Abstract: A method and system is described for managing the development of software source code, and in addition, collecting useful metrics about the development process. A first source code is provided in a desired state. The desired state may be the requirement that the source code can be built or the desired state may be the requirement that the source code can be built and pass one or more tests. A second source code is then received. The second source may be a modified copy of the source code. It is then determined whether the second source code is in the desired state, and the first source code is updated using the second source code in response to the second source code being in the desired state. Metrics that may be collected include: the name of a task, time to complete the task, line of code involved, etc.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for quantifying a surface's cleanliness relative to a contaminant. Such devices and methods may comprising and use a source of interrogating radiation to which the contaminant is responsive, a means for directing the interrogating radiation, a detector, and an analyzer. Radiation emitted from the source is directed by the radiation means toward the surface or a surface cleaner that may hold the contaminant. The detector detects radiation from the surface or the surface cleaner produced in response to the interrogating radiation by the contaminant, e.g., fluorescent or phosphorescent radiation, and generate a corresponding signal that is compared by the analyzer relative to an electronic standard that corresponds to the surface in an acceptably clean state so as to quantify the surface's cleanliness.

Abstract: Devices are provided for insertion into a Eustachian tube of an animal, e.g., a human being. The devices include an insertable member. The member has opposing surfaces and is formed at least in part from a biocompatible material that is degradable. The device may comprise a hole that is effective to provide sufficient fluid communication between the opposing surfaces of the insertable member to effect pressure equilibration therebetween. The device is able to be immobilized within the Eustachian tube for a predetermined period. Also provided are kits that include the device and methods for inserting the device into a Eustachian tube.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses for measuring wetting, absorption, and/or other mechanisms of fluid transportation by a sample of particulates. The apparatus may include a container holding a fluid, a means for measuring fluid in the container, and a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that allows fluid to flow from the container to a conduit opening. Also included is a sample holder in fluid communication with the conduit opening. The holder may have a surface on which the sample may be placed to absorb fluid from the conduit opening against gravity without falling into the conduit opening. In addition or in the alternative, the holder may be constructed and situated in a manner effective to draw fluid from the conduit opening to provide a controlled reservoir of fluid for absorption by the sample against gravity. Methods using saturated a porous medium is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for digesting samples. The apparatus includes a vessel, a closure, and a fluid transporting system. The vessel has a digestion chamber therein that contains a sample holder, e.g., with a plurality of weights, the holder being accessible through a vessel opening. Typically, a vessel flange circumscribes the chamber at the chamber's opening, and the closure has a closure flange that may interface with the vessel flange to form a fluid-tight seal against a digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. The fluid-transporting system may direct digestion fluid out of the digestion chamber through a submerged outlet port and back into the digestion chamber through an inlet port that traverses through the closure or the vessel flange. Such a fluid transporting system may be set up to allow the sample holder have a high volumetric capacity, e.g., at least 75% of the chamber.

Abstract: Device and methods are provided for assessing a temperature exposure history of a sample that is comprised of a nonmetallic material. To assess the temperature exposure history, the pre-exposure and post-exposure electronic states of the sample are compared. Changes in the electronic state of the sample are indicative of the temperature exposure history.

Abstract: Devices are provided for insertion into a Eustachian tube of an animal, e.g., a human being. The devices may include an insertable member, an immobilizing means and a fluid-communication providing means. The member has opposing surfaces and is formed at least in part from a biocompatible material that is degradable. The fluid-communication providing means is effective to provide sufficient fluid communication between the opposing surfaces of the insertable member to effect pressure equilibration therebetween. The immobilizing means is effective to immobilize the device within the Eustachian tube for a predetermined period. Also provided are kits that include the device and methods for inserting the device into a Eustachian tube.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for digesting cellulosic material that includes a vessel containing a digestion chamber and having an opening that provides access to the digestion chamber. A container for holding the cellulosic material is located within the digestion chamber. A closure interfaces with the vessel opening to form a seal against a predetermined digestion pressure and temperature within the chamber. A fluid-transporting system directs digestion fluids from a supply in the digestion chamber through a port and the container toward any cellulosic material therein. Digestion fluid distributed from the port through the container soaks the cellulosic material. Also provided are processes for digestion cellulosic material.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sheet of material. Typically, the sheet is immobilized on an upper surface of a support structure. A container holding a fluid is provided along with a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that extends from the container to one or more terminal opening facing the lower surface of the sheet. Optionally, a porous medium is placed in fluid communication with the fluid-conveying lumen and in contact with the lower surface of the sheet. The apparatuses and methods provide a variety of interfaces that facilitate controlled fluid transportation from the lumen against gravity for absorption by the sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for acoustically depositing a fluid on a surface of a cell sample. A reservoir containing a fluid is provided, and the cell sample surface is positioned in droplet-receiving relationship to the reservoir. Once the reservoir and the cell sample surface are appropriately positioned, focused acoustic energy is applied to eject a droplet of the fluid from the reservoir. As a result, the droplet is deposited on the sample surface at a designated site. Optionally, the fluid may be an analysis-enhancing fluid that contains a label moiety or a mass-spectrometry matrix material. When an analysis-enhancing fluid is used, the sample is typically subjected to conditions effective to allow the analysis-enhancing fluid to interact with the sample surface so as to render the sample surface suitable for analysis. Then, the sample may be analyzed at the designated site.

Abstract: The invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods that employ electromagnetic radiation to move a droplet of fluid on a fluid-transporting surface of a substrate. Typically, radiation of a particular wavelength is directed through a substantially transparent material, and the radiation imparts an optical trapping force to move the droplet. In addition, a means for reducing evaporative loss from the droplet may be provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping small three-dimensional articles such as nanotube exhibiting a layered structure through material removal such that the article is controllably shaped to exhibit a desired contour. Typically, material removal does not require use of a chemical etchant and is carried out while the article and a shaping electrode are positioned in contact material removal relationship with under a potential difference. The invention also relates to nanotubes and small three-dimensional articles exhibiting a layered structure having a controllably shaped contour.

Abstract: The invention relates to the efficient transport of a small volume of fluid, such as may be required by mass spectrometers and other devices configured to process and/or analyze small samples of biomolecular fluids. Such transport involves nozzleless acoustic ejection. In some instances, sample molecules contained in droplets of fluid are introduced from a reservoir into an ionization chamber of an analytical device. In other instances, sample molecules are introduced into a small capillary by directing focused acoustic radiation at a focal point near the surface of a fluid sample. In still other instances, acoustic ejection is used to form an array on a surface, wherein the features of the array are ionized for analysis. The invention may be used with microfluidic devices. Thus, the invention facilitates the processing and/or analysis of various types of samples, such as biomolecules having high molecular weights.

Abstract: A method for selectively depositing analysis-enhancing fluid on a sample surface is disclosed. The method involves providing a sample having a surface that exhibits variations in a surface characteristic that corresponds to desirability for receiving an analysis-enhancing fluid. Once a site on the sample surface is selected according to the surface characteristic at the site, focused radiation, typically acoustic radiation, is applied in a manner effective to eject a droplet of the analysis-enhancing fluid from a reservoir. As a result, the droplet is deposited on the sample surface at the selected site. Optionally, the sample at the selected site is analyzed. Systems for selectively depositing analysis-enhancing fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing resist sensitivity and resolution based on influencing the effects of photoacid drift and diffusion by an externally applied electric field that may optionally include a direct current offset bias is disclosed. An electric field applied to the resist film during post exposure bake (PEB) enhances photoacid drift in the direction of the applied electric field, reduces bake time, and results in less undesired diffusion. Electric-field enhanced PEB can reduce PEB time by about 30%, and at the same time, improve the sharpness of 2D corners and increase the verticality of resist sidewalls. Electric-field-enhanced PEB also significantly improves the tolerance of over-exposure and provides better critical dimension control. It is estimated that the lateral acid diffusion length is reduced by about 50%. An apparatus for carrying out the aforementioned method is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating disease and alleviating pain associated with the lymphatic system in a living mammalian body. The method generally relates to a noninvasive method for alleviating a disorder associated with a portion of the lymphatic system, e.g., a lymph node in a living mammalian body, wherein the treatment involves lymphatic activation characterized by localized pulsations at the closest exterior body surface to the activated portion of the lymphatic system. The activation involves placing a stimulation source in physical contact with the closest exterior body surface. In addition, an opposing body surface with respect to the closest exterior body surface is contacted simultaneously with the stimulation source. The stimulation source transfers energy to the affected portion until the localized pulsations substantially subside and/or lymph obstruction is substantially eliminated. This noninvasive method is particularly suited for pain relief and healing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating droplets. Extremely fine droplets may be generated (on the order of 1 picoliter or less) using focused acoustic energy to eject the droplets from a reservoir containing two or more immiscible fluids. The droplets may include immiscible fluids or a single fluid. Typically, the droplets are ejected onto discrete sites on a substrate surface so as to form an array thereon. In some instances, the reservoirs contain layers of immiscible fluids, wherein an upper layer exhibits a nonuniform thickness. In such a case, fluid from a lower fluid layer may be propelled through an aperture region of the upper layer.

Abstract: Multi-analyte reference solutions having a stable partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) in zero headspace packaging and methods for preparing such solutions are disclosed. The solutions have long shelf and use lives when stored at room temperature and are packaged in laminated foil containers having low or no oxygen reactivity. Access devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochromatographic device is provided for conducting enantioselective separation of enantiomers. The device is comprised of a conduit containing a monolithic enantioselective separation medium, and may be, for example, a capillary tube or a microchannel in a substrate. The enantioselective separation medium is prepared by copolymerization of (a1) an ionizable chiral monomer or (a2) a chiral monomer and an ionizable comonomer, along with (b) a crosslinking comonomer and (c) a polymerization initiator, in (d) a porogenic solvent. Following ionization, the enantioselective separation medium serves as a charge carrier as well as a chiral separation medium, and further acts as an electroosmotic pump to facilitate the flow of a fluid. The invention also provides methods for preparing the enantioselective separation medium and electrochromatographic devices fabricated therewith.

Abstract: A sensor designed to determine the amount and concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 &mgr;L. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a non-leachable redox mediator. The redox mediator acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. In addition, a second electron transfer agent, such as an enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the analyte. The redox mediator is typically a redox compound bound to a polymer. The preferred redox mediators are air-oxidizable. The amount of analyte can be determined by coulometry. One particular coulometric technique includes the measurement of the current between the working electrode and a counter or reference electrode at two or more times. The charge passed by this current to or from the analyte is correlated with the amount of analyte in the sample.