Economic Hindrances Research Articles

International Perspectives on Assistive Technologies for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities: Findings from a Delphi Study

Advancements in Assistive Technologies (ATs) have significantly improved the quality of life and autonomy for people with intellectual disabilities and autistic individuals, enhancing education, social interaction, employment, and mental health. Nevertheless, several barriers still emerge in the daily implementation of such technologies, highlighting the need to explore them in depth. Using a two-round Delphi method, we conducted a research study with an expert panel of 284 participants from 31 European countries, collecting quantitative and qualitative data. We tested ten future-oriented projections and gathered insights on participants’ backgrounds and attitudes towards ATs for this demographic. To enhance representation, experts from academia, service providers, industry, and disability organizations, as well as individuals with disabilities and their families, were included. Although the findings show strong consensus among experts on the positive impact and desirability of ATs for promoting the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and autistic individuals, they also reveal differing perceptions across expert groups and identify two distinct future scenarios linked to different cultural, social, and economic hindrances. In this sense, our study provides diverse global perspectives, with the potential to help governing bodies understand the expectations, concerns, and needs related to ATs for often underrepresented groups–people with intellectual disabilities and autistic individuals in this case.

A Qualitative Investigation of the Determinants Influencing Physical Activity Among Women in Ilam Town

Background: The female population above the age of 50 exhibits a higher inclination toward sedentary lifestyles compared to their counterparts. Moreover, physiological factors, such as breastfeeding, pregnancy, and menopause, render women more susceptible to ailments and disabilities. This study was conducted in an attempt to discern various elements contributing to women’s physical activity levels in Ilam town. Methods: A targeted sampling approach was employed for this qualitative investigation. The data collection involved conducting individual interviews with 16 females who fell within the middle-aged bracket of 30–59 years in the year 2019 in Ilam town, Iran. These interviews followed a semi-structured format wherein open-ended questions were asked that aimed at gaining clear and comprehensive insights without any biasing influence. To derive patterns from these interviews, the content analysis method was utilized by identifying differences and similarities among codes, along with repetitions of semantic units. For this purpose, MAXQDA software (version 10) facilitated effective analysis. Results: Upon analyzing the obtained information from participants aged around 40, primarily homemakers; several categories emerged pertaining to advantages associated with regular physical activity, as cited by the respondents themselves. The overall outcome thus encompassed four distinct categories, disclosing beneficence related to consistent exercise engagement among them. The findings of the study were divided into three primary classifications, including comprehending the advantages of physical activity, explanatory factors, and persuasive factors. Additionally, there were barriers to regular physical activity that fell into seven major categories, including family, social, customary, economic, environmental, and cultural spheres. Each barrier encompassed both tangible and intangible aspects. Conclusion: The participants provided accounts of various individual, socioeconomic, political, and environmental elements that fostered consistent engagement in physical activity. Moreover, the study subjects reported encountering a range of barriers and facilitators with respect to cultural and economic influences on their physical activity levels. Therefore, strategies devised to encourage women’s involvement in physical activity should primarily focus on bolstering social support knowledge and self-efficacy while concurrently minimizing or eliminating cultural and economic hindrances. These socio-cultural factors should also be considered when formulating future initiatives by communities, organizations, and policymakers so as to develop interventions that more effectively align with the needs and perspectives of women.

CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR: A WIN-WIN APPROACH IN A ZERO-SUM REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Pakistan, due to its geostrategic existence, became a fulcrum of the massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through CPEC. The project is anticipated to bring socio-political and economic stability in the region. The project is supposed to revitalize the historical Silk Rout to knock down the social, political, and economic hindrance among Asia, Africa, and Europe. This revolutionary and hi-tech Win-Win enterprise is professed as “the harbinger of a new epoch of congruence and integration” (Mehmood & Sabir, 2020) for Pakistan. CPEC is intended to unlatch many commercial routes across China, South and Central Asia, the Middle east and European region. China is going to have quicker and accessible trade rout with Persian Gulf and other resourceful regions. Pakistan would have enhanced economic stability through Gawadar Port Projects, infrastructural development, economic zones, technological assistance, and other energy generating arrangements. This paper tends to discuss the rudiments of CPEC with the geopolitical and strategic reputation considering the zero-sum unipolar world. It throws light over social, political, and economic dimensions of the project with the consideration of political development and policy consistency of the region. The trade deficit and antidots through CPEC between China and Pakistan with the inclusion of other neighbouring States would be addressed. Hurdles and security constrictions regarding the corridor are highlighted and research based conceivable suggestions have proposed which the governments of both the countries ought to consider. Keywords: BRI, CPEC, Win-Win scenario, Silk Rout, Trade Deficit, Gawadar Port Project, Persian Gulf, zero sum game. Meritime Routs

Health-seeking Behaviour and Self-rated Health of Adult Men in an Urban Local Government Area in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Evidence from the literature suggests that men are less likely to seek health services compared to women. It is important to understand the factors that influence the health-seeking behaviour of men and how it affects their self-rated health.
 Objectives: To assess the health-seeking behaviour and self-rated health perception of adult men in an urban community in Lagos state.
 Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 adult males aged 18 years and above in an urban community in Lagos State, Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant data. Associations between categorical variables were subjected to statistical analysis.
 Results: The health-seeking behaviour of the men in the study area was influenced by factors such as the severity of illness (66.1%), availability of funds (13.1%) and subscription to health insurance (18.2%). A majority (94.7%) self-rated their health as good, very good or excellent. Provision of expert care (45.6%) was considered the most important characteristic of health-seeking behaviour. Alcohol consumption (38.8%) was significantly associated with the health perception of the respondents. The respondents (50.2%) preferred using hospitals, compared to other sources during their last illness episode.
 Conclusion: The respondents exhibited a preference for hospital visit during their last illness, confirming appropriate health-seeking behaviour in the absence of economic hindrances and other factors. Respondents with little or no alcohol intake had better self-rated health.

Plant-Derived Natural Compounds for Tick Pest Control in Livestock and Wildlife: Pragmatism or Utopia?

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a significant economic hindrance for livestock production and a menace to public health. The expansion of tick populations into new areas, the occurrence of acaricide resistance to synthetic chemical treatments, the potentially toxic contamination of food supplies, and the difficulty of applying chemical control in wild-animal populations have created greater interest in developing new tick control alternatives. Plant compounds represent a promising avenue for the discovery of such alternatives. Several plant extracts and secondary metabolites have repellent and acaricidal effects. However, very little is known about their mode of action, and their commercialization is faced with multiple hurdles, from the determination of an adequate formulation to field validation and public availability. Further, the applicability of these compounds to control ticks in wild-animal populations is restrained by inadequate delivery systems that cannot guarantee accurate dosage delivery at the right time to the target animal populations. More work, financial support, and collaboration with regulatory authorities, research groups, and private companies are needed to overcome these obstacles. Here, we review the advancements on known plant-derived natural compounds with acaricidal potential and discuss the road ahead toward the implementation of organic control in managing ticks and tick-borne diseases.

An overview of the transportation issues in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

The explosive growth of population in Sabah has caused the rise of private vehicle ownership and utilizations which give significant defects on transportation and environmental conditions, especially in the central city of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. As the demand in transportation increased, traffic congestion occurs due to the abundance of a private vehicle on the road while the improvement of traffic facilities is weak and slow. Traffic congestion is an urban mobility problem that worsens traffic flow and eventually, causing economic hindrance to happen. In order to overcome this problem, a good plan, systematic and safe transportation system should be developed. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to study and understand the transportation system in Kota Kinabalu and the feasibility of existing transportation plans for Kota Kinabalu. This paper outlines an overview of the existing transportation system available in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, the issues encountered, as well as the impacts regarding the current city transport system. In summary, urban transportation relies on proper planning by experts based on passenger experience to find proper solutions to complex urban transport issues in Kota Kinabalu.

A review on technical, applications and economic aspect of packed bed solar thermal energy storage system

Abstract The development of renewable energy technologies provides a significant solution to deal with the energy crisis, along with resolving the environment related issues. Solar energy is one of the emerging technologies, which has been established as an effective alternative to fossil fuels and is an eco-friendly source for the sustainable development of society, throughout the globe. However, its rapid growth is dealing with many technical barriers like low efficiency, fluctuations in energy supply and economic hindrances. The intermittent nature of solar energy is also one of the major cause of fluctuations in energy supply which can be rectified by installing the storage unit with solar thermal systems. Packed bed storage system is an option for the solar thermal systems to store the energy during its availability and supply that stored energy at the time of requirement. This review is about its technical characteristics and economic feasibility of various applications of solar thermal system for different temperature ranges. Initially, the description of packed bed storage system along with its working principle and design aspects are discussed which is followed by details of its heat transfer fluid and packing element. The various factors affecting the heat transfer involve within a packed bed are described and after that the factors affecting thermal losses and pressure drop are also reported. The review also comprises the various applications of the packed bed storage system for various temperature ranges which is followed its economic aspect.

Continental Migration Trends: Its Implications from an African Perspective

Migration is witnessed throughout the world, this is even true for a third world continent such as Africa, where individuals tend to move from one place to another propelled by diverse push and pull factors. This paper brings forward the degree of migration movements in Africa. Additionally, it seeks to understand the impact(s) of migration within the continent. It argues that migration in Africa is not a new phenomenon as it has been witnessed since colonialism often as a result of forced migration. However, post the colonial era, Africa has observed an upsurge of migration movements both documented and undocumented. This is manifested by the fact that Africa has remained an underdeveloped continent coupled with vast economic hindrances including unemployment, political instability, low growth rates, terrorism and corruption. In this vein, individuals move from place to place for better economic opportunities for themselves particularly to Western, Eastern and Southern African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Angola, Rwanda and Namibia. The paper concludes by outlining that if Africa is to limit and manage the evergrowing migration movements, then African heads of states should possibly improve their border patrol security, enhance rural agriculture and improve rural service delivery programmes. Moreover, to implement robust, well monitored and managed policies that intend to support and complement the policies of the African Union (AU), regional bodies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) with regards to African migration.

Participatory Operational & Security Assessment on homeland security risks: an empirical research method for improving security beyond the borders through public/private partnerships

This paper proposes novel applications of Participatory Operational Assessment (POA), as a qualitative/empirical tool for bridging the research gap in our knowledge of Border Security, while supporting the mission of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security “to build in security, to ensure resilience, and to facilitate customs and exchange” (DHS 2017). Each year, global trade volume exceeds 10.3 billion tons of cargo, 90% of which is being carried by ships (UNCTAD 2017). U.S. transport networks alone import and export at least two billion metric tons of cargo, including 15 million sealed containers (CBP 2017a). The task of DHS/CBP in safeguarding the national borders and intermodal (sea, land & air) security becomes more crucial each year, as the flow of goods grows exponentially in positive correlation with the population growth, and trade agreements, such as the NAFTA agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This paper demonstrates the development of a “Participatory Operational Assessment” instrument, where homeland security officials and industry stakeholders form a think-tank for resolving security and operational challenges on both sides of the border. Specifically, this scholarly research funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security demonstrates the benefits of establishing a Public/Private Advisory Board in order to identify security threats on both sides of the border. This is a timely research, as border security risks impose serious threats for homeland security, with geopolitical, economic and trade hindrances. The DHS and its Agencies (CBP, USCG, TSA etc.) have introduced numerous noteworthy initiatives, platforms and programs, including CSI, C-TPAT, TWIC etc. A number of working groups are also affiliated with the DHS, in order to address security, trade and travel issues. Inspired by the capabilities of these initiatives, this research has created a project-specific team of experts aiming to evaluate quantitative findings on border security, and offer best industry practices.

Policy lessons from the flexible transport service pilot Kutsuplus in the Helsinki Capital Region

An increasing number of flexible micro transport services (FMTS) is an emerging response to tackling sustainability issues of urban mobility. Meeting the challenges of changing user requirements and difficulty in accomplishing modal shift policy goals, FMTS can respond, owing to advances in technological solutions. However, these novel services are still facing a range of barriers, including institutional, cultural, and economic hindrances. Moreover, there is a general lack of knowledgebase related to FMTS deployment in urban areas. Consequently, the objective of this article is to present policy and planning lessons on urban FMTS. The lessons are derived from a unique FMTS pilot in the Helsinki Capital Region. This FMTS pilot, called Kutsuplus, was operational from October 2012 to December 2015. The study includes an analysis of operational data, as well as policy-making processes, including expert interviews. The key findings provide a range of guidelines and lessons for future urban FMTS. The first set of transferable guidelines relates to the Kutsuplus setup and organization. The second set concerns fare determination and financing. The third set involves decision-making processes and stakeholder involvement. In addition, a range of other lessons are highlighted for future pilots. The results point towards the recommendation to look beyond long-term financial sustainability by taking into account a range of interdependent factors, starting from the initial planning stage.

Pharmaco-epidemiological Studies on Self Medication and Drug Utilization Pattern in Chronic Diseases via Prescription Auditing

Prescription auditing, a sort of vigilance activity is an important tool in pharmaco-epidemiological studies to get a clear picture about rational usage of drug, widely prescribed drugs, extent of polypharmacy, and the most prevalent diseases in a particular area. With the changing dynamics of the lifestyle, behavioral pattern, socioeconomic and educational status an increasing trend of self medication observed in both rural and urban dwellers. Till yet there is no such report about the drug utilization pattern or extent of self medication practice in the Kharaghpur area. A study was conducted in Kharaghpur region of India (Block 1 and 2) to determine the drug utilization trend and practice of self medication in the prevailing disease conditions by prescription monitoring and exit interviews with pretested Performa on customers randomly visiting the pharmacies. Prescription auditing showed that disease prevalence was predominant in age group of 11.00±6.2550.00±9.75 and comparatively less incidences in the pediatrics (1.00±1.055.00±0.79) and geriatrics (70.00±1.3175.00±1.01). There was a predominance of infectious diseases like fever, cough and cold during the study period followed by asthmatic problems and gastrointestinal infections GIT infections in the surveyed area. Self-medication of asthma and GIT infections was more prevalent in urban population (60%, n=133) as compared to the rural population (33.89%, n=107). Easy availability of lifestyle drugs, enhanced education levels amongst urban population and economic hindrance to pay physicians fees, influences of peer groups, advices of pharmacists, difficulty to avail drugs from clinics in rural regions influenced self medication. Analgesics, antipyretics were the most widely used self medicating drugs in survey area.

Utilization of Structural Equations on the Assessment of the Role of the Agricultural Bank in Economic Development in Sudan

The Agricultural Bank of Sudan ABS is considered as the main supplier for agriculture financing. However, in the past ten years there were continuous decrease in finance volumes for the agricultural sector of the country which was reflected in diminishing productivity of food and cash crops. The launching of Agricultural Renaissance AR (Nahda Zeraaiya) and Green Resurrection GR (Nafra Zeraaiya) programs did not succeed in increasing neither productivity nor food security in the country. Nevertheless, more resources were channeled to those programs rather than supporting the ABS. Therefore, the current paper first conceptualizes the best statistical method to use and then analyzes agricultural productivity in Sudan on macro-level. Structural Simultaneous Model was chosen and utilized in the ensuing analysis. The main conclusions reached were that resources represented great importance with the produced values of R2, coefficient of determination and r the partial correlation rate. Those results supported the hypothesis that increasing the allocated resources for the Agricultural Sudan Bank will better help for an efficient financing and hence productivity. That is rater better than funneling precious resources to the presumed programs of AR and GR. Moreover, the scarcity of resources allocated to ABS encouraged its administration to allocated available financing to short and medium term loans, conceivably to achieve quick and higher returns rather than the presumed function of the ABS in supporting agriculture in the country. Additional, taxation represented an economic hindrance for farmers which minimize their productive activities or stop them all together. It is recommended in the conclusions that the Ministry of Finance should revert the role of ABS from the commercial function to its original role as a financier of the agricultural sector. Thus, it has to redirect resources from AR and GR to the ABS or cancel altogether those inefficient programs. Considering the current country's economic situation, exogenous loans, supports and donations should all be mobilized and allocated through the Ministry of Finance to the ABS. Such an act requires rebuilding new financing policy for the bank that includes an umbrella for long-term financing and less profit generation goals.

Stream restoration as a basis for Israeli–Palestinian cooperation: a comparative analysis of two transboundary streams

Transboundary environmental degradation often poses serious health and security threats to regional residents. The Israeli–Palestinian conflict further aggravates an environment already characterized by water scarcity, environmental distress and polluted waterways. Yet, common ground appears to emerge from a recent contingent valuation study in which both Israelis and Palestinians reveal common water use and riparian restoration preferences, as well as comparable willingness to pay for proposed restoration efforts. These surprising results – especially that despite vast economic hindrances, Palestinians have revealed similar willingness to contribute financially to stream restoration – indicate the seriousness of regional health issues and demonstrate a foundation for future cooperative restoration efforts. A simple cost–benefit analysis is conducted, which sheds light on future policy formation, especially with regard to water treatment and allocation decisions for both societies.

Enforcing Fundamental Rights in Nigerian Courts – Processes and Challenges

AbstractFundamental rights provisions have continued to feature very prominently in the successive constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The enforcement procedure, however, remains identical to the one provided in 1979, in the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules. The parliament has remained aloof to these obvious realities of the procedural complications. Social, political and economic factors have continued to constitute the greatest hindrances to the citizens' desire to seek redress for the infringement of their rights. This article evaluates the provisions on fundamental rights in the Nigerian constitution, and considers the extent of enforceability under the rules and jurisdiction of courts as provided in the constitution. Alternative dispute resolution may be the panacea for the legal and economic hindrances on rights enforcement. Recommendations are accordingly made for the government to facilitate and encourage the citizens to have recourse to mediatory process in less difficult cases.

E-Government for Development

ABSTRACT Today, wide ranges of e-Government projects are being implemented in different parts of the world. Yet where these projects are introduced, they often seem to end in failure, either partial or total. The ability of developing countries to reap the potential benefits of e-Government is still limited, and largely hampered by the existence of political, social and economic hindrances. Taking a critical stance towards the rhetoric surrounding e-Government and underlying most of the literature on the topic, this paper provides a number of insights and recommendations to guide its future implementation and development. Lessons learned, underlying assumptions, and potential approaches to e-Government are examined and discussed. Conclusions indicate that e-Government projects are likely to succeed only if they are deliberately cognizant of local government culture and real work practices, and of the broader technical and socio-political environment within which they are introduced and applied.

Xhosa Co-operative Agricultural Work Groups: Economic Hindrance or Development Opportunity?

Recent research on agrarian issues in the Eastern Cape Province has indicated a number of ways in which rural people have adapted to changing ecological and socio -economic conditions in attempts to maintain household agricultural production. One such mechanism is the development of various forms of co-operative work in order to overcome shortages of resource inputs. In parts of the Transkei, co-operative work is constructed in terms of a particular rural ethos and morality, provides an institutional basis for agrarian activities, and has played an important role in allowing households to meet part of their subsistence requirements. Careful measurement of maize yields suggests that agricultural production is at a considerably higher level than previously thought, at least in better rainfall areas, and it is likely that co-operative labour plays an important role in making this possible.

The Dialectics of Unity in Diversity: Osofisan's Proposal in Another Raft

One of the most discussed issues in contemporary African literary world is the need for the diverse ethnic groups in the continent to forge a common ground, and attack the various socio-political and economic hindrances that militate against the growth and development of Africa. The focus of this study is to use the Nigerian state and her socio-cultural and political upheavals as projective modes for the dialectics of unity in diversity. The play under study is Femi Osofisan's Another Raft (1988). (Humanities Review Journal: 2003 3(1): 37-49)

E‐learning challenges in the Arab world: revelations from a case study profile

The overwhelming traditional knowledge delivery system for higher education in the Arab world demonstrates the pronounced information technology (IT) gap between Arab countries and the developed world. This study demonstrates the problems and possibilities of implementing e‐learning in Arab educational institutions through analysing the attitudes of university professors (n = 294) in Lebanon towards three a priori e‐learning dimensions. Favourable attitudes towards e‐learning attested to faculty members’ interest to get engaged in a fully‐fledged e‐learning programme in a country where the primary delivery educational model is essentially traditional. Discusses these attitudes in the light of the social, political and economic hindrances that impede the implementation of e‐learning in the Arab region. A series of K‐independent Kruskal‐Wallis tests yielded significant attitudinal variations between males and females as well as between computer daily users and occasional users. Furthermore, daily computer users documented more favourable attitudes towards e‐learning than their occasional user counterparts. Offers recommendations for the implementation of e‐learning in “traditionally” demarcated educational systems in countries where the deployment of information and communications technologies is not widespread.

The Differential Effects of Project Stress on Life-Satisfaction

The role of stress, particularly economic hindrance,in the prediction of global life-satisfaction wascontrasted between typically younger (n = 109)and more mature (n = 66) undergraduate students. Participants completed a Personal Projects AnalysisAppraisal Matrix including six stress dimensions, aswell as a single-item measure of globallife-satisfaction. Discriminant function analysesconducted on the students' Personal Project appraisalsrevealed that project challenge and economic hindranceaccounted for 25% of the variability inlife-satisfaction for the mature students, but none ofthe stress dimensions predicted life satisfaction forthe younger students. These results indicate that therole of stress in the prediction of life-satisfactionvaries as a function of age, with project challengeand economic hindrance playing a significant role inolder students' lives. The results are discussed inrelation to the developmental context of personalprojects as life tasks and the varying contexts foracademic pursuit between mature and typically youngerundergraduate students.

The Overall Framework of China's Market Economy

It is well known that before the commencement of the reform in 1978, China practiced a planned economic system (to be exact, an examination and approval economy). This system was characterized by its over‐centralization, the practice of planned management, exclusion of market mechanisms and neglect of the law of value. As a kind of exploration for the initial construction of the socialist state, this highly centralized planned economic system achieved notable results. It played a positive role in accelerating economic construction, especially industrial construction, by concentrating limited resources of a backward country in specific ways. However, with the development of socialist production and the expansion of the construction scale, the planned economy's defects of overlooking the law of value and the role of the market became greater with each passing day, it led to the irrational allocation of resources, low economic returns and serious hindrance to the enhancement of overall national strength, thereby restraining the vitality and vigor of socialism. The history of world economic development has proved that under state macro‐control, the market economic structure and operating mechanism based on the full development of commodity production and the law of value are so far the more effective economic structure and operating mechanism in human history that can properly realize the optimum allocation of social resources and promote the development of productive forces. Therefore, in China at the present stage, the replacement of the administrative economic system by the market economic structure is a major reform aimed to liberate and develop productive forces and bring about fuller development of the superiority of the socialist publicly owned economy.