bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comments: Oilfield Services Face Low and Slow Recovery
Authors: Boschee Pam 
Published: January 2021

OPEC’s easing of production cuts originally planned for January may be delayed until mid-2021 because of the global increases in COVID-19 cases occurring in November. As restrictions are renewed, extended, or newly instated, fuel demand is expected to decrease.
Following a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meeting on 16 November, OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo underscored the need to remain “vigilant and diligent” in the months ahead. The JTC recommended that supply increases be postponed from 3 to 6 months.
The OPEC ministers plan to hold an online meeting on 30 November to decide on production levels among the 13 member countries. By the time you read this in early December, their decisions - and the market responses to them - will be evident.
Approximately 7.7 million B/D, or about 8% of global production, are currently tamped down. The recent encouraging announcements of two vaccines’ effectiveness in early clinical trials buoyed oil prices, which are hovering around $40/bbl (West Texas Intermediate closed at $41.38 on 16 November).
The past 8 months brought with them upheavals in operators’ and service companies’ short-term reactions to market conditions based on their financial resiliency, and as the pandemic persists, the fallout sputters on as layoffs, bankruptcy filings, mergers and acquisitions, and new collaborative business deals arise almost daily.
One sector thought to have bottomed out globally is oilfield services (OFS) and drilling, according to Moody’s Investors Service’s outlook published 13 November. Improvement in earnings is expected to be slow in 2021 as a result of the limited growth forecast in development activities and capital investment. Low and slow growth may be the sector’s motto for some time.
The record lows in the third quarter of this year in the drilling rig count and well completion/servicing activity hit the OFS hard after operators reined in capital spending. Some recovery in the US has occurred since August when the rig count tanked at 244. By late October, it neared 300. The international rig count drop has slowed and reached fewer than 700 by later October. Moody’s reported the decrease will continue, but at a slower rate, through the end of this year.
A New Generation Is Coming To Work, But Is the Oil and Gas Industry Ready?
Authors: Jacobs Trent 
Published: January 2021

Even before a pandemic changed the course, the oil and gas industry was destined for big change, thanks to pressure coming from a number of different fronts.
The asymmetric challenges include the industry’s dire need to get caught up on the digital transformation while also figuring out how to embrace the separate arena of low-carbon technologies.
Representing the human embodiment of this juggling act is another new challenge: Generation Z.
Born between 1996 and 2010, Generation Z - or Gen Z, or the plural, Gen Zers - represents one of the clearest signals that the great crew change has come and gone. Yet, big questions remain about whether oil and gas companies and the academic programs that feed them talent have fully adapted to this reality.
Three new technical papers recently presented during the 2020 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) suggest that the answer is no.
However, what the papers also suggest is that there are clear steps that industry can take to become a more attractive one to the youngest generation of workers.
The most common thread between the papers is the call for major reforms in how petrotechnicals of the future are educated at school and trained at work.
Putting the scope of the generational gap into clearer context, one of the papers from professors at the Australian College of Kuwait found that Baby Boomers (those born from 1944 to 1964) make up only 6% of the current industry workforce. Meanwhile, about a quarter of all employees are Generation Z.
The following is a selection of the actions upstream companies and petroleum engineering departments are being told will help them adapt to the technological and generational shifts that are redefining the business.
To Lead Gen Z, Think Like Gen Z
To appreciate Generation Z, one must first understand why they are different from generations of past. Two chief characteristics that stand out to Maria Capello is that Gen Z is driven by community and dialogue.
The Philosophy of Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Carpenter Chris 
Published: January 2021

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 196362, “Philosophy of EOR,” by Tayfun Babadagli, SPE, University of Alberta, prepared for the 2019 SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Bali, Indonesia, 29-31 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed.
Despite the substantial investment dedicated to research-to-pilot scale investigations, the ultimate profit from enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications has been below expectations since the 1980s (less than 10% of total production). The author writes that revisiting and challenging the knowledge and dogmatic assumptions gathered during 5 decades of EOR is necessary. In the complete paper, a philosophy for the future of EOR projects is developed through a series of questions that applies to the industry’s transition from completion of conventional EOR toward unconventional EOR.
Why Are We Afraid of EOR?
The underperformance of EOR may be explained by the following reasons:
Limitations in capturing the physics of the process for proper technical and economical assessment
Risks involved in field pilots
Securing the supply of the materials injected
Difficulties involved in EOR design
Risk resulting from economic uncertainties
Why Are There Fewer EOR Projects Than Desired?
True Drivers of EOR Applications, Technology, and Economics. Once the technical viability of an EOR project is proven, cost-effective applications can be achieved by the high-quality optimization efforts of engineers who can decide the appropriate optimization methods or at least the conditions under which a project can turn profitable.
Insufficient Attention Given to Cost-Efficient EOR Methods. Use of air as the cheapest EOR agent has been investigated substantially for field-scale projects, but its applications are still limited. Recently, air injection was demonstrated to be safe under the low-temperature oxidation process and at atmospheric pressure/temperature conditions such as those of shallow heavy-oil reservoirs. Microbial injection also offers promising possibilities as a cost-effective approach.
Fear of Most-Expensive Miscible Processes. The most-expensive EOR agents are miscible gases, or solvents, which are expected to yield the highest recovery under suitable conditions. Recyclability of the injected material from the miscible injection is an attractive part of the EOR process; however, unrecovered injectant can also be a critically limiting factor. Exploiting gas as a byproduct from other operations, however, allowed sustainable EOR development in Alaska (Prudhoe Bay), the North Sea, and Canada (Zama).
Technology Focus: Water Management (December 2020)
Authors: Swartwout Rosa 
Published: January 2021

The United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In the context of this definition, sustainable water management should encompass current management of water resources as well as its potential effect on the future. Sustainable water management in oil and gas is a journey that will need approaches from many perspectives.
The highlighted papers illustrate the different perspectives and accompanying complexities that can advance progression toward more-sustainable water management. The approaches are multi-faceted in that they consider technological, environmental, economic, and social needs and responsibility. The papers include issues and challenges in reuse/recycling of produced water, new guidelines to standardize application of risk-based assessments to assess potential environmental impact from produced-water discharge, and a novel certification process for responsible water use.
A common thread found in these papers is the understanding driving criteria for current water practices, and measurement of these criteria will enable continual improvement. An example of this is the assessment of the water footprint for production activity in the Peruvian Amazon by Repsol in their journey toward their Blue certification. The assessment of the water footprint provided a benchmark for improvement, which, in turn, highlighted parameters to measure and key areas for mitigation.
Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.
SPE 199466 Removal of Residual Oil From Produced Water Using Magnetic Nanoparticles by Jared Theurer, University of Oklahoma, et al.
OTC 29791 First Development of Advanced Purification of Produced Water Technology at Greater Sirikit Oil Field by Dissolved Gas Flotation Technique by Nattapong Lertrojanachusit, PTTEP, et al.
SPE 200448 Managing Gas-Injection-Induced Excessive Water Production in Tight Oil Reservoirs by Optimizing Operational Constraints by Chi Zhang, Colorado School of Mines, et al.
Commitment to Responsible Water Management in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Feder Judy 
Published: January 2021

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Judy Feder, contains highlights of paper SPE 199429, “Road to the Blue Certificate for Production Activity in the Peruvian Amazon: Committed to Responsible Water Management,” by Carlos Ahumada Morales, Fernando Gutierrez Mesías, and Ruth Celina Zorrilla Salazar, Repsol, prepared for the 2020 SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability, originally scheduled to be held in Bogota, Colombia, 28-30 July. The paper has not been peer reviewed.
The complete paper discusses the steps taken by Repsol in Peru in accordance with its environmental strategy to become certified for the Blue Certificate granted by the State National Water Authority (ANA) to companies that efficiently manage water in their operations and manage shared-value projects with their stakeholders. According to the authors, Repsol is the first company in Peru’s hydrocarbon sector to apply for this certification. The complete paper details the company’s methods of compliance with the three steps necessary to apply for the certificate, limitations of objectives and scope, results of the water-footprint assessment, and further steps toward certification.
Background: Peru’s Blue Certificate
Obtaining the certificate requires compliance with the three following steps:
1. Assessment of the water footprint for the area of operation
2. Reduction of water footprint in the area
3. Development of a shared-value project
Benefits of holding the certificate include contribution to business sustainability and improved relationships with key stakeholders such as the State and the communities in the area of influence.
As part of its candidacy for the certificate, the company stated that its main objective was to analyze the water footprint of the annual production of natural gas in Block 57 in the Urubamba River basin in the forests of the low jungle of southern Peru. Block 57 is located in the Department of Cusco. The company prepared a water-footprint report on the effect and amount of water consumption associated with the annual production of natural gas in the block.
Block 57 is in an area of high biodiversity and overlaps the buffer zone of the Machiguenga Communal Reserve. It includes the following projects:
Development project in the south area of the Kinteroni field
Transport of multiphase gas/liquid flow from the production platform of the Kinteroni field through a 16-in., 14.5-km flow line to the facilities of the New World location
Sagari field-development project
Based on the results of the water-footprint assessment, Repsol intends to implement actions to reduce its water footprint and develop value-sharing projects to mitigate its effects.
Vγ9Vδ2 T cells strengthen cisplatin inhibition activity against breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by disrupting mitochondrial function and cell ultrastructure
Authors: Huang Xin , Wang Cunchuan , Wang Ningxia 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer ranks second of new cases and fifth of death in 2018 worldwide. Cis-platinum (CDDP) has been used as a chemotherapy to treat breast cancer for years. However, CDDP can adversely disrupt immune function of host. Thus, development of new protocol that can minimize side effect and meanwhile elevate clinical efficacy of CDDP will eventually benefit cancer patients. Since Vg9Vd2 T cells can up-regulate immune function of cancer patients, therefore, our hypothesis is that introduction of Vg9Vd2 T cells could potentiate CDDP efficacy against breast cancer.Methods: We used breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 as model cell to test our hypothesis. The cancer cell viability in vitro in the context of different dose of CDDP was analyzed by flow cytometry. The cytoskeleton alteration was visualized by confocal microscopy, and the ultrastructure of cell membrane was observed by atomic force microscopy. The mitochondrial function of MDA-MB-231 cells was detected as well by flow cytometry.Results: Comparing to either Vγ9Vδ2 T cells or CDDP alone, Vg9Vd2 T cells plus CDDP could more strikingly induce MDA-MB-231 cell membrane ultrastructure disruption and cytoskeleton disorder, and more significantly enhance the inhibition of CDDP on proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. At the same time, Vγ9Vδ2 T cells strengthened CDDP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction of cancer cells.Conclusion: This work revealed that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells could synergistically enhance the inhibition activity of CDDP against breast cancer cells. Meanwhile, this in vitro proof-of-concept study implied the clinical prospect of the combining application of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and CDDP in breast cancer therapy.
Prevalence of scabies and impetigo in school-age children in Timor-Leste
Authors: Matthews Alexander , Le Brandon , Amaral Salvador , Arkell Paul , Monteiro Merita , Clarke Naomi , Barros Terlinda , Mendonça Joaquim de Jesus , Gusmão Sonia Maria Exposto , Seixas Leonia Maria dos Reis , Piedade João Henrique Araújo da , Engelman Daniel , Steer Andrew C. , Fancourt Nicholas S. S. , Yan Jennifer , Kaldor John , Francis Joshua R. , Nery Susana Vaz 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background Scabies and impetigo are endemic in many tropical, low- and middle-income countries. Mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin has emerged as a control strategy for these conditions. In 2019, Timor-Leste Ministry of Health planned to implement MDA including ivermectin for the control of lymphatic filariasis, so we undertook a baseline assessment of scabies and impetigo to better understand local epidemiology and contribute to future surveys assessing the impact of MDA. Methods A cross-sectional school survey was conducted in April-May 2019 at six primary schools in a semi-urban (Dili) and two rural (Ermera and Manufahi) settings. Children under 19 years of age present at school on survey days were eligible to participate, of whom we enrolled 1183. Trained health workers interviewed and examined 1043 participants to clinically diagnose scabies using the 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) diagnostic criteria, as well as impetigo. Prevalence was adjusted for age and sex. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to analyse odds of scabies and impetigo infection. All models accounted for clustering at the school-level through the use of random effect terms. Population attributable risk of scabies as a cause of impetigo was also estimated. Results The overall weighted prevalence of scabies was 30.6%. Children in rural Manufahi were more likely to have scabies than those in semi-urban Dili (53.6% vs 28.2%, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.5). Most cases of scabies were mild (3 to 10 lesions), and lesions were usually distributed on more than one body region. Scabies prevalence was lower among 10 to 14 year olds compared to 5 to 9 year olds. Overall weighted prevalence of impetigo was 11.3%. Relative to Dili, children in rural Ermera and Manufahi were twice as likely to have impetigo. Impetigo was twice as common in children with scabies than in those without, corresponding to an attributable risk of scabies as a cause of impetigo of 22.7%. Conclusions Scabies and impetigo prevalence in Timor-Leste are among the highest reported globally, particularly in rural areas. Scabies infestation was strongly associated with impetigo. Comprehensive control strategies are urgently needed in Timor-Leste.
Genetic factors increase the identification efficiency of predictive models for dyslipidaemia: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Niu Miaomiao , Zhang Liying , Wang Yikang , Tu Runqi , Liu Xiaotian , Hou Jian , Huo Wenqian , Mao Zhenxing , Wang Zhenfei , Wang Chongjian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Few studies have developed risk models for dyslipidaemia, especially for rural populations. Furthermore, the performance of genetic factors in predicting dyslipidaemia has not been explored. The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate prediction models with and without genetic factors for dyslipidaemia in rural populations. Methods: A total of 3596 individuals from the Henan Rural Cohort Study were included in this study. According to the ratio of 7:3, all individuals were divided into a training set and a testing set. The conventional models and conventional+GRS (genetic risk score) models were developed with Cox regression, artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (RF), and gradient boosting machine (GBM) classifiers in the training set. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination index (IDI) were used to assess the discrimination ability of the models, and the calibration curve was used to show calibration ability in the testing set. Results: Compared to the lowest quartile of GRS, the hazard ratio ( HR ) (95% confidence interval ( CI )) of individuals in the highest quartile of GRS was 1.23(1.07, 1.41) in the total population. Age, family history of diabetes, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were used to develop the conventional models, and the AUCs of the Cox, ANN, RF, and GBM classifiers were 0.702(0.673, 0.729), 0.736(0.708, 0.762), 0.787 (0.762, 0.811), and 0.816(0.792, 0.839), respectively. After adding GRS, the AUCs increased by 0.005, 0.018, 0.023, and 0.015 with the Cox, ANN, RF, and GBM classifiers, respectively. The corresponding NRI and IDI were 25.6%, 7.8%, 14.1%, and 18.1% and 2.3%, 1.0%, 2.5%, and 1.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Genetic factors could improve the predictive ability of the dyslipidaemia risk model, suggesting that genetic information could be provided as a potential predictor to screen for clinical dyslipidaemia.
Prognostic value of Serum miR-217 Level in Osteosarcoma Patients
Authors: Ye Jia , Jin Zhi-Hui , Chen Ren , Chen Sen , Ren Yi-Jun , Guo Wei-Chun , He Hui 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: MicroRNA (miR)-217 is a tumor suppressor significantly associated with osteosarcoma. We try to evaluate serum levels miR-217 in osteosarcoma patients and evaluate its prognostic significance.Methods: A total of 163 consecutive osteosarcoma patients and 96 healthy participates were enrolled. Serum miR-217 levels were evaluated by using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions(RT-PCR). The association between serum miR-217 level and survival outcomes was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Serum miR-217 levels in osteosarcoma patients was significantly lower than healthy volunteers (P<0.05). Low serum miR-217 was significantly related to advanced cancer and metastasis (both P<0.05). Moreover, patients with a low serum miR-217 had a poorer overall survival than those with a high serum miR-217 levels (P<0.05). Serum miR-217 level also been showed as independent risk factor for osteosarcoma in multivariate analysis (HR, 0.42; 95%CI: 0.12–0.98; p<0.01). Conclusions: Serum miR-217 levels was significantly downregulated in osteosarcoma patients and remarkably associated with poor prognosis, indicating that serum miR-217 might serve as a useful diagnostic and prognostic indicator for osteosarcoma.
The Effect of the mGlu8 Receptor Agonist, S-3,4-DCPG on Acquisition and Expression of Morphine-induced Conditioned Place Preference in Male rats
Authors: Kahvandi Nazanin , Ebrahimi Zahra , Karimi Seyed Asaad , Shahidi Siamak , Salehi Iraj , Naderishahab Marzieh , Sarihi Abdolrahman 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a principal role in drug reward. It has been reported that metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu receptors) play a key role in the rewarding pathway(s). Previous studies have shown the vast allocation of the different types of mGlu receptors, including mGlu8 receptors, in regions that are associated with opioid rewards, such as the NAc. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of mGlu8 receptors within the NAc in the acquisition and expression phases of morphine induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Adult male Wistar rats were bilaterally implanted by two cannulas' in the NAc and were evaluated in a CPP paradigm. Selective mGlu8 receptor allosteric agonist (S-3,4-DCPG) was administered at doses of 0.03, 0.3, and 3 μg/0.5 μL saline per side into the NAc on both sides during the 3 days of morphine (5 mg/kg) conditioning (acquisition) phase, or before place preference test, or post-conditioning (expression) phase of morphine-induced CPP. Results: The results revealed that intra-accumbal administration of S-3,4-DCPG (0.3 and 3 μg) markedly decreased the acquisition in a dose-dependent manner but had no effect on expression of morphine-induced CPP. Conclusions: The findings suggest that activation of mGlu8 receptors in the NAc dose-dependently blocks the establishment of morphine-induced CPP and reduces the rewarding properties of morphine which may be related to the glutamate activity into the NAc and in reward pathway(s). These data suggest that mGlu8 receptor may be involved in conditioned morphine reward.