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PurposeThis study aimed to determine the effects of a circuit exercise program on the physical fitness parameters of children with atypical autism spectrum condition (ASC) and typically developing (TD) children.MethodFourteen (14) boys with atypical autism (mean age: 10.07 ± 0.25 years; weight: 24.97 ± 0.64 kg; height: 126.79 ± 1.33 cm) and 14 typically developing boys (mean age: 10.07 ± 0.30 years; weight: 26.97 ± 0.55 kg; height: 126.50 ± 0.62 cm) participated in the study. The children were divided into four groups using a random coin toss: Autism Exercise Group (AEG), Autism Control Group (ACG), Typically Developing Exercise Group (TDEG), and Typically Developing Control Group (TDCG). Testing parameters from the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of gross motor proficiency (BOT-2) included running speed and agility, balance, bilateral coordination, and the standing long jump. Handgrip strength (both sides), reaction times (visual and auditory), and flexibility tests were also performed. The exercise program consisted of three 60-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks, using the most-to-least prompting method.FindingsSignificant improvements were observed for AEG in running speed and agility, balance, standing long jump, reaction times, handgrip strength, and flexibility (p < 0.05). For TDEG, only the standing long jump scores failed to significantly improve (p< .05). Comparing AEG and TDEG pre- and post-test results, the former showed 30% greater development with respect to balance, standing long jump, auditory reaction time, and handgrip strength (p < 0.05).ConclusionBased on the significant improvements in physical fitness parameters of AEG, we recommend that children with ASC start sports training immediately when diagnosed with autism and participate in structured physical activities with their peers.

NiTi alloys exhibit good properties, such as shape memory behavior, high corrosion resistant, having the closest elasticity modulus of a human bone and superior biocompatibility properties. However, the surface problems that arise during the use of this alloy limit the usage in the industry and health sector. In recent years, micro-arc oxidation method is used to improve the surface properties and increase the usage of these alloys. In this study, the TiO2coatings were deposited on the NiTi substrates. The surface topography, morphology, crystallographic structure, and thickness of the coatings were determined using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The corrosion properties were investigated using potentiostat test unit in two different media such as NaCl solution and simulated body fluid. The results show that the coated samples have higher corrosion resistance than uncoated samples in the two different media.

In recent years, various technologies have been increasingly investigated for the surface modification of Ti and Ti alloys. Microarc oxidation (MAO) is one of the effective techniques to improve surface properties. However, it has some disadvantages for sliding wear applications and/or aggressive environments. In this study, the combined MAO and closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering process was used to deposit duplex MAO/diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on Ti6Al4V alloy. Analysis of the microstructures, morphology, and crystallographic structure were performed by using a SEM, Raman, and XRD. The wear, corrosion, and tribo-corrosion properties of the coatings were investigated using the pin-on-disk wear test, potentiodynamic polarization test, and combining tribo-corrosion test unit, respectively. The results of this study have shown that duplex MAO/DLC coatings exhibit better wear, corrosion, and tribo-corrosion properties than the DLC or MAO monolayer on Ti6Al4V alloy substrate. MAO/DLC coatings exhibited dense structure, lower coefficient of friction and corrosion current density, and higher tribo-corrosion resistance. The results have also shown that MAO/DLC duplex coatings on Ti6Al4V substrates increased the tribo-corrosion resistance by acting as a barrier layer.