Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant viral segments comprising an artificial intron, DNA constructs encoding these viral segments, and recombinant viruses comprising these viral segments. Also provided are methods of making and using the recombinant viruses described herein.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing hydrogel microparticles with spherical shape and having a narrow-disperse or mono-disperse size distribution. At least one temporary crosslinker such as those of formula (I), (Ila)-(Ilf) and at least one permanent crosslinker comprising two or more vinyl groups, such as: divinylbenzene (DVB), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA),diethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA), N,N?-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), oligo/poly ethyleneglycol dimethyacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, and 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate are combined in an organic solvent having a polarity suitable for a precipitation polymerization to occur. The precipitation polymerization is allowed to take place without the addition of surfactant and/or stabilizer and/or the formed microparticles comprise less than 1% surfactant and/or stabilizer. These microparticles may be further functionalized to obtain amine and carboxylic acid units by functionalizing the monomers of the temporary crosslinkers.

Abstract: Pipe body for an unbonded reinforced thermoplastic pipe (uRTP), the pipe body including a fluid retaining liner, an intermediate layer located radially outwardly of the fluid retaining liner, and a protective sheath located radially outwardly of the intermediate layer. The pipe body includes an end portion for terminating the pipe body at an end fitting. At the end portion, the intermediate layer is bonded to the fluid retaining liner. Away from the end portion, the intermediate layer remains unbonded to the fluid retaining liner.

Abstract: Pipe body for an unbonded reinforced thermoplastic pipe (uRTP), the pipe body including a fluid retaining liner, an intermediate layer located radially outwardly of the fluid retaining liner, and a protective sheath located radially outwardly of the intermediate layer. The pipe body includes an end portion for terminating the pipe body at an end fitting. At the end portion, the intermediate layer is bonded to the fluid retaining liner. Away from the end portion, the intermediate layer remains unbonded to the fluid retaining liner.

Abstract: A novel charge-shifting copolymer is provided comprising a first charge-shifting monomer that is cationic under physiological conditions and which possesses cationic groups that may be converted into anionic groups under physiological conditions, a second monomer comprising at least one primary amine that is not convertible to an anionic group under physiological conditions, and optionally, one or more monomers which are polar uncharged monomers. A hydrogel system incorporating this copolymer, as well as a capsule system, are also provided.

Abstract: A polymer matrix is provided comprising an amine-containing polyampholyte covalently crosslinked with an electrophilic polymer to yield an immunocompatible polymer matrix. A hydrogel system incorporating the polymer matrix is also provided.

Abstract: A novel charge-shifting copolymer is provided comprising a first charge-shifting monomer that is cationic under physiological conditions and which possesses cationic groups that may be converted into anionic groups under physiological conditions, a second monomer comprising at least one primary amine that is not convertible to an anionic group under physiological conditions, and optionally, one or more monomers which are polar uncharged monomers. A hydrogel system incorporating this copolymer, as well as a capsule system, are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reinforcing an existing pipeline. In some embodiments, the methods include positioning a pipeline wrapping apparatus on the existing pipeline, wherein the pipeline wrapping apparatus comprises a winding head, feeding a strip of material through the winding head, attaching an end of the strip of material to the existing pipeline, and helically wrapping the strip around the existing pipeline by rotating the winding head and axially translating the winding head relative to the existing pipeline.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reinforcing an existing pipeline. In some embodiments, the methods include positioning a pipeline wrapping apparatus on the existing pipeline, wherein the pipeline wrapping apparatus comprises a winding head, feeding a strip of material through the winding head, attaching an end of the strip of material to the existing pipeline, and helically wrapping the strip around the existing pipeline by rotating the winding head and axially translating the winding head relative to the existing pipeline.

Abstract: A polymer matrix is provided comprising an amine-containing polyampholyte covalently crosslinked with an electrophilic polymer to yield an immunocompatible polymer matrix. A hydrogel system incorporating the polymer matrix is also provided.

Abstract: An immuno-compatible hydrogel system is provided that is resistant to protein binding. The hydrogel system is prepared by contacting a hydrogel solution with a cross-linking agent to form a gel, exposing the gel to an aqueous solution comprising a first polyelectrolyte to form a polyelectrolyte-coated hydrogel, exposing the polyelectrolyte-coated hydrogel to a second polyelectrolyte to form a crosslinked matrix and exposing the matrix to conditions which eliminates, or at least reduces, protein binding sites on the matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reinforcing an existing pipeline. In some embodiments, the methods include positioning a pipeline wrapping apparatus on the existing pipeline, wherein the pipeline wrapping apparatus comprises a winding head, feeding a strip of material through the winding head, attaching an end of the strip of material to the existing pipeline, and helically wrapping the strip around the existing pipeline by rotating the winding head and axially translating the winding head relative to the existing pipeline.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reinforcing an existing pipeline. In some embodiments, the methods include positioning a pipeline wrapping apparatus on the existing pipeline, wherein the pipeline wrapping apparatus comprises a winding head, feeding a strip of material through the winding head, attaching an end of the strip of material to the existing pipeline, and helically wrapping the strip around the existing pipeline by rotating the winding head and axially translating the winding head relative to the existing pipeline.

Abstract: An immuno-compatible hydrogel system is provided that is resistant to protein binding. The hydrogel system is prepared by contacting a hydrogel solution with a cross-linking agent to form a gel, exposing the gel to an aqueous solution comprising a first polyelectrolyte to form a polyelectrolyte-coated hydrogel, exposing the polyelectrolyte-coated hydrogel to a second polyelectrolyte to form a crosslinked matrix and exposing the matrix to conditions which eliminates, or at least reduces, protein binding sites on the matrix.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating reinforced tubular. In some embodiments, the fabrication system includes a plurality of iso-containers positioned at a site where a reinforced tubular is to be installed and equipment disposed within each of the plurality of iso-containers, the equipment operable to produce the reinforced tubular. The equipment includes a caterpullar operable to receive a tubular and push the tubular through the equipment downstream of the caterpullar and a winder operable to wrap the tubular with a reinforcing material to produce the reinforced tubular.

Abstract: Methods for repairing a defect in a pipeline. In some embodiments, the method includes filling the defect with a paste such that an outer surface of the defect is substantially flush with an adjacent outer surface of the pipeline, curing the paste, manually wrapping a reinforcing material around the pipeline over the defect region for a plurality of turns, coupling the reinforcing material to the pipeline, wherein a pressure load applied to an inner surface of the pipeline is transferred through the pipeline and the paste to the reinforcing material so as to increase a safe operating pressure of the pipeline, and electrically coupling the reinforcing material and the pipeline, whereby an electrical potential in the pipeline is transmitted to the reinforcing material.

Abstract: Methods for repairing a defect in a pipeline. In some embodiments, the method includes filling the defect with a filler such that an outer surface of the defect is substantially flush with an adjacent outer surface of the pipeline, curing the filler, wrapping a reinforcing material around the pipeline over the defect region for a plurality of turns, coupling the reinforcing material to the pipeline, wherein a pressure load applied to an inner surface of the pipeline is transferred through the pipeline and the filler to the reinforcing material so as to increase a safe operating pressure of the pipeline, and electrically coupling the reinforcing material and the pipeline, whereby an electrical potential in the pipeline is transmitted to the reinforcing material.

Abstract: A novel hydrogel system is provided. The hydrogel system comprises a biocompatible hydrogel core having dispersed therein a covalently crosslinked polymer matrix. The hydrogel system is useful per se or as an encapsulation system.

Abstract: A hose (10) comprising a tubular body (12) of flexible material arranged between an inner and an outer helically wound wire (22, 24). The hose (10) further comprises an axial strengthening means (20) adapted to reduce deformation of the tubular body (12) when the tubular body (12) is subjected to axial tension, the axial strengthening means (20) being adapted to exert a radially inward force on at least part of the tubular body (12) when axial strengthening means (20) is subjected to axial tension.

Abstract: A hose (10) comprising a tubular body (12) of flexible material arranged between an inner and an outer helically wound wire (22, 24). The hose (10) further comprises an elongate member having opposing longitudinal edges, the elongate member being helically wound around the tubular body such that the opposing longitudinal edges of the layer are in an adjacent or overlapping arrangement, wherein each longitudinal edge includes a formation capable of interengaging with a cooperating formation on the opposing longitudinal edge.