Financial Obstacles Research Articles

Attaining the College Dream: The Effects of Politics on the Social Capital of First-Generation Undocumented Immigrant Students

Thousands of undocumented immigrant youth graduate high school in the United States each year, but very few matriculate into college. These students often face financial and informational obstacles when making the decision to pursue higher education. Recent research suggests undocumented students who live in a state that provides access to in-state college tuition primarily utilize their connections to other undocumented students to gain information about enrolling in college. However, Arizona passed Proposition 300 in 2007 and outlawed in-state tuition for these youth. Through on-line research and interviews with undocumented youth who sought to enter college before and after Prop 300, I find that undocumented students employed different types of social capital to pursue higher education depending upon the political environment. Prior to the implementation of Prop 300, the relevant advice networks included classmates, high school teachers, advisors, and college personnel. Post Prop 300, resources availab...

Understanding the challenges of refugee entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality

ABSTRACTIn recent years, the refugee crisis has emerged as a major global challenge with social, economic, and political implications. Figures indicate that there are currently over 22 million refugees around the world. While refugees are usually regarded as a burden for their host countries, their entrepreneurial ventures might offer significant contributions to local economies. Although refugee entrepreneurship has become significantly evident in several economies, theoretical and empirical research tackling this issue is still scant. This study aims to explore the characteristics of and challenges faced by refugee tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs in Istanbul, Turkey. Drawing on qualitative data collected through 20 semi-structured interviews with refugee tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs, the findings suggest that refugee entrepreneurs were challenged by four key issues; legislative and administrative, financial, socio-cultural and market-related obstacles. The study also offers insights into characteristics of refugee tourism and hospitality entrepreneurs and their integration into their host communities.

Distance, accessibility and costs. Decision-making during childbirth in rural Sierra Leone: A qualitative study.

BackgroundSierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. Efforts to reduce maternal mortality have included initiatives to encourage more women to deliver at health facilities. Despite the introduction of the free health care initiative for pregnant women, many women still continue to deliver at home, with few having access to a skilled birth attendant. In addition, inequalities between rural and urban areas in accessing and utilising health facilities persist. Further insight into how and why women make decisions around childbirth will help guide future plans and initiatives in improving maternal health in Sierra Leone. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions and decision-making processes of women and their communities during childbirth in rural Sierra Leone.Methods and findingsData were collected through seven focus group discussions and 22 in-depth interviews with recently pregnant women and their community members in two rural villages. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Findings revealed that decision-making processes during childbirth are dynamic, intricate and need to be understood within the broader social context that they take place. Factors such as distance and lack of transport, perceived negative behaviour of hospital staff, direct and indirect financial obstacles, as well as the position of women in society all interact and influence how and what decisions are made.ConclusionsPregnant women face multiple interacting vulnerabilities that influence their healthcare-seeking decisions during pregnancy and childbirth. Future initiatives to improve access and utilisation of safe healthcare services for pregnant women need to be based on adequate knowledge of structural constraints and health inequities that affect women in rural Sierra Leone.

Hepatitis C virus genotype 3: clinical features, current and emerging viral inhibitors, future challenges.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a global burden on healthcare that affects over 150 million people worldwide. In the past, HCV genotype 3 was considered difficult to treat relative to other genotypes. Genotype 3 has been associated with a higher rate of complications, including fatty liver disease, fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality. However, with the advent of first- and second-generation direct-acting antivirals, genotype 3 can be treated effectively. Additionally, these new drugs are well tolerated by patients and have significantly fewer side effects compared to ribavirin and interferon-based regimens. However, while great strides have been made in overcoming biological barriers, our next challenge lies in overcoming economic and financial obstacles if we are to eradicate HCV genotype 3. Herein, we review the clinical features associated with HCV genotype 3, current and emerging treatment regimens, and challenges associated with treatment.

Psychological Aspects of Utilizing Telecytology for Rapid On-Site Adequacy Assessments

AbstractRapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) has been well documented in its ability to improve the diagnostic yield and accuracy of fine needle aspirations across many sites, resulting in better quality of patient management and a simultaneous reduction in treatment costs. Telecytology makes it possible for cytology laboratories to offer ROSE in a cost effective manner, whilst employing only a small number of trained cytopathologists to cover many sites from a single connected location. However, the adoption of telecytology for ROSE has been lackluster. We believe that this reluctance is not only due to barriers such as technology limitations and financial obstacles, but also due to overlooked psychological factors. This article discusses the unaddressed psychological considerations of telecytology for ROSE.

Analyzing Learners Behavior in MOOCs: An Examination of Performance and Motivation Using a Data-Driven Approach

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have been experiencing increasing use and popularity in highly ranked universities in recent years. The opportunity of accessing high quality courseware content within such platforms, while eliminating the burden of educational, financial, and geographical obstacles has led to a rapid growth in participant numbers. The increasing number and diversity of participating learners has opened up new horizons to the research community for the investigation of effective learning environments. Learning Analytics has been used to investigate the impact of engagement on student performance. However, the extensive literature review indicates that there is little research on the impact of MOOCs, particularly in analyzing the link between behavioral engagement and motivation as predictors of learning outcomes. In this paper, we consider a dataset, which originates from online courses provided by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, delivered through the edX platform. Two sets of empirical experiments are conducted using both statistical and machine learning techniques. Statistical methods are used to examine the association between engagement level and performance, including the consideration of learner educational backgrounds. The results indicate a significant gap between success and failure outcome learner groups, where successful learners are found to read and watch course material to a higher degree. Machine learning algorithms are used to automatically detect learners who are lacking in motivation at an early time in the course, thus providing instructors with insight in regards to student withdrawal.

Migrant entrepreneurship in the light of public policies

Researching the link between migration and entrepreneurship has been in the focus of scientific and professional publications in the last two decades. The results indicate that migrant entrepreneurship allows for better economic and social integration in the new environment and contributes to the economic development of both the receiving country and the country of origin. In the majority of Western, economically developed countries, immigrants are more entrepreneurially oriented than the domestic population and significantly contribute to the creation of new jobs, although they face greater administrative, financial and social obstacles in doing business. In addition, the role of the institutional context is emphasized, as well as the possible positive effect of the state?s timely response in that area. Therefore, entrepreneurship is increasingly involved in migration and integration policies of immigrants, especially in traditional immigration countries. Taking into account the growing importance of economic integration of migrants in the light of turbulent contemporary migration movements, the aim of the paper is to point to good examples of migrant entrepreneurship public policy measures, given its increasing impact on the social and economic development and the ties between the countries of origin and destination. The paper deals with examples of immigration policies for entrepreneurs, as well as integration policies for migrant population (immigrants and returnees) in the field of entrepreneurship. It emphasises the importance of regular harmonisation of migration policies with other segments of public policies, which extends the possibility for different groups of migrants to contribute to the economies of the countries of origin. In this way, a more complete basis for integration of immigrants and returnees is being developed, but also for attracting the desirable structures of potential immigrants.

Перспективы создания «умных городов» в России: систематизация проблем и направлений их решения

Due to high urbanization rate the issues of smart and sustainable city planning become very important currently. The planning and development of the concept “smart city” is based on these issues. Reasonable planning of city environment makes opportunities for city competitiveness increase and reduces negative trends in their development. Modern interpretations and approaches to the “smart city” concept are based on many factors. Among them are the increase of economic potential and budget security, the decline of ecological impact, human resources capitalization based on digital technologies application in society development. The review of literature that has been made allows us to classify “smart cities”, to determine features and to specify aims and tasks for their development. Using a definitional analysis the original comprehension of the “smart city” concept has been suggested. According to this interpretation a “smart city” is considered to be a city which resources are efficiently used by all participants, first of all by city- dwellers providing comfort, safety and eco – friendly environment. The analysis of Russian and foreign experience in the field of the “smart city” concept implementation, the results of a particularized inquiry and interview including those organized with the international professional social network Linkedin allowed us to reveal key challenges in “smart city” development. The most crucial among them are organizational, financial, infrastructural and technological obstacles that prevent the “smart city” concept implementation. We have substantiated that the solutions of the revealed problems in the case study of Russia first of all should concern the digitization of a city utilities sector, power engineering, building and public transport. They are also associated with wide-spread application of integrated digital platforms in management and education, in control over environmental pollution in the frameworks of the “Digital economy in the Russian Federation” program implementation. The prospects to create smart cities in Russia have been determined by means of identification of conditions for the solution of the acute tasks of digitization of regional and city agglomeration economy. We have formulated the trends of relevant studies of “smart cities” in the perspectives of development and implementation priority of the project “smart city” at all levels of public management. Also a methodology to calculate a long-term economic effect that will be caused by the project implementation has been developed. Keywords a “smart city” concept, a smart city, city environment, city economy management, digital economy, information and communication technologies, intelligent systems, infrastructure, ecology, development perspectives

Teaching Financial Problem Solving: A Curriculum Model From a Pilot BSW Course

Social work clients need financial literacy skills. Many clients are faced with the task of overcoming increasingly complex and challenging financial obstacles that can take a dire toll on their physical and environmental stability and mental well-being. Social workers who lack skills in financial literacy are at a disadvantage when helping their clients overcome economic hardships. Financial therapy is an emerging intervention that merges techniques of psychotherapy with financial education. This integrated approach can be used by social workers in generalist settings to promote financial problem solving. Few baccalaureate social work (BSW) programs provide students with education about financial problem solving from this angle. A curriculum model and overview of a pilot course introducing BSW students to a manualized form of this approach is presented. Overall, students found the course beneficial and expressed interest in using this intervention in practice. Student feedback is reviewed, along with directions for further study.

Financial obstacles for new enterprises: industry differences and the dynamic of changes

Cel artykulu – identyfikacja i ocena zroznicowania wystepowania finansowych barier ograniczających funkcjonowanie nowo powstalych przedsiebiorstw w Polsce wedlug rodzaju prowadzonej dzialalności. Metodologia badania – postawiono teze, iz stopien nasilenia wystepowania barier finansowych ograniczających funkcjonowanie nowo powstalych przedsiebiorstw jest zroznicowany ze wzgledu na rodzaj prowadzonej dzialalności. W opracowaniu wykorzystano dane GUS za lata 2005–2014. Material źrodlowy obejmowal dane dotyczące odsetka nowo powstalych przedsiebiorstw aktywnych rok po rozpoczeciu dzialalności wedlug zglaszanych trudności podazowych oraz wedlug wybranych przekrojow. Do identyfikacji branz charakteryzujących sie podobnymi tendencjami wystepowania trudności o charakterze finansowym ograniczających ich dzialalnośc wykorzystano metode wielowymiarowej analizy porownawczej (WAP), w tym metode k-średnich, nalezącą do metod optymalizacyjnych. Wyniki – brak wystarczających środkow finansowych jest wskazywane przez wlaścicieli nowo powstalych przedsiebiorstw, jako jedna z glownych, a czesto najwazniejsza bariera prowadzenia i rozwoju dzialalności gospodarczej. W latach 2005–2014 w wiekszości analizowanych branz średnio z roku na rok wzrastal odsetek nowo powstalych przedsiebiorstw, ktorych dzialalnośc ograniczana jest ze wzgledu na brak wystarczających środkow finansowych, malal zaś odsetek nowo powstalych przedsiebiorstw wskazujących, iz barierą ograniczającą ich funkcjonowanie i rozwoj są trudności w ściąganiu nalezności oraz dostep do kredytow bankowych. W analizowanym okresie odsetek nowo powstalych przedsiebiorstw dzialających w poszczegolnych branzach roznily sie znacznie pod wzgledem średniego tempa zmian wystepowania określonych barier finansowych ograniczających ich funkcjonowanie. Oryginalnośc/wartośc – wartością artykulu jest wskazanie zroznicowania skali i dynamiki zmian barier finansowych napotykanych przez nowo powstale przedsiebiorstwa, co moze przyczynic sie do tworzenia lepszych warunkow dla przedsiebiorstw rozpoczynających dzialalnośc gospodarczą

The influence of early research experience in medical school on the decision to intercalate and future career in clinical academia: a questionnaire study

BackgroundCurrently, only one in three UK medical students undertake an intercalated degree. This has often been implicated as a result of financial obstacles or a lack of interest in research due to inadequate exposure to academic medicine. The aims of this study were to determine whether exposure to research early in medical school, through the initiation of an early years clinical academic training programme has a positive influence on the decision-making related to intercalating and a career long interest in research. This study also aims to evaluate the perceived views of the recipients of such a scholarship programme.MethodsAll previous recipients of the Aberdeen Summer Research Scholarship (ASRS) (n = 117) since its inception in 2010 until 2015 were invited via email in June 2016, to take part in the survey. Data were analysed using SPSS for quantitative data and a thematic approach was used to derive themes from free text.ResultsThe overall response rate was 56% (66/117). Of the respondents, seven received the scholarship twice. Seventy-three percent were still at medical school and 26% were foundation doctors. One respondent indicated that they were currently not in training. Seventy percent of respondents have continued to be involved in research since completing the scholarship. Fifty percent embarked on an intercalated degree following the ASRS. Furthermore, two thirds of the respondents who were undecided about undertaking an intercalated degree before the scholarship, chose to intercalate after completing the programme. ASRS was generally thought of as a positive, influential programme, yet the success of individual ASRS projects was dependent on the allocated supervisors and the resources available for specific projects.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that early research exposure in medical school can provide students with a positive influence on involvement in research and allows students to make an informed decision about embarking on an intercalated degree. We therefore recommend the encouragement of similar programmes in medical schools to promote clinical academia at an early stage for medical students.

The Hidden Cost of Cancer: Helping Clients Cope with Financial Toxicity

Financial toxicity is a term that is increasingly used in the medical literature to describe objective and subjective measures of financial strain that many people with cancer face as a result of costly care and treatment. The author first reviews the literature for evidence of financial toxicity and its impact on quality of life, especially anxiety and depression. Maslow’s (Motivation and personality, 2nd edn., Harper & Row, New York, 1970) hierarchy of needs is then presented as a theoretical basis for the impact of financial stress on clients’ ability to cope with their cancer experience. Finally, a clinical vignette illustrates the double burden of cancer and financial strain, highlighting the need to assess for and address financial hardship as a key part of our clinical practice. Psychosocial interventions—such as problem-solving, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family and group support, and meaning-centered therapy—may be utilized to decrease cancer-related distress, even when financial toxicity cannot be fully alleviated. Once financial obstacles are identified and acknowledged, however, the pathway to effective coping is clearer.

معيقات تطبيق الإدارة الإلکترونية من وجهة نظر مديري المدارس الحکومية في دولة الکويت

استهدفت الدراسة رصد أهم معيقات تطبيق الإدارة الإلکترونية في المدارس الحکومية بدولة الکويت من وجهة نظر مديري هذه المدارس. وقد تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي التحليلي لمناسبته لهذه الدراسة، وقد صممت أداة خاصة بالدراسة عبارة عن استبانة بلغت بنودها (36) بندا تم توزيعها على (4) مجالات رئيسة هي : المعيقات الإدارية، المعيقات البشرية، المعيقات المالية والمعيقات التقنية. وتکونت عينة الدراسة من (614) مديرا ومديرا مساعدا من المراحل التعليمية (الابتدائية- المتوسطة – الثانوية) وذلک يعادل نسبة (25.3%) من مجتمع الدراسة، وتم تطبيق الدراسة في الفصل الدراسي الثاني من العام الدراسي 2016/2017م. وکشفت النتائج أن تقديرات العينة لوجود معيقات تطبيق الإدارة الإلکترونية في مدارس التعليم العام الحکومية کان بدرجة متوسطة في مجملها تعادل نسبة (62.96%) . وقد تبين عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية تعزى لمتغير النوع ولمتغير الوظيفة ولمتغير المنطقة التعليمية حول وجود هذه المعيقات . بينما وجدت فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين متوسطات أفراد العينة تعزى لمتغير المرحلة التعليمية لصالح المرحلة الابتدائية، ولمتغير عدد سنوات الخدمة لصالح المجموعة الذين أمضوا أکثر من (5 سنوات) مقابل الذين أمضوا أقل من (5 سنوات) في الخدمة . الکلمات المفتاحية : الإدارة الإلکترونية، معوقات الإدارة الإلکترونية – المراحل التعليمية. Abstract The study aimed at monitoring the most important obstacles to the implementation of electronic management in public schools in Kuwait from the point of view of the principals of these schools. The analytical descriptive approach was used for this study. A study tool was designed. The questionnaire consisted of 36 items divided into four main areas: administrative obstacles, human obstacles, financial obstacles and technical obstacles. The sample of the study consisted of (614) managers and assistant managers from different educational stages (elementary, intermediate and secondary), equivalent to (25.3%) of the study society. The study was applied in the second semester of the academic year 2016/2017. The results revealed that the sample estimates of the existence of obstacles to the application of electronic administration in public schools of public education was a medium average of 62.96%. There were no statistically significant differences due to gender variable, job variance, and educational district variable. While there were statistically significant differences between the average of the sample due to the variable of the educational stage in favor of the primary stage and the variable number of years of service for the group who spent more than 5 years versus those who spent less than 5 years in service. Keywords: e-management, e-management obstacles - educational stages

Efficacy of patient self-administered recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (RHCG) is comparable to nurse administred RHCG in ovulation induction cycles

Infertility treatment requires patients to overcome a variety of physical, emotional, and financial obstacles. Often, patients express anxiety over self-administration of medications, including subcutaneous recombinant hCG (rHCG). Midluteal rise in progesterone (P4) levels to >3ng/dL suggest evidence of ovulation, and of ≥9ng/dL of adequate luteinization. Many patients express concern over whether they will adequately be able to self-administer medication. The study sought to determine if the rate and adequacy of ovulatory response is comparable whether a patient or a nurse administers the medication.

Ocular genetics in Taiwan.

Ocular genetics is an emerging specialty which has accompanied the advancement of modern genetic technology. This review is to understand the current status of practice in ocular genetics in Taiwan. There is only one ocular genetics clinic in Taiwan. Certified clinical laboratories provide few gene tests in ocular genetics. Most ocular genetic study is focused on myopia. Financial obstacles are a major problem for patients to seek gene tests. Despite a relatively successful, healthcare system in Taiwan, when compared with developed countries, ocular genetics is at an early stage of development. More financial resources and labor are needed to advance clinical care and research.

Saving Money for a Better Life: What Can the ABLE Act Do for Me? [English and Spanish versions

The "Achieving a Better Life Experience" Act, or ABLE Act, is a federal law that was passed in 2014. This landmark legislation offers people living with disabilities, including those with serious mental health conditions, a chance to pursue their hopes and dreams in a realistic way without as many financial obstacles. A Spanish translation of this publication is available for download.

The role of the industrial city in Sulaymaniyah - Arabat in encouraging domestic and foreign investments

It has become a subject of growth and development conditional on the role of the industrial sector, which is place and areas where fundamental services are constituents is the main components to development of the industry. Therefore, the industrial Zone has a significant role in achieving these goals, and especially in attracting domestic and foreign investments. Additionally, this research deals with the study and evaluation of the role of industrial Zone in the Sulaimani governorate by identifying and diagnosing problem and obstacles in the industrial Zone in the Sulaimani governorate, as well as to identify and provide strategies and solutions to overcome these obstacles, and then use them to encourage and attract domestic and foreign investments.
 Besides, the most important findings of the study that despite suffering the Sulaimani industrial Zone of lack infrastructure, financial and administrative obstacles for investors (domestic and foreign), but the role of industrial zone of Sulaimani in the exploitation of local resources and job creation relatively high, which is (61%) and (80%), respectively. Thus, it is necessary Kurdistan government (The concerned authorities in the province of Sulaimani) Work on the appropriate economic and trade policies to encourage domestic and foreign investors to set up their projects and invest capitals within the industrial zone of Sulaimani, which is by increasing the incentives and tax breaks, and work to establish a private bank to finance projects within the industrial zone.

The relationship between financial development and entrepreneurship: panel data analysis

Entrepreneurship has been one of the most popular topics in recent years due to its continuing dynamism in the Modern Market Economy. Many recent studies investigate the financial obstacles and difficulties in the establishment of new companies and commercial entities. The purpose of this research is to define entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship concepts in detail, while explaining financial factors and financial mechanisms at the forefront of environmental factors affecting entrepreneurship in the world. Besides, what are the obstacles to entrepreneurship, and how entrepreneurship is influenced by the financial barriers will be explained. The aim is to reduce the number of entrepreneurs who obstruct the economic development.This study assumes that there is a positive relationship between entrepreneurship and four financial factors which are affordability of financial services, ease of access to loans, venture capital availability, and soundness of banks. In this context, four hypotheses related to these factors will be tested by population averaged panel data analysis.

Global Energy Interconnection and Environmental Protection

The paper discussed a new development strategy—Global Energy Interconnection—and analyzed its role in promoting environmental protection. Typical serious environmental issues are presented at the beginning to show the irresistible and inevitable trend of clean and renewable energy replacing fossil energy in the future. Secondly, definition and key links of global energy interconnection based on Internet technology and clean energy are introduced. Thirdly, feasibility of global energy interconnection as well as positive effects it has on natural environment are analyzed. Besides, we can conclude some obstacles still exist which hinder GEI from developing on a large scale, like financial difficulties and secure obstacles, and give some suggestions on tackling these problems effectively and efficiently.

Financial constraints and the failure of innovation projects

Although many innovation projects are abandoned before completion, the empirical evidence has focused on the determinants of innovation, while failed projects have received little attention. This paper analyses the role of financial obstacles on the likelihood of abandoning an innovation project by potentially innovative Spanish firms for the period 2005–2013. Our analysis differentiates between the impacts of internal and external barriers on the probability of abandoning a project, and we examine whether these differ depending on the stage of the innovation process. Controlling for potential endogeneity, we use a bivariate probit model to take into account the simultaneity of financial constraints and the decision to abandon an innovation project. Our results show that it is during the conception stage that financial constraints have their greatest effect on the probability of abandoning an innovation project. In addition, the financial sources are not neutral across the innovation project lifecycle. During the design phase, Spanish firms are more sensitive to internal financial sources while, during the execution stage, they are more sensitive to external sources.