Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is now provided a method for the diagnosis of amyloidosis, which comprises subjecting a protein sample such as serum, cerebrospinal fluid or brain tissues containing amyloid deposits obtained from a patient suspected of suffering from an amyloidosis related disease to measurement of the amount of ubiquitin in said sample, and comparing the resulting amount with the amount of ubiquitin in a normal healthy patient. In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, which comprises subjecting a protein sample obtained from the brain extract or cerebrospinal fluid of a patient suspected of suffering from Alzheimer's disease to measurement of the amount of ubiquitin, and comparing the resulting amount with the amount of ubiquitin in a normal healthy patient.

Abstract: A system for mounting and supporting harvesting units on a forward end of a cotton harvester frame to allow them to be slidably moved relative to each other and laterally along an elongated tool bar structure. The tool bar structure is pivotally connected to the cotton harvester frame by a lift assembly. The harvesting units are independently connected at their rearward edges to the tool bar structure by a slide support structure. The slide support structure maintains a non-rotatable and nonpoint contact relationship with laterally elongated generally flat support surfaces defined between opposite ends of the tool bar structure whereby subsantial surface area contact is provided between each side support structure and the support surfaces on the tool bar structure.

Abstract: In a flow controller, a housing structure connectable in a process line is adapted to receive a process fluid from an upstream pump and to discharge the process fluid to a downstream device. A flow restrictor mounted in the housing structure is movable between an operative position wherein the flow restrictor coacts with the housing structure to define a restricted orifice and an inoperative position. A piston movable within a hydraulic cylinder is connected, via a shaft, to the flow restrictor. A valve controlled by a timer admits a hydraulic fluid, preferably water, into the hydraulic cylinder to move the piston, so as to move the flow restrictor to the operative position and hold it, and permits the hydraulic fluid to drain after a timed interval sufficient to permit the process fluid to fill the process line between the flow controller and the downstream device.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating user documentation includes the steps of providing a file of tables that defines, at least in part, the software system; providing a file of text and commands that defines the desired documentation; providing a documentation output file; examining each entry of the text and command file and, determining if an entry is a command. Each command is executed. Any required output is generated. At least some of the generated output is stored in the output file. If an entry is text, the text is inserted into the output file.

Abstract: An improved balanced fishing rod is disclosed having line-tension-responsive indicating means operable to produce a visual indication when tension on the fishing line exceeds a predetermined value. The indicating means includes a rechargeable direct-current voltage source having a pair of terminals sealed to the fishing rod, a charging diode enabling the voltage source to be recharged while remaining sealed to said fishing rod, and a light-emitting diode connected in parallel with the charging diode. The charging diode is reversely positioned with respect to the light-emitting diode so that an electric current emanating from the voltage source will pass through and light the light-emitting diode and not pass through the charging diode, while an electric current emanating from a charging battery will pass through the charging diode and not the light-emitting diode to recharge the voltage source without lighting the light-emitting diode.

Abstract: Excavating apparatus including a boom having an idler pulley on its outer end and adapted to carry a digging chain in sliding arrangement with the boom is provided with skid shoe means and a nose piece which are disposed between the idler pulley and the outer end of the boom for slidably engaging and supporting the digging chain between the idler pulley and the lower surface of the boom. The skid shoe means defines a support surface that is substantially coplanar with the lower surface of the boom to support the links of the chain, and the nose piece has a lower surface generally parallel to the lower surface of the boom and is adapted to engage the digging chain rollers when the links of the chain are engaging the skid shoe means. Both the skid shoe means and the nose piece thus prevent the chain from causing excessive wear on the end of the boom.