Abstract: An apparatus for use with an excavation machine to move ground material comprises a bucket configured for collecting ground material and an internal material expulsion device in the bucket and configured for discharging the collected ground material through a rear opening of the bucket, which is opposite to a front opening through which material passes into the bucket during digging. The apparatus includes a deflection member outside the bucket and at or adjacent the rear opening, which is configured to direct discharged material. Thus is provided an apparatus which can be used to substantially simultaneously dig and discharge the excavated material away from the excavated location, in a common digging action.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to treatment management systems, which may include a clinical database for storing therapeutic protocols. The system may also include a treatment engine operatively connected to the clinical database. The treatment engine may obtain diagnostic information and select a first plurality of therapeutic protocols from the clinical database based on the obtained diagnostic information and reference protocol data. The treatment engine may calculate a treatment efficacy probability for each protocol using the reference protocol data. The treatment engine may develop a first treatment plan and evaluate intermediate data indicating an altered patient state due to the first treatment plan. The treatment engine may select, based on reference protocol data and adaptive protocol data, a second treatment plan using a second plurality of therapeutic protocols.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to treatment management systems, which may include a clinical database for storing therapeutic protocols. The system may also include a treatment engine operatively connected to the clinical database. The treatment engine may obtain diagnostic information and select a first plurality of therapeutic protocols from the clinical database based on the obtained diagnostic information and reference protocol data. The treatment engine may calculate a treatment efficacy probability for each protocol using the reference protocol data. The treatment engine may develop a first treatment plan and evaluate intermediate data indicating an altered patient state due to the first treatment plan. The treatment engine may select, based on reference protocol data and adaptive protocol data, a second treatment plan using a second plurality of therapeutic protocols.

Abstract: System and methods for optimizing multistage hydraulic fracturing design based on three-dimensional (3D) continuum damage mechanics are provided. A 3D global model of a field of hydrocarbon reservoirs is generated. A finite element analysis of the 3D global model is performed to calculate values of one or more mechanical variables for the field. A smaller-scale 3D sub-model of a selected portion of the field is generated from the 3D global model based on the calculated values of the mechanical variables. The hydraulic fracturing effects of fluid injection stimulation within the targeted reservoir formation are simulated by applying one or more numerical damage models to the sub-model. Optimal design parameters for multistage hydraulic fracturing of the targeted formation with a plurality of horizontal wells are determined based on numerical results of the simulation.

Abstract: System and methods for optimizing multistage hydraulic fracturing design based on three-dimensional (3D) continuum damage mechanics are provided. A 3D global model of a field of hydrocarbon reservoirs is generated. A finite element analysis of the 3D global model is performed to calculate values of one or more mechanical variables for the field. A smaller-scale 3D sub-model of a selected portion of the field is generated from the 3D global model based on the calculated values of the mechanical variables. The hydraulic fracturing effects of fluid injection stimulation within the targeted reservoir formation are simulated by applying one or more numerical damage models to the sub-model. Optimal design parameters for multistage hydraulic fracturing of the targeted formation with a plurality of horizontal wells are determined based on numerical results of the simulation.