Design of High Performance Microstrip Dual-Band Bandpass Filter

This paper presents a new design of dual-band bandpass filters using coupled stepped-impedance resonators for wireless systems. This architecture uses multiple couple stubs to tune the passband frequencies and the filter characteristics are improved using defected ground structure (DGS) technique. Measurement results show insertion losses of 0.93 dB and 1.13 dB for the central frequencies of 2.35 GHz and 3.61 GHz, respectively. This filter is designed, fabricated and measured and the results of the simulation and measurement are in good agreement

ASYMMETRIC INFORMATION IN COTTON INSURANCE MARKETS: EVIDENCE FROM TEXAS

In recent years, the crop insurance program has emerged as an important part of the U.S. farm policy. Farmers responded to the crop insurance program with increased participation nationwide. At issue is whether the rapid expansion of the program has worsened the asymmetric information problems in crop insurance markets. This paper investigates the presence of adverse selection in cotton insurance markets. Our results reject the conditional independence of the choice of insurance contracts and risk of loss, implying the presence of informational asymmetries between the insurer and insured in Texas cotton insurance markets. Results show that actual premium rates are significantly different from both pure and fair premium rates.Risk and Uncertainty,

Globalization of the Frozen Potato Industry

This paper examines the globalization of the frozen potato industry, including the expansion of production and processing of potato products in the global market place, and future prospects for the industry. Driven largely by the rising popularity of Western style cuisine, frozen french fries and other frozen potato products have become global commodities generating billions of dollars in revenue worldwide. This study finds that with markets for frozen potato products in the United States and other developed countries hardly expanding, the growth of the frozen potato industry will critically depend on industry’s ability to sustain growth in developing economies.french fries, frozen potato products, globalization, quick service restaurants, International Relations/Trade, Marketing,

GLOBALIZATION OF THE FROZEN POTATO INDUSTRY

This paper examines the globalization of the frozen potato industry, including the expansion of production and processing of potato products in the global market place, and future prospects for the industry. We find that developing countries with high income growth rates could be major growth markets for U.S. frozen potato products in the future.International Relations/Trade,

SELF-INSURANCE AND THE UTILITY OF STANDARD RISK MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

This paper analyzes the potential trade offs and complementarities that exist between intra-year strategies employing annual price and yield risk contracts and inter-year self-insurance strategies involving intertemporal consumption substitution and borrowing, and examines whether standard crop insurance contracts can be made more useful to farmers if offered with a multiple-year horizon.Risk and Uncertainty,

FARM SAFETY NET: SUBSIDIZED SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR U.S. FARMERS

A subsidized savings accounts program is being considered by USDA's Risk Management Agency to provide an income safety net to farmers. We argue that savings accounts would complement federal crop insurance program and other private risk management strategies that farmers routinely adopt to minimize income risk and hence offer a better safety net.Agricultural Finance,

Sharp Response Microstrip LPF using Folded Stepped Impedance Open Stubs

A novel microstrip lowpass filter with high selectivity and wide stopband is proposed that comprises two lateral folded open stubs and a central mirrored semi-circle ended suppressing cell. The proposed filter has cut-off frequency of 2.28 GHz and is very compact. The stopband width with attenuation level more than -20 dB is equal to 5.47 fc and the transition band is only 0.14 GHz. This filter is designed, fabricated and measured and the simulated and measured results are in good agreemen

Farm Level Effects of Counter-Cyclical Payments

The paper analyzes the role of counter-cyclical (CC) payments in stabilizing farm incomes and investigates whether the payments could affect farmers planting decisions. Our analysis, based on representative farmer approach, finds that CC payments provide a relatively modest enhancement to farm welfare. However, much depends on market price conditions, which change from year to year, and on base acreage (which is determined by planting history). The paper finds little evidence of interaction between revenue insurance and CC payments.Agricultural and Food Policy,

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE: IMPLICATIONS FOR FARM-LEVEL RISK MANAGEMENT

This study examines the risks associated with adoption of biotech crops and discusses their implications for risk management at the farm level. We develop an analytical risk evaluation matrix framework to illustrate changes in production and marketing risks of biotech and non-biotech crops. Price uncertainty generated by consumer concerns is the major risk facing biotech farmers, while cross-pollination with biotech crops and preservation of non-biotech status are major concerns for non-biotech farmers. Improved market infrastructure to handle biotech products and modification of the current risk management tools to accommodate new risks are essential in reducing the farm-level risks.biotechnology, genetically modified organisms, marketing risks, production risks, risk evaluation matrix, risk management, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Risk and Uncertainty,