Folding Large Antenna Tape Spring

This paper presents a novel concept for a low-mass, 50-m^2-deployable, P-band dual polarization antenna that can measure terrestrial biomass levels from a spacecraft in a low Earth orbit. A monolithic array of feed and radiating patches is bonded to a transversally curved structure consisting of two Kevlar sheets. The first sheet supports the array and the other sheet supports a ground plane. The two sheets are connected by a compliant Kevlar core that allows the whole structure to be folded elastically and to spring back to its original, undamaged shape. Test pieces have been made to demonstrate both the radio frequency and mechanical aspects of the design, particularly the radio frequency performance before and after folding the structure. It is concluded that the proposed design concept has high potential for large, low-frequency antennas for low-cost missions

Schulversagen als ungenügende Kompetenzen im Lesen und Rechnen

Der Beitrag betrachtet Schulversagen als ungenügende Kompetenzen im Lesen und Rechnen nach langjährigem Schulbesuch. Er analysiert dazu die Ergebnisse des «International Adult Literacy Survey», der die Lese- und Rechenkompetenzen in der erwachsenen Bevölkerung untersuchte. Zwei Fragen stellen sich: 1. Wie verbreitet sind ungenügende Lese- und Rechenkompetenzen in der Schweiz, und 2. Muss man die Personengruppe, die höchstens eine Ausbildung auf Sekundarstufe I abgeschlossen hat, als Risiko-Gruppe betrachten? Von der einheimischen Bevölkerung weisen ca. 14 Prozent mindestens in einem der drei untersuchten Bereiche für die heutige Gesellschaft ungenügende Kompetenzen auf. Zwar nimmt dieser Prozentsatz bei den jüngeren Personen ab, doch weisen immer noch ca. 6 Prozent der jüngeren Personen mindestens in einem Bereich ungenügende Kompetenzen auf. Bei den Personen, die höchstens eine Ausbildung auf der Sekundarstufe I abgeschlossen haben, weisen ca. 39 Prozent in mindestens einem Bereich ungenügende Kompetenzen auf. Diese Gruppe muss damit als Risiko-Gruppe betrachtet werden. (DIPF/Orig.)The findings of this study tie school failure to a lack of competence in reading and math, even after many years of schooling. The author analyzes the results of the "International Adult Literacy Survey" which investigated the reading and math competence of adults. Two questions are raised: 1. How widespread is the problem of insufficient reading and math skills in Switzerland? and, 2. Are those pupils who do not go any further than secondary school level 1 (9th grade) at risk? Approximately 14% of the native population show insufficient skills for today’s society in at least three of the examined fields. Though the figure is lower for younger people, approximately 6% of them still show a lack of competence in at least one of the areas. For the general segment of the population which completed no more than level 1 of secondary school, at least 39% show a lack of skills in at least one area. This is the group that should be considered at risk. (DIPF/Orig.

Beef Production Glossary.

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Urban Utopias and Suburban Slums: A Demographic Analysis of Suburban Poverty and Reurbanization in American Metropolitan Statistical Areas

This study examines 2000 and 2010 Census data to determine the resettlement patterns of urban and suburban residents in 23 American metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Previous research discusses the development of an affluent suburbia, leaving postindustrial cities in decline. However, recent literature suggests the reurbanization of postindustrial cities by the creative class, a Return to the City movement fueled by middle class entrepreneurs, artists, and technocrats. Alongside reurbanization are increases in poverty, and racial and ethnic enclaves in suburbia. The literature shows these trends as two separate, independent processes. This study investigates the relationship between these processes within MSAs. Consistent with existing literature, this study finds that from 2000 to 2010, there are increases in poverty and racial and ethnic diversity in the suburbs, and increases in middle and upper class white populations within central cities. This study reveals quantitative data concerning the future of American urban and suburban demography

The Impact of Culture on Member State Migration Policy in the European Union

The European Union (EU) was formed with the belief that further integration among European states would bring sustainable peace. This began with economic integration but continued to include political and social integration as well. This ad hoc method of creating cohesion among sovereign Member States was generally accepted among Member State governments and citizens. However, in 2014, when a flood of refugees began arriving in Europe, fleeing from violence and instability in the Middle East and North Africa, the EU as an institution, and what exactly it means to be European, was challenged. Instead of pulling together and promoting the EU’s fundamental values of integration and a commitment to human rights, states took vastly different responses, prioritizing their own sovereignty over EU law. On the one hand, while countries on the border of the EU such as Italy, Hungary, and Greece faced a huge influx of refugees, more Northern states blocked them from entering their borders at all, oftentimes actually sending refugees back to the overburdened border states. On the other hand, some EU countries such as Germany went around EU regulations in order to welcome even more refugees into their borders. These different policies are a consequence of the weak monitoring, low solidarity, and lack of strong institutions within EU migration policy, resulting in an unsustainable system during the refugee crisis (Scipioni 2018: 1358). National governments are ultimately in control of EU policy implementation, and oftentimes they do not promote the same kind of policies as the EU, prominently seen in the implementation of the Dublin Regulation (Scipioni 2018: 1361)