Factors Affecting Listing of Small and Medium Enterprises on LuSE Alternative Investment Market in Zambia: A Case of Lusaka Business District

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Economic growth in both developed and developing nations is strongly linked to the growth of alternative investment markets. Alternative markets for the listing of start-up companies have been established and launched by many exchanges in order to assist small and medium businesses in raising finance through initial public offers and listing their shares for trade. The rise of these alternative markets has been slow, particularly in poorer countries. The study’s major goal was to discover the characteristics that influence SMEs’ ability to list on the Lusaka Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market (LuSE AIM). Examine whether information accessibility is a critical factor in determining SMEs listing on the Alt-M; determine if regulatory requirements are a factor to consider when SMEs decide to register on the AIM; determine if corporate governance is an important factor in determining SMEs listing on the AIM; and determine if SMEs support platforms are important factors in determining SMEs listing on the AIM. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design using a survey as the research approach to attain this goal.  The approach was deemed appropriate and useful towards assessing of the elements influencing listing of SME firms on the securities exchange. The population of the study included all 1663 SMEs registered under Zambia Chamber of Small and Medium Businesses Association in Lusaka. Stratified sampling technique was used for the study where random sampled quotas were selected from each industry. The sample size of SMEs derived 322 companies and only 161 SMEs successfully participated in the study as respondents. Primary data were used to obtain information in this study using closed-ended questionnaires. To identify the characteristics that influence the listing of SMEs on the stock market, the study used quantitative analysis and factor analyses. The parameters that determine the listing of SMEs on the Alternative Securities Market were identified using factor analysis. Factor I (information accessibility), Factor II (regulatory needs), Factor III (business governance), and Factor IV (corporate governance) identified as the four elements (SMEs support platforms). Information accessibility, enabling legislative requirements, sound corporate governance, and SMEs support platforms were identified as the barriers to small and medium firms receiving finance through the LuSE Alternative Investment Market, according to the conclusions of the research study. The findings of the study suggest that availability to information is critical to listing, and that a regulatory environment that is friendly to small and medium firms will encourage them to list. Furthermore, while corporate governance is not a prerequisite for SMEs to list, good corporate governance practices have been proven to promote SMEs to list. According to the survey, relevant authorities should educate SMEs on the critical information required for securities market listing so that they may make educated judgments. Policymakers should make it easier for SMEs to expand by enacting favorable policies and making it easier for them to list on the AIM. Corporate governance regulations should be tailored to the structure and environment of SMEs by policymakers. The government should develop an atmosphere that includes support systems tailored to SMEs. Putting support platforms in place increases SMEs’ desire to list.

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Mobile Money Services in Zambia: Case of Central Bank of Zambia

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Mobile money services has technologically advanced with an increase in popular usage in Africa and the rest of the world. The advancement in technology has birthed mobile money which is a new and popular service in Zambia. This study was a cross sectional study conducted to determine the influences of consumer adoption of the service. This study used a mixed research design involving both qualitative and quantitative methods (Saunders et al, 2016). The qualitative method was used to provide an explanation of various variables while the quantitative approach was used to quantify incidences in order to describe current perceptions as regards the factors influencing the adoption of mobile services. This enabled the researcher to gain in-depth information that would be used to find solutions for the research questions of the study. Purposive sampling techniques was employed to select respondents to select a sample size of 100. It is a conclusion emanating from this study that the majority of the respondent’s number of customers believed mobile money service by network operators was less costly than traditional banking and this influenced their adoption. As electronic money transfer service by network operators is becoming more prevalent, so is the level of customer service delivery thus the level of customer adoption of the service is increasing as the service is perceived not only to be convenient but a low cost service. The study recommended that Mobile network operator’s staff and officials should be adequately trained in e-banking products and services to be able to address customers’ needs and challenges. Furthermore, the network providers need to effectively package their products to ensure increased use of the service. Products and services to customers to close the seemingly knowledge gap that exists among the populace with regard to the benefits that can be derived from mobile money services. Such innovation now includes small loans which consumers can access and repay within a chosen time period.

Green Economy, Circular Economy And Sustainable Economic Development Index: Some Theoretical Analysis From Current Approaches

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In recent years, research approaches on green growth, green economy and circular economy have attracted both developed and developing countries. The study of how the world approaches in recent years has a practical significance in building indicators of sustainable economic development. Analyzing articles regarding the above issues recommend some lessons for nations, especially in building measuring tool. Firstly, in terms of green growth, increasing renewable products such as wind power, marine microalgae and other fuels may contribute to greening growth and green economy. Building a hierarchical material management system based on principles of circular economy is recommended.

 

Optimization of Surgical Tactics and Results of Surgical Treatment in Colonic Stomas

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The study included 127 patients with colonic stoma, the causes of which were urgent conditions of non – tumor origin, where it became necessary to perform Hartmann operations (2001–2020). According to the purpose and objectives of the study, the authors conventionally divided into two groups: the control group, which included 73 (57.5%) patients who were subject to retrospective analysis, and the main group, which included 54 (42.5%) patients, where surgical tactics and techniques of operations were optimized. An analysis of the results of colon restoration in the main group showed that a certain decrease in the overall frequency of complications was achieved – 18.5% (in the control group – 38.3%), as well as complications associated with the formation of anastomoses – 7.4% (in the control group – 12, 3%).

Thus, the optimization of surgical tactics in reconstructive and restorative operations and the widespread use of invaginated methods of bell anastomoses in patients with colonic stomas after Hartmann’s operation made it possible to improve the results of surgical treatment.

History of Issue, Epidemiological and Surgical Aspects of Acute Large Bowel Obstruction of Tumoral Genesis

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The authors in this literature review consider and reveal the history of the issue, epidemiological and surgical aspects of acute obstruction of the colon of tumor genesis. It is noted that patients with colostomy are permanently disabled in acute large bowel obstruction of tumor origin. The presence of a colostomy in these patients often exacerbates the course of comorbidities, thereby making it difficult or excluding the possibility of performing the recovery phase of the operation.

They conclude that today there is still a need for further research and a comprehensive in–depth study of the issues of surgical tactics. The solution of these issues will reduce the frequency of postoperative complications, mortality, improve the performance of labor and social rehabilitation of this contingent of seriously ill patients.

Modeling the Protection of Highways in the Areas of Moving Sands

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In this article presents the work carried out to protect roads passing through sandy areas from moving sands and recommendations for computer modeling of means of protection from moving sands for the conditions of Uzbekistan. The flow of wind and sand interacts with any type of obstacles installed on the ground, which in turn causes erosion, sand displacement around them, and subsidence on the surface after the wind subsides. This can lead to harmful consequences, such as the loss of functionality of a structure or infrastructure at risk. For example, vehicles and pedestrians could be made more difficult or restricted and could even be dangerous to users in the event of design failures.

PFAS Degradation Techniques – A Road towards Alleviating Organic Pollution

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PFAS are commonly found pollutants in soil and water bodies. Of all the PFAS that are found, PFOA and PFOS are the most hazardous ones. The review focuses upon Adsorption, Sonochemical Degradation, Photocatalysts, and Bio-remediation as techniques for the removal and degradation of PFA.

Motifs and Colours of Endek Ikat Weaving

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This research analyzes the motif and colour of endek as one of the Balinese traditional ikat weaving cloth (ikat in Indonesian Language means bind). Endek is produced by tying strands of thread using a non-machine traditional equipment.  The methods used for data collection are observation and in-depth interview. The analysis focuses on the meaning represented on each varied motif and colour. Semantic and Semiotic theories are applied for analysing the meaning of endek motif and colour. Results of the analysis showed that unique and specific motif and colour of endek ikat weaving represented the meaning of appreciating nature, culture, and philosophy. The varied motif and colour can not be argued as the belonging to a certain region in Bali because the various existed motif and colour refer to the same sources like the universe, Hindu Religion, tradition, and culture.  The variety of endek motif and colour cannot neither be recognized as the belonging to a certain designer nor industry. It is because of the motif and colour creation is strongly influenced by how creative an ikat weaving designer is by utilizing the available sources that he or she refers to. Motif and colour creativity of endek ikat weaving is influenced each other among the designer so that there is not any typical motif and colour belongs to a certain ikat weaving industry or region in the meantime imitating activities often occur.

Groundwater Distribution in Urban Settlement

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Urban cities are noted for technological and economic advancement but are also the convergent localities for poverty, humans’ disparity, environmental degradations and the propagation of communicable diseases. This study examined groundwater distribution in urban settlement with a view to identify and proffer solutions to the associated problems of improper distribution of groundwater in such area. Literature search was employed mainly to unravel the various groundwater distribution techniques and inferences were made on how to improve the distribution techniques. The study reveal springs, sunk wells and boreholes as the main methods of groundwater distribution in urban areas. Urban settlement leads to uncontrollable rise in population which adversely affects the quantity and quality of the groundwater. There is a general decrease in quantity due to overexploitation while the quality degraded as a result of pollution from industrial waste and the people.  In addition, pollution could be linked to saltwater intrusion since most urban regions of the world are in the coastal area. Groundwater distribution could be ameliorated through recharge management employing artificial recharge. Degraded groundwater quality could be treated to the standard of potable water. Protecting  groundwater  resources  amidst  the  prevailing  rapid  urbanization represent  a  considerable  challenge  that  can  lead  to  escalating  costs  of provision  of  drinking  water  in  the  areas  and  cause considerable decrease  in  public  health conditions. Also, as  it  is  technologically  difficult  and  economically  expensive  to  treat  a contaminated  aquifer,  groundwater  protection  measures  must  be  sought beforehand.

Development of Screening Instruments for Detection of Neglect in the Elderly with Cardiovascular Disorders

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Neglect in the elderly, if not addressed, will cause serious problems, especially in the elderly who have cardiovascular problems. This study aims to develop an instrument that detects neglect of the elderly with cardiovascular disorders at home. This study uses Research and Development research design. The population is all families with elderly and elderly who experience cardiovascular disorders in the working area of the Nanggalo Health Center, Padang. Data were collected using questionnaires to the elderly families and guided interviews with the elderly. The results of the questionnaire development obtained 42 questions that can be used to detect neglect of the elderly with cardiovascular disorders at home.