The invention features polymeric biomaterials formed by nucleophilic addition reactions to conjugated unsaturated groups. The steel cable has a core formed by an unjacketed steel strand, and the core is surrounded by jacketed steel strands. , by wire) signal transmission device for transmitting shift commands to the automatic transmission. The invention further provides methods of identifying substances that negatively or positively modulate the expression andor activity of CUL4A. Still further the device includes a connectable stethoscope for detecting and transmitting sounds from the chest of a user to a remote location. One embodiment includes a method for coating orthopedic implants having convex and concave surfaces with pyrocarbon by pyrolytic decomposition of a hydrocarbon.