scholarly journals Spatial Accessibility to Sports Facilities in Dongguan, China: A Multi-Preference Gaussian Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong Xiao ◽  
Tengfei Ding ◽  
Xiaoke Zhang ◽  
Zhuolin Tao ◽  
Ye Liu
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Spatial Accessibility ◽  
Sports Facilities ◽  
Driving Mode ◽  
The North ◽  
Working Age

Abstract Background: Equitable access to sports services has drawn attention from policymakers and planners in China as people’s health has been placed at the centre of the country’s policy-making machinery. However, existing approaches to measure the spatial accessibility of sports facilities tend to ignore the heterogeneity in potential users’ demands and facility preferences, thereby causing a bias in the measurement of accessibility. Methods: To accurately measure the spatial accessibility of sports facilities, this paper proposes a multi-preference Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (MG2SFCA) method, taking into account different travel modes, catchment sizes, and facility preferences among different age groups. Empirically, using high-resolution gridded data on actual population distribution, we adopted the MG2SFCA method in examining the spatial accessibility of sports facilities among children, working-age population, and elderly population under walking, cycling, and driving modes in Dongguan, China. Further, a comparison was made between the accessibility results measured by the MG2SFCA method and the Gaussian 2SFCA method.Results: The results indicated a significant spatial disparity in the accessibility to sports facilities, with better accessibility in the north and poorer accessibility in the south. Children have the best access to sports facilities, followed by working-age and elderly populations. In the comparison among different transport modes, the accessibility distribution of sports facilities in walking mode showed the greatest spatial variation, while accessibility in driving mode was the most balanced. The spatial variation of accessibility scores of MG2SFCA was more significant than that of Gaussian 2SFCA.Conclusions: The MG2SFCA method is superior to the traditional Gaussian 2SFCA method because the former can capture disadvantaged people’s actual needs for sports facilities more accurately than the latter. Introducing demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of individuals into spatial accessibility measurement has a vital impact on the accurate reflection of accessibility inequality.

Acceptance and use of communication technology by the elderly (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm Clarke ◽  
Precious Onyeachu
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Population ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Flu Vaccination ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Working Age

BACKGROUND Population aging is a global phenomenon, with the proportion of the population over the age of 60 increasingly rapidly. However ownership and use of technology by people in this age group remains low, which impacts on introduction of and the assumptions made for, technology-based activities such as telehealth and telemedicine. It is essential to gain accurate information on the level of technology ownership in target groups. However, many studies on levels of technology ownership and use report using electronic methods for their survey, which introduces bias and may result in a higher value. OBJECTIVE To determine the level of ownership of technology in the elderly population using an unbiased data collection methodology. METHODS Our study collects data from patients invited to attend a clinic for their annual flu vaccination, and thereby captures a cross section of the population that is unbiased by the collection method. 309 patients completed a questionnaire, and were considered in three (3) age groups; young adults (25 to 45) (n=72), working-age (46 to 59) (n=80) and older adults (60 and above) (n=157). RESULTS In the older adult group (60+), 50 people (32%) out of 157 respondents had a mobile or smart phone and 107 (68%) did not; 38 people (24%) out of 157 respondents owned and used a computer and 119 (76%) had never used or owned a computer or tablet CONCLUSIONS Our results show a significantly lower ownership of technology in the elderly than found in other similar studies, which we attribute to the method of collection of the data, and consider to be a true reflection of the ownership in the general population.

scholarly journals Quantifying spatial accessibility of general practitioners by applying a modified huff three-step floating catchment area (MH3SFCA) method

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Subal ◽  
Piret Paal ◽  
Jukka M. Krisp
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioners ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Input Data ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Spatial Accessibility ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
System Utilization ◽  
Deutschland Gmbh

Abstract Background It is necessary to ensure sufficient healthcare. The use of current, precise and realistic methods to model spatial accessibility to healthcare and thus improved decision-making is helping this process. Generally, these methods—which include the family of floating catchment area (FCA) methods—incorporate a number of criteria that address topics like access, efficiency, budget, equity and the overall system utilization. How can we measure spatial accessibility? This paper investigates a sophisticated approach for quantifying the spatial accessibility of general practitioners. (GPs). Our objective is the investigation and application of a spatial accessibility index by an improved Huff three-step floating catchment area (MH3SFCA) method. Methods We modify and implement the huff model three-step floating catchment area (MH3SFCA) method and exemplary calculation of the spatial accessibility indices for the test study area. The method is extended to incorporate a more realistic way to model the distance decay effect. To that end, instead of a binary approach, a continuous approach is employed. Therefore, each distance between a healthcare site and the population is incorporated individually. The study area includes Swabia and the city of Augsburg, Germany. The data for analysis is obtained from following data sources: (1) Acxiom Deutschland GmbH (2020) provided a test dataset for the locations of general practitioners (GPs); (2) OpenStreetMap (OSM) data is utilized for road networks; and (3) the Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder (German official census 2011) provided a population distribution dataset stemming from the 2011 Census. Results The spatial accessibility indices are distributed in an inhomogeneous as well as polycentric pattern for the general practitioners (GPs). Differences in spatial accessibility are found mainly between urban and rural areas. The transitions from lower to higher values of accessibility or vice versa in general are smooth rather than abrupt. The results indicate that the MH3SFCA method is suited for comparing the spatial accessibility of GPs in different regions. The results of the MH3SFCA method can be used to indicate over- and undersupplied areas. However, the absolute values of the indices do not inherently define accessibility to be too low or too high. Instead, the indices compare the spatial relationships between each supply and demand location. As a result, the higher the value of the accessibility indices, the higher the opportunities for the respective population locations. The result for the study area are exemplary as the test input data has a high uncertainty. Depending on the objective, it might be necessary to further analyze the results of the method. Conclusions The application of the MH3SFCA method on small-scale data can provide an overview of accessibility for the whole study area. As many factors have to be taken into account, the outcomes are too complex for a direct and clear interpretation of why indices are low or high. The MH3SFCA method can be used to detect differences in accessibility on a small scale. In order to effectively detect over- or undersupply, further analysis must be conducted and/or different (legal) constraints must be applied. The methodology requires input data of high quality.

Age related changes of cardiovascular system in indigenous and non-indigenous female population of the Russian north

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Проворова ◽  
O. Provorova ◽  
Соколова ◽  
A. Sokolova ◽  
Филатова ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Indigenous Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Parabolic Type ◽  
Female Population ◽  
The North ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Russian North ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Age Related Changes

Revealing the regularities of human cardiovascular system’s parameters in the North can significantly affect the ongoing efforts to increase the working age and duration of life of inhabitants of Ugra. The work addresses important aspects of the state of cardiovascular system in different age groups. An increase in activity of the sympathetic autonomic system status with age in aboriginal and alien population, but individual components (cardiointervals) in the two groups behave differently. If quasiattractors demonstrate exponential type of dynamics of their size (area) in Khanty, then the non-indigenous population observed parabolic type of changes of the area of quasiattractors.

scholarly journals Updated Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in the North East Region of Romania after 35 Years of Chernobyl Fallout. Is There a Link between?

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 907
Author(s):  
Laura Teodoriu ◽  
Maria Christina Ungureanu ◽  
Letitia Leustean ◽  
Cristina Preda ◽  
Delia Ciobanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Chernobyl Fallout ◽  
Statistical Correlations ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
East Region ◽  
Radioactive Cloud ◽  
The Moment

Thyroid cancer (TC) represents a worldwide problem, the consistent growth of the incidence increment issues about management of risk factors and curative treatment. Updated statistical data are not complete in the North East region of Romania and need to be improved. Therefore, through this study, we aim to renew the existing data on thyroid cancer. We conducted a retrospective study covering a period of 10 years. Data were collected from a hospital information system (InfoWorld) between 2009 and 2019. Patients’ age groups were stratified in relation with the age at the moment of the Chernobyl event. A database was obtained (Microsoft Excel) and statistical correlations were applied. In the studied period, 1159 patients were diagnosed: 968 females and 191 males, distributed by region, with the highest addressability in Iasi (529), followed by neighboring counties. Age distribution displayed that most of the thyroid cancers were in the range 4060 years old (50.94%), followed by 60–80 years old (32.41%). Most patients were diagnosed with papillary carcinoma 63.10%, then follicular 14.7%, medullary 6.74% and undifferentiated 1.02%. Romania was in the vicinity of the radioactive cloud at Chernobyl fallout, so we must deliberate whether the increased incidence of thyroid cancer in the age group 40–60 years is associated with radiogenicity (iodine 131) given the fact that over has 35 years and the half-life of other radioisotopes like Caesium-137 and Strontium -90 is completed.

scholarly journals Letter to the Editor: Microbiota in the Respiratory System—A Possible Explanation to Age and Sex Variability in Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117863612098860
Author(s):  
Vishal Shah
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory System ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Adult ◽  
Human Respiratory Tract ◽  
System A ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Children And Young Adults ◽  
Age And Sex

The Human respiratory tract is colonized by a variety of microbes and the microbiota change as we age. In this perspective, literature support is presented for the hypothesis that the respiratory system microbiota could explain the differential age and sex breakdown amongst COVID-19 patients. The number of patients in the older and elderly adult group is higher than the other age groups. The perspective presents the possibility that certain genera of bacteria present in the respiratory system microbiota in children and young adults could be directly or through eliciting an immune response from the host, prevent full-fledged infection of SARS-CoV-2. The possibility also exists that the microbiota in older adults and the elderly population have bacteria that make it easier for the virus to cause infection. I call upon the scientific community to investigate the link between human microbiota and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility to further understand the viral pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Disease-modifying therapy prescription patterns in people with multiple sclerosis by age

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628642110064
Author(s):  
Yinan Zhang ◽  
Amber Salter ◽  
Shan Jin ◽  
William J. Culpepper ◽  
Gary R. Cutter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Research Committee ◽  
The North ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Background: Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) are approved for their ability to reduce disease activity, namely clinical relapses and signal changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Disease activity appears age dependent. Thus, the greatest benefit would be expected in younger people with MS (PwMS) whereas benefits in the elderly are uncertain. Methods: Real-world data were obtained from PwMS from the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) registry and the US Department of Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Surveillance Registry (MSSR). Results: 6948 PwMS were surveyed from NARCOMS, and the MSSR had 1719 participants. In younger adult PwMS 40-years old or less, 183 (61.4%) in NARCOMS and 179 (70.5%) in the MSSR were prescribed DMTs. Among PwMS over age 60, 1575 (40.1%) in NARCOMS and 239 (36.3%) in the MSSR were prescribed DMTs. More PwMS in the age group of 31–40 ( p = 0.035) and 41–50 ( p = 0.001) in the MSSR were using DMTs compared with PwMS of the same age groups in NARCOMS. Conclusion: These findings suggest that DMTs are under-utilized in the younger population and continue to be commonly prescribed in the elderly. Broader access may explain the higher prescription rate of DMTs in US veterans.

scholarly journals Colonoscopy and Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Practice Patterns in Ontario: A Population-Based Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 431-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E Schultz ◽  
Chris Vinden ◽  
Linda Rabeneck
Keyword(s):  
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Insurance Plan ◽  
Ontario Health Insurance Plan ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
The North ◽  
General Surgeons ◽  
Statistics Canada

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a population-based study on the provision of large bowel endoscopic services in Ontario.METHODS: Data from the following databases were analyzed: the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences Physicians Database and Statistics Canada. The flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy rates per 10,000 persons (50 to 74 years of age) by region between April 1, 2001, and March 31, 2002, were calculated, as well as the numbers and types of physicians who performed each procedure.RESULTS: In 2001/2002, a total of 172,108 colonoscopies and 43,400 flexible sigmoidoscopies were performed in Ontario for all age groups. The colonoscopy rate was approximately five times that of flexible sigmoidoscopy; rates varied from 463.1 colonoscopies per 10,000 people in the north to 286.8 colonoscopies per 10,000 people in the east. Gastroenterologists in all regions tended to perform more procedures per physician, but because of the large number of general surgeons, the total number of procedures performed by each group was almost the same.CONCLUSION: Population-based rates of colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopies are low in Ontario, as are the procedure volumes of approximately one-quarter of physicians.

COMBINING FUNCTIONAL AND COMPOSITIONAL ASPECTS OF THE ANALYSIS OF URBAN STRUCTURE: A CASE STUDY OF LOCAL CENTRES IN VILNIUS / FUNKCINIŲ IR KOMPOZICINIŲ URBANISTINĖS STRUKTŪROS ANALIZĖS ASPEKTŲ SUJUNGIMAS: VILNIAUS MIESTO LOKALIŲ CENTRŲ TYRIMAS

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-159
Author(s):  
Justinas Bučys
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Spatial Accessibility ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
The North ◽  
Critical Measure ◽  
Functional Patterns ◽  
Visual Potential ◽  
Compositional Structures ◽  
Linear Elements

A possibility from every location in an urban grid to easily access a range of shops and local services that meet the everyday needs, as well as workplaces, educational institutions and places for recreation is one of the biggest advantages of living in a city. This paper considers that combining tasks of encouraging the growth of local centres and developing street network in a way to promote walking and to provide conditions for using different modes of transport is one of the most appropriate ways to achieve urban sustainability. The problem addressed in this paper is the “separate” (i.e. “non-combined”) approach to functional and compositional aspects of the analysis of urban structure. The main proposal presented in this paper is to combine the two methods for analysing spatial and functional patterns. The first method deals with spatial configuration and how it is used by people, the second is aimed at investigating the role of urban composition at a macro and a micro scale in ensuring coherence of the elements of urban structure. The aim of the paper is to introduce the method for analysing the spatial structure of local centres in Vilnius and present the results which were obtained using the proposed model for investigating the interdependence of functional and compositional structures of the city. The scope of the study is to reveal some inconsistencies in the spatial patterns of three local centres in the north-western part of Vilnius where the distribution of the pre-determined functions and urban composition are in non-corresponding relation. Using the spatial accessibility model of Vilnius city, the study focuses on spatial structure at the level of urban blocks, which constitute local centres. The linear elements of the model are overlaid on a ground plan where convex spaces are highlighted considering their artistic and visual potential. Choice (betweenness, a measure of centrality) as a critical measure for analysing local centres is used to identify movement related structural patterns. Santrauka Galimybė iš bet kurios miesto vietos patogiai pasiekti kasdienius gyventojų poreikius tenkinančias prekybos ir paslaugų įmones, darbo ir mokymo įstaigas bei laisvalaikio leidimo vietas yra neabejotinas gyvenimo mieste privalumas. Lokalių centrų stiprinimo ir gatvių tinklo plėtros, sudarant sąlygas susisiekti pėsčiomis bei naudotis įvairių rūšių transportu, uždavinių derinimas sprendžiant veiksmingos, efektyvios urbanistinės struktūros formavimo klausimus yra viena iš pagrindinių darnios plėtros užtikrinimo priemonių. Straipsnyje keliama funkcinių ir kompozicinių urbanistinės struktūros analizės aspektų sujungimo problema. Siekiant išplėsti urbanistinės struktūros analizės galimybes, šiame straipsnyje siūloma kartu taikyti space syntax – viešųjų erdvių tyrimo – metodiką ir urbanistinės kompozicijos vaidmens lokaliu ir globaliu lygmeniu, užtikrinant urbanistinės struktūros elementų funkcinį ir erdvinį sąryšį, nustatymo būdą. Straipsnio tikslas yra pristatyti remiantis sudarytu miesto funkcinės ir kompozicinės struktūrų sąveikos tyrimo modeliu atliktą Vilniaus miesto lokalių centrų urbanistinės struktūros tyrimą, atskleisti taikytą metodiką ir gautus rezultatus. Tyrimo metu siekta nustatyti struktūrų prieštaringumus, kurie pasireiškia suplanuotų funkcijų išsidėstymo ir urbanistinės kompozicijos neatitikimu. Nagrinėti trys lokalūs centrai, esantys Vilniaus miesto šiaurės vakarų dalyje. Naudojant Vilniaus miesto viešųjų erdvių pasiekiamumo modelį, plane išryškinti lokalius centrus sudarantys kvartalai ir jų urbanistinės erdvės struktūra – linijiniai modelio elementai ir juos dengiančios vizualiai atskiros urbanistinės erdvės dalys, kurių meninio ir vizualinio potencialo įvertinimai išreikšti sutartiniais žymenimis. Apskaičiuotos prognozuojamą žmonių srautų pasiskirstymą gatvių tinkle atspindinčios pasirinkimo arba matematinio pereinamumo vertės.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document