Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis system includes a capillary reservoir. The capillary reservoir includes a capillary tip flow chamber configured to receive respective capillary tips and to conduct fluid past the capillary tips, and an electrode flow chamber in which an electrode is disposed and configured to conduct fluid past the electrode, the electrode flow chamber being separate from and in fluid communication with the capillary tip flow chamber. An ultraviolet (UV) light absorbance-based multiplexed capillary electrophoresis system includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure. The first enclosure covers a UV light source, and includes a slit. The second enclosure covers the first enclosure, a collimating lens, and a capillary window.

Abstract: A process which, on the basis of a provided test sample including a mix of a plurality of pre-known sample components and on the basis of provided absolute sample separation properties for each of the sample components, includes experimentally determining a real sample separation result by executing a sample separation method for separating the test sample by a sample separation apparatus, and determining a real value of at least one operation parameter based on a comparison between the absolute sample separation properties and the real sample separation result for characterizing a real course of the sample separation method.

Abstract: An implement for eliminating headspace in the testing space(s) (T9 or MPWell) of a test tube (T) or microtiter plate (MP), and methods of using such implements to measure oxygen concentration in a test sample. The implement projects into a test chamber (T9 or MPWell) to displace a portion of a fluid sample within the test chamber (T9 or MPWell) and has longitudinally extending grooves (109 and 229) through which the displaced fluidic content can be discharged from the test chamber (T9 or MPWell).

Abstract: Paraffin-embedded tissue, which may be disposed on a solid substrate, is prepared by a dry technique that removes paraffin from tissue without adding any liquid to the tissue, thereby rendering the tissue substantially free of paraffin. The dry technique may entail applying heat energy to the tissue effective to melt the paraffin and thereby render it flowable, and applying an electric field. The electric field is effective to impart electrical charge to the paraffin and to move the paraffin out from the tissue due to electrical charge repulsion or attraction, which may be assisted by moving an electrode utilized to generate the electric field relative to the paraffin. The electric field, or both the electric field and the heat energy, may be applied until the tissue is substantially free of paraffin.

Abstract: A fluidic valve includes a valve seat, a valve sealing body placeable at the valve seat when the fluidic valve is closed and being displaced with respect to the valve seat when the fluidic valve is open, a force transmission element coupled with the valve sealing body, and an actuator mechanism configured for actuating the force transmission element for triggering the valve sealing body to carry out an additional movement different from an opening movement and a closing movement of the valve sealing body.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved method for distinguishing tissue from an embedding medium, such as paraffin in a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sample. The method involves the use of fluorescence of naturally-occurring species in tissue to determine the location of the tissue in the embedded sample. An embedded sample is generally excited by light of a selected wavelength, and the fluorescence emission at an emitted wavelength is used to locate the boundary or location of the tissue in the embedded sample.

Abstract: For testing the imaging performance of an optical system, a test target is positioned at an object plane of the optical system, and illuminated to generate an image beam. One or more images of the test target are acquired from the image beam. From the imaging data acquired, Edge Spread Functions at a plurality of locations within the test target are calculated. A model of Point Spread Functions is constructed from the Edge Spread Functions. Based on the Point Spread Functions, a plurality of imaging performance values corresponding to the plurality of locations are calculated. The imaging performance values are based on Ensquared Energy, Encircled Energy, or Strehl ratio.

Abstract: A method of controlling a sample separation apparatus, for separating a fluidic sample using a mobile phase provided from at least one mobile phase container, includes determining a weight and volume reduction behavior according to which weight and volume of mobile phase in a mobile phase container are reduced during conveying mobile phase from the mobile phase container in the sample separation apparatus, and determining a tare weight of the mobile phase container based on a gross weight information, a volume information, and the determined weight and volume reduction behavior. The gross weight information is indicative of an initial gross weight of the mobile phase container including its mobile phase, and the volume information is indicative of an initial mobile phase volume in the mobile phase container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (10) for Raman spectral analysis of a sample (12), such as a pharmaceutical dosage form, are disclosed. Delivery optics (16) are used to deliver probe light to a delivery region (13) on the sample, and collection optics (20) are used to collect, from a collection region (17) on the sample spaced from the delivery region, the probe light following scattering through the sample. Each of a plurality of target Raman spectral features are measured in the collected light, and a spectral distortion of the collected light arising during scattering through the sample is determined. A property of the sample is then quantified using the target Raman spectral features in combination with the determined spectral distortion, such that the quantified property is compensated for the spectral distortion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of assembling long nucleic acids by enzymatically ligating oligonucleotide molecules hybridized to an indexed splint oligonucleotide molecules. Also disclosed are oligonucleotide structures comprising an indexed splint oligonucleotide useful in performing the disclosed method.

Abstract: Carrier gas connection devices (100, 402, 404, 406, 408) enable one to change the carrier gas provided to a gas chromatography channel. The carrier gas connection devices (100, 402, 404, 406, 408) comprise a channel adaptor (102, 202), a carrier block (104, 302), and a clamping system, and two or more channel adaptor positions. In each of the channel adaptor positions, a fluid-tight flow path for carrier gas out of the carrier block (104,302) into the channel adaptor (102, 202) is formed. Carrier gas distribution systems (400), gas chromatography instruments, and methods of changing a carrier gas supplied to a GC are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a ventless GC-MS interface are described herein. The system can include a gas chromatograph. The system can include a mass spectrometer connected to the gas chromatograph by a mass spectrometer flow path. The system can include a fitting. The fitting can include a sealing surface and one or more gas purge flow paths. The fitting can be fluidically connected to the mass spectrometer. The system can include a column disposed in a ferrule.

Abstract: An injector, for injecting a fluidic sample into a flow path between a fluid drive and a sample separation unit, includes a sample accommodation volume, a sample drive, and a fluidic valve switchable to selectively couple the volume with the flow path or decouple the volume from the flow path. In an injection switching state, the fluid drive, the separation unit and the sample drive are coupled by the valve so that fluid driven by the sample drive and flowing from the volume to the separation unit and further fluid driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit. A control unit controls an outlet flow rate value according to which a combination of the mobile phase and the fluidic sample is driven through the separation unit.

Abstract: A fluid supply system, for supplying a mobile phase in a sample separation device for separating a fluidic sample in a separation path, includes a proportioning unit for proportioning multiple solvent components for composing the mobile phase, a fluid drive unit for driving the solvent components of the mobile phase, and a control unit for controlling the proportioning unit and the fluid drive unit so that an undefined portion of the mobile phase is removed from the mobile phase before delivering the mobile phase from the fluid drive unit to the separation path.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating gas supply pressure are described herein. The method can include measuring a runtime valve duty cycle for a valve of a gas chromatography system. The method can include estimating a runtime supply pressure from the runtime valve duty cycle and at least one of a runtime flow rate or downstream pressure based on one or more calibration valve duty cycles corresponding to one or more calibration supply pressures and one or more calibration flow rates. The method can include, responsive to determining the runtime supply pressure is greater than a threshold supply pressure value, generating a notification that the runtime supply pressure is greater than the threshold supply pressure value.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for hybridizing at least one molecule to a target. The invention may, for example, eliminate the use of, or reduce the dependence on formamide in hybridization. Compositions for use in the invention include an aqueous composition comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence and at least one polar aprotic solvent in an amount effective to denature double-stranded nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for automatic analysis of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In some aspects a dosage form may be grasped by a gripper which is used to bring the dosage form to a test location and to present the dosage form in a plurality of different alignments between delivery and collection optics. Probe light scattered through the dosage form is collected during each alignment. The collected probe light for the plurality of alignments is then used for Raman spectral analysis of the dosage form. In other aspects a rotation stage is used to rotate a dosage form on the stage to a preferred alignment before being grasped by a gripper. The gripper is then used to carry the dosage form to the test location for optical analysis.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping system includes a plurality of positive displacement vacuum pumps, and more particularly a plurality of positive displacement vacuum pumps working in parallel. The vacuum pumping system includes a management unit that carries out a synchronized control of all the positive displacement vacuum pumps of the vacuum pumping system and thus allows to check possible risk of contamination of the vacuum pumping system and carry out, if needed, the necessary corrective actions without requiring any modification to the construction of the vacuum pumping system.

Abstract: A substrate orientation device includes a frame that supports a substrate on which liquid is dispensed, for example as may relate to (bio)chemical microarray fabrication. The frame is movable to different positions, such as for mounting the substrate to the frame, depositing droplets on the substrate, and applying a bulk liquid to the substrate. The substrate orientation device may be movable to different locations, such as different liquid dispensing devices, for example a printer and a flow cell.