Abstract: The invention provides synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs of formulas I or II as given in the specification, having two peptide chains branched from a dipeptide branch moiety composed of at least one and preferably two trifunctional amino acid residues, which peptide chain or chains bind a heparin-binding growth factor receptor. The synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs are useful as pharmaceutical agents, soluble biologics or as surface coatings for medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heparin binding growth factor analog of any of formula I-VIII and methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: Compounds of the present invention of formula I and formula II are disclosed in the specification and wherein the compounds are modulators of Bone Morphogenic Protein activity. Compounds are synthetic peptides having a non-growth factor heparin binding region, a linker, and sequences that bind specifically to a receptor for Bone Morphogenic Protein. Uses of compounds of the present invention in the treatment of bone lesions, degenerative joint disease and to enhance bone formation are disclosed.

Abstract: A thromboresistant coating for a medical device, method of coating and coated medical device, the coating including an in situ cross-linked co-polymer of a cross-linkable biomolecule, preferably an adsorbable biomolecule such as a heparin activity biomolecule with at least one prosthetic hydrophobic unit, and a multifunctional crosslinking agent, such as a bis-variant of polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, or polyethylene glycol, wherein the crosslinking is by means of covalent complexation through at least two functional groups of the multifunctional crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF) analog having two substantially similar sequences (homodimeric sequences) branched from a single amino acid residue, where the sequences are analogs of a particular HBGF that binds to a heparin-binding growth factor receptor (HBGFR), or alternatively that bind to a HBGFR without being an analog of any particular HBGF. The homodimeric sequences may be derived from any portion of a HBGF. The synthetic HBGF analog may be an analog of a hormone, a cytokine, a lymphokine, a chemokine or an interleukin, and may bind to any HBGFR. Further provided are preparations for medical devices, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs of formulas I or II as given in the specification, having two peptide chains branched from a dipeptide branch moiety composed of at least one and preferably two trifunctional amino acid residues, which peptide chain or chains bind a heparin-binding growth factor receptor. The synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs are useful as pharmaceutical agents, soluble biologics or as surface coatings for medical devices.

Abstract: A composition comprising a synthetic growth factor analogue comprising a non-growth factor heparin binding region, a linker and a sequence that binds specifically to a cell surface receptor and an osteoconductive material where the synthetic growth factor analogue is attached to and can be released from the osteoconductive material and is an amplifier/co-activator of osteoinduction.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting, locating, and quantifying explosive materials and devices, and naturally occurring and man-made dangerous or hazardous biological and chemical materials and devices in ducts or piping systems, or other fluid flow systems in buildings such as residential, office, industrial, and power plants, transportation systems such as ships, airplanes, subways, and trains, and various types of infrastructure such as dams, tunnels, or bridges, and in the rooms, compartments, enclosures, containers, or difficult to access areas in these buildings, transportation systems, and structures. The preferred embodiment of this detection and location method uses a conservative tracer and one or more interactive tracers that are injected into the duct or area to be searched at one location and then monitored at the same or another location in the duct or area.

Abstract: A wound dressing, method of making, and method of use, utilizing a polymeric film having complexed thereto by hydrophobic interaction a construct including a polyanion covalently bonded to a hydrophobic prosthetic moiety, with one or more bioactive molecules directly complexed to the polyanion. The polyanion may be heparin or a heparin-activity molecule. The prosthetic group may include a hydrophobic silyl-containing moiety. Bioactive molecules include adhesive molecules, growth factor molecules, and therapeutic molecules, including antibiotics.

Abstract: An apparatus nails a plurality of cross members to an underlying stringer to produce a pallet. The carriage moves in a continuous motion without stopping over the cross members until the cross members are nailed to the stringer. The carriage includes at least one nailing gun for driving nails and a hydraulic accumulator mounted on the carriage in hydraulic communication with the at least one nailing gun for supplying hydraulic fluid to provide a force to the nailing gun to nail the cross members to the stringer. The nailing gun may be pivotally secured to the carriage wherein the nailing gun pivots with respect to the carriage while driving a nail into the cross member and the underlying stringer. The nail gun is also positioned into a nail driving position pneumatically and when in the nail driving position the hydraulic cylinder is actuated to drive the nail into the cross member.

Abstract: A medical device with a hydrophilic and lubricious coating, wherein the coating includes a hydrophilic polymeric unit layer deposited on the medical device and cross-linked with a plasma deposited double bond monomer. The hydrophilic polymeric unit can include ethylene oxide with one or more primary or secondary alcohol groups or glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid, and the double bond monomer includes monomers containing at least one double bond, preferably a C?C, C?N or C?O bond, including N-trimethylsilyl-allylamine, ethylene, propylene and allyl alcohol.

Abstract: An anti-jackknifing device adapted for engagement between a tractor having a fifth wheel engaged with a trailer. The device features a pair of catch arms rotationally engaged to a mount with the tractor. The distal ends of the catch arms move between an engaged position in a horizontal path between two trailer mounted engaging components adapted to engage the distal end and a disengaged position out of the path. The distal ends of the catch arms may be pivotally mounted. The distal ends of the catch arms and the engaging components may also be shaped to cooperatively engage on contact. A control causes the catch arms to rotate thereby engaging the distal ends of the arms between the engaging components either automatically above a threshold speed or manually. This engagement limits the angle of the trailer to the tractor to a predetermined angle when trailer rotates on the fifth wheel causing the engaging components to contact the distal ends of the catch arms.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs having at least one peptide chain that binds a heparin-binding growth factor receptor, covalently bound to a hydrophobic linker, which is in turn covalently bound to a non-signaling peptide that includes a heparin-binding domain. The synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs are useful as soluble biologics or as surface coatings for medical devices.

Abstract: Formulations, kits and methods for bone or cartilage repair, including treatment of osteogenic defects, including formulations of synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs, non-ionic polymers, gelling agents and calcium-containing agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fibroblast growth factor heparin-binding analog of the formula: where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X, Y and Z are as defined, pharmaceutical compositions, coating compositions and medical devices including the fibroblast growth factor heparin-binding analog of the foregoing formula, and methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting, locating, and quantifying contamination in a fluid flow system like a pipe or duct. This characterization technique uses a conservative and one or more interactive tracers that are injected into the fluid flow system and then monitored at another location in the system. Detection, location, and quantification are accomplished by analysis of the characteristic features of measured curves of tracer concentration.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating crude oil to visbreak and/or upgrade such oil using hydrogen gas. The process includes the steps of introducing hydrogen into a heated stream of crude oil or partially upgraded crude oil and mixing such introduced hydrogen with the oil to achieve intimate dispersion of hydrogen to enhance thereby visbreaking and/or upgrading.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating and a method for coating medical devices with synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs, the coating and method including at least one heparin-binding growth factor analog with a region of amino acid residues binding a heparin-binding growth factor receptor, a hydrophobic linker region and a heparin-binding region, and further including heparin or an analog thereof. Also provided are medical devices, including aneurysm coils, coated with synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs, the coating further including heparin or an analog thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a steam generation apparatus that is liquid fuel fired and addresses conversion of gaseous fuel SIB units to operate with liquid fuel. The invention also relates to a conversion unit for a steam injection boiler, a method for converting a steam injection boiler from gas firing to possible liquid fuel firing and a method for generating steam from a liquid fuel source. The invention employs a fired heater for heating the liquid fuel to a temperature suitable for firing and preheats the water to compensate for the shortfall in heat liberation when a gas boiler is converted to use liquid fuel. In another aspect of the invention, production of steam is achievable consistently by employing step-up heaters with a steam injection boiler. The heaters being connected in parallel to continue heating the water/steam to achieve a higher quality steam over that produced in the boiler while minimizing consideration as to the adverse effects of coil fouling in the boiler.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs having two peptide chains each branched from a branch moiety, such as trifunctional amino acid residues, the branch moieties separated by a first linker of from 3 to about 20 backbone atoms, which peptide chains bind a heparin-binding growth factor receptor and are covalently bound to a non-signaling peptide that includes a heparin-binding domain, preferably by a second linker, which may be a hydrophobic second linker. The synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs are useful as pharmaceutical agents, soluble biologics or as surface coatings for medical devices.