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This paper studies the effect of particle system on the quasistatic compression behavior and damage accumulation of high solids loading polymer-particle composites. To isolate the effect of particle system, two binary polymer-particle composites are fabricated with either crystalline silica sand or sodium chloride at 80% nominal particle weight fractions in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix. The particle size distributions are controlled with a median particle size of 312 ± 12 micrometers. Near fully-dense right circular composite cylinders with nominal diameter of 25.4 mm and nominal height of 18.8 mm are compressed under monotonic and cyclic loadings in a uniaxial, unconfined configuration. Under monotonic loadings, the compression modulus of the sodium chloride composites are nearly 7 times larger than the compression modulus of the silica sand composites. Novel experiments performing cyclic loadings at small strains assess material damage through changes in peak stresses and apparent stiffness with strain and cycle number. Both composites reached a decreasing peak stress with cycle number at the same strain suggesting damage similarly initiates at low strains and accumulates with repeat loadings. The bulk composite strength and damage observations are discussed in the context of single-particle fracture strength estimated from a pressure-volume analysis of their uniaxial confined compression behavior. The increased bulk compressive strength of the sodium chloride composite despite the lower estimated particle strength suggests that particle shape has a larger effect on low-strain compression behavior than particle strength in these high-solids-loading composites. Quantitative segmentation of X-ray micro-computed tomographic images using an unsupervised k-means clustering algorithm into polymer and particle spatial distributions observes that damage initiates at the sample boundaries. It is presented that the unsupervised segmentation of the low-contrast X-ray images quantitatively agrees with measurements of ingredient mass fractions taken during fabrication and is largely insensitive to typical image pre-processing steps of image sharpening and filtering.

Background Sodium is an essential nutrient; however, excess dietary sodium is associated with increased blood pressure levels. The 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey – Nutrition (CCHS 2.2) concluded that most Canadians exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of 2300 mg/day. The 2015 CCHS indicated that Canadians were still consuming above the UL. To assess population sodium intakes, a Sodium AnaLysis Tool ( SALT ) was developed. Methods We used data from CCHS 2.2 (2004) to group foods into types (e.g., popcorn, crackers) and general categories (e.g., snack foods) which formed the SALT questions. Portion sizes and sodium values were calculated for SALT questions. Over a one-month period, one hundred participants completed three, 24-h recalls (at beginning, middle, and end) and two SALT ( SALT 1 & SALT 2 ) tools (at beginning and end). To assess both validity and reliability, statistical tests including Bland-Altman (B-A) plots, paired t-tests, differences between means, and correlations were conducted. The mean of the 3,24-h recalls (m24HR) was used for validation. Results Validity testing between SALT 2 and the m24HR yielded variable results. A B-A plot between SALT 2 and m24HR depicted a small bias of 7 mg/day of sodium. The sodium intake for m24HR (2742 ± 980 mg/day) (mean ± standard deviation) versus SALT 2 (2735 ± 1174 mg/day) was not significantly different ( p  = 0.960). Pearson’s correlation between methods, although significant ( p  = 0.02) was poor (r = 0.202; de-attenuated r = 0.400). There was a fair, significant agreement (κ = 0.236, p  = 0.02) for the classification of sodium intake into two categories (above or below the UL). Test-retest reliability results were also variable. There was moderate, significant agreement (κ = 0.488, p  = 0.001) for classification of sodium intake into two categories between SALT 1 and SALT 2 , a significant correlation (Pearson’s r = 0.785, p  < 0.001), and the B-A plot depicted good agreement. However, the values for sodium intake for SALT 1 (3185 ± 1424) vs SALT 2 (2735 ± 1174) were significantly different ( p  = 0.005). Conclusions Results indicate that the SALT has the potential to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing dietary sodium intake of Canadian adult populations. Despite some classification issues, there may be some value in using the SALT to categorize sodium intakes. Further refinement of the SALT may be required.

The objective of the current study was to examine food and culinary skills and knowledge of dietetic students. An online bilingual survey was created using Survey Monkey to explore the skills, knowledge, and perceptions of undergraduate dietetic students regarding food and cooking. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to compare skills and knowledge of food and culinary concepts. The final sample included second- (n = 22) and third-year (n = 22) students within the Baccalauréat specialisé en sciences de la nutrition program at the University of Ottawa. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) on 3 of 4 skills (preparing a cake, whipping egg whites, or baking a yeast bread) or knowledge concepts (fold, baste, braise, grill, and poach) amongst second- and third-year students. Third-year students perceived more skill in preparing a béchamel sauce. There was a trend for third-year students (59%) to have higher food and cooking skills and knowledge compared with second-year students (32%). Perceived knowledge and confidence was proportional with the academic year, whereas overall knowledge and skills of food and culinary concepts were moderate among both groups of students. This research suggests that more dedicated time may need to be spent on food and cooking competencies in undergraduate dietetic education.

Processus ou contenu : Des groupes de discussion regroupant des responsables d'un service de garde en milieu familial et des agents de soutien pédagogique du milieu de la petite enfance ont été menés. L'objectif était de connaître la réalité de leur travail et leur opinion sur les outils pédagogiques offerts par l'équipe des diététistes des PLC. Des évaluations d'activités ont également été réalisées dans des services de garde afin d'évaluer la faisabilité des activités et de recueillir les commentaires des éducatrices à l'égard du programme. Par la suite, un comité consultatif réunissant des gens du milieu de la petite enfance s'est penché sur les résultats de cette analyse pour émettre des recommandations. : L'équipe des diététistes des Producteurs laitiers du Canada conçoit annuellement une affiche éducative destinée aux services de garde éducatifs à l'enfance. Cette affiche interactive est accompagnée d'un feuillet comprenant des activités d'éveil à l'alimentation pour les enfants d'âge préscolaire. L'objectif principal de cette évaluation était de connaître les conditions d'implantation, le niveau d'utilisation, l'appréciation et la pertinence de l'affiche. Sommaire : Au total, 524 personnes ont répondu au sondage (74 % du Québec et 26 % des Maritimes). Parmi les répondants ayant reçu les affiches au cours des dernières années (n = 111), la majorité avait utilisé l'outil dans la dernière année (81 %). Les activités qui accompagnaient l'affiche étaient « beaucoup appréciées » par la majorité des utilisateurs (57 % à 77 %, selon l'activité), qui considéraient pour la plupart que les activités étaient faciles à intégrer dans leur quotidien. Les activités de découverte des aliments sont celles qui ont été le plus réalisées par les milieux.

Objectives: Excessive sodium (Na) intakes and insufficient potassium (K) intakes are known contributors to hypertension. In July 2010, the Health Canada-led multi-stakeholder Sodium Working Group issued recommendations to lower Na intakes of Canadians. Baseline data and ongoing monitoring are needed. Methods: Na and K content based on recently analyzed food composite samples from the Canadian marketplace were matched with over 35,000 dietary recalls from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 2.2). The distributions of usual intakes for Na and K were constructed using SIDE software and estimates by age and sex for the 5th, 10th, 25th, mean, median, 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles were determined. Results: Based on recent analyses of Canadian foods, the majority of Canadians exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Na for their age and sex group, including infants, children, adolescents and adults. In sharp contrast, few had Adequate Intakes (AI) of K. Conclusion: Canadians of all ages need to decrease Na intakes below the UL. At the same time, increased consumption of dairy products, fruits and vegetables must be promoted to increase K intakes to current recommendations. Both dietary interventions are required to help lower hypertension in the Canadian population. We provide the first report based on direct analyses of Canadian foods, confirming the high Na and low K intakes of the Canadian population. With its annual sampling program of foods commonly consumed in Canada, the Total Diet Study provides an important sentinel system for monitoring these dietary risk factors for hypertension. Objectifs : Des apports excessifs en sodium (Na) et insuffisants en potassium (K) sont deux facteurs contribuant à l'hypertension. En juillet 2010, le Groupe de travail multi-intervenants sur le sodium, dirigé par Santé Canada, a publié la Stratégie de réduction du sodium pour le Canada. Des données de base et un suivi permanent sont requis. Méthode : Les contenus en Na et en K basés sur des analyses récentes d'échantillons composites d'aliments vendus sur le marché canadien ont été appariés avec plus de 35 000 « rappels alimentaires » [feuilles de rappels des aliments ingérés] de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes, cycle 2.2, volet nutrition (ESCC 2.2). Les distributions des apports typiques en Na et en K ont été établies en utilisant le logiciel SIDE, et les estimations par âge et par sexe pour les 5e, 10e, 25e, 75e, 90e et 95e centiles, ainsi que pour la moyenne et la médiane, ont été déterminées. Résultats : D'après des analyses récentes d'aliments canadiens, les apports en Na de la majorité des Canadiens (nourrissons, enfants, adolescents et adultes) excèdent l'apport maximal tolérable (AMT) pour leur groupe d'âge et leur sexe. Par contre, peu de Canadiens ont des apports suffisants (AS) en K. Conclusion : Les Canadiens de tous les âges ont besoin de réduire leurs apports en Na en dessous de l'AMT. Parallèlement, la consommation accrue de produits laitiers, de fruits et de légumes doit être promue afin d'augmenter les apports en K jusqu'aux niveaux recommandés. Ces deux interventions sont requises afin de réduire l'hypertension au Canada. Notre rapport est le premier à être fondé directement sur des analyses d'aliments canadiens; il confirme les apports excessifs en Na et insuffisants en K des Canadiens. Grâce à son programme d'échantillonnage annuel des aliments habituellement consommés au Canada, l'étude de la diète totale fournit un système sentinelle important pour le suivi de ces facteurs de risque d'hypertension d'origine alimentaire.

Although vitamin C is not produced in the body, it is important for many biochemical and physiological functions. Little is known about the current vitamin C status of Canadians. This study describes the correlates of vitamin C status in a nationally representative sample of adults. Data are from the 2012/2013 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Plasma vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) concentrations were measured among a fasting subsample of respondents aged 20 to 79 (n = 1,615). Vitamin C status, prevalence of deficiency (plasma vitamin C < 11 μmol/L), and use of vitamin C-containing supplements were estimated. Multivariate regression models were used to examine associations between vitamin C status and sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, body mass index, supplement use, and consumption of fruit juice and citrus fruit. The mean plasma vitamin C concentration of adults aged 20 to 79 was 53 μmol/L; fewer than 3% were vitamin C-deficient. Almost 22% took a vitamin C-containing supplement. Concentrations were lower among smokers and people who were obese, and higher among vitamin C supplement users and fruit juice and citrus fruit consumers. Multivariate models showed that supplement use was the strongest and most consistent predictor of vitamin C status; fruit juice and citrus fruit consumption were predictors only among populations with lower vitamin C concentrations (for example, smokers, obese). Few Canadians were vitamin C-deficient. Smokers and people with a higher BMI were most at risk of lower vitamin C concentrations; concentrations were higher among supplement users and consumers of fruit juice and citrus fruit.

Over the past two decades, growing and consistent evidence indicates that healthy dietary patterns or \"high-quality\" diets are rich in nutrient-dense vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy, lean meats and poultry, seafood, nuts, and unsaturated vegetable oils and limited in red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, and refined grains [1, 2]. The study by Picard and colleagues compared Mediterranean Diet Scores, Healthy Eating Index, and Healthy Food Diversity in 50 adults with diabetes and chronic kidney disease and concluded that the application of these diet quality assessment tools is limited in this population due to the dietary restrictions necessary in advanced disease. [...]we are pleased to share the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research's Research Showcase Abstracts with you.

From the invited commentary, \"Enhancing Response Ability: Dietetics as a Vehicle for Social Justice-A Primer\" by Brady and L'Heureux, published in the most recent Winter issue, to original research studies published in this issue, such as an evaluation of a diet tracking smartphone app by Bouzo et al. and a survey of nutrition policy implementation in childcare centres by Lima Do Vale et al., to an upcoming perspective paper by Goodridge and colleagues on how dietitians can support sustainable development of the global food system, soon to be published as e-first. When we think more broadly about how dietitians are creating change for a healthier future, the ongoing conduct of research is vital to improving dietetic practice and public health. Â titre ďexemples, le commentaire invité Enhancing Response Ability: Dietetics as a Vehicle for Social Justice-A Primer [Améliorer la capacité de reaction : la diététique comme vehicule de justice sociale - une introduction] par Brady et L'Heureux, publié dans le dernier numéro hivernal, des études de recherche originale publiées dans le présent numéro, notamment ľévaluation ďune application pour téléphone intelligent pour le suivi de f alimentation par Bouzo et coll. et un sondage sur la mise en œuvre de politiques sur la nutrition dans des centres de la petite enfance par Lima Do Vale et coll., et un article de perspective a venir par Goodridge et coll. sur la façon dont les diététistes peuvent contribuer au développement durable du systeme alimentaire mondial, qui sera bientôt publié en primeur électronique.