Volume 13 | Issue 4 |

 Abstract

Informal money-saving schemes, commonly known as "Chilimba" in Zambia, are community-based financial practices where members pool their savings to achieve individual and collective financial goals. These savings groups, which operate outside formal financial institutions, have become an essential financial tool for small-scale traders who face significant challenges in accessing credit. Despite the widespread use of Chilimba, there has been limited research on its impact on business performance indicators such as revenue generation, sales growth, and profitability. The study sought to assess whether participation in these informal savings schemes contributed to business growth, particularly in urban markets. Using a mixed-method approach, data were collected from 104 business owners across Lusaka's CBD, Matero, and Garden Chilulu through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The data analysis employed inferential statistical methods, including regression and correlation analysis, using EViews software to determine the relationship between Chilimba participation and business performance. The findings revealed that participation in Chilimba had a significant positive effect on business growth, with traders reporting increased revenue, higher profit margins, and improved sales turnover. The study also indicated a strong cointegration between Chilimba contributions and financial performance, suggesting that regular participation in these savings groups enabled traders to expand their businesses, manage cash flow effectively, and invest in stock. Additionally, demographic analysis showed that women accounted for 68% of Chilimba participants, with the majority aged between 36 and 45 years, highlighting the scheme's role in enhancing financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs. The study further found that while Chilimba provided significant financial benefits, it was not without risks, including high default rates, lack of formal documentation, and the potential loss of savings due to inflation/economic instability. These challenges raised concerns about the sustainability of informal savings groups, particularly in the absence of regulatory frameworks to protect members' contributions. Despite these risks, Chilimba remained an effective financial alternative, enabling small-scale traders to secure capital, improve business stability, and strengthen social networks within their communities. The study underscored the socioeconomic importance of Chilimba, revealing that many participants used their earnings to support household expenses, education, and healthcare, thereby improving overall livelihood outcomes. The findings emphasized the need for strategic interventions to enhance the efficiency and security of informal savings schemes, including financial literacy programs, improved record-keeping mechanisms, and policy frameworks to integrate these schemes into the broader financial system. The study concluded that Chilimba serves as a financial enabler for small businesses, promoting economic resilience, financial inclusion, and community empowerment in urban markets. The research contributed valuable insights to the discourse on informal finance, small business sustainability, and financial inclusion in Zambia, highlighting the potential of community-driven savings mechanisms in fostering business growth and economic development. These findings provide important implications for policymakers, financial institutions, and development organizations, stressing the necessity of supporting and formalizing informal savings groups to enhance their long-term impact on small enterprises. The study recommended that future research should explore hybrid financial models that integrate informal savings with formal banking services to maximize financial security and sustainability for small-scale traders.

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 Keywords

Chilimba, Cointegration, Business Growth, Informal Money-Savings Scheme, tuNtemba

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Vinegar containing acetic acid acts as acid catalyst in Acetylation of amines. Acetylation of different amines was carried out by using vinegar and acetic anhydride as an acetylating agent. Reaction proceeds under normal reaction condition with the formation of product of high yield. The reaction was carried out at room temperature and under solvent free condition. The present methodology illustrates the efficient acetylation of primary amine by vinegar by means of acetic anhydrides in weakly acidic condition at room temperature. Aromatic Amine and vinegar are mixed in a beaker. Acetic anhydride is added to it. When vinegar comes in contact with amine and acetic anhydride formation of acetylated product takes place. Here vinegar serves as active weak water soluble catalyst. The present methodology illustrates the efficient acetylation of primary amines by vinegar by means of acetic anhydrides under weakly acidic condition at room temperature. The present study offers the new researcher and chemist an alternative method for acetylation of amines. The catalyst does not harm to environment it is eco-friendly and cheaply available.

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 Keywords

Vinegar, acetylation, acetic acid, amines.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The journey of women entrepreneurs is full of complexities and hurdles in today's society. But still, a huge impact can be seen on entrepreneurial activities, which have a very prominent role of women in uplifting and developing entrepreneurship in society. This study aims to find out the role of family support on the success of women entrepreneurs. It examines the effects of family structure on the success of women entrepreneurs. For the purpose of this study, 30 women entrepreneurs were interviewed and observed. The study came up with several findings, like how motivation and support, society, mental pressure, family structure, etc., are affecting women entrepreneurs and their businesses.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Woman Entrepreneurs, Family Support, Entrepreneurship

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of herbal paper soap enriched with natural extracts to provide effective cleansing while offering medicinal and skincare benefits. Herbal extracts such as, Marigold (Calendula) and other ingredients were incorporated into the soap formulation to enhance its antibacterial, antifungal, and moisturizing properties. The soap was prepared by impregnating the herbal formulation onto a biodegradable paper base to create a portable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional soaps. The formulated herbal paper soap was evaluated based on various parameters, including physical appearance, folding endurance, weight variation, pH, foam stability, and microbial efficacy. The results indicated that the herbal paper soap exhibited good cleansing properties, appropriate pH for skin compatibility, and effective microbial activity. Additionally, the paper soap showed uniformity in weight and excellent folding endurance, ensuring ease of handling and use. In conclusion, the herbal paper soap formulation demonstrated promising results as an ecofriendly, cost-effective, and convenient alternative for maintaining personal hygiene while offering therapeutic benefits. This innovative approach provides a sustainable solution to promote natural skincare and environmental safety.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Herbal paper soap, formulation, evaluation, natural extracts, Calendula, and other ingredients antibacterial, antifungal, eco-friendly.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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Renewable Energy, Sustainable , Solar Power, Green Metro

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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The Lokpalsagar pond in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh holds significant ecological and hydrological importance as a key element of the local ecosystem. This study aims to evaluate the hydro-edaphic (soil-water) characteristics of the pond to better understand its ecological role. Parameters such as water quality, soil texture, and nutrient availability were assessed to determine their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The findings indicate that the pond serves as an important water source, especially during dry periods, and acts as a reservoir of nutrients and moisture. Water quality with balanced pH, adequate dissolved oxygen, and low contamination indicate that the pond is healthy and supportive of aquatic life. The pond plays an important role in maintaining the local ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity, and maintaining ecological balance in the area.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Lokpalsagar pond, Hydro-Edaphic, Ecology, Biodiversity,

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

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In industrial, commercial, or institutional settings, the Scrap Management System is a digital solution that optimises and streamlines the collecting, sorting, tracking, and disposal of scrap materials. Scrap production is an unavoidable aspect of industrial and manufacturing operations. Ineffective operations, higher expenses, and adverse environmental effects might result from improper scrap management. In order to effectively track, manage, and reduce the amount of scrap materials generated during production, this project focusses on the creation and implementation of a scrap management system. In order to facilitate improved monitoring and decision-making, the system attempts to offer an organised method for documenting the kind, amount, and source of scrap. Additionally, it promotes recycling and appropriate disposal methods, which help to maintain a sustainable environment. The solution supports adherence to industry standards, enhances operational efficiency, and lowers manual error rates by combining digital tools and automation. Conventional scrap processing frequently has environmental non-compliance, inefficiencies, and a lack of responsibility. It reduces human error, enhances resource recovery, and promotes sustainable practices by automating critical operations. In the end, this initiative helps to conserve the environment, cut costs, and manage trash effectively

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 Keywords

Scrap management, Disposal

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Blood tests that show your group type support both medical testing and blood transfusions while responding to emergencies. The performance of standard blood typing assessments needs specialized laboratory equipment alongside technical specialists and takes significant processing duration. The proposed research presents a non-invasive approach to forecast blood groups directly from fingerprints which cuts down testing expenses and speeds up identification processes. The study employs Inception V3 on fingerprint samples from Kaggle to detect blood group information. The study evaluates depth learning enhancements caused by RMSprop SGD alongside Adam through their performance in blood group predictions along with reduced training durations. The procedural method demonstrates successful blood type identification from fingerprint pictures according to experimental validation results. Our method provides a blood type testing transformation that advances low-resourced medical facilities. The research team aims to develop models that perform effectively with various population groups through system implementation for healthcare facilities.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Blood Group Identification, Inception V3 Model, Finger Print Detection, Blood Tranfusions, Healthcare Environment.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Sustainable fashion has begun to attract the attention of contemporary consumers amidst the growing discussions on environmental protection and ethical production. The present study was conducted in Coimbatore city to investigate the awareness of consumers regarding sustainable fashion apparel and how their views can be related to the growth of this niche. It aimed to examine consumer perceptions, needs, and expectations and identify the factors that affect their purchasing behavior. A sample size of 120 respondents was selected using convenience sampling, and data were then collected using a structured questionnaire. To analyze the findings, simple percentage analysis was employed to interpret the distribution of responses, while Chi-square testing was used to test for relationships among variables, such as level of education and acceptance of feedback. The findings illustrated that people are becoming more aware of sustainability in fashion, yet price, product availability, and convenience of access remain important factors driving their decision-making. Interestingly, the Chi-square test found no significant relationship between educational background and whether consumers believed their feedback is acted upon by companies. It could thus be concluded that while people are somewhat aware of sustainable fashion, awareness has, however, not yet been translated into sustained buying behavior. There is an urgent need for companies to communicate better, create personalized experiences, and adopt visible sustainability initiatives to gain trust and loyalty from consumers.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Consumer Awareness, Sustainable Fashion, Consumer Feedback

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Abstract

Linum usitatissimum L. (flaxseed/linseed) is an important medicinal crop of family linaceace grown for its edible seed, the oil from the seed and for the fibres obtained from the caffeine. Induce mutagenesis plays a vital role in crop improvement by inferring variations in germplasm and is preferred over hybridization and recombination because it improves a defect in an otherwise elite cultivar, without losing its agronomic and quality characteristics. In present investigation Linum usitatissimum var. Shekhar was exposed with five different mutagenic dose of four mutagens viz caffeine and Sodium azide (SA) i.e, 0.10%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00% and heavy metals lead nitrate and cadmium nitrate i.e. 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 ppm. Seed germination, plant survival and pollen fertility was found to be decreased in treated population than control in all the mutagens. The higher concentrations of mutagens significantly reduced plant height, branches per plant and various yield parameters. The present study reveals moderate concentrations of each mutagen induce mutagenic damage in Linum usitatissimum var. Shekhar which can facilitates screening of desirable mutant in M2 and M3 generations. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that lower concentrations of mutagen did not significantly affect the morphology of Linum, while higher concentrations of four mutagen were found to be more mutagenic.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition

 Keywords

Linum usitatissimum L., linseed, chemical mutagen, caffeine, SA, Pb(NO3)2, Cd(NO3)2

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 and The Open Definition