A 180° tunable analog phase shifter based on a single all-pass unit cell

A 180 TUNABLE ANALOG PHASE SHIFTER BASED ON A SINGLE ALL-PASS UNIT CELL, K. Khoder, A. P erennec, and M. Le Roy, copyright 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2915-2918, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.comInternational audienceThis article describes an analog phase shifter able to provide a continuously tunable phase shift up to 180 by using a single allpass unit cell. The proposed topology is compact and easy to implement, and brings an interesting compromise between phase variation, insertion and return losses. Indeed, for a 7.5:1 tuning ratio of varactor capacitance, a phase shift variation of more than 186 is obtained from 6 to 7GHz with a maximum insertion loss of 1.8 dB. The 105 /dB resulting Figure-of-Merit is thus among the best in distributed approaches with varactors

CREDIT SCORING, LOAN PRICING, AND FARM BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

In light of recent developments in agricultural credit evaluations, this study employs a multiperiod simulation model that endogenizes farm investment decisions, credit evaluations, and loan pricing based on the credit scoring procedures of agricultural lender. Model results show that credit-scored pricing yields time patterns of performance, credits classifications, and interest rates that parallel the firmÂ’s investment, financing, and debt servicing activities. Moreover, the lenderÂ’s price responses dampen growth incentives as credit worthiness diminished, stimulate growth as credit improves, and lead to similar capital structures over time.Agricultural Finance,

Desk study on homeopathy in organic livestock farming: Principles, obstacles and recommendations for practice and research

Organic livestock farming has its own concept of health and welfare. The approach to health can be characterised by the key words human, preventive, self-regulating and holistic (Chapter 1). This has consequences for the way we deal with diseases and problems, the nature of the solutions and the use of medication, among other things. In terms of therapeutic and regulatory measures this health concept is based primarily on natural food supplements and homeopathic remedies, which in view of their origin fit in well with the natural character of organic agriculture (Verhoog et al., 2002). Apart from various forms of potentised remedies (classic, clinical, anthroposophic, isopathic; Chapter 2) and all manner of applications within phytotherapy (Bach flower, aromatherapy), there is interest in organic livestock farming in complementary health treatments other than acupuncture. We also need more detailed research into the practical implications of possible self-medication by animals (Engel, 2001). Complementary medicine demands a new type of knowledge in relation to its working mechanism, testing for authenticity and the way it is used (Chapter 3). The thinking behind the use of homeopathic remedies often based on a preventive approach to health. With the aid of these remedies the doctor seeks to create a more balanced environment in and around the animal and to improve the animal’s resistance to infections (Baars en Ellinger, 1997). Striezel (2001) calls homeopathy a regulatory therapy, which heals the body by stimulating the individual immune system and regulating the metabolism. The use of homeopathic remedies is still limited in practice, partly due to a lack of suitably trained veterinary practitioners (Chapter 4). In the elaboration of the research questions the authors discovered that the use of homeopathic remedies meets with particular resistance which can be traced back to philosophical assumptions (sections 4.1-4.3). As the research is fleshed out it is therefore important that it is not simply carried out in conformity with currently valid scientific standards. The research design must also be in line with the philosophy of homeopathy in terms of both quantity and quality (Chapter 5). This is particularly important for homeopathy because its therapeutic methods are based on principles which do not fit in with conventional notions about life. The similia principle (law of similars) is an important feature of homeopathy and homeopathy shares the second key concept of potentisation with anthroposophy (Chapter 2). There is limited acceptance of homeopathic remedies in particular, despite the fact that there is some empirical evidence for the efficacy of homeopathic treatments. Both outcome research into homeopathic treatments of humans and animals and fundamental empirical research into the validity of the similia law and the efficacy of high dilutions produce results which tend to bear this out. However, it is rejected out of hand on ontological grounds and because of the assumed working mechanism. Follow-up research into homeopathic remedies is desirable, but must be in line with the underlying complementary health and welfare concept of organic agriculture, which includes treatment with veterinary medicines. Randomised Clinical Trials are thus only of limited use, since they disregard the individually tailored nature of the treatment. In practice however, sufficient alternative therapies have been developed which can be used in outcome research. The researchers propose a graduated structure for the outcome research (Chapter 6). The first step is to join in with the monitoring of experience in practice, and follow this with casuistic outcome research

Einflussfaktoren auf die Arbeitszufriedenheit in Jugendhilfewerken

Im Blick auf die Arbeitszufriedenheit der Mitarbeiterschaft in Jugendhilfewerken überrascht die Entdeckung, dass häufig Kolleginnen und Kollegen, die in der gleichen Abteilung beschäftigt sind, ein und dieselben Arbeitsbedingungen als "positive" und als "negative" Aspekte ihrer Arbeit beschreiben - und sie zudem ein höchst unterschiedliches Maß an Arbeitszufriedenheit zu Protokoll geben. In nicht wenigen Jugendhilfewerken lässt sich trotz großer Bemühung innerhalb der Mitarbeiterversammlungen keine konsensfähige Aufstellung organisatorisch notwendiger Maßnahmen gegen die hohe Mitarbeiterfluktuation als Ergebnis von Arbeitsunzufriedenheit erarbeiten, und sind zudem Versuche, Profile von geeigneten Mitarbeitern zu erstellen häufig zum Scheitern verurteilt. Es kann festgestellt werden, dass der Inhalt von Zufriedenheit mit bzw. bei der Arbeit, keinesfalls eine übereinstimmende Beschreibung findet. Bleibt die Frage: Welches sind die wesentlichen Einflussfaktoren auf die Arbeitszufriedenheit (AZ) der Mitarbeiter in Jugendhilfewerken? Dies soll nach einer Einführung in das Thema anhand empirischer Befunde beantwortet werden. (DIPF/Orig.

Is the Learning Organization for Real? Examining the Impacts of the Dimensions of the Learning Organization on Organizational Performance

Despite the controversial nature of the learning organization concept, few empirical studies have examined the relationship between the learning organization concept and firm performance. An exploratory study was conducted using the DLOQ© along with objective measures of firm financial performance to assess this association. Findings suggest positive associations between the learning organization concept and firm performance