bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent interpretation and evaluation technique while drilling based on mud logging data
Authors: Du Peng , Tian Weizhi , Song Minghui , Ni Youli , Xu Zhe , Wang Hao , Chen Xi
Published: December 2024

With the increasing complexity of oil and gas reservoirs, the identification of reservoirs and fluid properties has become more and more difficult, which brings more challenges to hydrocarbon discovery and interpretation, economic capacity assessment, and development program formulation, and at the same time, the process of decision-making in efficient exploration and development is particularly important, which puts higher requirements on the real-time and accuracy of interpretation while drilling. At present, the recording and analysis tools are constantly enriched, showing obvious advantages in the identification and evaluation of unconventional and complex hydrocarbon formations, and accumulating a large amount of data, but the interpretation and evaluation still remain at the level of qualitative and manual interpretation. In order to better utilize the advantages of mud logging technology in interpretation while drilling, intelligent interpretation and evaluation techniques have been established, including: (1) Data depth processing-the development of four techniques, such as automatic data review and processing, full data depth correction of mud logging, multi-factor comprehensive correction of gas logging data, and fine inversion techniques for minerals while drilling, to effectively explore the effective information of the original data; (2) Data mining-the development of gray correlation sensitive parameter preference, the rapid establishment of interpretation methods and other 2 technologies, from scattered, disorderly, large amounts of data to mine key data and establish supporting interpretation methods; (3) Automatic interpretation logic-combined with the density of wells in the block, the number of oil test results, and the characteristics of mud logging technology parameters, a cyclic decision tree was established as the core algorithm, realizing the automatic interpretation of hydrocarbon formations in the drilling process; (4) Intelligent matching model-in order to realize the intelligent matching of formulas, methods, and models, a multi-tagged intelligent matching method was established, which realizes intelligent matching of all kinds of interpretation methods during the drilling process through the marking of multiple types of tags. Intelligent matching of various types of interpretation methods is achieved through multiple types of tag marking to realize intelligent interpretation while drilling. Through the research of the above technologies, the intelligent interpretation of complex hydrocarbon reservoirs in the entire drilling process, well completion and oil testing has been realized, which improves the ability of rapid, accurate and comprehensive evaluation of hydrocarbon reservoirs, and can better support the exploration and development of unconventional and complex hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Research and application of cuttings intelligent collection equipment technology
Authors: Zong Xiyu , Li Xiangyang , Gao Yan , Li Zhiwei , Jia Jin
Published: December 2024

The purpose of rock cuttings logging is to create a geological profile in real time and identify oil and gas shows as soon as possible, playing an irreplaceable role in the oil exploration field. However, as drilling technology has developed rapidly, geological logging has encountered production problems such as untimely rock cuttings retrieval under fast drilling conditions, difficulty in analyzing and identifying the rock cuttings under high fragmentation conditions, and high labor costs for the labor-intensive operation. The development of rock cuttings intelligent collection device fundamentally solves these technical shortcomings by utilizing the principles of electromechanical and pneumatic integration. It designs a set of functional modules for automatic rock cuttings catching, transmission, separation, cleaning, storing, element analysis, online white & fluorescence logging etc. Through the promotion of actual field application, it greatly improves the timeliness ratio of rock cuttings collection, reduces labor intensity and operational risks, and provides high-quality analytical samples for other specialized technologies such as light hydrocarbons, geochemistry and nuclear magnetic resonance. At the same time, its integrated laser-induced element analysis and online white & fluorescence logging technology effectively assists in rapid lithology naming, quantitative oil and gas identification, and precise formation interval delineation, the overall design of the equipment has industry-leading levels[1].
Integrated geology & engineering mud logging intelligent comprehensive geo-steering mode and application
Authors: Song Minghui
Published: December 2024

In the implementation process of traditional horizontal wells, the degree of data sharing and collaboration among multiple specialties such as drilling, directional drilling, and mud logging are low, which cannot fully meet the construction needs of horizontal wells under complex conditions, resulting in low reservoir penetration rate and long drilling cycles of horizontal wells. Accordingly, An integrated geology & engineering mud logging geo-steering mode is constructed consisting of “geo-steering+directional drilling+drilling risk assessment+mud logging technology+remote informatization”, With geo-steering as the core, geological and engineering perspectives and comprehensive analysis have been taken into account, and intelligent analysis models have been developed to enhance analytical and decision-making capabilities. An integrated geology & engineering remote geo-steering platform has been developed to promote information sharing, intelligent analysis, and collaborative decision-making among different locations, times, and professionals. In the process of horizontal well construction, the application of this comprehensive geo-steering mode promotes the comprehensive application and analysis ability of downhole drilling data and mud logging data, with the principle of improving reservoir penetration rate, while considering the feasibility and safety of engineering trajectory, effectively reducing the construction risk of horizontal wells, and achieving the dual goals of geology and engineering. It provides strong technical support for improving the drilling efficiency and development effect of horizontal wells, and provides technical reference for the application of drilling technology in complex horizontal wells.
An improved method to extract the vibration frequency of torsional impactor
Authors: Kang Guiqiong , Chen Jie , Yao Enxiang , Cai Xiaocong , Pang Dongxiao
Published: December 2024

The torsional impactor can convert the kinetic energy of drilling fluid into high-frequency circumferential kinetic energy and provide it to the bottom drilling tools, thereby eliminating stick-slip vibration, protecting Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) bit and improving construction efficiency. As the test can not be directly performed and the working conditions of torsional impactor can not be quantified by using existing sensors due to the narrow space structure of the impactor and complex vibration conditions, a method for measuring the operating frequency of torsional impactor was designed based on the adaptive white noise complete set empirical mode decomposition of surface acceleration signal data and wavelet threshold denoising. In this paper, the data processing algorithm is used to implement and carry out the simulation test experiments, and the experimental results show that the method can accurately measure the vibration frequency of the torsional impactor under simulated working conditions, and effectively quantify its working state.
CGDS near-bit geosteering drilling system and its first application in Niger
Authors: Pan Xingming , Li Jiran , Sui Yuan , Tang Yuzhe , Zhang Haibo , Shi Qian
Published: December 2024

The Niger project is one of the important exploration and development cooperation projects of China National Petroleum Corporation in West Africa. The Dibeilla N-1 block of Agadem oilfield in Niger faces challenges such as frequent interlayers and susceptibility to encountering faults during drilling. According to the deployment requirements of the plan, the block will be developed using a mixed well network of horizontal and vertical wells, and the upper sand body will need to be developed using horizontal wells. The dogleg angle of the inclined wellbore should be controlled within 2∼4.5 (°)/30m, and the target thickness should be only 3m. Conventional guiding tools represented by MWD(Measurement While Drilling) cannot achieve effective and efficient reservoir identification and trajectory adjustment in thin oil layers due to their zero length of around 10 meters. Therefore, a geological guiding tool that can achieve near drill bit measurement is needed. Therefore, in order to successfully complete the horizontal section drilling and guidance engineering, maximize the drilling encounter rate of high-quality reservoirs, communicate favorable layers to achieve oil reservoir benefit development, it is decided to use CGDS(CNPC Geological Drilling System)near bit geological guidance tool to implement horizontal section drilling. The system is equipped with gamma, resistivity, and engineering parameter measurements at a distance of 3 meters from the drill bit, providing multiple basis for precise directional guidance of the formation. In the Dibeilla N-1 block of Niger, a total of 6 wells were applied, with an average reservoir drilling encounter rate of 85.38% and a mechanical drilling speed of 12.31 m/h. The first application of this system overseas has provided valuable experience for similar domestic work.
Control strategy for Twin-turbine generator stabilized platform based on global linearization of DC-Bus voltage
Authors: Tian Jinming , Geng Yanfeng , Wang Weiliang , Li Minglei
Published: December 2024

The stabilized platform is considered a crucial component for the toolface angle control of rotary steering tools. The twin-turbine generator stabilized platform (TGSP) control system aims to achieve stable voltage control of the turbine generator and servo control of the toolface angle. Existing methods, such as feedback linearization, have significant computational demands and are highly model-dependent, which limits their effectiveness under significant mud flow fluctuations. To address these shortcomings, this paper introduces a linear active disturbance rejection voltage controller (LADRC), using the square of the bus voltage as the state variable to achieve global linearization of the bus voltage. This method reduces dependence on precise mathematical models and enhances both robustness and efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve high-performance voltage control and servo control, providing a reference for the development of TGSP control systems.
Application of Rubber-Wheeled directional drilling rig for probing and draining holes in coal mine
Authors: Zhang Jian-rong
Published: December 2024

In view of the requirements of dense underground water exploration and drainage holes, high hole forming accuracy, rapid drilling rig relocation and reduced labor intensity in coal mines with trackless transportation conditions, the application of rubber wheel directional drilling rigs can well meet the requirements and complete the drilling construction. Taking the representative ZDY3500JD rubber wheel directional drilling rig as an example, the composition and basic parameters of the drilling rig are introduced, and the field application is carried out in the Shendong coal mine of the National Energy Group. The completion of the relocation greatly reduces the labor intensity of workers and improves work efficiency. It has stable performance and high hit rate in the construction of water exploration and drainage holes, and various parameters meet the design requirements, which lays a good foundation for the construction of similar mine drilling.
Influence of gas volume fraction on vortex street generation in downhole Oil-gas Two-phase flow
Authors: Huang Zhixuan , Wang Hong , Li Zhihua
Published: December 2024

Vortex flowmeters are suitable for measuring flow rates in downhole environments due to their stability and wide applicability. However, the variability of the downhole environment and the complexity of fluid components severely impact the accuracy of flow measurements. To address this issue, this paper employs numerical simulation methods and uses the VOF model to analyze oil-gas two-phase flow. The results indicate that in two-phase flow, vortex flowmeters can be used for measuring oil-gas mixtures, and when the gas volume fraction is within 12%, the vortex-shedding frequency exhibits a linear relationship with the gas volume fraction. Additionally, it is found that the normalized power of vortex-shedding decreases in an approximately S-shaped curve with increasing gas volume fraction. These conclusions provide guidance for the subsequent calibration of flow rate data.
Simulation of multi interval secondary protection equipment state interaction cascade detection based on random forest
Authors: Wang Yuan , Cheng Lin , Wang Ruochen , Luo Hang , Li Xingbao , Liu Fuying
Published: December 2024

This paper proposes a multi-interval secondary protection device state interaction cascading detection simulation based on random forest, effectively handling complex device state interaction relationships and timely detecting device state anomalies and cascading faults. We obtain the status characteristics of multi-interval secondary protection equipment, input this feature into a random forest model, construct multiple decision trees, fully utilize the correlation and interaction between features, classify the status of multi-interval secondary protection equipment, and further improve model performance by selecting appropriate weight coefficients, achieving effective detection of multi interval secondary protection equipment status. The experimental results show that the features extracted by this method can reflect the operating status of multi-interval secondary protection equipment. This method can effectively detect the interaction cascade relationship between multiple-interval secondary protection devices.
Simulation and analysis of shuttle vehicle dynamic characteristics
Authors: Wang Guochao , Li Wei , Chen Meng , Jia Chenxu
Published: December 2024

Because of its high efficiency, flexibility, and intensive advantages, shuttle trucks are beginning to be used in the logistics field of various industries. When the logistics shuttle trucks are involved in a collision, it will cause huge economic losses and social costs. It is of great significance to carry out the shuttle crash test to reproduce the crash response and to evaluate the safety performance of the shuttle. In order to ensure the testability and safety of the shuttle crash test, it is necessary to analyze and predict the dynamic behavior of the shuttle during the whole test process before the test. In this paper, based on NASTRAN dynamic simulation software, a multi-body dynamic simulation model of the shuttle car under acceleration, uniform speed, and deceleration is established to verify the safety and reliability of the shuttle car under normal driving. The dynamic response of the shuttle car in the collision test at a speed of 5 m/s is investigated, and the results show that the overall structural strength of the shuttle car meets the safety requirements.
Modelling three fermion generations with S3 family symmetry within ℂℓ(8)
Authors: Gresnigt N , Gourlay L
Published: December 2024

We present a model of three fermion generations with SU(3) ×
U(1) gauge symmetry constructed from the complex Clifford algebra ℂℓ(8), within which the discrete group S
3 acts as a family symmetry. ℂℓ(8) corresponds to the algebra of complex linear maps from the (complexification of the) Cayley-Dickson algebra of sedenions, 𝕊, to itself. The automorphism group of 𝕊 is G
2
×
S
3. We interpret S
3, suitably embedded into ℂℓ(8), as a family symmetry. The gauge symmetry SU (3) ×
U (1) is invariant under S
3. First-generation states are represented in terms of two even ℂℓ(8) semi-spinors, obtained from two minimal left ideals, related to each other via the order-two S
3 symmetry. The remaining two generations are obtained by applying the S
3 symmetry of order-three to the first generation, resulting in three linearly independent generations.
Toda field theories and Calogero models associated to infinite Weyl groups
Authors: Fring Andreas
Published: December 2024

Many integrable theories can be formulated universally in terms of Lie algebraic root systems. Well-studied are conformally invariant scalar field theories of Toda type and their massive versions, which can be expressed in terms of simple roots of finite Lie and affine Kac-Moody algebras, respectively. Also, multi-particle systems of Calogero-Moser-Sutherland type, which require the entire root system in their formulation, are extensively studied. Here, we discuss recently proposed extensions of these models to similar systems based on hyperbolic and Lorentzian Kac-Moody algebras. We explore various properties of these models, including their integrability and their invariance with respect to infinite Weyl groups of affine, hyperbolic, and Lorentzian types.
Invariant families of multiple bundles complexes
Authors: Zuevsky Alexander
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this paper is to construct and determine properties of natural extensions for vertex operator algebra bundles. We describe transformations that preserve vertex operator algebra bundles convergence and canonicity properties. Applications follow in cohomology theory of vertex algebras, foliations of underlying manifolds, and exactly solvable models.
Effect of modified coated aluminum powder on the explosive properties of emulsion explosive
Authors: Liu Jinbao , Sun Yuzeng , Wei Xiaoan , Nan Fengqiang
Published: December 2024

In order to investigate the effect of aluminum powder content on the detonation properties of emulsion explosives and to reduce the emulsion of aluminum powder on the emulsion explosives to improve their service life, the paraffin-coated spherical micron aluminum powder is used to prepare the proportion of 0%, 5%, 7%, 9%, 11%, 15%, and 20% of the aluminum-containing emulsion explosives. Using the chronometer method to determine the detonation velocity, the lead column compression method to assess its brisance, and conducting underwater explosion tests to calculate parameters such as shock wave energy, bubble energy, and total energy of the aluminum-containing emulsion explosives. Additionally, high and low-temperature cyclic accelerated aging tests are performed to study the effect of aluminum powder on the service life of the emulsion explosives. The results show that aluminum powder mass fraction of 5%, containing aluminum emulsion explosive detonation velocity, is the largest, 5459m·s−1, with the increase of aluminum powder content, containing aluminum emulsion explosives detonation velocity of the overall trend of reducing. Briance first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum value of 24.06mm in 15%. The total energy of the underwater explosion increases with the increase in aluminum powder content. In the aluminum powder mass fraction of 20% to reach the maximum, the shock wave energy increased by 26.7%, the bubble energy increased by 65.4%, and the total energy increased by 65.4%. The service life of paraffin-coated aluminum emulsion explosives is better than that of emulsion explosives containing ordinary aluminum powder service life.
Research on the process parameters and welded joint quality of resistance spot welding of aluminum composite for car bodies
Authors: Gou Weijie , Wang Lihong , Li Xian , Zhao Liquan
Published: December 2024

The test uses a resistance welding machine to implement resistance spot welding of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy thin plate for automobile body and obtains the welding process parameters of resistance spot welding through the test. Using an orthogonal test scheme and extreme difference analysis method to test and further optimize the resistance welding process parameters, after lap resistance spot welding of a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy thin plate with a thickness of 2 mm, we analyze the welding appearance and complete the tensile test. The test results show that when the welding current is 60 KA, the welding pressure is 0.63 MPa, the thickness of the plate is 2.00 mm, the spot weld joints obtained from the specimen have no obvious defects, better molding, good welding quality and appearance, and its tensile shear value is 5.583 KN at maximum.
Design and Improvement of Curved Envelope Meshing Pair Profile of Single Screw Compressor
Authors: Lei W , Wu W , Zhang Z , Peng C
Published: December 2024

In recent years, the wear problem of the wheel tooth in the single screw compressor (SSC had been solved due to the development and application of various envelope profiles. Among these profiles, the curved envelope profile shows performance advantages, which displays great application potential in the fields of high-temperature heat pump, steam compression, etc. However, SSC with curved envelop profile still faces the problem of incomplete design method, large leakage clearance, difficult processing and meshing pair interference under extreme conditions. Therefore, aiming at solving these problems, a coupling profile design method for the curved envelope meshing pair of the SSC was presented and studied. The profile equation of curved envelop meshing pair of a SSC with an ellipse profile as the characteristic line was established. The method of using standard tooth width was proposed for the quick geometric design of the SSC. The coupling profile design of the star wheel tooth angle and the groove bottom angle with variable diameter circular arc was invented. The equation of the transition arc surface of the bottom angle of the groove and the angle of the star wheel tooth was derived. It provided a theoretical basis for the design and improvement of meshing pair with curved envelop profile.
Impact of rotor geometry and fluid injection on screw compressor performance
Authors: Kumar A , Kovacevic A , Stosic N
Published: December 2024

Screw compressors are widely used in industrial and commercial applications due to their high efficiency, reliability, and durability. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of energy efficiency and performance. To address this, the current study investigates the impact of screw rotor geometrical parameters: wrap angle, relative length, and built-in volume ratio and fluid injection methods (oil, and water injection) on the performance of screw compressors. The research offers a detailed analysis of these parameters, with a focus on the empirical validation of water injection’s influence through experimental testing on an industrial screw compressor. The findings reveal that water injection reduces specific power consumption by 4.78 % compared to oil injection, highlighting its potential for improving compressor efficiency. This work contributes valuable insights into optimizing screw compressor design for enhanced performance and energy efficiency.
A Comparative Study of Structured and Cut-Cell Grids Applied to an Oil-Injected Screw Compressor
Authors: Barrubeeah M S , Saravana A , Bhaduri S , Low D , Groll E A , Ziviani D
Published: December 2024

Discretized Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) for numerical modeling of fluid mechanics systems require the use of various iterative linear solvers. In this study, two different CFD solvers, Ansys CFX and Converge, were employed to develop a transient 3D CFD model of an oil-injected screw compressor. Each solver utilized distinct meshing techniques—Ansys with a structured grid and Converge with a cut-cell grid. The numerical models have been validated utilizing experimental measurements. Presence of turbulent boundary layer and shear flow topology in the rotating fluid domains required implementing k-ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model along with the physics needed to capture multifluid interfaces. In CONVERGE CFD, Semi Implicit Pressure Linked Equation (SIMPLE) algorithm was used for initial model development and pressure-velocity coupling in a collocated grid model, eliminating checkerboard numerical oscillations with the Rhie-Chow interpolation scheme. Ansys CFX handles pressure-velocity interactions through its solver framework, which operates without requiring a separately defined pressure-velocity coupling algorithm. These model parameters and pressure velocity coupling algorithms are kept unchanged while comparing preconditioned Successive Over Relaxation (SOR) and Incomplete Lower and Upper triangular (ILU) decomposition. These two solvers yielded to different numerical instabilities and rate of convergence, affecting the simulation clock time.
Performance Analysis of a Water-Injected Twin-Screw Compressor in a High-Temperature R718 Heat Pump
Authors: Höckenkamp S , Grieb M , Utri M , Brümmer A
Published: December 2024

High-temperature heat pumps with twin-screw compressors and water (R718) as the working fluid show promising potential for providing industrial heat and process steam at temperature levels of up to 200 °C. This paper presents a simulation approach for a two-layered simulation structure of a water-based high-temperature heat pump system including a twin-screw compressor with water-injection. The heat pump process with two-phase steam compression is investigated with respect to various aspects. In addition to controlling the compressor outlet temperature, the evaporation of the injected liquid leads to an increase in the displaced mass flow rate on the sink side of the heat pump. This effect is analyzed in detail for various system operating points using a thermodynamic simulation framework for the R718-based heat pump cycle and a comprehensive compressor model. The main target of the presented paper is the analysis of system performance and the detailed investigation of the interdependencies. Performance of the twin-screw compressor is determined by means of two-phase chamber model simulations. In the chamber model method thermodynamic properties of both injected liquid and steam are calculated based on the conservation equations of mass and energy for the compression process. Adequate sub-models for internal leakage and heat and mass transfer between vapor and liquid phase are applied. Integral results of the compressor simulations are embedded in the heat pump system simulation using a characteristic map. In conclusion, this paper contributes to the understanding of advanced compression technologies in the field of high-temperature heat pumps, offering a detailed examination of a water-injected steam compressor’s applicability and efficiency in a practical system setting.
Combined Rotor Rack Generation for Twin Screw Vacuum Pump Rotor Profile Design
Authors: Lu Y , Kovacevic A
Published: December 2024

Rotor profile design is a critical factor influencing the efficiency and functionality of twin screw vacuum pumps. This paper delves into a specific aspect of rotor profile design using the rack generation method. The paper utilises an algorithm of rack generation tailored specifically to twin screw vacuum pump applications. The utilization of straight lines to form the rack ensures the generation of involute profiles on the rotors. Additionally, rack-generated rotors are typically easier to manufacture. Geometrical parameters, such as displacement and meshing line length across three rack generated rotor profiles are explored. Furthermore, chamber modelling is employed for the development of rotor profiles, augmenting the efficacy and reliability of the rack generation process. By focusing on rack generation, this paper offers valuable insights into rotor profile design, contributing to a deeper understanding of the methodologies driving innovation in twin screw vacuum pump technology.
Swarm-based gradient descent method for non-convex optimization
Authors: Lu Jingcheng , Tadmor Eitan , Zenginoğlu Anil
Published: December 2024

We introduce a new swarm-based gradient descent (SBGD) method for non-convex optimization. The swarm consists of agents, each is identified with a position,

x

\mathbf {x}

, and mass,

m
m

. The key to their dynamics is communication: masses are being transferred from agents at high ground to low(-est) ground. At the same time, agents change positions with step size adjusted to their relative mass. Accordingly, the crowd of agents is dynamically divided between heavier ‘leaders’, which proceed with small time steps and are expected to approach local minima, and lighter ‘explorers’ which proceed with larger-step protocol and are expected to encounter improved position for the swarm. If they do, then they assume the role of heavy swarm leaders and so on. We prove local convergence and we present convincing numerical simulations which demonstrate that the added layer of SBGD explorers performs well in improving its global convergence behavior in one-, two-, and 20-dimensional benchmarks.
Work while it is day
Authors: Wheeler Michael
Published: December 2024

William assumed one of the highest offices of state for the first time in 1852, serving as chancellor of the exchequer in Aberdeen’s coalition government. In 1859 he returned to the treasury as chancellor under Palmerston. Between 1849 and 1852, he underwent a prolonged mid-life crisis that was associated with his ‘rescue work’, his work on family investments, and his vocation, or métier. He was tempted by erotic literature and attracted to some of the prostitutes he encountered in London’s West End, accusing himself of ‘adultery in the heart’. His agony was compounded by the conversion of his closest Anglican allies to Rome, in his view an act of ecclesiastical infidelity. He recovered from these convulsions, establishing a more settled family life, centred upon Hawarden Castle, and returning to the top table of British politics, only to pass through another period of confusion after the Crimean War, when he lost his way professionally.
Islamic Bioethics: Mental Health in Islam
Authors: Dein Simon , Khalifa Najat
Published: December 2024

Muslims see the Prophet Muhammad as an exemplar. Thus, Muslims attempt to emulate his deeds in their own lives through observation of his traditions and the Qurʾanic instructions. Treatment from the Islamic perspective is closely linked to the Islamic system of ethics and law (Shariʿah). Moreover, Islam views mental health in the context of the self as it advocates a close relationship between spirituality, morality, and mental health. While religious Muslims self-report better mental health than nonreligious Muslims, the conceptualization of mental disorders from the Islamic perspective may raise ethical challenges for clinicians who encounter Muslim patients in clinical practice.
The Qurʾan in Manuscript, Print, and Digital Form
Authors: Fedeli Alba
Published: December 2024

Over the past six centuries, the way believers, theologians, and scholars in Europe have produced, received, and studied copies of the Qurʾanic text has evolved alongside changes in how the text is accessed, moving from manuscripts to replicas, and now to online platforms where the Qurʾanic text and related artifacts are digitally available. The investigation of the role and understanding of the Qurʾan—as an artifact—in Europe requires careful attention to its material form and significance during each specific period, from the Renaissance to the modern period.

The Qurʾan has been part of the religious culture of the Western Muslim territories since the beginnings of Islam, as it is expressed, for example, in the manuscript of the Qurʾan copied in the Muslim Palermo in 982–983 ce or the several Qurʾans in Kufic and round scripts written, for example, in Valencia, Seville, or Cordova. Then, it continued to be an object of religious faith copied among the last Muslim communities in modern Spain during the Moriscos periods from the 15th to the 17th century. As a Counter-Reformation measure, the Qurʾan was listed in the Catholic Indices of Prohibited Books in 1559, leading to a ban on both printed and manuscript versions in the Christian West. Similarly, Ottoman authorities banned the importation of printed books in Arabic script until 1588, and the printing and trade of the Qurʾan text in Muslim lands were considered illicit until the end of the 19th century.

In Europe, the Qurʾan was used as the basis for the study of the Arabic grammar by scholars in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The text was approached in its manuscript form with a paleographic and philological interest that was used mainly at the service of theology in a polemical context. In European history, it was only in the 17th to 18th century that the polemic discourse and philological interest were distinguished as two distinct disciplines. In institutions and private libraries, the presence of the Qurʾan as an artifact went hand in hand with the availability of Qurʾanic manuscripts, resulting from the fruit of collectors to war booty, with its richest period in the 19th and then 20th centuries, thanks to scholars and merchants who traveled to the Middle East. Europe as part of the World Wide Web has reached the peak of its connection with the Qurʾan as a material object in its cultural and artistic value thorough digital images and text since the 2010s.
Nation ( Nação ) and the Politics of African Origins in Colonial Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues Aldair
Published: December 2024

Brazil was the largest single destination in the transatlantic slave trade, receiving approximately 4.5 million of the 10 million individuals who survived the Middle Passage. This vast population was not perceived as homogeneous. Instead, its diverse African origins were classified under the term “nação” (“nation”), a designation with fluid connotations that varied based on context and the perspectives of those using it. The considerable ethnic diversity led merchants and settlers to rely on heuristic shortcuts to try to predict the behavior of individuals from different African backgrounds, often resorting to stereotypes based on slavery interests. In response to pressures from slaveowners and Portuguese colonial administrators, Africans adopted these classifications but did so on their own terms, infusing them with personal narratives of belonging that partially restored their original complexity. These dynamics influenced the social organization of enslaved and freed people within Catholic lay brotherhoods, where devotions to black saints and their festivals were organized around a nuanced interpretation of ethnic identity that merged their African heritage with their experiences in Brazil. Additionally, other forms of social organization, such as black militias and malungo (shipmate) communities formed by those who had crossed the Atlantic together, transcended nação (nation) divisions. For colonial administrators, the variety of nations was a crucial element in social control strategies, as they believed that mixing disparate groups would hinder the formation of unified leadership among enslaved and freed communities.
Theoretical Crosscurrents, Intersectional Inquiries: Examining Gender and Tribal Vulnerability in Disaster Studies
Authors: Arvind Lavanya
Published: December 2024

Disasters, climate change, and extreme weather events have to be studied beyond hazard-centric paradigms. The differential vulnerability of various social groups to hazards is a function of their social location and access to resources. Vulnerability to disasters is an extension of social vulnerability, and, therefore, historicizing people’s lived experiences is important. The developmental approaches of the colonial state and historical continuities of modernist pursuits of development exacerbate existing vulnerabilities of different social groups, while producing newer manifestations of vulnerabilities.

Critical exploration of colonial administration of tribal lands, forest regions, and places defined as backward or excluded, can help address the ways in which the vulnerability of tribal populations was created and persists to this day. It is important to place tribal women’s experiences within the historical settings of environmental degradation. Locating their experiences in the postcolonial age enables an indigenous ecological feminist theoretical viewpoint on decolonial approaches to the historical continuity of power in the context of disasters and climate change. Gender and environmental issues connect to demonstrate how tribal women are particularly impacted by these concerns. Utilization of an ecofeminist viewpoint can place decolonial praxis in context and highlight the resilience and agency of Indigenous women. This line of inquiry illustrates the ongoing battles and opposition to environmental injustices via this prism by undertaking a feminist interrogation of ecological degradation and impacts of development on tribal women.

In tribal lands, the historical trajectories of development have been based on ideas of appropriation and accumulation by dispossession, and these forms of development are privileged over other forms. The Western-Northern hegemony on the conception, dissemination, and praxis of development contributes to the construction of inferiority of some geographies that has differential impacts on the genders. There are linkages between the historical colonial encounter and contemporary developmental paradigms in tribal areas; neoliberal and growth-led developmental models have contributed to existing vulnerabilities while producing newer ones. The idea of “doing intersectionality correctly” has been an area for much deliberation, and even a lament by feminists especially in developmental contexts. Human societies are yet to emerge from the shadows of colonialism, and they perpetuate cultures of capitalism in the context of development; these exacerbate disaster occurrence and impacts.
Drug Overdose
Authors: Cano Manuel
Published: December 2024

Drug overdoses have been increasing rapidly worldwide, particularly in the United States and Canada. Even when nonfatal, overdoses have a high potential for lasting health consequences. In the United States, the majority of drug overdose deaths are classified as unintentional/accidental. Drug overdoses can involve a variety of substances, ranging from prescription or over-the-counter medications to illicitly-manufactured drugs, and many overdoses involve multiple substances. In the United States, opioids, especially synthetic opioids such as illicitly-manufactured fentanyl, are most commonly involved in overdose deaths, followed by stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Drug overdoses disproportionately impact populations experiencing social and/or economic marginalization, and racial disparities in drug overdose are growing in the United States. Overall, drug overdose represents a topic of relevance for social workers engaged in research, policy, clinical, or community practice alike, across medical, behavioral health, legal, social service, educational, and child welfare systems.
Guaranteed Income
Authors: Castro Amy , West Stacia
Published: December 2024

A guaranteed income (GI) is an unconditional cash transfer that provides a recurring, predictable amount of cash to an individual or household that one can rely on over time. Unlike traditional safety-net benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, there are no restrictions on how recipients spend the cash. Some GI programs in the United States target populations such as households with children or those below a preset income threshold. However, all share the common feature of recurring payments with no strings attached.

The term GI is frequently conflated with other types of unconditional cash benefits such as a universal basic income (UBI) or basic income. While all share common features of unconditionality and recurrence, they differ in scope, target populations, income thresholds, and duration. A basic income is a fixed and recurring amount of cash ample enough to keep a household above the poverty line and to provide for basic needs. A UBI is a predictable and fixed unconditional cash transfer that is large enough to provide for basic needs. It differs from a GI in that it applies universally to everyone living in a geographic area. While many advocates for a UBI or basic income argue for perpetuity, most GI experiments in the United States are time-limited.

A moral proposition that a floor exists below which no one should live anchors all three forms of unconditional cash benefits, regardless of the household’s participation in waged labor or in safety-net programs. In the wake of the Great Recession (December 2007–June 2009), a protracted lack of economic mobility, rising income inequality, and the financial pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked a proliferation of GI experiments across the United States in both Republican and Democratic strongholds.
Win-Win Deescalation
Authors: Koo John N L , Quek Kai
Published: December 2024

Two states are stuck in a conflict because backing down is costly to their leaders. What can they do to exit the conflict peacefully? We propose a novel mechanism that is practically significant but not yet theorized and tested in international relations: win-win deescalation. One side “wins” because the other backs down, but the other also “wins” because it successfully frames its action to its public as a win. How effective are win frames? How would the public react to their leader’s—and the opponent’s—win frames? Using an original experiment in the midst of an ongoing US–China trade war, we identify win frames that can induce the perception of winning and reduce the public costs of deescalation for the Chinese government. The catch, however, is that when America uses the same win frames, it can compromise the Chinese government’s effort to deescalate the conflict, even when it is America backing down. Our work sheds light on the role of win frames in international conflict and how, in the eyes of domestic audiences, backing down is not necessarily losing—nor is the other backing down necessarily you winning.
Developing Microsurgery Skills Outside of the Operating Room
Authors: Muss Tessa E. , Malphrus Elizabeth , Albano Nicholas , Kanchwala Suhail
Published: December 2024

Background:

The complex skills required to perform microsurgery are primarily taught in the high-stakes environment of the operating room. However, learners would benefit from developing these abilities in lower-stakes environments beforehand, allowing them to focus on higher-level tasks intraoperatively. This article outlines available resources for developing microsurgical skills outside the operating room and evaluates their alignment with best practices for performance enhancement, thereby identifying ways to improve microsurgical education.

Methods:

A systematic review and web search were performed in April 2024 to identify available microsurgical skills courses. Descriptive data were extracted from these resources, including course objectives, unique features, model used, and curriculum.

Results:

Literature and web search revealed 7 online video courses addressing microsurgical skill development. These had freely available multimedia content and used low-fidelity models with widely accessible materials. Six offered a curriculum. By contrast, 14 in-person flap and microsurgery courses in the United States were identified. These occurred over 2–5 days, cost thousands of dollars, and used high-fidelity models with guidance from experts. Finally, there were many simulation platforms ranging from low-fidelity synthetic models to cadaveric tissue to high-fidelity live animal models. These also encompassed technology-based practices such as virtual reality.

Conclusions:

Compared with high-fidelity training, low-fidelity models are more affordable, are reusable, and allow for dedicated educational opportunities that are better aligned with best practices for knowledge and skill acquisition. Consequently, they have the potential to reach a broader range of trainees and accelerate the learning curve, and therefore should be integrated into every microsurgery training program.
Autologous Testicle Construction With Buried Metoidioplasty Correction
Authors: Sparks Payton J. , Moit Harley L. , Tom Alan , Roth Joshua , Hadad Ivan
Published: December 2024

Gender-affirming surgery is essential for transgender individuals seeking alignment between their physical appearance and gender identity. Metoidioplasty is a masculinizing option for those assigned female at birth and often includes vaginectomy, urethral lengthening, scrotoplasty, creation of a neophallus, and testicular prostheses, typically implanted during a second-stage procedure. We describe a 39-year-old transgender man who initially underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy, metoidioplasty, and tubularized plate urethral lengthening 19 months earlier. Although the patient could achieve an erection and orgasm, he struggled with standing urination due to the penis being buried by the mons pubis and upper labia majora. In addition, he feared superior migration of the testicular prostheses, which could diminish the prominence of the neophallus. We elected to perform a monsplasty with resection and rearrangement of excess upper labial tissue to mimic testicles. This approach helps avoid the risks associated with prostheses, using the patient’s own tissues instead. This second-stage operation enhances the appearance of the neophallus and creates the cosmetic appearance of testicles using the patient’s own tissues, offering a safe and effective surgical option. Although metoidioplasty offers significant benefits in terms of appearance and sensation, it has limitations, including the challenge of achieving standing urination due to the typically shorter length of the neophallus. We aimed to present the effectiveness and associated patient satisfaction with this innovative approach, showing its viability as a safe surgical option.
The Role of Virtual Reality to Promote Mobilization in the Critical Care Setting: A Narrative Review
Authors: Li Maxwell , Race Meaghan , Huang Fanny , Escalon Miguel X.
Published: December 2024

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology that can be used as an early complementary intervention to promote early mobilization for critically ill patients. This narrative review examines early mobilization outcomes of VR intervention for patients in the ICU and PCCU. Comprehensive medical databases were searched for publications detailing the application of VR interventions in association with critical care. In total, seven studies were screened and selected for the review. Various VR programs help promote early mobilization by using movement-based programs and virtual environments to encourage increased activity and heightened diversity of movements. Furthermore, VR can enhance engagement and enjoyment for therapies and rehabilitation. The emergence of VR modalities shows increased mobility, motivation, and treatment satisfaction among critically ill patients. However, the limited data available, vulnerability of the patient population, safety concerns, and need for more controlled studies emphasize the importance of continued research and cautious implementation of VR interventions in critical care settings.