F. Frezza, L. Pajewski, S. Paulotto, C. Ponti and G. Schettini
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of electromagnetic band‐gap (EBG) materials in the enhancement of antennas' directivity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of electromagnetic band‐gap (EBG) materials in the enhancement of antennas' directivity.
Design/methodology/approach
An analysis of a woodpile EBG material is performed, which points out its band properties. Woodpile cavities are then considered, obtained by interrupting the periodicity of the crystal. A woodpile cavity is then superimposed to a double‐slot antenna, resulting in a compound radiating device. The behavior of the EBG and of the radiating structure are simulated through Ansoft HFSS V11.
Findings
The woodpile EBG, when used as a cavity, acts as a spatial filter for the radiation coming from the antenna. The directivity of the new radiator is considerably increased, since now the illumination covers an area larger than the antenna.
Originality/value
Using new materials to obtain high‐directivity and compact radiators.
Details
Keywords
Fabrizio Frezza, Lara Pajewski, Cristina Ponti, Giuseppe Schettini and Nicola Tedeschi
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the numerical aspects of the electromagnetic scattering of a plane wave by a set of buried cylinders.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the numerical aspects of the electromagnetic scattering of a plane wave by a set of buried cylinders.
Design/methodology/approach
The cylindrical wave approach is employed. The analytical model is implemented in a Fortran code. The numerical aspects of the technique are presented, with particular emphasis on the numerical evaluation of the integrals involved in the procedure.
Findings
The tool obtained allows a fast computation of the electromagnetic field scattered by an arbitrary disposition of circular cylinders below an interface. Comparisons with the finite element method are proposed, showing the very good agreement between the results obtained with the two different approaches.
Originality/value
The advantages of the proposed technique in terms of computational weight are explained. The method can be useful in a wide class of application, e.g. in the ground penetrating radar applications, microscopy, biomedical applications, etc.
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Keywords
Ana Paola Sanchez-Lezama, Judith Cavazos-Arroyo, Cidronio Albavera-Hernández, Aarón Salinas-Rodríguez, Mario Lagunes-Pérez and Beatriz Perez-Armendariz
– The purpose of this paper is to determine which socioecological factors encourage rural women to participate in mammographies rather than avoiding taking the test.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine which socioecological factors encourage rural women to participate in mammographies rather than avoiding taking the test.
Design/methodology/approach
The study mainly uses data from the 2007 Rural Households Evaluation Survey (ENCEL-2007). These crossover data are analyzed using the framework proposed in the Spatial-Interaction Model of Mammography Use (SIMMU), through a three-level logistic regression model to examine the likelihood that a woman will choose to participate in a mammography.
Findings
At the woman-household level, the completion of the Pap smear and the asset index is the strongest determinant of mammography participation. Obtaining preventive medicine services or being enrolled in the Popular Insurance System prevent women from undergoing screening. At the interpersonal level, the probability of screening use decreases with lower social coverage. At the intermediate level, availability of health centers is negatively related to the use of screening.
Research limitations/implications
The study fails to take into account the fact that women’s propensity to have a mammography may vary over time relatively to life changes. Moreover, findings were restricted to women ages from 40 to 49 and limited due to the lack of published data or data quality issues.
Practical implications
The results of this research can give health planners, policymakers and social marketers a platform for how to approach social change and promote the cancer screening health behavior through the marketing mix (price, place, promotion and product) in the design of their programs.
Originality/value
In addition to be informative and persuasive with people to change their behavior, this paper also seeks to provide a direction for using commercial marketing tools through social marketing to “sell” the health behavior. Due to target population variation, this paper addresses the health behavior change strategy by audience segmentation, regarded as essential to successful health communication campaigns.
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Jennifer A. Boisvert and W. Andrew Harrell
There is a gap in the understanding of relationships between socioeconomic status (SES), urban-rural differences, ethnicity and eating disorder symptomatology. This gap has…
Abstract
Purpose
There is a gap in the understanding of relationships between socioeconomic status (SES), urban-rural differences, ethnicity and eating disorder symptomatology. This gap has implications for access to treatment and the effectiveness of treatment. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are presented from a major Canadian survey, analyzing the impact of body mass index (BMI), urban-non-urban residency, income, and ethnicity on eating disorder symptomatology.
Findings
One of the strongest findings is that high income non-White women expressed less eating disorder symptomatology than lower income non-White women.
Research limitations/implications
Future research needs to consider how factors such as urban residency, exposure to Western “thinness” ideals, and income differentials impact non-White women.
Practical implications
Effective treatment of ethnic minority women requires an appreciation of complicated effects of “culture clash,” income and BMI on eating disorder symptomatology.
Originality/value
This study makes a unique contribution to the literature by examining relationships between SES (income) and eating disorder symptomatology in White and non-White Canadian women. The review of the scientific literature on ethnic differences in eating disorder symptomatology revealed a disparity gap in treatment. This disparity may be a by-product of bias and lack of understanding of gender or ethnic/cultural differences by practitioners.
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Keywords
Akiko Kamimura, Jeanie Ashby, Maziar Nourian, Nushean Assasnik, Jason Chen, Jennifer Tabler, Guadalupe Aguilera, Natalie Blanton, Allison Jess and Justine Reel
Little is known about low-income immigrant parents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with their parenting. The purpose of this paper is to examine low-income…
Abstract
Purpose
Little is known about low-income immigrant parents’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with their parenting. The purpose of this paper is to examine low-income immigrant parents’ HRQoL, depression and stress.
Design/methodology/approach
In the spring of 2015, English speaking and Spanish speaking low-income uninsured immigrant parents utilizing a free clinic (N=182) completed a self-administered survey using standardized measures of parental HRQoL, stress and depression.
Findings
Immigrant parents’ HRQoL related to parenting was lower than general primary care patients. Higher levels of depression and stress were associated with lower levels of parental HRQoL and family functioning. Spanish speakers were significantly more likely to worry about their child’s health or future compared to English speakers.
Originality/value
While both English and Spanish speaking immigrant parents may need assistance addressing the health-related needs of their child, Spanish speakers may be a target audience for outreach programs. It is possible that by improving the health of their child, immigrant parents may see improvement in their own HRQoL and reductions in their levels of stress and depression. Future research should develop parenting classes for low-income immigrant parents targeting the potential health needs of their children, and assess the efficacy of the classes in improving child health and parental HRQoL.