Indicators of Fiscal Impulse for New Zealand

This paper defines fiscal impulse as a measure of whether government fiscal policy decisions are adding to, or subtracting from, aggregate demand pressures in the economy. When assessing the effects of fiscal policy on the economy it can be useful to have an approximate estimate of fiscal impulse. Estimates of fiscal impulse range from simple indicators based on fiscal aggregates, to more complicated approaches requiring greater use of judgement and economic theory. This paper develops reasonably simple indicators based on adjusted fiscal aggregates. It also sets out some sensitivity analysis. The indicators reflect intuitive assessments about changes in New Zealand fiscal policy over the last decade and looking forward into the forecast period. Although estimates are relatively insensitive to alternative assumptions, this is likely to be the result of the relative stability of the time period under consideration. Simple indicators of fiscal impulse have limitations. At best they can only provide an indication of the first round impact of changes in discretionary fiscal policy. A more complete assessment of the effects of fiscal policy on the economy requires a full-scale macroeconomic model, perhaps complemented with time series analysis.Fiscal impulse; cyclical-adjustment; aggregate demand; New Zealand.

Trends in Catholic School Minority Enrollment and Higher Education Entrance Over the Recession

Research has shown that enrollment in Catholic secondary schools has positive outcomes for minority students, including increased enrollment in higher education institutions and higher academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine if minority enrollment in secondary schools altered over the recession. Results of this study suggests that minority enrollment of Black and Hispanic in secondary schools increased over the recession, as well as Black and Hispanic enrollment in higher education institutions. Data limitations make it impossible to confirm the exact enrollment of minority students in higher education institutions and from the establishment of a direct causal relationship. Keywords Minority students, secondary schools, recession, enrollment Tendances en matière d\u27inscriptions et d\u27entrée dans l\u27enseignement supérieur des minorités dans les écoles catholiques pendant la récession Une étude a montré que les inscriptions dans les écoles catholiques secondaires donnaient des résultats positifs pour les élèves issus des minorités, y compris davantage d\u27inscriptions dans les établissements d\u27enseignement supérieur et une meilleure réussite scolaire. Le but de cette étude était d\u27examiner si les inscriptions des élèves issus de minorités dans les écoles secondaires étaient différentes au cours de la récession. Les résultats de cette étude indiquent que les inscriptions des minorités noires et hispaniques dans les écoles secondaires ont augmenté pendant la récession, de même que les inscriptions des noirs et des hispaniques dans les établissements d\u27enseignement supérieur. Des données limitées font qu\u27il est impossible de confirmer le nombre exact d\u27élèves issus des minorités dans les institutions d\u27enseignement supérieur et d\u27établir une relation directe de cause à effet. Mots-clés : élèves issus des minorités, écoles secondaires, récession, inscriptions Tendencias en las matrículas de minorías en escuelas católicas e inscripción en educación superior durante la recesión Algunas investigaciones han mostrado que matricularse en escuelas secundarias católicas tiene resultados positivos para los estudiantes de minorías, incluyendo un aumento de la matrícula en instituciones de educación superior y de mayores logros académicos. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar si las matrículas de las minorías en las escuelas secundarias se vieron alteradas durante la recesión. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que las matrículas de minorías negras e hispanas en escuelas secundarias aumentaron durante la recesión, así como la matrícula de negros e hispanos en instituciones de educación superior. Las limitaciones de los datos imposibilitan el confirmar el número exacto de estudiantes de minorías matriculados en instituciones de educación superior y el establecimiento de una relación causal directa. Palabras clave estudiantes de minoría, escuelas secundarias, recesión, matrícul

Socially inclusive climate information services in Kenya: Mid-year report 2023

This report summarizes three activities that were implemented to support socially inclusive scaling of climate information services (CIS). These activities included a workshop, radio programs and field visits. A workshop titled ‘Strengthening climate networks to support community capacities’, two piloted radio programs and field visits to climate observers are described. Collectively, these activities build capacity and learning with and among climate networks

Antigen-specific acquired immunity in human brucellosis: implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and vaccine development.

Brucella spp., are Gram negative bacteria that cause disease by growing within monocyte/macrophage lineage cells. Clinical manifestations of brucellosis are immune mediated, not due to bacterial virulence factors. Acquired immunity to brucellosis has been studied through observations of naturally infected hosts (cattle, goats), mouse models (mice), and human infection. Even though Brucella spp. are known for producing mechanisms that evade the immune system, cell-mediated immune responses drive the clinical manifestations of human disease after exposure to Brucella species, as high antibody responses are not associated with protective immunity. The precise mechanisms by which cell-mediated immune responses confer protection or lead to disease manifestations remain undefined. Descriptive studies of immune responses in human brucellosis show that TH(1) (interferon-γ-producing T cells) are associated with dominant immune responses, findings consistent with animal studies. Whether these T cell responses are protective, or determine the different clinical responses associated with brucellosis is unknown, especially with regard to undulant fever manifestations, relapsing disease, or are associated with responses to distinct sets of Brucella spp. antigens are unknown. Few data regarding T cell responses in terms of specific recognition of Brucella spp. protein antigens and peptidic epitopes, either by CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, have been identified in human brucellosis patients. Additionally because current attenuated Brucella vaccines used in animals cause human disease, there is a true need for a recombinant protein subunit vaccine for human brucellosis, as well as for improved diagnostics in terms of prognosis and identification of unusual forms of brucellosis. This review will focus on current understandings of antigen-specific immune responses induced Brucella peptidic epitopes that has promise for yielding new insights into vaccine and diagnostics development, and for understanding pathogenetic mechanisms of human brucellosis

Insights from positive deviance approach to support socially inclusive climate adaptation in Kenya dairy systems

Transformation to climate-smart livestock systems can generate multiple trade-offs and synergies. In Kenyan dairy farming systems, gender norms and practices influence ownership and decision-making about information, innovations, and labor. Positive deviance is used to identify common practices and deviations from those practices in dairy households. The approach provides the opportunity to learn about ‘hidden’, less socially acceptable behaviors

Hidden pathways: approaches to understand intra-household gender relations and climate adaptation in Kenya dairy systems

The transformation of livestock systems towards sustainable climate smart systems will generate multiple trade-offs and synergies. In this paper, we describe how gender relations shape, and are shaped by, climate adaptation innovations, specifically the uptake of innovations in dairy producing households in Western Kenya. Our research complements a producer-led scaling intervention in which positive deviants are those who, all else being equal, outperform their neighbours. These ‘adaptation pioneers’ then lead the scaling of climate smart feed and fodder innovations in their communities. However, intra-household dynamics surrounding uptake of innovations often are uneven and can reinforce inequitable distribution of benefits and burdens. We develop a positive deviance framework to identify common and ‘hidden’ patterns and pathways in intra-household gender relations related to dairy innovations, such as decision-making surrounding income and labour. Qualitative data was collected through 20 sex disaggregated focus group discussions, 10 key informant interviews, and field observations in Nandi and Bomet counties over multiple visits in 2022-2023. Using vignettes, we explore what ‘typical’ and less common, or ‘deviant’ household relations are, and whether such deviations are socially acceptable. Thematic analysis was performed in NVivo using iterative deductive and inductive approaches. We find that most households are patriarchal- men are the primary decision-makers and, unsurprisingly, this is generally also socially acceptable in the community. However, both women and men desire more equitable relations and outcomes in their households, but due to social norms that guide what is socially acceptable in the community, these relationships are not discussed openly in society, especially because they undermine men’s roles as heads of household. Married women also negotiate and navigate decision-making spaces, often in hidden ways. This research generates insights into methodological approaches to reveal complex yet oversimplified dimensions of gender relations, such as who has agency, and when and how agency is negotiated. Our findings highlight the potential trade-offs and synergies that may occur through producer-led scaling and sets a foundation for the design of gender responsive scaling approaches that can foster synergies in socially equitable climate adaptation strategies and outcomes

Using Social Network Analysis to Evaluate Academic Assistance Networks in a Holistic Education Secondary School

One goal of Erdkinder schools is for students and teachers to provide academic assistance to their peers, particularly to less-knowledgeable ones. However, traditional educational evaluations do not provide a means to investigate the exchange of academic help. This study piloted the use of social network analysis to describe academic assistance relationships within a Montessori secondary school. Using a network survey, social network data concerning the exchange of academic help were collected from 23 students and 8 teachers. The results show that while students provide help to both fellow students and teachers, teachers are the main source of assistance for students. In some subjects, a few students and teachers neither provided nor received assistance, indicating another area for improvement. The results of a multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure (multiple regression-QAP) show that for most subjects, their willingness to help others was not significantly influenced by their own personal level of knowledge. Thus, more-knowledgeable individuals do not provide more assistance to less-knowledgeable peers. To adhere to Erdkinder principles, this school should encourage more-knowledgeable students to recognize their responsibility to help others and to actually help those who need support. This pilot yielded valuable information, and social network analysis warrants further study within holistic education

Increased Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses in Tobacco Plants Expressing a Barley Cell Wall Peroxidase

This study aimed to explore the prospects for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance through expression of a cell wall-targeted peroxidase in transgenic plants. Abiotic stresses result in the production of several Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in higher plants. H2O2 is highly diffusible and has a stress signalling role, but is also the source, through Fenton reactions, of highly destructive hydroxyl free radicals. Type III peroxidases, a family of heme-containing proteins which oxidise a range of substrates using H2O2 as oxidant, are capable of depleting H2O2 levels in several cellular compartments and specific peroxidases have been linked to stress defences. In the present study, we demonstrate expression of a pathogen-induced apoplastic barley peroxidase in transgenic tobacco plants and show that it confers improved tolerance to several abiotic stresses, including high and low temperatures, salinity, metal ion and osmotic stress