Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for degrading a polymer. For example, methods can include comprising contacting a polymer with one or more polymer-degrading fungal species, wherein the polymer comprises a polyester graft, and wherein the polymer is a polymerization product of at least a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Diver propulsion devices and methods of propelling the devices and divers upon and beneath the sea are presented. A diver propulsion device is comprised of a wing buoyant in water, an electric motor propulsion system, a leash interconnecting the wing and diver, which leash may integrate control circuitry of the motor, photovoltaics atop the wing, and, batteries, each electrically connecting the motors, fins attaching the wing provide hydrofoil flight stabilization, and foot constraints attaching a deck of the wing. The wing is a hydrofoil, and the diver stands and lies upon the deck of the wing, and, during hydrofoil flight, the diver is substantially above the sea and the wing is seaborne. In hydrofoil flight, the device may be motor propelled, or, by the diver heaving and pitching the device, or, by both methods simultaneously. Undersea, the device tows the diver by motor power energized photovoltaically, and, or, by battery.

Abstract: A wing, buoyant in water has an upper wing surface comprising a deck upon which a rider stands, and, the wing is in water. A foot constraint proximate the wing leading edge and fixedly attaching the wing projects outwardly from the deck to release-ably receive the rider's forward foot. With the rider standing with both feet upon the deck, and the rider's forward foot ensconced within the foot constraint, and with the rider's aft foot proximate a trailing edge of the wing, the rider bodily heaves and pitches the wing to obtain a chordwise forward velocity thru the water. The forward foot constraint enables the rider to upheave the wing. A second foot constraint may attach the deck proximate the wing trailing edge. Another foot constraining system is comprised as a frictional device broadly applying the deck, and, may be used in addition to or in lieu of other constraints.

Abstract: A disk drive is operable to determine degradation associated with writing to a disk surface by a head which has written existing data at a first areal density. A second areal density less than the first areal density is determined that remediates the degradation. The disk drive performs subsequent writes to the disk surface at the second areal density, and continues to read the existing data at the first areal density.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The fuel injector includes a fuel stem assembly for receiving and distributing fuel and an injector head receiving fuel from the fuel stem assembly. The injector head can include an injector body, swirler vanes, a pilot assembly, passages, and fuel galleries. The pilot assembly can include pilot struts and a pilot tube. The swirler vanes and pilot struts can include passages to transport the pilot fuel from the fuel stem assembly to the pilot tube.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The fuel injector includes a fuel stem assembly for receiving and distributing fuel and an injector head receiving fuel from the fuel stem assembly. The injector head can include an injector body, swirler vanes, a pilot assembly, passages, and fuel galleries. The pilot assembly can include pilot struts and a pilot tube. The swirler vanes and pilot struts can include passages to transport the pilot fuel from the fuel stem assembly to the pilot tube.

Abstract: A testing fixture for testing a component of an industrial machine is disclosed herein. The testing fixture includes a fixture block and a component interfacing fixture that fastens to the fixture block. The fixture block includes a block tapered bore that forms a block tapered bore wall. The block tapered bore wall includes a block tapered surface with a frustoconical shape. The component interfacing fixture includes a receiving slot for the component and a stem. The stem includes a tapered portion that has a stem tapered surface with a frustoconical shape that mates with the block tapered surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and techniques for securing bone segments across a fracture site, and more particularly relates to bone staples for achieving compression between segments. A method and apparatus for interosseous bone fixation uses a compression staple, generally U-shaped, having a pair of legs with proximal ends interconnected by a bridge portion that is resilient and bowed, the staple having an initial configuration and capable of a tensioned configuration by spreading apart the legs by a certain amount causing the curvature of the bowed bridge to lessen and the legs to move towards each other with certain compressive spring force.

Abstract: A testing fixture for testing a component of an industrial machine is disclosed herein. The testing fixture includes a fixture block and a component interfacing fixture that fastens to the fixture block. The fixture block includes a block tapered bore that forms a block tapered bore wall. The block tapered bore wall includes a block tapered surface with a frustoconical shape. The component interfacing fixture includes a receiving slot for the component and a stem. The stem includes a tapered portion that has a stem tapered surface with a frustoconical shape that mates with the block tapered surface.

Abstract: A dynamic tissue holding device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another includes a resilient body having a spring and a band arranged for extending about the tissue portions to be held together. The band has a first end for attachment to a first attachment portion on the resilient body and a second end for attachment to a second attachment portion on the resilient body. Stops are disposed on portions of the resilient body for limiting both the compression and expansion of the spring. The compression of the spring is limited by engagement of two of the stops with one another and the expansion of the spring is limited by engagement of at least one of the stops with the spring.

Abstract: A dynamic tissue holding device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another includes a resilient body having a spring and a band arranged for extending about the tissue portions to be held together. The band has a first end for attachment to a first attachment portion on the resilient body and a second end for attachment to a second attachment portion on the resilient body. Stops are disposed on portions of the resilient body for limiting both the compression and expansion of the spring. The compression of the spring is limited by engagement of two of the stops with one another and the expansion of the spring is limited by engagement of at least one of the stops with the spring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interosseous bone fixation uses a compression staple, generally U-shaped, having a pair of legs with sharp front ends and proximal ends interconnect by a bridge portion that is resilient and bowed, the staple having an initial configuration and capable of a tensioned configuration by spreading apart the legs by a certain amount causing the curvature of the bowed bridge to lessen and the legs urged towards each other with certain compressive spring force. A staple applicator supports and guides the staple and positions the tensioned staple with its pointed ends forward, adjacent an ejection port at the front of the applicator. A powered strike member is mounted for longitudinal movement and has a front end that will strike the rear of the tensioned staple with percussive force and eject it in tensioned configuration from the applicator.

Abstract: A watercraft having a deck is configured with a first rocker having graspable input arm above-deck and a lower output arm, the first rocker being pivoted to the craft, the output arm connecting a push-bar at a first end and the push-bar having a second end connecting a second rocker, the second rocker having input and output arms, the output arm of the second rocker having a propelling fin, the second rocker being pivoted to the watercraft. The watercraft may have a third rocker, fin, and pivot, and more. Users stand upon deck, grasp the first rocker's input arm and vertically thrust the rocker to propel. The invention further comprises a device for human powered propulsion remove-ably attachable to watercrafts, especially small boats, and surfboards, and for propelling them from a standing position by human power.

Abstract: Human powered watercrafts, propulsion devices, and propelling methods are provided. A watercraft having a deck is configured with a first rocker having graspable input arm above-deck and a lower output arm, the first rocker being pivoted to the craft, the output arm connecting a push-bar at a first end and the push-bar having a second end connecting a second rocker, the second rocker having input and output arms, the output arm of the second rocker having a propelling fin, the second rocker being pivoted to the watercraft. The watercraft may have a third rocker, fin, and pivot, and more. Users stand upon deck, grasp the first rocker's input arm and vertically thrust the rocker to propel. The invention further comprises a device for human powered propulsion remove-ably attachable to watercrafts, especially small boats, and surfboards, and for propelling them from a standing position by human power.

Abstract: Human powered watercrafts, propulsion systems, and methods of propulsion are provided. A watercraft having an upper deck is configured with a cam plate having a pedal above the deck and a plate and cam below the deck, the cam engaging a cam follower of a fin bar, the fin bar having a substantially vertical propelling fin at an aft end and a pivot to the craft at a forward end. In another embodiment the craft receives two cam plates with pedals, a plurality of fin bars and two propelling fins, all operatively interconnected by a pulley and belt such that a leg thrust upon a pedal opens the fins and an opposite leg thrust upon the opposing pedal closes the fins, propelling the craft. In still another embodiment, an open, hollow surfboard remove-ably receives the propulsion system and a user activate-able buoyancy compensator making a submersible human powered watercraft.

Abstract: Human powered watercrafts, propulsion devices, and methods of propulsion are provided. A watercraft having an upper deck is configured with a cam plate having a pedal above the deck and a plate and cam below the deck, the cam engaging a cam follower of a fin bar, the fin bar having a substantially vertical propelling fin at an aft end and a pivot to the craft at a forward end. In another embodiment the craft receives two cam plates with pedals, a plurality of fin bars and two propelling fins, all operatively interconnected by a pulley and belt such that a leg thrust upon a pedal opens the fins and an opposite leg thrust upon the opposing pedal closes the fms. Another embodiment, an open, hollow surfboard receives the propulsion device and a buoyancy compensator making a submersible human powered watercraft which may be propelled upon and beneath the sea.

Abstract: The watercraft described herein is a surfboard, skim board, dive board, or boat having a propelling fin driven by a standing surfer or boater with an upward and downward stroke which may be used to propel the watercraft by an upward and downward fin motion. The surfboard and dive board in particular are used on water and may be used to ride ocean swells and waves. The surfer or diver stands on the board and moves a vertical handle upwardly and down-ward. The lower end of this handle is pivotally attached to a parallel bar device having attachment means to the board at a forward end of the parallel bar device and having attachment means to a fin at the aft ward end of the parallel bar device. The fin is generally horizontal and is driven thru the water up and downwardly by the standing user and propels the board forward at higher rates of speed than can be achieved by prone-paddling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interosseous bone fixation uses a compression staple, generally U-shaped, having a pair of legs with sharp front ends and proximal ends interconnect by a bridge portion that is resilient and bowed, the staple having an initial configuration and capable of a tensioned configuration by spreading apart the legs by a certain amount causing the curvature of the bowed bridge to lessen and the legs urged towards each other with certain compressive spring force. A staple applicator supports and guides the staple and positions the tensioned staple with its pointed ends forward, adjacent an ejection port at the front of the applicator. A powered strike member is mounted for longitudinal movement and has a front end that will strike the rear of the tensioned staple with percussive force and eject it in tensioned configuration from the applicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interosseous bone fixation uses a compression staple, generally U-shaped, having a pair of legs with sharp front ends and proximal ends interconnect by a bridge portion that is resilient and bowed, the staple having an initial configuration and capable of a tensioned configuration by spreading apart the legs by a certain amount causing the curvature of the bowed bridge to lessen and the legs urged towards each other with certain compressive spring force. A staple applicator supports and guides the staple and positions the tensioned staple with its pointed ends forward, adjacent an ejection port at the front of the applicator. A powered strike member is mounted for longitudinal movement and has a front end that will strike the rear of the tensioned staple with percussive force and eject it in tensioned configuration from the applicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interosseous bone fixation uses a compression staple, generally U-shaped, having a pair of legs with sharp front ends and proximal ends interconnect by a bridge portion that is resilient and bowed, the staple having an initial configuration and capable of a tensioned configuration by spreading apart the legs by a certain amount causing the curvature of the bowed bridge to lessen and the legs urged towards each other with certain compressive spring force. A staple applicator supports and guides the staple and positions the tensioned staple with its pointed ends forward, adjacent an ejection port at the front of the applicator. A powered strike member is mounted for longitudinal movement and has a front end that will strike the rear of the tensioned staple with percussive force and eject it in tensioned configuration from the applicator.