8%) (p=.77). Compared with documented counterparts, undocumented patients were more likely to be admitted for alcohol-related disorders (AOR=1.59, 95%CI=1.31-1.93) but had lower proportions of admission for substance-related disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and suicide and intentional self-inflicted injury among others. Future studies should examine factors contributing to alcohol use disorder and barriers to accessing and using mental health care.

[Objective] To promote efficient utilization and sustainable development of territorial space, this study identified changes in territorial space functions considering different population shrinking characteristics, aiming to explore territorial space optimization strategies in response to population shrinking challenges. [Methods] By integrating multi-source data from county units in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2020, this study measured population shrinking and territorial space function changes, and delineated territorial space zones based on population shrinking characteristics using elasticity coefficient. [Results] (1) The relationship between population demand and territorial space supply is the main driver of territorial space function formation and development. Population shrinking affects demand, driving changes in agricultural space management, urban space organization, and ecological space management patterns, thereby reshaping the pattern of territorial space functions. (2) Population shrinking in counties of Sichuan Province exhibited significant spatial differences and agglomeration characteristics, with 69.4% of the counties experiencing population shrinkage. This phenomenon was mainly concentrated in peripheral counties outside the central Chengdu area, as well as in most counties in the southern, northeastern, and southwestern parts of Sichuan. The simultaneous change of population quantity and structure, termed “dual shrinking”, was the main type observed. (3) The overall distribution of territorial space functions in counties of Sichuan showed a high in southeast and low in northwest spatial pattern. From 2010 to 2020, 74.9% of the counties experienced an enhancement in territorial space function. (4) Based on population shrinking characteristics, Sichuan’s county territorial space was divided into growth-oriented, extensive, lagging, intensive, declining, and deteriorating types. Territorial space optimization directions were proposed according to the population challenges and territorial space function changes faced by different types of areas. [Conclusion] Incorporating population aging into the measurement system for population shrinking provides a more comprehensive understanding of regional population shrinking characteristics.Future territorial space optimization at the county level in Sichuan Province should integrate population shrinking characteristics and changes in territorial space functions. This optimization should involve territorial space planning, comprehensive land consolidation, and policy support, optimizing agricultural, urban, and ecological spaces to meet the spatial development needs under varying population shrinking characteristics.

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges to achieving carbon neutrality at the county level in China and offers targeted recommendations, laying the groundwork for future specialized research in this area. A total of 283 relevant studies (2004–2023) were analyzed to assess county-level carbon emissions through three phases: bibliometric analysis, frontier analysis, and future prospects. Bibliometric findings reveal that publication trends were largely influenced by domestic and foreign policies. Keyword cluster discerns ten primary themes, ranging from conceptual frameworks to research methodologies. The frontier analysis of the literature highlights the leading research areas, which include carbon neutrality pathway, driving factors, spatiotemporal variation of carbon emissions, the co-effects of pollutants and carbon reduction, and carbon emissions in China's rural areas. Drawing from the results of bibliometric and frontier analyses, this study elucidates the recommendations for achieving carbon neutrality at the county level from three perspectives: effective regional policy guidance, emphasis on ecological conservation, and the deployment of advanced carbon reduction and sequestration technologies. This study enriches the body of knowledge on carbon emissions at the county level and holds significant implications for China's comprehensive push towards achieving its carbon neutrality objectives.

This paper constructs a rural resilience measurement index system from three dimensions: resistance and absorptive capacity, recovery and adaptive capacity, innovation and transformation capacity. Taking 101 counties (cities, districts) in Hunan Province as the research units and 2012-2020 as the research period, this paper uses TOPSIS and grey correlation analysis to measure the level of rural resilience in Hunan Province and analyze its influencing factors. Results show that: ① From 2012 to 2020, rural resilience in Hunan Province has steadily improved, but the overall resilience level is still not high. Resistance and absorptive capacity, recovery and adaptability have improved significantly, and innovation and transformation capabilities have changed little and have been at a low level, which has become a weakness of rural resilience in Hunan Province; ② In terms of spatial pattern, the spatial distribution of rural resilience in Hunan Province is clearly differentiated. The resilience level is more consistent with the economic and social development level of the city where it is located. The Changsha-Zhuzhou Xiangtan urban agglomeration has a high level of resilience, followed by the Dongting Lake area and southern Hunan, and the lowest pattern in the Xiangxi area; ③ From the perspective of influencing factors, the level of economic development and social structure have a greater impact on rural resilience. In view of the differences in resilience levels between regions in Hunan Province, measures should be taken in accordance with local conditions, grasp the key factors affecting rural resilience according to different regional characteristics, and take targeted measures to improve the overall level of rural resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve carbon neutrality, the Chinese government needs to gain a comprehensive understanding of the sources and drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly at the county level. Anji County in eastern China is a typical example of an industrial transformation from quarrying to a low-carbon economy. This study analyzed the decoupling types and structural characteristics of GHG emissions and the driving factors of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions in the Anji from 2006 to 2019, and explored the differences between county-level and provincial-level or city-level results. It was observed that energy-related activities are the main source of GHG emissions in Anji and that economic development is the driving factor behind the increasing CO 2 emissions. However, industrial transformation and upgradation coupled with the alternative use of clean energy limit the growth of GHG emissions. This study details the GHG emissions of county during the industrial transformation stage and provides corresponding policy recommendations for county governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

County-level administrative divisions and main functional areas are two basic governance systems that act concurrently on county-level geographical units. The administrative division governance focuses on local administration and regular social services, while the main functional area governance focuses on differentiated territorial space development. This paper summarizes the emerging trends and requirements of countylevel spatial governance in China and analyzes the coupling relationship of county-level administrative divisions and main functional areas. Then, the paper proposes to develop an interactive mechanism for the two systems, with administrative divisions focusing on local administration and social governance, and main functional areas focusing on strength complementation and differentiated development. In addition, it puts forward a new county-level spatial governance model featuring a coupling relationship of administrative and functional systems that is well matched with the coordination mechanism. It may provide a reference for improving administrative divisions, the main functional area policy system, and their dynamic adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an emerging industry in the convergence of finance and technology, Digital Inclusive Finance (DIF) has gradually become a fundamental driving factor in increasing Common Prosperity (COPRO). However, the potential influence of DIF on COPRO across counties has yet to be clarified. As a result, we explore the impact, heterogeneous characteristics, and pathways of DIF on COPRO using Chinese county-level panel data from 2014 to 2021. The key findings of this paper are as follows: (1) The COPRO in China's counties has shown a steady upward trend, but there are significant differences in regional development levels. (2) DIF can significantly boost the counties' COPRO, and the above conclusion still holds after multiple robustness tests. (3) The coverage and digitalization of DIF contribute more to COPRO than usage. Furthermore, DIF can contribute to COPRO in central and western, highly urbanized, and internet-enabled counties. (4) DIF can encourage COPRO by easing financial constraints and promoting enterprise cultivation. Drawing from the findings above, this paper offers feasible financial solutions and paths for China and developing countries to promote COPRO. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Geography & Geographic Information Science is the property of Geography & Geo-Information Science Editorial Office 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.)

Copyright of Journal of Shenzhen University Humanities & Social Sciences is the property of Journal of Shenzhen University (Humanities & Social Sciences) Editorial Office 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.)

Copyright of New Architecture is the property of New Architecture Editorial Office 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.)

Excess mortality is often used to estimate the effect of a certain crisis on the population. It is defined as the number of deaths during a crisis exceeding the expected number based on historical trends. Here, we calculated excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic for Croatia in the 2020–2021 period. The excess was calculated on the national and county level for different age and sex categories. In addition to the absolute number, the excess mortality was also expressed as a ratio of excess deaths to the predicted baseline and excess mortality rate. We showed that using both measures is necessary to avoid incorrect conclusions. The estimated excess mortality on the national level was 14,963, corresponding to an excess percentage of 14.3%. With respect to sex, there was a higher excess mortality rate for men compared to women. An exponential relationship was observed between age and the excess mortality rate.These trends wee representative of most counties as well, with large variations in the magnitude of the effect. However, there were also exceptions to the general rule. The reasons for these deviations were discussed in terms of between-county differences in demographic structure, population density and special events that took place during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Soochow University Educational Science Edition is the property of Soochow University 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.)

Public safety and order are special goods, being of interest to both national and local government administrations. In local government, a special role is played by the intermediate level of public affairs management; that is, the county (poviat). Tasks in the field of security and order at the county level are carried out mainly by the commission for security and order, which, under current legislation, appears as a multi-member specialized auxiliary body of the head of the county. The purpose of this article is to present the administrative-legal position of the commission for security and order, and to explore its competencies and tasks, as defined in both constitutional law and substantive laws. It also discusses the personnel structure of the commission, the procedure and rules for appointing its members, and the principles of financing its work.

In a quantitative study, the promotion of officials in seven counties of the Kingdom of Hungary is investigated. In the 18th century, some noble office-holders of humbler origins seem to have met difficulties being elected to the office of ordinarius judex nobilium, the lowest of the really important positions, while the most elevated gentry families did not even bother to serve in the county administration – or if so, then only for that of the ordinarius vicecomes, the leading office-holder. We can even get a glimpse of signs of professionalization among the county officials. An important fact is that the gate was open for some of the leading officials the counties to be appointed by the king to offices with nationwide authority, what testifies for an important link of the central royal bureaucracy and the county administration, the two rival elites of the age.

Abstract 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.

This study evaluates urbanization quality across 137 county-level administrative divisions in Shandong Province, China, through an evaluation indicator system developed for the county level. Utilizing a modified entropy method, this research delves into the level and spatiotemporal patterns of urbanization quality. Moreover, it scrutinizes the determinants of urbanization quality employing both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models. The findings reveal that: (1) Throughout the study period, the urbanization quality within Shandong’s county areas manifested a progressive trend; however, the pace of improvement decelerated. Significantly, the contribution of the quality of life to the overall urbanization quality index registered a notable increase, it shows that improving the quality of life has increasingly become the core driving force for improving the quality of urbanization. At the same time, it is found that the main driving force for the improvement of urbanization quality comes from the municipal district, and gradually radiates to county-level cities and counties. (2) The study identified pronounced regional disparities in urbanization quality and its constitutive dimensions across Shandong’s county areas. The “H“-shaped pattern urbanization high-quality development distribution belt is formed along the main transportation lines, indicating that transportation is one of the core elements of urbanization quality improvement. At the same time, when a region has two development centers, due to the need to take into account the development of the two centers, it is possible to form an “H”-shaped pattern spatial distribution pattern. The formation of high-quality development distribution belt of H“-shaped pattern urbanization indicates that Shandong Province is a typical dual-center development model. (3) Among the factors influencing urbanization quality, the number of domestic invention patents per 10,000 people and population density were found to exert significant effects, displaying a considerable degree of spatial variability, it shows that attracting a large number of innovative talents is an important strategy to improve the quality of urbanization. At the same time, based on the measurement results, it is found that if Shandong Province continues to invest 2.1 trillion yuan to improve the quality of people's lives, it will greatly improve the urbanization quality in the county areas of Shandong Province. It is expected that around 2069, about 80% of the county areas in the study area will achieve high quality and relatively high quality development.

Using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in security has become common in the Czech Republic. This paper focuses on using drones as an example of the application of smart technologies in conjunction with the Internet of Things (IoT) and state security forces, especially in cooperation with the police, fire and medical emergency services in the context of the new Smart Cities concept. Drones are one of the most suitable examples of use along with IoT within the security sector, which play a key role in the daily protection of citizens' safety, public order security and crisis management. It is related to developing and implementing 5G networks, which allow real-time transmission of data obtained by drones directly to information systems, and is also gaining importance. This technology enables fast and efficient communication between the different actors involved in an intervention and creates a platform for fast and effective emergency response. Among other things, paying attention to cybersecurity, such as securing data transmissions, protecting against cyber threats, complying with security standards and legislation, and introducing special procedures and methodologies applicable in crisis, is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent racial inequality in socioeconomic status within urban areas has been a significant concern in both the US and European countries. Differences across racial groups in intergenerational mobility (IM) have been identified as a key source of this persistence. However, efforts to understand racial inequality in IM have rarely considered the role of urban sprawl. This article argues that urban sprawl affects differences in IM between racial groups directly and indirectly through racial segregation, racial bias, and social capital. We analyze data from 874 metropolitan counties in the US using structural equation models to test these direct and indirect effects of sprawl on racial inequality in IM. We found that urban sprawl was negatively associated with racial inequality in IM. The direct effect, which we partially attribute to higher racial disparities in social capital in more compact counties, was statistically significant. For the indirect effects, racial segregation had the largest mediating effects between urban sprawl and racial inequality in IM, followed by economic connectedness (EC) and racial bias. The net indirect effect of sprawl on racial inequality in IM was negative because negative indirect effects through racial segregation and EC outweigh positive indirect effects through racial bias. Our findings demonstrate the significant role of urban form in racial inequality in IM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Counties are the oldest and most stable level in China's administrative regionalization system. However, in the process of China's rapid transformation from traditional society to modern society, the number of counties is shrinking on a large scale. It is of great significance to study the shrinkage of county organization system for exploring the way out of counties in the process of urbanization. In this study, nearest neighbor index and shrinkage coefficient were used to study the shrinkage of county organization system in China since the reform and opening up. The research shows that the shrinkage of counties in China is closely related to the historical process of reform and opening up, and has obvious stage characteristics. In terms of the contraction characteristics, the contraction of counties is significantly concentrated in coastal areas along the Yangtze River and cities above the sub-provincial level. Compared with the eastern region and cities above the sub-provincial level, the contraction of prefecture-level cities and counties in the central and western regions is obviously more difficult, and there are a large number of concentrated distribution of counties in some regions; On the shrinking path, the county shrinking experienced three waves of withdrawing county and setting up prefecture-level city, changing county to county-level city and changing county to municipal district, gradually advancing from coastal to inland. Due to the difference of development stage in each region, there appeared a complex situation of different shrinking types coexisting; In terms of contraction effect, county contraction has a significant positive effect on economic and social development. In terms of influencing factors, the cancellation of a county is greatly affected by the policy factors, including the change of regional development strategy, the implementation of the municipal county management system, the suspension of county to city approval, and the change of urban development policies. In addition to policy factors, the cancellation of a county is also significantly affected by its own factors, including high-level organizational structure, level of economic development, strengthening border governance, spatial location, unreasonable adjustment and callback, etc. The contraction of county organizational structure is the result of the combined action of policy factors and its own factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze whether local governments are more inclined to respond to requests for information when they have already regulated the law on access to information (LAI). A quantitative research was carried out, with hypothesis testing and regression analysis, on secondary data from the Brazil Transparent Scale, with the support of SPSS software. The results show that LAI regulation impacts the passive transparency of Brazilian municipalities, influences the degree of compliance with requests for public records, and affects the deadline for complying with government information requests. The research contributed to reduce the lack of knowledge about passive transparency, mainly relating it to the regulation of LAI in local governments; It also presented empirical evidence that proves the existence of a relationship between LAI regulation and the results of requests for information. The results of this research can support and encourage practices that guarantee the right of access to information in the public sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinema on a global scale is a media that provokes transformations in sociocultural processes and its impact is in different human experiences. In brazilian school education there were initiatives linked to educational cinema, a phenomenon institutionalized in the 1930s in times of Vargas policies and which extended to many municipalities. This article proposes to analyze the experience of educational cinema in the city of Londrina-PR (1949-1969), based on a broader history of educational cinema and cinema itself. As a methodology, it followed the guidelines of Bacellar (2006) and Luca (2021) to treat historical sources. With the study, it is considered that educational cinema in Londrina was in the context of DEPAS (Department of Education and Social Assistance) activities and its actions were aimed at teachers, students, and the broader school community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 2 March 1127, Charles the Good, Count of Flanders, was assassinated at St Donatian's Church in Bruges. The aftermath of his demise marked a period of profound political and social unrest in the county. The restoration of peace on 29 July 1128, under Thierry of Alsace, brought stability, as he became the sole universally recognised ruler of Flanders. During this turbulent period, various factions within Flemish society seized the opportunity to reconfigure existing power dynamics, both at the county level and within individual cities. Of particular significance were the endeavours of Bruges residents who sought to redefine their authority within the city. These events were meticulously chronicled by Galbert of Bruges in his work, De multro, traditione et occisione gloriosi Karoli, comitis Flandriarum (1127--1128). In Polish historiography so far, a comprehensive analysis of Galbert's text is notably absent. While Belgian and American historians have utilised De multro to explore the concept of power, their focus has predominantly centred on the laws and institutions shaping governance. This article aims, primarily but not exclusively, to explore the social dimension of power dependencies in Bruges and several other Flemish cities during this period. The analysis reveals that the governance of the city underwent constant legal, social, and political changes between 1127 and 1288. There was no fixed, singular model of conduct, and within a single year, the landscape of power dependencies underwent significant transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Educa UMCH is the property of Universidad Marcelino Champagnat 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.)

Public safety and order are special goods, being of interest to both national and local government administrations. In local government, a special role is played by the intermediate level of public affairs management; that is, the county (poviat). Tasks in the field of security and order at the county level are carried out mainly by the commission for security and order, which, under current legislation, appears as a multi-member specialized auxiliary body of the head of the county. The purpose of this article is to present the administrative-legal position of the commission for security and order, and to explore its competencies and tasks, as defined in both constitutional law and substantive laws. It also discusses the personnel structure of the commission, the procedure and rules for appointing its members, and the principles of financing its work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy Points In 2012, Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana through voter-initiated ballots. In these states, counties could restrict or ban local marijuana facilities through a variety of regulatory methods such as ordinances and zoning. County-level recreational marijuana policies in Washington and Colorado vary substantially, with 69.2% of Washington counties and 23.4% of Colorado counties allowing all types of recreational marijuana facilities as of April 1, 2019. After Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana, many counties modified their marijuana policies over time, with shifts in county policy often preceded by advocacy and information-seeking activities.ContextIn 2012, Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. Both allowed local governments to further regulate the availability of marijuana facilities in their jurisdictions. As early adopters, these states are important quasi-natural experiments to examine local marijuana policy and policy change processes, including key stakeholders and arguments.MethodsWe conducted a policy scan of county-level recreational marijuana ordinances and regulations in Colorado and Washington. Data collected included policy documents from counties in both states and newspaper articles. We used a mixed-methods approach to describe the types of county-level recreational marijuana policies enacted by April 1, 2019; identify key policy stakeholders involved in local policy debates; and explore arguments used in support or opposition of county policies. We also selected four counties that represent three county policy environments (all marijuana facility types allowed, some marijuana facility types allowed, all marijuana facility types prohibited) and described the policy changes within these counties since recreational marijuana was legalized.FindingsBy April 1, 2019, Colorado counties were less likely than Washington counties to allow marijuana facilities-48.4% of Colorado counties prohibited recreational marijuana facilities in their jurisdiction compared to 23.1% of Washington counties. Since state legalization, several counties in both states have made substantial marijuana facility policy modifications, often preceded by information-seeking activities. Primary stakeholders involved in policy debates included elected officials, law enforcement, individual growers/farmers, marijuana business license applicants, parents, and residents. Proponents referenced local economic gain, reduced crime, and potential health benefits of marijuana as arguments in favor of permitting local facilities, whereas opponents pointed to economic loss, negative health and public health issues, public safety concerns, and existing federal law. Both sides referenced local public opinion data to support their position.ConclusionsBy early 2019, a patchwork of local marijuana policies was in place in Colorado and Washington. We identify key areas of policy and public health research needed to inform future local marijuana policy decisions, including the impact of legalization on public health outcomes (particularly for youth) and public safety.

This article constitutes a first attempt to approach the history of the establishment and activity of the Association of Teachers from the county and municipality of Bălți between the two world wars, through the prism of the periodical publications that it initiated, edited and promoted in those years – Association Bulletin and Magazine. Aspects regarding the history of the Association in the interwar period and its main concerns are dealt with: improving the material base of education within the county, modernizing the teaching process, defending and promoting the demands and professional rights of the teaching staff, the activity of the Teachers’ Bank from Bălți County, the organization of circles and cultural homes etc. The activity of the Association of Teachers from the city and county of Bălți between the two world wars fully confirms the truth expressed even in those years, that the fair and land of Bălți was not only an important economic and commercial center of Bessarabia, but also a strong cultural center.

BackgroundGastric signet ring cell carcinoma (GSRC) is a rare but increasingly prevalent tumor histotype whose clinical features and natural history are poorly understood, particularly in the USA and minorities.AimsTo examine the occurrence, clinico-demographic characteristics, oncologic features, treatment, and outcomes of GSRC in a predominantly minority county hospital setting and benchmark them against data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program.MethodsWe queried biopsy-proven GSRC cases at a Los Angeles County hospital, from 2004 to 2017. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and survival data were collected and compared to SEER data.ResultsWe identified 63 patients with GSRC. Compared to SEER, our cohort was significantly younger (52.6 vs. 63.5 years, p

In light of China’s generally backward agricultural mechanization levels, it becomes crucial to shore up this weak link with endogenous driving force. The digital financial inclusion offers a approach to addressing the challenges related to agricultural mechanization. This study, collecting data from 1,869 counties and using the Spatial Autoregressive Model with Spatial Autoregressive Disturbances (SARAR model), analyzes the equilibrium and disequilibrium effects of digital financial inclusion on agricultural mechanization, as well as the mechanisms through which digital financial inclusion operates. The findings indicate that both digital financial inclusion and agricultural mechanization exhibit spatial spillover effects. The development of digital financial inclusion emerges as a significant driver for promoting agricultural mechanization. Furthermore, the impact of digital financial inclusion on agricultural mechanization varies based on the level of agricultural economic development, with counties characterized by less developed agriculture, plain topography, and strong agricultural sectors benefiting more from digital financial inclusion. Additionally, digital financial inclusion indirectly boosts agricultural mechanization by increasing farmers’ income and encouraging investment in fixed assets. Therefore, it is crucial to harness the benefits brought by the development of digital financial inclusion while promoting agricultural mechanization, and regions should tailor their approaches to promote digital financial inclusion development according to their local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Direito e Práxis is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) 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: 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]

Territorial ecological restoration (TER) is a critical step for promoting the development of an ecological civilization, as well as a significant strategic task relating to national ecological security and the well-being of a population. However, calculating the ecological restoration potential (ERP) is a key challenge in TER. Using Zhaoping County as an example, this study calculated the ecological restoration natural potential (ERNP), including the vegetation coverage potential, water conservation potential, windbreak and sand fixation potential, and biodiversity potential, and proposed an ERP calculation method based on the correction of ERNP with an ecological security pattern (ESP) and social support (SS). The findings revealed several key points. First, using the similarity habitat method to calculate ERNP highlighted significant disparities in the vegetation coverage, water conservation, windbreak and sand fixation, and biodiversity across Zhaoping County. These variations were contrary to regional ecological service functions. Second, overall, the ESP levels in Zhaoping County were high, accounting for about 60.42% of its total area being classified as high or relatively high level, with the towns exhibiting strong SS abilities primarily located in the northern region. Third, the ERP results which are between 0 and 1 indicated that areas with higher potential were mainly found in the west and northeast of Zhaoping, while lower potential areas were concentrated in the northwest and south; of them, the ERP index value in most regions is between 0.2 and 0.3, accounting for about 43.97% of the area. Finally, suggestions for the TER project layout and measures to enhance the ERP were proposed based on these ERP calculations. This study offers new insights into ERP strategies while providing guidance for identifying critical areas requiring restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We study the evolution of the cross‐sectional distributions of county‐level per capita income in the United States from 1970 to 2017. We confirm previous findings of convergence in pre‐transfer income during the 1970s and 1980s but present new evidence of rising inequality since the early 1990s, which is characterized by bipolarization. Cross‐county differences in education and industry composition explain much of this recent trend, which almost disappears in post‐transfer incomes. Among the various government transfer programs, medical benefits play the greatest role in making the distribution less unequal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the armigerous gentry (knights and esquires) that operated in and around the county of Hampshire in the late-fourteenth to mid-fifteenth century. It finds that whilst there was a core of resident knightly families who identified primarily with Hampshire - some for several centuries - there were many other knightly families who held substantial land in Hampshire but rarely engaged politically or socially, identifying with the southern region rather than the county – and sometimes much further afield. Those who had strong links with Hampshire depended upon lands in neighbouring Berkshire, Wiltshire, and Somerset. Networks crossed not only county but also social boundaries and expressed themselves through 'affinities', most vividly the Winchester Bishopric under Wykeham and Beaufort. It was very difficult to gain entry to the highest ranks of the Hampshire elite but there were clearly close ties between upper and lower gentry families as evidenced through a series of deeds surviving in one greater gentry family (Brocas of Beaurepaire) which suggest circles of influence that were primarily local and engaged knightly families who were otherwise silent in the political affairs at county level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective/Meaning] This paper aimed to comprehensively understand the status quo of the spatial differentiation of hollowing out of rural population in the counties of Fujian Province and its influencing factors. [Methods/Procedures] Based on the data of the seventh population census in Fujian Province, and on the basis of the comprehensive evaluation of the hollowing degree of rural population, the spatial differentiation rule was studied by using the methods such as ESDA-GIS, and then the multiple linear regression model was established to explore the influencing factors. [Results/Conclusions] The results showed that: (1) There were different degrees of hollowness of rural population in the counties of Fujian Province, showing significant regional differences between the coastal and inland areas and between the counties around municipal districts and the counties around non-municipal districts. (2) The degree of hollowness of rural population showed a trend of spatial agglomeration. The highhigh agglomeration areas were mainly distributed in the less developed counties in the inland mountainous area, while the low-low agglomeration areas were mainly distributed in the economically well-developed counties in the coastal areas. (3) Except for the insignificant effect of regional differentiation, the lower the per capita disposable income of rural residents was, the lower the proportion of rural population participating in the subsistence allowances was, the larger the sown area of food crops was and the higher the proportion of educational expenditure in the fiscal expenditure was, the higher the hollowing degree of rural population would be. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]