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A national Canadian survey, completed in October 2021 of 10,019 Canadians, provides detailed insight into the Canadian novel food marketplace. Questions gauged consumer perception, and openness to cultured proteins (CPs) across a range of considerations, juxtaposing Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2005) with the broader Canadian average. Survey respondents, to a degree, are open to CPs commercialization, while mixed about the environmental and ethical value. CPs companies, regulators, policy-makers and investors need to be aware of the multi-dimensional aspects of consumer decision-making, backing claims with validated science. Overall value will need to be matched with taste and nutritional claims, built on trust, in Canada, and globally. Whether it is the social ethics of Generation Z that will become the strongest proponents of CPs (or aspirational consumers regardless of their age), market value creation for the emergent sector can think of brand validation, and the public-private motivations in an adaptive science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) have the potential to reduce occurrences and severity of collisions with Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs). However, the nearly infinite number of possible VRU visual appearances (e.g., size, clothing, accessories) represent a technical challenge as systems need to correctly detect and identify VRUs to take adequate mitigation measures. The aim of this study was to determine, through track testing, which parameters affect systems' capabilities in detecting pedestrians. The standardized articulated adult male pedestrian (EPTa) and seven-year-old articulated child pedestrian (EPTc) targets were used as the control group. Evaluations on the track followed the Euro NCAP AEB-VRU test protocols, and derivatives thereof. An iterative test approach was used to benchmark the detection capabilities of systems with variations in target configuration and environmental conditions against the control group (baseline condition). Over 1,000 track tests using 24 configurations and 13 vehicles (model years 2019-2021) were conducted. The environmental conditions included nighttime and snow-covered roads. Pedestrians were dressed in winter clothing and/or equipped with accessories, including a hat, jackets of different colors, backpack, umbrella, and a scooter. Other scenarios involved parked vehicles as obstructions or using multiple pedestrian targets (to simulate a parent crossing the road with child or a crowd waiting at an intersection) to challenge the vehicles with realistic urban-like scenarios. This study illustrates how the variation of parameters outside the baseline condition can affect a vehicles' safety performance. Weather conditions and urban-like scenarios on the test track affected some systems more than others. The validity of these findings is however limited by the small vehicle sample size and number of tests performed per scenario. In Canada, vehicles are exposed to less-than-ideal road conditions and a wide range of pedestrian profiles. The vehicles tested demonstrated various levels of performance and capabilities when mitigating collisions with pedestrians. The research illustrates the safety risks associated with weather and types of VRUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa have poor HIV care outcomes. We determined the association of recent significant life-events with HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation and HIV viral suppression in youth aged 15–24 years living with HIV in rural Kenya and Uganda. This was a cross-sectional analysis of 995 youth enrolled in the SEARCH Youth study. At baseline, providers assessed recent (within 6 months) life-events, defined as changes in schooling/employment, residence, partnerships, sickness, incarceration status, family strife or death, and birth/pregnancy, self-reported alcohol use, being a parent, and HIV-status disclosure. We examined the frequencies of events and their association with ART status and HIV viral suppression (<400 copies/ul). Recent significant life-events were prevalent (57.7%). Having >2 significant life-events (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI:0.45-0.85) and consuming alcohol (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI:0.43-0.87) were associated with a lower odds of HIV viral suppression, while disclosure of HIV-status to partner (aOR = 2.39, 95% CI:1.6-3.5) or to family (aOR = 1.86, 95% CI:1.3-2.7), being a parent (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI:1.2-2.5), and being single (aOR = 1.6, 95% CI:1.3-2.1) had a higher odds. This suggest that two or more recent life-events and alcohol use are key barriers to ART initiation and achievement of viral suppression among youth living with HIV in rural East Africa. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03848728.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canadian urban agriculture movement marks a change in urban landuse policies that includes a greater diversity of gardeners as views on sustainable agriculture promotes local food movements. Benefits of urban agriculture are well documented in the social science, environmental and health literature. Much of the literature on urban food-gardens in Canada focuses on community gardens and school gardens and gardening programmes, while there has been little attempt to gather and synthesise this research with a focus on the governance and management of grassroots urban agri-food organisations. We have undertaken through a systematic scoping review to reveal the extent of the current body of knowledge surrounding urban grassroots agri-food organisations in Canada, as well as governance and management paradigms and challenges. Of the Canadian studies, 15 were qualitative case studies (surveys, observations, etc.), 11 were exploration/analysis papers (analysis of primary research collected elsewhere), one was a literature review and 1 was a quantitative analysis. Significant challenges in grassroots foodgardening are explored. We found that for greater success of urban agriculture, municipal policymakers need to intentionally and radically shift policy to plan for and integrate urban agriculture networks into the urban environment without taking over the networks themselves. We also find that there is a lack of broad research into the influence of gender dynamics on the organisation and management of urban agriculture or community gardens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the first quarter of 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of Canadians, changing the way they worked, studied, and shopped. In addition to restrictions on freedom of movement and gathering, there was confusion spread on social media platforms about points and rates of transmission. Inconsistent messaging from public health authorities and government representatives eroded public trust, despite the initially low rate of infection. This research was carried out through four cross-country surveys to explore the experience and perceptions about food retail and food service during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Results suggest confusion and fear towards food provisioning. As well, telecommuting and adoption of online shopping tools drove consumer behaviour in food retail during the first wave of the pandemic. Our findings demonstrate a need for innovation in the food retailing and service sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The neurocognitive outcomes of sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) during late adulthood are vastly understudied. In young, asymptomatic adults, mTBI-related synaptic plasticity alterations have been associated with persistent implicit motor sequence learning impairments outlasting the usual cognitive recovery period. The current study examined whether uncomplicated mTBI sustained during late adulthood could exert persistent deleterious consequences on implicit motor sequence learning. Method: Thirty participants (aged 50–70 years) who experienced an uncomplicated mTBI within 3 to 24 months of testing, and 40 age-, sex- and education-equivalent healthy controls performed an implicit serial reaction time task (SRT task). The SRT task consisted of 10 blocks of a repeating sequence embedded among 4 random blocks. Participants also completed a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests of attention, memory and executive functioning. Results: While both mTBI participants and controls showed significant implicit motor sequence learning effects, the mTBI group achieved a lower level of competence at performing the SRT task as evidenced by smaller gains in reaction times across the 10 training blocks of the repeating sequence. The time elapsed since the injury was unrelated to implicit motor learning effects. There was no evidence of a persistent effect of mTBI on any neuropsychological domain compared to controls. Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest that a single mTBI sustained during older age may have persistent repercussions on training-dependent motor sequence learning capacity outlasting the recovery of mTBI symptoms and gold-standard neuropsychological tests performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article engages with the sudden pivot to online learning and research in a Toronto high school drama classroom during the COVID pandemic, revealing a complex portrait of youth, connection, and the digital world at a time of physical distancing. In light of these shifting 'personal geographies', we reflect on what drama practices might be mobilised to invite intimacy into online learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the shifting patterns in meal consumption practices among Canadians and the sources of disruption of meal habits. It analyses the notion of breakfast, lunch, dinner, out-of-household consumption of food, cooking, and snacking which could be considered as disrupting eating habits. Meal skipping, primarily breakfast and lunch was common, particularly among women, as was consumption of food outside the home, particularly among lower income earners and respondents with lower education attainment. The findings of this survey suggest that contemporary Canadians are experiencing a disruption of meal times, a rise in the frequency of snacking and an erosion of the will or ability to prepare or cook meals at home. For many Canadians, the traditional notion of three-meals a day is becoming an ideal, rather than a daily reality. Fragmented food habits and the disintegration of traditional meal patterns represent a challenge to public health nutrition in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rates of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) completion remain low in programmatic settings in sub-Saharan Africa. Differentiated HIV care models may improve IPT completion by addressing joint barriers to IPT and HIV treatment. However, the impact of differentiated care on IPT completion remains unknown. In a cross-sectional study of people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in 5 communities in rural Uganda, we compared IPT completion between patients receiving HIV care via a differentiated care model versus a standard HIV care model and assessed multi-level predictors of IPT completion. A total of 103/144 (72%) patients received differentiated care and 85/161 (53%) received standard care completed IPT (p < 0.01). Adjusting for age, gender and community, patients receiving differentiated care had higher odds of completing IPT (aOR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.5–4.5, p < 0.01). Predictors of IPT completion varied by the care model, and differentiated care modified the positive association between treatment completion and the belief in the efficacy of IPT and the negative association with side-effects. Patients receiving a multi-component differentiated care model had a higher odds of IPT completion than standard care, and the model's impact on health beliefs, social support, and perceived side effects to IPT may underlie this positive association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past few years, food fraud has become a source of concern for consumers in many parts of the world. Major cases of food fraud have been found in Canada in recent months, including the Mucci case, in which Mexican tomatoes were sold as Canadian, as well as the case of a poultry farmer selling nonorganic chicken as organic. The authors aim to assess the level of awareness and trust among Canadian consumers in relation to fraudulent and counterfeit food products. This exploratory study is meant to establish latent determinants on consumers' risk perception of food fraud in general. These determinants include education, income, geographical region, age, sex, and health-related predisposition such as food allergies and intolerances. To this end, a random survey was conducted across Canada in January 2017. A sample size of 1088 was used for this study. Findings indicate that older, moreeducated consumers generally feel more vulnerable, to various degrees, than do other consumers. Consumers who are aware and have experienced food fraud previously are likely to trust other consumers as risk-mitigating agents more so than public regulators or industry. Several limitations are presented, and future research paths are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition security has been studied but rarely in the context of a developed economy. Furthermore, few studies have looked at how fluctuating produce process may influence nutrition security and how consumers cope with abrupt macro-economic changes. Between 2014 and 2015, Canadian consumers saw produce prices jump by more than 25% in a year in some cases. This exploratory survey looks at socioeconomic factors and evaluates how price increases influence produce consumption and substitution. A total of 1007 respondents participated in a cross national survey over a two-week period. Results show that lower income households are more vulnerable than higher income respondents. Results also explore a few more behavioral factors such as where produce shopping occurs and how market data is gathered before purchases. Respondents who consult flyers and use apps are more likely to behave rationally and cope with changing prices. Some limitations are presented. And finally, future research thrusts related to produce price fluctuations and nutrition security are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a major problem in antibiotic-free (ABF) chicken flocks and specific strains ofClostridium perfringensare known to induce NE. The objective of this study was to develop a chicken intestinal ligated loop model in order to compare the virulence of variousC. perfringensstrains recovered from consecutive ABF flocks with and without NE. Intestinal loops were surgically prepared in 10 anaesthetized specific-pathogen-free chickens and alternately inoculated withC. perfringensisolates or brain heart infusion (BHI) media. Histological lesion scoring was performed for each loop. All strains from NE-affected flocks induced histological lesions compatible with NE whereas inoculation of loops with a commensalC. perfringensstrain or BHI did not. Among inoculated strains, CP0994 (netB-positive andcpb2-positive) and CP-2003-1256 (netB-positive) demonstrated mean histological lesion scores significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those obtained with a commensal strain or BHI whereas strain CP1073 (netB-negative andcpb2-positive) induced intestinal lesions without significantly higher scores. In loops where villi were colonized by Gram-positive rods, significantly higher (P < 0.01) mean histological lesion scores were observed. This result supports the hypothesis that colonization of the intestinal mucosa byC. perfringensis a critical step in the pathogenesis of NE. Finally, we demonstrated the importance of controlling virulentC. perfringensstrains in ABF chicken flocks as a highly virulent strain can be present in consecutive flocks with NE and possibly affect multiple flocks. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Men’s uptake of HIV testing is critical to the success of “test and treat” strategies in generalized epidemics. This study sought to identify cultural factors and community processes that influence men’s HIV testing uptake in the baseline year of an ongoing test-and-treat trial among 334,479 persons in eastern Africa (SEARCH, NCT#01864603). Data were collected using participant observation at mobile community health campaigns (CHCs) (n = 28); focus group discussions (n = 8 groups) with CHC participants; and in-depth interviews with care providers (n = 50), leaders (n = 32), and members (n = 112) of eight communities in Kenya and Uganda. An 8- person research team defined analytical codes and iteratively refined them during data collection using grounded theoretical approaches, and textual data were coded using Atlas.ti software. Structural and cultural barriers, including men’s mobility and gender norms valorizing risk-taking and discouraging health-seeking behavior, were observed, and contributed to men’s lower participation in HIV testing relative to women. Men’s labor opportunities often require extended absences from households: during planting season, men guarded fields from monkeys from dawn until nightfall; lake fishermen traveled long distances and circulated between beaches. Men often tested “by proxy”, believing their wives’ HIV test results to be their status. Debates about HIV risks were vigorous, with many men questioning “traditional” masculine gender norms that enhanced risks. The promise of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to prolong health was a motivating factor for many men to participate in testing. Flexibility in operating hours of HIV testing including late evening and weekend times along with multiple convenient locations that moved were cited as facilitating factors enhancing male participating in HIV testing. Mobile testing reduced but did not eliminate barriers to men’s participation in a large-scale “test & treat” effort. However, transformations in gender norms related to HIV testing and care-seeking are underway in eastern Africa and should be supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People living with HIV/AIDS anticipate HIV-related stigma and fear disclosure to intimate partners. Yet, disclosure is critical to reducing HIV transmission and improving care engagement. This qualitative study characterized HIV disclosure experiences and normative beliefs among couples in communities participating in an HIV test-and-treat trial in Kenya and Uganda (Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health, NCT#01864603). In-depth interviews were conducted with care providers (n = 50), leaders (n = 32) and members (n = 112) of eight communities. Data were analyzed using grounded theoretical approaches and Atlas.ti software. Findings confirmed gender differences in barriers to disclosure: while both men and women feared blame and accusation, women also feared violence and abandonment (“I did not tell my husband because [what if] I tell him and he abandons me at the last moment when I am in labor?”). Positive consequences included partner support for increased care-seeking and adherence (“My husband keeps on reminding me ‘have you taken those drugs?’”) Yet negative consequences included partnership dissolution, blame, and reports of violence (“some men beat their wives just because of that [bringing HIV medications home]”). Among HIV-infected individuals in discordant relationships, men more often reported supportive spouses (“we normally share [HIV-risk-reduction strategies] since I have been infected and she is HIV negative”), than did women (“my husband refused to use condoms and even threatened to marry another wife”). Care providers lent support for HIVpositive women who wanted to engage partners in testing but feared negative consequences: “They engaged the two of us in a session and asked him if we could all test.” Findings demonstrate differing experiences and support needs of women and men living with HIV in eastern Africa, with HIV-positive women in discordant couples particularly vulnerable to negative consequences of disclosure. Efforts to strengthen capacity in health systems for gender-sensitive clinician- or counselor-assisted disclosure should be accelerated within test-and-treat efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expectations about future health and longevity are important determinants of individuals’ decisions to invest in physical and human capital. Few population-level studies have measured subjective expectations and examined how they are affected by scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We assessed these expectations in communities receiving annual HIV testing and universal ART. Longitudinal data on expectations were collected at baseline and one year later in 16 intervention communities participating in the Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health (SEARCH) trial of the test and treat strategy in Kenya and Uganda (NCT01864603). A random sample of households with and without an HIV-positive adult was selected after baseline HIV testing. Individuals’ expectations about survival to 50, 60, 70, and 80 years of age, as well as future health status and economic well-being, were measured using a Likert scale. Primary outcomes were binary variables indicating participants who reported being very likely or almost certain to survive to advanced ages. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine trends in expectations as well as associations with HIV status and viral load for HIV-positive individuals. Data were obtained from 3126 adults at baseline and 3977 adults in year 1, with 2926 adults participating in both waves. HIV-negative adults were more likely to have favorable expectations about survival to 60 years than HIV-positive adults with detectable viral load (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.87, 95% CI 1.53–2.30), as were HIV-positive adults with undetectable viral load (AOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.13–1.77). Favorable expectations about survival to 60 years were more likely for all groups in year 1 compared to baseline (AOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.31–1.77). These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that universal ART leads to improved population-level expectations about future health and well-being. Future research from the SEARCH trial will help determine whether these changes are causally driven by the provision of universal ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridium perfringensis an opportunistic pathogen that can cause food poisoning in humans and various enterotoxaemias in animal species. Recently,C. perfringenswas shown to form biofilms, a structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced extracellular matrix. However, very little is known on the subject and no information is available on gene expression inC. perfringensbiofilms. To gain insights into the differences between free-livingC. perfringenscells and those in biofilms, we used RNA sequencing. In total, 25.7% of genes showed differential expression in the two growth modes; about 12.8% of genes were up-regulated and about 12.9% were down-regulated in biofilms. We show that 772 genes were significantly differentially expressed between biofilms and planktonic cells from the supernatant of biofilms. Genes that were down-regulated in biofilm cells, relative to planktonic cells, included those involved in virulence, energy production, amino acid, nucleotide and carbohydrate metabolism, and in translation and ribosomal structure. Genes up-regulated in biofilm cells were mainly involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, transcription, inorganic ion metabolism and in defence mechanisms. This study provides new insights into the transcriptomic response ofC. perfringensduring biofilm formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet may be a successful part of the treatment plan for improving outcome in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to systematically review all published clinical trials evaluating the effects of a regular diet on symptoms of IBD. Three medical databases were searched for clinical trials evaluating an intervention that involved dietary manipulation using a regular diet on adults with IBD whose symptoms were objectively measured before and after the intervention. The most common types of regular diet interventions that we observed in the literature fell into the following three categories: low residue/low fiber diets, exclusion diets, or other specific diets. Of all included studies, the few that were of higher quality and that observed a statistically significant improvement in symptoms in the diet group compared to the control group fell under the exclusion diet group or the other specific diet group. We were able to identify several high quality clinical trials evaluating dietary manipulations on symptoms of IBD. Exclusion diets and the low FODMAP diet are two areas identified in this review that show promise for having therapeutic benefits for patients with IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recall that plagued Canada’s XL Foods in 2012, tied to E. coli cases found in ground beef, was the largest food recall in Canadian history. As a result of the outbreak, 18 consumers allegedly became ill and XL Foods launched a voluntary recall of all packaged meats from the plant, and the plant underwent intense sanitation for weeks. This study aims to understand how the incident affected consumer confidence in the safety of ground beef. Unlike other food processors, XL Foods does not own and manage brands. XL Foods are sold under brands owned by food distributors and retailers in Canada and the United States. A survey was conducted months after the recall to assess long-term implications. Results suggest consumers still trust the safety of ground beef. Results of this research will also further foster understanding consequences of recalls for food marketing and its effects on consumer behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a framework for the collection and management of knowledge related to food security in Canada. This paper has several goals. First, the paper summarizes the current state of food security knowledge in Canada. Second, the paper presents data from an experiment where food security issues were discussed by stakeholders at two fora, the first of which was held in western Canada and the second held in eastern Canada. Finally, based on the notes taken during and feedback received after the fora, this paper suggests a framework for organizing and managing the multiple perspectives and complex types of knowledge about food security and sustainable development from a Canadian context. Two fora were held in Canada where food security issues were presented and discussed by multiple stakeholders. Most provinces in Canada were represented in at least one of the two sessions. Sessions were designed to be informative and interactive; agenda were designed to take advantage of the needs and experiences of multiple stakeholders in both western and eastern regions of Canada. To develop the framework, the sessions were also designed to assess the types of issues and knowledge about food security in Canada. Evidence presented from this experiment supports arguments that food security work must be approached in a collaborative manner, no matter the approach or discipline. Data from fora held in western and eastern regions of Canada indicate a number of specific ways in which those along the food continuum have the desire to share knowledge and enter into partnerships to work toward secure and sustainable food systems. Data also indicate how academia and institutions of higher learning might play a key role in sharing food security-based knowledge. The data from this study suggest that academia could play a leadership role in collecting and sharing information about food security-based knowledge from all disciplinary approaches that could help collaborative in addressing the complexity of food security challenges. The framework developed in this paper could provide the guide for organizing knowledge about food security and sustainable development. The framework could be used as a map to guide understanding about the different ways in which food security can be approached and understood; this could help reduce tensions among partners in projects where a wide variety of experiences are attempting to work collaboratively. The two food security fora brought together stakeholders with specialized knowledge about food security in a Canadian context. The analysis of data arising from the fora permitted unique insights to arise about the nature of knowledge by region. The data in this study also allowed us to build a framework for food security knowledge from these regional knowledge bases. This paper suggests that academia actively take a leadership role and openly share knowledge about food security. Open sharing of knowledge will help collaborates in dealing with complex food security issues understand in-depth other approaches; this sharing may help to make explicit the tensions that arise during collaborative work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to determine whether serial HIV testing during pregnancy and the postpartum period as well as male partner testing are acceptable and feasible in Tororo, Uganda. This was a prospective study of pregnant women at the Tororo District Hospital (TDH) Antenatal Clinic. Patients presenting for routine antenatal care were asked to participate in a serial HIV testing integrated into standard antenatal and postpartum/child immunization visits, and to invite their male partners for HIV testing. Serial testing was defined as ≥2 tests during pregnancy and ≥2 tests within 24 weeks postpartum. Of the 214 enrolled women, 80 (37%) completed serial testing, 176 (82%) had ≥2 tests, and 147 (69%) had ≥3 tests during the study period. One hundred eighty-two women (85%) accepted male partner testing, but only 19 men (10%) participated. One woman seroconverted during the study, for a cumulative HIV incidence of 0.5% (1/214). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, longer distance between home and clinic (aOR 0.87 [95% CI 0.79–0.97]) and not knowing household income (aOR 0.30 [95% CI 0.11–0.84]) were predictive of not completing serial testing. Higher level of education was associated with completing serial testing (linear trendpvalue = 0.05). In conclusion, partial serial HIV testing was highly acceptable and feasible, but completion of serial testing and male partner testing had poor uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The end of World War II saw the emergence of a gendered division of labour in Japan where ‘salarymen’ committed themselves to their workplaces, while ‘professional housewives’ devoted themselves to domestic work and childcare. Masculinity can therefore be seen as ‘bounded’ since social norms constructed men as family breadwinners. On the other hand, femininity can be seen as ‘unbounded’ in that women were released from the pressure to assume a breadwinning role. This article draws on critical discursive psychology to investigate the subject positions that a group of Japanese men and women assume in relation to a ‘bounded masculinity/unbounded femininity’ interpretative repertoire during group interviews. Results of the analysis indicate that a majority of the participants assumed complicit subject positions in relation to these repertoires and in the process normalized a traditional gendered division of labour. Those participants who took up more resistant subject positions can be seen as contesting and potentially subverting unequal gender relations. The contribution these accounts make to reify or conceivably democratize gender relations is also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, Canada enacted its biggest-ever food recall in response to a Listeria crisis, stemming from a Maple Leaf Foods plant, that killed 22 Canadians. Afterwards, Maple Leaf's market share quickly returned to pre-crisis levels, but the long-term repercussions of the scare still reverberate in Maple Leaf's brand. In this case study, which offers an organizational perspective on the food recall, data was collected, through in-depth interviews of persons involved in the crisis response, and analyzed. The aim of this paper is to make transparent the ways in which Maple Leaf Foods organized their resources to manage the 2008 food recall. Results reveal that institutional and relational determinants are the most important factors in high- and medium-extent food product crises, whereas external and internal effects primarily influence an organization's capacity to cope with severe crises. Based on these findings, a conceptual framework is presented and managerial implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many marketing instructors recognize the challenge of conveying to students the realities of international marketing within the classroom. In 2004, a faculty of business designed a partnership between stakeholders known as "Beyond Borders of a Classroom." This program offers a unique experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate students majoring in marketing. The program is comprised of two successive semesters. Semester 1 is a fusion of a live case competition and a client-based project. Semester 2 is an exclusive, applied overseas internship experience. At the end of semester 1, a group of students selected by a panel of practitioners and academics is offered an opportunity to travel to the specified country in semester 2 and to apply the theories learned beforehand. All expenses are paid for by the program. Only students who win the competition in semester 1 move to the advanced international marketing class in semester 2. The program has sent students to the United States, China, Australia, and Ukraine. Student satisfaction is high, but the program faces some challenges. Some recommendations are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 29 January 2006, 72 miners were trapped in a potash mine operated by Mosaic more than one kilometre below the surface in Esterhazy (Canada). Within hours, media from around the globe was in Esterhazy to cover the story. Mosaic-Esterhazy did not have a designated external communication spokesperson or a comprehensive crisis communication plan to deal with such a predicament. Nonetheless, actions taken during and after the crisis were considered by many to be nearly faultless, and the Mosaic-Esterhazy incident is now recognized as a model in mine safety around the world. This paper's intent is to understand why Mosaic-Esterhazy was successful in assembling an effective crisis communication strategy. A conceptual model and managerial implications are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the inherent limitations of DXA, assessment of the biomechanical properties of vertebral bodies relies increasingly on CT-based finite element (FE) models, but these often use simplistic material behaviour and/or single loading cases. In this study, we applied a novel constitutive law for bone elasticity, plasticity and damage to FE models created from coarsened pQCT images of human vertebrae, and compared vertebral stiffness, strength and damage accumulation for axial compression, anterior flexion and a combination of these two cases. FE axial stiffness and strength correlated with experiments and were linearly related to flexion properties. In all loading modes, damage localised preferentially in the trabecular compartment. Damage for the combined loading was higher than cumulated damage produced by individual compression and flexion. In conclusion, this FE method predicts stiffness and strength of vertebral bodies from CT images with clinical resolution and provides insight into damage accumulation in various loading modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide outbreak of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), also known as "mad cow" disease, suggests that world agriculture faces many issues in relation to marketing agricultural products and food safety. In May 2003, the discovery of the first domestically- originating North American BSE case, found in Canada, dominated discussions concerning the prospects of the industry inside the country, consequently creating uncertainty in the industry. Food-safety standard asymmetries have affected socio-political structures and the processes of the Canadian beef marketing channel. By considering the industry as a political economy, the concept of the task environment paradigm, as recognized in marketing literature, is integrated with the political economy framework. Dimensions of environmental uncertainty are presented. Personal testimony from beef producers is considered to add a human element to the theoretical discussion. Furthermore, this paper provides an empirical perspective on the means by which sudden effects from the macro-environment of a marketing channel create uncertainty, which is intensified in today's increasingly complex and turbulent agrifood markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the post-HAART era, critical questions arise as to what factors affect disclosure decisions and how these decisions are associated with factors such as high-risk behaviors and partner variables. We interviewed 1,828 HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), of whom 46% disclosed to all partners. Among men with casual partners, 41.8% disclosed to all of these partners and 21.5% to none. Disclosure was associated with relationship type, perceived partner HIV status and sexual behaviors. Overall, 36.5% of respondents had unprotected anal sex (UAS) with partners of negative/unknown HIV status. Of those with only casual partners, 80.4% had >1 act of UAS and 58% of these did not disclose to all partners. This 58% were more likely to self-identify as gay (versus bisexual), be aware of their status for <5 years and have more partners. Being on HAART, viral load and number of symptoms were not associated with disclosure. This study - the largest conducted to date of disclosure among MSM and one of the few conducted post-HAART - indicates that almost 1/5th reported UAS with casual partners without disclosure, highlighting a public health challenge. Disclosure needs to be addressed in the context of relationship type, partner status and broader risk-reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoacoustic spectroscopy has been used to monitor the photosynthetic activity of the leaves of sugar maple saplings treated by watering the soil with simulated acid rain at different pH levels (2.S, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.6). We also measured the relative growth rate of the plants and the pigment content of leaves. The results indicated an ambivalent effect of acidity: there was a linear decline (r = 0.92) in the photosynthetic O2 evolution as the pH of the simulated rain was lowered from 5.6 to 3.0 and a jump when it reached 25, with a stimulation effect on the relative growth rate at lower pH levels. The photochemical energy storage and the relative growth rate increased from pH 5.6 to pH 4.0–4.5, then decreased at pH 3.0 and increased again at pH 2.5. The pattern of variation of the photochemical energy storage was fairly well correlated with the pigment content of the leaves (r = 0.83). It was concluded that acid rain preferentially affects photosystem II (PSII), inhibiting O2 evolution, and less PSI. The difference between O2 evolution and photochemical energy storage was explained in connection with cyclic electron transport around photosystem I (PSI). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Few studies have investigated how small businesses in the food sector cope with federally mandated recalls. The available literature is also unclear as to how small businesses, particularly those in food production with limited resources, manage with newly approved regulations, while working to achieve commercial success. The aim of this paper is to address this information gap through the exploration of how one firm coped with a situation that threatened its existence. This study will explore links between small firms, supply-chain resources for small food businesses and food safety regimes. This study is based on a recall experienced by an artisan cheese maker in Prince Edward County in Ontario, Canada, called Fifth Town Cheese (FTC). A conceptual framework was developed and results are presented. Finally, the paper concludes with theoretical and managerial implications, and presents avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]