Abstract: Tables in the database management system may be divided into partitions, and partitions may be further subdivided into subpartitions. Subpartitions may be ordered on time or date values and boundaries between subpartitions may be defined based on various time-based intervals. A subpartition management policy may be defined. Older subpartitions may be automatically deleted, moved to archival storage or moved to a secondary database. Subpartitions may be automatically created and reserved for future use. Preexisting subpartitions may be automatically split and merged into new subpartitions conformant to the subpartition management policy.

Abstract: A process and system for hydrogen sulfide capture from gas streams employing an absorber vessel in which the gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide is contacted with an absorbent solution to remove the hydrogen sulfide from the gas stream. The process and system may further employ an oxidation vessel in which sulfides and/or bisulfides in the absorbent solution are oxidized to produce a thiosulfate and/or sulfate, yielding a solution that can be used as fertilizer or other applications.

Abstract: A method of testing a design of a satellite payload transponder with modules of radio frequency (RF) communications circuitry includes executing a modeling application for establishing a modeling environment for generating a virtual satellite payload transponder and virtual test equipment. The virtual satellite payload transponder has virtual modules of RF communications circuitry, with functionality equivalent to that of the satellite payload transponder with modules of RF communications circuitry. The virtual test equipment has functionality equivalent to that of physical test equipment in conjunction with modular test system software. The modeling environment establishes an executable block diagram for performing a simulation of executed satellite payload transponder command, RF signal performance and telemetry response testing, utilizing a given version of the modular test system software corresponding to the modules of RF communications circuitry of the design of the satellite payload transponder.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising mass analyzing first ions derived from an analyte molecule, wherein the first ions have a first charge state; determining a first mass or mass to charge ratio of the first ions; mass analyzing second ions derived from the analyte molecule, wherein the second ions have a second different charge state and wherein the second ions comprise protonated or adduct variants of the first ions; determining a second mass or mass to charge ratio of the second ions; a determining a calibration correction based upon the first mass or mass to charge ratio and the second mass or mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising directing first photons from a laser onto ions located within a 2D or linear ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the first photons is scanned and first photons and/or second photons emitted by the ions are detected. The ions are then mass analysed using a Time of Flight mass analyser.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes: an ion source; an aperture; a flight region arranged between the ion source and aperture for separating ions according to their mass to charge ratio; and ion optics arranged and configured for causing ions to be reflected or deflected while they separate according to mass to charge ratio in the flight region and such that the ions are focussed to a geometrical focal point at the aperture so that the ions are transmitted through the aperture. The multi-reflecting or multi-deflecting ion optics provides a relatively long flight path for the ions, while naturally converging the ion beam to a focus. As this focus is arranged at the aperture, it enables the aperture to be made relatively small while still maintaining high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed that comprises acquiring mass spectral data during a single experimental run or acquisition of a mass spectrometer and determining a first time T during the single experimental run or acquisition for calibrating the mass spectrometer. The step of determining the first time T further comprises determining a time when the mass spectral data being acquired during the single experimental run or acquisition is equal to or below a threshold. The mass spectrometer is then calibrated by introducing calibrant or lockmass ions at the first time T.

Abstract: Methods and systems of maintaining, evaluating, and providing therapy to a lung ex vivo. The methods and systems involve positioning the lung in an ex vivo perfusion circuit; circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; and ventilating the lung by flowing a ventilation gas through a tracheal interface. Maintaining the lung for extended periods involves causing the lung to rebreath a captive volume of air, and reaching an equilibrium state between the perfusion fluid and the ventilation gas. Evaluating the gas exchange capability of the lung involves deoxygenating the perfusion fluid and measuring a time taken to reoxygenate the perfusion fluid by ventilating the lung with an oxygenation gas.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed that comprises acquiring mass spectral data during a single experimental run or acquisition of a mass spectrometer and determining a first time T during the single experimental run or acquisition for calibrating the mass spectrometer. The step of determining the first time T further comprises determining a time when the mass spectral data being acquired during the single experimental run or acquisition is equal to or below a threshold. The mass spectrometer is then calibrated by introducing calibrant or lockmass ions at the first time T.

Abstract: A method of ion imaging is disclosed comprising testing a first portion of a sample by automatically varying one or more parameters of a laser or other ionization device and manually or automatically determining from the first portion one or more optimum or preferred parameters of the laser or other ionization device. A second portion of the sample is then analyzed using the one or more optimum or preferred parameters.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising directing first photons from a laser onto ions located within a 2D or linear ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the first photons is scanned and first photons and/or second photons emitted by the ions are detected. The ions are then mass analysed using a Time of Flight mass analyser.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion source; an aperture; a flight region arranged between the ion source and aperture for separating ions according to their mass to charge ratio; and ion optics arranged and configured for causing ions to be reflected or deflected whilst they separate according to mass to charge ratio in the flight region and such that the ions are focussed to a geometrical focal point at the aperture so that the ions are transmitted through the aperture. The multi-reflecting or multi-deflecting ion optics provides a relatively long flight path for the ions, whilst naturally converging the ion beam to a focus. As this focus is arranged at the aperture, it enables the aperture to be made relatively small whilst still maintaining high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing gas phase analyte in a vacuum housing; electrospraying a reagent solution outside of the vacuum housing so as to form charged droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions; conveying the charged droplets and/or reagent ions into the vacuum housing and reacting them with the analyte so as to form analyte ions; and analysing the analyte ions with a mass analyser and/or ion mobility analyser. Reacting the droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions with the analyte in sub-atmospheric pressures improved the reaction conditions.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising mass analysing first ions derived from an analyte molecule, wherein the first ions have a first charge state; determining a first mass or mass to charge ratio of the first ions; mass analysing second ions derived from the analyte molecule, wherein the second ions have a second different charge state and wherein the second ions comprise protonated or adduct variants of the first ions; determining a second mass or mass to charge ratio of the second ions; a determining a calibration correction based upon the first mass or mass to charge ratio and the second mass or mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for configuration and upset recovery of reconfigurable devices are provided. A central program/recovery manager (CPRM) is coupled with each of a number of reconfigurable devices. The reconfigurable devices are programmed/configured by the CPRM, which then periodically monitors each of the reconfigurable devices to detect if one or more of the devices has experienced an upset. In the event of an upset, the CPRM may attempt to reset the reconfigurable device, scrub a memory of the reconfigurable device, or reprogram the reconfigurable device. A memory module is coupled with the CPRM and each of the reconfigurable devices that stores bit or programming files that may be used to program and/or reprogram the reconfigurable devices.

Abstract: An ion analysis instrument is disclosed comprising an indicator device for providing an indication of a relative positioning of an ion source, a sample, and/or a sampling orifice or capillary of an ion analysis instrument such as a mass or ion mobility spectrometer in order to facilitate re-alignment of one or more of these components following a change. The indicator device comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation such as a pair of lasers or image projection devices.

Abstract: Payment devices and the systems and methods for securely managing financial transactions using the payment devices are provided. In one implementation, a portable proxy device comprises a memory configured to store a plurality of credentials. Each of the plurality of credentials pertains to one of a financial credential, an identification credential, or contractual credential. The portable proxy device also includes at least one interface, wherein each of the at least one interface is configured to communicate one of the plurality of credentials to an external device to complete one of a financial function, identification function, or contractual function.

Abstract: An imaging device is disclosed. The imaging device has a housing, a detector positioned within the housing and has a field of view encompassing one or more target area within the housing to be imaged, a wide-angle lens operatively coupled to the detector, and a support positioned at the target area and configured to receive one or more test component. The wide-angle lens is operatively coupled to the detector such that the detector receives image data of the target area through the wide-angle lens.

Abstract: Methods and systems of maintaining, evaluating, and providing therapy to a lung ex vivo. The methods and systems involve positioning the lung in an ex vivo perfusion circuit; circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; and ventilating the lung by flowing a ventilation gas through a tracheal interface. Maintaining the lung for extended periods involves causing the lung to rebreath a captive volume of air, and reaching an equilibrium state between the perfusion fluid and the ventilation gas. Evaluating the gas exchange capability of the lung involves deoxygenating the perfusion fluid and measuring a time taken to reoxygenate the perfusion fluid by ventilating the lung with an oxygenation gas.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising directing first photons from a laser onto ions located within a 2D or linear ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the first photons is scanned and first photons and/or second photons emitted by the ions are detected. The ions are then mass analyzed using a Time of Flight mass analyzer.