• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2001

Most research to date concerning the cryogenic toughness of austenitic stainless steels has concentrated on the base metal and weld metal in weldments. The most severe problem faced on the conventional austenitic stainless steel is the thermal aging degradation such as sensitization and carbide induced embrittlement. In this paper, we investigate the cryogenic toughness degradation which can be occurred for austenitic stainless in welding. The test materials are austenitic stainless JN1, JJ1 and JK2 steels, which are materials recently developed for use in nuclear fusion apparatus at cryogenic temperature. The small punch(SP) test was conducted to detect similar isothermally aging condition with material degradation occurred in service welding. The single-specimen unloading compliance method was used to determine toughness degradation caused by thermal aging for austenitic stainless steels. In addition, we have investigated size effect on fracture toughness by using 20% side-grooved 0.5TCT specimens.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2023

Objective: Reconstructed oocytes after polar body genome transfer constitute a potential therapeutic option for patients with a history of embryo fragmentation and advanced maternal age. However, the rescue of genetic material from the first polar body (PB1) through introduction into the donor cytoplasm is not yet ready for clinical application. Methods: Eighty-five oocytes were obtained following in vitro maturation (IVM) and divided into two groups: PB1 nuclear transfer (PB1NT; n=54) and control (n=31). Following enucleation and PB1 genomic transfer, PB1 fusion was assessed. Subsequently, all fused oocytes underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and were cultured in an incubator under a time-lapse monitoring system to evaluate fertilization, embryonic morphokinetic parameters, and cleavage patterns. Results: Following enucleation and fusion, 77.14% of oocytes survived, and 92.59% of polar bodies (PBs) fused. However, the normal fertilization rate was lower in the PB1NT group than in the control group (56.41% vs. 92%, p=0.002). No significant differences were observed in embryo kinetics between the groups, but a significant difference was detected in embryo developmental arrest after the four-cell stage, along with abnormal cleavage division in the PB1NT group. This was followed by significant between-group differences in the implantation potential rate and euploidy status. Most embryos in the PB1NT group had at least one abnormal cleavage division (93.3%, p=0.001). Conclusion: Fresh PB1NT oocytes successfully produced normal zygotes following PB fusion and ICSI in IVM oocytes. However, this was accompanied by low efficiency in developing into cleavage embryos, along with an increase in abnormal cleavage patterns.