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This work presents methodologies to automate the synthesis of subsea layouts for oil production systems. The objective is to achieve a higher number of design alternatives, in less time, with increased efficiency and significant reduction in associated costs. The result is a computational tool that automatically explores different platform locations; for each location, considering several engineering criteria, it generates and evaluates alternatives for the spatial arrangement not only of the multiple flowline routes, but also of the riser connection order on the riser porch at the platform balcony. The quality of each solution is evaluated through metrics that include total flowline length. Several methods associated to the modeling and solution of the problem are presented, including: the algorithm that selects the order in which the risers will be connected; the routing algorithm that defines the trajectory of the flowlines; and the global search method for positioning the platform. Case studies are presented to demonstrate their performance, applied to representative offshore scenarios. The results indicate substantial improvement in response time, generating several efficient solutions in few minutes, as opposed to weeks that are usually required in the traditional design procedure. This way, the tool can reduce the design time to evaluate a higher number of alternative layouts, providing accurate results, and minimizing costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks and tick-borne diseases represent major threats to the public health of the Mongolian population, of which an estimated 26% live a traditional nomadic pastoralist lifestyle that puts them at increased risk for exposure. Ticks were collected by dragging and removal from livestock in Khentii, Selenge, Tuv, and Umnugovi aimags (provinces) during March-May 2020. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) with confirmatory PCR and DNA sequencing, we sought to characterize the microbial species present in Dermacentor nuttalli (n = 98), Hyalomma asiaticum (n = 38), and Ixodes persulcatus (n = 72) tick pools. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 90.4% of tick pools, with Khentii, Selenge, and Tuv tick pools all having 100% pool positivity. Coxiella spp. were detected at an overall pool positivity rate of 60%, while Francisella spp. were detected in 20% of pools and Borrelia spp. detected in 13% of pools. Additional confirmatory testing for Rickettsia -positive pools demonstrated Rickettsia raoultii (n = 105), Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae (n = 65) and R. slovaca/R. sibirica (n = 2), as well as the first report of Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (n = 1) in Mongolia. For Coxiella spp. reads, most samples were identified as a Coxiella endosymbiont (n = 117), although Coxiella burnetii was detected in eight pools collected in Umnugovi. Borrelia species that were identified include Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (n = 3), B. garinii (n = 2), B. miyamotoi (n = 16), and B. afzelii (n = 3). All Francisella spp. reads were identified as Francisella endosymbiont species. Our findings emphasize the utility of NGS to provide baseline data across multiple tick-borne pathogen groups, which in turn can be used to inform health policy, determine regions for expanded surveillance, and guide risk mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The livestock industry in Mongolia accounts for 24% of national revenue, with one third of the population maintaining a pastoral lifestyle. This close connection between Mongolian population and livestock is a major concern for pathogen transfer, especially given the increase in vector-borne diseases globally. This study examines blood samples from livestock to assess the prevalence of tick-borne bacterial infections across three provinces in Mongolia (Dornogovi, Selenge, Töv). Whole blood samples from 243 livestock (cattle=38, camel=11, goat=85, horse=22, sheep=87) were analyzed with 16S metagenomics next-generation sequencing (NGS) to screen for bacterial pathogens. Positive-NGS samples for Anaplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Francisella, Leptospira , and Rickettsia were confirmed by conventional PCR and DNA sequencing. Prevalence rates of Anaplasma, Bartonella , and Ehrlichia were 57.6%, 12.8%, and 0.4%, respectively. A significant difference in the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in livestock by province was observed, with a higher prevalence in Selenge (74.2%, p <0.001) and Töv (64.2% p = 0.006) compared to the semi-arid region of Dornogovi (39.8%). In contrast, no association was observed in Bartonella prevalence by provinces. All Anaplasma sequences (N = 139) were characterized as A. ovis. For Bartonella species characterization, phylogenetic analyses of glt A and rpo B genes identified three Bartonella species including B. bovis, B. melophagi and Candidatus B. ovis. Bartonella bovis was detected in all 22-positive cattle, while B. melophagi and Candidatus B. ovis were found in four and three sheep, respectively. This study identifies a high prevalence of tick-borne pathogens within the livestock population and to our knowledge, is the first time NGS methods have been used to explore tick-borne diseases in Mongolia. Further research is needed in Mongolia to better understand the clinical and economic burdens associated with tick-borne diseases in both livestock and pastoral herder populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have comparatively evaluated the histologic features of surgical specimens derived from bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) and osteomyelitis (OM) affected bone. Objective: To compare the histologic findings in bone tissue affected by BRONJ and OM in a series of specimens submitted to analysis in a single oral pathology laboratory. Study Design: Bone specimens derived from areas affected by BRONJ (5 cases) and OM (13 cases) were selected. Five-μm hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections were used for histologic analysis (osteoblast layer, type and amount of compact bone, reversal lines, and presence of bacterial colonies). Results: Osteoblasts layers were absent in all samples from the BRONJ group in comparison with 8 samples from the OM group (62%). Presence of bacterial colonies and reversal lines was similar in both groups. Conclusions: Absence of the osteoblast layer is more common in BRONJ samples in comparison with OM samples and can represent differences in the capacity of bone turnover associated with both conditions. The authors thank FAPERJ for the financial support for the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inherent limitations of the traditional approaches to study brain function and disease, such as rodent models and 2D cell culture platforms, have led to the development of 3D in vitro cell culture systems. These systems, products of multidisciplinary efforts encompassing stem cell biology, materials engineering, and biofabrication, have quickly shown great potential to mimic biochemical composition, structural properties, and cellular morphology and diversity found in the native brain tissue. Crucial to these developments have been the advancements in stem cell technology and cell reprogramming protocols that allow reproducible generation of human subtype-specific neurons and glia in laboratory conditions. At the same time, biomaterials have been designed to provide cells in 3D with a microenvironment that mimics functional and structural aspects of the native extracellular matrix with increasing fidelity. In this article, we review the use of biomaterials in 3D in vitro models of neurological disorders with focus on hydrogel technology and with biochemical composition and physical properties of the in vivo environment as reference. • Extracellular matrix plays a crucial role in healthy and diseased brain. • Biochemical and mechanical properties of the native brain extracellular matrix are unique. • Biomaterials, in particular hydrogels, mimic aspects of brain extracellular matrix in vitro. • Natural and synthetic hydrogels allow generation of 3D in vitro models of brain disease. • Hybrid bioengineering technologies are developed to enhance 3D hydrogel cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]