L-3 Communications (United States)

The present investigation is aimed at studying the influence of alumina and silicon nitride reinforcement particles in addition to the Al 7075 alloy on the hardness, wear, tensile, and impression creep behaviour. Three different composite specimens such as Al 7075 + 5 % alumina, Al 7075 + 5 % Silicon nitride, and Al 7075 + 2.5 % Silicon nitride + 2.5 % Alumina were fabricated using a stir casting process and the prepared composites were subjected to hardness, dry sliding wear test using pin on disc tribometer, tensile testing and impression creep tests. From the results, it was observed that the hardness of the Al 7075 alloy increases with the addition of both silicon nitride and alumina and Al 7075 + 2.5 % Silicon nitride + 2.5 % Alumina exhibited the maximum hardness of the composite specimens. Al 7075 + 2.5 % Silicon nitride + 2.5 % Alumina showed a 75% increase in wear resistance in comparison with the Al 7075 alloy and it also shows an improvement in creep and tensile properties.

This study examined the association between formal sex education (FSE), sensory disability status, and contraceptive use among U.S. women. Women with disabilities face barriers to contraceptive decision-making, such as limited accessible FSE content and topics. Data were weighted and analyzed from the 2011–2019 National Survey of Family Growth among women 15–25 years of age. Multivariable logistic regression and moderation analysis examined the association between sensory disability status, contraceptive use during last sexual encounter, and FSE topics. Women with hearing loss or both hearing loss and vision loss were less likely to use contraceptives during last sexual encounter than women without sensory disability (hearing loss: adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14, 0.96; both: aOR: 0.28; CI: 0.08, 0.91). Exploratory moderation analysis showed women with vision loss who received FSE on birth control methods (aOR: 6.14; 95% CI: 1.70, 22.23) and on sexually transmitted infections (aOR: 28.24; 95% CI: 1.71, 46.63). The estimates were based on small numbers of individuals within each subgroup and wide confidence intervals, and thus should be interpreted with caution. The findings point to differences in contraceptive use according to sensory disability status, indicating future studies need larger sample sizes to better understand the role of FSE for women with sensory disability.

The issue of determining the tax residence of refugees has become increasingly relevant in light of rising global mobility and systemic instability caused by wars, disasters, and humanitarian crises. Traditional approaches to determining individual tax residence are predominantly based on formal criteria - such as the number of days of physical presence, center of vital interests, or habitual abode - without adequately accounting for the individual’s intent, vulnerability, or the involuntary nature of their displacement. As a result, individuals who relocate to another jurisdiction due to force majeure circumstances may be deemed tax residents without any genuine or voluntary connection to the host state, thus conflicting with the principles of legal certainty, fairness, and proportionality. This paper advocates for the implementation of the concept of “forced” (non-voluntary) tax residence, aimed at establishing a distinct legal regime for persons who have been displaced due to extraordinary events beyond their control. The model introduces a transitional exemption period of up to 365 days during which such persons shall not be considered tax residents of the host jurisdiction, thereby providing temporary relief, legal clarity, and administrative consistency. At the same time, the approach incorporates a flexible assessment of individual adaptation, proposing that indicators of integration into the new society - such as long-term employment, education of children, social participation, or family reunification — can serve as triggers for early reassessment of status. The article further explores the relationship between this concept and the traditional criteria of center of vital interests and domicile, and outlines possible instruments for international coordination, including model tax conventions, bilateral agreements, and multilateral frameworks. The proposed solution enables a balanced response that integrates fiscal efficiency, humanitarian considerations, and rule-of-law safeguards in international tax policy, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and coherent global tax system.

Abstract In Nuclear Construction, Larger Diameter Stainless Steel (SS) storage tanks are required to be fabricated in compliance with ASME Section III NCD Category. The standard Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) scope includes 100% Liquid Penetrant Examination (PT) and Radiographic Examination (RT) for butt welds on both longitudinal and circumferential seam joints. However, to accommodate a tight fabrication schedule and ensure continuous production during both day and night shifts, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) was substituted for radiographic testing, in accordance with ASME Section III code cases for stainless steel weld joints. This change was made to avoid disruptions in production due to radiography exposure restrictions. This paper provides evidence of the enhanced Reliability of PAUT instead of RT in the inspection of SS welds of lower thickness.

تعد الصحافة من اهم مصادر تاريخ العراق الحديث والمعاصر في بيان الحوادث المهمة والتي لها تأثير وصدى على الشعب العراقي. فهي تتناول مجالات عدة منها السياسي والاقتصادي والاجتماعي والثقافي، غير أن الحالة الاجتماعية في بغداد في نهاية الأزمة الاقتصادية اثرت على حياة الطبقة العاملة متمثلة في زيادة أجور الكهرباء من قبل شركة "التنوير البريطانية". إزاء ذلك دفعت الصحافة بشكل عام وجريدة "العالم العربي" بشكل خاص الى توحيد جهود الجمعيات والنقابات ضد الشركة، فنتج عنه أضراب كبير بدعم ومساهمة من اصحاب المقاهي والمطاعم والفنادق والمحلات وشخصيات سياسية عدة لها تأثيرها, مما شجعهم على الاستمرار في المقاطعة حتى عام 1934 وانهاء المقاطعة بشكل رسمي من قبل الحكومة العراقية.

Вступ. В Україні та світі одночасно зростає захворюваність на бронхіальну астму (БА) та ожиріння серед дитячого і дорослого населення, що є серйозною проблемою громадського здоров’я та менеджменту охорони здоров’я. Сучасні дослідження патогенетично пов’язують обидва захворювання. Мета роботи: проаналізувати патогенетичний взаємозв’язок між БА та ожирінням, сформулювати клінічне розуміння, патофізіологію фенотипів астми та ожиріння. Матеріали та методи. Аналітичний огляд наукових публікацій за темою виконаний з використанням баз наукових бібліотек, пошукових систем Google Scholar, Pub Med, Science Direct та ін. Результати. На сьогодні запропоновано різноманітні гіпотези для пояснення взаємозв›язку між ожирінням та астмою, включаючи спільну генетичну схильність, порушення розвитку організму, зміни в механіці дихання, наявність системного запального процесу та підвищену коморбідність у даній когорті пацієнтів. Пацієнти з ожирінням та бронхіальною астмою характеризуються більш вираженими симптомами, тяжчим перебігом БА, недостатньою ефективністю стандартної терапії та прогресивним погіршенням якості життя. Незважаючи на більш ніж десятирічні дослідження взаємодії цих захворювань, точні механізми, що лежать в основі впливу ожиріння на астму, залиша- ються остаточно нез’ясованими та потребують по- дальшого вивчення. Розуміння механізмів коморбідності ожиріння та астми може сприяти розробці нових ефективних терапевтичних стратегій для лікування цієї вразливої групи пацієнтів. Висновки. Поширеність захворювання, економічні витрати на лікування та його малоефективність потребують подальших наукових досліджень в даному напрямку. Необхідно визначити роль нових біомаркерів, в тому числі IL-26, в розвитку та клінічному перебігу БА в поєднанні з ожирінням й підвищити ефективність лікування таких хворих.

In an era, where digitalization is growing rapidly, virtual channels have successfully bridged a gap between the information and accessibility. Virtual conference enables the user to collaborate in a cross time zone environment, increasing flexibility and reliability for organizations. However, with every usage there comes a conflict between expectations of the user and experience they encounter. The virtual feedback by the current AI system is pre-programmed for the challenges, logic, algorithms and satisfaction which in return shows a hindrance for the real time problems faced. The system proposed here is going to give the users a direct voice for the friction they face in a VC. With VC service feedback, we can make impactful product experiences and fulfill user needs in a conference. The 360° view helps us understand what the users ask for, what they want and what they do to be productive.

Aortic aneurysm/dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening disease lacking effective pharmacological treatment. Protein ubiquitination plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular diseases. However, the possible contribution of the E3 ubiquitin ligase March2 (membrane-associated RING [really interesting new gene] finger protein 2) to the cause of AAD remains elusive. Integrated single-cell RNA sequencing analysis was conducted in human AAD tissues. Based on the screening results, we generated a mouse line of smooth muscle cell-specific March2 knockout. β-Aminopropionitrile monofumarate was used to establish AAD. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation and cleavage under targets and tagmentation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to identify possible target genes for histone H3K18 lactylation. March2 expression was downregulated in aorta from patients with AAD or β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced AAD mice. β-Aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced AAD was significantly accentuated in March2 global (March2-/-) and vascular smooth muscle cell-specific deletion (March2fl/fl; TaglnCre) mice, whereas the AAD pathology was rescued by rAAV9-SM22α (smooth muscle 22α)-March2 (recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 expressing Flag-tagged March2 under SM22α promoter). March2 interacted with PKM2 (pyruvate kinase M2) to promote K33-linked polyubiquitination. Deficiency of March2 lessened PKM2 dimer-to-tetramer conversion in AAD and overtly exacerbated AAD-induced histone H3K18 lactylation in vascular smooth muscle cells by fostering glucose metabolism reprogramming, thereby promoting p53-driven apoptotic transcriptional response-a hallmark of AAD pathogenesis. TEPP-46 (tetraethyl pyrophosphate), a PKM2-specific activator, pronouncedly alleviated March2 deficiency-deteriorated AAD pathology. Our findings demonstrated that March2 is a novel endogenous defender that prevents AAD by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis, suggesting that March2 represents a potential therapeutic target for AAD.

Older adults may pay healthcare-related costs for work injuries if Medicare covers claims over workers' compensation (WC). We assessed Medicare enrollee costs after a work-related injury by WC status. We longitudinally analyzed Medicare fee-for-service claims (2016-2019) for Medicare enrollees aged 65 years and older with work-related injuries, estimating WC effects on healthcare use and enrollee costs using difference-in-differences and quantile regression models. WC covered at least one Medicare claim for 16% of the 13,039 enrollees with work-related injuries. Over 90 days, mean Medicare out-of-pocket costs were lower with WC ($447) than without ($778). With WC, enrollees owed $1432 at the 90th percentile compared to $2465 without, an adjusted difference of $600 (95% CL, -767, -432). Although WC covers some costs, Medicare claim billing increases after a work-related injury, often leading to substantial patient expenses.