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This paper describes coordinate system definition and transfer for five-axis machining of additively-manufactured preforms. In this method, a set of fiducials are attached to the temporarily attached to the part, and their location relative to the preform geometry is calibrated using a structured light scanner. Those fiducials can then be measured in the machine tool to determine the location and orientation of the part. The method is demonstrated by finish-machining a carbon fiber layup mold from an additively manufactured Invar preform. In addition to showing the coordinate transfer methods necessary to machine the part, several key challenges with machining additively-manufactured preforms are discussed and potential solutions are proposed. Unfortunately, the final part was ultimately unusable due to porosity inside the part left from the additive process. Future work will remanufacture this part while taking steps to avoid porosity and other challenges encountered. 

Anurans can display a host of intriguing sexual syndromes, including hermaphroditism and sex reversal. Using a multifaceted approach for diagnosing and characterising hermaphroditism in the endangered anuran species Rana mucosa, we tracked changes in female reproductive status using hormone monitoring, ultrasound examinations, individual life history, fertilisation records and post-mortem findings. Seven individuals originally sexed as females developed secondary male sexual characteristics, behaviour and hormone profiles and, in some cases, had testicular tissue despite having previously laid eggs. Our results suggest that reproductive technologies can shed light on life history patterns and reproductive anomalies that may affect endangered anuran survival. 

Abstract Accurate estimates of survival are crucial for many management decisions in translocation programs. Maximizing detection probabilities and reducing sampling biases for released animals can aid in estimates of survival. One important source of sampling bias is an animal’s behavior. For example, individuals that are consistently more exploratory or active may be more likely to be detected visually. Behavioral traits can be related to survival after reintroduction, and because many pre‐release treatments aim to manipulate animal behavior, it is critical to tease apart relationships between behavior and detection probability. Here, we assessed the repeatability (intra‐individual consistency and inter‐individual variation) of behavioral traits for an endangered amphibian, the mountain yellow‐legged frog (Rana muscosa). Because new technological tools offer one potential solution for reducing sampling biases while increasing detection, we also tested whether a long‐range passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag reader could enhance surveys for these individuals after translocation into the wild. After confirming thatex situbredR. muscosaexhibit repeatable behavioral traits (repeatability = 0.25–0.41) and releasing these frogs (N = 196) into the wild, we conducted post‐release surveys visually and with the long‐range PIT tag reader. Integrating the long‐range reader into surveys improved detection probability four‐fold in comparison to visual surveys alone (~0.09 to ~0.36). Moreover, mark–recapture modeling revealed that tag reader detection probability was not biased toward detecting individuals of specific behavioral types, while visual detection was significantly related to behavioral traits. These results will enable a more accurate understanding of individual differences in post‐release success in translocations. This may be particularly important for amphibian species, which can be difficult to detect and are expected to increasingly be involved in human‐managed breeding and translocation programs due to their vulnerable conservation status.