Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a corn fiber lipid fraction containing phytosterols and phytosterol esters obtained via solvent extraction of a proteolyzed corn fiber, wherein the concentration of phytosterols and phytosterol esters in the lipid fraction is at least about 1.4 times greater than the concentration of phytosterols and phytosterol esters in the lipid fraction of a nonproteolyzed corn fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making carbohydrate and polyol esters suitable for use as plasticizers for polymer compositions. The invention also relates to plasticized polymer compositions comprising such carbohydrate and polyol esters. The invention also relates to articles prepared from such plasticized polymer compositions. The invention further relates to methods of using these compositions.

Abstract: A fuel injector having a nozzle with improved cooling including a retainer and a nozzle housing received therein. The nozzle housing includes a nozzle shank, an outer peripheral surface and at least one injection hole at a tip of the nozzle shank. The nozzle shank is positioned in a nozzle support portion of the retainer. In one embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle shank is tapered, and the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle support portion is correspondingly tapered and sized to engage the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle shank along a tapered interface. In another embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle support portion has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle shank so that an interference fit exists at a seal interface.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, a fraud detection system receives data relating to telecommunications activity. Event generators generate events from the received data, with each event having a weight corresponding to an increased or decreased likelihood of fraud. The aggregated events for a subject (a subscriber or an account) determine a score for the subject, which is used to prioritize the subject in an investigation queue. Human analysts are assigned to open investigations on the investigation queue according to the priority of subjects. In this manner, investigation resources can be applied more effectively to high-risk subscribers and events.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of cancer and polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of separating from corn fiber a lipid fraction having phytosterol esters and phytosterols where the method has the steps of: (a) heating an aqueous mixture of unground corn fiber; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with at least one enzyme suitable for digesting starch for a time and at a temperature suitable to provide a mixture of an essentially destarched corn fiber and a liquid comprising soluble carbohydrates; (c) contacting the mixture of step (a) or (b) with a protease enzyme to provide a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (d) separating the liquid of step (c) from the corn fiber to provide a destarched, proteolyzed corn fiber; and (e) extracting the destarched, proteolyzed corn fiber with at least one organic solvent. A corn fiber lipid fraction/organic solvent solution having phytosterol esters and phytosterols is provided.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of obtaining a cellulose material from corn fiber wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) heating a mixture of corn fiber and a liquid; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with a protease enzyme, thereby providing a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (c) separating the liquid from the proteolyzed corn fiber; (d) contacting the proteolyzed corn fiber at least once with an alkaline extractant, thereby providing an insoluble cellulose material and a first liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (e) separating the insoluble cellulose material from the first liquid comprising arabinoxylan at a temperature of at or above about 60° C.; and (f) rinsing the insoluble cellulose material to remove essentially all alkali, thereby providing a cellulose material having a cellulose content of at least about 50% and consisting essentially of cellulose I. Cellulose esters and ethers are also prepared from the derivatizable cellulose prepared according to the methods herein.

Abstract: A fraud detection system receives data relating to telecommunications activity. Event generators generate events from the received data, with each event having a weight corresponding to an increased or decreased likelihood of fraud. The aggregated events for a subject (a subscriber or an account) determine a score for the subject, which is used to prioritize the subject in an investigation queue. Human analysts are assigned to open investigations on the investigation queue according to the priority of subjects. In this manner, investigation resources can be applied more effectively to high-risk subscribers and events.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of extracting arabinoxylan from corn fiber wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) heating an aqueous mixture of corn fiber and a liquid; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with a protease enzyme, thereby providing a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (c) separating the liquid from the proteolyzed corn fiber; (d) contacting the proteolyzed corn fiber at least once with an alkaline extractant, thereby providing an insoluble cellulose material and a liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (e) separating the insoluble cellulose material from the liquid comprising arabinoxylan; and (f) reducing the volume of the liquid comprising arabinoxylan by removing excess alkaline extractant, thereby providing a concentrated liquid comprising from about 10% to about 50% solids, wherein the solids comprise arabinoxylan. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods of preparing novel arabinoxylan esters and ethers.

Abstract: A tow sled designed for use with a self powered snowmobile. A draw bar and hitch devices are provided to join the sled to the snowmobile. The tow sled has two lower and spaced outside runners that extend along its length with each runner having a lower ground engaging surface and an upright surface oriented at approximately ninety degrees. Mounted to outside of the outside runners near the rear end of the sled are two side hard metal plates. Each of the plates have a lower ground engaging surface that extends below the ground engaging surface of the outside runner on which it is mounted. The lower plate surfaces are used to engage hard ice with the outside runners contacting the ice to provide for steady and straight tracking of the sled. To secure cargo with cross sled tie down cords like bungee cords or the like, fourteen tie down members made with brackets and a joining rope are spaced along the length of the sled and are mounted to the sled.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods of obtaining at least one monosaccharide from corn fiber the method comprises the steps of: (a) heating an aqueous mixture of corn fiber and a liquid; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with a protease enzyme, thereby providing a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (c) separating the liquid from the proteolyzed corn fiber; (d) contacting the proteolyzed corn fiber at least once with an alkaline extractant, thereby providing an insoluble cellulose material and a liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (e) separating the insoluble cellulose material from the liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (f) reducing the volume of the liquid comprising arabinoxylan by removing excess alkaline extractant, thereby providing a concentrated liquid comprising from about 10 to about 50% solids, wherein the solids comprise arabinoxylan; and (g) hydrolyzing the arabinoxylan from step (f) in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, thereby providing a mixture comprising at least one monosacc

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of extracting arabinoxylan from corn fiber wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) heating an aqueous mixture of corn fiber and a liquid; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with a protease enzyme, thereby providing a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (c) separating the liquid from the proteolyzed corn fiber; (d) contacting the proteolyzed corn fiber at least once with an alkaline extractant, thereby providing an insoluble cellulose material and a liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (e) separating the insoluble cellulose material from the liquid comprising arabinoxylan; and (f) reducing the volume of the liquid comprising arabinoxylan by removing excess alkaline extractant, thereby providing a concentrated liquid comprising from about 10% to about 50% solids, wherein the solids comprise arabinoxylan. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods of preparing novel arabinoxylan esters and ethers.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated valve assembly is provided which achieves accurate control of valve movement while maximizing valve seat life. Specifically, the solenoid actuated flow control valve assembly includes a valve plunger, a solenoid actuator including a coil and an armature, and an armature overtravel feature for permitting continued movement of the armature relative to the valve plunger from an engaged position into a disengaged position when the valve plunger reaches a closed position. The armature overtravel feature includes an overtravel biasing spring for returning the armature from the disengaged position to the engaged position prior to subsequent energization of the actuator coil. As a result, the overtravel feature minimizes the mass impacting the valve seat thereby extending valve seat life while, importantly, avoiding lost motion in the armature during the next actuation cycle thereby minimizing valve response time.

Abstract: A swirl tip injector nozzle housing is provided for a fuel injector which includes a fuel atomization enhancing feature for creating effective fuel atomization and breakup during discharge from the injector. The fuel atomization enhancing feature includes a plurality of curvilinear spray holes having an angle of curvature equal to approximately 90 degrees. Fuel flowing from the inlet of each spray hole to the outlet is induced, by the 90 degree angle of curvature, to flow through a tangential flow path or swirl within the spray hole causing rapid spreading and breakup of the fuel jet spray upon exiting the outlet of the spray hole. The fuel atomization enhancing feature may also include positioning each spray hole so as to extend orthogonally from the interior surface of the fuel cavity to create optimal entry of the fuel into the tangential flow path.

Abstract: A system of display case modules can be connected to form a display case of variable size and configuration for displaying or storing toys and toy action figures. A single display module has shelves to make variable size compartments and has a clear front panel to allow viewing of the toys, which are vertically stacked inside the display module. The shelves can be varied in position so that various sizes of toys can be displayed. In addition, the shelves are tilted slightly backward so that toys lean against a back wall of the display module, thereby resting upright. The display module also has connectors on its sides, top and bottom so that the display module can be connected to other display modules to make a larger display case. The connectors on the sides of the display modules create a hinge mechanism to link display modules side by side, such that the modules can be pivoted in various directions with respect to each other.

Abstract: A holder for a bicycle having a first wheel and a second wheel, each wheel including a rim and a tire. The holder includes a floor supported channel for receiving the first wheel, a wall supported channel situated adjacent to the floor supported channel for receiving the first wheel, a wall supported standard situated above the wall supported channel, and a wheel engaging apparatus connected to the wall supported standard for engaging the second wheel. The wheel engaging apparatus includes a base, a coupling member coupling the base to the wall supported standard, an axis defining member fixed to the base, a pivot member pivotally engaging the axis defining member, a first arm and a second arm, both arms having a proximal portion fixed to the pivot member for pivotal displacement with respect to the base between a wheel engaging position and a wheel releasing position.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel identification system for use in nuclear power plants has an imaging system having a video camera and an array of illuminators surrounding the video camera and positioned to shine onto a nuclear fuel cell. The illuminators are sequentially activated to provide a series of images each having a different shadow pattern. These images are then digitized and stored until a complete set of the images are available. At that time, the images are superimposed and optimized for improved contrast. By viewing the distinct shadow patterns on the nuclear fuel cell, the identifying markings are readily visible. In addition to the shadow imaging system, a variety of laser devices are used to accomplish similar image generating functions. Such laser devices include a laser scanner, a distance laser device, an interferometer, a holographic interferometer, and a bi-refringent crystal prism.

Abstract: An injection rate shaping nozzle assembly for a fuel injector is provided which includes a closed nozzle valve element and a rate shaping control device including an injection spill circuit for spilling a portion of the fuel to be injected to produce a predetermined time varying change in the flow rate of fuel injected into a combustion chamber. The spill circuit includes a spill passage integrally formed in the nozzle valve element. The rate shaping control device may include a spill accelerating chamber in formed in the nozzle valve element for creating a rapid increase in the spill flow rate. A spill circuit purge device is provided to remove fuel from the spill circuit and accelerating chamber between each of the injection events thereby ensuring an unimpeded, effective spill fuel flow during the next spill event.