GCAGA: A Gini Coefficient-Based Optimization Strategy for Computation Offloading in Multi-User-Multi-Edge MEC System

To support the explosive growth of Information and Communications Technology(ICT),Mobile Edge Comput-ing(MEC)provides users with low latency and high bandwidth service by offloading computational tasks to the network’s edge.However,resource-constrained mobile devices still suffer from a capacity mismatch when faced with latency-sensitive and compute-intensive emerging applications.To address the difficulty of running computationally intensive applications on resource-constrained clients,a model of the computation offloading problem in a network consisting of multiple mobile users and edge cloud servers is studied in this paper.Then a user benefit function EoU(Experience of Users)is proposed jointly considering energy consumption and time delay.The EoU maximization problem is decomposed into two steps,i.e.,resource allocation and offloading decision.The offloading decision is usually given by heuristic algorithms which are often faced with the challenge of slow convergence and poor stability.Thus,a combined offloading algorithm,i.e.,a Gini coefficient-based adaptive genetic algorithm(GCAGA),is proposed to alleviate the dilemma.The proposed algorithm optimizes the offloading decision by maximizing EoU and accelerates the convergence with the Gini coefficient.The simulation compares the proposed algorithm with the genetic algorithm(GA)and adaptive genetic algorithm(AGA).Experiment results show that the Gini coefficient and the adaptive heuristic operators can accelerate the convergence speed,and the proposed algorithm performs better in terms of convergence while obtaining higher EoU.The simulation code of the proposed algorithm is available:https://github.com/Grox888/Mobile_Edge_Computing/tree/GCAGA.

Gini Coefficient-based Task Allocation for Multi-robot Systems With Limited Energy Resources

Nowadays, robots generally have a variety of capabilities, which often form a coalition replacing human to work in dangerous environment, such as rescue, exploration, etc. In these operating conditions, the energy supply of robots usually cannot be guaranteed. If the energy resources of some robots are consumed too fast, the number of the future tasks of the coalition will be affected. This paper will develop a novel task allocation method based on Gini coefficient to make full use of limited energy resources of multi-robot system to maximize the number of tasks. At the same time, considering resources consumption,we incorporate the market-based allocation mechanism into our Gini coefficient-based method and propose a hybrid method,which can flexibly optimize the task completion number and the resource consumption according to the application contexts.Experiments show that the multi-robot system with limited energy resources can accomplish more tasks by the proposed Gini coefficient-based method, and the hybrid method can be dynamically adaptive to changes of the work environment and realize the dual optimization goals.

Fair hierarchical clustering of substations based on Gini coefficient

For the load modeling of a large power grid,the large number of substations covered by it must be segregated into several categories and,thereafter,a load model built for each type.To address the problem of skewed clustering tree in the classical hierarchical clustering method used for categorizing substations,a fair hierarchical clustering method is proposed in this paper.First,the fairness index is defined based on the Gini coefficient.Thereafter,a hierarchical clustering method is proposed based on the fairness index.Finally,the clustering results are evaluated using the contour coefficient and the t-SNE two-dimensional plane map.The substations clustering example of a real large power grid considered in this paper illustrates that the proposed fair hierarchical clustering method can effectively address the problem of the skewed clustering tree with high accuracy.

China’s Gini Coefficient:Myths and Realities

Using retroactive adjustment approach of history data published by the National Bureau of Statistics （NBS）, this study has adjusted micro-level survey data of China Household Income Project Survey （CHIPS, 2007） and conducted point estimation on household income Gini coefficient using the NBS method. On this basis, the standard error of the point estimation of China＇s Gini coefficient is estimated using bootstrap method, creating a confidence interval of Gini coefficient. Results indicate that among five continuous declines of Gini coefficient between 2008 and 2013, only three declines are statistically significant. It is thus too early to jump at the conclusion that the Gini coefficient of China＇s household income distribution has already entered into a downward channel and at least the argument that China＇s Gini coefficient has been on the decline for five consecutive years is questionable.

Gini Coefficients in China＇s Provincial-Level Regions during 1995-2010： Patterns and Analysis

This paper calculates the urban, rural and general Gini coefficients （hereinafter referred to as GC） of household income in 27provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China between 1995 and 2010 using GC calculation formulas. After calculating the GCs, this paper analyzes their trends using density function estimation in nonparametric econometrics. The results show that the GCs of household income in provincial regions tend to rise from coastal regions to inland regions. In other words, the GCs of household income in the regions tend to rise from the east to the west and they appear to be concentrated and region-specific. A discriminate analysis of economic growth and income distribution in the provincial regions by income level and GC also shows a regional characteristic, consistent with the division of eastern, central and western China and that as one analyzes household income from the east to the west, income distribution becomes more unequal and income level becomes lower.

China Is to Maintain GINI Coefficient within 0.4% by 2020

Editorial note Income gap has been considered one of the most potent threats to China’s society and economy in the future.This paper finds that China’s residential income gap has exceeded the reasonable bound but still falls within the tolerable range.Following an analysis of the causes of widening income gap,the authors also attempt to lay out an institutional arrangement framework aimed at achieving fair and equitable distribution from the three respects of starting point,process and result.

Developing a novel quantitative parameter for characterizing spatial distribution of fish following exposure to chemicals and wastewater:Behavioral Gini coefficient

While the spatial distribution pattern of fish is increasingly used for toxicological test o chemicals or wastewater,no ideal parameter is available for quantitative assessment of spa tial distribution,especially uneven distribution with multiple hotspots.Here,to develop a quantitative assessment parameter for spatial distribution,the zebrafish were exposed to ethanol,pentylenetetrazole(PTZ),paraquat dichloride(paraquat)and wastewater,followed by a behavioral test in a narrow tank.Behavioral data was acquired and analyzed by id Tracker and MATLAB.By comparing the effects of all treatments on behavior parameters we confirmed that the spatial distribution was more easily altered rather than general loco motor parameters,e.g.0.7-70 mg/L PTZ and 5-20 mg/L paraquat being effective for altering spatial distribution but having little effects on general locomotor parameters.Based on the heatmap,i.e.,the cumulative proportion of grids and that of frequency in grids,we calcu lated the behavioral Gini coefficient(G_(b))for quantitative assessment of fish spatial distri bution.The Gini coefficient ranged from zero to 1,with larger values meaning poorer even ness of spatial distribution.Of note,G_(b)showed smaller coefficient of variations(CV)with3%-19%between replicate tanks in all treatments than the highest frequency(4%-79%),dis playing well robustness.Especially,G_(b)addressed the challenge of the complicated heatmap with multiple hotspots.Overall,the behavioral Gini coefficient we established is an idea parameter to quantitatively assess spatial distribution of fish shoal,which is expected to be applied in toxicity testing for chemicals and wastewater and automatic quality monitoring for surface water and aquaculture water.

An Alternative Approach to Rank Efficient DMUs in DEA via Cross-Efficiency Evaluation,Gini Coefficient,and Bonferroni Mean

In this paper,we focus on a critical problem in data envelopment analysis(DEA)and propose a simple resolution for it.The major problem of the DEA is the existence of several efficient decision-making units(DMUs).To deal with this issue,we introduce a method that involves cross-efficiency evaluation,Gini coefficient,and Bonferroni mean.First,a cross-efficiency matrix is developed.Then,mixing the Gini coefficient and Bonferroni mean,a Gini–Bonferroni(GB)index is proposed for ranking efficient DMUs,where the DMUs with bigger GB are ranked higher.The proposed method broke the tie between efficient DMUs.Finally,a numerical example and real application of this method are presented in the ranking of research and development(R&D)investment companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

An inspection on the Gini coefficient of the budget educational public expenditure per student for China's basic education

Using statistical data on the implementing conditions of China's educational expenditure published by the state,this paper studies the Gini coefficient of the budget educational public expenditure per student in order to examine the concentration degree of the educational expenditure for China's basic education and analyze its balanced development condition.As the research shows,China's basic education is undergoing an unbalanced development due to diversified factors,which is mainly reflected as follows:firstly,the budget educational public expenditure presents a four-tiered appearance of the strong,the less strong,the less weak and the weak,which lead to a great discrepancy between the two opposing extremes;secondly,the compulsory education in rural areas is still confronted with great difficulties;thirdly,the general senior secondary education is loaded with the crisis of unbalance.Therefore,it is necessary to construct a balanced development policy framework of the basic education and pay close attention to the benefit and effectiveness of the educational input.In addition,it is also important to clearly stipulate the criterion of the government's educational allocation and to support the disadvantaged areas in order to promote the balanced development of the basic education.

Assessing spatiotemporal variations of forest carbon density using bi-temporal discrete aerial laser scanning data in Chinese boreal forests

Assessing the changes in forest carbon stocks over time is critical for monitoring carbon dynamics,estimating the balance between carbon uptake and release from forests,and providing key insights into climate change mitigation.In this study,we quantitatively characterized spatiotemporal variations in aboveground carbon density(ACD)in boreal natural forests in the Greater Khingan Mountains(GKM)region using bi-temporal discrete aerial laser scanning(ALS)data acquired in 2012 and 2016.Moreover,we evaluated the transferability of the proposed design model using forest field plot data and produced a wall-to-wall map of ACD changes for the entire study area from 2012 to 2016 at a grid size of 30 m.In addition,we investigated the relationships between carbon dynamics and the dominant tree species,age groups,and topography of undisturbed forested areas to better understand ACD variations by employing heterogeneous forest canopy structural characteristics.The results showed that the performance of the temporally transferable model(R^(2)=0.87,rRMSE=18.25%),which included stable variables,was statistically equivalent to that obtained from the model fitted directly by the 2016 field plots(R^(2)=0.87,rRMSE=17.47%).The average rate of change in carbon sequestration across the entire study region was 1.35 Mg⋅ha^(-1)⋅year^(-1) based on the changes in ALS-based ACD values over the course of four years.The relative change rates of ACD decreased as the elevation increased,with the highest and lowest ACD growth rates occurring in the middle-aged and mature forest stands,respectively.The Gini coefficient,which represents forest canopy surface structure heterogeneity,is sensitive to carbon dynamics and is a reliable predictor of the relative change rate of ACD.This study demonstrated the applicability of bi-temporal ALS for predicting forest carbon dynamics and fine-scale spatial change patterns.Our research contributed to a better understanding of the in-fluence of remote sensing-derived environmental variables on forest carbon dynamic patterns and the development of context-specific management approaches to increase forest carbon stocks.

我国产前诊断机构空间可及性与公平性

目的评价我国产前诊断机构的空间可及性与公平性,以期为优化此类机构的空间规划布局提供参考。方法用两步移动搜索法和空间基尼系数对我国产前诊断机构的空间可及性和公平性进行评价。结果我国中东部地区和各省(自治区、直辖市)中心城市产前诊断服务的空间可及性与公平性均优于西部地区和偏远地区。结论建议适当增加西部地区和偏远地区的产前诊断机构与卫生技术人员数量,以优化我国产前诊断机构的规划布局。

Examining Inequality in the Public Health Workforce Distribution in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDCs) System in China, 2008–2017

Objective Allocation of human resources to address inequalities in the public health system has increasingly attracted societal and political attention.Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDCs)system of China as an example,we evaluated inequality in the public health workforce distribution across different regions in China between 2008 and 2017,with the aim of providing information for policymakers to support resource allocation and address growing health inequities.Methods We used three standard public health workforce inequality indices-Gini coefficient,Theil L,and Theil T-and spatial autocorrelation analysis to explore spatial clusters of the workforce in different provinces,visualized with geographical tools.Results The aggregate workforce-to-population ratio decreased from 1.47 to 1.42 per 10,000 population from 2008 to 2017,and was consistently lower than the National Health Commission’s(NHC)recommended critical shortage threshold of 1.75.The workforce distribution inequality indices varied by regional socioeconomic and health system development.Geographic clustering of CDCs workforce distribution was evident,with H–H and L–L clusters in western China and the Guangdong-Fujian region,respectively.Conclusions Our study addressed key issues for government and policymakers in allocation of public health human resources.There is an urgent need for careful identification of analytic questions that will help carry out public health functions in the new era,alongside policy implications for an equitable distribution of the public health workforce focusing on the western region and low–low cluster areas.

Four Decades of China's Income Distribution Reform

Income gaps in China kept widening over the past four decades of economic transition. First, this paper describes the change in income gaps before and after reform and opening-up in 1978 and found that income gaps had been expanding between urban and rural areas, within cities and within the countryside. However, this did not lead to income polarization since low-income groups only had a slower income growth compared with highincome groups. The number of poor people continuously reduced thanks to rapid economic growth. Over the past decade, the widening of income gaps has been initially curbed. Accordingly, we explained the impact of economic transition on income distribution from the perspectives of market-based distribution, ownership structure, opening-up and internal income distribution. Lastly, this paper provides an in-depth analysis on urban-rural income gaps, excessive compensation in monopolistic sectors and income inequalities arising from corruption. To address these problems, it is important to enhance tax regulation, increase transfer payments to poor people, improve social security, equalize public services, enhance poverty relief and develop a fairer income distribution system.

Study of large medical equipment allocation in Xuzhou

Objective: To investigate the allocation and management of large medical equipment (LME) in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, in order to make the best use of LME to meet the medical needs of local people. Methods: The research collected data from all hospitals that have LME in Xuzhou using questionnaire; 38 (97.4%) hospitals returned the questionnaire. Results: In Xuzhou, there are a total of 71 pieces of LME, each serving 126 600 people in an area of 163 km2. Sixty-two percent of them are allocated in urban areas, with Gini coefficient at 0.52, indicating imbalance and biased allocation of LME. Conclusion: The al- location of LME in Xuzhou is out of control and unfairly allocated.

Integration of α-fairness with DEA based resource allocation model

How to allocate a resource efficiently and fairly attracts the attention of both researchers and practitioners. Data envelopment analysis（DEA） has been brought to bear on its solution. The existing literature applies Gini coefficient to measure the fairness in the resource allocation process. However, the Gini coefficient is inapplicable in many applications. This paper proposes a novel centralized resource allocation model based on DEA that considers both the efficiency and the fairness. This paper adopts a notion of fairness, namely α-fairness that is well studied in welfare economics and is of practical significance. The new model integratesα-fairness with DEA to support resource allocation decisions. It aids decision makers in making a trade-off between the efficiency and the fairness. An illustrative application is used to validate the proposed approach.

Inter-Provincial Development Difference in Information & Telecom Industry in China

This article measures the development difference in the information and telecommunication industry among provinces in China quantitatively by Gini coefficient.According to the calculation results,the article concludes that the development levels are between "highly equal"and "relatively equal".Further more,the research also shows that the difference gap has been narrowing down gradually in recent years.Compared with the inter-provincial economic difference,the difference in the information and telecommunication industry among provinces is small.

Geographic Concentration in China's Manufacturing

This paper empirically examines variations and changes in manufacturing concentration and their determinants in China over the 1980-2003 period with a sample of 26 industries. The analysis indicates that average industrial concentration has increased during the 1990s. Studies show that scale economies and industry policies are important determinants for industries geographical concentration; factor endowments and the location of foreign direct investment are also found to have a positive effect on concentration.

Global Income Inequality and Poverty Reduction:Trends and Remedies

There is a global consensus that world economy need not only grow faster,but also grow in a way that the poor receive a greater share of the benefits of that growth.It is well documented that income inequality is on the rise,with the richest 10%earning up to 40%of total global income.The poorest 10%earn only between 2%and 7%of total global income.After long time of neglect,inequality has re-entered the mainstream development policy agenda at both national and global levels indicating that relevant policies should be universal in principle paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.As highlighted in almost all SDG’s documents,income inequality is a global problem that requires global solutions.This involves improving the regulation and monitoring of financial markets and institutions,encouraging development assistance and foreign direct investment to regions where the need is greatest.Facilitating the safe migration and mobility of people is also key to bridging the widening divide.SDG 10 encompasses 10 targets with the objective of promoting social,economic,and political inclusion of all,irrespective of age,sex,disability,race,ethnicity,origin,religion,or economic or other status.Achieving SDG 10 reaffirms that the 2030 development agenda will focus not only on eradicating poverty but also on tackling inequalities in all its forms through adopting sound policies to empower the bottom percentile of income earners,and promote economic inclusion of all regardless of sex,race,or ethnicity.This paper analyses the resent status of income inequality and its relationship with economic growth and poverty in selected developing countries.The paper highlights that there is a triangular relationship between income distribution,poverty and economic growth;while accelerated economic growth is a primary factor in reducing poverty,inequalities can constrain poverty reduction significantly.

China＇s Current income Distribution Status and Countermeasures Analysis

From two perspectives, - the proportion of residential income and the equality of residential income distribution - this paper identifies a widening gap in China＇s income distribution and considers that this is a result of different factors such as technological progress, increasing return on assets, the economic growth priority strategy of local governments, the increasing number of migrant workers who are in a weak position to negotiate wages, as well as the rapid process of industrialization. Based on the above analysis, this paper presents policy recommendations on how to improve the income distribution system.

Capitalization of Productive Factors and Income Distribution Problems - Unraveling the Cruxof China＇s Income

When observing China＇s income distribution problems .from an international perspective, we find that China＇s income inequality is not much different from developed countries after primary distribution. The real difference between China and developed countries is that income inequality in developed countries will reduce greatly after income redistribution while the income inequality remains the same for China. Therefore, one can conclude that income inequality in China derives from the ineffectiveness of redistribution. However, a large income gap is not the main reason for skewed income distribution in China. In fact, the problem lies in unfair distribution resulting from factor capitalization. A handful of people have taken proceeds from public assets at the expense of all the people, which has led to social poIarization. To remove unfair distribution, China should improve its means of redistribution to narrow its income gap in order to develop a fair and reasonable pattern of income distribution.