The consecutive disparity of precipitation in conterminous Spain

Precipitation irregularity constitutes a constraint for natural systems and socio-economic activities, particularly in water-scarce environments. Standard variability statistics such as the standard deviation, variance, and coefficient of variation do not consider the chronological order of these values. In Climatology, however, the temporal order of meteorological events is a relevant factor that can affect natural and socio-economic systems. In order to evaluate the disparity between consecutive values in precipitation series, we applied the Consecutive Disparity Index (D) to the monthly grid with the highest spatial resolution (10×10 km) existing in Peninsular Spain for the period December 1915–November 2015. Monthly, seasonal, and annual D values show an increase from north to southwest, especially in July and August. The D values for the month-to-month correlative series and for monthly mean precipitation reveal a relatively similar pattern. In the latter case, however, the low values are recorded towards southern Spain, following some mountain ranges in the Centre-East of the territory. Monthly, seasonal, and annual precipitation values are also negatively correlated with the corresponding D values.

Examining Child Maltreatment-Related Investigations of Children from Newcomer and non-Newcomer Households in Ontario, Canada

Objectives: The study aims to further the understanding of child welfare involvement with Newcomer families in Ontario, Canada in 2018. This study examines a) the rate and characteristics of child maltreatment-related investigations involving Newcomer families and b) differences in child maltreatment-related investigations between Newcomer and non-Newcomer families. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis of the Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect-2018 (OIS-2018). Using Statistics Canada Census Data, the Population-based Disparity Index (PDI) was calculated for Newcomer and non-Newcomer families. Descriptive and bivariate chi-square analyses were conducted to determine characteristics of investigations involving Newcomer and non-Newcomer households. Results: The PDI of the incidence of maltreatment-related investigations involving children under the age of 15 from Newcomer households versus non-Newcomer households in Ontario in 2018 is 2.48. Implications: The findings suggest that a child maltreatment-related investigation is more than twice as likely to occur if the investigation involves a child from a Newcomer household, when compared a non-Newcomer household in Ontario. This study demonstrates a need for further collaboration with Newcomer communities and their social service providers to better understand risk factors of child welfare involvement, and to increase protective factors for children from Newcomer families.

Comparative Study of Male Female Disparity in Literacy of Purulia and North 24 Parganas District in West Bengal

The present article focuses on a comparative study of the male-female disparity in literacy of two districts Purulia and North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, India. The Census data of 2011 has been used in this regard. The literacy rate has been calculated for the population above six-year, and Sopher’s Disparity index (1974) has been applied to measure the male-female disparity in literacy. The study examines the block-level male-female disparity in literacy among non-Schedule Caste (none-SC ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The study highlights that North 24 Parganas is far ahead in terms of literacy than Purulia district. However, there is wide variation in block-level male-female disparity in literacy among the three-caste groups in both the districts. In block-level, the Bundwan block of Purulia district and Barasat-I and Deganga block of North 24 Parganas district occupies a remarkable place in terms of the male-female disparity in literacy among each three-caste group. Conversely, Jhalda-II block in Purulia and Hingalganj block of North 24 Parganas is the most backward block in terms of the male-female disparity in literacy among the all-caste groups. Although the Central and the State Government have taken various schemes to enhance literacy rates and eliminated the male-female disparity in education, more suitable steps need to be followed to implement appropriate measures towards education, especially for the women and other marginalised sections of the society.

Phylogenetic and Ultrastructural Characterization of Bed Bugs in the Southwest of Iran

Background: Bed bugs belong systematically to Order Hemiptera; Suborder Heteroptera; Family Cimicidae are of public health importance as ectoparasites of mammals and birds, however, only a few species are the putative ectoparasites of humans. Bed bugs are a wingless bloodsucking hemipterous bug (Cimex spp.) sometimes infesting houses and especially beds and feeding on human blood. Correct species identification is very important in order to design targeted strategies for surveillance and control of bed bugs in a given area. Methods: Adult bed bugs were collected from houses located in the southwest of Iran. The specimens were morphologically identified to the species level and then confirmed using molecular methods. Results: The mtDNA 16S rRNA sequences obtained from the specimens, and phylogenetic tree derived, showed that all the sequences belong to Cimex hemipterus. The Disparity Index among results showed that all the specimens were of a heterogeneous population. To the best of our knowledge, the leg structure of this species has not previously been documented and this is the first report of an open-closed rack system in the legs of C. hemipterus.Conclusions: Previous studies claimed that C. lectularius is the abundant species of Cimicids in Iran. But this investigation showed that C. hemipterus is the prevalent species in the southwest of Iran.

Measuring inequalities in the selected indicators of National Health Accounts from 2008 to 2016: evidence from Iran

Background Increase in total health expenditures is one of the main challenges of health systems worldwide, and its inequality is considered as a concern in global arena especially developing countries. This study aims to measure inequality in the distribution of selected indicators of national health accounts across the Iranian provinces. Methods In this study, the data on health financing agents from provincial health accounts from 2008 to 2016 were collected. Gini coefficient (GC) was used to measure inequality. The population and the number of service providers in each province were the bases to measure the GC. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) and the Rate Ratio (RR) were used to determine the dispersion and variation across the provinces. Disparity index was employed to measure the average deviation of the out-of-pocket (OOP) proportion from the desired OOP proportion presented in national development plans (NDPs) of Iran. Results The distribution of resources using both bases were unequal, especially in OOP, with the highest rate over the years studied, ranging from 0.50 to 0.59. The inequality in public resources was lower, with Health Insurance Organization dropping from 0.42 to 0.40 over the years. CV and RR also confirmed the inequality in health resources distribution. In the years 2014 and 2015, the lowest and highest levels were 0.22 and 0.39, respectively. The values of disparity index for OOP had a fluctuating trend ranging from 37.01 to 65.85%. Conclusion Inequality in the distribution of public health expenditures was moderate to high. Moreover, inequality in private health expenditures was higher than public one. Distribution of OOP spent by households at provincial level showed a high inequality. It is suggested that inequality measures to be considered in NDPs to illustrate how resources are distributed at the geographical level. NHA framework can help to provide robust evidence base for policymaking.

Geographical Appraisal of Gender Disparity and Progress in Literacy of Haryana, India

The present research relates to the northern state of Haryana in India and to find out the objective of advancement and the existing gender gap in literacy with identification of responsible factors, the study uses the secondary data obtained from different censuses of India, National Crime Record Bureau and various other related sources. The disparity index is calculated to examine the gender gap in literacy whereas the correlation coefficient is used to ascertain its relationship with major determinants. Though the country and the state have achieved a reputed position with the literacy rate of 74.04 and 75.55 per cent respectively in 2011 yet inequality in the learning of male-female is a matter of concern for both entities. The figure for the district Mewat (which also lies at bottom in overall literacy as per ongoing census data) shows more discrimination in male-female learning, as here the male literacy rate is approximate to the double (69.97 per cent versus 36.60 per cent) of the females. To some extent, in areas like Mewat, Palwal and Fatehabad this discrimination is an outcome of societal stances, religion, fiscal or ethnical determinants and cultural stereotype as these factors of the environs have a direct or indirect association with literacy. So to ensure the equality and quality in education in basic or compulsory education, there is a need for massive investment on resources with communal awareness regarding significance as well as claptrap obstacles in the way of the learning.