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Image-based monitoring has emerged as a prevalent technique for sensing mountain environments. Monoscopic time-lapse cameras, which rely on digital image correlation to quantify glacier motion, have limitations due to the need for a Digital Elevation Model for deriving 3D flow velocity fields. Multi-camera systems overcome this limitation, as they allow for a 3D reconstruction of the scene. This paper presents a replicable low-cost stereoscopic system designed for 4D glacier monitoring. The system consists of independent and autonomous units, built from off-the-shelves components, such as a DSLR camera, an Arduino microcontroller, and a Raspberry Pi Zero, reducing costs compared to pre-built time-lapse cameras. The units are energetically self-sufficient and resistant to harsh alpine conditions. The system was successfully tested for more than a year to monitor the northwest terminus of the Belvedere Glacier (Italian Alps). Daily stereo-pairs acquired were processed with Structure-from-Motion to derive 3D point clouds of the glacier terminus and estimate glacier retreat and ice volume loss. By combining the information about ice volume loss with ablation estimates and ice flow velocity information, e.g., derived from monoscopic-camera time series, a multi-camera system enables a comprehensive understanding of sub-seasonal glacier dynamics.

Since 2020, synchrotron radiation facilities in several Asia-Pacific countries have been collaborating in a major project called "SYNAPSE"(Synchrotrons for Neuroscience: an Asia-Pacific Scientific Enterprise). They use x-ray imaging to attack in a coordinated fashion one of the major issues in modern science: the structure of animal and human brains, including neurons and connections. The objective is to develop Google-like maps also including detailed structural and functional information for selected regions of interest. The sheer mass of data needed for the objective poses huge problems for the acquisition, processing, storage and use of images. In order to complete the task within a reasonable time, the key element of the SYNAPSE strategy is the parallel and coordinated work of several facilities on the same specimens. This article reviews different aspects of the enterprise, including the foundations of synchrotron radiation, coherence and of its role in advanced imaging, electron accelerators, x-ray optics and detectors. This will provide the foundation for an extensive presentation of the different components of SYNAPSE, with an overview of results already obtained within the consortium.

STUDY QUESTION Does culture in a high relative humidity atmosphere improve clinical outcomes when using a time-lapse integrated incubator and single-step culture medium? SUMMARY ANSWER Using an integrated time-lapse system and single-step culture medium, culture in a high relative humidity atmosphere increases the likelihood of embryos, especially those subjected to preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies, to achieve a pregnancy compared to those cultured in dry conditions. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The use of a humid atmosphere inside incubators can reduce changes in culture media osmolality, which has been reported to have a significant effect on embryo quality and morphokinetics. Studies assessing the effect of humid culture (HC) in clinical outcomes are, however, scarce and inconclusive, mostly due to a high variability in culture conditions and reduced sample size. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Retrospective cohort study performed over 1627 ICSI cycles performed during 3 consecutive years in which embryo cohorts were cultured in a time-lapse incubator with three dry and three humidified chambers, and using single-step culture medium. Clinical outcomes were compared between treatments in which embryo cohorts were cultured in either humid (n = 833) or dry (n = 794) conditions. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study includes autologous treatments, with (N = 492) and without (N = 372) preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) and ovum donation treatments (N = 763), performed in three university-affiliated private IVF centres. Stimulation, oocyte pickup and fertilization were performed according to the standard procedures of the clinic. All embryo cohorts were cultured in the same model of time-lapse incubator, distributed to either a dry or humidified chamber, while the rest of the culture variables remained equal. The population was weighted by the inverse probability of treatment to control for all measured confounders. The association between HC and the main outcome was assessed by logistic regression over the weighted population. The E-value was reported as a way of considering for unmeasured confounders. Differences in embryo development and other secondary outcomes between the study groups were assessed by Pearson Chi-squared test, ANOVA test and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE An univariable logistic regression analysis, weighted by the inverse probability of treatment, determined that embryos cultured in humid conditions are more likely to achieve a clinical pregnancy than those cultured in dry conditions (odds ratio (OR) = 1.236 (95% CI 1.009–1.515), P = 0.041, E = 1.460). Through stratification, it was determined that said effect is dependent on the type of treatment: no improvement in clinical pregnancy was present in ovum donation or autologous treatments, but a statistically significant positive effect was present in treatments with preimplantation genetic testing (OR = 1.699 (95% CI 1.084–2.663), P = 0.021, E = 1.930). Said increase does not relate with an improvement in later outcomes. Differences were also found in variables related to embryo developmental morphokinetics. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The retrospective nature of the study makes it susceptible to some bias linked to the characteristics of the treatments. To lessen the effect of possible biases, cases were weighted by the inverse probability of treatment prior to the evaluation of the outcome, as means to assess for measured confounders. In addition, the E-value of the weighted OR was calculated as a sensitivity analysis for unmeasured confounders. A randomized prospective study could be performed for further assessing the effect of humid conditions in clinical outcome. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These results support that embryo culture under conditions of high relative humidity contributes to optimize clinical results in undisturbed culture in a time-lapse incubator with single-step medium. To our knowledge, this is the largest study on the matter and the first performing a propensity score-based analysis. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the ‘‘Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnologico Industrial’’ from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (CDTI-20170310) and Generalitat Valenciana and European Social Fund (ACIF/2019/264). None of the authors have any competing interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.

Backgroud Several studies showed that human papillomavirus (HPV) affects male fertility, but its impact on female fertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome is not yet clear. Methods Objective of this observational, prospective, cohort study was to evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection in women candidate to IVF, and the effects of HPV infection on the kinetic of embryonic development and on IVF outcome. A total number of 457 women candidate to IVF were submitted to HR-HPV test; among them, 326 underwent their first IVF cycle and were included in the analysis on IVF results. Results 8.9% of women candidate to IVF were HPV-positive, HPV16 being the most prevalent genotype. Among the infertility causes, endometriosis was significantly more frequent in HPV-positive than in negative women (31.6% vs. 10.1%; p Conclusions (a) the prevalence of HPV infection in women candidate to IVF is similar to that observed in the general female population of the same age range; (b) HPV infection migrates along the female genital apparatus, involving also the endometrium and the ovary, and perhaps participates in the genesis of pelvic endometriosis; (c) HPV slightly affects the developmental kinetic of in vitro-produced embryos, but does not exert an effect on live birth rate.

Selecting the best embryo for transfer is key to success in assisted reproduction. The use of algorithms or artificial intelligence can already predict blastulation or implantation with good results. However, ploidy predictions still rely on invasive techniques. Embryologists are still essential, and improving their evaluation tools can enhance clinical outcomes. This study analyzed 374 blastocysts from preimplantation genetic testing cycles. Embryos were cultured in time-lapse incubators and tested for aneuploidies; images were then studied for morphokinetic parameters. We present a new parameter, “st2, start of t2”, detected at the beginning of the first cell cleavage, as strongly implicated in ploidy status. We describe specific cytoplasmic movement patterns associated with ploidy status. Aneuploid embryos also present slower developmental rates (t3, t5, tSB, tB, cc3, and t5-t2). Our analysis demonstrates a positive correlation among them for euploid embryos, while aneuploids present non-sequential behaviors. A logistic regression study confirmed the implications of the described parameters, showing a ROC value of 0.69 for ploidy prediction (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.62 to 0.76). Our results show that optimizing the relevant indicators to select the most suitable blastocyst, such as by including st2, could reduce the time until the pregnancy of a euploid baby while avoiding invasive and expensive methods.

This paper demonstrated the design and implementation of a unique algorithm used to generate interim coordinates for focus transitions in time-lapse photography. Through a prototype design methodology, the unique algorithm was developed to function within the limitations imposed by a low-cost 8-bit microcontroller for the development of a cost-effective focus and motion control system for deployment in photographic higher education. Through conceptualization and virtualization inMathLab and comparison with values generated in simulated real-world use-case, the proposed algorithm was tested for function and efficacy in generating interim coordinates that included focus coordinate estimation to facilitate smooth non-linear motion with focus transitions during image sequence capture. The 8-bit Arduino Mega 2560 proved capable of completing calculations required by the developed algorithm and generated coordinate data sets identical to sets generated in simulation. The generated coordinated illustrated effective user-defined control over motion and the smoothness of focus transitions. The developed algorithm is thus capable of facilitating the required movement and focus transition coordinate calculation and estimation required while deployed on a low-cost 8-bit microcontroller and is well suited for deployments in time-lapse capture applications.

We use seismic ambient noise recorded by the ocean bottom nodes (OBNs) in the Gorgon gas field, Western Australia to compute time-lapse seafloor models. The extracted hourly cross-correlation (CC) functions of 0.1 - 1 Hz contain mainly Scholte waves with very high signal to noise ratio. The conventional time-lapse analysis suggests relative velocity variations (dv/v) up to 1% assuming a spatially homogeneous dv/v, with a likely 24-hour cycling pattern. With high-resolution baseline models from full waveform inversion of Scholte waves, we present a doubledifference waveform inversion (DD-WI) method using travel time differences for localizing the time-lapse dv/v in the heterogeneous subsurface in depth. The time-lapse velocity models show velocity increase/decrease patterns in agreement with that from conventional analysis, with more notable changes at the shallower depths. We demonstrate the feasibility of using ambient noise for quantitative monitoring of subsurface property changes in the horizontal and depth domain at an hourly basis., Open-Access Online Publication: May 22, 2023

CONTEXTE : la sélection embryonnaire est un des enjeux majeurs en assistance médicale à la procréation. Le time-lapse a permis une réelle révolution en permettant d’associer une évaluation de la cinétique de l’embryon à l’évaluation morphologique classique. Grâce à ce système, l’institut de médecine de la reproduction (IMR) à Marseille a élaboré un score de qualité embryonnaire en timelapse Geri®, en étudiant la cohorte d’embryons transférés au 2ème jour de culture.OBJECTIF : évaluer le score de qualité embryonnaire élaboré et validé par l’IMR sur la cohorte embryonnaire des centres d’AMP à Clermont-Ferrand cultivé en Geri®.MÉTHODE : il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective au sein de deux centres d’AMP clermontois (CHU AMP-CECOS et Hôpital privé de la Châtaigneraie AMP CERES). Les évènements morphocinétiques de 395 embryons KID (Known Implantation Data) et cultivés en Geri® jusqu’à leur transfert au 2ème / 3ème, 5ème / 6ème jour de culture ont été analysés. Les temps début 2 cellules, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 cellules (début t2, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6, t7, t8), les intervalles cc2 (t3-t2), s2 (t4-t3) et s3 (t8-t5) et les différents stades du blastocyste (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5) ont été étudiés.RÉSULTATS : les paramètres prédictifs de l’implantation sont : début t2 < 26h (p = 0,003), cc2 < 12h (p = 0,024). La culture prolongée nous a permis d’identifier un autre paramètre pertinent pour l’évaluation morphocinétique : s3 < 4h (p = 0,002). En analyse multivariée, les temps début t2 < 26h (p = 0,035) et s3 < 4h (p = 0,011) sont indépendamment rédictifs de l’implantation. L’application du score de l’IMR à la cohorte embryonnaire de ce travail est liée à une augmentation des taux d’implantation (p < 0,001), avec une amélioration significative (p = 0.009) de ces résultats en ajoutant le paramètre s3 < 4h.CONCLUSION : l’application du score de l’IMR permet une augmentation du taux d’implantation des embryons au sein de notre centre d’AMP. L’ajout d’un paramètre identifié s3 < 4h dans notre laboratoire a permis d’adapter ce score à nos conditions de culture embryonnaire. Ce travail confirme l’intérêt pour chaque centre de développer son propre score, chaque laboratoire ayant des recrutements et des conditions de culture spécifiques.

This work aimed to study the response of Uruguayan consumers to cheeses with different nutritional and commercial characteristics and determine changes over the last decade. Conjoint analysis was used to establish the value that consumers gave to different health benefits (low-fat, salt-reduced, fibre-enriched, probiotic) and to different manufacturing processes (traditional and industrial) for two different types of cheese (spreadable and semi-soft). Results indicated that consumers’ interest varied depending on the proposed health benefit. In general consumers’ interest in cheese with specific nutritional benefits was lower than for the regular product. Consumers were interested only in the low-fat cheeses with no change in 2010 and 2018. Manufacture type became significant between years, nowadays consumers are more interested in traditional manufacture. Consumer segmentation in 2018 showed that some groups were willing to consume cheeses with health benefits, among the different options, nowadays there are new opportunities for functionality in cheeses., This research received financial support of Latitud LATU Foundation.

Signaling is central in cell fate regulation, and relevant information is encoded in its activity over time (i.e., dynamics). However, simultaneous dynamics quantification of several pathways in single mammalian stem cells has not yet been accomplished. Here we generate mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines simultaneously expressing fluorescent reporters for ERK, AKT, and STAT3 signaling activity, which all control pluripotency. We quantify their single-cell dynamics combinations in response to different self-renewal stimuli and find striking heterogeneity for all pathways, some dependent on cell cycle but not pluripotency states, even in ESC populations currently assumed to be highly homogeneous. Pathways are mostly independently regulated, but some context-dependent correlations exist. These quantifications reveal surprising single-cell heterogeneity in the important cell fate control layer of signaling dynamics combinations and raise fundamental questions about the role of signaling in (stem) cell fate control., Stem Cell Reports, 18 (6), ISSN:2213-6711

The data in this repository is from 'Active-source seismic imaging of fault re-activation and leakage: An injection experiment at the Mt Terri Rock Laboratory, Switzerland' submitted to GRL. Please read the ReadMe file for details on data included (i.e., formatting and units).

La evaluación y selección de embriones en los tratamientos de fecundación in vitro (FIV) se realiza manualmente de forma convencional, mediante observaciones puntuales bajo el microscopio durante el desarrollo embrionario. Dicho análisis altera las condiciones de cultivo, pudiendo afectar a las tasas de éxito del tratamiento de reproducción asistida. La introducción de la microscopía de lapso de tiempo o time-lapse, ha hecho posible un seguimiento continuo de los embriones in vitro. De esta forma, se obtiene rutinariamente gran cantidad de información en formato de imágenes grabadas. Hoy en día, el análisis de este material todavía se realiza manualmente y las imágenes se utilizan sobre todo cualitativamente. Otra fuente de información acerca de la viabilidad de los embriones in vitro es el medio de cultivo en el que se incuban durante su desarrollo. Numerosos estudios avalan la importancia de la interacción entre el embrión y el tracto reproductor femenino mediante ligandos y receptores durante la fase preimplantacional. Actualmente, el avance en las técnicas de análisis de proteómica permite conocer los valores de numerosos marcadores simultáneamente en el medio de cultivo embrionario. Nosotros hipotetizamos que se podría considerar el uso de herramientas y técnicas computacionales para aprovechar esta gran cantidad de datos y mejorar la evaluación de los embriones. Mediante el uso de la inteligencia artificial (IA), se podrían identificar particularidades conocidas y desconocidas que caractericen un embrión con alto potencial de implantación. Información adicional resultante de la incubación in vitro (tanto las imágenes time-lapse, como el perfil secretómico), podría medirse con esta tecnología, ya que es capaz de analizar cantidades masivas de datos. El objetivo general de esta tesis es definir nuevas metodologías no invasivas como herramienta de apoyo en los laboratorios de fecundación in vitro para seleccionar qué embrión transferir a la paciente, desarrollando y aplicando innovadoras tecnologías como la inteligencia artificial para automatizar y mejorar la evaluación in vitro. Para ello, se plantearon los siguientes objetivos específicos: a) describir parámetros del desarrollo embrionario y su relación con el potencial de implantación; b) identificar marcadores no invasivos del secretoma embrionario y su asociación con el éxito de un tratamiento de reproducción asistida; c) desarrollar modelos basados en inteligencia artificial para predecir resultados clínicos; y d) evaluar herramientas para la automatización de la selección embrionaria en los laboratorios de fecundación in vitro. La presente investigación de tesis doctoral se presenta como un compendio de tres publicaciones con datos relevantes para avanzar en la selección embrionaria con métodos no invasivos, señalando a la inteligencia artificial como herramienta de apoyo fundamental en los laboratorios de fecundación in vitro. Los siguientes artículos componen este compendio: I. Novel and conventional embryo parameters as input data for artificial neural networks: an artificial intelligence model applied for prediction of the implantation potential. Bori L, Paya E, Alegre L, Viloria TA, Remohi JA, Naranjo V, Meseguer M. Fertil Steril. 2020 Dec;114(6):1232-1241. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.08.023. Epub 2020 Sep 8. PMID: 32917380. 5-year impact factor: 8,109. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue predecir el potencial de implantación del embrión utilizando nuevos parámetros no invasivos observados con sistemas time-lapse. Para ello, propusimos algunos parámetros morfodinámicos del embrión, que no habían sido evaluados hasta el momento, y analizamos su asociación con la probabilidad de implantación. Finalmente, desarrollamos un modelo utilizando redes neuronales artificiales para predecir el éxito de la implantación. II. An artificial intelligence model based on the proteomic profile of euploid embryos and blastocyst morphology: a preliminary study. Bori L, Dominguez F, Fernandez EI, Del Gallego R, Alegre L, Hickman C, Quiñonero A, Nogueira MFG, Rocha JC, Meseguer M. Reprod Biomed Online. 2021 Feb;42(2):340-350. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.031. Epub 2020 Oct 8. PMID: 33279421. 5-year impact factor: 4,603 El objetivo del presente estudio fue desarrollar un modelo de predicción de nacimientos vivos basado en la inteligencia artificial. Se utilizaron datos procedentes del análisis de imagen de blastocistos e información proteómica del medio de cultivo embrionario para predecir el potencial de un embrión euploide para dar lugar a un nacimiento vivo. III. The higher the score, the better the clinical outcome: retrospective evaluation of automatic embryo grading as a support tool for embryo selection in IVF laboratories. Bori L, Meseguer F, Valera MA, Galan A, Remohi J, Meseguer M. Hum Reprod. 2022 May 30;37(6):1148-1160. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deac066. PMID: 35435210. 5-year impact factor: 5,632 El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la utilidad de una puntuación embrionaria automática como herramienta de apoyo a la toma de decisiones en los laboratorios de FIV. En primer lugar, analizamos la asociación entre la puntuación del embrión y una serie de resultados clínicos, como la ploidía, el embarazo, la implantación y el nacimiento vivo. En segundo lugar, cuantificamos la contribución de la puntuación del embrión en los resultados de implantación y nacimiento vivo en diferentes escenarios en un contexto individualizado. Embryo evaluation and selection in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments is performed manually in a conventional way, through specific observations under the microscope during the embryo development in vitro. Such analysis alters the culture conditions and may affect the success rates of assisted reproduction treatment. The introduction of time-lapse microscopy has made it possible to continuously monitor embryos in vitro. In this way, a large amount of information is routinely obtained in the form of recorded images. Today, the analysis of this material is still performed manually, and the images are mostly used qualitatively. Another source of information about the viability of in vitro embryos is the culture medium in which they are incubated during their development. Numerous studies support the importance of the interaction between the embryo and the female reproductive tract by means of ligands and receptors during the preimplantation phase. Currently, advances in proteomic analysis techniques make it possible to know the values of numerous markers simultaneously in the embryo culture medium. We hypothesize that the use of computational tools and techniques could be considered to take advantage of this large amount of data and improve embryo evaluation. Using artificial intelligence (AI), known and unknown particularities that characterize an embryo with high implantation potential could be identified. Information resulting from in vitro incubation (both time-lapse images and secretomic profiling) could be measured with this technology, as it can analyze massive amounts of data. The general objective of this thesis is to define new non-invasive methodologies as a support tool in in vitro fertilization laboratories to select which embryo to transfer to the patient, developing and applying innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence to automate and improve in vitro evaluation. To this end, the following specific objectives were proposed: a) to describe parameters of embryo development and their relationship with implantation potential; b) to identify non-invasive markers of the embryonic secretome and their association with the success of assisted reproduction treatment; c) to develop models based on artificial intelligence to predict clinical outcomes; and d) to evaluate tools for the automation of embryo selection in in vitro fertilization laboratories. The present doctoral thesis is presented as a compendium of three publications with relevant data to advance embryo selection with non-invasive methods, highlighting artificial intelligence as a key support tool in in vitro fertilization laboratories. The following articles make up this compendium: I. Novel and conventional embryo parameters as input data for artificial neural networks: an artificial intelligence model applied for prediction of the implantation potential. Bori L, Paya E, Alegre L, Viloria TA, Remohi JA, Naranjo V, Meseguer M. Fertil Steril. 2020 Dec;114(6):1232-1241. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.08.023. Epub 2020 Sep 8. PMID: 32917380. 5-year impact factor: 8,109. The main aim of this study was to predict embryo implantation potential using new non-invasive parameters observed with time-lapse systems. For this purpose, we proposed new morphodynamic parameters of the embryo, which had not been evaluated so far, and analyzed their association with the probability of implantation. Finally, we developed a model using artificial neural networks to predict implantation success. II. An artificial intelligence model based on the proteomic profile of euploid embryos and blastocyst morphology: a preliminary study. Bori L, Dominguez F, Fernandez EI, Del Gallego R, Alegre L, Hickman C, Quiñonero A, Nogueira MFG, Rocha JC, Meseguer M. Reprod Biomed Online. 2021 Feb;42(2):340-350. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.031. Epub 2020 Oct 8. PMID: 33279421. 5-year impact factor: 4,603 The aim of the present study was to develop an artificial intelligence-based live birth prediction model. Data from blastocyst image analysis and proteomic information from the embryo culture medium were used to predict the potential of a euploid embryo to lead to a live birth. III. The higher the score, the better the clinical outcome: retrospective evaluation of automatic embryo grading as a support tool for embryo selection in IVF laboratories. Bori L, Meseguer F, Valera MA, Galan A, Remohi J, Meseguer M. Hum Reprod. 2022 May 30;37(6):1148-1160. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deac066. PMID: 35435210. 5-year impact factor: 7,736 The main objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of an automated embryo score as a decision support tool in IVF laboratories. First, we analyzed the association between embryo scoring and several clinical outcomes, such as embryo ploidy, pregnancy, implantation, and live birth. Second, we quantified the contribution of embryo score on implantation and live birth outcomes in different scenarios in an individualized context.

This study was prompted by the need to carry out a follow-up study on an earlier work done ten years ago, which studied the depth extent of a contaminant plume in surrounding groundwater that originated from hydrocarbon leakage from an underground storage tank. Therefore, this follow-up study is an attempt to evaluate the extents to which the contaminant effects have either been reduced or completely removed, given a time-lapse of ten years. In this study, electrical resistivity method was engaged with the deployment of vertical electrical sounding (VES) within the study area. Nine (9) VES points were repeated at the exact location where similar measurements were carried out ten years ago. The information obtained gave useful and relevant information in terms of the correlation of geoelectric sequence and geophysical parameters between ten years ago and now. The contaminated layers resistivity and thickness ten years ago were at an average of 271 Ωm and 3.5 m which have reduced to an average of 95 Ωm and 0.49 m now. Findings revealed that time lapse has allowed the effects of the contaminant to be completely or partly removed along, VES 2, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 12. This study gave an insight into the minimum time lapse that may be required for the total or near-complete removable of the effect of contaminants of this nature in a typical basement Complex environment in Nigeria.

The mechanism of the crack propagation in three dimensional (3D) glass-fiber warp interlock epoxy composites under fatigue loading was investigated via time-lapse micro-computed tomography (µCT) observations. Two different composite samples were manufactured by means of a resin transfer molding (RTM) process under two different constant injection pressure conditions to generate intrayarn and interyarn voids separately. Fatigue loads were applied by blocks of 105 cycles and followed by µCT measurements. Regions of interest for micro tomography scans were selected based on hot spots detected by infrared thermography. After the analysis of the obtained data, it was observed that detectable cracks were generally initiated by debonding in the zone between two adjacent warp yarns and grew along their interface. Then, these cracks propagated along one of the warp yarns aligned in the loading direction while remaining in the middle of the specimen cross-section. The coalescence of the cracks and further propagation to the weakest zones were observed around and after the middle lifetime. Finally, we demonstrated the influence of the void defects at different material scales. I was found that interyarn voids have relatively little influence on the fatigue performance whereas they can, sometimes, attract and deviate cracks in the matrix zone between adjacent yarns. It was also shown that the intrayarn voids are crucial to degenerate the fatigue performance of the yarns at the micro-scale.

The origin and quality of gametes are likely to influence the kinetics of embryonic development. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of sperm nuclear quality, and in particular sperm chromatin condensation, on the kinetics of early embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Our study included 157 couples who benefitted from ICSI for male factor infertility. Chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation were assessed in spermatozoa prior to ICSI. Above the 20% threshold of sperm condensation defect, patients were included in the abnormal sperm chromatin condensation (ASCC) group; below the 20% threshold, patients were included in the normal sperm chromatin condensation (NSCC) group. After ICSI, the oocytes were placed in the time-lapse incubator. The kinetics of the cohort’s embryonic development have been modeled. The fading times of pronuclei and the time to two blastomeres (t2, first cleavage) and four blastomeres (t4, third cleavage) differed significantly between the NSCC and ASCC groups, with earlier events occurring in the ASCC group. On the other hand, the state of sperm chromatin condensation did not seem to have an impact on live birth rates or the occurrence of miscarriages. The kinetics of early embryonic development was accelerated in males with a sperm chromatin condensation defect without compromising the chances of pregnancy or promoting miscarriage. However, our study highlights the paternal contribution to early embryonic events and potentially to the future health of the conceptus.

International audience; We present an innovative hydrogeophysical approach for non-invasive quantification of the unsaturated water flow. For the water content measurements, we apply the Magnetic Resonance Sounding (MRS) method in the time-lapse mode. For inversion of MRS measurements, we approximate the subsurface by a horizontally stratified media. Laterally, the MRS estimated water content is averaged over the area below the measuring setup. During this study, we used a square loop of 75 m side-length. The time-lapse inversion allows visualizing variations in the water content in the vadose zone down to twenty meters. We tested our approach at the Villamblain test site (France). For that, we carried out the MRS monitoring in 1999–2000 and 2020–2021. During these two observation windows, MRS shows seasonal variations of the water content but also a strong dependence of the water content on the rainfall that was different between two data sets. Comparison of MRS results with the rainfall records shows a good correspondence in-between. For measuring and processing MRS data, we used commercially available MRS instrument and interpretation software.

Data Repository: Data, Flow Profiles and Open Source Microfluidic Designs associated with our recent publication for trapping sea anemone model organisms (Aiptasia) to study larval:algal symbiosis and better understand coral bleaching.

The use of electrical resistivity tomography in laboratory or field experiments for environmental purposes has been increasing in recent years. The development of commercial devices has thus far focused on the quality of measurements and their robustness in all field cases. However, both their costs and lack of flexibility to adapt to specific applications have limited their prevalence in the environmental sector. This article presents the development of a low-cost, open hardware resistivity meter to provide the scientific community with a robust and flexible tool for small-scale experiments. Called OhmPi, this basic resistivity meter features current injection and measurement functions associated with a multiplexer that allows performing automatic measurements with up to 32 electrodes (at a cost of less than $500). The device was first tested using a soil-analog electrical circuit to verify the reliability and robustness of the measurements. Results show that OhmPi offers a wide range of resistance measurements, from 0.2 to 1000 O, for contact resistances between 100 and 5000 O. Measurements were then carried out on a small field experiment, in demonstrating good stability of the OhmPi measurements, as well as a strong correlation with the output of a commercial reference instrument.

OBJECTIVE: To report a live birth from a patient with complete zona-free oocytes due to abnormal zona production and to reveal full time-lapse blastocyst development footage of its originating embryo. METHODS: A 34-year-old woman presented with a history of failed fertilization via standard in vitro fertilization insemination and a potential absence of zona pellucida. A total of 3 intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were undertaken with all oocytes collected being zona-free. Embryos created in the initial 2 cycles were cultured in the G1+/G2+ sequential media in a benchtop incubator. During the final successful cycle, the culture strategy was shifted to single step media (G-TL) in an Embryoscope+ incubator. RESULTS: The first 2 attempts led to a biochemical pregnancy or no blastocyst available for transfer. In the third cycle, 13 out of 24 collected oocytes were subjected to injection, with 4 being normally fertilized. Two blastocysts were subsequently formed, in which one was cryopreserved and the other transferred. A live baby girl (1570g) was subsequently delivered at 34 weeks of gestation by cesarean section. CONCLUSION: Live birth can be achieved for patients with zona production deficiency. Adjustment in ovarian stimulation and subsequent embryo culture strategies may have potentially contributed to the success of the 3rd cycle. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10815-021-02114-3.

We report on the extraction of deep ocean travel time variations from time-lapse cross-correlations between a hydrophone station and a three-component broadband seismometer. The signals we cross-correlate in this study result from repeated activity by the Monowai seamount, one of the most active submarine volcanoes of the Tonga-Kermadec ridge. In particular, we introduce a specific workflow to exploit repetitive hydroacoustic underwater source activity, which we detail to such an extent that it serves as an example (or “cookbook”). For this reason, we have made the source code publicly available. The workflow proposed in this study (a) overcomes differences in instrument sensitivity and sample rates, (b) involves the selection of eligible cross-correlations based on a source activity criterium as well as slowness analysis, and (c) extracts the travel time variations in distinct frequency bands. In our case, the two frequency bands are 3–6 and 6–12 Hz. We find that the estimated travel time variations in both frequency bands consist of a complex periodic pattern superimposed on a robust linear trend. This linear trend is decreasing, which we attribute to increasing water temperatures along the propagation path of the hydroacoustic signals.

Imaging subsurface small-scale features and monitoring transport of tracer plumes at a fine resolution is of interest to characterize transport processes in aquifers. Full-waveform inversion (FWI) of crosshole ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements enables aquifer characterization at decimeter-scale resolution. The method produces images of both relative dielectric permittivity (εr) and bulk electrical conductivity (σb) that can be related to hydraulic aquifer properties and tracer distributions. To test the potential of time-lapse GPR FWI for imaging tracer plumes, we conducted a numerical tracer experiment by injecting saline water, desalinated water, and ethanol in a heterogeneous aquifer. The saline and desalinated tracers only changed σb, whereas ethanol changed both εr and σb. Tracer concentrations were retrieved from the inverted εr and σb models using information about petrophysical parameters. GPR FWI εr and σb tracer images could recover preferential paths of ∼0.2 m width, while the derived σb structures are smoother. FWI of 50 time-lapse data sets demonstrated the potential of the FWI to derive spatially resolved breakthrough curves of the saline and ethanol tracer in the image plane between the boreholes. Thus, high-resolution imaging with GPR FWI of tracers that produce a high permittivity contrast against the background has a great potential for characterization of heterogeneous transport in aquifers.

Time-lapse imaging of live cells using multiple fluorescent reporters is an essential tool to study molecular processes in single cells. However, exposure to even moderate doses of visible excitation light can disturb cellular physiology and alter the quantitative behavior of the cells under study. Here, we set out to develop guidelines to avoid the confounding effects of excitation light in multi-color long-term imaging. We use widefield fluorescence microscopy to measure the effect of the administered excitation light on growth rate (here called photomorbidity) in yeast. We find that photomorbidity is determined by the cumulative light dose at each wavelength, but independent of the way excitation light is applied. Importantly, photomorbidity possesses a threshold light dose below which no effect is detectable (NOEL). We found, that the suitability of fluorescent proteins for live-cell imaging at the respective excitation light NOEL is equally determined by the cellular autofluorescence and the fluorescent protein brightness. Last, we show that photomorbidity of multiple wavelengths is additive and imaging conditions absent of photomorbidity can be predicted. Our findings enable researchers to find imaging conditions with minimal impact on physiology and can provide framework for how to approach photomorbidity in other organisms., G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 10 (12), ISSN:2160-1836

Objective: The aim of this study was to screen the potential of human embryos to develop into expanding blastocysts following in vitro embryo splitting and then assess the quality of the generated blastocysts based on chromosomal characteristics and using morphokinetics. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 82 good quality cleavage-stage donated embryos (8- 14 cells) were used (24 embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage as controls and 58 embryos underwent in vitro splitting). After in vitro splitting, the blastomere donor and blastomere recipient embryos were named twin A and twin B, respectively. Morphokinetics and morphological parameters were evaluated using a time-lapse system in the blastocysts developed from twin embryos. Aneuploidy of chromosomes 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, X and Y were analyzed in the twin blastocysts. Results: Following in vitro splitting, of the 116 resulting twin embryos, 80 (69%) developed to the expanded blastocyst (EBL) stage compared to 21 (87.5%) embryos in the control group (P>0.05). The morphokinetics analysis suggested that the developmental time-points were influenced by the in vitro splitting. Moreover, the blastocysts developed from A and B twins had impaired morphology compared to controls. Regarding chromosome abnormalities, there was no significant difference in the rate of aneuploidy or mosaicism between the different groups. Conclusion: This study showed that while no chromosomal abnormalities were seen, in vitro embryo splitting may affect the embryo morphokinetics.

Objective: To investigate morphokinetic characteristics of embryos displaying either reverse cleavage or direct cleavage during the first, second or third cleavage cycle. Methods: A total of 167 in vitro fertilization and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles undertaken by 167 women [aged (35.0±4.6) years] were included for reverse cleavage analysis, and a total of 167 in vitro fertilization and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles undertaken by 167 women [aged (33.8 ±4.3) years] were included for direct cleavage analysis in this study. Using a sibling-embryo design, morphokinetic profiles (both before and after the onset of abnormal event) of embryos displaying reverse cleavage (n=241) or direct cleavage (n=244) were compared with their unaffected siblings (the controls) in the first, second and third cell cycles (n=32, n=142, n=562; n=195, n=412, n=205, respectively), at different developmental stages up to day 3. Results: Direct cleavage embryos demonstrated significantly delayed cleavage rates prior to the event regardless of developmental stage of the occurrence, while reverse cleavage embryos showed similar cleavage rates to their unaffected siblings. Post event, direct cleavage embryos sped up cleavage rates while reverse cleavage embryos slowed down. Conclusions: Altered morphokinetic profiles are displayed by direct cleavage embryos both before and after their occurrence and reverse cleavage embryos after the occurrence, which could potentially confound morphokinetic comparisons if not separated from their unaffected sibling embryos. Further study is warranted in order to fully understand the biological mechanisms of such events.

This article explores the capability of applying time-lapse ground penetrating radar (GPR) data to investigate the health condition of an urban subsurface. A workflow is proposed to semi-automatically extract changes from time-lapse GPR C-scans. The developed workflow consists of two main steps, in which the first step is image registration and intensity normalization. The workflow uses benchmark points on the ground to normalize the global intensity of time-lapse GPR C-scans. The second step classifies pixels into change or unchanged group. Two kinds of information are considered to construct two difference-maps: changes in the image intensity and the object structure. K-means clustering is responsible for extracting pixels that possess both intensity changes and object structure changes - where potential subsurface defects most likely occurred. The workflow was verified by a site experiment, and the area of excavation with pipe replacement was successfully identified. The performance of the proposed workflow was promising in excluding small and random scattering noise, which was the main challenge in a time-lapse GPR survey. The article serves as a prototype and demonstrates the feasibility and necessity of conducting temporal diagnosis on the subsurface structure.

Objective: To determine if the application of time-lapse incubation and monitoring can be beneficial to clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive technology.Methods: A total of 600 patients were equally randomized to three groups, namely, conventional embryo culture and standard morphological selection (CM group), time-lapse culture and standard morphological selection (TLM group), and time-lapse culture and morphokinetic selection (TLA group). Notably, 424 undergoing fresh autologous in vitro fertilization cycles were analyzed, 132 patients in the CM group, 158 in the TLM group, and 134 in the TLA group. Main outcomes included clinical outcomes, embryo development rates, and perinatal outcomes.Results: Clinical pregnancy rates in the time-lapse groups were significantly higher than in the CM group (CM 65.2% vs. TLM 77.2% vs. TLA 81.3%). Implantation rates and live birth rates were significantly higher for the TLA group (59.7 and 70.9%) compared with the CM group (47.7 and 56.1%) but not compared with the TLM group (55.4 and 67.1%). There was no statistical difference in miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rates among the three groups. Overall, birth weight was significantly higher in the time-lapse groups (CM 2,731.7 ± 644.8 g vs. TLM 3,066.5 ± 595.4 g vs. TLA 2,967.4 ± 590.0 g). The birth height of newborns in the TLM group was significantly longer than that of the CM group and TLA group (CM 48.3± 4.4 cm vs. TLM 49.8± 2.3 cm vs. TLA 48.5± 2.7 cm).Conclusion: Time-lapse incubation and monitoring have a significant benefit on clinical pregnancy rates and on overall birth weights while morphokinetic analysis is not necessary.Clinical Trial Registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT02974517].

La introducción de la tecnología de lapso de tiempo en la práctica clínica de fecundación in vitro permitió la supervisión ininterrumpida de los embriones durante todo el período de cultivo. Inicialmente, el objetivo principal era lograr un mejor desarrollo embrionario. Sin embargo, esta tecnología también introdujo el novedoso concepto de la morfocinética, parámetros relacionados con la dinámica de las células embrionarias. La gran cantidad de datos obtenidos permitió definir los rangos óptimos de la duración del ciclo celular en diferentes etapas del desarrollo del embrión, lo cual añadió información complementaria para asistir en la evaluación del embrión antes de la transferencia. Los marcadores cinéticos se convirtieron en parte de la estrategia de evaluación embrionaria con un gran potencial en aumentar las probabilidades de éxito clínico. Sin embargo, la anotación de estos parámetros aún depende de la subjetividad y experiencia de los profesionales que realizan las anotaciones. El uso de algoritmos de aprendizaje profundo para analizar eventos de desarrollo automáticamente es un paso hacia la implementación de Inteligencia Artificial en la evaluación de embriones, que se está convirtiendo en una tendencia importante en el futuro. El objetivo principal de la presente tesis es la optimización de la selección de embriones a través de protocolos no invasivos, con el objetivo de estandarizar la transferencia de un solo embrión en la práctica clínica. Se presta especial atención a la validación de una herramienta desarrollada mediante técnicas de Inteligencia Artificial para la automatización de la anotación de parámetros morfocinéticos y la evaluación de la metabolómica embrionaria mediante el análisis del estrés oxidativo en los medios de cultivo. Para ello, se establecieron tres objetivos específicos principales: Objetivo específico I. Caracterización de la sensibilidad y precisión de detección de los eventos de desarrollo del embrión humano preimplantacional mediante un software automatizado. Objetivo específico II. Comparación de la predicción de los resultados clínicos al aplicar las anotaciones morfocinéticas manuales y automatizadas de embriones con implantación conocida. Objetivo específico III. Análisis no invasivo del estado oxidativo del medio de cultivo de los embriones en combinación con la morfocinética de sistemas de lapso de tiempo. Gracias a la consecución de objetivos específicos, podemos concluir que el software de evaluación de embriones puede ser una alternativa automatizada y objetiva de anotar los parámetros morfocinéticos. Las anotaciones automatizadas aliviarían la carga de trabajo de los embriólogos, especialmente durante los eventos tempranos, los cuales se anotaron con gran precisión. Por otro lado, los eventos tardíos, pese a ser más variables, mostraron una mayor relevancia clínica en la predicción de resultados cuando se utilizaron algoritmos de selección publicados. Los eventos no anotados siempre pueden añadirse manualmente, lo cual aumenta la precisión de los datos. El ensayo de termoquimioluminiscencia (TCL) se validó con éxito como una herramienta no invasiva para realizar el análisis del estrés oxidativo de los medios de cultivo del embrión. La combinación de los parámetros oxidativos de TCL con los criterios morfocinéticos de lapso de tiempo presentaron un mayor poder discriminatorio que la evaluación morfológica en la identificación de embriones de alta calidad, sentando las bases para un método de selección de embriones más objetivo y no invasivo para reducir las transferencias múltiples de embriones. The introduction of time-lapse imaging to clinical in vitro fertilization practice enabled the undisturbed monitoring of embryos throughout the entire culture period. Initially, the main objective was to achieve a better embryo development. However, this technology also provided an insight into the novel concept of morphokinetics, parameters regarding embryo cell dynamics. The vast amount of data obtained defined the optimal ranges in the cell-cycle lengths at different stages of embryo development, which added valuable information to embryo assessment prior to transfer. Kinetic markers became part of embryo evaluation strategies with the potential to increase the chances of clinical success. However, the annotation of these parameters still depend on the subjectivity and experience of the professionals performing the annotations. The use of deep learning algorithms to analyze developmental events automatically is a step towards implementation of Artificial Intelligence into embryo assessment, which is becoming a significant trend in the future. The present thesis major research target is the optimization of embryo selection though non-invasive protocols, aiming for the standardization of single embryo transfer as gold standard. Special focus being given to the validation of an Artificial Intelligence developed tool for the automatization of the morphokinetic parameter annotation and assessment of embryo metabolomics through the analysis of oxidative stress in the spent culture media. For this, three main specific objectives were stablished: Specific objective I. Characterization of the detection sensitivity & accuracy when performing the annotation of the human preimplantation embryo developmental events with an automated software. Specific objective II. Clinical result prediction comparison when applying the manual and automated morphokinetic annotations of known implantation data embryos. Specific objective III. Non-invasive oxidative status analysis of the spent embryo culture medium in combination with Time-Lapse morphokinetics. Thanks to our specific objective attainment, we can conclude the embryo assessment software can be an automated and objective alternative of annotating the morphokinetic parameters. Automated annotations would ease the embryologists’ workload, especially during early events, which can be annotated with high accuracy. On the other hand, the more variable later events showed more clinical relevance in outcome prediction when using published embryo selection algorithms. Non-annotated events can still be annotated manually, increasing the accuracy of the data. The thermochemiluminescence (TCL) assay was successfully validated as a non-invasive tool to perform the analysis of the oxidative stress of the spent culture media of the embryo. The combination of the TCL oxidative parameters with the time-lapse morphokinetic criteria presented a greater discriminatory power than morphological assessment in the identification of high-quality embryos, providing the foundation for a more objective and non-invasive embryo selection method to reduce multiple embryo transfers.

Global change is causing ecosystems to change at unprecedented rates and the urgency to quantify ecological change is high. We therefore need all possible sources of ecological data to address key knowledge gaps. Ground-based photos are a form of remote sensing and an unconventional data source with a high potential to improve our understanding of ecological change. They can provide invaluable information on ecological conditions in the past and present at relevant spatiotemporal scales that is very difficult to obtain with other approaches. Here we review the use of ground-based photos in a set of relevant ecological research topics, such as biodiversity and community ecology, phenology, global change ecology and landscape ecology. We highlight three main photo-based methods in ecological research (repeat photography, time-lapse photography and public archives), alongside which we discuss three case studies to demonstrate novel applications of these methods, to answer fundamental ecological questions. Synthesis. Photos can significantly support ecological research to improve our understanding of biotic responses in a rapidly changing world. Photos cover relatively large temporal and spatial scales, and can provide large amounts of information with limited time investment. To exploit their full potential, we need to invest not only in technological advances to compile, process and analyse images but also in proper data management.

Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) has great potential for monitoring natural-resource reservoirs and borehole conditions. However, the large volume of data and complicated wavefield add challenges to processing and interpretation. In this study, we demonstrate that seismic interferometry based on deconvolution is a convenient tool for analyzing this complicated wavefield. We also show the limitation of this technique, in that it still requires good coupling to extract the signal of interest. We extract coherent waves from the observation of a borehole DAS system at the Brady geothermal field in Nevada. The extracted waves are cable or casing ringing that reverberate within a depth interval. These ringing phenomena are frequently observed in the vertical borehole DAS data. The deconvolution method allows us to examine the wavefield at different boundary conditions and separate the direct waves and the multiples. With these benefits, we can interpret the wavefields using a simple 1D string model and monitor its temporal changes. The velocity of this wave varies with depth, observation time, temperature, and pressure. We find the velocity is sensitive to disturbances in the borehole related to increasing operation intensity. The velocity decreases with rising temperature. The reverberation can be decomposed into distinct vibration modes in the spectrum. We find that the wave is dispersive and the fundamental mode propagates with a large velocity. This interferometry method can be useful for monitoring borehole conditions or reservoir property changes using densely-sampled DAS data.

STUDY QUESTION Is the automatic embryo grading function of specific time-lapse systems clinically useful as a decision support tool for IVF laboratories? SUMMARY ANSWER Blastocyst grading according to the automatic scoring system is directly associated with the likelihood of implantation and live birth, at least in treatments without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Several embryo selection algorithms have been described since the introduction of time-lapse technology in IVF laboratories, but no one algorithm has yet been sufficiently consolidated for universal use. Multicentric models based on automated grading systems offer promise for standardization of embryo selection. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A retrospective cohort study was performed including 1678 patients who underwent IVF treatments between 2018 and 2020 and whose embryos (n = 12 468) were cultured in time-lapse systems. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS After obtaining the required parameters (division time to 2, 3, 4 and 5 cells; time of blastocyst formation; inner cell mass quality; and trophectoderm quality), the automatic embryo score was calculated using the software included in the appropriate workstation. First, embryo score was compared with conventional morphological quality and the subsequent clinical outcomes of 1952 single blastocyst transfers. Second, we quantified the contribution of the automatic embryo score and conventional morphological grade to implantation and live birth outcome with multivariate logistic regression analysis in different patient populations. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A higher embryo score was associated with a better clinical outcome of IVF treatment. The mean of the automatic embryo score varied significantly (P LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study is limited by its retrospective nature. Further prospective randomized trials are required to confirm the clinical impact of these findings. The single-center design should be taken into account when considering the universal application of the model. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Evidence of the clinical efficiency of automated embryo scoring for ranking embryos with different morphological grade and potential in order to achieve higher implantation and live birth rates may make it a decision support tool for embryologists when selecting blastocysts for embryo transfer. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research has been funded by a grant from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities FIS (PI21/00283) awarded to M.M. There are no competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.

Fluid flow through fractured rock systems is governed in large part by the distribution, interconnectivity, and size of fracture apertures. In-situ stress is one of the primary factors controlling fracture aperture, and one that is altered significantly during high-pressure fluid injections or extractions. Interactions between stress, pore pressure, aperture, and fluid flow can result in complex and evolving poroelastic behavior with significant implications regarding the predictability and risk involved with developing and managing deep subsurface reservoirs (geothermal, fossil energy, and geologic carbon sequestration). In saturated rocks, bulk electrical conductivity is sensitive to both primary and secondary porosity (i.e., matrix porosity and fractures), and therefore to fracture aperture size and distribution. We demonstrate the use of time-lapse 3D electrical resistivity tomography for remotely monitoring stress induced changes in aperture distribution during high pressure injections into a dense fractured rock system at a scale of tens of meters. Results reveal a complex and continuously evolving stress field involving aperture dilations in the natural fracture system and aperture contractions in adjacent zones of shadow stress. Results provide information about the spatiotemporal changes in the system behavior and point to the potential of electrical imaging for autonomously and remotely monitoring evolving stress conditions by proxy through changes in bulk electrical conductivity.

Background Overweight and obesity affect millions of people globally, which has also serious implications for reproduction. For example, treatment outcomes after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are worse in women with a high body mass index (BMI). However, the impact of maternal BMI on embryo quality is inconclusive. Our main aim is to study associations between preconceptional maternal BMI and morphokinetic parameters of preimplantation embryos and predicted implantation potential. In addition, associations with clinical IVF outcomes are investigated. Methods From a tertiary hospital, 268 women undergoing IVF or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were included; 143 normal weight, 79 overweight and 46 obese women. The embryos of these women were cultured in the EmbryoScope, a time-lapse incubator. The morphokinetic parameters of preimplantation embryos and predicted implantation potential, assessed by the KIDScore algorithm were longitudinally evaluated as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. The tertiary outcomes included clinical outcomes, i.e., fertilization, implantation and live birth rate. Results After adjustment for patient- and treatment-related factors, we demonstrated in 938 embryos that maternal BMI is negatively associated with the moment of pronuclear appearance (βtPNa -0.070 h (95%CI -0.139, -0.001), p = 0.048), pronuclear fading (βtPNf -0.091 h (95%CI -0.180, -0.003), p = 0.043 and the first cell cleavage (βt2 -0.111 h (95%CI -0.205, -0.016), p = 0.022). Maternal BMI was not significantly associated with the KIDScore and tertiary clinical treatment outcomes. In embryos from couples with female or combined factor subfertility, the impact of maternal BMI was even larger (βtPNf -0.170 h (95%CI -0.293, -0.047), p = 0.007; βt2 -0.199 h (95%CI -0.330, -0.067), p = 0.003). Additionally, a detrimental impact of BMI per point increase was observed on the KIDScore (β -0.073 (se 0.028), p = 0.010). Conclusions Higher maternal BMI is associated with faster early preimplantation development. In couples with female or combined factor subfertility, a higher BMI is associated with a lower implantation potential as predicted by the KIDScore. Likely due to power issues, we did not observe an impact on clinical treatment outcomes. However, an effect of faster preimplantation development on post-implantation development is conceivable, especially since the impact of maternal BMI on pregnancy outcomes has been widely demonstrated.

Background : Chemotherapy-induced infertility has become problems faced by reproductive-age women receiving chemotherapy and many anticancer drugs mainly affect proliferating cells such as granulosa cells, which support the oocyte. The aims of this study were to investigate mitochondrial membrane potential and to test the protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) in the granulosa cells treated with anticancer drugs. / Methods : Female ICR mice were divided into 5 groups (control, cisplatin, cisplatin+LC, paclitaxel, paclitaxel+LC) and the number of follicles in three sections of ovaries was counted every 100 μm at each development stage....

This article presents a new framework to help transform visual surveys of a natural environment into time-lapses. As data association across year-long variation in appearance continues to represent a formidable challenge, we present success with a map-centric approach, which builds on 3D vision for visual data association. We use a foundation of map point priors and geometric constraints within a dense correspondence image alignment optimization to align images and acquire loop closures between surveys. This framework produces many loop closures between sessions. Outlier loop closures are filtered in the frontend and in the backend to improve robustness. From the result map, the Reprojection Flow algorithm is applied to create time-lapses. The evaluation of our framework on the Symphony Lake Dataset, which has considerable variation in appearance, led to year-long time-lapses of many different scenes. In comparison with another approach based on using iterative closest point (ICP) plus a homography, our framework produced more and better-quality alignments. With many scenes of the 1.3 km environment consistently aligning well in random image pairs, we next produced 100 time-lapses across 37 surveys captured in a year. Approximately one-third had at least 20 (out of usually 33) well-aligned images, which spanned all four seasons. With promising results, we evaluated the pose error of misaligned image pairs and found that improving map consistency could lead to even better results.

Time lapse or 4D gravity is the development of gravity methods with the fourth dimension is time. This method is characterized by repetitive measurements over a period of time using a high-precision gravity measuring device (gravimeter) which is supported by high accuracy measurement of position. In the case of a fault that triggers an earthquake, layers that have a different density between layers will have the effect of changing the measured value of the gravitational field on the surface. The difference in the value of measured gravity before and after the occurrence of a fault as a result of an earthquake is what gives the value of time lapse gravity. The model of position displacement of the layers before and after the earthquake, provides a model of density between times whose gravitational anomalies can be calculated by forward response. The response of time-lapse forward model (synthetic data) is then optimized to obtain an inversion model. Inversion programming is made using the Mathlab program which is based on the semi-infinite horizontal slab equation. The model parameters that are optimized are horizontal position, depth, and amplitude factor of faulted layers. The program testing on 3 different synthetic data shows that the fastest optimization was obtained in the 7th iteration step. The smallest RMS error from the 3 models was 1.23. 10-5. This inversion program can be applied to time lapse gravity anomalies results of measurements in the field in active fault zones before and after the occurrence of an earthquake

STUDY QUESTION Can a deep learning model predict the probability of pregnancy with fetal heart (FH) from time-lapse videos? SUMMARY ANSWER We created a deep learning model named IVY, which was an objective and fully automated system that predicts the probability of FH pregnancy directly from raw time-lapse videos without the need for any manual morphokinetic annotation or blastocyst morphology assessment. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The contribution of time-lapse imaging in effective embryo selection is promising. Existing algorithms for the analysis of time-lapse imaging are based on morphology and morphokinetic parameters that require subjective human annotation and thus have intrinsic inter-reader and intra-reader variability. Deep learning offers promise for the automation and standardization of embryo selection. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A retrospective analysis of time-lapse videos and clinical outcomes of 10 638 embryos from eight different IVF clinics, across four different countries, between January 2014 and December 2018. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The deep learning model was trained using time-lapse videos with known FH pregnancy outcome to perform a binary classification task of predicting the probability of pregnancy with FH given time-lapse video sequence. The predictive power of the model was measured using the average area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve over 5-fold stratified cross-validation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The deep learning model was able to predict FH pregnancy from time-lapse videos with an AUC of 0.93 [95% CI 0.92–0.94] in 5-fold stratified cross-validation. A hold-out validation test across eight laboratories showed that the AUC was reproducible, ranging from 0.95 to 0.90 across different laboratories with different culture and laboratory processes. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study is a retrospective analysis demonstrating that the deep learning model has a high level of predictability of the likelihood that an embryo will implant. The clinical impacts of these findings are still uncertain. Further studies, including prospective randomized controlled trials, are required to evaluate the clinical significance of this deep learning model. The time-lapse videos collected for training and validation are Day 5 embryos; hence, additional adjustment would need to be made for the model to be used in the context of Day 3 transfer. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The high predictive value for embryo implantation obtained by the deep learning model may improve the effectiveness of previous approaches used for time-lapse imaging in embryo selection. This may improve the prioritization of the most viable embryo for a single embryo transfer. The deep learning model may also prove to be useful in providing the optimal order for subsequent transfers of cryopreserved embryos. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) D.T. is the co-owner of Harrison AI that has patented this methodology in association with Virtus Health. P.I. is a shareholder in Virtus Health. S.C., P.I. and D.G. are all either employees or contracted with Virtus Health. D.G. has received grant support from Vitrolife, the manufacturer of the Embryoscope time-lapse imaging used in this study. The equipment and time for this study have been jointly provided by Harrison AI and Virtus Health.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-04T12:39:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-06-01 PurposeTo assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) on morphokinetic parameters of human embryos evaluated with time-lapse technology during in vitro culture.MethodsA retrospective analysis of ART cycles utilizing time-lapse technology was undertaken to assess the potential impact of maternal BMI on morphokinetic and static morphological parameters of embryo development. The cohort of patients was divided into four groups: 593 embryos from 128 underweight women in group A; 5248 embryos from 1107 normal weight women in group B; 1053 embryos from 226 overweight women in group C; and 286 embryos from 67 obese women in group D.ResultsAfter adjusting for maternal age, paternal age, and cause of infertility, time to reach five blastomeres (t5) and time to reach eight blastomeres (t8) were longer in obese women compared with normoweight women [50.84h (46.31-55.29) vs. 49.24h (45.69-53.22) and 57.89h (51.60-65.94) vs. 55.66h (50.89-62.89), adjusted p

Simple Summary This study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the morphokinetic parameters that determine the proper development of feline embryos in vitro. Our research was carried out using a time-lapse monitoring system shows that the timing of the first and second cleavage divisions, the timing of blastocyst cavity formation and morphological anomalies can all be used as early and non-invasive indicators of cat embryo development in vitro. Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the morphokinetic parameters of feline embryos using a time lapse system. Oocytes matured in vitro were fertilized (IVF) and in vitro cultured in a time lapse-system (Primo Vision®, Gothenburg, Sweden). The first cell division of embryos occurred between 17 h post insemination (hpi) and 38 hpi, with the highest proportion of embryos (46%) cleaving between 21 and 24 hpi. The timing of the first cleavage significantly affected further embryo development, with the highest development occurring in embryos that cleaved at 21–22 hpi. Embryos that cleaved very early (17–18 hpi) developed poorly to the blastocyst stage (2%) and none of the embryos that cleaved later than 27 hpi were able to reach the blastocyst stage. Morphological defects were observed in 48% of the embryos. There were no statistically significant differences between the timing intervals of the first cleavage division and the frequency of morphological defects in embryos. Multiple (MUL) morphological defects were detected in more than half (56%) of the abnormal embryos. The most frequent single morphological defects were cytoplasmic fragmentation (FR) (8%) and blastomere asymmetry (AS) (6%). Direct cleavage (DC) from 1–3 or 3–5 blastomeres, reverse cleavage (RC) and vacuoles were rarely observed (2–3%). The timing of blastocyst cavity formation is a very good indicator of embryo quality. In our study, blastocyst cavity formation occurred between 127–167 hpi, with the highest frequency of hatching observed in blastocysts that cavitated between 142–150 hpi. Blastocysts in which cavitation began after 161 h did not hatch. In conclusion, the timing of the first and second cleavage divisions, the timing of blastocyst cavity formation and morphological anomalies can all be used as early and non-invasive indicators of cat embryo development in vitro.

Sea level rise concerns millions of people in coastal areas across the globe. One of the largest uncertainties to project future sea level rise is the frontal ablation (accounting for calving and submarine melt) at marine ice margins, around the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheet. High rates of frontal ablation have been observed to imply, through loss of the buttressing effect but not limited to it, increased mass loss from marine terminating glaciers and hence, associated sea level rise. This study focuses on calving processes at a freshwater lake in northern Sweden, which represents a simpler environment to study calving processes than the marine one, because impacts of tides, salinity, and circulation (all known to be relevant at marine ice-ocean boundaries) can be neglected. A multi-method approach to quantify and characterize calving events is presented here, exploring and analysing the underwater acoustic soundscape at a calving glacier front, in connection with optical, image-based methods such as time- lapse photography, and photogrammetry based on footage acquired by an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV). An acoustic detector is developed, tested and applied to data set acquired during 2020, and results indicate that the acoustic detector can be an important complement in the range of tools used to observe, and quantify, calving. Applied in remote locations, where continuous monitoring is difficult and where optical methods are of limited use, collecting acoustic data and monitoring calving by means of its acoustic signature could render insights previously not available (because of lacking data and methodology).

A significant amount of human preimplantation embryos is aneuploid. Preimplantation genetic testing of aneuploidies (PGT-A) enables us to examine the number of chromosomes in a few trophectoderm cells biopsied from developing embryos, and only euploid embryos are then recommended to be transferred. Biopsy of trophectoderm cells is an invasive method, PGT is quite expensive, the examination is not performed at all patients. Therefore, non-invasive methods for determining the highest quality embryos are searching. Non- invasive continual monitoring in a time-lapse system is able to observe the morphokinetic parameters of embryonic development, and can select the best developing embryos with a good prognosis for successful implantation. However, there is still the question of whether and how morphokinetic parameters and embryonic ploidy correlate. Most studies on this topic show that a combination of both of these approaches is the best way for selecting the highest quality embryo for transfer.

Objective: To compare the rates of blastocyst stage development between embryos fertilized after one (MPN) or more than two pronucleus (PN) (3PN, 4PN-multiPN) with those after 2PN in the same patients. Material and Methods: The embryos of patients who had both abnormal PN (MPN, 3PN or 4PN) and normal fertilized (2PN) embryos after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) fertilization, were followed with a time-lapse system following the ICSI procedure. The rates of reaching the blastocyst stage were compared between normal and abnormally fertilized embryos. Results: One thousand eight hundred and twenty oocytes were collected from 140 patients and 1280 (70.3%) of them were fertilized. MPN, 2PN and 3PN, 4PN (multiPN) ratios of the embryos in the pronuclear stage were 11.4%, 83.13% and 5.47%, respectively. The rates of reaching the blastocyst stage among these embryos were 17.1%, 60.8% and 42.8% for MPN, 2PN and multiPN, respectively. The proportion reaching blastocyst development was significantly higher following 2PN compared to those after MPN and multiPN (p

Over time, insects have developed complex strategies to defend themselves against presenting threats. However, in the evolutionary arms race of survival, pathogens have adapted to quickly overcome the immune response mounted by the host. In this thesis, we assess how quickly entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can overcome the host, Drosophila melanogaster. We then look at the clotting reaction at a hypothetical point of entry for the nematode and bring resolution to the order of protein interaction focusing on three proteins important in the anti-nematode defense. Finally, we look closer into detail at how crystal cells secrete one of those proteins, prophenoloxidase (PPOII) using a mode of programmed cell death. (Paper I) In the course of EPN infection, little was known about how quickly the worms can overcome the host immune system. Here we found that after penetrating the host, EPNs cause septicemia within 4 to 6 hours. (Paper II) Three proteins, Glutactin (Glt), Transglutaminase (Tg), and PPOII have been found to be important in the anti-nematode response. Here we created GFP-tagged fly constructs to follow their role in clot formation. In early clot formation, Tg was immediately secreted from hemocytes though it was localized around the cell membrane, Glt then entered clot fibers followed by PPOII which acted in late clot formation. (Paper III) Here we looked closer into Tg and PPOII secretion variability. PPOII from immature, but not mature crystal cells colocalized with a membrane marker. Tg, when driven with a pan tissue driver, was found located in clotting fibers, in contrast with paper II. (Paper IV) In an in vivo immune scenario, crystal cells were recruited to the wound site and burst rapidly in a caspase-dependent manner. We demonstrate that the mode of programmed cell death, pyroptosis, exists in Drosophila by way of convergent evolution. This thesis brings to light the variation found within the infection process for EPNs as well as the clotting response based on larval age, tissue type, and the maturity of a single cell type. Timing in each of these immune scenarios can give very different indications about the kind of immune response mounted and even the role of an individual cell.

Embryo selection is needed to optimize the chances of pregnancy in assisted reproduction technology. This study aimed to validate non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A) using a routine IVF laboratory workflow. Can niPGT-A combined with time-lapse morphokinetics provide a better embryo-selection strategy? A total of 118 spent culture mediums (SCMs) from 32 couples were collected. A total of 40 SCMs and 40 corresponding trophectoderm (TE) biopsy samples (n = 29) or arrested embryos (n = 11) were assessed for concordance. All embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6) in a single-embryo culture time-lapse incubator. The modified multiple annealing and looping-based amplification cycle (MALBAC) single-cell whole genome amplification method was used to amplify cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the SCM, which was then sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq system. The majority of insemination methods were conventional IVF. Low cfDNA concentrations were noted in this study. The amplification niPGT-A and conventional PGT-A was 67.7%. Based on this study, performing niPGT-A without altering the daily laboratory procedures cannot provide a precise diagnosis. However, niPGT-A can be applied in clinical IVF, enabling the addition of blastocysts with a better prediction of euploidy for transfer.

A time-lapse microgravity survey has been carried out in the Kota Lama (Semarang, Indonesia) tourism area. The survey in question is to measure gravity at the same point repeatedly with a specific time interval, in this case, conducted in January 2019 and July 2019. Measuring gravity is carried out at as many as 75 points that are spread evenly at the survey location. The instrument used is a Scintrex CG5 type gravimeter and GPS to determine the latitude and the longitude of each measuring point. The measurement results after being corrected, namely the Apungan and the Appeal correction, obtained the observational gravity (gob) in the January 2019 period showing that a minimum of 978118.44 mGal and a maximum gravity of 978118.88 mGal, while the minimum gravity measurement value in July 2019 showed a minimum of 978118.62 mGal and a maximum of 978118.88 mGal. Changes in the value (anomaly) gravity during the time interval, there are two possibilities, positive (0.02 to 0.29 mGal) and negative (-0.11 to -0.01 mGal). Both of these anomaly prices, if they are modeled, an anomaly source will be obtained, which is a positive anomaly caused by subsidence and a negative caused by changes in subsurface density related to dynamics (decrease or increase) of groundwater level.

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências Biomédicas, 14 de dezembro de 2020. As técnicas de reprodução medicamente assistida permitem o tratamento de casais inférteis, proporcionando-lhes a possibilidade de constituir família e de exercer a parentalidade. Todavia, o recurso a estas técnicas tem contribuído, ao longo dos anos, para o aumento do número de gravidezes múltiplas, as quais estão associadas a riscos para a saúde materno-fetal e, como tal, devem ser minimizadas através da transferência de um único embrião. Deste modo, torna-se pertinente implementar em laboratório métodos e tecnologias que contribuam para a seleção do embrião com maior potencial de implantação. A monitorização do desenvolvimento embrionário com recurso à tecnologia de “time-lapse” é uma técnica não invasiva que permite, através da visualização de um vídeo, uma avaliação constante e sequencial dos parâmetros morfocinéticos do desenvolvimento embrionário. Através desta tecnologia torna-se, assim, possível identificar parâmetros morfocinéticos preditores da implantação e aplicar algoritmos de seleção embrionária. Apesar de estarem reportados na literatura parâmetros morfocinéticos preditores do potencial de implantação embrionário, bem como algoritmos de seleção embrionária, a universalidade desses parâmetros não está ainda demonstrada, cabendo a cada laboratório de reprodução medicamente assistida fazer a sua própria validação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi, assim, validar parâmetros morfocinéticos preditores do potencial de implantação e algoritmos de seleção embrionária em “time-lapse” no laboratório de reprodução medicamente assistida da MekaCenter – Clínica da Mulher, de modo a propor estratégias de otimização de seleção embrionária, usando a tecnologia de “time-lapse”. Com vista a atingir este objetivo foram selecionados 106 ciclos de tratamento FIV/ICSI monitorizados por “time-lapse”, registados entre 2014 e 2018 e relativos a 89 casais que recorreram, na MekaCenter, a técnicas de reprodução medicamente assistida. A partir dos 106 ciclos, foram selecionadas 132 transferências de um ou dois embriões, realizadas em dia 3 de desenvolvimento embrionário e com um resultado de implantação conhecido, envolvendo um total de 209 embriões com “Known Implantation Data” (KID). Foram recolhidos dados demográficos e do estilo de vida de cada casal, assim como dados clínicos referentes aos ciclos e às transferências embrionárias. Foram anotados, retrospetivamente, um total de 21 parâmetros morfocinéticos relativos aos 209 embriões. Finalmente, foram aplicados à amostra embrionária dois algoritmos de seleção — o KIDScore e o Basile — com o intuito de determinar a sua capacidade preditiva. Neste trabalho, os parâmetros morfocinéticos identificados como possíveis preditores do potencial de implantação embrionário foram: o tempo de clivagem da 5ª, 6ª e 9ª célula (t5, t6, t9); a duração da clivagem de 4 para 5 células (cc3a); e a clivagem direta. Destes parâmetros morfocinéticos, verificou-se que existem dados previamente validados por outros estudos que corroboram a relevância clínica de t5 e da clivagem direta, pelo que estes são parâmetros a considerar aquando da seleção embrionária. Relativamente à capacidade preditiva dos algoritmos de seleção embrionária aplicados à amostra, foi obtido para o KIDScore um valor da área abaixo da curva ROC (AUC) de 0,659 e para o Basile um valor de AUC de 0,691. Quanto à comparação do desempenho destes dois algoritmos, verificou-se que a diferença entre a AUC dos algoritmos foi de 0,032, o que determina que ambos têm um desempenho similar. Deste modo, ambos os algoritmos podem ser utilizados no laboratório da MekaCenter, dado não haver discrepâncias relevantes entre os valores de AUC obtidos neste trabalho e os publicados cientificamente. Quanto à associação entre os dados clínicos, demográficos e do estilo de vida dos casais e a implantação embrionária, identificou-se como variáveis preditoras: a idade da mulher (OR=0.747), estando a idade avançada da mulher associada a um menor potencial de implantação; a idade do homem (OR=1.310), onde o aumento da idade determinou, contrariamente ao que seria esperado, um aumento nas hipóteses de implantação; o número de oócitos recolhidos (OR=1.182), estando um maior número de oócitos recolhidos associado a um aumento das hipóteses de implantação; e o número de embriões transferidos (OR=0.083), onde se verificou que as transferências de um único embrião estão associadas a um maior potencial de implantação embrionário. O presente trabalho permitiu encontrar estratégias orientadoras da classificação e seleção embrionária em “time-lapse” através da validação de parâmetros morfocinéticos e de algoritmos de seleção embrionária. Assim, propõe-se a integração dos algoritmos de seleção embrionária, no laboratório da MekaCenter, durante a monitorização por “time-lapse” do desenvolvimento embrionário, com o intuito de selecionar um único embrião a transferir. ABSTRACT: Medically assisted reproduction techniques allow infertile couples to seek treatment, giving them the possibility of becoming parents. However, over the years, the use of these techniques has contributed to an increase in the number of multiple pregnancies, which are associated with risks to maternal and foetal health and, as such, should be minimised through the transfer of a single embryo. It is therefore pertinent to implement in the laboratory practice methods and technologies which allow for the selection of the embryo with higher implantation potential. Monitoring the embryo’s development through time-lapse technology is a non-invasive technique that permits constant and sequential evaluation of the morphokinetic parameters of embryo development through video imaging. Such technology allows for the identification of morphokinetic parameters that predict implantation and the use of algorithms for embryo selection. Even though morphokinetic parameters predictive of embryo implantation potential, as well as algorithms for embryo selection, can be found in specialised literature, the universality of these parameters is not yet demonstrated; thus, each and every medically assisted reproduction laboratory has to set its own validation. The purpose of this work was, therefore, to validate the morphokinetic parameters predictive of embryo implantation and algorithms for embryo selection using the time-lapse technology at the medically assisted reproduction laboratory — MekaCenter - Clínica da Mulher — as to propose strategies for optimisation of embryo selection, by means of time-lapse technology. To achieve this purpose, a selection of 106 IVF/ICSI cycles monitored by timelapse — concerning 89 couples who resorted to medically assisted reproductive techniques at MekaCenter from 2014 to 2018 — was performed. Using these 106 cycles as base, 132 transfers of one or two embryos performed on day 3 of embryonic development with a known implantation result were selected, which included 209 embryos with Known Implantation Data (KID). Demographic and lifestyle data of the couples were collected, as well as clinical data concerning the cycles and the embryo transfers. Retrospectively, a total of 21 morphokinetic parameters of the 209 embryos were annotated. Finally, two selection algorithms — KIDScore and Basile — were applied to the embryo sample in order to establish its predictive capability. In this work, the morphokinetic parameters identified as possible predictors of potential embryo implantation were: the cleavage time of the fifth, sixth and ninth cells (t5, t6 and t9); the duration of the cleavage from four to five cells (cc3a); and direct cleavage. In what concerns these morphokinetic parameters, data previously validated by research substantiates the clinical relevance of t5 and direct cleavage, thus making these parameters important for embryo selection. Regarding the predictive aptitude of the embryo selection algorithms applied to the sample, an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0,659 was obtained for the KIDScore and an AUC of 0,691 for the Basile algorithm. As for comparing the performance of these two algorithms, it became apparent that the difference between the AUC of the algorithms amounted to 0,032, which determines that both have a similar performance. Since there are no relevant discrepancies between the AUC values obtained through this research and scientific papers, both algorithms can be used in MekaCenter’s laboratory. Concerning the association between embryo implantation and the clinical, demographic and lifestyle data of the couples, the following predictive variables were identified: the woman’s age (OR=0.747), being that the advanced age of the woman is associated to a lower implantation potential; the man’s age (OR=1.310), being that the increase in age determined, contrary to what was expected, an increase in implantation chances; the number of oocytes retrieved (OR=1.182), being that a larger amount of oocytes retrieved is related to an increase in implantation chances; and the number of embryos transferred (OR=0.083), being that the transfers of a single embryo are also associated to a higher potential of embryo implantation. Through validation of the morphokinetic parameters and algorithms for embryo selection, the present work made possible to find guiding strategies for evaluation and selection of embryos using time-lapse. Therefore, we can propose the integration of embryo selection algorithms in MekaCenter’s laboratory, based on time-lapse monitoring of embryo development, with the purpose of selecting a single embryo for transfer.

The thesis aims to capitalize and enhance the scientific collaborations initiated for several years by two laboratories of the Savoie Mont-Blanc University: EDYTEM, on the one hand, specialized in the geomorphodynamics of slopes and on the other hand the LISTIC, specialized in image processing and especially in image time series analysis. Recent progress in instrumentation and image processing have reached a level of maturity that now makes it possible to envisage the industrialization of a high-resolution environmental monitoring system. Thanks to its previous products in the field (such as RiverBoard®, for hydrometric monitoring), TENEVIA has the technical and human capabilities to fully exploit the technological innovations proposed. The novelty of our approach is to use the stereoscopic effect produced by two synchronized automatic cameras, monitoring the site from two different points of view. The 3D geometry of the studied slope can be reconstructed at a variable time step, from a few seconds to several days, thus generating time series of spatial data at very high resolution (up to a few cm, over several hectares) producing '4D' results. The goal of this work is to make a fully operational 4D monitoring mechanism of slope movements and to achieve a marketable product allowing both to respond to strong and multiple socio-economic expectations and to solve scientific problematics. To achieve this goal, the thesis will address various instrumental, algorithmic and computational challenges, for which the two research laboratories and the company are an optimal framework. Most of the approaches and methods developed within this thesis are transdisciplinary, and other applications of this work can be envisaged in the context of measuring and monitoring natural environments., Ce travail de thèse porte sur le développement d'un dispositif stéréo time-lapse pour le suivi à haute résolution spatio-temporelle des mouvements de versants en montagne. Le dispositif est basé sur deux appareils photos fixes avec deux points de vue différents, qui enregistrent des images du mouvement étudié de façon autonome et quotidienne. Les images obtenues par ce dispositif sont traitées par un agencement de méthodes qui permettent de calculer des champs de déplacements tri-dimensionnels de la surface et des modélisations 3D de celle-ci. Les résultats obtenus assurent un suivi spatialisé de la surface d'étude. Afin de suivre la dynamique du mouvement dans le temps nous proposons des méthodes permettant de combiner de nombreux couples de déplacements calculés entre différentes dates. Ces méthodes produisent des séries temporelles de déplacements robustes au bruit et erreurs de mesures avec une indication sur la dispersion des mesures. Les méthodes développées sont testées sur deux sites d'étude : le glacier d'Argentière et le glacier rocheux du Laurichard. L'aspect et la dynamique, différents sur les deux sites ont permis la validation des méthodes. Cette validation repose sur des indicateurs issus à la fois des images du dispositif et de mesures provenant d'autres capteurs. Enfin, nous proposons une application, couplant notre dispositif et des mesures GPS in-situ, au calcul des bilans de masse journalier du glacier d'Argentière.

BackgroundAxonal degeneration (AxD) is a pathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Deciphering the morphological patterns of AxD will help to understand the underlying mechanisms and to develop effective therapeutic interventions. Here, we evaluated the progression of AxD in cortical neurons using a novel microfluidic device in combination with a deep learning tool, the EntireAxon, that we developed for the enhanced-throughput analysis of AxD on microscopic images.ResultsThe EntireAxon convolutional neural network sensitively and specifically segmented the features of AxD, including axons, axonal swellings, and axonal fragments, and its performance exceeded that of human expert raters. In an in vitro model of AxD in hemorrhagic stroke induced by the hemolysis product hemin, we detected the concentration- and time-dependent degeneration of axons leading to a decrease in axon area, while the axonal swelling and axonal fragment area increased. Time course analysis revealed that axonal swellings preceded axon fragmentation, suggesting that swellings may be reliable predictors of AxD. Using a recurrent neural network, we further identified four morphological patterns of AxD (granular, retraction, swelling, and transport degeneration) in cortical axons subjected to hemin.ConclusionsThese findings indicate a morphological heterogeneity of AxD under pathophysiologic conditions. The combination of the microfluidic device with the EntireAxon deep learning tool enable the systematic analysis of AxD but also unravel a so far unknown intricacy in which AxD can occur in a disease context.

BackgroundAs healthcare becomes increasingly complex, new methods are needed to identify weaknesses in the system that could lead to increased risk. Traditionally, the focus for patient safety is to study incident reports and adverse events, but that starting point has been contested with a new era of safety investigations: the analysis of everyday clinical work, and the resilient healthcare.This study introduces a new approach of system monitoring as a way to strengthen patient safety and has focused on discharge in psychiatry as a risk for adverse outcomes. The aim was to analyse a psychiatric clinic’s everyday ‘normal’ performance variability of discharge from inpatient psychiatric care to outpatient care.MethodA retrospective longitudinal correlation study with a strategic selection. Data consist of 70,797 patient visits within one psychiatric clinic, and the visits were compared between 81 different wards in Stockholm County by using a model of time-lapse visualization.ResultsThe time-lapse visualization shows a discrepancy in types of visits and the proportion of cancelled visits to the outward units. 42% of all patients that were scheduled as an outward patient, did not complete this transition, but instead, they revisit the clinics’ emergency ward and did not receive the planned care treatment. The patients who visit the emergency ward instead of their planned outpatient visit did this within 20 days.ConclusionsThe findings show a potential increased demand for emergency psychiatric care from 2010 to 2018 within the clinic. It also suggests that the healthcare system creates a space of temporal as well as functional variability, and that patients use this space to adapt to their changing conditions. This understanding can assist management in prioritising allocation of resources and thereby strengthen patient safety. Today’s incident reporting systems in healthcare are ineffective in monitoring patterns of more cancelled visits in outward units and sooner visit to the emergency ward. By using time-lapse visualization of patient interactions, stakeholders might analyse current-, and estimate future, stressors within the system to identify and understand potential system migration towards risk in healthcare. This could help healthcare management understand where resources should be prioritized.