The Challenges of Pilot Language Training for Effective Aeronautical Communications in Multicultural Contexts

This paper discusses the main elements that account for effective aeronautical communication in multicultural contexts and identifies the approaches that can offer support to these elements. Most exchanges are performed by people from different linguacultural backgrounds and, although Aviation English is the language to be used in operations, communication dynamics are supposed to require skills that go beyond language proficiency. Data were collected from a questionnaire answered by experienced pilots flying in international airspace and results were analyzed both from a quantitative and a qualitative perspective. The main findings show some of the challenges faced by pilots who are non-native speakers of English regarding elements that should be observed in training practices

Treatment of Tactile Impairment in Young Children with Autism: Results with Qigong Massage

Background: Following the inclusion of sensory abnormalities in the diagnostic criteria for autism, evidence has emerged showing that tactile abnormalities in young children with autism are severe, universally present, and directly related to delay of early self-regulation milestones required for social development. Parent touch is the most effective means of stimulating early self-regulation, yet parents of children with autism avoid touch because their children respond abnormally to it. This suggests that tactile abnormalities pose a barrier to parent touch in autism, and that treatment of tactile abnormalities may improve developmental outcomes. We have developed a qigong massage treatment for tactile abnormalities in young children with autism. Here we evaluate whether tactile abnormalities decrease following treatment, and whether treatment results in improved selfregulatory outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our qigong massage database for treatment effect on tactile abnormalities, self-regulatory delay, and parenting stress. Five-month interval data were available for 129 children with autism aged 3–6 years. Of these 129, 97 received treatment and 32 were in the wait-list control condition. There were no differences between treatment and control groups by age, gender, or severity of tactile impairment. Results: Treatment resulted in significant decreases of tactile impairment, self-regulatory delay, and parenting stress (p < .001 on all paired t-tests); mean decreases were 25.5%, 24.5%, and 35.8%, respectively. Results were significant compared to controls [F(3,122) = 11.27, p < .001]. In the pretreatment data, tactile impairment was directly related to self-regulatory delay; post-treatment, both variables decreased proportionally. Conclusion: Results demonstrate that tactile impairment in young children with autism is treatable with a qigong massage protocol. The direct relationship between tactile impairment and self-regulatory delay pretreatment, and the proportional decrease of both following treatment, suggest that tactile impairment is a cause of self-regulatory delay, and that qigong massage is a promising avenue to improve developmental outcomes in autism

Results from the National Nutrition Survey

Abstract Objective. The objective of the study was to measure the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mexican schoolage children (5-11 years) in the National Nutrition Survey 1999 (NNS-1999). Material and Methods. Overweight and obesity (defined as an excess of adipose tissue in the body) were evaluated through the Body Mass Index (BMI) in 10,901 children, using the standard proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Sociodemographic variables were obtained using a questionnaire administered to the children&apos;s mothers. Results. The national prevalence of overweight and obesity was reported to be 19.5%. The highest prevalence figures were found in Mexico City (26.6%) and the North region (25.6%). When adjusting by region, rural or urban area, sex, maternal schooling, socioeconomic status, indigenous ethnicity and age, the highest prevalences of overweight and obesity were found among girls. The risks of overweight and obesity were positively associated with maternal schooling, children&apos;s age and socioeconomic status. Conclusions. Overweight and obesity are prevalent health problems in Mexican school-age children, particularly among girls, and positively associated with socioeconomic status, age, and maternal schooling. This is a major public health problem requiring preventive interventions to avoid Resumen Objetivo. Documentar las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad en niños mexicanos en edad escolar (5 a 11 años de edad) obtenidas de la Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición en 1999 (ENN-1999). Material y métodos. El sobrepeso y la obesidad (definida como un exceso de tejido adiposo en el organismo) se evaluaron a través del Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC) en 10 901 niños, tomando como patrón de referencia el propuesto por el International Obesity Task Force. Las variables sociodemográficas se obtuvieron a partir de un cuestionario aplicado a la madre del niño. Resultados. La prevalencia nacional de sobrepeso y obesidad fue de 19.5%. Las prevalencias más altas se encontraron en la Ciudad de México (26.6%) y en la región norte (25.6%). Al ajustar por región, zona rural o urbana, sexo, escolaridad de la madre, nivel socioeconómico, edad e indigenismo, los mayores riesgos de sobrepeso y obesidad se encontraron en niñas; el riesgo de obesidad y sobrepeso se asoció positivamente con la escolaridad de la madre, con el nivel socioeconómico y con la edad de los escolares. Conclusiones. El sobrepeso y obesidad son problemas de salud de alta prevalencia en niños en edad escolar en México, especialmente en niñas, y se asocia positivamente con el nivel socioeconómico, la edad de los escolares y la escolaridad d

Maintaining social contacts: The physiological relevance of organelle interactions

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordMembrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells form an interactive network to coordinate and facilitate cellular functions. The formation of close contacts, termed “membrane contact sites” (MCSs), represents an intriguing strategy for organelle interaction and coordinated interplay. Emerging research is rapidly revealing new details of MCSs. They represent ubiquitous and diverse structures, which are important for many aspects of cell physiology and homeostasis. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the physiological relevance of organelle contacts. We focus on mitochondria, peroxisomes, the Golgi complex and the plasma membrane, and discuss the most recent findings on their interactions with other subcellular organelles and their multiple functions, including membrane contacts with the ER, lipid droplets and the endosomal/lysosomal compartment.Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)European Commissio

Transient Ischemic Attacks in Rural and Urban Northern Portugal Incidence and Short-Term Prognosis

Background and Purpose-There are no community-based studies on the incidence of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in Portugal. This study was designed to determine TIA incidence and the risk of stroke occurrence in rural and urban populations in northern Portugal. Methods-All suspected first-ever TIAs occurring between October 1998 and September 2000 in 18 677 residents in a rural municipality and 86 023 living in the city of Porto were entered into a population-based registry. Standard definitions and comprehensive sources of information were used for identification of patients who were followed up at 3 and 12 months after the TIA. Results-During a 24-month period, 141 patients with a first-ever TIA were registered, 36 in rural and 104 in urban areas. The vascular territory was carotid in 66.7% of the patients, vertebrobasilar in 29.1%, and undetermined in 4.3%. The overall crude annual incidence rate per 1000 was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.45 to 1.04), 0.61 (95% CI, 0.38 to 1.01) for rural, and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.43 to 2.33) for urban populations. The risk of stroke within the first 7 days of the index event was 12.8% (95% CI, 7.3 to 18.3), reaching 21.4% (95% CI, 14.6 to 28.1) at 1 year. Three factors were associated with stroke occurrence within 120 days after TIA: patients&apos; age Ն65 years and an episode in the carotid distribution lasting Ն3 hours. Conclusions-The incidence of TIA in northern Portugal, particularly in rural populations, ranks among the highest reported in community-based studies, following closely the stroke incidence trend (ACINrpc). Early recognition of TIA by patients and physicians is crucial for effective stroke prevention. (Stroke. 2006;37:50-55.

Differential roles for ACBD4 and ACBD5 in peroxisome-ER interactions and lipid metabolism

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this record Data availability: The research data supporting this publication are provided within this paper, or as supplementary information.Peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are intimately linked subcellular organelles, physically connected at membrane contact sites. As well as collaborating in lipid metabolism, e.g. of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and plasmalogens, the ER also plays a role in peroxisome biogenesis. Recent work has identified tethering complexes on the ER and peroxisome membranes which connect the organelles. These include membrane contacts formed via interactions between the ER protein VAPB (vesicle-associated membrane proteinassociated protein B) and the peroxisomal proteins ACBD4 and ACBD5 (acyl-coenzyme Abinding domain protein). Loss of ACBD5 has been shown to cause a significant reduction in peroxisome-ER contacts and accumulation of VLCFAs. However, the role of ACBD4, and the relative contribution these two proteins make to contact site formation and recruitment of VLCFAs to peroxisomes remains unclear. Here, we address these questions, using a combination of molecular cell biology, biochemical and lipidomics analyses following loss of ACBD4 or ACBD5 in HEK293 cells. We show that the tethering function of ACBD5 is not absolutely required for efficient peroxisomal β-oxidation of VLCFAs. We demonstrate that loss of ACBD4 does not reduce peroxisome-ER connections or result in accumulation of VLCFAs. Instead, the loss of ACBD4 resulted in an increase in the rate of β-oxidation of VLCFAs. Finally, we observe interaction between ACBD5 and ACBD4, independent of VAPB binding. Overall, our findings suggest that ACBD5 may act as a primary tether and VLCFA recruitment factor, whereas ACBD4 may have regulatory functions in peroxisomal lipid metabolism at the peroxisome-ER interface.Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)UK Research and InnovationRoyal SocietyEuropean Union Horizon 2020Medical Research Council (MRC

Effect of reducing groundwater on the retardation of redox-sensitive radionuclides

Laboratory batch sorption experiments were used to investigate variations in the retardation behavior of redox-sensitive radionuclides. Water-rock compositions were designed to simulate subsurface conditions at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), where a suite of radionuclides were deposited as a result of underground nuclear testing. Experimental redox conditions were controlled by varying the oxygen content inside an enclosed glove box and by adding reductants into the testing solutions

Mapping inequalities in exclusive breastfeeding in low- and middle-income countries, 2000–2018

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF)-giving infants only breast-milk for the first 6 months of life-is a component of optimal breastfeeding practices effective in preventing child morbidity and mortality. EBF practices are known to vary by population and comparable subnational estimates of prevalence and progress across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are required for planning policy and interventions. Here we present a geospatial analysis of EBF prevalence estimates from 2000 to 2018 across 94 LMICs mapped to policy-relevant administrative units (for example, districts), quantify subnational inequalities and their changes over time, and estimate probabilities of meeting the World Health Organization's Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) of ≥70% EBF prevalence by 2030. While six LMICs are projected to meet the WHO GNT of ≥70% EBF prevalence at a national scale, only three are predicted to meet the target in all their district-level units by 2030.This work was primarily supported by grant no. OPP1132415 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Co-authors used by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (E.G.P. and R.R.3) provided feedback on initial maps and drafts of this manuscript. L.G.A. has received support from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brasil (CAPES), Código de Financiamento 001 and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (grant nos. 404710/2018-2 and 310797/2019-5). O.O.Adetokunboh acknowledges the National Research Foundation, Department of Science and Innovation and South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis. M.Ausloos, A.Pana and C.H. are partially supported by a grant from the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CNDS-UEFISCDI, project no. PN-III-P4-ID-PCCF-2016-0084. P.C.B. would like to acknowledge the support of F. Alam and A. Hussain. T.W.B. was supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation through the Alexander von Humboldt Professor award, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. K.Deribe is supported by the Wellcome Trust (grant no. 201900/Z/16/Z) as part of his international intermediate fellowship. C.H. and A.Pana are partially supported by a grant of the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CNDS-UEFISCDI, project no. PN-III-P2-2.1-SOL-2020-2-0351. B.Hwang is partially supported by China Medical University (CMU109-MF-63), Taichung, Taiwan. M.Khan acknowledges Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University for their support. A.M.K. acknowledges the other collaborators and the corresponding author. Y.K. was supported by the Research Management Centre, Xiamen University Malaysia (grant no. XMUMRF/2020-C6/ITM/0004). K.Krishan is supported by a DST PURSE grant and UGC Centre of Advanced Study (CAS II) awarded to the Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. M.Kumar would like to acknowledge FIC/NIH K43 TW010716-03. I.L. is a member of the Sistema Nacional de Investigación (SNI), which is supported by the Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SENACYT), Panamá. M.L. was supported by China Medical University, Taiwan (CMU109-N-22 and CMU109-MF-118). W.M. is currently a programme analyst in Population and Development at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Office in Peru, which does not necessarily endorses this study. D.E.N. acknowledges Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council. G.C.P. is supported by an NHMRC research fellowship. P.Rathi acknowledges support from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India. Ramu Rawat acknowledges the support of the GBD Secretariat for supporting the reviewing and collaboration of this paper. B.R. acknowledges support from Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal. A.Ribeiro was supported by National Funds through FCT, under the programme of ‘Stimulus of Scientific Employment—Individual Support’ within the contract no. info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/CEEC IND 2018/CEECIND/02386/2018/CP1538/CT0001/PT. S.Sajadi acknowledges colleagues at Global Burden of Diseases and Local Burden of Disease. A.M.S. acknowledges the support from the Egyptian Fulbright Mission Program. F.S. was supported by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (grant no. KQTD20190929172835662). A.Sheikh is supported by Health Data Research UK. B.K.S. acknowledges Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal for all the academic support. B.U. acknowledges support from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal. C.S.W. is supported by the South African Medical Research Council. Y.Z. was supported by Science and Technology Research Project of Hubei Provincial Department of Education (grant no. Q20201104) and Outstanding Young and Middle-aged Technology Innovation Team Project of Hubei Provincial Department of Education (grant no. T2020003). The funders of the study had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The corresponding author had full access to all the data in the study and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication. All maps presented in this study are generated by the authors and no permissions are required to publish them