Metropolis on the margins: talent attraction and retention to the St. John’s city-region

The objective of this research is to examine the factors that influence the attraction and retention of creative and highly educated workers in a small-sized Canadian city. The study examines two hypotheses: that the social dynamics of city-regions constitute the foundations of economic success in the global economy; and, that talented, highly educated individuals will be attracted to those city-regions that offer a richness of employment opportunity, a high quality of life, a critical mass of cultural activity and social diversity. The hypotheses are explored through in-depth interviews with creative and highly educated workers, employers and intermediary organizations. The evidence from the interviews suggests mixed support for the hypotheses. In view of these findings, we contend that the specificities of place must be more carefully theorized in the creative class literature and be more carefully considered by policy-makers designing policies directed towards attracting and retaining talented and highly educated workers

Governance lessons for and from small, insular, and remote regions

Our subjects are small, insular, and remote communities. They range from small provincial governments to municipalities and specialized regional authorities. They typically, though not exclusively, are sub-national and local in their jurisdictional capacity. All tend to be relatively isolated by distance and access to levers of national political power. They are governance organizations in that they provide some level of service, co-ordinate and administer routine activities within their jurisdiction, and operate under reasonably clear norms, rules, and procedures with other, often larger and more powerful, governance bodies such as larger provinces, states, and nations (Bowles and Gintis, 2002). The opportunities and challenges associated with such middle-level governance bodies are profitably understood through the bifocal lenses of agency—the capacity to undertake purposive action collectively (Giddens, 1990) — and place — in which locally grounded values, preferences, and objectives are meaningfully incorporated into goal-setting and implementation (Pauly, 1999). This volume explores the opportunities and challenges associated with such middle-level governance organizations in smaller, isolated societies in their pursuit of successful and sustainable socio-economic development. This introduction reviews the context in which these governance institutions operate in a globalizing world where small and remote communities may be facing real threats of systemic decline. Nevertheless, the agency in place of local organizations, locally grounded but mediated within larger governance structures, spawns policy-making, identifies development opportunities, and improves the likelihood of success in their pursuit. Evidence of this effect is provided from a raft of sub-national and sub-provincial rural and island communities, but with a special focus on Newfoundland and Labrador. The organization of this volume also is critically reviewed here, highlighting the value of comparative research for the provision of lessons and best practices that can be distilled to provide general guidance and direction in remote control to a wide array of small and medium-sized jurisdictions.peer-reviewe

Rural Manufacturing

Manufacturing represents a significant component of the rural economy in Canada, and offers significant potential for sustainable economic development in all areas of the country. Several studies in Atlantic Canada reflect findings in the U.S. and Europe in this regard. The OECD’s “New Rural Paradigm” – outlining characteristics and best practices for sustainable development in the new economy – emphasizes that SMEs utilizing modern manufacturing technology, and focusing on niche production, can be a significant element of national economies that maximize the development potential of all regions

Advancing Innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador: Insights for Knowledge Mobilization and University-Community Engagement

In this paper, we provide insights for knowledge mobilization and university-community engagement based on the lessons learned from the Advancing Innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador Project. Out hope is to provide a window into the experiences of academics as they navigate the complexities and politics of mobilizing research and engaging with diverse stakeholders. Despite the challenges of this work, presented by factors inside and outside the academy, it is crucial to enhance our capabilities if we are to maximize the impact of universities in linking theory, research, and expertise with critical social and economic needs, such as enhancing innovation

Dietary Prebiotics and Bioactive Milk Fractions Improve NREM Sleep, Enhance REM Sleep Rebound and Attenuate the Stress-Induced Decrease in Diurnal Temperature and Gut Microbial Alpha Diversity.

Severe, repeated or chronic stress produces negative health outcomes including disruptions of the sleep/wake cycle and gut microbial dysbiosis. Diets rich in prebiotics and glycoproteins impact the gut microbiota and may increase gut microbial species that reduce the impact of stress. This experiment tested the hypothesis that consumption of dietary prebiotics, lactoferrin (Lf) and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) will reduce the negative physiological impacts of stress. Male F344 rats, postnatal day (PND) 24, received a diet with prebiotics, Lf and MFGM (test) or a calorically matched control diet. Fecal samples were collected on PND 35/70/91 for 16S rRNA sequencing to examine microbial composition and, in a subset of rats; Lactobacillus rhamnosus was measured using selective culture. On PND 59, biotelemetry devices were implanted to record sleep/wake electroencephalographic (EEG). Rats were exposed to an acute stressor (100, 1.5 mA, tail shocks) on PND 87 and recordings continued until PND 94. Test diet, compared to control diet, increased fecal Lactobacillus rhamnosus colony forming units (CFU), facilitated non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep consolidation (PND 71/72) and enhanced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep rebound after stressor exposure (PND 87). Rats fed control diet had stress-induced reductions in alpha diversity and diurnal amplitude of temperature, which were attenuated by the test diet (PND 91). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed a significant linear relationship between early-life Deferribacteres (PND 35) and longer NREM sleep episodes (PND 71/72). A diet containing prebiotics, Lf and MFGM enhanced sleep quality, which was related to changes in gut bacteria and modulated the impact of stress on sleep, diurnal rhythms and the gut microbiota

Newfoundland & Labrador’s Vital Signs 2017: A province-wide check-up of quality of life in Newfoundland & Labrador communities for 2017

Vital Signs is an annual check-up on quality of life in our province that looks at how our communities are faring in key areas like wellness, housing, and the economy