Abstract: The invention provides a rapid, sensitive immunoassay capable of detecting and quantitating pathogenic protein to a level of 3 to 5 logs. The preferred immunoassay utilized is a chemiluminescent endpoint for a Western blot immunoassay. The invention has been successfully applied to track the clearance of pathogenic protein during production of proteins derived from plasma. It is particularly applicable and has been confirmed by bioassay to relate TSE infectivity to quantitative results on prion protein.

Abstract: A cab fairing is provided according to the present invention. The cab fairing includes a left rail, a right rail, a cross bar, a left side sail, and a right side sail. The left rail is provided for attachment to a left pickup truck bed sidewall, and the left rail includes a first slot for attachment to a left pickup truck sidewall and a second slot. The right rail is provided for attachment to a right pickup truck bed sidewall, and the right rail includes a first slot for attachment to a right pickup truck sidewall and a second slot. The cross bar has a left end and a right end, and is constructed for extension across at least a portion of a pickup truck cab. The left side sail has a first end and a second end. The left side sail first end is constructed for attachment to the second slot of the left rail, and the left side sail second end is constructed for attachment to the left end of the cross bar. The right side sail has a first end and a second end.

Abstract: An exterior windshield visor for motor vehicles, a method for manufacturing a windshield visor, a motor vehicle having a windshield visor, and a method for attaching a windshield visor to a motor vehicle are provided according the invention. The visor includes a double walled construction that defines a cavity therein. The visor is sufficiently rigid to prevent unacceptable levels of visor flutter due to wind forces and can be manufactured efficiently without the need to use a large amount of raw material and/or expensive manufacturing steps. In addition, the visor according to the invention can be securely attached to a wide variety of different vehicles with little or no modification.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid, sensitive immunoassay capable of detecting and quantitating pathogenic protein to a level of 3 to 5 logs. The preferred immunoassay utilized is a chemiluminescent endpoint for a Western blot immunoassay. The invention has been successfully applied to track the clearance of pathogenic protein during production of proteins derived from plasma. It is particularly applicable and has been confirmed by bioassay to relate TSE infectivity to quantitative results on prion protein.

Abstract: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a class of fatal, neurodegenerative diseases found in many mammalian species. Human TSEs include kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and fatal familial insomnia. Non-human TSEs include sheep scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), feline spongiform encephalopathy, and chronic wasting diseases in elk and mule deer. These neurodegenerative diseases are caused by prions and display characteristic amyloid plaque deposition. The only known component of the infectious prion is an abnormal, disease-causing isoform of the prion protein (PrP), called PrP scrapie (PrPSc). During a post-translational process, PrPSc is formed from the normal, cellular PrP isoform (PrPC). The scrapie isoform is less soluble, more proteinase-resistant, and more susceptible to aggregation than the wildtype protein.

Abstract: A vane typed orienter is formed by a plurality of spaced parallel shafts having radial extending axially spaced disks mounted thereon. Passages are formed between the disks and adjacent disks on adjacent shafts define sides of such passages. A vane element is provided to complete the wall formed by a pair of adjacent disks forming one wall of a passage and at least substantially fills the lower gap formed between the peripheries of the adjacent disks forming the one wall.

Abstract: A partible forceps instrument for endoscopy separable into an operating segment and a sampling segment and having a cleaning fixture.