JME 4110: Remote Rail Switch

When a rail line splits into 2 lines going in different directions, a switch must be manually thrown to determine which way the train goes. Our task is to create a device that would attach to the existing switch and be capable of throwing said switch remotely while still allowing for manual throwing if necessary. This document entails concept generation, embodiment, analysis, and a final working prototype that solves this problem

Coordination of Geological and Engineering Research in Support of the Gulf Coast Co-Production Program

Complex and heterogeneous Hackberry reservoirs at Port Arthur field were deposited in a submarine canyon/fan setting. Conventional fieldwide hydrocarbon recovery efficiencies are low, but the potential for secondary gas recovery is high. Free gas remains trapped in uncontacted and untapped compartments at reservoir abandonment. The total fieldwide resource amounts to 13.9 Bcf. The probable and possible resource for a single infill well is 6.5 Bcf in four separate stringers. Three optimum brine-disposal sands and the best brine-disposal site were selected in Northeast Hitchcock field based on sand-body complexity, thickness, depth, and brine-disposal capacity. The equilibrium distribution of inorganic species in different combinations in the produced waters at surface and formation temperatures and pH was estimated from chemical analyses. SOLMNEQ computations suggest carbonate scaling may occur in surface equipment of Miocene disposal sandstones unless inhibitors are used. At Northeast Hitchcock field, well-winnowed sandstones of shallow-marine origin compose the major reservoir sands and act as preferential conduits for fluid migration. Dislodged, abundant authigenic kaolinite in these sands can plug pores during production, suggesting a maximum rate of production will need to be determined to avoid reservoir damage.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Consolidation of Geologic Studies of Geopressured-Geothermal Resources in Texas

Two major structural styles are identified in the Wilcox growth-fault trend of the Texas Gulf Coast. The style in central and southeast Texas is characterized by continuous, closely spaced growth faults that have little associated rollover despite moderate expansion of section and that show little flattening of the fault plane with depth. Where the growth-fault trend crosses the Houston Diapir Province, growth faults are localized by preexisting salt pillows; however, the piercement salt domes formed after the main phase of faulting, so the salt tectonics "overprints" the growth faults. In South Texas (south of Live Oak County), a narrow band of growth faults having high expansion and moderate rollover lies over and downdip of a ridge of deformed, overpressured shale and lies updip of a deep Tertiary-filled basin formed by withdrawal of overpressured shale. Significant antithetic faulting is associated with this band of growth faults. Also in South Texas, the lower Wilcox Lobo trend is deformed by highly listric normal faults beneath an unconformity that is probably related to Laramide tectonic activity. Wilcox sandstone reservoirs are predominantly of high-constructive deltaic (distributary-channel and delta-front) origin. This, together with close spacing of faults and characteristically low permeabilities, limits the size of geopressured reservoirs. The largest reservoirs may be in interfault areas or in salt- or shale-withdrawal basins.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Non-Neoplastic and Neoplastic Pleural Endpoints Following Fiber Exposure

Exposure to asbestos fibers is associated with non-neoplastic pleural diseases including plaques, fibrosis, and benign effusions, as well as with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. Translocation and retention of fibers are fundamental processes in understanding the interactions between the dose and dimensions of fibers retained at this anatomic site and the subsequent pathological reactions. The initial interaction of fibers with target cells in the pleura has been studied in cellular models in vitro and in experimental studies in vivo. The proposed biological mechanisms responsible for non-neoplastic and neoplastic pleural diseases and the physical and chemical properties of asbestos fibers relevant to these mechanisms are critically reviewed. Understanding mechanisms of asbestos fiber toxicity may help us anticipate the problems from future exposures both to asbestos and to novel fibrous materials such as nanotubes. Gaps in our understanding have been outlined as guides for future research

The road to economic self-sufficiency: Job quality and job transition patterns after welfare reform

This paper analyzes the relationships of schooling, the skill content of work experience, and different types of employment patterns withless-skilled women's job quality outcomes. Survey data from employers and longitudinal data from former and current welfare recipientsare used for the period 1997 to early 2002. The analysis of job quality is broadened beyond employment rates and wages measured at a point in time byincluding non-wage attributes of compensation and aspects of jobs that affect future earnings potential. This study shows the extent to whichlack of employment stability, job skills, and occupation-specific experience impedes welfare recipients' abilities to obtain a“good job” or to transition into one from a “bad job.” The business cycle downturn has significantly negatively affected thejob quality and job transition patterns of former and current recipients. © 2003 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis andManagement.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34849/1/10158_ftp.pd

Screening for glucose intolerance and development of a lifestyle education programme for prevention of Type 2 diabetes in a population with intellectual disabilities

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is believed to be higher among people with intellectual disability (ID) than in the general population. However, research on prevalence and prevention in this population is limited. Objectives: The objectives of this programme of work were to establish a programme of research that would significantly enhance the knowledge and understanding of impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and T2DM in people with ID; to test strategies for the early identification of IGR and T2DM in people with ID; and to develop a lifestyle education programme and educator training protocol to promote behaviour change in a population with ID and IGR (or at a high risk of T2DM/CVD). Setting: Leicestershire, UK. Participants: Adults with ID were recruited from community settings, including residential homes and family homes. Adults with mild to moderate ID who had an elevated body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 25 kg/m2 and/or IGR were invited to take part in the education programme. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome of the screening programme was the prevalence of screen-detected T2DM and IGR. The uptake, feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were assessed. Data sources: Participants were recruited from general practices, specialist ID services and clinics, and through direct contact. Results: A total of 930 people with ID were recruited to the screening programme: 58% were male, 80% were white and 68% were overweight or obese. The mean age of participants was 43.3 years (standard deviation 14.2 years). Bloods were obtained for 675 participants (73%). The prevalence of previously undiagnosed T2DM was 1.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5% to 2%] and of IGR was 5% (95% CI 4% to 7%). Abnormal IGR was more common in those of non-white ethnicity; those with a first-degree family history of diabetes; those with increasing weight, waist circumference, BMI, diastolic blood pressure or triglycerides; and those with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We developed a lifestyle educational programme for people with ID, informed by findings from qualitative stakeholder interviews (health-care professionals, n = 14; people with ID, n = 7) and evidence reviews. Subsequently, 11 people with ID (and carers) participated in pilot education sessions (two groups) and five people attended education for the feasibility stage (one group). We found that it was feasible to collect primary outcome measures on physical activity and sedentary behaviour using wrist-worn accelerometers. We found that the programme was relatively costly, meaning that large changes in activity or diet (or a reduction in programme costs) would be necessary for the programme to be cost-effective. We also developed a quality development process for assessing intervention fidelity. Limitations: We were able to screen only around 30% of the population and involved only a small number in the piloting and feasibility work. Conclusions: The results from this programme of work have significantly enhanced the existing knowledge and understanding of T2DM and IGR in people with ID. We have developed a lifestyle education programme and educator training protocol to promote behaviour change in this population. Future work: Further work is needed to evaluate the STOP Diabetes intervention to identify cost-effective strategies for its implementation

Adding 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy to postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of short-course versus no androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised controlled trial

Background Previous evidence indicates that adjuvant, short-course androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves metastasis-free survival when given with primary radiotherapy for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the value of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is unclear. Methods RADICALS-HD was an international randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of ADT used in combination with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to radiotherapy alone (no ADT) or radiotherapy with 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT), using monthly subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue injections, daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as distant metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. Standard survival analysis methods were used, accounting for randomisation stratification factors. The trial had 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 80% to 86% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·67). Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. Findings Between Nov 22, 2007, and June 29, 2015, 1480 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 61–69]) were randomly assigned to receive no ADT (n=737) or short-course ADT (n=743) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 121 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 9·0 years (IQR 7·1–10·1), metastasis-free survival events were reported for 268 participants (142 in the no ADT group and 126 in the short-course ADT group; HR 0·886 [95% CI 0·688–1·140], p=0·35). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 79·2% (95% CI 75·4–82·5) in the no ADT group and 80·4% (76·6–83·6) in the short-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 121 (17%) of 737 participants in the no ADT group and 100 (14%) of 743 in the short-course ADT group (p=0·15), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Metastatic disease is uncommon following postoperative bed radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adding 6 months of ADT to this radiotherapy did not improve metastasis-free survival compared with no ADT. These findings do not support the use of short-course ADT with postoperative radiotherapy in this patient population

Duration of androgen deprivation therapy with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of long-course versus short-course androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised trial

Background Previous evidence supports androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with primary radiotherapy as initial treatment for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the use and optimal duration of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy remains uncertain. Methods RADICALS-HD was a randomised controlled trial of ADT duration within the RADICALS protocol. Here, we report on the comparison of short-course versus long-course ADT. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after previous radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to add 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT) or 24 months of ADT (long-course ADT) to radiotherapy, using subcutaneous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (monthly in the short-course ADT group and 3-monthly in the long-course ADT group), daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. The comparison had more than 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 75% to 81% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·72). Standard time-to-event analyses were used. Analyses followed intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT00541047 . Findings Between Jan 30, 2008, and July 7, 2015, 1523 patients (median age 65 years, IQR 60–69) were randomly assigned to receive short-course ADT (n=761) or long-course ADT (n=762) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 138 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 8·9 years (7·0–10·0), 313 metastasis-free survival events were reported overall (174 in the short-course ADT group and 139 in the long-course ADT group; HR 0·773 [95% CI 0·612–0·975]; p=0·029). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 71·9% (95% CI 67·6–75·7) in the short-course ADT group and 78·1% (74·2–81·5) in the long-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 105 (14%) of 753 participants in the short-course ADT group and 142 (19%) of 757 participants in the long-course ADT group (p=0·025), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Compared with adding 6 months of ADT, adding 24 months of ADT improved metastasis-free survival in people receiving postoperative radiotherapy. For individuals who can accept the additional duration of adverse effects, long-course ADT should be offered with postoperative radiotherapy. Funding Cancer Research UK, UK Research and Innovation (formerly Medical Research Council), and Canadian Cancer Society

Saline fluid flow and hydrocarbon migration and maturation as related to geopressure, Frio Formation, Brazoria County, Texas

The Pleasant Bayou geopressured-geothermal test wells in Brazoria County, Texas, display a prominent thermal-maturity anomaly in the Oligocene Anahuac and Frio Formations. Highly geopressured, more-mature shales are interbedded with hydropressured to moderately geopressured sandstones in the upper Frio and Anahuac. In contrast, shales and sandstones in the lower Frio, including the Andrau geopressured-geothermal production zone, are highly geopressured but exhibit lower thermal maturities. Vitrinite-reflectance data, supported by hydrocarbon-maturation data and anomalous concentrations of C/sub 5/ to C/sub 7/ hydrocarbons at Pleasant Bayou, indicate that the upper Frio was subjected to an extended period of hot, extremely saline, basinal fluid flow which caused the above thermal anomaly. Regional salinity studies (Morton and others, 1983) suggest that regional growth faults were the conduits for vertical basinal brine movement at depth. At shallower levels the upwelling waters migrated laterally through permeable sandstone-rich sections such as the upper Frio. Anomalously mature gasoline-range (C/sub 5/-C/sub 7/) hydrocarbons were introduced into the upper Frio by this process. Fluid influx in the lower Frio was probably limited by high geopressure, consequently maturity in the deep Frio section (greater than 14,000 ft) remained consistent with the regional geothermal gradient

Consolidation of Geologic Studies of Geopressured-Geothermal Resources in Texas

This is the final report to be submitted to the Department of Energy under the Consolidated Geothermal contract (DE-AC08-79ET21208) with the Bureau of Economic Geology. The report contains two sections. Section I presents the conclusions of work under the "Resource Assessment and Seismic Studies" project topic. It ties together the prospect and study areas described previously with a regional statistical survey of fault compartments. Section II reports the conclusions of the "Synthesis of Data" project topic. New vitrinite reflectance and hydrocarbon data are combined with previous information to yield a revised theory of fluid migration and temperature history in the vicinity of the Pleasant Bayou test-well site. In addition, the project topic of "Environmental Monitoring" has been concluded, under separate subcontractors' reports. Seismic monitoring under subcontract to Teledyne Geotech was completed, and a final report was submitted (Mauk and others, 1984). A variety of significant events were detected, but it is difficult to assign causes to them. At the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Bureau subcontracted with the Meyer Group to conduct a first-order releveling of the Pleasant Bayou site to update and replace the 1978 baseline study. The work was performed in the summer of 1984, and a final report prepared in October 1984 was transmitted to the Bureau of Economic Geology and then to the U.S. Department of Energy (Meyer Group, 1984). Interpretation of the results of this study is funded under the current geopressured geothermal research contract, along with new studies of environmental effects such as modeling of subsidence and fault reactivation, and production of liquid hydrocarbons from the geothermal test wells. All other topics of the expired contract, including Sandstone Consolidation, salinity, and Reservoir Continuity, have been fully documented in previous annual reports (Morton and others, 1983; Ewing and others, 1984), as well as Bureau and outside publications.Bureau of Economic Geolog