Economic Wellbeing and Where We Live: Accounting for Geographical Cost-of-Living Differences in the US

Regional cost-of-living differences affect the quality of life that individuals and families experience in different metropolitan areas. Yet, lack of metropolitan cost-of-living indexes has left analysts without the ability to make accurate cost-of-living adjustments to measures of economic wellbeing. This paper evaluates alternative approaches to cost-of-living measurement and then applies the ACCRA cost-of-living index to various US metropolitan area datasets, including median household income, the number of people living in poverty, and family eligibility for the Free and Reduced Price School Lunch and Head Start programes to illustrate some of the policy impacts of adjusting economic indicators of wellbeing for geographical cost-of-living differentials

Diabetes in Danish Bank Voles (M. glareolus): Survivorship, Influence on Weight, and Evaluation of Polydipsia as a Screening Tool for Hyperglycaemia

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have concluded that the development of polydipsia (PD, a daily water intake ≥ 21 ml) among captive Danish bank voles, is associated with the development of a type 1 diabetes (T1D), based on findings of hyperglycaemia, glucosuria, ketonuria/-emia, lipemia, destroyed beta cells, and presence of autoantibodies against GAD65, IA-2, and insulin. AIM AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data from two separate colonies of Danish bank voles in order to 1) estimate survivorship after onset of PD, 2) evaluate whether the weight of PD voles differed from non-PD voles, and, 3), evaluate a state of PD as a practical and non-invasive tool to screen for voles with a high probability of hypeglycaemia. In addition, we discuss regional differences related to the development of diabetes in Scandinavian bank voles and the relevance of the Ljungan virus as proposed etiological agent. RESULTS: We found that median survival after onset of PD is at least 91 days (lower/upper quartiles = 57/134 days) with a maximum recording of at least 404 days survivorship. The development of PD did not influence the weight of Danish bank voles. The measures of accuracy when using PD as predictor of hyperglycaemia, i.e. sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, equalled 69%, 97%, 89%, and 89%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The relatively long survival of Danish PD bank voles suggests potentials for this model in future studies of the long-term complications of diabetes, of which some observations are mentioned. Data also indicates that diabetes in Danish bank is not associated with a higher body weight. Finally, the method of using measurements of daily water intake to screen for voles with a high probability of hyperglycaemia constitutes a considerable refinement when compared to the usual, invasive, methods

Reinvigorating Springfield’s Economy: Lessons from Resurgent Cities

As part of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's commitment to supporting efforts to revitalize the economy of Springfield, Massachusetts, this paper analyzes the economic development approaches of other mid-sized manufacturing-oriented cities during the past half century. From among a comparison group of 25 municipalities that were similar to Springfield in 1960, the study identifies 10 'resurgent cities' that have made substantial progress in improving living standards for their residents, and that are recognized as vital communities in a broader sense by experts on urban economic development and policy. These case studies suggest that industry mix, demographic composition, and geographic position are not the key factors distinguishing the resurgent cities from Springfield. Instead, the most important lessons from the resurgent cities concern leadership and collaboration. Initial leadership in these cities came from a variety of key institutions and individuals. In some cases, the turnaround started with efforts on the part of the public sector, while in other cases nongovernmental institutions or private developers were at the forefront. Regardless of who initiated the turnaround, economic redevelopment efforts spanned decades and involved collaborations among numerous organizations and sectors

Review of \u3ci\u3eLady Blackrobes: Missionaries in the Heart of Indian Country\u3c/i\u3e By Irene Mahoney

Sister Irene Mahoney has made a valuable contribution to the history of her Ursuline Order\u27s work among Indians in Montana during the latter years of the nineteenth century, the golden age of the western missions. Beyond that, she has provided a useful model for historians who might wish to follow her lead eschewing presentism in favor of historical context and perspective. She offers solid information and reasoned insights into the lives and work of the missionaries, noting that their motives may have been flawed by today\u27s understanding, but also that there could be no doubt that the Ursulines who came to Montana\u27s missions were sincerely dedicated to the work of saving souls and improving the physical lives of those to whom they ministered. True, they attempted to convert and civilize their young charges via boarding schools where children were separated from their families and where the nuns might hope to expunge all aspects of Native language, culture, and customs. However, that did not make them villains in their own day. Rather it placed them pretty much in the mainstream of reform thinking as well as in line with government policies seeking to assimilate Native people into the larger society and economy. The fact remains that in retrospect their misplaced efforts to suppress Native customs in support of conversion and assimilation had mixed results at best. That they would largely fail in the attempt could have been foretold given today\u27s understanding and perspective. As the author notes, however, that was an understanding and perspective not available to them at the time