bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jurassic Hydrocarbon System Appraisal and Implications for Prospectively in Central and Southern Iraq, Middle East
Authors: Qin Guosheng , Wang Youjing
Published: October 2023

The Jurassic hydrocarbon system in Middle East is one of the world's most important systems with several giant oilfields are discovered in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, etc[1–3]. The oil and gas discoveries of Jurassic formation are located in the northern part (Fig. 1). Such as the Najmah, Atrush, and Miran West oilfield in north Iraq. Meanwhile, it also considered the main producing reservoirs big reserve in adjacent countries. However, central and southern Iraq is an underexplored area due to large burial depth and limited data. Several wells have confirmed its huge potential. The appraisal of stratigraphy sequence, sedimentation and hydrocarbon assemblages is of great significance to understand prospectively in this region. It also shed light on the exploration of Jurassic formation and deeper formations.

The Jurassic contact with the lower Triassic (Kurra Chine) and upper Cretaceous (Sulaiy) in unconformity in southeastern Iraq. The contact surface often characterized by sharp lithological change[3]. For example, the Gotnia formation in top of Jurassic characterized by evaporate lithology (anhydrite and salt). However the Sulaiy formation in the bottom of Cretaceous characterized by mudstone. The Jurassic in Iraq can be further divided into lower Jurassic, middle Jurassic and upper Jurassic (Fig. 1). The lower Jurassic belongs to evaporate and carbonate ramp environment, the lithology dominated by anhydrite and dolomite. The middle Jurassic belongs to intra-shelf environment and the lithology dominated by mudstone and shale. The upper Jurassic belong to shelf and evaporate environment and the lithology dominated by mudstone and anhydrite[4–6].
Empower Decarbonization Through Successful Replication of Lean Six-Sigma Approach
Authors: Al-Salmi Ahmed. , Al-Hajri Said , Al Shukaili Aisha , Al-Zaabi Yousuf , Kays Carl , Al-Bahri Lubna , Al Mahrouqi Ghaliya , Al Balushi Sara
Published: October 2023

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) adopted decarbonization journey to unlock opportunities in reducing Greenhouse gas emissions. By utilizing experience of previous project on reducing gas emissions using statistical approach, a successful replication of Six Sigma concept was executed on 5 more fields. This is different from the traditional practice of investing on Mega projects to reduce the gas emission. This paper expresses the replication campaign conducted to reduce the gas emission in more field across PDO.

The Replication approach was based on utilizing learnings of a project executed and completed in 2022, where the plan was to optimize training delivery and data analysis for faster project execution. The potential areas for replicating the Six Sigma concept were identified and prioritized using Pareto analysis. It indicated that five fields have the highest power consumption across PDO. The working team developed fit for purpose Six Sigma training, with optimum statistical tools to ensure utilization of the right Six Sigma tool. Selective and fit-for-purpose Six Sigma tools have been replicated such as process capability, hypothesis testing, and control charts.

The replication process varies from simple to complex depends on the nature of each field and data complexity. The simple replication requires less than three months including the capability build through a simplified version of Six Sigma training, analysis, and the pilot. Specific Six Sigma tools have been implemented while working on simple replications. However, it took around seven months to replicate the complex opportunities in which the practitioners went through a full Six Sigma course, dealt with huge number of data analysis. In addition, the complexity of the area required more data analysis and hypothesis testing which resulted in a longer time.

For instance, the replication on the north fields required full six sigma analysis whereas, the south fields required simple statical analysis. The overall replication on the four areas resulted in reduced power consumption by 2080 MW annually and resulted in reducing the emission of 33,405 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere per year. This has resulted in an average of 11,169 K m3/Y fuel gas reduction which is another financial saving of all these projects. There will be additional unquantified benefits that include reduction of climate change on the environment.

The Six sigma approach was successfully proven to be significantly successful in Mega systems and to resolve complex problems towards reducing power consumption, fuel consumption and gas emissions. This has opened windows for a wider application of DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) approach in the reduction of decarbonization and even beyond, such as; Flare reduction. This will also pave the way for exploring DMAIC utilization around the world.
A Reliable Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network Estimator of Gas Condensate Reservoir Initial Composition and Dew Point Pressure
Authors: Embaireeg Aisha
Published: October 2023

An accurate prediction of the pressure depletion of gas condensate reservoir is important for evaluation, reserve estimation, planning production and future gas cycling to improve recovery. Constant volume depletion (CVD) tests provide various gas condensate fluid compositions at initial pressure and during reservoir depletion behavior. In addition, they provide the dew point pressure, amount of gas and oil recovery, saturation of accumulated retrograde, and compressibility factor. In case of unavailability or unreliability of the PVT test, alternative methods are vital to estimate these properties. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a model that can estimate the gas condensate’s initial composition and dew point pressure using neural network models.

The model was created by utilizing a large data bank of CVD tests comprising 141 of gas condensate samples at various pressures, temperatures, and compositions. The developed model used a multilayer perceptron neural network model to accurately predict the initial gas condensate composition from composition of produced gas at pressures below dew point, in case the initial composition and dew point is not measured due to sample unavailability. Additionally, a comparison between the proposed model and Equation of State (EOS) is performed for all gas condensate samples to show the advantage of the proposed model when the EOS is not properly tuned.

The developed model has a high degree of accuracy to predict initial gas composition with an average absolute percent error (AAPE) of 2.59% and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.999 for sweet gas condensate samples, and AAPE of 2.26%, and R2 of 0.982 for sour gas condensate samples. The model also predicts the dew point pressure with an AAPE of 2.45% and R2 of 0.992 for sweet gas condensate samples, and an AAPE of 1.86%, and R2 of 0.984 for sour gas condensate samples. The models’ performance has been compared to the Peng-Robinson EOS (PR-EOS). It was found that the untuned PR-EOS predicted the dew point pressure with AAPE error of 31.01% and a R2 of 0.555. This displays an excellent performance of the developed model’s estimations of the gas condensate’s initial composition and its dew point pressure.

The newly proposed model utilizes the neural network architecture and has an excellent agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, the model is quite practical since it can be integrated in any spreadsheet program or implemented within a program language.
Innovative High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel Thermal Spray Coating Applied to Electrical Submersible Pump Stages Enables 70% Scrap Reduction and Enhances Stage Mechanical Properties by 50%
Authors: Lopez R. Naranjo , Leon F. , Estrada S. , Velasquez E. , Escalona P. , Bravo M. E. Quinzo , Mogollon O. G. Sierra , Andagoya K. I. , Morales D. Marquez , Batallas E. , Guillca L.
Published: October 2023

Electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) are one of the primary artificial lift methods used around the world. After the equipment completes its life cycle, it is typically pulled out of the well to be inspected and dismantled, and it is classified as scrap if its dimensional tolerances are not within the acceptance criteria. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of the application of a new stage coating method to substantially reduce the number of parts classified as unrecoverable.

The high-velocity oxy-fuel thermal spray coating, which applies molten metal particles at high velocity, was developed during the past century. Today, the process is more reliable and is used worldwide in different industries to recover parts such as aerospace and energy turbine components.

For the first time anywhere in the world, this technological process has been applied to ESP stages to improve their mechanical properties, ensuring performance while reducing metal waste. This study used laboratory tests such as microstructure characterization and X-ray spectroscopy.

The study used a sample of 200 ESP stages of which 70% were suitable for this technological application. The coating was sprayed over all eligible stages that comprised a single pump body, and the efficiency improvement was found to be approximately 1.17% per API RP 11S2 (R 2013). In addition, the coated surfaces increased stage mechanical resistance by 50%, stage abrasion resistance by 30%, stage erosion resistance by 20%, and stage corrosion resistance by 55% compared to that of brand-new nickel-rhenium stages. The results demonstrated that the stage remanufacturing process can be performed several times on the same part regardless of the length of operation or the number of times the string has been pulled and run in hole.

The implementation of this project could provide a remarkable environmental contribution. A single-brand ESP provider for Ecuadorian operations with 65% of the national well count estimates that 58,000 stages per year are classified as scrap as a result of mechanical wear. The coating process could reduce waste by 70% per year, resulting in an emissions savings of an estimated 19 metric tons of CO2e per year.

The research and development of this innovative technology can give new life to previously discarded parts, improving ESP mechanical properties. On the basis of the results obtained, this technology can be applied over horizontal multistage surface pumping systems and ESP stages that are brand new or already in use.
A Multiphysics Model for Assessing Casing Integrity in Sour Service Applications
Authors: Negi A. , Barsoum I. , AlFantazi A.
Published: October 2023

Structural integrity assessments are vital for ensuring the safety and efficiency of oil and gas wells, especially in sour service applications. The casings used in drilling operations are critical as mechanical barriers against leaks among different well-construction components. However, their susceptibility to environment-assisted crack growth, like sulfide stress cracking (SSC), presents challenges for casing mechanical integrity management. Conventional analytical methods are quick but can be overly conservative in material selection. Recently, multiphysics modelling of fracture has emerged as an accurate simulation approach, leveraging tools such as hydrogen diffusion models, fracture mechanics, and finite element analysis. In this work, a coupled deformation-diffusion phase-field finite element framework is used to model SSC nucleation and growth in a sour environment. The multiphysics model employs coupling between structural deformation, hydrogen diffusion due to H2S exposure, and fracture processes to simulate SSC. The numerical results show good agreement with the experimental data for different levels of H2S exposure. A numerical study is also conducted to study SSC nucleation and growth in pre-notched mini-pipe subjected to internal pressure and H2S exposure. The findings of this investigation provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of a coupled phase-field approach to study the combined role of stresses and through-wall hydrogen gradients on pipe failure.
Robotic Screening of Demulsifier Chemistries with an Enhanced-Chemical-Profile
Authors: Oskarsson H. , Smout M. , Hellberg P. E. , Mostafa A. , Moghaddam R. Nazari
Published: October 2023

New developed demulsifiers having an Enhanced-Chemical-Profile e.g., cleavable ester or amide bondings which are better biodegradable in seawater, demonstrate to be viable alternatives for conventional oxyalkylate demulsifiers. The Enhanced-Chemical-Profile demulsifiers, have different chemistries and act as stand-alone solution. They demonstrate strong synergy with other Enhanced-Chemical-Profile chemistries as well as conventional oxyalkylate chemistries. Their performance has been benchmarked against a set of oxyalkylate demulsifiers utilizing a robotic screenings test

The Robot screening method has proven to be an adequate tool for the screening of demulsification propagation for demulsifiers with different chemistries. The automated protocol replaces a manual operator for the homogenization and time-resolved data collection. From the obtained Turbiscan data, the waterdrop and bs-dryness are extracted which are good descriptors to classify demulsifier performance. The robot screening waterdrop data has a high correlation with manual executed bottle tests. The method could potentially be applied for physio-chemical demuslifier studies.
Grid Parity Energy From Ammonia Fuel Cell
Authors: Laddha Chetan
Published: October 2023

Ammonia is a dense energy carrier with high energy density and established supply chain for transport, and storage of hydrogen. Ammonia is a common commodity used in the fertiliser and chemical sector and has a potential to become an affordable and sustainable energy carrier to meet growing demand for industrial decarbonisation. The transport of hydrogen over long distances require an efficient and cost competitive carrier. Potential options for hydrogen carrier are ammonia, liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC), liquid hydrogen, compressed hydrogen, and methanol. This paper describes an innovative ceramics-based solid oxide fuel cell technology for conversion of ammonia into fossil fuel parity energy at a thermal efficiency of 85%. The technology is based on proton conducting ceramics (PCC) electrochemical pathway which eliminates NOx emissions by design and ammonia slippage by catalyst performance and reactor design. The technology has been developed over 7 years, between 2016 to 2022, and the ammonia utilisation capabilities has been proven through demonstrations conducted for O&G and industrial companies. The technology uses low-cost and widely available ceramics-based catalyst. The technology is particularly suited for industrial decarbonisation because of the ability to yield high efficiency and the ability to produce low-cost heat at 700C and hydrogen as byproducts.
Cost-Efficiency and Recyclability of Metal Foam/Micromesh for Arsenic and Mercury Removal in Oil & Gas Applications
Authors: Dararatana Naruphorn , Punpruk Suchada , Kumseranee Sith , Thammachart Matina , Yotapan Nattawut , Srisawat Kornrawee , Limthongkul Pimpa , Sombatmankhong Korakot
Published: October 2023

The presence of arsenic and mercury in condensates causes several problems, including condensate quality, environmental pollution, health, and equipment integrity. According to a conventional cellulose-based filtration technique, it has limited lifetime and nonreusable. A metal filter is an alternative and promising approach according to their reusable potential and physic- and chemi-sorption processes. Thus, this work aimed to study the feasibility of using metal filter to remove arsenic and mercury contaminants in condensate.

The removal efficiency of arsenic and mercury was investigated using two different material types and two morphological structures: copper and stainless-steel micromesh and foam with pore size 37-50 μm. Accordingly, the lab flow test built-in house was employed with a controlled retention time at 6 second. The removal efficiency was determined by monitoring the remaining arsenic and mercury content in the treated condensates compared to the initial concentrations in the fresh condensates by an atomic absorption spectrometer. Moreover, the regeneration processes of the used metal filter via heat and chemical treatment were also included in this study.

The flow test result revealed that the stainless-steel foam exhibited highest arsenic and mercury removal efficiency with 69% and 80%, respectively. The best performance of arsenic and mercury removal in mesh structure showed on copper mesh with removal efficiency 50% and 28%, respectively. This implies that the morphological structure of the same material type also had a significant effect on the efficiency in mercury and arsenic removal apart from the type of material used. It was found that the foam structure has an improved removal efficiency for both arsenic and mercury decontaminations. Consequently, the foam structure was chosen for the further investigation on its reusability by the regenerative test, i.e., heat treatment for mercury removal and chemical treatment for arsenic removal. This indicates potential for further development to optimize its performance in effectively treating condensate with high mercury and arsenic concentrations. Furthermore, the utilization of metal filter offers an added safety benefit by mitigating the risk of hazardous mercury exposure to both operators and the surrounding environment.

This study involves the first stage of research development on using metal-based substrates with micromesh and foam structure for decontamination of petroleum products. Cost effectiveness is one of our concerns which could make this study more realistic in operation. Possible removal mechanisms of arsenic and mercury including regenerative method of metal filter technology approach have been proposed.
Flow Assisted Corrosion in Steam Condensate Collection System, A Case Study
Authors: Medina Antonio , Al Shehhi Ahmed Ali , Al Ameri Mohamed
Published: October 2023

Since ADNOC Sour Gas Processing Plant was commissioned, the steam condensate collection system presented repetitive failures in elbows and other fittings from 4" and bellow bore pipe size. It is important to highlight that hazard of the leakage is directly associated on the people and environmental concerns due to high temperature operation of the steam condensate system.

ADNOC Sour Gas has developed comprehensive analysis approach to identify the root cause of the failures using destructive laboratory testing along with research library to identify the mitigating actions required to avoid the frequent downtime of the system.

Despite of what shown in the visual examination, the damage mechanism has not been associated with erosion phenomena due to operating regime at low velocity in comparison to erosional limit and further supported by microscopic examination evidence.

Flow-accelerated corrosion has been identified as primary damage mechanism affecting the condensate collection system and mostly affecting the flow pattern enhancers (i.e. elbows, tees) under the normal operating envelope. The mechanism is found influenced by the combination of flow pattern, pH behavior and temperature profile of the system. The highest failure rates are associated with the highest temperature/ velocities locations.

Mitigation actions identified to avoid the recurrent failure are related to the pH control above 9 and deployment of enhanced material for the fittings in susceptible areas. Material change has been implemented for the elbows/tees in these pipe sizes to avoid the thickness loss and/or failures. Material upgradation was deployed and satisfactory performing using following specification from SA-234 WPB to WP22.
Wellsite Multi-Phase Flow and Core Online Detection Technology
Authors: Deng Feng , Liu Bin , Liu Huabing , Chen Guanhong , Chen Shiwen , Wang Mengying , Shi Junfeng , Jiang Weidong , Yu Yangyang , Wang Lei , Zhao Ruidong , Geng Haitao , Wang Yuanzheng , Liang Dongliang , Zhao Hanjun , Wang Xing , Liu Tianbo
Published: October 2023

In the past 20 years, the wellsite Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology has developed rapidly and played an important role in oil Production and development. Logging NMR refers to the measurement, analysis, and application of NMR technology in the complex and harsh environment of oil and gas drilling sites. It is currently used in downhole and NMR logging, including cable NMR logging, while-drilling NMR logging, downhole NMR fluid analysis devices, and application technologies. With the expansion of unconventional oil and gas resource development in recent years and the demand for integrated geological engineering construction, multiphase flow high-frequency and high-precision measurement and complex core in-situ detection technologies have become research hotspots for various oil and service companies. NMR technology has become one of the research directions due to its irreplaceability demonstrated in the logging field. However, there are still several scientific problems that need to be solved for the application of NMR technology in measurement and core scanning: 1. The current measurement method requires the sample to remain relatively still during the measurement process; 2. The current NMR probe cannot adapt to the complex environment of the oilfield; 3. The existing NMR measurement and interpretation software cannot meet the requirements of automation and intelligence in the drilling site. This paper proposes online monitoring of oil and gas production multiphase flow and reservoir detection technology for drilling cores, the NMR multiphase flow on-line detection technology and the core well site scanning technology are proposed, which fills the shortcomings of the industrial application of the motion magnetic resonance technology. It also expands the application of NMR technology in the petroleum field from petroleum logging to drilling, well testing, oil & gas production, and gathering and transportation.
Foundation Re-Assessment for Ageing Platforms
Authors: Pillai S. K. , Khader H. Mohammed Abdul
Published: October 2023

To present the re-assessment of the ultimate pile capacity in compression of driven steel piles founding fixed platforms which is close to the design life by incorporating ageing of soils. It is expected that this will enable the client operators to extend the life of their assets.

The soil stratification for a platform is determined from the available data and the soil properties are reviewed. Based on the review of the soil characteristics, an assessment will be made whether the ageing effect of soils can be incorporated the existing set of data will be scrutinised thoroughly to determine whether any improvised soil parameters can be considered. Adjacent boreholes may be considered after careful examination on its applicability. If the soil is normally consolidated clays characterised by low plasticity and siliceous sands, the method suggested by NGI may be used for assessing the pile capacity. Further based on a comprehensive test program (by NGI) it has been shown that for clays there is an increase in strength due to ageing and this is influenced by plasticity index and over consolidation ratio.

The ultimate pile capacities are calculated as per existing methods. Further based on various design philosophies, the soil parameters are modified. In the case of clay soils having low plasticity, the estimation of alpha factor is conducted using the method proposed by Karlsrud (2005). For sands the ageing factor is suggested independent of the relative density. The increase in ultimate capacities amount to 10 to 30 percent from the ultimate capacity calculated by NGI method or similar methods which takes into the effect of low-plasticity clays in the ultimate capacity calculation. This increase is capacity is indeed a great benefit to the re-assessment of the existing "ageing platforms" which otherwise may cease to be profitable with depleting fields (generally).
Drilling Time Optimization by De-Risking a Re-Engineered Well Architecture Implemented in Offshore Shallow-Water Tertiary Wells in Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Barrera Edison , Gomez Jose Manuel , Alarcon Jose , Ponce Jorge , Torres Maria Andrea , Gonzalez Pablo , Hernandez Gladys , Hernández Cesar , Bravo Carlos
Published: October 2023

The Gulf of Mexico area is well known for the high complexity of its wells. Whether on deepwater or shallow-water fields, wells on each field require specific customization on wellbore architecture and drilling practices to drill faster without compromising well integrity standards, safety, and oil production.

Wellbore architecture is essential for the success of drilling operations and ensure the lifetime of the well throughout production and interventions. In the early stages of field development, a conservative approach increases the chances of success and obtains all the relevant information for well production and drilling optimization.

This project describes the successful implementation of an optimized 3 casing-strings wellbore geometry in two shallow-water fields, de-risking engineering and drilling practices applied to accelerate well delivery. Different challenges are present across the area, related to mechanical stuck pipe while crossing geological faults, unstable formations due to mechanical disturbance, differential stuck pipe due to heterogenous formation pressure with depleted sands, lost circulation on weak zones and collision with other wells departing from the same location. Additionally, many of the quality events occurred in these fields were associated to incorrect operational strategies implemented, mainly during BHA or casing tripping.

In close coordination between G&G (Geological and Geophysical department) and drilling engineering, the new casing points were carefully selected Based on offset wells and logging data, the strategy was to maintain high parameters when conditions allowed it and adjust them while crossing weaker zones. The strategy to minimize the risk of pack-off while drilling required ensuring that the hole is cleaned properly while drilling at highest ROP, sweeping pills schedule, bridging material and reaming procedures before connection, minimizing pack-off risk while drilling and saving time with clean trips. A further step to enhance performance and prevent high impact events was to exploit opportunities for real-time monitoring to ensure procedural adherence and follow the measures in the detailed multi-disciplinary risk analyses for critical activities. Additionally, leveraging the improved architecture, an integral multi-bowl wellhead was designed and implemented, giving practical advantages for casing running, and operational time reduction.
Influence of Soil Properties on Pre-pupal Burrowing, Pupation and Nutritional Quality of Gonimbrasia belina Westwood
Authors: Bangira Courage , Madimutsa Obert , Manditsera Faith A. , Bara Gracian , Rudo Sithole , Mubaiwa Juliet , Macheka Lesley
Published: October 2023

Mopane worms (Gonimbrasia belina) are important sources of nutrition among many people in southern Africa. Threats of climate change and over-harvesting have provided compelling evidence to conserve and domesticate these edible insects through a better understanding of their natural habitat. A study was conducted in Zimbabwe, with the objectives of determining the influence of soil properties on mopane larvae soil burrowing, pupal metamorphosis and its nutritional quality. Field sampling was conducted by identifying Colophospermum mopane trees that had mopane larvae and then characterizing soil properties under each identified tree. An adjacent area with similar vegetation but with no known mopane occurrence was the control site. Soil and leaf samples were taken from each site and analysed for selected physical and chemical properties. Data were analysed using detrended correspondence analysis and Student t-test. Results show that G. belina larval abundance was highest on trees rooted in soils with 80–97% sand. Pupae population was positively linked to soil organic matter content, litter content, and exchangeable Ca, Mg and K concentrations but negatively linked to soil bulk density. The concentrations of Mg and K in the mopane tree leaves and mopane worm were at least seven times that of soil. Protein (55.6% DM) and fat (18.5% DM) were relatively higher in mopane worm than foliar samples. We conclude that mopane worms are more likely to burrow and metamorphosise to pupae into less compacted sandy soils with relatively high content of organic matter and litter content.
1-methyltryptophan treatment ameliorates high-fat diet induced depression in mice through reversing perineuronal nets changes
Authors: Liu Qiong , Li Wensheng , Guo Kun , Xiao Honglei , Ren Hong , Li Meihui , Gao Hongyang , Zhang Yuwen , Wang LeiLei , Wu Haoren , Zhang Shanshan , Hu Juntao
Published: October 2023

Depression and obesity are prevalent disorders that have significant public health implications. To investigate the mechanism underlying high-fat diet (HFD)-induced depression-like behaviors, we used a mouse model of HFD-induced obesity. The HFD-induced obese mouse exhibited a depression-like phenotype in behavioral assays, as well as a reduction in hippocampus volume. These phenotypes were reversed by treating HFD mice with the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor 1-methyltryptophan (1-MT). Interestingly, no changes in IDO levels were observed post 1-MT treatment, suggesting that the anti-depressive effect of 1-MT has an IDO-independent mechanism. To clarify the mechanism of 1-MT in reversing HFD-induced depression-like behaviors, we conducted RNA sequencing analysis which showed a significant enrichment of shared differential genes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) organization pathway between the 1-MT-treated and untreated HFD-induced depression mice. Therefore, we hypothesized that changes in ECM play a crucial role in the anti-depressive effect of 1-MT. To this end, we investigated perineuronal nets (PNNs), which are ECM assemblies that preferentially ensheath parvalbumin (PV)-positive interneurons and are involved in many abnormalities. We found that HFD is associated with excessive accumulation of PV-positive neurons and the upregulation of PNNs, which, in turn, affect synaptic transmission in PV-positive neurons and lead to glutamate-gamma-aminobutyric acid imbalances in the hippocampus. 1-MT effectively reversed these changes, highlighting an IDO-independent mechanism by which 1-MT exerts its anti-depressive effect.
GPR55 is expressed in glutamate neurons and functionally modulates nicotine taking and seeking in rats and mice
Authors: Xi Zheng-Xiong , He Yi , Shen Hui , Bi Guo-hua , Zhang Hai-Ying , Soler-Cedeno Omar , Alton Hannah , Yang Yihong
Published: October 2023

Cannabis legalization continues to progress in the USA for medical and recreational purposes. G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) is a putative “CB3” receptor. However, its functional role in cannabinoid action and drug abuse is not explored. Here we report that GPR55 is mainly expressed in cortical and subcortical glutamate neurons and its activation attenuates nicotine taking and seeking in rats and mice. RNAscopein situhybridization detected GPR55 mRNA in cortical vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VgluT1)-positive and subcortical VgluT2-positive glutamate neurons in wildtype, but not GPR55-knockout, mice. GPR55 mRNA was not detected in midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons in either genotype. Immunohistochemistry assays detected GPR55-like staining, but the signal is not GPR55-specific as the immunostaining was still detectable in GPR55-knockout mice. We then used a fluorescent CB1-GPR55 ligand (T1117) and detected GPR55 binding in cortical and subcortical glutamate neurons, but not in midbrain DA neurons, in CB1-knockout mice. Systemic administration of O-1602, a GPR55 agonist, dose-dependently increased extracellular glutamate, not DA, in the nucleus accumbens. Pretreatment with O-1602 failed to alter Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC)-induced triad effects or intravenous cocaine self-administration, but it dose-dependently inhibited nicotine self-administration under fixed-ratio and progressive-ratio reinforcement schedules in rats and wildtype mice, not in GPR55-knockout mice. O-1602 itself is not rewarding or aversive as assessed by optical intracranial self-stimulation (oICSS) in DAT-Cre mice. These findings suggest that GPR55 is functionally involved in nicotine reward process possibly by a glutamate-dependent mechanism, and therefore, GPR55 deserves further research as a new therapeutic target for treating nicotine use disorder.
Genomic Structural Equation Modeling Reveals Latent Phenotypes in the Human Cortex with Distinct Genetic Architecture
Authors: Morey Rajendra , Zheng Yuanchao , Sun Delin , Garrett Melanie , Gasperi Marianna , Maihofer Adam , Baird C. Lexi , Grasby Katrina , Huggins Ashley , Haswell Courtney , Thompson Paul , Medland Sarah , Gustavson Daniel , Panizzon Matthew , Kremen William , Nievergelt Caroline , Ashley-Koch Allison , Logue Logue
Published: October 2023

Genetic contributions to human cortical structure manifest pervasive pleiotropy. This pleiotropy may be harnessed to identify unique genetically-informed parcellations of the cortex that are neurobiologically distinct from functional, cytoarchitectural, or other cortical parcellation schemes. We investigated genetic pleiotropy by applying genomic structural equation modeling (SEM) to map the genetic architecture of cortical surface area (SA) and cortical thickness (CT) for the 34 brain regions recently reported in the ENIGMA cortical GWAS. Genomic SEM uses the empirical genetic covariance estimated from GWAS summary statistics with LD score regression (LDSC) to discover factors underlying genetic covariance, which we are denoting genetically informed brain networks (GIBNs). Genomic SEM can fit a multivariate GWAS from summary statistics for each of the GIBNs, which can subsequently be used for LD score regression (LDSC). We found the best-fitting model of cortical SA identified 6 GIBNs and CT identified 4 GIBNs. The multivariate GWASs of these GIBNs identified 74 genome-wide significant (GWS) loci (p<5×10-8), including many previously implicated in neuroimaging phenotypes, behavioral traits, and psychiatric conditions. LDSC of GIBN GWASs found that SA-derived GIBNs had a positive genetic correlation with bipolar disorder (BPD), and cannabis use disorder, indicating genetic predisposition to a larger SA in the specific GIBN is associated with greater genetic risk of these disorders. A negative genetic correlation was observed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and insomnia, indicating genetic predisposition to a larger SA in the specific GIBN is associated with lower genetic risk of these disorders. CT GIBNs displayed a negative genetic correlation with alcohol dependence. Jointly modeling the genetic architecture of complex traits and investigating multivariate genetic links across phenotypes offers a new vantage point for mapping the cortex into genetically informed networks.
Unveilling the Hidden Skillset: Exploring Non-Technical Skills in Surgical Education Across Spanish Medical Universities
Authors: Oves-Suarez Beatriz , García-Marín Jose Andres , Aguayo-Albasini Jose Luis , Soria-Aledo Victoriano
Published: October 2023

Background: Non-Technical Skills (NTS) are cognitive, social, and personal resource skills that are crucial in complex and high-risk environments. The aims of our research are to determine the prevalence and content of NTS in the surgical rotation teaching guides of the Medicine Degree programs in Spanish Universities, to identify the most prevalent types and subtypes of NTS, and to analyze factors associated with the prevalence of surgical NTS in Medical Schools in Spain.
Methods: Descriptive observational cross-sectional study involving the identification and collection of competencies outlined in the surgical rotation teaching guides of Spanish Medical Schools. Information regarding university performance was obtained from the Foundation for Knowledge and Development Ranking webpage. The "Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons" (NOTSS) system was used to classify each competency in the teaching guides as NTS (categories and elements) and technical skills. Disagreements were resolved through group consensus.
Results: A total of 1,846 competencies were analyzed in surgical rotations of the Medicine Degree programs across 40 Spanish Universities, with 99 competencies identified as surgical NTS, accounting for 5% of the total. The most frequently identified surgical NTS were "Decision Making" (46%), "Communication & Teamwork" (25%), and "Leadership" (19%). Additionally, several NOTSS were not identified in any institution. Public universities and those including a greater number of competencies had a higher rate of surgical NTS competencies, and we did not find a correlation between surgical NTS competencies and quality indices of University Centers.
Conclusions: There is a limited presence of surgical NTS in the educational plans of Spanish Universities.
The emergence of citizen collectives for care: the role of social cohesion
Authors: Wittenberg Kevin , Corten Rense , Lippe Tanja van der , de Moor Tine
Published: October 2023

Background
Ageing populations and the ability to cure an increasing number of ailments put pressure on the health care sector. Meanwhile, care institutions retreat from rural areas and some governments emphasizes the need for citizens to find informal care primarily in their own social network. In The Netherlands, citizens increasingly respond by coming together to organize (in)formal care among themselves in ‘care collectives’. However, little is known about the conditions that need to be met for such collective action to develop, and explanations that go beyond an individualist perspective are particularly lacking. In this study, we aim to fill this gap, and specifically argue for the potential role of social cohesion to facilitate collective action among citizens through fostering a social identity, and through the prevalence of social relations that facilitate reciprocity and mutual trust among citizens. We further test whether these relations vary between municipalities, and whether they depend on the necessity for care services.
Methods
We obtain data on the location of care collectives from an extensive Dutch inventory and match it to register data from Statistics Netherlands from 2020. We create measures for neighborhood attachment and contact using the ‘ecometric approach’. We test our hypotheses with multilevel logistic regression models and multilevel event history analysis for a subset of the data that can be analyzed longitudinally.
Results
We find evidence for a positive association between neighborhood attachment and the emergence of a care collective, which is stronger if the necessity for care is higher. We do not find a relation between neighborhood contact and care collectives, nor do we find evidence that these relations vary between municipalities. We cannot replicate our positive associations in the longitudinal model, and thus remain reserved about their causal interpretation.
Conclusions
There is considerable variability in the extent to which neighborhoods organize care services collectively. Partly, this may be attributable to differences in the prevalence of neighborhood identity, which would imply that an increasing reliance on citizen collectives may increase inequality in access to healthcare. Further research should emphasize combing community-level information with data on individual participation in care collectives to delve deeper into the dynamics of invitation, representation and embeddedness than current data allows.
Inflammation and Redox Homeostasis Induces Type 3 Deiodinase and Impacts Brain Endoplasmic Reticulum–Mitochondria Crosstalk Both in Local and Systemic Disease Models
Authors: Marschner Rafael Aguiar , Oliveira Thaliane Carvalho , Dreher Milla Paim , Correa Julia Maria , Ribeiro Rafael Teixeira , Dias Vitor Gayger , Silva Vanessa Fernanda , Freitas Laura , Gonçalves Carlos Alberto , Alvares-da-Silva Mario Reis , Wajner Simone Magagnin
Published: October 2023

Thyroid hormone is the leading regulator of cell energy production in most tissues, mainly the brain. While the activation process of T4 into T3 depends on D1 and D2 deiodinases, type 3 is the main enzyme that inactivates T3. Several mechanisms, among them oxidative stress, led by disease, imbalances and induces D3, diminishing T3 levels. The response of D3 in the brain in the context of different disease models has yet to be studied. Here we evaluated D3 induction in the brain in two animal disease models, one systemic and the other local. Methodology: To the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease model Male/adult Sprague Dawley rats (n = 20) were assigned to control group (standard diet–2.93kcal/g) or high-fat-diet group (CDHF–4.3kcal/g). In the streptozotocin-induced (STZ) Alzheimer's model Adult Wistar rats (n = 16) were allocated to the control group (5uL of citrate) or 5uL of streptozotocin. Sham animals were used as controls. D3 expression, oxidative stress parameters, endoplasmic stress and mitochondrial amount measured in the brain. Levels of D3 increased in the brain (~ 30% in each group, P < 0.0001) in both MASLD and STZ groups. Cerebral tissue from both groups had augmented carbonyl levels (P < 0.001) and reduced sulfhydryl (P < 0.001). Glutathione was diminished. Antioxidant defenses were altered with endoplasmic reticulum stress and altered mitochondrial concentration (P = 0.001). The augmented T3 inactivation by D3 dysfunction in brain due to oxidative stress disrupts ER-mitochondrial contact interaction, changing the function of both organelles in the brain.
A theoretical modeling of NaBr(H2)n clusters as a unique approach in hydrogen gas storage
Authors: Pour Mohsen Mohammadi , Zabardasti Abedien , de Oliveira Boaz Galdino , Greer Alexander
Published: October 2023

Adsorption of H2 molecules on a bed of NaBr unit for the formation of NaBr(H2)n (n = 1-8) aggregates is reported here theoretically. Second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation calculations were carried out using the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level for predictions of adsorption energies and Gibbs free energy changes for these aggregates. The NaBr(H2)n aggregates are predicted to steadily increase in H2 saving capacity and energy efficiency as n increases from 1 to 8, relative to free H2 molecules under identical conditions. The low activation energies for H2 desorption from the NaBr(H2)n adducts resulting in high amounts of H2 molecules desorbed at low temperatures. The Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) calculations were used to investigate the nature of interactions in NaBrH2(n) complexes. Furthermore, cooperativite effects were investigated for optimized complexes. Results are dealing with diminutive interactions in the NaBr(H2)n complexes. Finally, electronic properties of the NaBr(H2)n clusters were obtained by the Density Of States (DOS) calcalcuation.
Assessing the continuum of care in sub-Saharan African hospitals performing surgery for breast cancer
Authors: GNANGNON Freddy Houéhanou Rodrigue , LAWANI Ismaïl , KNIGHT Stephen , PARENTÉ Alexis , DOSSOU Francis Moïse , TOTAH Terrence , HOUINATO Dismand Stephan , Blanquet Véronique , PREUX Pierre-Marie , HARRISON Ewen
Published: October 2023

While breast cancer incidence rates in SSA are among the lowest worldwide, mortality rates remain among the highest, reflecting particularly poor survival. Only a few studies in SSA have investigated the capabilities of treatment services to adequately provide a continuum of care for breast cancer. Our aim was to assess the availability of diagnostic facilities and adjuvant therapies in hospitals performing breast cancer surgery in SSA. We performed a secondary analysis of GlobalSurg3 study data collected in the SSA region. A total of 47 hospitals from 15 SSA countries and 43 cities were included between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019.
One-third of hospitals covered a population greater than two million (n=17; 36.2%). Ultrasound was available in all hospitals; however, it was not consistently functional in 11 hospitals (23.4%). Only half of theparticipating hospitals (n=26, 55.3%) had access to a full-time pathologist, while the multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach was not found in 42.4% of hospitals. Equipment for radiotherapy was only available in nine hospitals (19.1%). Only half of the hospitals (n=25, 53.1%) had chemotherapy drugs available on site. In nine hospitals (19.1%), patients had to travel more than 50 kilometers to access chemotherapy drugs. In conclusion, the outcome of breast cancer patients in SSA cannot be improved without significant investments in pathology, surgical and oncological treatment pathways to provide timely diagnostic and effective treatment.
Impact of weaning procedures on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) circulation in the nursery section
Authors: Heiselberg Pia R. , Kristensen Charlotte Sonne , Kvisgaard Lise Kirstine , Larsen Lars Erik
Published: October 2023

The impact of different weaning strategies on the downstream circulation of PRRSV has not been widely described. It is, however, believed that mixing pigs of different age groups is increasing the risk of PRRSV circulation in the nursery section. In this study, pigs were sampled in three herds that performed “mixed at weaning (MIX)” and three herds that performed “all in/all out at weaning (AIAO)”. MIX included holding underweighted piglets back in containers for two weeks and then move them to nursery facilities with newly weaned piglets from subsequent batches. Oral fluid samples were collected from four batches of pigs in each herd, three times from weaning until 30kg for each batch, and tested for PRRSV and PRRSV antibodies. Herds that performed MIX at weaning had an eightfold increase in risk of detecting PRRSV in oral fluids compared to herds with AIAO. In total, 41 oral fluid samples from eight batches in MIX herds and five oral fluid samples from two batches in AIAO herds tested positive for PRRSV. The titer of PRRSV-antibodies in oral fluid samples from weaners decreased in most of the batches in the AIAO herds and increased in most MIX herds. In addition to oral fluids, tongue tip samples were collected from dead pigs and tested for PRRSV. In 17 of 23 batches the results of the tongue tip samples correlated with the results of the oral fluid samples (κ = 0.44) indicating a good agreement between the two materials for sampling. Overall, the results of the study confirmed that the weaning strategy had a significant impact on the circulation of PRRSV post weaning.
Bacterial single cell RNA-seq unveils cyclic-di-GMP controlled toxin activity critical for drug tolerance in chronic infections
Authors: Pu Yingying , Liao Hebin , Yan Xiaodan , Wang Chenyi , Huang Chun , Zhang Wei , Xiao Leyi , Guo Chunming , Zhang Yufeng
Published: October 2023

Biofilms are heterogeneous bacterial communities featured by a high persister prevalence, responsible for antibiotic tolerance and chronic infections. However, the mechanisms underlying persister formation within biofilms remained unclear. Here, by developing and utilizing a ribosomal RNA depleted bacterial single-cell RNA-seq method, RiboD-PETRI, we resolved biofilm heterogeneity and discovered pdeI as a distinctive marker for persister subpopulation. Remarkably, we elucidated that PdeI upregulates cellular levels of cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP), which controls both the expression and toxicity of HipH (YjjJ). Specifically, HipH localizes on nucleoid and functions as a potent deoxyribonuclease, inducing cells into a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state. c-di-GMP counteracts the genotoxic impact of HipH through a physical interaction, thereby facilitating the transition of cells into a persister state that concurrently fosters drug tolerance. Moreover, by targeting this toxin-antitoxin system, we inhibited drug tolerance in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli infections, offering promising therapeutic strategies against chronic and relapsing infections.