bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thin Bed Analysis Workflow for Low Resistivity Pay in Clastic Reservoirs in the Permian
Authors: Allen D. , Kostinovsky A. , Wang H. , Lujan V. , Laronga R. , Wang G. , Chertova A.
Published: October 2023

Low resistivity pay is a perennial challenge in clastic intervals of the Third Bone Spring formation in the Permian Basin. Water saturations from resistivity are high, and it is difficult to identify productive intervals or to assess oil in place. We show that the primary cause is thin water bearing layers interbedded with the productive layers. We propose a new bimodal resistivity anisotropy model and workflow to better characterize the formation.

Amulti-well core-log integration study was conducted to understand the cause of the low resistivity pay and develop a workflow to address it. High resolution core analysis clearly shows the occurrence of beds of varying shaliness on the scale of inches corresponding to intervals of interest with high apparent water saturation. Increased resistivity anisotropy in these intervals indicates the presence of alternating high resistivity and low resistivity layers. Overall lithology, fluid typing and pore size indications from 2D NMR, were integrated to develop a petrophysical model for these formations, leading to a workflow for their evaluation.

Water saturation and inferred lithology of the high resistivity beds are computed, along with quantification of the fraction of interbedded water bearing layers. This more complete analysis forms an improved basis for decision making.

The overall proportion of silt and shale in the formation are estimated from the clay volume from elemental spectroscopy logs. The silt and shale are apportioned between water bearing and resistive beds assuming that the resistive beds are more likely to be silt. We thus obtain an indication of the volume of silt in the resistive layers, a useful indicator of reservoir quality, by the degree to which the overall volume of silt exceeds the fraction of water bearing layers.

Another key step is high resolution inversion of triaxial induction data. This reduces the impact of high resistivity carbonates on the measured vertical resistivity, compared with conventional lower resolution one-dimensional (1-D) inversions.

This model is a departure from resistivity anisotropy analyses previously used to evaluate thinly bedded formations based on a bimodal sand-shale model in other geological environments. The sand-shale model, in which the hydrocarbons are assumed to be in the sand layers, cannot be directly applied to these formations because the shales are often the zone of interest: they can and do contain producible hydrocarbons.
Patented Surface Automatic Valve to Maximize the Recovery of Light Oil, Condensate, and Gas from Depleted Reservoirs with Minimum Manpower Interaction and Without External Energy to be Operated
Authors: Faustinelli J. , Granadillo J. , Correa C. , Sandoval J. , Jardin M. , Genua S. , Rodriguez A. , Diaz I. , Navas S. , Chirinos R.
Published: October 2023

This Surface Automatic Valve (SAV) is designed to recover and optimize the production from light oil, condensate, and gas within depleted reservoirs, which are no longer economically viable with the current technologies on the market. It is manufactured in stainless steel allowing operation in wells with acid and aromatic crudes. The valve's operation demands little maintenance and reduces the exposure of personnel associated with accessing fields located in geographically challenging areas.

The completion design, surface pressures and choke valve use are the initial components analyzed when determining the applicability of the SAV in the well. Some simulations are performed in advance to configure the tool at optimized pressures.

The valve's interior features two sensors that allow the opening and closing of the well at calibration pressures. When the well reaches the high pressure, it contracts and allows the well to produce. As the pressure decreases and until it reaches the low pressure, the valve closes automatically, and the cycle repeats indefinitely.

The installation time of the SAV in the choke spans up to 3 hours, and the well is monitored for its correct operation. The results are obtained using a Barton chart installed in the wellhead to record the opening and closing of the tool by 72 hours (recommended). The curves for each production cycle are analyzed through mathematical equations to recalibrate the tool if necessary.

Among all the results obtained, there was one well to highlight because it was closed by its non-productivity and the impossibility of using other market technologies to operate profitably without external energy.

The well was reactivated by installing the SAV at the opening and closing pressures as per the simulations, working without issues during the testing time, minimizing the presence of field operators to supervise the well, and recording the production at the end of the trial with 20 BOPD and 360 MSCFPD in average, profiting from a well in sequence for plug and abandon.

The SAV has been successfully installed and tested in two countries. Test approval certificates were provided by each OPCO in these cases.

In summary, the SAV, unique in the market and patented with the number 11,473,402, assists in reactivating non-producing and optimizing low production wells. It uses the same energy from the reservoir to be operated without external sources, and refrains from impacting the surface footprint. It can work with corrosive crude and the installation process proves simplistic with minimal human intervention. While the valve's operational risks are minimal, it is being studied for integrity purposes with Sustainable Annulus Pressure (SAP) wells.
Machine Learning Application for CCUS Carbon Storage: Fracture Analysis and Mapping in the Illinois Basin
Authors: Liu G. , Kumar A. , Harbert W. , Siriwardane H. , Crandall D. , Bromhal G. , Cunha L.
Published: October 2023

A significant volume of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) is being injected into geological reservoirs at multiple locations throughout the United States. These operations have gained considerable traction in the last decade as a viable option to reduce the long-term environmental footprint of greenhouse gas emissions. However, monitoring the storage reservoir to ensure safe and long-term storage of CO2 for de-risk operations and storage management is undergoing dynamic shifts, expanding opportunities for implementing innovative techniques and applications, especially for the commercial-scale deployment. In this paper, an innovative method comprising multi-tiered analysis has been developed to leverage advanced machine learning (ML) techniques to process passive seismic monitoring data acquired over the two-year injection period along with pumping/injection pressure and rate in the Illinois Basin for potential fracture/fault analysis. Moreover, well log data including imaging logs and core test results are also integrated in the study to add another angle of the understanding for fracture. This study is aimed at contributing to the risk assessment and monitoring design for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). As a continuation of this effort, we intend to compare the spatial distribution of fractures with the available well logs and core data to deduce a comprehensive understanding of how these fractures correlate with the rock petrophysical properties. The fracture networks obtained from this study would directly benefit field operations and reservoir management decision-making for CCUS, which include the dynamic injection scheduling/workover, risk assessment, and further monitoring design. Furthermore, for ecosystem benefits, the proposed methodology is potentially applicable to oil and gas and renewable assets, such as geothermal development for their fracture-based monitoring and risk reduction as well.
Stress Path of Heterogeneous Rock Layers within the Subsurface
Authors: Su Xing , Mehrabian Amin
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a three-dimensional analytical solution for stress path within and around a porous rock formation upon depletion. The depletion profile is assumed to be axisymmetric, and the depleted rock layer resides in between two impermeable rock layers. The mechanical properties of the porous and confining strata are different. Variations in the in-situ stress value or orientation are obtained and presented. Strong dependencies of the in-situ stress change on stiffness contrast between the depleted and burden rocks, as well as the aspect ratio of depleted rock volume, are discussed. Uniaxial strain models are shown to fall inadequate of predicting the correct reservoir stress path.
Effect of Residual Oil Saturation and Salinity on HPAM Rheology in Porous Media
Authors: Seright R. S. , Azad Madhar Sahib , AlAbdullah Mohammad B. , Delshad Mojdeh
Published: October 2023

During polymer flooding, the velocities where shear-thickening occurs directly impact HPAM injectivity, fracture initiation, and whether viscoelasticity is significant in oil recovery. The onset velocity for shear-thickening in oil-free porous media is known to translate with the square root of permeability-porosity. However, few studies report HPAM rheology with residual oil present, and those conflict and are inconsistent with behavior seen without oil. This paper experimentally clarifies how Sor, salinity, and temperature impact HPAM rheology in rock.

HPAM rheology at 20°C was determined in Berea sandstone for Darcy velocities from 0.01 to 100 ft/d, Sor from zero to 0.55, and krw from 0.03 to 1. In a given experiment, the core was first exposed to the highest pressure-gradient for the test series. After stabilization, resistance factors were recorded and effluent viscosity was measured. Next, the velocity was halved, and the stabilization and measurement processes were repeated. This procedure was extended in steps to the lowest velocities. We also studied the effect of salinity on HPAM rheology in porous media between 0.105% to 10.5% TDS for 0.1% and 0.2% HPAM (at 20°C). Temperature effects on rheology in Berea from 20°C to 60°C were investigated using 0.2% HPAM in 0.105%-TDS water.

This work provides key information that will be crucial to establishing whether HPAM viscoelasticity can play a significant role in recovering oil in field polymer floods. It also provides crucial information for analytical/numerical efforts to establish when fractures will initiate and how far they will extend from the wellbore during polymer flooding field applications.
Closed-Loop Digital Workflow to Drive Drilling Performance
Authors: Li D. , Cherel A. , Zhang P. , Tang K. H. , Byrd C. , Mendoza D. , Procel E.
Published: October 2023

Drilling performance is becoming the top differentiator in the market, especially in highly competitive US land basins. This drives operators to input more energy into the system with higher rev/min, flow, and weight on bit (WOB). In many cases this energy is transformed into drilling dysfunction (shock and vibration [S&V]) instead of higher rate of penetration (ROP). To minimize drilling dysfunction and maximize energy efficiency, a fully digital and closed-loop workflow was developed.

The workflow begins with use of a proprietary at-bit sensor, which captures high-resolution at-bit measurements of three-axis acceleration, torsional vibration, and rev/min. The tool is placed inside any existing bit and does not require an additional sub, thus not introducing extra connections, bottomhole assembly (BHA) integrity risk, and/or length.

The high-resolution data is automatically processed and analyzed to reveal critical drilling dynamics, which are replicated in a digital model. This creates a highly accurate virtual environment in which to evaluate bit design, eliminating the cost and risk of real-world trial and error, enabling efficient, fit-for-purpose introduction of new technologies.

The new digital workflow was first used in a challenging, interbedded application in East Texas. High frequency at-bit measurements were used to develop a new bit and data-driven operating parameter roadmaps. These yielded improved drilling performance, with 69% higher ROP, better dull conditions, and 67% lower vibrations locally, when compared to the direct operator offsets.

The workflow was then used in a curve/lateral application in the Permian Basin, known for challenging S&V conditions. Key performance targets were single-run to total depth (TD), high dogleg severity (DLS) output in the curve, and record ROP in the lateral. A new bit was designed, and recommended drilling parameters were defined within the data-driven virtual environment. Field testing confirmed the model’s predictions, with a 10% average increase in ROP.

High-resolution at-bit downhole measurements coupled with digital simulation capabilities have led to development of a new workflow driving the evolution of drill bit design. Instead of the traditional trial and error approach that costs resources, time, and performance, the new workflow with data-enhanced digital modelling and virtual drilling environment enables increased confidence, optimized solutions, and decreased cycle time.
Preventive Strategies to Avoid Recurring Hydrate Blockages in the Marlim Oil Field
Authors: Gomes G. Sena , Pinto R. Leite Alves
Published: October 2023

This work presents strategies adopted to solve what at the time was the largest production loss related to flow assurance in the company: the recurrent formation of hydrate blockages in flowlines of multiple wells of a FPSO in the Marlim oil field in Brazil.

These blockages, which reoccurred frequently for various reasons, required a comprehensive plan for resolution. The main hydrate blockage cases were related to operational mistakes, problems in topside equipment, problems in subsea equipment and inaccurate procedures.

In response to this challenge, a systematic approach was employed to identify and implement viable solutions. The key point of this work revolves around the same strategy - prevention - which was divided into three different courses of action: equipment, procedures and people.

After implementing these processes, the results were exceedingly positive. That which was a recurrent problem became a steady state of zero production loss due to preventable hydrate blockages for 1.5 years, until the end of the FPSO unit’s production life.
GPU-Accelerated NMR T2 Simulator Incorporating Surface Roughness Effect
Authors: Li Yiteng , Zhu Weiwei , He Xupeng , Kwak Hyung , Hoteit Hussein
Published: October 2023

NMR T2 simulation supplements laboratory experiments that numerically predicts petrophysical properties of digitized rock samples. Recent research demonstrated that the pore shape irregularity acts as surface roughness at the macroscopic point of view and its effect on NMR T2 relaxation is overlooked. So far, neither commercial nor open-source software explicitly suppresses the surface roughness effect on nuclear magnetization decay. This work proposes an innovative GPU-accelerated NMR T2 simulator incorporating the relaxation inhibition factor (RIF) to effectively control the NMR relaxation rate.

The proposed GPU-accelerated NMR T2 simulator allocates a thread to control the random movement of a particle; thousands of particles can be moved simultaneously using modern GPU devices. An image-based pore surface roughness characterization technique is applied to parameterize surface roughness into a dimensionless coefficient. The RIF is defined as a function of the roughness coefficient to suppress accelerated surface relaxation and is distributed along solid-pore interfaces. When a walker collides with a solid voxel, it accesses the local RIF that effectively controls the nuclear magnetization decay of individual particles.

Numerical results show that the proposed simulator accurately models the NMR T2 relaxation so that the pore structures interpreted from NMR T2 responses agree with the ground truth. This demonstrates that the surface roughness effect has to be removed for pore structure characterization. From the perspective of efficiency, the proposed simulator could achieve two to three orders of magnitude speedup, which exceeds the efficiency of commercial software for high-fidelity simulations. The proposed simulator honors greater physical consistency than existing software by assigning surface relaxivity and RIF to solid voxels rather than treating them as particle-carrying parameters. It is the first NMR T2 simulator that explicitly suppresses the surface roughness effect in numerical simulations, which provides an integrated platform for accurate and effective characterization of pore structures from digital rocks.
A Novel Shale Well Production Forecast Model Achieves >95% Accuracy Using Only 1.5 Years of Production Data
Authors: Haider Syed , Saputra Wardana , Patzek Tadeusz W.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Reliable production forecasting for shale wells is crucial for investment decisions, optimized drilling rate, energy security policies, and informed green transition scenarios. The industry has struggled with inaccurate production estimates from decline curve analysis (DCA) and from a long production history requirement for data-driven models. We have developed a state-of-the-art, physics-guided, data-driven model for accurate production forecast of unconventional wells for up to 10 years into the future. With an error of less than 5%, our hybrid model requires only 1.5 years of production data. The method facilitates long-term production diagnostics, well survival probability estimates, and profitable economic decisions.

Method

The hybrid state-of-the-art production forecast method combines our τ-M physical scaling model with the higher-order derivatives of the production rate. For a set of 4000 wells, the first 1.5 years of production data were used to develop a universal hybrid model to estimate the pressure interference time, τ, for each well. The estimated τ is used to calculate the stimulated mass, M, of individual wells using the physical scaling curve. Finally, the data-driven estimate of τ, and physics-driven estimates of M are used to forecast future well production and well survival probability with time.

Results

The robustness of the hybrid model has been tested on 6000 new wells in the Barnett, Haynesville, Eagle Ford, and Marcellus shale plays. Using the initial 1.5 years of production data and a single hybrid model, the predicted pressure interference time, τ, for 6000 wells has an R2 of 0.98. The maximum error in the predicted cumulative production of 2000 Barnett wells for any given year between the 2nd year of production to the 15th year of production is only 2%. Similarly, the maximum error in the predicted cumulative production for Marcellus (500 wells), Haynesville, (1500 wells) and Eagle Ford (200 wells), is 2%, 5%, and 3%, respectively. The achieved outstanding accuracy is further used to calculate the well survival probability with time and optimize the future drilling rate required to sustain a given energy demand.

Novelty

We have developed a new, robust state-of-the-art hybrid model for unconventional well production forecasting. The model achieves an outstanding accuracy of > 95% and uses only the initial 1.5 years of production data. Early and accurate estimation of future production governs future investment decisions, re-fracking strategy, and improved energy security strategy.
Geochemistry Study for the CO2-H2S Injection for Storage: Experimental and Modelling
Authors: Zaidin M. F. , Razak A. A. , Amin S. M. , Mohsin N. , Pin Y. W. , Tewari R. D.
Published: October 2023

Realizing the risk and possible impacts of the H2S presence in the injected CO2 towards the overall of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) operation in carbonate reservoir, it is recommended to have an accurate knowledge of these behavior for safe and efficient CO2 injection and storage in the reservoir formation. Limited data available from the literature suggested that additional laboratory studies are required to measure and understand the behaviour of the CO2-H2S mixture on the carbonate rock reactions, and therefore the aim of the study is to measure the key geochemical reaction kinetics parameters between injected CO2- H2S, brine and reservoir rocks and their effects to the fluid, rock properties (chemistry, mineralogy, porosity, permeability). The core samples from Y Field have been selected and used as a case study since Y Field has been identified as one of the potential CO2- H2S storage sites and there are preserved core samples available. Briefly, the mixture of CO2-H2S gas with the H2S concentration level up to 500 ppm is co-mixed with brine water and aged with core samples under Y Field reservoir condition for duration of 30 days via static batch ageing using PT chamber. Cores and effluent collected at the end of ageing days were analyzed to measure the changes on the key geochemical parameters (i.e, rock porosity, permeability, mineralogy & images from CT scan) between post-ageing and pre-ageing. The experimental results will validate the geochemical models at such H2S concentrations, and it will greatly enhance the accuracy of the models used to predict CO2-H2S storage capacity and containment for high H2S fields. This study provides critical information on the kinetic rates, which are crucial inputs for both short- and long-term projections. The incorporation of these accurate data into the models will improve their ability to predict the behaviour of CO2 and H2S in the storage and containment process, thereby providing more reliable and actionable insights for future high H2S fields.
A Simplified Mathematical Model for Formation Caprock Integrity Incorporating Creep Deformation: Implications for Hydrogen Underground Storage
Authors: AlDhuhoori M. , Belhaj H. , AlHameli F. , Moncada A.
Published: October 2023

This research effort aims at addressing the Geo-mechanical aspect of hydrogen underground storage, specifically caprock integrity tests using creep deformation modelling. This study also concentrates on time and injection rate dependent processes which could lead to permanent deformation of reservoir rocks during injection and production cycles due to the cyclical pore-pressure changes. The newly developed model includes a new term that accounts for pore expansion and compaction, and was coupled to the simplified power law. The model was then verified against uniaxial laboratory data and validated by comparing it to the power law model. The idea is to simulate several injection and production cycles of vast amounts of hydrogen into a reservoir that is saturated primarily by saline formation water (aquifer) under certain conditions to assess caprock integrity. The model has been validated using the uniaxial test data provided by Wu et al.2020 and achieved good accuracy. Furthermore, the model was compared to the simplified power law with no apparent advantages. This is attributed to the low-pressure differential and hence it is expected that the model will yield better estimations when applied to high pressure differential cases.
Reducing Hydraulic Fracturing Breaking Pressure by Using High Power Lasers
Authors: Batarseh Sameeh I. , Alerigi Damian P. San Roman , Zefzafy Ibrahim , Enezi Hazaa
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a hybrid approach to reduce hydraulic fracturing braking pressure by integrating high-power laser energy with hydraulic fracturing operations. The innovative technology reduced the formation's breaking pressure by 68%, improving the operation efficiency. The technology is safe, efficient, and cost-effective, providing a long-term solution to fracturing technology. The field system is already mobilized and deployed for different applications.

High-power laser technology has been tested and proven to reduce breaking pressure for all rock types regardless of strength and composition, including carbonate, shale, and sandstone formations. The success of over two decades of intensive research has led to the development of the first high-power laser field system. The system's design is enclosed, providing safe and environmentally friendly operation; it consists of a laser energy generator, nitrogen tank, coiled tubing, and tool. The function of the tool is to control the size and the shape of the beam that targeted formation. The process is done by utilizing the power of the laser in the form of a controlled beam creating a sudden increase in the formation's temperature, causing micro-fracture initiation and, as a result weakening the formation.

The technology was tested on several rock types, and the pre and post-analysis on the rocks have been conducted, including uniaxial stress tests and ultrasounds; the result shows that the breaking pressure was reduced by 68%. The reduction is due to the laser/formation interaction and mechanism; the instant laser beam causes sudden heat in the formation, resulting in fracturing initiations and collapsing the mineral. The laser is used as an enabler along with the hydraulic fracturing operation.

Applying high-power laser technology to reduce braking pressure in hydraulic fracture operation is innovative and cost-effective. The precise control of the beam allows targeting the formation and orienting and creating weaker formations for hydraulic fracturing. The technology is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and safe technology.
Application of Machine Learning and Dimensional Analysis to Evaluate the Performances of Various Downhole Centrifugal Separator Types
Authors: Ojeda Laura Camila Osorio
Published: October 2023

Pumping artificial lift techniques, such as rod pumps and ESPs, are applied for gassy wells more than ever before. Gas largely affects pump performance, causing cavitation, gas locking, low production, and run-life shortening. These phenomena have made downhole separators a critical part of such installations. There are multiple categories of downhole separators, with various techniques developed to assess and improve their performances, but no general guidelines are established for their application. Through dimensional analysis and machine learning techniques, this paper aims to establish key parameters in the performance characterization of this equipment, and prediction models are attempted.

A comprehensive literature review is conducted to understand factors (retention time, turbulence, and head) influencing the efficiency of this equipment and collect the available downhole separator performance data. This information is collected to identify the optimum conditions for each separator type, considering the effects of liquid and gas rates and other flow parameters. The data collected from various research projects over the last 20 years are combined to make a comprehensive centrifugal downhole separation databank.

The available data show that most separators provide separation efficiencies higher than 79% if the downstream pressure-controlling systems and liquid levels are adequately monitored. The separation efficiencies decline as the liquid and gas rates increase past an upper limit of around 800 BPD. Furthermore, the separator's control system is a critical factor that adds to the uncertainty, significantly affecting the separation efficiency calculation. Data analysis of the Buckingham Pi Theorem for dimensionless numbers is used to compare the performances of different downhole separator classes, and machine learning is applied to identify a robust prediction model. Two dimensionless numbers, the Weber number, and the gas Reynolds number, were found to largely dominate the behavior of the separators’ performance. Results provide a fundamental source and a valuable guideline for downhole liquid-gas separation, particularly in artificial lift applications.
Assessing the impact of the wildlife trade in West Africa (Benin): functional diversity matters too
Authors: DJAGOUN Chabi A.M.S. , ZANVO Stanislas , AZIHOU Fortuné , NAGO Gilles , DJAGOUN Joël , VODOUHÊ Fifanou , DJOSSA Bruno , ASSOAGBADJO Achille , LEPRIEUR Fabien , SINSIN Brice , GAUBERT Philippe
Published: October 2023

We tackle the potential impact of bushmeat markets (BM) and traditional medicine markets (TMM) on the functional diversity of mammalian communities in southern Benin, West Africa. A hybrid approach combining direct observations, DNA-typing and questionnaires allowed us to identify 94 species-level taxa across 11 mammalian orders, the greatest ever reported numbers for African wildlife markets. TMM sold species of high conservation concern or regulated by international conventions and sourced among all the taxonomic orders and bioclimatic zones of the country. BM were taxonomically and functionally 100% nested within TMM. However, functional richness was high in both markets, impacting nine diet specializations and five ecological functions, which included seed dispersion (frugivores, folivores and omnivores), prey regulation (carnivores and invertivores), browsing (folivores), grazing (omnivores) and fertilization (nectarivores). TMM likely jeopardized the regulatory, structural and production functions of the sourced ecosystems as they sold species with the greatest body weights and generation lengths, and smallest litter sizes, including large herbivores and keystone predators. BM, despite their restricted range, sourced among a non-selective taxonomic and functional spectrum and as such, also represent a significant threat to ecosystem functioning in southern Benin. The functional database that we provide can serve as a starting point to pursue the quantification of functional diversity in African mammals and further investigate the impact of wildlife markets on ecosystem functioning in tropical Africa. Overall, long-term surveys of the two types of wildlife markets are needed to accurately quantify the threat they constitute to mammalian biodiversity and the sustainability of ecosystem services.
Early detection of Sergentomyia minuta (Diptera: Phlebotominae) in Madrid, Spain An early warning for the temporal dynamic modification of leishmaniosis’ epidemiology?
Authors: Milagres Tarcísio de Freitas , de-Felipe Marcos López , Silva Onilda Santos da , Gálvez Rosa
Published: October 2023

Global changes, such as climate change, represent a worldwide risk for the management of leishmaniosis. The transmission profile can be modified by several mechanisms, mainly through the distribution and ecology of the vectors, causing direct effects on their survival, generation time, reproduction rate and population size. Sergentomyia minuta is an endemic species of the Old World, considered the most abundant in some areas of Spain. Even though S. minuta has traditionally been seen as herpetophilic, several recent research suggest this species to play a potential role in Leishmania infantum transmission. Furthermore, the Toscana virus has previously been detected in S. minuta and the potential role of this species in the epidemiology of this emerging arbovirus is still uncertain and needs further research. At the end of April 2023, a total of 10 individuals of S. minuta were collected in Torrelodones (Madrid, Central Spain), this being the first collection of sandflies of any species during the month of April in this region. While it is known that climate change can have a significant impact on sand fly distribution and behavior, little is known about the microscale effect of this variation on vector biology and ecology. The early detection of S. minuta in an endemic area of leishmaniosis such as the Madrid region suggests the potential impact on the epidemiology of these diseases. Furthermore, this early detection may act as an early warning of the risk of temporal dynamic changes in Phlebotomus species in response to global change.
Personality and Interest in General Practice: Results from an Online Survey among Medical Students.
Authors: Krauthausen Maike , Leutritz Tobias , Hagen Pamina Eva , König Sarah , Simmenroth Anne
Published: October 2023

Background
The growing shortage of General Practitioners (GPs) is a European-wide challenge, especially in rural areas. Facing this problem in Germany, funding programmes and voluntary courses during medical studies aim to enhance students’ interest in general practice. To further increase the number of GPs, medical training should support students in making career choices that suit them as a person. Can taking students’ personality traits into account add value to this?
Objectives
We hypothesise that students pursuing a career in general practice show outlined manifestations of personality traits that influence their interest.
Methods
In March 2021, we started an ongoing online survey among medical students at the University of Würzburg aiming to collect longitudinal data about the ‘Big Five’ personality traits and aspects of career choice. Until December 2022, we invited three cohorts of first-year beginners and one cohort each of third-, fifth- and sixth-year students via email to participate in line with data protection guidelines. We performed partial correlation and ANCOVA analyses to examine the relationship between students’ interests in general practice and their personality traits, controlling for gender and age as possible confounding factors.
Results
According to our research, the personality traits of agreeablenessand conscientiousness were the most significant factors that impacted students' decision to pursue general practice as a specialty. There was a significant positive correlation for agreeableness (r=.18, p<.001) and a negative correlation with conscientiousness (r=-.11, p=.03), while the results for openness(r=-.05, p=.35), extraversion(r=.076, p=.14), and neuroticism (r=.077, p=.059) were not significant. High extents of agreeablenessand low extents of conscientiousnesscould predict a greater interest in General Practice. Female students scored higher than males on all personality traits. Most interest in choosing General Practice as a specialty was stated by female students with high extents of agreeableness.
Conclusion
This study shows a link between students’ interest in becoming a GP and their personality. The curriculum ought to offer opportunities for students to develop their personalities and prepare for their professional careers. Considering personality can also help to support students in their career choices and to identify promising students for programs promoting the next generation of GPs.
Low-Frequency Constrained Seismic Impedance Inversion Combining Large Kernel Attention and Long Short-Term Memory
Authors: Wei Zong , Li Shu , Ning Juan , Chen Xiao , Yang Xi
Published: October 2023

In the seismic impedance inversion, the low-frequency information reflects the general trend of the impedance curve. Without low-frequency information, inversion results can not accurately reflect stratigraphic changes. Seismic data are also spatially correlated, while the conventional inversion methods do not consider the spatial correlation of geological structures, which may lead to poor lateral continuity of the inversion results. To alleviate these problems, we proposes a low-frequency constrained seismic impedance inversion method combining Large Kernel Attention (LKA) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). Our network structure is divided into an inversion module and a low-frequency feature extraction module. In the inversion module, we integrate LKA and LSTM into the network, which can improve the lateral continuity of the inversion results. The low-frequency feature extraction module constrains the entire network structure and extract more refined low-frequency features. To demonstrate the reliability of the proposed method, we applied it to the SEAM model. Experiments show that our method has the best lateral continuity and accuracy, with Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Coefficient of Determination (\(R^{2}\)) of 0.0485 and 0.9164, respectively, as well as strong noise immunity. This method also achieves favorable inversion results on the Volve field seismic data.
Optimizing the transitional care capacity of elderly caregivers for elderly patients with enterostomy: a cross-sectional study in Chinese population
Authors: MA JINLONG , HUANG ZHAOHUI , LI DAN , XIN TINGTING , KE FANG , YANG PEI , GONG SHIHUI , OUYANG LIUTING , DENG WEI , HU XUEZHI , LIU YUAN , LUO LI
Published: October 2023

Background and objective: The stage of patients' rehabilitation from medical environment to home environment after discharge is called transition period. It is very important to give patients active and effective care during the transition period to promote their rehabilitation. In China, most of the caregivers of enterostomy patients are elderly. This study mainly explores the status quo of caregivers' transitional care ability for elderly enterostomy patients and analyzes its influencing factors.
Methods: From January 2022 to February 2023, the caregivers of elderly patients with enterostomy in 4 Class ⅲ Grade A hospitals in Wuhan were recruited and investigated with the general information questionnaire and the Family Caregiver Ability Scale.
Results The total score of caregiving ability of elderly caregivers was 30.58±1.32, which was at a low level. There was a significant correlation between the caregiver's age, education level, duration of care, assisting the caregiver, and whether the patient had stoma complications and their caring ability.
Conclusions The care ability of elderly caregivers during the transitional period of enterostomy is low. We should pay attention to the continuity of care services during the transitional period of discharge, and take targeted interventions combined with the needs and influencing factors of elderly caregivers to promote their care ability.
Green Human Resource Management: Will it strengthen or revive the field?Review of Bibliometric Data from 2010 to 2022
Authors: Zaheer Hamza , Nasir Nadia
Published: October 2023

The discipline of green human resource management (GHRM) has gained popularity over the past 20 years, although more research is still needed in this area. The idea is still in its infancy. At the same time as they are attempting to investigate and advance this discipline, the HRM researchers are now striving to contribute in GHRM. Using the VOS-viewer software package, version 1.6.18 produced by Van Eck and Waltman (Leiden, The Netherlands), and RStudio Spotted Wake robin" Release for Windows, a bibliometric study of GHRM from 2010 to 2022 was performed on Scopus. The findings indicate that there is no consensus among scholars about the definition of GHRM, although this field is still receiving attention and growing exponentially. This analysis demonstrated that the GHRM is still a developing idea, and it will help modern scholars by providing them with a general picture of the situation. Future scholars may do research to examine the differences between GHRM and other HRM subjects and procedures.
Family Attitude Toward Elder Abuse in Ibb Governorate, Yemen
Authors: Amer Bushra , Qasem Mamun Ali Naji , Alhadad Monia T. , Abdelrahman Nadir
Published: October 2023

Background
Elder abuse is globally recognized as an extensive and serious issue that requires immediate attention from health care systems, social welfare agencies, policymakers, and the general public. This matter is not well-known in the Arab world in the present literature. The purpose of this study was to investigate elder abuse in Yemen's community. Participants from Ibb governorate, Yemen, were surveyed about their awareness, attitudes, and sense of responsibility regarding elder abuse.
Methodology:
A study was conducted in the governorate of Ibb, Yemen, using cross-sectional methods. The participants were randomly selected (n = 289) and asked to respond to a questionnaire regarding elder abuse. Informed consents were obtained from all participants.
Results
Overall, 289 individuals participated in the study. The majority of participants (90%) disagreed that living situations (for example, older people living separately) would result in less violence. Ninety-five percent of them agreed that abuse occurs when an older person is subjected to certain behaviors, including shouting, insults, and ridicule. According to 95.2% of the respondents, they agreed that they are responsible for preventing elder abuse and neglect.
Conclusion
In this study, the majority of participants viewed elder abuse and neglect as a serious matter. The participants were highly aware of physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and caregiver neglect. There were few participants who blamed older individuals for the abuse. The development of effective interventions can be achieved by exploring factors associated with elder abuse and using this knowledge to prevent elder abuse and neglect.
A cross-sectional (both qualitative and quantitative) study on factors impacting surgical patient waiting times and cancellation of theatre lists in Malawi district and rural hospitals: a case study of Nkhotakota district hospital
Authors: Kana Chimwemwe , Chichlowska Sue , Ng'ambi Wingston
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Surgical case cancellation is defined as canceling planned surgery after the patient has been notified of the operation date, on the day of or the day preceding surgery. Surgical patient waiting time is the time from when the patient is admitted to the hospital for a surgical procedure to the day of the operation. Cancellation of scheduled surgery specifically in Africa creates a financial burden for hospitals, caregivers, and patients. It causes emotional stress, which impacts outcomes. In poor countries where the adequacy of health care is limited, the ethical dilemma created by scheduled surgery cancellation is particularly important and worthy of investigation.
Objective of study: An investigation of the main factors that lead to surgical patients' waiting times and cancellation of theatre lists in the district and rural hospitals of Malawi. This study was conducted at Nkhotakota District Hospital in the central region of Malawi. The hospital serves a catchment area of 379,474 people with a bed capacity of 300.
Methods:This was a cross-sectional studyin which both retrospective and prospective data were collected using theatre, ward, and surgical booking registers. Surgical staff, including nurses, clinicians, anesthetists, and administrative personnel, were interviewed.
Results:During the study period (6 months), 240 patients (93 females and 147 males) were booked for surgery. A total of 118 patients were operated on, representing 49%, and 122 patients were canceled, representing 51%. The cancellation rate was highest for general surgery (60%),gynecology (25%) and other cases (15%). There were no cancellations for orthopedic cases. Regarding the waiting time before the procedure, it was found that surgical patients on average waited for 2 days to be operated on or for a procedure to be cancelled.
Conclusion:The main reasons for theater cancellation found in this study were avoidable. Reasons such as inadequate surgical staff, lack of motivation for surgical staff by hospital management and patients not turning up on the day of surgery could be overcome with collective effort by both administration and surgical staff. In conclusion, patients who had a delayed surgical procedure waited on average for 5 days more than those who attended as requested (stayed for 1 day before the procedure was performed). Staff motivation and follow-up of patients booked for surgery two days before the day of the procedure and recruitment of more surgical staff can improve surgical case cancellation.
Oxidative DNA base damage and base excision repair abnormalities in siblings of individuals with bipolar disorder
Authors: Arat-Çelik Hidayet , Yılmaz Selda , Akşahin İzel , Kök-Kendirlioğlu Burcu , Çörekli Esma , Dal-Bekar Nazlı , Çelik Ömer , Yorguner Neşe , Targıtay-Öztürk Bilge , İşlekel Hüray , Özerdem Ayşegül , Akan Pınar , Ceylan Deniz , Tuna Gamze
Published: October 2023

Previous evidence suggests elevated levels of oxidative DNA damage, particularly 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), and abnormalities in the repair of 8-OH-dG by the base excision repair (BER) in BD. However, the genetic disposition of these abnormalities remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the levels of oxidative DNA damage and BER mechanisms in individuals with BD and their siblings, as compared to healthy controls (HCs). 46 individuals with BD, 41 siblings of individuals with BD, and 51 HCs were included in the study. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was employed to evaluate the levels of 8-OH-dG in urine, which were then normalized based on urine creatinine levels. The real-time-polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression levels of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1), apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1), poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1), and DNA polymerase beta (POLβ). The levels of 8-OH-dG were found to be elevated in both individuals with BD and their siblings when compared to the HCs. The OGG1 and APE1 expressions were downregulated, while POLβ expressions were upregulated in both the patient and sibling groups compared to the HCs. Age, smoking status, and the number of depressive episodes had an impact on APE1 expression levels in the patient group while body mass index, smoking status, and past psychiatric history had an impact on 8-OH-dG levels in siblings. Both individuals with BD and unaffected siblings presented similar abnormalities regarding oxidative DNA damage and BER, suggesting a link between abnormalities in DNA damage / BER mechanisms and familial susceptibility to BD. Our findings suggest that targeting the oxidative DNA damage and BER pathway could offer promising therapeutic strategies for reducing the risk of age-related diseases and comorbidities in individuals with a genetic predisposition to BD.