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The Community DSO project envisions a future where localized energy communities, organized into “cells,” take on the role of balancing distributed energy resources (DERs) and low-carbon technologies (LCTs) within low-voltage (LV) networks. By leveraging transactive energy principles, these cells align economic signals with energy flows, promoting local balancing and reducing reliance on costly grid reinforcements. Acting as de facto Distribution System Operators (DSOs), energy communities enhance network resilience, optimize renewable integration, and lower energy costs. The management and operation of physical infrastructure will remain with the DNO; a Community DSO cell’s focus is staying within the constraint levels for their specific location as set by the DNO. As long as this level is not breached, the Community DSO is free to play in flexibility markets at higher voltage levels. This paper highlights critical regulatory, economic, and business factors enabling community-based DSOs. A multi-phase economic modelling approach underscores the value of “revenue stacking,” where flexibility services and resilience enhance returns beyond traditional energy sharing models. Aligning local demand with generation—especially with technologies like micro-CHP, wind, micro-hydro, and battery storage—significantly lowers the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). However, regulatory barriers, such as market access and supplier obligations like balancing responsible party (BRP) services, remain challenges. Drawing on case studies and analyses, the project demonstrates that local energy cells can maximize self- consumption and lower system costs if supported by appropriate policy reforms. This work provides actionable insights for policymakers, utilities, and energy stakeholders to build a more resilient, sustainable, and socially equitable energy future.[1]

Abstract When infill perforation intervention opportunities are evaluated, it is essential to confirm reservoir pressure. Without appraisal of reservoir pressure, perforation of depleted reservoirs can negatively impact the overall well performance and even introduce early water breakthrough. We successfully evaluated the reservoir pressures of unperforated high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) gas-condensate-bearing reservoir sands using pulsed-neutron well logging technology. This paper discusses multiyear time-lapse pulsed-neutron well logging in an HPHT gas-filled borehole using previous- and next-generation sleeved-multidetector instruments for through-casing reservoir pressure depletion monitoring. We employed a previous-generation sleeved-pulsed-neutron tool to acquire three-detector-based pulsed-neutron capture (PNC) data through a gas-filled wellbore to analyze reservoir pressure depletion in 2022. The challenge in the first logging run was a high-temperature environment close to the tool operating limit. Surveillance revealed that the upper target sand was not depleted, whereas the lower sands were depleted. The operator planned to perform time-lapse monitoring of the target sands in 2024 before the final perforation decision. The next-generation sleeved-pulsed-neutron tool was deployed in the 2024 run. PNC data were recorded twice as fast as the first run using the legacy tool. Crucial technological advancements in the next-generation pulsed-neutron tool enable time-efficient PNC data acquisition. First, the pulsed-neutron generator emits twice as many high-energy neutrons as the legacy tool. Second, the adoption of denser scintillation material for gamma-ray detectors allows for recording higher gamma-ray count rates with higher resolution. Finally, a high-speed digital electronics system processes gamma rays faster. The logging speed of the multidetector PNC mode with the new tool was twice that of the legacy tool at 20 ft/min. Benefiting from a faster logging speed, thus reducing the time the tool is in the hole, the heat in the borehole, approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit, was not a significant concern. The data obtained using the next-generation pulsed-neutron tool demonstrated reliable coherence with the previous data acquired via the legacy tool, confirming a smooth transition from the old tool to the new tool and ensuring seamless time-lapse data analysis. Additionally, extensive Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) models under various reservoir pressure conditions for legacy and new tools were integrated into the reservoir depletion analysis. Time-lapse analysis revealed that the upper sand remained under the virgin reservoir condition but that the lower sands unconnected to the upper sand underwent reservoir depletion. The target reservoir was subsequently perforated, confirming the virgin pressure status as predicted by the pulsed-neutron logging appraisal. The single-well opportunity increased productivity by approximately 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/D). Technological advancements, resulting in increased logging speeds, extended the operator's operating window at high temperatures, allowing for a greater appraisal scope. Cased-hole depletion analysis presents a low-risk, cost-effective screening tool for in-fill production opportunities in late-life field production.

BackgroundSubclinical depressive symptoms increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The neurobiological mechanisms underlying this link may involve stress system dysfunction, notably related to the hippocampus which is particularly sensitive to AD. We aimed to investigate the links between blood stress markers and changes in brain regions involved in the stress response in older adults with or without subclinical depressive symptoms.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted using baseline data from the Age-Well trial. Cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults with (DepS; n = 73) or without (NoDepS; n = 58) subclinical depressive symptoms (defined using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale) were included in the analyses. Blood cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured; as well as the resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) between, and gray matter (GM) volume of, the hypothalamus, hippocampus and hippocampal subfields. Blood stress markers levels and neuroimaging measures were compared between groups; then regression analyses were conducted between these measures.ResultsDepS participants showed higher plasma epinephrine levels, which was associated with greater rs-FC between the CA1 and Subiculum hippocampal subfields and the hypothalamus. Lower GM volume in the CA1 and DG/CA2-3–4 subfields was also found in DepS. No between-group differences were observed for blood cortisol and norepinephrine.ConclusionsOur findings show that subclinical depressive symptoms are associated with increased sympatho-adrenomedullary axis activity, together with lower GM volume in a hippocampal subfield (i.e., CA1) particularly sensitive to AD. While causation cannot be inferred, these results suggest that screening and treating subclinical depressive symptoms in CU older adults could reduce AD risk.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02977819, Registration Date: 2016–11-25.

Abstract In the frame of a Research and Development (R&D) project dedicated to quantitative ground modelling, Underwater Multichannel Analysis Surface Waves (UMASW) data were acquired within an offshore windfarm area currently in development in North Sea. The ultimate goal of the project described in this paper was to test the added value of the shear wave velocity (Vs) interpreted from the UMASW, particularly as a propagation tool of the geotechnical information. This requires a suitable Vs dataset within the foundation depth and the quantification of the associated uncertainties. The Vs of the ground is generally accessed in one dimension (1D) through geotechnical borehole (P-S-Primary & Shear seismic wave- logging or laboratory sample testing) or through S-CPT (Seismic Cone Penetration Test) in-situ testing within the offshore wind industry. The present acquisition was then an opportunity to compare both UMASW and borehole results, and to assess the spatial variability of the Vs around the boreholes. The UMASW acquisition was designed to allow a pseudo three-dimensional (3D) gridding of the data, with a 10m bin size, and to reach a minimal signal penetration depth of 60m below seabed (bsb), compatible with the geotechnical investigation. Two block areas of about 400m × 300m, each centered around a borehole location, have been investigated together with a corridor area of 2300m × 20m tying the blocks. The spread used for the acquisition includes a sledge equipped with a 60cu.in airgun and a 166m long streamer with 48 channels. The sledge, dragged on the seabed, was tracked along intended 10m spaced lines with a shot point interval of 10m. The data processing was done for each shot and includes the manual picking of the dispersive curves and a 1D inversion modelling. The pseudo 3D gridding was then carried out by interpolation with the closest neighbors. The results are found to be of good quality, with clear dispersive curves and a signal penetration reaching about 80m bsb. The standard deviation of the processed Vs remains generally below 3%. A first comparison of the Vs with the existing 2D Ultra High Resolution Seismic (UHRS) reflection data shows a good stratigraphic match with the key seismic horizons, while detailing some significant variability across the corresponding units. While UMASW, together with seismic refraction, is regularly used to characterize the ground for burial or trenching purpose, it appears to also bring valuable design parameters for the offshore wind turbine foundations.

Excisional body contour surgery is the cornerstone treatment for skin laxity. Decision-making can be challenging when selecting the procedure. Dynamic definition liposculpture allows the surgeon to carve the underlying anatomy and provide more natural results, in which umbilical shape and position play a crucial role. The authors describe their experience using a decision-making algorithm as a tool to ease surgical planning for advanced excisional body contouring. Following the algorithm designed by the senior author regarding excisional body contouring procedures, the authors searched their database for patients who were classified according to skin laxity and navel location to undergo one of the following procedures: mixed technologies plus umbilical mobilization, mixed technologies plus sliding mini-abdominoplasty, mini-tummy tuck with muscular plication, full abdominoplasty, reverse bridge abdominoplasty, or reverse full abdominoplasty. A total of 563 women were consecutively operated on from February of 2014 to January of 2020. The six-procedure model algorithm helped the authors achieve very good results with low complication rates in patients with some grade of abdominal skin laxity. Most complications were reported as minor (9.6 percent). Major complications (3.9 percent) included three localized infections, four abnormal skin retractions, two cases of skin flap necrosis, and 13 cases of postoperative anemia. This algorithm helped the authors choose the best excisional technique based on patients' anatomical features by following skin geometry to enhance aesthetic outcomes. Further studies are needed to support the algorithm validation and aesthetic outcomes. Therapeutic, IV.

We present an explicit stabilised finite element method for solving Navier-Stokes-Brinkman equations. The proposed algorithm has several advantages. First, the lower equal-order finite element space for velocity and pressure is ideal for presenting the pixel images. Stabilised finite element allows the continuity of both tangential and normal velocities at the interface between regions of different micro-permeability or at the interface free/porous domain. Second, the algorithm is fully explicit and versatile for describing complex boundary conditions. Third, the fully explicit matrix–free finite element implementation is ideal for parallelism on high-performance computers. In the last, the implicit treatment of Darcy term allowed larger time stepping and a stable computation, even if the velocity varies for several orders of magnitude in the micro-porous regions (Darcy regime).The stabilisation parameter, that may affect the velocity field, has been discussed and an optimal parameter was chosen based on the numerical examples. Velocity stability at interface between different micro-permeability has been also studied with mesh refinement. We analysed the influence of the micro-permeability field on the regime of the flow (Stokes flow, Darcy flow or a transitional regime). These benchmark tests provide guidelines for choosing the resolution of the grayscale image and its segmentation. We applied the method on real Berea Sandstone micro-CT images, and proceeded the three-phases segmentation. We studied the influence of the micro-porosity field, using the well-known Kozeny-Carman relation to derive the micro-permeability field from the micro-porosity field, on the effective permeability computed. Our analysis shows that a small fraction of micro-porosity in the rock has a significant influence on the effective permeability computed.

Surface monitoring of microseismic monitoring events is generally challenging because microseismic data have a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Traditional event-detection methods struggle to detect weak microseismic events. A variance fractal dimension (VFD) method for automatic microseismic event detection via multitrace energy envelope stacking (MTEES) is introduced. In the first stage, we propose a processing microseismic data method based on the MTEES method. It increases the energy of weak microseismic data to avoid missed and false microseismic detection. Furthermore, it can greatly improve computational efficiency to satisfy real-time processing requirements. In the second stage, the VFD algorithm is applied to the data processed in the first stage to improve the feasibility and validity of microseismic event detection. A simulation test with perforation data shows the reliability of the new method in the automatic detection of microseismic events. In addition, we demonstrate that analogous results can be obtained when perforation data are not available by introducing a novel approach based on synthetic correction time. The new approach is particularly useful when perforation data are not recorded, representing a significant advantage over previous approaches. We describe the application of the novel method to a real microseismic data example from monitoring hydraulic fracture treatments in Shanxi Province, China, with and without perforation data. The new method yields improvement in microseismic event detection for microseismic monitoring. Therefore, we find a wide range of applications requiring analysis of microseismic data.

Abstract Modern hydrothermal vent communities are based on chemosynthesis by microbial primary producers. Molecular phylogenetic divergence estimates indicate that many of the dominant vent taxa arose during the Cenozoic and Cretaceous; however, the fossil record of vent communities from these time periods is poor. One occurrence of such Cretaceous vent communities pertains to six volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in the Troodos ophiolite of Cyprus. These deposits represent hydrothermal activity on deep (2500–5000 m) arc‐related spreading ridge(s) in the Neotethyan Ocean over several million years during the late Cenomanian and earliest Turonian. The Cyprus vent communities consist of worm tubes, representing possible vestimentiferans and serpulids, together with a moderate diversity of abyssochrysoid gastropods, belonging to eight new species (Desbruyeresia kinousaensis sp. nov., Desbruyeresia memiensis sp. nov., Desbruyeresia kambiaensis sp. nov., Hokkaidoconcha morisseaui sp. nov., Ascheria canni sp. nov., Cyprioconcha robertsoni gen. et sp. nov., Paskentana xenophontosi sp. nov. and Paskentana dixoni sp. nov.) in five genera and three families; none of the species is shared between vent sites. A single gaudryceratid ammonite from one of the vent sites most likely represents a water‐logged shell that sank from surface waters. The gastropod fauna contains the first representatives of the genera Desbruyeresia, Hokkaidoconcha, Ascheria and Paskentana from hydrothermal vents, and also the youngest representative of the last‐named genus in any environment. The Cypriot vent communities share tube worms with slightly older (Cenomanian) and younger (Turonian–Santonian) vent communities elsewhere in the western part of the Neotethyan Ocean.