Abstract: Provided herein are coated particles, such as, for example, proppants comprising a coating. A coated particle of the present invention may swell upon contact with a solution having a salinity in a range of about 50 ppm to about 100,000 ppm and/or having a hardness in a range of about 1 ppm to about 150,000 ppm. The amount of swelling may vary by less than 50% over a salinity concentration in a range of about 50 ppm to about 100,000 ppm and/or a hardness concentration in a range of about 1 ppm to about 150,000 ppm. Also provided herein are methods of making coated particles and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article with biocompostable properties, such as a baby diaper, adult incontinence product, or a feminine hygiene pad. Particularly, the present invention is directed to a biocompostable absorbent sanitary article with a high degree of biocompostability. The sanitary article comprises, in one embodiment, at least a top layer, a back layer, and absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core includes a superabsorbent polymer, and wherein at least the superabsorbent polymer is biocompostable.

Abstract: A glove remover apparatus is provided. The glove remover apparatus is especially suitable for the removing of a used medical glove in a sterile manner; however the glove remover apparatus is not limited to removing only medical gloves. The glove remover apparatus may have an extended long handle having a trigger spring at the distal end wherein the trigger spring grasps a glove on the user's hand. Once grasped by the apparatus, the used glove may be safely removed without a user needing to actually touch the glove.

Abstract: A watercraft having a propulsion mechanism extending through an opening in the bottom of the watercraft having a propulsion mechanism adapted to be inserted in an opening in the bottom of a watercraft comprising a pair of pedals each coupled to a flexible fin extending below the water line, the pair of fins oscillate through an arcuate path on a horizontal axis to propel the watercraft. The horizontal axis is preferably continuously rotatable in either direction through 360° on a vertical axis disposed at a substantially right angle to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft to propel the watercraft in any direction.

Abstract: A watercraft having a propulsion mechanism extending through an opening in the bottom of the watercraft having a propulsion mechanism adapted to be inserted in an opening in the bottom of a watercraft comprising a pair of pedals each coupled to a flexible fin extending below the water line, the pair of fins oscillate through an arcuate path on a horizontal axis to propel the watercraft. The horizontal axis is preferably continuously rotatable in either direction through 360° on a vertical axis disposed at a substantially right angle to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft to propel the watercraft in any direction.

Abstract: Provided herein are coated particles, such as, for example, proppants comprising a coating. A coated particle of the present invention may swell upon contact with a solution having a salinity in a range of about 50 ppm to about 100,000 ppm and/or having a hardness in a range of about 1 ppm to about 150,000 ppm. The amount of swelling may vary by less than 50% over a salinity concentration in a range of about 50 ppm to about 100,000 ppm and/or a hardness concentration in a range of about 1 ppm to about 150,000 ppm. Also provided herein are methods of making coated particles and methods of using the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a human propelled watercraft having a pair of flexible fins extending into the water. The invention allows the user to easily adjust the propulsion device to match the user's leg length. The invention consists of a push button mechanism that converts a vertical motion into a horizontal motion allowing a locking pin to retract and the propulsion device to be adjusted. Once an adjustment position is selected, the user releases the button and a spring reverses the motion of the pin, locking the mechanism into position.

Abstract: A human propelled watercraft having a pair of flexible fins supported by a mast extending into the water each adapted to oscillate through an arcuate path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of said watercraft. Pedals are provided for applying input force whereby as input force is applied, the flexible fins can twist to form an angle of attack for providing forward thrust with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the watercraft while moving in both directions along the arcuate path. Each of the fins preferably is composed of a layer of stiff and durable material that is wrapped around the mast. The two layers of material touch at the trailing edge and they are free to slide relative to each other. Preferably, each of the fins is provided with adjustable tensioning at the tip of the mast.

Abstract: The invention relates to a watercraft mounting system that embodies a multi-faceted tube and a mating clamp system adapted to carry an accessory. The designs of the railing and clamp have geometry to prevent rotation while allowing flexibility of adjustment in multiple positions.

Abstract: A human propelled watercraft having a pair of flexible fins supported by a mast extending into the water each adapted to oscillate through an arcuate path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of said watercraft. Pedals are provided for applying input force whereby as input force is applied, the flexible fins can twist to form an angle of attack for providing forward thrust with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the watercraft while moving in both directions along the arcuate path. Each of the fins preferably is composed of a layer of stiff and durable material that is wrapped around the mast. The two layers of material touch at the trailing edge and they are free to slide relative to each other. Preferably, each of the fins is provided with adjustable tensioning at the tip of the mast.

Abstract: A watercraft having a seat securely carried on the watercraft, the seat having a plastic seat frame and a plastic seat back frame. The seat frame and the seat back frame are joined via a hinged connection. The bottom of the seat frame has receptacles that easily engage with engagement elements mounted on the deck of the watercraft. The seat has mechanism to easily adjust the height of the front of the seat, the height of the rear of the seat, the recline angle, and the amount of lumbar support. The seat has four legs stored under the seat frame which can be plugged into the seat frame to turn the seat into a lawnchair.

Abstract: A device for insertion in watercraft including propulsion means comprising a pair of flappers which oscillate through an arcuate path in a transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of the watercraft. As input force is applied, the flappers twist to form an angle of attack for providing forward thrust. The means for applying propulsive force includes a pair of pedals, and further includes pedal cranks operatively associated with the propulsion means, the fore ends of the pedals being pivotally attached to a fixed point.

Abstract: A watercraft having a seat securely carried on the watercraft, the seat having a plastic seat frame and a plastic seat back frame. The seat frame and the seat back frame are joined via a hinged connection. The bottom of the seat frame has receptacles that easily engage with engagement elements mounted on the deck of the watercraft. The seat has mechanism to easily adjust the height of the front of the seat, the height of the rear of the seat, the recline angle, and the amount of lumbar support. The seat has four legs stored under the seat frame which can be plugged into the seat frame to turn the seat into a lawnchair.

Abstract: The invention relates to a watercraft mounting system that embodies a multi-faceted tube and a mating clamp system adapted to carry an accessory. The designs of the railing and clamp have geometry to prevent rotation while allowing flexibility of adjustment in multiple positions.

Abstract: Multi-component model engineering is described, for example, to model multi-component dynamical systems in which the true underlying processes are incompletely understood such as the Earth's biosphere, whole organisms, biological cells, the immune system, and anthropogenic systems such as agricultural systems, and economic systems. In an embodiment individual component models are linked together and associated with empirical data observed from the system being modeled in a consistent, repeatable manner. For example, a model component, its links with data, its outputs, and its links with other model components, are specified in a format to be passed directly to inference routines which use an inference engine to infer the most likely parameters of the multi-component model given subsets of the empirical data. The inferred parameter values take the form of a probability distribution representing the degree of uncertainty in most likely parameter.

Abstract: A device for insertion in watercraft including propulsion means comprising a pair of flappers which oscillate through an arcuate path in a transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of the watercraft. As input force is applied, the flappers twist to form an angle of attack for providing forward thrust. The means for applying propulsive force includes a pair of pedals, and further includes pedal cranks operatively associated with the propulsion means, the fore ends of the pedals being pivotally attached to a fixed point.

Abstract: A method of preparing a hydrogel for delivery of an active agent. The method includes providing an aqueous solution that includes the active agent; dispersing or dissolving a gel-forming polymer in the aqueous solution to form a polymer solution; and cross-linking the polymer in the polymer solution to form the hydrogel which encapsulates the active agent.