Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing increased probability of having Alzheimer's disease in a subject under assessment including a step of obtaining a measurement of A?40 aggregates in a biological sample from the subject, where the biological sample does not include brain tissue, a fraction of brain tissue, or brain homogenate. In some embodiments, the invention relates to methods of assessing increased probability of early stage Alzheimer's disease. The invention further provides methods of assessing increased probability of not having Alzheimer's disease, methods of monitoring disease progression in a subject with Alzheimer's disease, and methods of assigning disease stage for a subject with Alzheimer's disease, and methods of assessing increased probability of MCI progressing to Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting the presence of an aggregate in a sample by contacting the sample suspected of containing an aggregate with an aggregate-specific binding reagent under conditions that allow the binding of the reagent to the aggregate, if present; and detecting the presence of the aggregate, if any, in the sample by its binding to the reagent; where the aggregate-specific binding reagent typically has a net charge of at least about positive one at the pH at which the sample is contacted with the ASB reagent, is attached to a solid support at a charge density of at least about 60 nmol net charge per square meter, and binds preferentially with aggregates over monomers when attached to the solid support. Methods for detecting the presence of oligomer are also provided. Compositions for use in the methods are provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a semi-automated apparatus for vending granular materials in a container comprising a cabinet with a carousel capable of rotating and housing at least one dispensing container. Each dispensing container is adapted to hold granular material and in one embodiment includes a pressure actuated valve. A pneumatic system is coupled to each of the dispensing containers. A motor is coupled to the carousel. The apparatus further comprises a loading station adapted to hold the container, a control system and a user control panel having at least one user interface for controlling operation of the vending machine. The control system, coupled to the motor, the pneumatic system and the user control panel, engages the motor, causing the carousel to rotate, and the pneumatic system, pressurizing the selected dispensing container causing a predetermined amount of granular material to dispense into the vending container.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptoid reagents that interact preferentially with a pathogenic form of a conformational disease protein as compared to a nonpathogenic form of the conformational disease protein where the peptoid reagent comprises an amino-terminal region, a carboxy-terminal region, and at least one peptoid region between the amino-terminal region and the carboxy-terminal region where the peptoid region comprises 3 to about 30 N-substituted glycines, and optionally one or more amino acids. The invention also relates to methods of using the peptoids in detecting and isolating prions, and in the treatment and prevention of prion-related diseases.

Abstract: A pool heating system is disclosed. The pool heating system includes, in some embodiments, an immersed condenser coil. In some embodiments, the immersed condenser coil is immersed in pool of water receiving hot refrigerant gas at high pressure from an outdoor unit, transferring heat to water in the pool, condensing the gas and transmitting condensed refrigerant to the outdoor unit. The system also includes an outdoor unit. In some embodiments, the outdoor unit includes a compressor, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a fan.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting the presence of a non-prion pathogenic conformer in a sample by contacting the sample suspected of containing a non-prion pathogenic conformer with a pathogenic conformer-specific binding reagent under conditions that allow the binding of the reagent to the pathogenic conformer, if present; and detecting the presence the pathogenic conformer, if any, in the sample by its binding to the reagent; where the pathogenic conformer-specific binding reagent is typically derived from a prion protein fragment and interacts preferentially with a pathogenic prion protein. Methods for diagnosis of conformational diseases are also provided.

Abstract: Assays for detecting PrPSc in a sample are described. In particular, pathogenic prion ELISAs are described. The assays utilize pathogenic prion-specific reagents to capture the PrPSc and digestion with a site-specific protease, for example trypsin or SV-8 protease, to reduce the amount of interference from non-pathogenic prion proteins that are occasionally present in the samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptoid reagents that interact preferentially with a pathogenic form of a conformational disease protein as compared to a nonpathogenic form of the conformational disease protein where the peptoid reagent comprises an amino-terminal region, a carboxy-terminal region, and at least one peptoid region between the amino-terminal region and the carboxy-terminal region where the peptoid region comprises 3 to about 30 N-substituted glycines, and optionally one or more amino acids. The invention also relates to methods of using the peptoids in detecting and isolating prions, and in the treatment and prevention of prion-related diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assay method for detecting the presence of PrPSc using at least one sequence-specific protease for a substantially complete digestion of the proteins in a sample, leaving the octarepeat region in both PrPSc and PrPC intact, leaving the protease-resistant core of PrPSc intact and remain connected to the octarepeat region, region, while digesting away at least part of the amino acid sequences in PrPC corresponding to the protease-resistant core in PrPSc. The method further comprises a step of inhibiting further digestion by the protease, a step of denaturation, and a step of detecting the presence of PrPSc using at least two binding partners, a first binding partner and a second binding partner, wherein the first binding partner specifically binds an epitope in the amino-proximal region, and the second binding partner specifically binds an epitope within a region of the protease-resistant core of PrPSc that has been cleaved away in PrPC.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for dispensing collectibles to a user comprising a housing with a user interface, such as displays, speakers, touch screens, push buttons, joy sticks, track balls, mouse(s), spinning dials, wheels, microphone and/or pull actuators. The user interface provides audio visual information related to one or more collectibles. A plurality of hoppers are coupled to a dispensing mechanism and are adapted to hold the collectibles. A controller is coupled to the user interface and the dispensing mechanism. The user may designate one or more collectibles through the user interface. The dispensing mechanism releases the designated collectibles from the appropriate hoppers. The apparatus and method may incorporate one or more games that may be configured to allow a user to affect the collectible being dispensed. Tracking the inventory of available collectibles may also affect the availability of specific collectibles.

Abstract: Peptide reagents that interact preferentially with the PrPsc form of the prion protein are described for use in detecting PrPsc in biological samples. In particular, ELISA assays are described.

Abstract: Peptide reagents that interact preferentially with the PrPsc form of the prion protein are described. Methods of using the reagents for isolation and purification of the PrPsc isoform are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptoid reagents that interact preferentially with a pathogenic form of a conformational disease protein as compared to a nonpathogenic form of the conformational disease protein where the peptoid reagent comprises an amino-terminal region, a carboxy-terminal region, and at least one peptoid region between the amino-terminal region and the carboxy-terminal region where the peptoid region comprises 3 to about 30 N-substituted glycines, and optionally one or more amino acids. The invention also relates to methods of using the peptoids in detecting and isolating prions, and in the treatment and prevention of prion-related diseases.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed whereby formulations of molecules are administered rendering cells resistant to infection with infectious proteins such as prions. The formulation preferably comprises a plurality of Fab fragments which (1) recognize and selectively bind to a range of epitopes on the protein of interest, (e.g. epitopes on PrPC) and (2) bind to epitopes which interrupt the chain of events resulting in a change of the protein's conformation to an infectious disease conformation of the protein. The molecules and formulation are also useful in clearing infectious proteins from cells.

Abstract: An individualized toothbrush including a brush portion, a handle portion, and a display formed on the handle portion.

Abstract: A prize redemption game apparatus includes an elongated runway, an elastic abutment member at the second end of the runway, and a rollable object disposed for rolling travel along the runway between the first end and the second end. The playing is disposed within an enclosure to prevent player interference with the object. The rollable object is adapted to be initially propelled in one direction from a starting position toward the abutment member and if the object engages with the abutment member it is propelled in an opposite direction by a rebounding force of the abutment member. The rollable object adapted to stop rolling while moving in either direction at a final position along the runway between the first end and the second end. An electronic game controller determines the position of the stopped object and determines a winning value associated with the final position.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus wherein a catapult mechanism projects objects toward various targets, and in particular to an amusement game in which a catapult is lever activated and receives coins via a chute arrangement. The user controls the lever to catapult objects to various targets within the game playing area. The arrangement of the coin entry mechanism, the chute, the self aligning projectile receptacle, and the flipping mechanism provide a constant locating mechanism which ensures accurate locating of the objects to the flipping mechanism.