In this paper, the magnetic pulse-assisted semi-solid brazing (MPASSB) technology is innovatively applied to realize the connection of Cu/Al tubes. Through finite element simulation, an in-depth analysis of the clamping and brazing forming processes within the MPASSB method is conducted. Concurrently, by examining the microstructure of the joint, the study explores the mechanism of filler metal shear rheology in the formation of joint defects, oxide removal, and metallurgical bonding. The findings demonstrate that continuous shear rheological behavior of the filler metal during the brazing forming process critically facilitates oxide layer removal while enabling elemental diffusion across the joint interface. Notably, no brittle Cu/Al intermetallic compounds (IMCs) were detected. Instead, Al4.2Cu3.2Zn0.7 phase was identified at the copper-side (Cu-side) interface. Mechanical performance testing reveals that the extent of oxide removal at the interface is a decisive factor affecting the joint’s mechanical properties. The maximum shear strength of the joint is 78.8 MPa; however, when an oxide layer is present at the interface, the shear strength drops to 53.3 MPa, with fracture occurring at the oxide layer. Therefore, although the forming time of the MPASSB method is extremely short, it can achieve interfacial metallurgical bonding and obtain high-quality brazed joints, which provide a new approach for the efficient connection of Cu/Al tubes.

Vitrification improves post-thawed embryo recovery and enables new strategies for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Due to its convenience and efficacy, progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) gets more attention in daily practice. However, concerns about the impact of PPOS on oocyte and embryo quality still exist. We aimed to compare the embryological and pregnancy outcomes between PPOS and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in IVF/ICSI cases. This was a retrospective cohort study of 545 women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles from July 2017 to December 2018. The patients were allocated into two groups: the PPOS and GnRH antagonist group, based on 1:1 propensity score matching. In both groups, all viable embryos were cryopreserved for later transfer. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates (SERa) in oocytes. Secondary outcomes included the cycle characteristics and pregnancy outcomes. Ovarian stimulation duration and serum estradiol level on trigger day were significantly higher in the PPOS group compared to the GnRH antagonist group. The prevalence of SERa + cycles was 9.4

Non-eddy electromagnetic forming is a non-traditional electromagnetic forming process by directly imposing the impulse electrical current to the sheet metal instead of inducing the eddy current. The dedicated combinations of specimen and die were designed to represent different strain paths including uniaxial tension, plane strain and equal-biaxial tension. The deformation behaviors of AA5052-O aluminum alloy sheet under different strain paths have been investigated by numerical simulation of coupled electromagnetic-mechanical fields. The limit strains under different strain paths have been experimentally and numerically determined. The Marciniak–Kuczynski theoretical model embedded with the Johnson–Cook strain-rate-dependent hardening model was also used to predict the formability. The forming limit curves derived from experiment, simulation, and M–K theoretical model were confirmed to align closely with each other. Compared with quasi-static experiment results, AA5052-O aluminum alloy sheet exhibits improved formability during non-eddy current electromagnetic forming. The limit strains under uniaxial tension, plane strain, and equal-biaxial tension during non-eddy electromagnetic forming increase, respectively, by about 46, 42, and 45

Background: This study aimed to explore the potential impact of stage, grade, and hormone receptor profile on ovarian stimulation response and fertility preservation outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated data from breast cancer patients who underwent fertility preservation at a tertiary medical center between 2014 and 2022. The outcomes of women with low-stage cancer (stages I and II) were compared with those of women with high-stage disease (stages III and IV or lymph node metastasis). Similarly, we compared those with low-grade (grades 1 and 2) and high-grade (grade 3) malignancies. In addition, we compared different hormone statuses of breast cancer (1) estrogen receptor (ER) positive vs. ER-negative and (2) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) vs. non-TNBC. The primary outcome measured was the number of mature oocytes, while the secondary outcomes included the numbers of total oocytes retrieved, peak estradiol levels, and subsequent fertility preservation outcomes. Results: A total of 47 patients were included. Patients with high-grade tumors had a comparable number of mature oocytes (8 vs. 10, p = 0.08) compared to patients with low grade cancers. The stage-based analysis revealed a similar number of mature oocytes (8 vs. 10, p = 0.33) between high/low stage patients. In the hormone receptor-based analysis, no differences were seen in mature oocytes collected between the ER-positive/ ER-negative group (9 vs. 9, p = 0.87) and the TNBC/non-TNBC group (11 vs. 9, p = 0.13). The utilization rate was 27.6% (13/47). Conclusion: Our study showed similar ovarian stimulation response and fertility preservation outcomes among breast cancer patients with different prognostic factors.

Non-eddy electromagnetic forming is a non-traditional electromagnetic forming process by directly imposing the impulse electrical current to the sheet metal instead of inducing the eddy current. The dedicated combinations of specimen and die were designed to represent different strain paths including uniaxial tension, plane strain and equal-biaxial tension. The deformation behaviors of AA5052-O aluminum alloy sheet under different strain paths have been investigated by numerical simulation of coupled electromagnetic-mechanical fields. The limit strains under different strain paths have been experimentally and numerically determined. The Marciniak-Kuczynski theoretical model embedded with the Johnson-Cook strain-rate-dependent hardening model was also to predict the formability. The forming limit curves derived from experiment, simulation, and M-K theoretical model were confirmed to align closely with each other. Compared with quasi-static experiment results, AA5052-O aluminum alloy sheet exhibits improved formability during non-eddy current electromagnetic forming. The limit strains under uniaxial tension, plane strain, and equal-biaxial tension during non-eddy electromagnetic forming increase respectively by about 46%, 42%, and 45%.

Digital Light Processing (DLP) was used to prepare porous alumina ceramics. By comparing rheological and curing properties of slurries with different solid content, alumina slurries with high solid content were proposed. The green bodies were sintered in an air atmosphere after a nitrogen-air double-step debinding, and the relative density of alumina ceramics prepared by a slurry of 72.5 wt.% solid content reached 96%. In addition, three kinds (Gyroid, Diamond, and F-RD) of triply period minimal surface (TPMS) structural models with different volume fractions were established through implicit functions and simulated in Comsol. The simulation results showed that the Gyroid structure has a higher compression property than the other two structures under the same ceramic volume fraction. The TPMS structural alumina green bodies were sintered after DLP printing. The maximum compressive strength of the Gyroid structure with 60% ceramic volume fraction reached 27.42 MPa.

Background and Aims: Several studies showed various factors associated with pregnancy outcomes after the euploid embryo transfer, including parental, endometrial, and embryo biopsy. The consensus of the most suitable biopsied cell number is 5-10 cells among IVF labs. Therefore, for embryologists, how to have a steadily manipulated blastocyst to get an appropriate biopsied trophectoderm cell number is crucial. However, the factors related to biopsy manipulation are still being determined. Here, we retrospectively analyze the DNA concentrations from biopsied cells to test the hypothesis TE grading, hatching status, and biopsy day correlated with embryologists’ biopsy handling. Method: A retrospective study enrolled 212 blastocysts from 49 PGT-A cycles (NGS platform) from September 2021 and March 2023 at the Fertility and Reproductive Genetic Center of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. All the TE cells were removed by mechanical cutting by embryologists following the lab standard operating procedure. This study excluded five blastocysts (2.4%, 5/212) for the unsuccessful whole genome amplification (WGA), i.e., DNA concentration was less than 10 ng/[Formula: see text] l. Results: No difference in average DNA concentration was found between embryo ploidy status (Fig. A, P=0.8), embryologist (Fig. A, P=0.65), and TE grading (Gardner TE grading B vs. C, P=0.8). However, combined hatching status and day of the biopsy revealed a significantly higher DNA concentration in the hatching Day 5 to Day 7 groups than in the hatched Day 5 to Day 7 group (Fig. B, P[Formula: see text]0.0001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the embryo ploidy status and Gardner grading of TE cells did not affect embryologists’ steadily performing biopsies. Interestingly, the easier biopsy, the more TE cells we got. This result implies that the hatching (Gardner expansion grade 5) embryo has a higher potential for damage after trophectoderm biopsy.

The strain paths of electromagnetic forming limit curve are usually limited due to the restricted design of coil, die, or workpiece. The electromagnetic-driven stamping was suggested to obtain the high-speed forming limit curve of AA5182-O aluminum alloy sheet. The hemispherical punch was pushed by the drive plate with the Lorentz forces to impact on the workpiece. The cross-sectional method was used to determine the experimental limit strains of workpieces. The electromagnetic and mechanical fields were sequentially coupled for numerical simulation of the electromagnetic-driven stamping experiment, and the equivalent plastic strain increment ratios of the necking and safe zones were calculated to determine the simulated limit strains. A series of linear strain paths were attained to contain the uniaxial tension to biaxial tension states. The experimental and simulated forming limit curves showed good agreement to validate the electromagnetic-driven stamping experiment. The electromagnetic-driven forming limit curve was compared with the quasi-static and electromagnetic forming limit curves. Although the electromagnetic-driven forming limit curve is lower than the electromagnetic one, it is higher than the quasi-static one.

For spark plasma sintering of boron carbide sample, the Drucker-prager Cap model was used to describe the densification behavior of boron carbide powder during sintering. Then the electric-thermal-mechanical multi-field coupling model was established. The thermal and electrical parameters of boron carbide were defined as bivariate functions of temperature and density. The results show that the simulated current and temperature variation trends are in good agreement with experiment results, and the maximum value is at the contaction position of indenter and die, and moves towards the sample with the progress of sintering. Axial stress is the main stress in the sample. The circumferential stress in the die is about 10 MPa, the shear stress and the radial stress can be neglected. The average relative density of the experiment is 92.4%, the average relative density of the simulation is 92.3%, and the error is 0.1%, which verifies the accuracy of the model.

The geometry of the phase interface in co-continuous piezoelectric composites is critical in improving their piezoelectric properties. However, conventional co-continuous piezoelectric composites are mostly simple structures such as wood stacks or honeycombs, which are prone to stress concentrations at the joints, thus reducing the fatigue service performance and force–electric conversion efficiency of piezoelectric composites. Such simple structures limit further improvements in the overall performance of co-continuous piezoelectric composites. In this study, based on the digital light processing 3D printing method, we investigated the influence of three different structures–the gyroid, diamond, and woodpile interfaces–on the piezoelectric and mechanical properties of co-continuous ceramic/polymer piezoelectric composites. These findings demonstrate that the gyroid and diamond interfaces outperformed the ceramic skeleton of the woodpile interface in terms of both mechanical and electrical properties. When the ceramic volume percentage was 50%, the piezo-composite of the gyroid surface exhibited the greatest hydrostatic figure of merit (HFOM), reaching 4.23×10−12 Pa−1, and its piezoelectric coefficient (d33) and relative dielectric constant (εr) reached 115 pC/N and 748, respectively. The research results lay the foundation for the application of co-continuous piezoelectric composites in underwater communication and detection.

During the high-speed forming processes, the metallic sheets are usually deformed under the biaxial tensile condition. The strain rate of metallic sheets often exceeds 102 s− 1. It is essential to determine the strain-rate-sensitive hardening model of metallic sheets for accurate numerical simulation of the high-speed forming processes. Thus, an electromagnetic hydraulic bulge experiment is proposed to determine the strain-rate-dependent hardening model of metallic sheets under the biaxial tensile condition with the strain rate of 102 s− 1. It is convenient to numerically simulate the electromagnetic hydraulic bulge processes. Hence, the strain-rate-dependent hardening models of metallic sheets can be determined by the inverse identification procedure of updating the numerical simulation. The electromagnetic hydraulic bulge experiments of SUS304 stainless steel sheet and AA5052-O aluminum alloy sheet were performed for the inverse identification of Johnson-Cook hardening model. The discrepancy between the experimental results and numerical simulation was minimized by optimizing the parameters of strain-rate-dependent hardening models. The dynamic flow stress curves of SUS304 stainless steel sheet and AA5052-O aluminum alloy sheet were higher than the static ones. However, the AA5052-O aluminum alloy sheet exhibits more significant strain-rate hardening effect than the SUS304 stainless steel sheet. The inverse identification of strain-rate-dependent hardening model of metallic sheet was validated by comparing the simulated and experimental results of electromagnetic micro-hydroforming of micro-channel.

Herein, the effect of the binder content in lead zirconate titanate (PZT) slurry has been systematically studied to improve the piezoelectric properties of PZT ceramics prepared via material extrusion 3D printing. For smooth printing, a slurry with a binder concentration ranging from 6 to 12 wt% was proposed. The porosity of the green body first decreased and then increased with an increase in the binder concentration, and the minimum porosity was obtained when the binder concentration reached 10 wt%. Samples with increased density were obtained after debinding and lead-rich atmosphere sintering. PZT piezoceramics fabricated using a binder content of 10 wt % exhibit the maximum relative density (96.9%), largest piezoelectric constant (342.6 pC/N) and dielectric constant (1621). Based on the above process, the wood pile structure and helical twentytetrahedral structural components were successfully fabricated using the material extrusion process. This research lays the foundation for the engineering application of 3D printing to fabricate high-performance piezoceramics with complex shapes.

Necking and fracture are vital issues during the production of metallic bipolar plates. Therefore, evaluating the formability of thin metallic foil is a critical demand for the fabrication of metallic bipolar plates. Here, the static and dynamic formability of SS304 stainless steel foil with the thickness of 0.1 mm were investigated using traditional rigid-punch bulging and electromagnetically-impacted stamping methods, respectively. The strain rate of the traditional rigid-punch bulging experiment is about 10-3s-1, while the strain rate of the electromagnetically-impacted stamping experiment can reach 102s-1. The experimental limit strains at necking were determined by the position-dependent method, and the simulated limit strains at necking were identified by the time-dependent method. The fracture limit strains were determined by the reverse engineering method. The ac-curacy of the simulation was subsequently verified. The results show that the dynamic formability at necking and fracture is slightly higher than the static formability. The formability of SS304 stainless steel foil exhibits slight strain rate sensitivity. Furthermore, the fracture locus of the SS304 stainless steel foil was predicted by the Johnson-Cook fracture model.(c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

: Necking and fracture are vital issues during the production of metallic bipolar plates. Therefore, evaluating the formability of metallic thin sheet is a critical demand for the fabrication of metallic bipolar plates. Here, the static and dynamic formability of SS304 stainless steel thin sheet with the thickness of 0.1mm were investigated using traditional rigid-punch bulging and electromagnetically-impacted stamping methods, respectively. The strain rate of the traditional rigid-punch bulging experiment is about 10 -3 s -1 , while the strain rate of the electromagnetically-impacted stamping experiment can reach 10 2 s -1 . The experimental limit strains at necking were determined by the position-dependent method, and the simulated limit strains at necking were identified by the time-dependent method. The fracture limit strains were determined by the reverse engineering method. The accuracy of the simulation was subsequently verified. The results show that the dynamic formability at necking and fracture is slightly higher than the static formability. The formability of SS304 stainless steel thin sheet exhibits slight strain rate sensitivity. Furthermore, the fracture locus of the SS304 stainless steel thin sheet was predicted by the Johnson-Cook fracture model.

Introducing extra mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into oocytes at fertilization can rescue poor quality oocytes. However, supplementation alters DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of preimplantation embryos. To determine if these alterations impacted offspring, we introduced mtDNA from failed-to-mature sister (autologous) or third party (heterologous) oocytes into mature oocytes and transferred zygotes into surrogates. Founders exhibited significantly greater daily weight gain (heterologous) and growth rates (heterologous and autologous) to controls. In weaners, cholesterol, bilirubin (heterologous and autologous), anion gap, and lymphocyte count (autologous) were elevated. In mature pigs, potassium (heterologous) and bicarbonate (autologous) were altered. mtDNA and imprinted gene analyses did not reveal aberrant profiles. Neither group exhibited gross anatomical, morphological, or histopathological differences that would lead to clinically significant lesions. Female founders were fertile and their offspring exhibited modified weight and height gain, biochemical, and hematological profiles. mtDNA supplementation induced minor differences that did not affect health and well-being.

The experimental acquisition of electromagnetic forming limit is significantly confined due to the non-uniform pulse pressure of electromagnetic actuator and the complex deformation behavior of sheet metal. Hence, it was proposed to determine the electromagnetic forming limit diagram of aluminum alloy sheet by combining theoretical model, numerical simulation and experimental verification. The Marciniak–Kuczynski model embedded with Cowper-Symonds rate-dependent hardening model was derived in order to consider the strain rate effect on the electromagnetic formability of aluminum alloy sheet. The self-loop samples were newly designed with long oval coil for electromagnetic forming experiments to accomplish the typical deformation paths of uniaxial tension and plane strain. The strain rates and strain paths were investigated by numerical simulations. With the electromagnetic forming limits under uniaxial tension and plane strain conditions, the Marciniak–Kuczynski model was calibrated to fully determine the electromagnetic forming limit diagram. The electromagnetic bulging experiment was carried out to validate the electromagnetic forming limit diagram. Compared with the quasi-static forming limit diagram, the electromagnetic forming limit diagram of AA5182-O aluminum alloy is much higher. The electromagnetic forming limits under uniaxial tension, plane strain and equal-biaxial tension conditions are improved by 43%, 53% and 59%, respectively.

In order to further improve the piezoelectric properties of PZT ceramics formed by material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing process, this article systematically studied the influence of binder concentration on the rheology of MEX ceramic slurry. By comparing the rheological properties of the slurry, PZT slurry with high solid content and suitable for printing was obtained. The closed porosity of the green body after debinding was evaluated by comparing the breaking strength of the green body. Sintered samples were obtained after a lead-rich atmosphere sintering process. It was noted that the binder concentration affects the piezoelectric properties of the ceramic by affecting the porosity of the green body and the grain size of the sintered ceramics. The PZT ceramics fabricated with a binder concentration of 10wt.% shows the largest relative density (96.9%), the smallest closed porosity (2.51%), and the largest piezoelectric constant (342.6pC/N). This research has laid the foundation for the preparation of high-performance piezoelectric ceramics by MEX.

To improve the properties of BaTiO3 piezoelectric ceramics fabricated by 3D printing, effects of particle size were investigated on the properties of ceramic slurries and the electrical properties of BaTiO3 fabricated by Digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing method. It was found that the curing ability of the slurries decreased significantly when the particle size is close to the ultraviolet wavelength, while the viscosity kept decreasing with the increase of particle size. When the particle size in a range of submicron (d(50)<1 mu m), the grain size of sintered ceramics decreased from 13.27 to 6.84 mu m as particle size increasing. Moreover, the piezoelectric constant and relative permittivity of sintered ceramics were measured, and it turns out to reach 168.1 pC/N and 1512, respectively, while using the BaTiO3 powder with particle size of 993 nm. Finally, a cellular structural BaTiO3 ceramics was fabricated by using optimized powder and process parameters and packaged as a piezoelectric sensor, showing a good function of force-electricity conversion. These results demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating high-quality functional ceramics with designed geometry by DLP.