Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating hypertension. The methods generally involve administering a factor which increases angiogenesis and/or vascular permeability. Compositions for use in the methods are also provided.

Abstract: An overhead galley/crew rest system for an aircraft, wherein the aircraft includes a main passenger cabin having a plurality of storage binds disposed along a generally planar ceiling portion thereof. The aircraft further includes an overhead storage section positioned generally above the ceiling portion of the main passenger cabin. The overhead galley/crew rest system includes a galley cart storage area disposed in this overhead storage section, which is capable of storing multiple galley carts. This galley cart storage area defines a generally planar cart plane. A walkway is provided that generally extends through the overhead storage section. The walkway is generally positioned between the plurality of storage binds and generally below the generally planar cart plane. A stairway interconnects the main passenger cabin and the walkway. Similarly, a cart lift mechanism interconnects the main passenger cabin to the overhead storage section for individually raising and lowering the plurality of galley carts.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for the treatment of salt-sensitive hypertension. The methods generally involve administering a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in an amount effective to reduce the blood pressure of a patient suffering from salt-sensitive hypertension to a normal range.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of producing same are provided. The medical device comprising a body member and a coating on at least a portion of the body member comprising an insitu condensation product of a first electrophilically active, high molecular weight polyalkylene oxide and a second high molecular weight polyoxyalkylene derivative.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of producing same are provided. The medical device comprising a body member and a coating on at least a portion of the body member comprising an insitu condensation product of a first electrophilically active, high molecular weight polyalkylene oxide and a second high molecular weight polyoxyalkylene derivative.

Abstract: A cleanup kit designed to be used by a person walking a dog to enable him to remove any litter deposited by the animal and then to flush and sanitize the spot contaminated by the litter. The kit includes a bag and shoulder carrying strap. The bag includes multiple internal compartments for supporting the kit items which include a trigger sprayer, a flashlight, cleanup gloves, disposable litter bags, and a variety of other optional items. A bag insert is designed to convert a conventional bag to one having compartments to retain the kit items.

Abstract: Novel blood cell fractionation devices are provided. The device utilizes filters coated with high molecular weight polyethylene oxide derivatives cross-linked to prevent leaching from filter surfaces. These filters have a special efficacy in preventing protein adsorption and cellular adhesion to the membrane filter.

Abstract: Blood filtration devices and methods of filtering are disclosed. In part, a blood filtration device is provided comprising a housing defining an interior periphery. The device includes a rotating structure mounted within the interior periphery and defining with the housing an annular gap within the interior periphery, an inlet fluid path for allowing a blood product to flow into the annular gap, and the rotating structure including an exterior surface that includes a filter membrane. The filter membrane has a coating thereon comprising an insitu condensation product of a first electrophilically active, high molecular weight polyalkylene oxide and a second high molecular weight bifunctional diamino-polyoxyalkylene oxide derivative.

Abstract: Novel blood cell fractionation means utilizes conventional filters coated with high molecular weight polyethylene oxide derivatives crosslinked to prevent leaching from filter surfaces. These fractionation means have a special efficacy in binding white blood cells from whole blood while simultaneously allowing red cells and platelets to pass in the effluent phase.

Abstract: Novel blood cell fractionation means utilizes conventional filters coated with high molecular weight polyethylene oxide derivatives crosslinked to prevent leaching from filter surfaces. These fractionation means have a special efficacy in binding white blood cells from whole blood while simultaneously allowing red cells and platelets to pass in the effluent phase.

Abstract: A battery system for a vehicle includes a main battery for energizing the vehicle SLI circuits and an auxiliary battery for energizing the vehicle EHC system, the battery system providing back-up of the auxiliary battery by the main battery under certain conditions and back-up of the main battery by the auxiliary battery under certain other conditions, and the battery system providing opportunity charging of the auxiliary battery once the vehicle engine is running whereby the auxiliary battery shares the charging current with the main battery with the auxiliary battery being gradually connected to the source of charging current for the main battery by increasing the duty cycle of the drive circuit that connects the auxiliary battery to the source of charging current while monitoring the state of charge of the main battery and decreasing the duty cycle of the drive circuit to protect the main battery state of charge.

Abstract: A material is formed into hollow fiber form, and the surface characteristics of the interior bore is selectively modified in a predetermined fashion by a reactive lumen fluid. Nucleophilic materials, such as regenerated cellulose, can be formed into hollow fibers and simultaneously modified to improve their biocompatibility in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Lawn rakes and rake attachments, and methods of use are disclosed. An open top, open front receptacle is disposed on the raking platform for use with a push raking operation wherein the rake teeth are turned upwardly. The rake generally slides under lawn debris such as leaves, so the debris rides over the upstanding teeth and onto the main portions of the teeth, onto the rake body platform and against the rear wall of the receptacle. With continued pushing, a deeper pile of debris collects on the rake and accumulates ahead of the rake. The push raking operation requires less energy and less dexterity, to move a given amount of leaves, than a conventional pull raking operation. Accordingly, some elderly, injured, and handicapped persons who cannot do pull-raking work, can now clean up their lawns using the apparatus and methods of the subject invention.

Abstract: A material is formed into hollow fiber form, and the surface characteristics of the interior bore is selectively modified in a predetermined fashion by a reactive lumen fluid. Nucleophilic materials, such as regenerated cellulose, can be formed into hollow fibers and simultaneously modified to improve their biocompatibility in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A modular tile for an access floor panel system wherein the tile includes a mechanism for positively locating the tile on an access floor panel so as to be replaceable and removable without the use of indexing tools or fixtures through the tile's bottom surface or the panel's top surface and having a configuration which orients the tile to the access floor panel, the size of the tile being consistent and modular with each and every access floor panel in the access floor panel system.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable cooking grill of the kind intended for use outdoor charcoal cooking. In one embodiment, the grill according to the invention may be relatively small and easily carried on camping hikes. In another embodiment, the grill of the invention is completely collapsible but is useful as a large multipurpose apparatus for use in charcoal cooking for a large number of people. The invention provides adjustable features, including at least one grill unit and/or a cooking pan which can be handled while hot but very safely. Moreover, the supporting frame of the grill and the added cooking members such as grill units, pans or the like are structured to permit these added members to be placed in horizontal or inclined positions and at preselected levels above the ground.

Abstract: A structural steel member and composite panel including the same and having a sheet of industrial steel having formed therein a pattern of dome-like projections, extending from the plane of the sheet, and of which at least the major portion of each projection is substantially circular in plan view and the projections are arranged in a geometric pattern that substantially limits the elongation of the material to the areas defined by the circular configurations, the dome-like projections also having formed in the peak areas thereof small truncated cones having a flattened uppermost planar surface, parallel to the original plane of said sheet, providing superior overall depth and increased resistance to crushing.

Abstract: A structural member comprising a sheet of industrial material in which is formed a plurality of dome-like projections of which at least the major portion of the configuration thereof in plan view is circular and said projections being located in the plane of said sheet in a structurally strategic geometric pattern which repeatedly blocks straight lines of vision across said sheet through said pattern of projections in all directions to form a one-piece rigid structural member capable of resistance to flexure and the intermediate portion of the sheet between said projections comprising arcuate continuous structural stress-resisting sections extending between the opposite edges of said member. Variations in patterns of projections comprise different embodiments of said member and, when fabricated, said member lends itself to a variety of end uses. When in the form of a composite panel, a flat sheet of planar material is affixed to the upper ends of said projections.