Abstract: An ion detector comprises an ion guide with electrodes arranged about a first axis; a positive ion detection device with an ion inlet at a first side of the ion output section offset from and at an angle to the first axis; and a negative ion detection device with an ion inlet at a second side opposite the first side, offset from and at an angle to the first axis. A negative voltage bias applied to the positive ion device accelerates positive ions toward the inlet along a path including a component along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. A positive voltage bias applied to the negative ion detection device accelerates negative ions toward the inlet along a path that includes a component along the second axis orthogonal to the first axis in a direction generally opposite to the path of the positive ions.

Abstract: In a method for exciting a precursor ion in an ion trap, the ion is trapped in a nonlinear trapping field that includes a quadrupolar field and a multipole field. The quadrupolar field is generated by applying a radio-frequency (RF) trapping voltage to the ion trap at a trapping amplitude and trapping frequency. A supplemental alternating-current (AC) voltage is applied to the ion trap at a supplemental amplitude and supplemental frequency. The supplemental amplitude is low enough to prevent ejection of the ion from the ion trap, and the supplemental frequency differs from the secular frequency of the ion by an offset amount. One or more operating parameters of the ion trap are adjusted, such that the ion absorbs energy from the supplemental field sufficient to undergo collision-induced dissociation (CID) without being in resonance with the supplemental field.

Abstract: A fiber-optic probe includes first and second optical fibers disposed in a body, a liquid sampling region between ends of the fibers and a reflector, and apertures communicating with the sampling region. The probe may be inserted in media in a vessel. Optical signals are transmitted through the first fiber, the sampling region and second fiber. The sampling region is offset from other parts of the probe so that bubbles or particulates flow out from the sampling region without being obstructed by the probe.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a NMR spectrometer includes a NMR probe circuit component (e.g. RF coil insert, capacitor, inductor) in thermal and electrical contact with a cryogenically-cooled NMR probe support through a collet assembly. The collet assembly includes a collet assembly body connected to the probe support, a collet inserted into the collet assembly body, a pin connected to the probe circuit component, and a nut threaded over a back of the collet to secure the pin to the collet. The collet assembly body is connected to the probe circuit component and the pin is connected to the probe support. A heat exchanger may be in thermal contact with the probe support. The collet assembly provides a demountable, compact, reliable, low-resistance, and strong thermal and electrical connection particularly suited for use in NMR probes, which are commonly subject to stringent spatial and other NMR-compatibility design constraints.

Abstract: Remote adjustment of a selected one of a plurality of adjustable NMR probe circuit components is achieved with a plurality of selectable linear actuators, the selected one of which urges a platen against a respective driven gear, azimuthally locked to its shaft, to displace it axially along that shaft. When the driven gear engages a driving gear a single driving motor is energized and controlled to effect the desired adjustment.

Abstract: A multimode resonator resonating at two or more frequencies is operated at cryogenic temperatures and composed of a superconducting material or a normal metal with a superconducting section serving as a RF superconducting switch. The multimode resonator is coupled to a NMR spectrometer and a RF switch power source, wherein its one frequency is selected to correspond to the operating frequency of the NMR spectrometer and at least a second frequency is tuned to a frequency of RF switch power source, unrelated to the spectrometer frequency, therefore power at this frequency does not perturb the operation of the spectrometer. When activated, the RF switch power source induces a current sufficient to approach or exceeds the critical current in one or more sections of the superconducting material of the multimode resonator, thereby increasing its resistance and reducing the Q factor of the multimode resonator.

Abstract: Antibodies having specific binding for the parent THC (?9-THC) and its major metabolites are provided which present a significant increase in sensitivity of immunoassays such as lateral flow immunoassays and ELISA for THC. The present invention also provides a rabbit hybridoma producing the antibody as a monoclonal antibody, a recombinant antibody, further molecularly engineered recombinant antibodies against parent ?9-THC and its metabolites and cell lines producing the recombinant antibodies. The invention also provides applications of the antibody in immunoassays, particularly lateral flow immunoassays, specifically applications in detecting THC in body fluids, particularly saliva, and kits for determining the presence of THC.

Abstract: In a method controlling an ion detector, one or more ion input signals are received at the ion detector. A data point indicative of an intensity of at least one of the received ion input signals is acquired. Asynchronously with acquiring the data point, a drive voltage applied to the ion detector is regulated to operate the ion detector at a gain optimal for the intensity of at least one of the received ion input signals. An ion detector for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A shutter and gate valve assembly includes a valve housing that defines a passage therethrough, a valve member having a valve aperture, the valve member movable between a non-operating position that seals the passage and an operating position that aligns the valve aperture with the passage, and a shutter movable between a closed position that blocks the valve aperture and an open position that unblocks the valve aperture. The shutter member may be affixed to and movable with the valve member between the non-operating position and the operating position. The shutter may be provided with a shutter aperture that is aligned with the valve aperture in the open position.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, motor-tuned nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probes may be tuned manually without overcoming the tuning motor holding force. An NMR probe includes a switchable manual-mode/motor-driven mode capacitance-adjustment assembly for adjusting the capacitance of a variable capacitor connected to an NMR RF coil. The capacitance-adjustment assembly includes a tuning shaft coupled to the variable capacitor through a gear assembly, and a mode-switching coupler coupled to the tuning shaft. The mode-switching coupler includes a first terminal coupled to a piezoelectric motor, and a second terminal coupled to the tuning shaft. In the manual mode, a user pushes up the tuning shaft, decoupling the two terminals of the mode-switching coupler and thus decoupling the motor from the tuning shaft. The user then manually rotates the tuning shaft. In the motor-driven mode, a spring tensioner presses the two terminals of the mode-switching coupler together, coupling the motor to the tuning shaft.

Abstract: An electron source includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermionic element interposed between and electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode, and a guard electrode interposed between and electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode. The thermionic element and the guard electrode may be at substantially the same voltage. Another electron source includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermionic element interposed between and electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode, and a thermal expansion component interposed between and electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode. The thermal expansion component may be heated to cause expansion. The heating may be cycled to cause alternating expansion and contraction.

Abstract: RF electric fields produced by electric potential differences in NMR probe coil windings may penetrate the NMR sample and sample tube causing sensitivity loss and noise in NMR spectroscopy. Counter-wound spiral coils placed on the opposite surfaces of a planar substrate or on two adjacent planar substrates produce electric potentials that minimize the electric field over the sample region, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the NMR probe. Alternatively counter-wound spiral coils placed adjacent to each other on the outer surface of two concentric cylindrical surfaces that surround the NMR sample minimize the electric field over the sample region. The electric potential of the spiral coils is reduced by adjusting a length of at least one coil.

Abstract: NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) capacitor switches allow for adjusting the resonant frequency ranges of NMR measurement circuits by inserting or removing capacitors having different values into the circuits. A change of position of a single switching member is used to change the contact state of at least two capacitors. In some embodiments, at least two pairs of external contacts are disposed at distinct longitudinal levels along a channel, and a slider including multiple longitudinally-spaced capacitors is moved longitudinally within the channel to establish electrical contact between the external contact pairs and different capacitors along the slider. In other embodiments, two capacitor columns are disposed along the channel, and a movable longitudinal member establishes electrical contact between the two columns at different longitudinal levels along the columns. In some embodiments, capacitor covers or intracapacitor blocks are provided to protect the capacitors.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture and devices and methods of forming and using the same are provided, wherein the article comprises a porous inorganic substrate contained in or bounded by a support made from an inorganic material are provided, wherein said porous substrate and support are heated to a temperature effective to shrink the support onto the porous substrate such that liquid tight contact is formed between the porous substrate and the support. In a preferred aspect, the porous inorganic substrate has a porosity of at least 5%, and is a porous monolith formed using a sol-gel method. The articles thus formed provide a confined fluid flow through the porous substrate, providing superior performance in separations, catalysis, filtration, and the like.

Abstract: A composition for use in chromatography is provided comprising a substrate modified with a metal-cyano bonded phase. This novel cyano bonded phase provides superior performance in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and provides superior selectivity, improved peak shape for basic analytes, and the ability of provide rapid separation with outstanding resolution. The composition exhibits improved storage stability, and is chemically stable over a range of pH from 1.5 to 7.5 mobile phase conditions and for more than 2000 multiple injections. A baseline separation of eight tricyclic antidepressants was achieved in less than four minutes using an isocratic mobile phase with the metal-cyano bonded phase of the present invention, compared to the long retention times and poor separation observed for traditional cyano bonded phase. The composition of this invention is particularly useful in a wide variety of chromatographic applications.

Abstract: A method for controlling charge flux into a charge accumulation device includes determining a charge accumulation time during which charges are to be accumulated in the charge accumulation device, measuring a charge flux of a first ion beam produced from an ion source, determining a target number of charges to be accumulated in the charge accumulation device during the charge accumulation time based on the measured charge flux and, based on the determined target number of charges, modulating a second ion beam produced from the ion source to cause the target number of charges from the second ion beam to be accumulated in the charge accumulation device during the charge accumulation time. An ion processing device is configured for controlling the charge flux. An ion beam modulator modulates the ion beam.

Abstract: The complete structure of a molecule of interest is determined from a single NMR experiment utilizing a single NMR pulse sequence. The experiment utilizes the same pulse sequence for acquiring various one-dimensional and multi-dimensional spectra, with independent receivers tuned to individual resonance frequencies.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a synthetic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) reference signal is injected into the receive path of an NMR spectrometer, after the NMR probe and before the receive amplifier. The synthetic signal is generated using a transmit path for the same channel or for a different channel than the reference signal detection channel. The reference signal is coupled from a transmit-path reference signal coupler situated before a transmit amplifier to a receive-path reference signal coupler situated between the probe and the receive amplifier. The reference signal couplers may include passive directional couplers and/or active switches. The synthetic signal samples the receive path of the system but is not substantially affected by intra-probe interactions. Using a well-defined existing NMR channel to generate the reference signal allows superior control of reference signal characteristics, and does not require a dedicated spare channel for the reference signal.

Abstract: Ultraporous sol gel monoliths and methods for preparing the same are provided, having superior flow characteristics for chromatography and analytical chemistry applications. The methods for forming an ultra porous sol-gel monolith include (a) forming a solution comprising a porogen, a matrix dissolving catalyst and a sol gel precursor; (b) allowing the solution to form a gel; and (c) drying the gel at an elevated temperature. The ultraporous sol gel monoliths are characterized by a porosity of up to about 97%, a BET surface area of at least about 50 m2/g and substantially no micropores.

Abstract: Solid phase extraction devices for sample preparation are disclosed, comprising a hollow conical tube having one narrower opening and one broader opening, wherein the narrower opening of the tube contains a solid phase extraction material comprising a functionalized monolithic sorbent, and wherein the solid phase extraction device is prepared by a combination of reduced pressure, positive pressure and mechanical compaction. The solid phase extraction devices are adapted for preparation of small sample volumes, and provide excellent recovery of analytes and good flow characteristics. Methods for preparing and using the solid phase extraction devices are disclosed.