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This paper examines a pathway for small islands to replace fossil fuels by renewable sources, such as wind and solar, up to 100% to economically achieve energy security and satisfy The Paris Agreement to limit temperature rise as close as possible to 1.5 °C, in an economically beneficial manner. Using Jamaica, as an example, it is shown that the introduction of intermittent renewable energy to an island grid, which is electrically isolated, relying totally on itself for backup, causes serious frequency fluctuations and load shedding. Simulations show that a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) using Li-ion batteries can be employed to economically overcome these problems. It is also noted that the cost of batteries with longer discharge capacity is on the decline and their use is expected to be become economical in about 10 years. Looking at the reported pathway to satisfy The Paris Agreement, a 2-phase pathway is suggested. In the Phase 1 (2020–2030) 30% integration of intermittent renewables with BESS backup can be implemented in a manner that is not economically burdensome whilst the remaining fossil fuel system can provide the firm energy needed. In Phase 2 (2030–2055), more renewables can be implemented, provided sufficient long term storage, including batteries, can be added to provide firm energy. By 2030 the cost of such storage is expected to fall resulting in increased deployment without a financial burden to the islands. Ideally, during the period 2020 to 2055, there should be no new additions of fossil fuel plants and retiring plants should be replaced by renewable energy plants; although an account is necessary for plants already in the planning and development stages. The leeway period of 2020–2030 should be used for the preparation and planning of adding up to 100% renewables in all sectors.

Computer-automated time-lapse analysis has been shown to improve embryo selection by providing quantitative and objective information to supplement traditional morphology. In this multi-centre study, the relationship between such computer-derived outputs (High, Medium, Low scores), embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy were examined. Data were collected from six clinics, including 205 patients whose embryos were imaged by the Eeva TM System. The Eeva scores were blinded and not considered during embryo selection. Embryos with High and Medium scores had significantly higher implantation rates than those with Low scores (37% and 35% versus 15%; P P = 0.0004). Similar trends in implantation rates were observed in different IVF centres each using their own protocols. Further analysis revealed that patients with at least one High embryo transferred had significantly higher clinical pregnancy rates than those with only Low embryos transferred (51% versus 34%; P = 0.02), although patients' clinical characteristics across groups were comparable. These data, together with previous research and clinical studies, confirm that computer-automated Eeva scores provide valuable information, which may improve the clinical outcome of IVF procedures and ultimately facilitate the trend of single embryo selection.

Since many transferred, good morphology embryos fail to implant, technologies to identify embryos with high developmental potential would be beneficial. The Eeva™ (Early Embryo Viability Assessment) Test, a prognostic test based on automated detection and analysis of time-lapse imaging information, has been shown to benefit embryo selection specificity for a panel of three highly experienced embryologists (Conaghan et al., 2013). Here we examined if adjunctive use of Eeva Test results following morphological assessment would allow embryologists with diverse clinical backgrounds to consistently improve the selection of embryos with high developmental potential. Prospective, double-blinded multi-center study with 54 patients undergoing blastocyst transfer cycles consented to have embryos imaged using the Eeva System, which automatically measures key cell division timings and categorizes embryos into groups based on developmental potential. Five embryologists of diverse clinical practices, laboratory training, and geographical areas predicted blastocyst formation using day 3 morphology alone and day 3 morphology followed by Eeva Test results. Odds ratio (OR) and diagnostic performance measures were calculated by comparing prediction results to true blastocyst outcomes. When Eeva Test results were used adjunctively to traditional morphology to help predict blastocyst formation among embryos graded good or fair on day 3, the OR was 2.57 (95 % CI=1.88–3.51). The OR using morphology alone was 1.68 (95 % CI=1.29–2.19). Adjunct use of the Eeva Test reduced the variability in prediction performance across all five embryologists: the variability was reduced from a range of 1.06 (OR=1.14 to 2.20) to a range of 0.45 (OR=2.33 to 2.78). The Eeva Test, an automated, time-lapse enabled prognostic test, used adjunctively with morphology, is informative in helping embryologists with various levels of experience select embryos with high developmental potential.

Mammalian preimplantation embryo development is a complex process in which the exact timing and sequence of events are as essential as the accurate execution of the events themselves. Time-lapse microscopy (TLM) is an ideal tool to study this process since the ability to capture images over time provides a combination of morphological, dynamic and quantitative information about developmental events. Here, we systematically review the application of TLM in basic and clinical embryo research. We identified all relevant preimplantation embryo TLM studies published in English up to May 2012 using PubMed and Google Scholar. We then analysed the technical challenges involved in embryo TLM studies and how these challenges may be overcome with technological innovations. Finally, we reviewed the different types of TLM embryo studies, with a special focus on how TLM can benefit clinical assisted reproduction. Although new parameters predictive of embryo development potential may be discovered and used clinically to potentially increase the success rate of IVF, adopting TLM to routine clinical practice will require innovations in both optics and image analysis. Combined with such innovations, TLM may provide embryologists and clinicians with an important tool for making critical decisions in assisted reproduction. In this review, we perform a literature search of all published early embryo development studies that used time-lapse microscopy (TLM). From the literature, we discuss the benefits of TLM over traditional time-point analysis, as well as the technical difficulties and solutions involved in implementing TLM for embryo studies. We further discuss research that has successfully derived non-invasive markers that may increase the success rate of assisted reproductive technologies, primarily IVF. Most notably, we extend our discussion to highlight important considerations for the practical use of TLM in research and clinical settings.

Objective To characterize atypical dynamic embryo phenotypes identified by time-lapse microscopy, evaluate their prevalence, and determine their association with embryo development. Design Retrospective multicenter cohort study. Setting Five IVF clinics in the United States. Patient(s) Sixty-seven women undergoing IVF treatment with 651 embryos. Intervention(s) Embryo videos were retrospectively analyzed for atypical phenotypes. Main Outcome Measure(s) Identification of four groups of atypical embryo phenotypes: abnormal syngamy (AS), abnormal first cytokinesis (A1 cyt ), abnormal cleavage (AC), and chaotic cleavage (CC). Prevalence and association with embryo morphology and development potential were evaluated. Result(s) A high prevalence of atypical phenotypes was observed among embryos: AS 25.1% (163/649), A1 cyt 31.0% (195/639), AC 18% (115/639) and CC 15% (96/639). A high percentage of embryos with atypical phenotype(s) had good quality on day 3 (overall grade good or fair): AS 78.6% (70/89); A1 cyt 79.7% (94/119), AC 86.4% (70/81), and CC 35.2% (19/54), but the blastocyst formation rates for these embryos were significantly lower compared with their respective control groups: AS 21.5% vs. 44.9%, A1 cyt 21.7% vs. 44.6%, AC 11.7% vs. 43.1%, and CC 14.0% vs. 42.3%. Conclusion(s) Embryos exhibiting atypical phenotypes are highly prevalent in human embryos and show significantly lower developmental potential than control embryos. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT01369446.

Objective To assess the first computer-automated platform for time-lapse image analysis and blastocyst prediction and to determine how the screening information may assist embryologists in day 3 (D3) embryo selection. Design Prospective, multicenter, cohort study. Setting Five IVF clinics in the United States. Patient(s) One hundred sixty women ≥18 years of age undergoing fresh IVF treatment with basal antral follicle count ≥8, basal FSH Intervention(s) A noninvasive test combining time-lapse image analysis with the cell-tracking software, Eeva (Early Embryo Viability Assessment), was used to measure early embryo development and generate usable blastocyst predictions by D3. Main Outcome Measure(s) Improvement in the ability of experienced embryologists to select which embryos are likely to develop to usable blastocysts using D3 morphology alone, compared with morphology plus Eeva. Result(s) Experienced embryologists using Eeva in combination with D3 morphology significantly improved their ability to identify embryos that would reach the usable blastocyst stage (specificity for each of three embryologists using morphology vs. morphology plus Eeva: 59.7% vs. 86.3%, 41.9% vs. 84.0%, 79.5% vs. 86.6%). Adjunctive use of morphology plus Eeva improved embryo selection by enabling embryologists to better discriminate which embryos would be unlikely to develop to blastocyst and was particularly beneficial for improving selection among good-morphology embryos. Adjunctive use of morphology plus Eeva also reduced interindividual variability in embryo selection. Conclusion(s) Previous studies have shown improved implantation rates for blastocyst transfer compared with cleavage-stage transfer. Addition of Eeva to the current embryo grading process may improve the success rates of cleavage-stage ETs.

formed. A ZILOS-tk laser was used during the TE biopsy procedure. Embryos were cultured overnight under low O2 in 10%SPS Blast Media (Sage). Approx. 28 hours post thaw, embryos were observed again for survivability and transferability. RESULTS: 18 patients consented to have previously vitrified blasts donated for in-house research. 53 blasts survived warming and were biopsied after four hours. Biopsied blasts were observed the following day and graded using Gardner’s grading system. A grade of 3CC was used as the lower threshold for survival and transfer suitability. Based on this criteria, 49 blasts biopsied appeared suitable for transfer. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates high competency of blasts vitrified, thawed, biopsied and cultured overnight. This is useful information for clinics and patients that have undiagnosed, vitrified blasts in storage and would now like to return and apply PGS testing during an FET cycle. Provided PGS testing can be accurately performed overnight, euploid blasts can be identified and transferred. With enhanced PGS turnaround testing time, this is a unique, novel approach that has promising future potential.

The first measurement of the one-neutron transfer reaction 11Li(p,d)10Li performed using the IRIS facility at TRIUMF with a 5.7A MeV 11Li beam interacting with a solid H2 target is reported. The 10Li residue was populated strongly as a resonance peak with energy Er=0.62±0.04 MeV having a total width Γ=0.33±0.07 MeV. The angular distribution of this resonance is characterized by neutron occupying the 1p1/2 orbital. A DWBA analysis yields a spectroscopic factor of 0.67±0.12 for p1/2 removal strength from the ground state of 11Li to the region of the peak. Keywords: Halo nucleus, Li10,11, Transfer reaction, Inverse kinematics, DWBA, Spectroscopic factor