This paper presents a robust co-design framework for differential spiral electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) biosensors, developed as an in silico methodological study for urine-sensing applications in bladder cancer surveillance. The objective is to improve parameter identifiability in label-free differential urine sensing when nuisance effects, fabrication tolerances, and reference mismatch reduce estimation reliability. The framework combines differential sensing to suppress shared common-mode nuisance with joint optimization of sensor geometry and frequency selection. The design is formulated as a minimax Fisher-information problem to improve worst-case identifiability.The primary co-design evaluation uses an application-motivated synthetic protocol with matched budgets and multiple baselines. The proposed method improves worst-case identifiability and Cramér–Rao lower-bound proxy metrics at the same frequency budget, with consistent gains under budget variation, uncertainty amplification, and reference mismatch. To examine transfer beyond the synthetic model family at component level, we additionally analyzed an independent measured EIS dataset using grouped hold-out validation and training-only empirical minimax frequency selection. At a four-frequency budget, the measured-data analysis achieved a balanced accuracy of 79.6%±11.6%, compared with 70.4%±14.0% for log-uniform selection and 74.1%±8.5% for the full 101-frequency spectrum. This independent analysis supports the differential sparse-frequency design principle outside the synthetic generator, but it does not validate the optimized spiral geometry, urine sensing, bladder-cancer diagnosis, or clinical readiness.
In today’s economically unstable market, financial pressures prompt even strongly attached consumers to explore more affordable alternatives. This study examines how perceived financial constraints shape brand switching intentions among self-identified brand lovers. Drawing on Consumer–Brand Relationship Theory, Conservation of Resources Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, it develops and tests a mechanism whereby perceived financial constraints trigger financial anxiety, debt aversion, and perceived financial risk. These factors increase the perceived attractiveness of more affordable alternatives and, consequently, switching intention, despite sustained brand love. Survey data from 430 Turkish apparel consumers were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results robustly support the proposed mechanism and reveal that the intensity of brand love does not meaningfully reduce the effects of perceived financial risk or alternative attractiveness on switching intention. This pattern indicates affective–behavioural decoupling: consumers continue to value brand relationships emotionally while becoming behaviourally vulnerable when resource-protection motives dominate decision-making under financial strain. This study contributes to branding literature by qualifying the assumption that brand love functions as an unconditional behavioural safeguard against brand switching. This study demonstrates that the protective influence of brand love is behaviourally constrained when consumers perceive financial constraints. By integrating resource threat and feasibility mechanisms that operate independently of relational affect, the study advances the understanding of brand switching under financial pressure while bridging emotional branding with financial decision-making. From a managerial perspective, the results show that emotional engagement alone is insufficient to sustain loyalty when feasibility barriers arise. This highlights the need for retention strategies that directly address consumers’ sense of financial risk and reduce the attractiveness of more affordable alternatives.
This study investigates the feasibility of using calcined pumice as a sustainable precursor for geopolymer production. Natural pumice was calcined at different temperatures (600, 750, and 900 degrees C) and durations (1, 2, and 4 h). The effects of calcination were evaluated through color change, particle size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that calcination induced structural and mineralogical modifications in pumice, including increased disorder in the aluminosilicate network and partial recrystallization, which enhanced its reactivity. Consequently, geopolymer mortars produced with calcined pumice exhibited significantly improved compressive strength, with the highest strength of 53.5 MPa obtained for the sample calcined at 750 degrees C for 1 h, corresponding to an 84.5% increase compared to the mortar produced with raw pumice. In addition, calcination at 600 degrees C and 900 degrees C significantly improved water resistance. Considering mechanical performance, durability-related properties, and energy efficiency together, the calcination condition of 600 degrees C for 2 h was identified as the optimum treatment. These findings demonstrate that calcined pumice is a promising and sustainable precursor for geopolymer production.
Background: This study aims to examine the relationship between sustainability consciousness and sustainable consumption behavior among sports science students and to reveal the serial mediating roles of attitudes toward sustainable development and perceived global social responsibility in this relationship. Methods: The sample consisted of 758 university students from different sports science departments who voluntarily participated in the study and were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Sustainability Consciousness Scale, the Attitudes of Sustainable Development Scale, the Global Social Responsibility Scale, and the Sustainable Consumption Behavior Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, including descriptive statistics, tests of normality, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses. Serial mediation effects were tested using the PROCESS Macro Model 6 developed by Hayes with the bootstrap method, and sample adequacy was confirmed through Monte Carlo simulation-based power analysis. Results: The findings demonstrated significant relationships between sustainability consciousness and sustainable consumption behavior. Attitudes toward sustainable development and global social responsibility were found to play significant mediating roles in this relationship, both independently and sequentially. Conclusions: The results indicate that sustainable consumption behaviors are shaped not only by cognitive awareness but also through attitudinal and moral social processes, providing a strong scientific basis for sustainability-oriented educational policies in sports science education.
Ultra-processed foods (UPF) consumption is rising globally, particularly among emerging adults. University students, navigating independent living, are vulnerable to unhealthy eating behaviors influenced by obesogenic environments, hedonic hunger, and poor food choices. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between obesogenic environment perception, hedonic hunger, food choice tendencies, and UPF consumption among university students in Istanbul, Türkiye. A total of 407 students (82.1
