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High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has become a widely used tool for studying the inner ear morphology of vertebrates. Amphisbaenians are one of the most specialized groups of fossorial reptiles but are poorly understood relative to other squamate reptile. In this paper we survey the anatomy of the inner and middle ear of these fossorial reptiles using HRCT models and we describe qualitatively and quantitatively (using 3D morphometrics) the anatomy of the inner ear. Amphisbaenians are diverse in skull anatomy, especially in the configuration of the snout, which correlates with digging modes. We demonstrate that the ear also exhibits a diversity of configurations, which are independent of phylogenetic relationships. Results from morphological analyses also allow us to describe 11 new potentially informative phylogenetic characters including some that help to diagnose amphisbaenians, such as: 1) the globular vestibule, ii) semicircular canals arranged in a circular trajectory, and iii) an extensive area of interaction between the columella footplate and the lagenar recess. Among extant amphisbaenians, Rhineura floridana has the most unusual inner ear configuration, including a horizontal semicircular canal that is in the same orientation as the inclined snout. The new morphological information helps us to better understand the morphology of headfirst-burrowing fossorial reptiles and contributes new data for resolution of phylogenetic relationships among amphisbaenians.

Abstract Extreme body size reductions bring about unorthodox anatomical arrangements and novel ways in which animals interact with the environment. Drawing from studies of vertebrates and invertebrates, we provide a theoretical framework for miniaturization to inform hypotheses using lizards as a study system. Through this approach, we demonstrate the repeated evolution of miniaturization across 11 families and a tendency for miniaturized species to occupy terrestrial microhabitats, possibly driven by physiological constraints. Differences in gross brain morphology between two gecko species demonstrate a proportionally larger telencephalon and smaller olfactory bulbs in the miniaturized species, though more data are needed to generalize this trend. Our study brings into light the potential contributions of miniaturized lizards to explain patterns of body size evolution and its impact on ecology and neuroanatomy. In addition, our findings reveal the need to study the natural history of miniaturized species, particularly in relation to their sensory and physiological ecology.

Background For some patients, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) remains an uncomfortable therapy despite the constant development of technological innovations. To date, no real life study has investigated the relationship between mask related side-effects (MRSEs) and CPAP-non-adherence (defined as < 4 h/day) or residual-excessive-sleepiness (RES, Epworth-Sleepiness-Scale (ESS) score ≥ 11) in the long-term. Methods The InterfaceVent-CPAP study is a prospective real-life cross-sectional study conducted in an apneic adult cohort undergoing at least 3 months of CPAP with unrestricted mask-access (34 different masks). MRSEs were evaluated using visual-analogue-scales, CPAP-data using CPAP-software, sleepiness using ESS. Results 1484 patients were included in the analysis (72.2% male, median age 67 years (IQ 25–75 : 60–74), initial Apnea–Hypopnea-Index (AHI) of 39 (31–56)/h, residual AHI flow was 1.9 (0.9–4) events/h), CPAP-treatment lasted 4.4 (2.0–9.7) years, CPAP-usage was 6.8 (5.5–7.8) h/day, the prevalence of CPAP-non-adherence was 8.6%, and the prevalence of RES was 16.17%. Leak-related side-effects were the most prevalent side-effects (patient-reported leaks concerned 75.4% of responders and had no correlation with CPAP-reported-leaks). Multivariable logistic regression analyses evaluating explanatory-variable (demographic data, device/mask data and MRSEs) effects on variables-of-interest (CPAP-non-adherence and RES), indicated for patient-MRSEs significant associations between: (i) CPAP-non-adherence and dry-mouth (p = 0.004); (ii) RES and patient-reported leaks (p = 0.007), noisy mask (p < 0.001), dry nose (p < 0.001) and harness pain (p = 0.043). Conclusion In long-term CPAP-treated patients, leak-related side-effects remain the most prevalent side-effects, but patient-reported leaks cannot be predicted by CPAP-reported-leaks. Patient-MRSEs can be independently associated with CPAP-non-adherence and RES, thus implying a complementary role for MRSE questionnaires alongside CPAP-device-reported-data for patient monitoring. Trial registration InterfaceVent is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03013283).

Research have focused on finding solutions to prolong the life of metal parts which suffer damage from wear. Hard facing is a suitable solution, and Co-based alloys and ultimately metal matrix composites have been used due to their high wear resistance. In this work, the wear resistance at room temperature (RT) and at 600 °C of Stellite-6/WC-6Co coatings obtained by laser cladding was evaluated, deposited using continuous (CW) and pulsed wave (PW), and varied the idle time. The coatings deposited with CW showed higher hardness in the matrix (785-843 HV); meanwhile, the PW showed values between 623 and 786 HV. The increase in hardness was attributed to the higher W and C diffusion toward the matrix. The use of PW reduced diffusion due to the higher cooling rates. Similarly, coatings deposited with CW obtained the best wear resistance in both temperature conditions, with values between 11.81 × 10 −6 mm 3 /Nm and 39.39 × 10 −6 mm 3 /Nm, respectively. At RT, W and C diffusion promoted the formation of carbides that had a lubricating effect; however, at a high temperature, tribo-oxidation occurred with the formation of protective layers of oxides. Stellite-6/WC-6Co coatings showed good wear resistance, which makes them an alternative to improve the useful life of metallic components.

Research shows many positive effects from physical exercise. The present study examined the impact of a structured physical exercise program compared to treatment as usual on the gross motor skills of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants included 20 children, from 4 to 7 years old, who were assigned to two groups; an experimental group (n = 10) who received a structured physical exercise program for 60-min sessions, three times a week for eight weeks, and a control group (n = 10) who received conventional physiotherapy. Gross motor skills were assessed with the Abbreviated Development Scale -3 before and after the physical exercise program. The experimental group exhibited significant improvements in gross motor skills compared to the control group. This study suggests that structured physical exercise programs can improve gross motor skills in children with ASD.

Maraging steels (MS) are widely used materials for heavy-duty applications and are considered an alternative to carbon hardened steels when high strength and good toughness is needed. Their processing through additive manufacturing (AM) technologies offers additional high-value opportunities, for instance, in the rapid prototyping or fabrication of tooling and inserts, and in the repair of molds and dies as well as in maintenance applications. This work studied the maraging 300 steel (18Ni-300) deposited by the laser cladding (LC) process. The experimental design was based on a 2 3 -full factorial design used to determine the optimum processing windows, using a constant powder feed rate. After that, samples with optimal process parameters were manufactured to determine the influence of deposition strategy and aging heat treatments on structural and mechanical properties (i.e., macrohardness). Results indicated the influence of crucial process parameters (i.e., laser power, velocity, and laser spot size) on the track’s geometrical characteristics. The processing windows also revealed that particular combinations of these parameters’ values produced LC tracks with the minimum dilution with either maximum height or maximum width, which is desirable for manufacturing and repair applications. Although the as-built samples did not show significant differences in their hardness, they showed a considerable difference in their austenitic phase content due to a combined effect between the sample’s geometry and deposition pattern. Aging heat treatments between 460 and 490 °C (4–8 h) resulted in the maximum hardness value (~55HCR) with an austenite content below 6 wt% calculated by Rietveld analysis. Finally, SEM and EDS analysis were carried out; it was found that the austenite located in the boundaries of the solidification structures is rich in Mo, Ti, and Ni for the samples in the as-built condition, while for the samples with aging, the highest content of austenite rich in Ni and Mo was obtained with aging at 530 °C.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) explicitly defines the categories of entities subject to its provisions. One such category refers to any \"agent of a domestic concern.\" But what exactly is an agent of a domestic concern? In United States v. Hoskins, the Second Circuit decidedly refused to answer that question. This Note argues that, in the context of cross-border bribery, an agent of a domestic concern has a specific definition: a local third-party contracted by a non-local supplier to serve as a representative and to facilitate the movement of bribe payments between that supplier (the briber) and a local consumer (the bribee). In making this argument, this Note underscores the significance of the Organisation for the Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Convention on Combatting Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (Anti-Bribery Convention) and its effect on FCPA enforcement. Part II provides background information to the FCPA and examines the Second Circuit's decision in United States v. Hoskins. Part III explores the importance of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and juxtaposes this Note's proposed definition of an agent of a domestic concern with traditional principles of agency. Part IV applies this Note's proposed definition of an agent of a domestic concern to the facts of United States v. Hoskins and explains why courts should adopt this definition as well.

This study focuses on lightweighting spur gears by incorporating cellular structures within their design. Numerical simulations are performed based on a Finite Element Model for the spur gear designs integrating six different cellular structures into their core zone. Two designs of experiments (DoE) were carried out to analyze the mechanical performance of the spur gears with the cellular structures. The first one aims to confirm the impact of the volume fraction and the type of cell structure on the mechanical behavior. In the second one, volume fraction and the number of cells in the radial, azimuthal, and axial directions were used as parameters for the DoE to evaluate their effects on the mechanical responses. The results show a strong dependency of all the design parameters on the von Mises stress and total displacement of the spur gears. Nevertheless, it was found that depending on the cellular structure, stress minimization can be achieved by a combination of two design parameters, prevailing as the most critical parameter, the volume fraction for almost all structures. This investigation demonstrates that using cellular structures in spur gears can achieve substantial weight reduction while maintaining a robust mechanical performance.

The additive manufacturing (AM) is a relative new manufacturing process that belongs to the fourth industrial revolution, thus yielding new challenges that are worth the study in terms of reliability. In that sense, this work presents a comparative study of as printed and optimally heat-treated 1.2709 maraging steel manufactured by laser powder bead fusion (LPBF) AM process. The results suggest that parts were sound in terms of visual inspection and microstructural analysis. In the case of mechanical properties, the results suggest that the highest variability occurred after the heat treatment. The high cycle fatigue samples revealed a fracture without exhibiting a considerable amount of plastic deformation. On the other hand, the low cycle fatigue results revealed that at 1% strain the optimally heat-treated specimens have lower fatigue life due to the presence of surface discontinuities and the reduction of ductility after the heat treatment.