Search results

This paper aims to explore dual solutions for the flow of a hybrid nanofluid over a permeable melting stretching/shrinking sheet with nanoparticle shape factor, second-order velocity slip conditions and viscous dissipation. The hybrid nanofluid is formulated by dispersing alumina (Al₂O₃) and copper (Cu) nanoparticles into water (H₂O).

The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are first reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using a mathematical method of similarity transformation technique. These ODEs are then numerically solved through MATLAB’s bvp4c solver.

Key parameters such as slip parameter, melting parameter, suction parameter, shrinking parameter and Eckert number are examined. The results reveal the existence of two distinct solutions (upper and lower branches) for the transformed ODEs when considering the shrinking parameter. Increasing value of Cu-volume fraction and the second-order velocity slip enhances boundary layer thicknesses, whereas the heat transfer rate diminishes with rising melting and suction parameters. These numerical results are illustrated through various figures and tables. Additionally, a stability analysis is performed and confirms the upper branch is stable and practical, while the lower branch is unstable.

The analysis of hybrid nanofluid flow over a shrinking surface has practical significance with applications in processes such as solar thermal management systems, automotive cooling systems, sedimentation, microelectronic cooling or centrifugal separation of particles. Both steady and unsteady hybrid nanofluid flows are relevant in these contexts.

While the study of hybrid nanofluid flow is well-documented, research focusing on the shrinking flow case with specific parameters in our study is still relatively scarce. This paper contributes to obtaining dual solutions specifically for the shrinking case, which has been less frequently addressed.

Celebrity endorsers are usually considered to bring positive effects to associated nodes, such as brands and corporations. However, limited evidence suggests that brands and corporations are equally responsible for affecting celebrities and their credibility. Drawing on associative network theory, this study explores the effects of brand credibility and corporate credibility on celebrity credibility, both directly and through the mediating and moderating effects of advertising credibility. The research addresses three main issues: (1) whether brand credibility, corporate credibility and advertising credibility have significant effects on celebrity credibility; (2) whether advertising credibility has a significant mediating effect on the effects of brand credibility and corporate credibility on celebrity credibility and (3) whether advertising credibility has a significant moderating effect on the effects of brand credibility and corporate credibility on celebrity credibility.

The study used a quantitative approach involving structural equation modelling. Data were collected from 675 participants from London and focussed on four leading international brands, corporations and celebrity endorsers.

The findings show that brand credibility and advertising credibility have positive direct effects on celebrity credibility; and that advertising credibility mediates the effects of both credibility constructs on celebrity credibility. Furthermore, moderating effects of advertising credibility are also found.

This study will help managers to understand the reverse effects, i.e. the effects of brand credibility and corporate credibility on celebrity credibility. They will be able to understand that a credible brand and corporation like a credible celebrity can also bring significant effects on the associated elements. This will help them to recruit celebrity endorsers who have historically earned their credibility from previous endorsements of credible brands and corporations. Further, these findings will help managers to understand that credibility of the brand and corporation can also affect the credibility of the associated advertising, resulting in having a significant effect on the credibility of the celebrity. This on the consumers’ side will enhance their preferences, attitudes and behaviours, while for the corporation, it will enhance their economic and commercial performance.

This is the first study in the literature, where a conceptual model based on the reverse effects of both credibility constructs on celebrity credibility is examined, directly and based on the moderating and mediating effects of advertising credibility. Hence, the contributions to the literature are threefold: first, the study examines the reverse effect of celebrity endorsement, whereby the credibility of a brand or corporation is transferred to a celebrity endorser; second, the study examines the mediating and moderating effects of advertising credibility on this reverse effect and finally, associative network theory is used to examine the importance of the model.

This study aims to evaluate and compare the occurrence of sweet craving and eating practices related to the consumption of sweets among undergraduate students of health courses in Brazil and Spain, as well as associated factors.

Sociodemographic data, presence of sweet craving and characterization of practices related to the consumption of sweets were assessed.

The prevalence of sweet craving was higher among Brazilian students (46.6% vs. 32.9%, p = 0.020). The percentage of students who reported they could not resist the sweet cravings (p < 0.001); consumed sweets to feel better (p < 0.001); ate increasingly higher quantities of sweets (p < 0.001); and consumed more sweets than intended (p < 0.001), was also higher among Brazilian ones. Gender, age and college major were not associated with sweet craving. However, the fact that students were Brazilian was independently associated with consuming sweets to feel better [odds ratio (OR): 4.02; 95% confidence interval (CI95%): 2.39–6.77], eating increasingly higher quantities of sweets (OR: 5.79; CI95%: 2.86–11.71) and always eating more than intended (OR: 3.33; CI95%: 2.03–5.46). Body mass index (BMI) was independently associated with sweet craving in both countries (OR: 1.09; CI95%: 1.03–1.16). The results of the present research show that cultural elements are interwoven with craving and eating practices related to sweets.

The manuscript investigated the occurrence of sweets cravings and eating habits related to the consumption of sweets among university students of health courses in Brazil and Spain, as well as the associated factors. The results highlight the influence of cultural elements on eating practices related to sweets. The research is relevant to the journal Nutrition and Food Science for its contribution to understanding cultural differences in food choices and their impact on health, which can inform strategies to promote healthy eating habits in different contexts.

This research highlights the importance of understanding the characteristics of the uninsured population in Mexico, as it is closely related to economic growth. Those characteristics that are not economic but behavioral are especially important to incentivize insurance purchases in the population with sufficient resources.

Considering the main reason for not having insurance, this research classifies the Mexican adult population into four categories using a multinomial logit model and the National Survey of Financial Inclusion (2021).

The adult Mexican population can be divided into four categories: No money, Not aware or does not trust, No need, Other; this division allows comparisons between categories at 95% confidential level. The statistically significant variables were Mobile phone-ownership, Education level, Age, Financial behavior and Locality, while the variables, Financial literacy and Gender, were not. The variables that strongly characterize the uninsured population with sufficient resources (42.1%) are associated with economic factors (mobile phone ownership) and people’s behavior (Education level, Age, Financial behavior and Locality). This presents an excellent opportunity for policymakers to develop public policies encouraging insurance purchases.

Various empirical studies have focused on determining the economic, demographic and institutional factors that determine insurance tenure. Still, no empirical evidence has been found to characterize the uninsured population. This study aims to help policymakers develop public policy for the uninsured population to encourage them to purchase insurance. This research contributes to empirical theory in three ways: First, it identifies a large market in Mexico; the uninsured population in this country is about 80%. Second, it segments the adult population into categories to analyze better. Third, the characteristics of the population that has sufficient resources to take out insurance but has none can be found.