Towards a radon-in-water primary standard at LNHB.

Despite widespread radon-in-water measurements, no primary radon-in-water standards currently exist. This work aims to bridge this gap by developing a system to produce radon-in-water reference materials. The system relies on cryogenic, loss-free transfer of radon, which is standardized through defined solid angle measurements, to a radon standard in water. It allows for preparation of liquid scintillation and gamma-ray spectrometry samples with traceable radon-in-water concentrations. The system's design, functionality, and the results of pilot performance tests are described.

Development of the Healthy Eating Food Index (HEFI)-2019 measuring adherence to Canada's Food Guide 2019 recommendations on healthy food choices.

The release of Canada's Food Guide (CFG) in 2019 by Health Canada prompted the development of indices to measure adherence to these updated dietary recommendations for Canadians. This study describes the development and scoring standards of the Healthy Eating Food Index (HEFI-2019), which is intended to measure alignment of eating patterns with CFG-2019 recommendations on food choices among Canadians aged 2 years and older. Alignment with the intent of each key recommendation in the CFG-2019 was the primary principle guiding the development of the HEFI-2019. Additional considerations included previously published indices, data on Canadians' dietary intakes from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition, and expert judgement. The HEFI-2019 includes 10 components: Vegetables and fruits (20 points), Whole-grain foods (5 points), Grain foods ratio (5 points), Protein foods (5 points), Plant-based protein foods (5 points), Beverages (10 points), Fatty acids ratio (5 points), Saturated fats (5 points), Free sugars (10 points), and Sodium (10 points). All components are expressed as ratios (e.g., proportions of total foods, total beverages, or total energy). The HEFI-2019 score has a maximum of 80 points. Potential uses of the HEFI-2019 include research as well as monitoring and surveillance of food choices in population-based surveys. Novelty: The Healthy Eating Food Index-2019 was developed to measure adherence to the 2019 Canada's Food Guide recommendations on healthy food choices. The HEFI-2019 includes 10 components, of which 5 are based on foods, 1 on beverages and 4 on nutrients, for a total of 80 points.

Evaluation of the Healthy Eating Food Index (HEFI)-2019 measuring adherence to Canada's Food Guide 2019 recommendations on healthy food choices.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the construct validity and reliability of the Healthy Eating Food Index-2019 (HEFI-2019), which was developed to measure adherence to Canada's Food Guide 2019 (CFG-2019) recommendations on healthy food choices. Dietary intake data from 24-hour dietary recalls in the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition were used for that purpose. Multidimensionality was examined using principal component analysis. Mean scores were compared among subgroups of the population. The association between scores and energy intake was assessed using Pearson correlations. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess reliability. The estimated mean HEFI-2019 score (/80) was 43.1 (95% CI, 42.7 to 43.6) among Canadians aged 2 years and older. The first and 99th percentiles were 22.1 and 62.9 points. The mean HEFI-2019 score for smokers was 7.2 points lower than for non-smokers (95% CI, -8.5 to -5.9). The HEFI-2019 was weakly correlated with energy intake (r = -0.13; 95% CI, -0.20 to -0.06). The principal components analysis revealed at least 4 dimensions. Cronbach's alpha was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.63 to 0.69). Evidence of construct validity and internal consistency support the use of the HEFI-2019 to assess adherence to CFG-2019's recommendations on healthy food choices. Novelty: Examination of the HEFI-2019's psychometric properties is needed prior to implementation. Analyses support the construct validity and internal consistency of the HEFI-2019. Interpretation of the total HEFI-2019 score must be accompanied by its components' scores, considering it assesses multiple dimensions of food choices.

Free Sugars Consumption in Canada.

Free sugars (FS) are associated with a higher risk of dental decay in children and an increased risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity and type 2 diabetes. For this reason, Canada's Food Guide recommends limiting foods and beverages that contribute to excess free sugars consumption. Estimating FS intakes is needed to inform policies and interventions aimed at reducing Canadians' consumption of FS. The objective of this study was to estimate FS intake of Canadians using a new method that estimated the free sugars content of foods in the Canadian Nutrient File, the database used in national nutrition surveys. We define FS as sugars present in food products in which the structure has been broken down. We found that 12% of total energy (about 56 g) comes from FS in the diet of Canadians 1 year of age and older (≥1 year). The top four sources were: (1) sugars, syrups, preserves, confectionary, desserts; (2) soft drinks; (3) baked products and (4) juice (without added sugars), and accounted for 60% of total free sugars intake. The results show that efforts need to be sustained to help Canadians, particularly children and adolescents, to reduce their FS intake.

Simulation of the response of an ionization chamber to 214Bi emission. Application to the measurement of 222Rn.

PENELOPE simulations of a Vinten ionization chamber (IC) were performed to investigate the influence of the thickness of glass-ampoules used in 222Rn standardization. The simulation reveals a non-negligible variation of the energy deposited in the chamber gas region (which may induce a proportional variation of the measured current) when considering the ß transition emissions of the daughters of 222Rn. This reinforces the idea of using a specialist container (made of metal to preserve the integrity of the container) that would circulate between the metrology laboratories in the context of international comparison exercises using the BIPM international reference system (SIR).

International approaches to developing healthy eating patterns for national dietary guidelines.

As part of the revision of the 2007 Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide, a literature scan on statistical modeling approaches used in developing healthy eating patterns for national food guides was conducted. The scan included relevant literature and online searches, primarily since the 2007 Canada's Food Guide was released. Eight countries were identified as utilizing a statistical model or analysis to help inform their healthy eating pattern, defined as the amounts and types of food recommended, with many common characteristics noted. Detail on international modeling approaches is presented, highlighting similarities and differences as well as strengths and challenges.

Trends and correlates of frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption, 2007 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: Eating fruit and vegetables is recommended as part of a healthy diet. This study describes trends in the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption in Canada, the contribution of fruit juice to these trends, and correlates of the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption. DATA AND METHODS: The data are from the annual Canadian Community Health Survey for the 2007-to-2014 period and pertain to the household population aged 12 or older. Weighted frequencies and cross-tabulations were used to estimate the average frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption by socio-demographic characteristics and body mass index, age-standardized to the 2014 Canadian population. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine correlates of frequency of fruit and vegetable intake in 2014. RESULTS: In 2014, Canadians reported consuming fruit and vegetables an average of 4.7 times a day, a slight, but significant, decrease from 5.0 times a day in 2007. The decrease over time was no longer significant when fruit juice was excluded (dropping to an average of 4.1 times a day in both years). Canadians drank less juice in 2014 than in 2007, a decline that was apparent across all age, sex and household income quintiles, all regions, and all weight categories. In 2014, Canadians who reported consuming fruit and vegetables 5 or more times a day tended to be female, in younger age groups, in the highest household income quintile, and neither overweight nor obese. DISCUSSION: Between 2007 and 2014, Canadians' reported frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption was consistently low. Correlates of fruit and vegetable consumption can be used to target nutrition policy and education efforts to improve intake.

[Precariousness and diabetes: prevention using networks]. / Précarité et diabète : de la prévention à l'aide des réseaux.

Precariousness and diabetes: prevention using networks. This article describes the impact of deprivation on prevalence of diabetes and the importance to integrate the socioeconomic aspect of patients while treating a chronic disease such as diabetes which involves everyday gestures and behaviours. Intervention studies demonstrated that incidence of diabetes can be decrease and with alternatives approaches, patients with diabetes can develop coping skills.

Précarité et diabète : de la prévention à l'aide des réseaux. Cet article décrit l'impact d'un faible niveau socioéconomique sur la prévalence du diabète et les conséquences dans la prise en charge de la maladie. Néanmoins, si les freins sont connus, un message optimiste est la description de l'efficacité de certaines études d'intervention pour prévenir le diabète, et des capacités de résilience de certains patients face à la maladie, ces capacités qui apparaissent dans les groupes de paroles proposés par un réseau spécifique.

Estimating the Sugars Content of Diets that Follow Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide.

PURPOSE: This research aimed to estimate the percent energy (%E) contribution from total and free sugars in the Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (CFG) dietary pattern. METHODS: The sugar-containing foods in the Canadian Nutrient File were assigned to 1 of 2 categories: total sugars or free sugars based on the source. The total sugars content of foods containing any amount of free sugars was assigned to the free sugars category. We estimated free sugars content from 8000 simulated diets (500 for each of the 16 age and sex groups), consistent with the CFG dietary pattern. Descriptive statistics were used to examine distributions of %E from total and free sugars by age and sex. RESULTS: The mean %E from total and free sugars of all simulated diets was 21%E and 7%E, respectively. For simulated diets for males and females, 9-18 years of age, the %E from free sugars exceeded 10% at the 75th percentile. Simulated diets for all other age and sex groups exceeded 10%E from free sugars at the 95th percentile. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the simulated CFG diets met the WHO recommendations to limit free sugars consumption to <10%E. These results will be used to inform future dietary guidance policy development.

Advancements in NORM metrology - Results and impact of the European joint research project MetroNORM.

The results of the three years European Metrology Research Programme's (EMRP) joint research project 'Metrology for processing materials with high natural radioactivity' (MetroNORM) are presented. In this project, metrologically sound novel instruments and procedures for laboratory and in-situ NORM activity measurements have been developed. Additionally, standard reference materials and sources for traceable calibration and improved decay data of natural radionuclides have been established.

Residual radioactivity of treated green diamonds.

Treated green diamonds can show residual radioactivity, generally due to immersion in radium salts. We report various activity measurements on two radioactive diamonds. The activity was characterized by alpha and gamma ray spectrometry, and the radon emanation was measured by alpha counting of a frozen source. Even when no residual radium contamination can be identified, measurable alpha and high-energy beta emissions could be detected. The potential health impact of radioactive diamonds and their status with regard to the regulatory policy for radioactive products are discussed.

Photon emission intensities in the decay of U-235.

New measurements of photon emission intensities in the decay of U-235 were performed. Source was prepared by deposition of a U-235 solution on glass plate. Standardization was carried out by defined solid angle alpha counting, giving the reference activity with 0.7% relative combined uncertainty. Gamma spectrometry was performed with accurately calibrated high-purity germanium detectors. Corrections for source geometry and coincidence summing effects were applied. The reference line (185.72keV) intensity was obtained with 1.3% relative standard uncertainty.

A surveillance tool to assess diets according to Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide.

BACKGROUND: A surveillance tool was developed to assess dietary intake collected by surveys in relation to Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (CFG). The tool classifies foods in the Canadian Nutrient File (CNF) according to how closely they reflect CFG. This paper describes the validation exercise conducted to ensure that CNF foods determined to be "in line with CFG" were appropriately classified. DATA AND METHODS: With statistical modelling, 8,000 simulated diets (500 for each of the 16 Dietary Reference Intake [DRI] age/sex groups) were generated using commonly consumed foods classified as "in line with CFG." Criteria for assessing the energy content and nutrient distributions of the simulated diets were based on factors considered in the development of CFG, including Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) and Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) values. RESULTS: The median energy content of the simulated diets was at or below reference EERs. Most age/sex group distributions had macronutrient profiles that met the assessment criterion of 80% of the distribution within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range, and almost all age/sex group distributions had a low prevalence (less than 10%) of micronutrient profiles below the Estimated Average Requirements. Overall, the findings indicate that diets consisting of foods that are commonly consumed by Canadians and that are "in line with CFG" have a low probability of energy excess and nutrient inadequacy. INTERPRETATION: The classification of foods in the CNF accurately reflects CFG recommendations and can be used to assess surveillance data.

Comparison of digital signal processing modules in gamma-ray spectrometry.

Commercial digital signal-processing modules have been tested for their applicability to gamma-ray spectrometry. The tests were based on the same n-type high purity germanium detector. The spectrum quality was studied in terms of energy resolution and peak area versus shaping parameters, using a Eu-152 point source. The stability of a reference peak count rate versus the total count rate was also examined. The reliability of the quantitative results is discussed for their use in measurement at the metrological level.

Design of an electrochemically assisted radiation sensor for α-spectrometry of actinides traces in water.

We describe a new approach for the detection and identification of actinides at low activity levels directly in aqueous solution. The measurement consists initially, in immobilizing alpha emitters in the form of insoluble hydroxides onto the entrance window of an immersed alpha particles detector. For this, a boron doped diamond detector window is negatively polarized to produce a basic layer on its surface by water decomposition. Actinides elements that are known to be very sensitive to hydrolysis are precipitated as solid hydroxides onto the entrance window of the sensor. Due to the absence of an air layer between the radioactive source and the detector, there is no need for vacuum during the alpha spectrometry measurement. After analysis, the detector can be easily cleaned by anodization in the aqueous medium to be reused at once. The minimum detectable activity concentration (MDA) of the system has been evaluated with (241)Am at 0.5 Bq/L for a 0.33 cm(2) area Si PIN diode.

On scattering effects for volume sources in low-energy photon spectrometry.

In this study, different aspects of the Compton scattering inside volume sources are illustrated using experimental approach and Monte Carlo simulation. For the low-energy range (below 100 keV) scattered events represents around 30% of the whole spectrum. Influence of the source-detector geometry is discussed. The scattering effects induce strong differences in spectrum shape for different geometrical conditions. This should influence efficiency transfer factors. A new approach is proposed, including the scattered events, to avoid complex peak area determination.

Validation of efficiency transfer for Marinelli geometries.

In the framework of environmental measurements by gamma-ray spectrometry, some laboratories need to characterize samples in geometries for which a calibration is not directly available. A possibility is to use an efficiency transfer code, e.g., ETNA. However, validation for large volume sources, such as Marinelli geometries, is needed. With this aim in mind, ETNA is compared, initially to a Monte Carlo simulation (PENELOPE) and subsequently to experimental data obtained with a high-purity germanium detector (HPGe).

Characterization of a cosmic suppression spectrometer.

In this work, PENELOPE2008 and MCNP5 software packages were used to investigate the effect of simulation parameters such as cut-off energy of photons and electrons on the detector response function and peak escape intensity to assess their influence on the efficiency determination. The results showed a general agreement between the two codes, however both the intensity of escape peaks and total efficiency computed with PENELOPE2008 are higher than those obtained with MCNP5. Moreover, the calculated efficiencies are typically 8% higher than what is experimentally found in the low energy range. Further investigation was required to obtain better agreement and lead to better estimate of the real germanium crystal dimensions and dead layer.

Coincidence summing corrections applied to volume sources.

The numerical calculation of coincidence summing corrections requires both the total and full-energy peak efficiencies to be included in the corrective factors. Moreover, in the case of volume sources, the coincidence probability depends on the position of the photon emission inside the radioactive sample, thus it is necessary to calculate the coincidence summing corrective factors by integrating the elemental contributions for the entire volume. The software ETNA calculates coincidence summing corrective factors according to a deterministic method, for volume sources, two approaches are included in the software: the "simplified" calculation uses directly the efficiency of the volume source like in the case of point source, and the "complete" calculation performs the volume integration. To assess the difference between these, different geometrical cases are tested for several radionuclides using both methods.

After-school snack intake among Canadian children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The article describes the after-school (AS) snacking pattern of young Canadians and its relationship with the amount of energy consumed daily and at dinner. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional dietary data, measured by 24h recall, from 9,131 children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years from the Canadian Community Health Survey, cycle 2.2 (2004). We evaluated AS snack intake; i.e., foods consumed Monday to Friday between 3:00 and 6:00 pm, excluding lunch and dinner. We also assessed the consumption frequency of AS snack items, the energy provided by AS snacks and total daily energy intake (TDEI) by age group and sex. RESULTS: Approximately 63% of respondents consumed AS snacks. AS snacks provided on average 1212[95%CI,1157-1268] kJ (290[95%CI,276-303] kcal), representing 13[95%CI,12-13]% of TDEI. Youth who consumed AS snacks contributing 1-418 kJ (1-99 kcal) reported lower TDEI than those who consumed no snack. Among AS snack consumers, TDEI was higher in groups consuming the highest amount of energy from AS snacks. Fruits were among the most frequently consumed food categories. However, the largest energy contributors were mostly foods that may be energy-dense and nutrient-poor, such as cookies, sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets. CONCLUSION: Considering that the majority of children and adolescents consumed AS snacks, that these snacks provided about 13% of their TDEI, and that the majority of the most frequently consumed snacks were generally energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, the AS time period presents an opportunity to promote healthy eating in order to improve diet quality and potentially influence TDEI among Canadian children and adolescents.