Search results

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of perceived healthcare service quality (human aspects, technical aspects and tangible aspects) on satisfaction and guest loyalty in the hotel industry in the COVID-19 pandemic era.

A total of 130 guests in the hotel were selected purposively in Iraq. Data from self-administered questionnaires were analyzed through the VB-SEM statistical technique using Smart-PLS software towards testing the hypotheses.

The findings indicated that perceived service quality influences satisfaction and guest loyalty of guests in the hotel. This study reveals that human aspects, technical aspects and tangible aspects directly positively affect satisfaction and guest loyalty in the hotel industry.

This study highlights that perceived service quality (human aspects, technical aspects and tangible aspects) are vital and practical strategic tools that could be positioned to accelerate guest loyalty in the hotel industry. Furthermore, satisfaction mediates the relationship between human aspects, technical aspects, tangible aspects and guest loyalty.

The study aimed to determine the static return connectedness between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) equity markets and crypto assets.

The study employs the time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) method to examine the static and dynamic connectedness between crypto assets and the BRICS stock market. The study sample size was segmented into full sample, pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 for in-depth analysis.

Empirical findings pointed out the significant rise in the total connectedness between both markets in the pre-COVID-19 period. Our result also exhibits a lower level of connectedness during the post-COVID-19 period. During the full sample period, it was found that cryptocurrencies and Indian, Chinese and South African stock markets remained key return transmitters, while Russian and Brazilian stock markets were seen as recipients. Moreover, during the pre-COVID period, cryptocurrencies played the role of return transmitter while the stock markets in BRICS remained recipients of return spillover.

This study contains practical insights for investors and portfolio managers in diversifying their portfolios considering the aforementioned connectivity of both markets, especially during periods of instability.

The study highlighted the importance of the TVP-VAR method in analyzing the static and dynamic connectedness of returns between cryptocurrencies and BRICS stock markets in different periods, including pre- and post-COVID-19. It further pragmatized the dynamic roles of cryptocurrencies as transmitters of returns and the BRICS stock markets as receivers where investors and policymakers can navigate market uncertainties.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effect of pomegranate juice (PJ) intake on glycemic control in adults.

Materials and methods: PubMed (Medline), ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases, measuring glucose and/or insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in adults, were searched from inception to December 11, 2021. Moreover, to examine whether grouping factors influenced heterogeneity between research results, subgroup analysis was used.

This meta-analysis showed that PJ intake reduced HOMA-IR significantly, especially if =250 mL was used. This reducing effect remained significant in females, nondiabetic patients and unhealthy subjects.

The authors believe the presented data would be highly motivating and of a wide readership for the readers of your journal, and this paper stimulating a surge of research on the impact of PJ consumption on glycemic indices.

The subject of gender inequality has been approached by academics of various fields – psychologists, political scientists, developmental economists, feminists, sociologists, among others. Although there is a considerable amount of evidence indicating the presence of gender bias in various aspects of educational and work life in Muslim countries, not many studies have attempted to understand the female perspective during extra- and co-curricular activities in higher education institutions (HEIs) and their coping strategies.

A critical grounded theory approach was used.

The findings indicate that the role of female “religio-socio-cultural” stereotypes mutually reinforces each other to perpetuate an uneven playing field. Females have evolved many strategies to cope, including creation of sub-private spheres within larger public spheres and restricting their interactions to specific strata within the public sphere.

The study provides a female perspective regarding participation during extra- and co-curricular activities in a HEI in a Muslim majority context using critical grounded theory.

This study investigated the production of free and encapsulated nanoemulsions using Cordia myxa fruit peel (CMFP) extract and vitamin D3.

The CMFP extract was obtained using an ultrasonic technique, and its characteristics such as total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis were assessed. CMFP was encapsulated in vitamin D3 oil droplets of nanoemulsion prepared by ultra-homogenization using calcium alginate polymer. The nanoemulsions were evaluated for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, antimicrobial activity, morphology, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and release rate in a simulated gastrointestinal model.

The GC/MS results revealed that pyrocatechol, cholestanoids and propionaldehyde were the predominant compounds in the extract. The highest cytotoxicity effect of CMFP was observed at concentrations of 6.25 and 12.5 ppm of the extract. Encapsulated nanoemulsions exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218). The antioxidant activity of the free and encapsulated nanoemulsions ranged from 25.81 to 36.08 mg/100g and 49.25–55.7 mg/100g, respectively. Free nanoemulsions showed a higher release rate in the simulated gastric model compared to encapsulated ones. The FTIR spectrum allowed for the identification of functional groups responsible for antioxidant and antibacterial properties, indicating that these properties of the nanoemulsions were maintained.

This study demonstrates the successful co-encapsulation of CMFP extract and vitamin D3 in nanoemulsions, which significantly enhanced the stability, bioavailability and functional properties of both compounds. Encapsulated nanoemulsions exhibited higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared to their free counterparts, with controlled release in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. These findings confirm that nanoemulsion-based encapsulation is an effective strategy to protect and enhance the bioactivity of plant extracts and vitamins, supporting their potential use in functional food products and therapeutic application.

This article presents a numerical study of the heat transfer properties of a nanofluid created using engine oil as the common fluid and Fe3O4 nanoparticles within a square cavity embedded with porous media using the LTNE model in the presence of a Cattaneo–Christov heat flux. To obtain the governing boundary layer equations, the Boussinesq approximation and Darcy model are employed.

By applying the Finite Element method, the modeling equations for dimensionless vorticity, stream function and temperature contours with conforming boundary and initial conditions are scrutinized.

One important finding is that streamlines create a core vortex that is oriented centrally and has longer thermal relaxation times. In contrast, solid state isotherms are hardly affected by growth in thermal relaxation parameter values when compared to fluid state isotherms.

The research work carried out in this work is original and no part is copied from others.

This study assesses whether the strategic orientation of financial institutions to provide value to customers influences the dimensions of personal data privacy perceived by consumers of banking services. We also analysed whether these dimensions directly influence the value in use and, indirectly, the reputation of financial institutions.

Based on the literature, a model was developed to verify the proposed relationships. To test the model, we collected data via an online questionnaire from 2,422 banking customers, with analysis using structural equation modelling with partial least squares estimation.

The results suggest that strategic value orientation tends to have a direct positive influence on the constructs knowledge, control, willingness to value privacy and trust in sharing personal information and a direct negative influence on the personal data privacy experience. Three dimensions of personal data privacy (knowledge, willingness to value privacy and trust in sharing personal information) tend to have a direct positive influence on value in use. The results showed that the dimensions of personal data privacy experience and control had a significant and negative impact on the value in use construct. Another finding is the positive influence of value in use on organizational reputation. Investing in strategic value orientation can generate consumer perceptions of personal data privacy, which is reflected in the value in use and reputation of banks.

This study is theoretically original because it brings up the organizational reputation of financial institutions based on the strategic orientation to offer value to customers, personal data privacy and the value in use of banking services. The study of these relationships is unprecedented in the literature.