Investment in the Euro Area

This article aims to identify periods where gaps have emerged between the Euro Area and the US with a particular focus on the role of investment.

Supporting Children who are Homeless in the Classroom

This report addresses the need for classroom teachers to provide additional educational supports to young children who are homeless as they are at risk to face academic and social challenges due to their circumstances at home. This paper defines homelessness, discusses the negative effects of homelessness on the child, notes any present policies in place that address homeless children, highlights the burdens that classroom teachers face, and offers suggestions for these classroom teachers so that they can better educate children who are homeless. Furthermore, a case study of the topic of homelessness in Boston Public Schools has been examined to illustrate how this issue is present in today’s society. Educators from Boston Public Schools discuss their experiences and thoughts on the topic of supporting children who are homeless in their classroom. From their responses, common themes surrounding this topic emerged. This article concludes with addressing the need for school systems to make improvements in the current supports that they have for their students who are homeless. In summary, the findings of this paper suggest that students who are homeless need more access to emotional supports that serve as a foundation for academic supports

Re-thinking context and reflexive mediation in the teaching of writing

This paper calls for a renewed focus on the teaching of writing. It proposes a conceptual model, based on a social realist perspective, which takes account of the ways in which teachers reflexively mediate personal, professional and political considerations in enacting their writing pedagogies. This model extends understanding of the factors contextualising the teaching of writing. It also provides a useful guide for research into the teaching of writing and a prompt for reflexivity in professional development

Zoonotic diseases: sharing insights from interdisciplinary research

Researchers and others involved with the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems (ZELS) initiative gathered in Tanzania earlier this year to discuss progress with projects being carried out as part of the five- year programme. Mary Ryan and Sarah Cleaveland report

SUPPLY ANALYSIS FOR CORN IN THE UNITED STATES: THE IMPACT OF CHANGING GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

This paper has two objectives: to analyze acreage supply relationships for corn, the major U.S. feed grain, during the 1948-70 period and to develop and test a general theoretical model for evaluating farm commodity program effectiveness. Hence, special emphasis is devoted to empirical measurement and analysis of the effects of government feed grain policy and programs as they have evolved since 1948. Particular attention is focused on the voluntary feed grain programs of the 1960's.Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries,

SUPPLY RESPONSE OF U.S. SORGHUM ACREAGE TO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries,

ESTIMATION OF U.S. CORN ACREAGE

Crop Production/Industries,

A Macro-econometric Model for Ireland

The Bank’s Macro-Econometric model has recently been revised. This paper outlines the context within which the model was initially built and the reasons for the revision and re-estimation. Compilation of the data used was a key component of the revision and this is described. The general structure of the model is outlined. Key equations are described and estimation issues noted. A discussion on simulating the model is provided along with results from sample simulations. The paper concludes with a discussion of how future work on the model might evolve.

THE GREEN REVOLUTION: ITS IMPACT ON TRADE AND AGRICULTURAL POLICY IN DEVELOPED NATIONS

Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade,

Fostering Transformative Learning, Self-reflexivity and Medical Citizenship Through Guided Tours of Disadvantaged Neighborhoods

Background and objectives: Medical school curricula increasingly seek to promote medical students’ commitment to redressing health disparities, but traditional pedagogical approaches have fallen short of this goal. The objective of this work was to assess the value of using community-based guided tours of disadvantaged neighborhoods to fill this gap. Methods: A total of 50 second-year medical students participated in a guided tour of disadvantaged public housing neighborhoods in Richmond, Virginia. Students completed self-reflexive writing exercises during a post-tour debriefing session. Student writings were analyzed to assess the tour’s effect on their awareness of poverty’s impact on vulnerable populations’ health and wellbeing, and their personal reactions to the tour. Results: Student writings indicated that the activity fostered transformative learning experiences around the issue of poverty and its effects on health and stimulated a personal commitment to working with underserved populations. Themes from qualitative analysis included: increased awareness of the extent of poverty, enhanced self-reflexive attitude towards personal feelings, biases and misperceptions concerning the poor, increased intentional awareness of the effects of poverty on patient health and well-being, and, encouragement to pursue careers of medical service. Conclusions: This pilot demonstrated that incorporating self-reflexive learning exercises into a brief community-based guided tour can enhance the social consciousness of medical students by deepening understandings of health disparities and promoting transformative learning experiences