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Copyright of Journal of Al-Anbar University for Islamic Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Every aspect of human existence has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in widespread suffering irrespective of age, gender, profession, degree of education, or nationality. Numerous sectors have been severely affected, including banking, food manufacturing, public transportation, and education. With activities suspended during lockdowns, the public transportation industry has suffered the most out of all of them. Bus workers have become unemployed as a result of the significant losses experienced by private bus operators. Additionally, many workers had health and safety issues that neither the government nor the companies did enough to address. This study is an attempt to know the problems faced by the private bus industry of Ernakulam District before and after COVID-19 and to suggest measures to overcome the crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the financial barriers hindering access to justice from a sociological and socio-legal standpoint. Conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, this quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory study surveyed 547 litigants in district courts using purposive sampling. Data were collected via a Likert scale survey and analyzed using SPSS software. The research revealed a significant correlation between financial challenges and access to justice, indicating that financial constraints impede justice accessibility. It also found a noteworthy relationship between access to justice and sources of income, as well as higher court process expenses affecting access. The study linked lawyer fees to other litigation expenses and highlighted a positive correlation between stress levels and access-to-justice costs. Addressing financial barriers and reducing court expenses can enhance access to justice, necessitating policy reforms and support mechanisms to mitigate financial burdens on litigants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant role is played by Small and Medium Enterprises in creating employment worldwide. Nevertheless, the sector has failed to achieve the desired level of growth despite its unexpected success as a result of significant issues dealt in each individual nation. The main limiting factor for the reduction in growth of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs is the level of financial stress encountered because of financial incapability and rising commitments. Hence the question surfaces on the impact of financial capability on financial stress of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The present research is primarily focused on measuring financial capability based on a variety of variables ranging from financial resources, financial self-efficacy and financial management competency. Small and Medium Entrepreneurs residing in three districts of the Western Province namely Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha were chosen to collect the primary data by a questionnaire distributed and the required number of 250 respondents for the sample study were singled out by the stratified proportional random sampling method. Subsequently the data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS- 23 and AMOS. According to the study results, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs residing in Sri Lanka possess higher levels of financial capability and lower degree of financial stress. Further, the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka demonstrated a significant level of financial management competency, financial self-efficacy and a moderate number of financial resources. In conclusion the researcher concludes that financial capability has a direct moderate level significant negative impact on financial stress. Finally, study recommends SME should develop their financial skills and capabilities to overcome the financial stress.

Every stage of a construction project has a time and cost aspect. Project delays are normal and frequently happen in the construction industry. Delays have a massive impact on completing deadlines for projects, managing cash flow, and maintaining the appropriate level of quality. This paper aims to identify the financial problems facing by the contractor of construction sector and their effects on the projects in Kedah and Perlis. The goal of the study was to identify the options and tactical approaches that may be used to address these financial issues, as well as to analyse the causes, consequences, and repercussions of these issue. The hermeneutic phenomenology method is chosen for this study and six respondents who were chosen based on their expertise and skill in managing building projects in rural areas with more than 10 years of experience participated in structured interview sessions utilising standard semi-structured questions. The paper reveals that the critical financial issues in Kedah and Perlis of the construction industry are the withholding of payment by the approval parties, lack of cash flow management, past due payment received from the client, difficulties in obtaining funds from financial institutions, and inflation. The recommendations made to enhance and resolve the financial issues encountered, meaning that all these things had to take place earlier stage in the construction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Conference on Cancer Long-term Survivors, held in Siracusa (Italy) on September 16, 2022, Oncologists, General Practitioners, Epidemiologists, Hematologists, Pediatric Oncologists, Nurses, Industry Medical Affairs and Patients' Advocates came together to discuss the clinical implications of the condition beyond acute cancer. The debate was based both on the current literature on this topic, and on the opinion of all participants. Specifically, numerous issues were discussed in the round tables, but focused mainly on the following topics: - REASONS FOR SUCCESS IN IMPROVING SURVIVAL RATES - REHABILITATION - LONG-TERM SURVEILLANCE - PEDIATRIC AND YOUNG ADULT ISSUES - SOCIAL, FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ISSUES This Opinion Paper aims to stimulate a suitable support to the growing population of people cancer disease free or with long-term or late effects. The development of new models can promote actions towards the elimination of obstacles and difficulties in cancer survivorship care.

Food insecurity is a pressing multidimensional problem that negatively impacts the health and well-being of a significant number of the older population. Finding ways to better address nutritional issues among this vulnerable population is vital to their well-being. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted semi-structured phone interviews with a representative sample of 434 low-income older adult households in Tennessee. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of food insecurity, examine ongoing barriers, and, using qualitative data, to explore the diverse daily experiences older adults face when confronted with a food insecure lifestyle. Based on the USDA Adult 10-Item Household Screening Module, we found that 30% in our sample were designated as marginally, low or very low food secure. Many of those most vulnerable (older women, widowed or divorced, poor health and below the poverty line) constantly struggled with food insecurity. Being food insecure was attributed to limited financial resources, lack of transportation, health limitations, and a poor psychological state. Utilizing food stretching practicing, governmental agencies offering food supplements, family/friends, religious groups and personal resilience were common coping strategies. Implications and recommendations for service providers are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine factors affecting the economic abuse status of older adults. The study was conducted with 385 individuals aged 65 years and above, living in the Bahçelievler district of Istanbul. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Form, and a Determination of Economic Abuse of Older Adults Form. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the factors affecting the economic abuse status of the older adults. The study participants comprised 51.4% males and 48.6% females with a mean age of 70.44 ± 6.73 years. It was determined that 9.4% of the older adults were exposed to economic abuse. As a result of the logistic regression analysis, the factors found to affect the situations of exposure to economic abuse of the older adults were age, income status, number of children, exposure to emotional abuse, and exposure to physical abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines depressive symptoms faced by non-native international medical students studying in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. The targeted population for this cross-sectional study included nonnative medical students studying in Chinese universities. This study used convenience sampling. An online, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to international medical students studying in Chinese universities from February 2020 to June 2021. The questionnaire collected demographic data, information regarding struggles faced, and used the CES-D-10 Likert scale to assess both the challenges and depression symptoms, respectively. By analyzing the 1,207 students' responses, the study found that students with poor Chinese language were two times more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms (OR = 2.67; value of p 0.00). Moreover, female students were found more prone (76.35%) than their male counterparts (44.96%). The study found that food adaptability, health issues, accommodation issues, and financial issues were related factors contributing to depressive symptoms among non-native international medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study tried to highlight the factors that resulted in depressive symptoms among non-native international medical students, and the findings may help diplomatic representatives take necessary actions to help their citizens during this difficult time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated the factors that influence a number of financial issues students face in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A survey was conducted to collect the data for this study. Respondents were asked to demonstrate which of the ten financial education topics they were keen on taking. Descriptive statistics was utilized to present the data. The results show that loans, residential status, and impulse spending were the causes that brought about the students’ financial issues. By identifying the causes of students’ financial issues, educators may be able offer a course, in which students can learn the money management skills needed to address these issues. The respondents were asked if they would be interested in financial education if offered. Almost all of the students expressed their interest in learning how to manage their money. In conclusion, many of the respondents did not have sufficient knowledge and skills in managing their financial affairs. Keywords: financial issues, loans, residential status, impulse spending, money management Perilaku dan Masalah Pengelolaan Uang di Kalangan Mahasiswa Universitas Kongo: Kebutuhan Keuangan Pendidikan Abstrak: Penelitian ini menyelidiki faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi sejumlah masalah keuangan yang dihadapi siswa di Republik Demokratik Kongo. Sebuah survei dilakukan untuk mengumpulkan data untuk penelitian ini. Responden diminta untuk menunjukkan yang mana dari sepuluh topik pendidikan keuangan yang mereka minati. Statistik deskriptif digunakan untuk menyajikan data. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pinjaman, status tempat tinggal, dan pengeluaran impulsif merupakan penyebab yang menimbulkan masalah keuangan siswa. Dengan mengidentifikasi penyebab masalah keuangan siswa, pendidik mungkin dapat menawarkan kursus, agar siswa dapat mempelajari keterampilan pengelolaan uang yang diperlukan untuk mengatasi masalah ini. Para responden ditanya apakah mereka akan tertarik dengan pendidikan keuangan jika ditawarkan. Hampir semua siswa menyatakan minatnya untuk mempelajari cara mengelola uang mereka. Kesimpulannya, banyak responden yang tidak memiliki pengetahuan dan keterampilan yang memadai dalam mengelola urusan keuangannya. Kata Kunci: masalah keuangan, pinjaman, status tempat tinggal, pengeluaran impulsif, pengelolaan uang

Pakistan is an agrarian economy with a booming Islamic financial system, but the low share of Salam financing does not do justice to the agricultural financing needs. This forces poor farmers to resort to usurious and non-institutional financing leading to a poverty trap. Literature has explored different dimensions of lack of financing facilities. The primary objective of this study is to categorize different dimensions pertaining to the under fulfilled financing needs of farmers to derive restructuring suggestions for Salam applicability in Pakistan. The variables are drawn using thematic analysis of studies published between 2008 to 2020, which conducted exploratory surveys of financial issues from farmers in agriculture sector of Pakistan. The studies are selected from databases including Google Scholar, EBSCO and Web of Science. The derived variables are validated using an independent rater using the interclass correlation coefficient. Rater validated all generated variables via thematic analysis. Most studies pointed to issues of finance accessibility and resource availability. The closest study pointed out the financing of agricultural machinery is the most discussed issue.

The article discusses the roles of different types of social support economic stress and life satisfaction in retirement among Korean Older Adults. Topics include reduced or lower income after retirement tends to erode feelings of life satisfaction among older adult retirees; and studies have documented a consistent relationship between economic stress and life satisfaction in different age groups including older adults.

I reviewed the 36 marriage and cohabitation studies from the Journal of Family and Economic Issues articles published between 2010–2019. Nearly all of the studies used quantitative methods, and two-thirds of them used publicly available nationally-representative data. The studies fell into roughly five, unevenly sized groups: family structure, relationship quality, division of labor/employment, money management, and an "other" category. Suggestions for future research include applying some of the important questions within the articles to underrepresented groups, further examining the process of how finances and relationship quality interrelate and doing more applied and translational research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment and dementia are public health concerns with significant financial implications for both individual households and public insurance systems. Though research has refined diagnostic tools for cognitive impairment and dementia diseases, little attention has focused on how cognitive decline may impact financial security. Research indicates that financial decision-making may be one of the first cognitive abilities impacted by cognitive decline, putting individuals at risk of financial fraud and exploitation. However, financial decision-making is not directly assessed in cognitive screenings. Identification of prodromal decline in financial decision-making may help individuals to preserve their financial security and reduce the likelihood of relying on public benefits. This commentary outlines the need for social workers and researchers to better understand the relationship between cognitive health, financial decision-making, and financial security in later life to formulate culturally responsive strategies that can uphold and benefit financial statuses, especially for minoritized communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Money Smart for Older Adults is a program that is tailored to older adults to raise awareness for the risk of financial exploitation and teach them how to plan and make informed financial decisions. The purpose of this study was to examine financial circumstances of older adults in the program and to explore how the program could better support their financial well-being. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with 29 older adults who attended the program provided by a local agency in northern Texas. Three themes emerged when exploring financial circumstances of the participants: (1) victims of financial fraud scams, (2) struggles with money management, and (3) inability to make ends meet. The program has been serving older adults, particularly ethnically diverse older adults and low-income older adults who may not have access to financial education workshops or seminars provided by private financial institutions. The Money Smart for Older Adults Program was perceived as helpful among the participants because it raised awareness of the importance of their financial well-being and it also supported their financial decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic virtually ended studying abroad. New (online) formats are offered, but this has not stopped universities from having to revise curricula, renegotiate partnerships and consult with students about studying abroad in 2020 and beyond. This short essay stems from the author’s experience of cancelling his own Japanese study abroad program in late February 2020 to avoid the program participants taking unnecessary risks in the face of the unknown speed at which COVID-19 was spreading in Europe. The cancellation of that study trip brought to the fore, however, entrenched issues with short term study abroad programs and pushed the author to consider what the value of the ‘abroad’ in ‘study abroad’ had been until then. A short comparison with the practice of ethnography ensues, inspired by early pandemic debates on the future of anthropological fieldwork, which is another endeavour that has traditionally depended on relatively extended stays abroad. The essay closes with two problems that study abroad organisers will have to think about in a post-corona world.

Brexit became an important subject not only for academics but also for international institutions, research centers and consultancy companies, think tanks and independent experts. The aim of this article is to: (1) provide a general approach of the literature; (2) see how the effects of Brexit are explained in such short-term approach and how important are the economic issues in the debates; (3) identify directions for future research, arguing that a new field of study emerged. The estimation of economic impact of Brexit has generated a reach literature in a short period, which identifies the main issues, rather than providing strong results and conclusions. In order to fill this gap, our paper provide a systematic review of the most important contributions and group them in four research directions: overall economic implications of Brexit; Brexit and trade; migration and labour market; financial issues and Brexit.

Brexit became an important subject not only for academics but also for international institutions, research centers and consultancy companies, think tanks and independent experts. The aim of this article is to: (1) provide a general approach of the literature; (2) see how the effects of Brexit are explained in such short-term approach and how important are the economic issues in the debates; (3) identify directions for future research, arguing that a new field of study emerged. The estimation of economic impact of Brexit has generated a reach literature in a short period, which identifies the main issues, rather than providing strong results and conclusions. In order to fill this gap, our paper provide a systematic review of the most important contributions and group them in four research directions: overall economic implications of Brexit; Brexit and trade; migration and labour market; financial issues and Brexit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little research about trauma, financial stress, and social service needs emanating from the experience of parenting grandchildren caused by the opioid crisis in the United States. We conducted a qualitative study with 15 grandparents who currently or in the past had custodial care of their grandchildren. We also interviewed nine issue-related stakeholders in Eastern Massachusetts. Specific inquiries centered on events leading up to a change in guardianship, stressors related to legal, financial, and family issues, and system-wide response to the grandparents' needs. Results indicate that the opioid crisis presents distinct challenges for the grandparent-led families and for the systems that serve the new family arrangement. Crisis triggers a change in guardianship and continues throughout the years. The continued crises stem from events related to the parent's opioid use disorder (OUD) and from expenses related to raising a young family, especially when the grandchild has adverse childhood experiences. Our analysis shows that systems break down on a number of levels, and the fluidity of custodial arrangements due to parents' OUD status does not map onto existing support or benefit systems. Policy responses must focus on the immediate and long-term needs of grandparent caretakers, especially since the opioid crisis is likely to continue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monetary concerns in structural schemes cause serious ramifications that may impede the expansion of schemes and impact the entire fiscal conditions of any country. The study highlights the issues of finance procrastinates in construction schemes. Aim to find the prominent issues on finance-related hurdles, which lead to production obstructions and to explore do able resolutions to overcome monetary connected production delays. The date was accumulated via a survey-based questionnaire and followed by the survey-based interviews. The responses were concluded from the amalgamation of clients, advisors, bankers, and brokers in the questionnaire. Brokers' unsteady monetary conditions. Customers' weak monetary and trade administration hinders in getting financial support from financers besides inflation were found as the most prominent problems. The outcomes highlight customers have the most significant function in reducing the influence of monetary issues regarding scheme procrastination. Suggestions and recommendations to reduce monetary-related procrastinations are presented accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to draw attention to consequences of the transfer of competency at the level of the building procedure from state authorities to municipal offices in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic. The defined research objective was achieved firstly by conducting controlled interviews with representatives of the building offices in the Nitra Region and, secondly, by analysis of financing of this competency from the obtained data from publicly available sources in both states. Secondly, the paper includes a comparison of the financial management of the transferred competencies at the level of the building procedure between the Nitra Region (Slovakia) and the Pardubice Region (Czech Republic). By conducting controlled interviews in the Nitra Region, we came to the conclusion of the financial under-dimensioning of this competency. By comparing the amount of state subsidies provided for the building procedure in both regions, significant differences were found. Based on our research findings, we recommend reassessing the state subsidies for the transferred competency in the field of building procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research paper is to explore the social and economy elements among private universities aging workers to continue working. There are four variables were studies which are work-life balance, working experience, financial issues and working environment. The targeted populations was aging workers 55 to 60 years working in private education industries in Selangor, Malaysia. A questioners was distributed among 200 aging workers. Data was collected using a probabilities sampling methods, particularly a stratified random sampling technique. The findings indicate that work-life balance, working experience, financial issues and working environment contribute in the participation of aging workers in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia is a destructive, debilitating, and progressive terminal disease. Palliative care has potential to ameliorate some of the devastating effects for both client and family. In consideration of the Grand Challenges for Social Work, social workers can provide prevention and assistance in supporting individual and family well-being through addressing the practical problems associated with dementia. This field note provides a brief narrative of the challenges I discovered when navigating the minutiae of unraveling the financial affairs of a relative with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethical applications in group psychotherapy are known as complex and unpredictable processes. Group psychotherapy is fragile in ethical applications for several reasons. First, group members disclosure themselves not only to therapist but also other group members. Second, therapist-patient relationship includes several different interactions, which include other group members. Third, there are much more situations that therapist may not take control in group psychotherapy. Finally, there are much more possibilities in group psychotherapy that interrupt the effectiveness of the psychotherapy process. Therefore, the processes of examining group psychotherapy in terms of ethical dilemmas, becoming aware of the situations that create ethical dilemmas, and specifying the actions to be taken in these situations become prominent. Internalization of the ethical rules and applying these rules to different situations for the sake of patients constitute the basis of ethical awareness. Therefore, educating professionals regarding ethical issues in group psychotherapy and developing an ethically-sensitive atmosphere in the psychotherapy applications are important. In light of these information, the present review focuses on the group psychotherapy processes. Specifically, the situations that may create ethical dilemmas (therapist's competence, forming the group, informed consent, confidentiality, note taking, financial issues, multiple relationships, and termination process) were reviewed. In addition, a general synthesis was made, the limitations of the previous studies were declared and suggestions for future studies were added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's competitive environment as well as the dynamic nature of the business environment, managing inventory and financial flows has become more challenging. As inventory and financial flows are interdependent, setting an optimal plan for managing them simultaneously can have a dramatic impact on the company's efficiency The literature indicates that previous studies have rarely considered financial considerations in the inventory management problem. Thus, this study proposes a multi-objective programming model to optimize the inventory management problem for dairy products. In the model, material substitution is considered in order to assist in managing the inventory value. A fuzzy model is developed to deal with uncertain parameters such as inventory costs, raw milk volume, and the cost of purchasing raw materials. Then, a real-world case study is conducted in the Iranian dairy industry. Additionally, the proposed model is solved using a multi-choice goal programming approach. Further, sensitivity analyses are conducted in order to investigate the impact of critical parameters on the research question. Finally, managerial insights and theoretical implications are discussed. Based on the results, raw milk volume decreases inventory costs, and material substitution decreases inventory value as obsolete materials are used in products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to understand the effect of social and financial issues on life after retirement of academic staff of public sector universities. Detailed questionnaire was developed and used to collect primary data from a sample of 254 academic staff of public sector universities using convenient sampling method. This is the first ever study on retirement issues and planning by academic staff of public sector universities in Pakistan. Descriptive analysis was used to study the demographics, their liking and preferences on investment avenue selection, retirement goals, and investment objectives of academic staff. The components of social and financial issues of life after retirement were also identified through factor analysis. The major components that explained 61.06% of variance in financial issues of life after retirement were: goals clarity, optimism, provisions, anticipation and preparation, investment beliefs, future position, and proximity. Whereas, the major components that explained 64.835% variation in social issues of retirement of academic staff were: retirement roles, depression, financial worries, adjustment, economic trends, prediction, expectations, changes in life responsibilities, and financial advice. Whereas, the major components that explained 52.546% variation in post-retirement planning of academic staff were: planning, training, confidence. Group differences were tested through T-Test and ANOVA between different elements of demographics with social and financial factors. Regression analysis revealed that financial issues have more influence on post-retirement planning. Gold, costly metals, and investment in real estate were found to be most preferred investment avenues.

The number of university spin offs in the Spanish University System have increased in the last years. However, these companies still have to face financial and organizational problems, like the lack of management abilities of their founder members. Based on a panel of 72 spin offs created in Spain in the last decade, this paper analyzes the main problems of these companies, and proposes financial and organizational tools to solve some of them. As a result of this previous research, we describe, on the one hand, a series of applied initiatives in organizational design and human resources policies. On the other hand, from a financial perspective, we propose the use of venture capital resource as potential financial instrument. This paper contributes to increase the data frame of university spin offs in Spain, and proposes new approaches to support the management abilities of entrepreneurs, through the proposal of applied organizational and financial tools.

The current economic crisis has created a climate of financial uncertainty for many American families. One solution for an increasing segment of the population is to start a new business. While there is an established body of research that explores the financial implications of launching a new business venture, there is limited work on the relational aspects involved. Previous research suggests that a strong marital relationship may be one of the myriad resources needed to sustain a new business, yet the business may also place significant strain on the marital relationship. The authors present an exploration of how couple expectations of the impact of the new business venture interact with the perceptions of social support by using concepts from Optimal Matching Theory and Conservation of Resources theory. Findings suggest that the relationship between expectations and social support within entrepreneurial couples is complex and that clinicians who work with these couples may need specialized strategies to assess, conceptualize, and treat their presenting problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free access to technology, help for immigrants, a safe space for kids—NYPL Branch libraries play an increasingly important role. But funding hasn’t kept up. Will the lack of support undermine a critical civic resource? This publication is based on an ongoing project looking at the potential for New York’s libraries to fill a critical gap in New York City’s civic infrastructure, as well as the challenges and difficult choices the library systems face. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In Belgium, where haemophilia affects approximately 1:7000 people (2011), data on patients' quality of life (QoL) is scarce. This project aims to assess physical and mental QoL (P-QoL and M-QoL) simultaneously, and to analyse the influence of different variables on these two aspects of QoL. After Ethics Committee approval, we contacted 84 adult haemophilia A (HA) and haemophilia B (HB) patients, without current inhibitors, on replacement therapy (on-demand or secondary prophylaxis), regularly followed up at our comprehensive treatment centre. Seventy-one (n = 59 HA, n = 12 HB) replied to our questionnaire, which included the SF36v2 QoL assessment forms. We analysed two groups of variables: one including variables previously associated with decreased QoL, and another including variables with unclear impact on QoL (e.g. patients' understanding of haemophilia-related issues, economical concerns). In our population (mean ± SD age: 45.2 ± 14.7 years old), P-QoL appeared more reduced than M-QoL. P-QoL was strongly influenced by the number of arthropathies while M-QoL was primarily affected by patients' concern of personal costs due to haemophilia. Among this latter group, having knowledge of insurance coverage had a positive impact on M-QoL. Scores did not depend on haemophilia type. QoL was impaired in our haemophilia patients. A simultaneous assessment of P-QoL andM-QoL confirmed the benefit of primary prophylaxis in P-QoL, while originally pointing out the major burden of patients' concerns and poor understanding of haemophilia-related economical issues on their M-QoL. This might become a particularly challenging issue in times of financial crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The paper aims to provide an overview of the facts and trends relating to the Indian hospitality industry. It also seeks to identify the key strategic and financial issues that hoteliers are currently facing and to introduce the theme issue. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws facts and emerging trends from various official reports and collates key issues as highlighted by the theme issue contributors. All the papers in the theme issue identify salient points after rounds of discussions with practitioners. Findings – Some of the key emerging areas are risk management, cost management, land management and policies, revenue management, growth challenges and innovative practices arising from an extended inflationary period. Practical implications – With domestic hoteliers in an expansion mode and foreign operators' intention of investing in India, the paper is of interest to hoteliers and policy makers interested in knowing about emerging and topical issues relating to this market. Originality/value – There are relatively few prior studies relating to the strategic and financial issues affecting the hospitality industry in India – particularly in the context of practitioner involvement. The theme issue involves senior practitioners in the review from the outset and this approach offers a significant contribution to applied research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of university spin offs in the Spanish University System have increased in the last years. However, these companies still have to face financial and organizational problems, like the lack of management abilities of their founder members. Based on a panel of 72 spin offs created in Spain in the last decade, this paper analyzes the main problems of these companies, and proposes financial and organizational tools to solve some of them. As a result of this previous research, we describe, on the one hand, a series of applied initiatives in organizational design and human resources policies. On the other hand,from afinancial perspective, we propose the use of venture capital resource as potential financial instrument. This paper contributes to increase the data frame of university spin offs in Spain, and proposes new approaches to support the management abilities of entrepreneurs, through the proposal of applied organizational and financial tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financing retirement is a major concern, especially for women. The present paper reviews significant changes to Australian retirement incomes that require greater individual responsibility for saving, planning, and managing retirement finances. Data on women's financial situation and planning for retirement, and the possible reasons for their limited superannuation accumulations, are explored. The implications for social work of the requirement that women develop capacity for financial planning and management before, as well as in old age, when physical and cognitive capabilities may be compromised, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses how Gamblers Anonymous (GA) members approach the 12 Steps of recovery, originally advanced by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a spiritual solution to alcoholism. GA's approach finds unique expression in its fourth step, which in AA involves a written "moral inventory." In GA, members are expected to make a financial inventory alongside the moral one. Pecuniary matters are important to gamblers given the debt loads many of them carry. Debt, which is technically a Step 4 and Step 9 (making amends) issue, in practice is typically addressed early in the program, with preceding steps addressed later. The spiritual process central to 12 Step programs will normally not proceed in the expected manner when gamblers are substituted for substance abusers. For one, the process is not as linear for gamblers. GA members often work on the ninth step well before addressing those coming before it. The process assumes a pragmatic, and even haphazard, flavor. GA has altered a time-honored process of recovery - by means of grassroots wisdom and practice - to apply to the realities of problem gambling. While the paper's primary focus is GA's unique approach to the 12 Steps, this is addressed in the context of the changing nature of GA as a whole. Shifting spousal and gender roles along with a greater appreciation of the 12 Steps themselves are all endemic to a GA fellowship that seems to be in transition. While these changes have had some effect, many aspects of GA's approach to the 12 Steps remain intact: the focus on debt entails solutions seemingly unique to the special needs of problem gamblers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article integrates developmental schema and the tenets of positive psychology toward addressing "money issues" for stepfamilies. As stepfamilies represent the fastest growing demographic in family configurations, family counselors must be knowledgeable regarding normative stepfamily issues and familiar with techniques to support family development and enhancement. This article offers attention to the initial three areas of family demographics, positive psychology, and stepfamily developmental schema as foundations for the suggested practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why did the Han government allow the southern Xiongnu to immigrate into the prefectures on the fringe of the Han border? In this paper we discuss only the financial reasons of the Han empire's policy on this issue. The nomad economy of the Xiongnu was not self-sufficient. They depended on the supply of the agricultural society of the Han empire in several ways. First, the Xiongnu raided the Han border prefectures and took the ration and other goods. Second, the Han emperor offered consorts to the Xiongnu chieftains when the latter surrendered and were recognized as the subject of the former. Third, the Han emperor made payment of cash and goods to the Xiongnu when the latter was strong and the former wanted peace. The Han government had to pay the Xiongnu whatever they asked to maintain peaceful relations. The only way the Han government avoided payment to the Xiongnu was to wage war, defeat the Xiongnu and chase them far away from the border. But the cost of war deemed too expensive. In the beginning of the Eastern Han, the southern Xiongnu surrendered to the Han emperor. The Han government settled them in the regions inside the border, and kept them under surveillance. The government considered that this was the best way to handle the matter financially, though the emperor still gave a large sum of valuable gifts annually to the Chief of the southern Xiongnu, and provided the tribesmen with economic assistance in their difficult times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The direct and indirect costs to society from child maltreatment are estimated to be quite high. The costs related to medical care are of interest to professionals serving on medically-oriented child protection teams that conduct medical evaluations of alleged abuse. This study was designed to explore a number of financially related issues on medically-oriented child protection teams specifically examining the team’s staffing, funding sources, reimbursement, budgeting, perceived impact of managed health care and their perception of funding stability.Method: Mailed survey of medically-oriented child protection teams throughout the United States using a questionnaire that contained 28 items focused on a variety of financial issues; 14 items were drawn from a similar study done 6 years earlier, which allowed for comparison over time.Results: Responses were received from 320 out of 472 organizations, yielding a response rate of 68%. Inclusion criteria were met by 153 responses and were included in the analysis; 22 of these had also responded to the earlier survey. Median total budget was $300,000 and state and local government funding was the largest revenue source (Mdn=30%, range: 0–100%), followed by patient care generated revenue (Mdn=20%, range: 0–100%). The mean charge for an evaluation was $283 (SD=$196.11, range: $0–$800). Forty percent of teams indicated that managed care had no impact where as 49% saw a negative impact. Comparisons between the responses to this survey and the one done 1993 demonstrated that teams were seeing about the same number of patients and showed trends towards increased budget amounts and broader inclusion of various health care and non-health care disciplines on the teams.Conclusions: No single source of funds for such teams has emerged as the uniform solution for all teams. Creative patchworks composed of various funding sources remain the typical solution to the funding needs of medically-oriented child protection teams. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]