Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved system for efficiently and accurately performing immunoassays, such as ELISAs. The invention provides an immunoassay assembly which includes a flow-through unit and an aspiration pump. The immunoassay flow-through unit includes an outer seal; at least one bed support; an inner seal; and a packed non-porous bed. The unit is releasably attached to an aspiration pump which enables the controlled flow rate of liquid passing through the packed bed of the flow-through unit. The invention also provides a method of using the immunoassay assembly to identify analytical targets of interest.

Abstract: A method of determining the mass-to-charge ratios of ions in a sample is disclosed. The method includes determining a data acquisition time, where the data acquisition time is a predetermined fraction of the greatest time of flight. The method also includes providing ions from a continuous beam of a sample to a time-of-flight mass analyzer at pulse intervals having a duration equal to the predetermined fraction of the greatest flight time. The method also includes measuring a peak width and a flight time value for each of the ion species in the sample after summing the data acquired during several pulse intervals and correcting the measured flight time values according to a correlation of measured peak width values with calibration data of peak width versus flight time.

Abstract: A transverse volume magnetic resonance (MR) coil includes a cylindrical geometry of electrical conductors configured for generating a B1 field comprising nth mode spatial harmonics along a first transverse axis in a transverse plane orthogonal to a central axis of the coil, while being uniform along a second transverse axis orthogonal to the first transverse axis in the transverse plane, where n is an integer ranging from 1 or greater. The coil may be included with other coils in an array coil. The coil may be utilized to detect geometric echoes resulting from excitation of an MR sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and method for using unit mass library searches for sample identification in accurate mass spectrometry. In general, the systems and methods described herein: (a) obtain an accurate mass spectrum of a sample; (b) calculate a unit mass spectrum based on the accurate mass spectrum; and (c) conduct a unit mass library search, based on the calculated unit masses, to obtain at least one candidate species to thereby identify the sample. The systems and methods may further: (d) calculate exact masses for each of a plurality of candidate species; and (e) eliminate candidate species due to ions that are outside a mass error window. The mass error window may be less than 500 ppm. The system and methods presented may be used in, for example, gas chromatrography mass spectrum and/or liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems.

Abstract: Pipette tips of different sizes may be coupled to a pipettor without needing to modify the pipettor. The same pipettor may thus be utilized to exchange different pipette tips, which may be done in an automated manner. Pipette tips may be coupled to adaptors that include proximal ends for interfacing with the pipettor and distal ends for interfacing with pipette tips. The proximal ends may all have the same geometry, matched with the same pipettor. The distal ends may have different geometries matched with different pipette tips. A pipettor may be part of a liquid handling apparatus and movable in an automated manner to different deck positions. The pipettor may include a locking mechanism for locking adaptors to the pipettor or locking pipette tips directly to the pipettors, and an ejection mechanism for ejecting pipette tips from corresponding adaptors.

Abstract: In a vibration damper of a turbomolecular vacuum pump, a vacuum tightness function and a vibration damping function are both performed by one or more toroidal rings made of an elastic material. The elastic rings assume a resting configuration while the vacuum pump is not operating and the damper is at atmospheric pressure, and they assume a compressed configuration while the vacuum pump is operating and the damper is under vacuum conditions. In the compressed configuration, the elastic rings are deformed due to a compression force. This deformation of the elastic rings prevents metal-to-metal contact between the vacuum pump and a vacuum chamber to which the pump is connected through the damper.

Abstract: A method for operating a display in a data processing system to provide a view of a portion of a data array on a display screen is disclosed. The method includes providing a first display window characterized by a first offset, a first horizontal gain, and a first vertical gain and receiving a feature input from a user indicating a selected feature in the first display window. The data processing system automatically provides a second display window characterized by a second offset and a second horizontal gain and a second vertical gain. The second offset, the second horizontal gain and the second vertical gain are chosen such that the feature is at a predetermined location in the second display window and the second horizontal gain and second vertical gain are chosen such that the selected feature occupies a predetermined portion of the second display window.

Abstract: Provided herein is a proximity assay that, in certain embodiments, involves: (a) hybridizing a first oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide with a target nucleic acid, wherein the first oligonucleotide comprises: i. a region that is complementary to a first sequence in the target nucleic acid and ii. a barcode sequence; and the second oligonucleotide comprises i. a region that is complementary to a second region in the target and ii. the complement of the barcode sequence; and (b) detecting hybridization between the barcode sequence and the complement of the barcode sequence, wherein hybridization between the barcode sequence and the complement of the barcode sequence indicates that the first and second target sequences are proximal to one another in the sample.

Abstract: A method of operating a first data processing system having a screen for responding to a vector gesture performed on that screen is disclosed. The method includes estimating a direction and assuming an identity for the vector gesture prior to the vector gesture being completed. A command that depends on the estimated direction and assumed identity is executed, the command being a command that would be required to update a current state of the first data processing system if the assumed identity of the vector gesture is correct. The command is executed prior to the vector gesture being completed. The current state of the first data processing system is then updated based on the data generated by the command. After the vector gesture has been determined to have been completed, the first data processing system is updated to a state indicated by the completed vector gesture.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique that reduces induced cross-talk current between transformer windings. The apparatus includes a transformer having a first secondary winding that provides a first voltage relative to earth ground, a second secondary winding that provides a second voltage relative to floating ground, and a shield disposed between the first and second secondary windings. A correction circuit connected to the first secondary winding is configured to generate a correction voltage. The correction voltage drives a shield to induce a correction current into the second secondary winding to reduce cross-talk current induced between the first and second secondary windings.

Abstract: Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.

Abstract: A real-time spectrum analyzer for measuring time domain data sampled from an input signal includes a processing unit and a density histogram memory unit. The processing unit includes an FFT engine, a frequency mask detector and a frequency mask gate. The FFT engine performs FFTs on the sampled time domain data to provide FFT spectra, each FFT spectrum including multiple FFT points. The frequency mask detector determines whether each FFT point in each spectrum meets a trigger condition, and generates gate control signals corresponding to the FFT spectra based on the determinations. The frequency mask gate receives the FFT spectra and the gate control signals, and outputs only select FFT spectra that contain at least one FFT point that meets the trigger condition in response to the corresponding gate control signal. The density histogram memory unit stores the select FFT spectra for generating in a density histogram.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic system comprises storing information corresponding to an input data stream in a first memory having a first operating rate, detecting an overflow condition of the first memory, generating overflow information in response to the detection of the overflow condition, storing the overflow information in a second memory having a second operating rate slower than the first operating rate, transferring the overflow information from the detector to a third memory at a first transfer rate corresponding to the first operating rate, temporarily storing the overflow information in the third memory, and transferring the stored overflow information to the second memory at a second transfer rate corresponding to the second operating rate, and combining the information stored in the first memory with the overflow information stored in the second memory to produce an output data stream.

Abstract: A system for dissipating energy in a power supply includes a bidirectional switching power output stage coupled to a primary power supply side and a secondary power supply side, the bi-directional switching power output stage configured to provide a positive voltage and a positive current, the bi-directional switching power output stage also configured to provide a positive voltage and to receive a current. The system for dissipating energy in a power supply also includes a current sinking circuit coupled to the primary power supply side, the current sinking circuit configured to dissipate energy when the secondary power supply side of the switching power supply is receiving current.

Abstract: An energy dissipating device configured to connect to a power supply and to dissipate excess energy from a direct current (DC) rail in response to a change in power supply settings or operating characteristics. The energy dissipating device is connected to the DC rail, which conducts current generated by an AC/DC converter to at least one DC/DC converter. When power demand to the DC/DC converter is reduced, the DC/DC converter generates a supplemental current surge on the DC rail. A rail current monitor monitors the current level on the DC rail and generates the DC rail power signal indicative of the supplemental current surge level generated by the at least one DC/DC converter. The supplemental surge current is used to control dissipative elements connected across the DC rail to modulate a current sink path across the DC rail to dissipate the excess energy from the DC rail.

Abstract: A method of providing a conduit (5, 7, 49, 51 93, 129, 131, 151, 231, 233, 259) adapted for conducting a medium, with a functional element. The functional element is adapted for at least one of: coupling, connecting, sealing, fixing, adjusting, aligning, receiving, protecting, and positioning the conduit. A part, comprising a plastic material, is plastified and molded within a forming tool for shaping the form of the functional element and for attaching the functional element to the conduit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for pumping compressible fluids in high pressure applications such as high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) or supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) applications are disclosed. An improved cooling device for a pump head for use in a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system is described. A system for chilling a pumping system, includes a Peltier cooling element in thermal contact with a pump head, wherein the cooling element chills the pump head and a mobile phase fluid flowstream prior to the mobile phase fluid entering the pump; a fluid-cooled heat exchanger, attached to the Peltier cooling element, which removes heat from the cooling element using a circulating fluid; and a second heat exchanger which cools the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic system comprises storing information corresponding to an input data stream in a first memory having a first operating rate, detecting an overflow condition of the first memory, generating overflow information in response to the detection of the overflow condition, storing the overflow information in a second memory having a second operating rate slower than the first operating rate, transferring the overflow information from the detector to a third memory at a first transfer rate corresponding to the first operating rate, temporarily storing the overflow information in the third memory, and transferring the stored overflow information to the second memory at a second transfer rate corresponding to the second operating rate, and combining the information stored in the first memory with the overflow information stored in the second memory to produce an output data stream.

Abstract: The invention features a novel isolated Family B DNA polymerase, a Thermococcus polymerase JDF-3, and mutant recombinant forms thereof. Mutant polymerases of the invention are deficient in 3? to 5? exonuclease activity and/or exhibit reduced discrimination against non-conventional nucleotides relative to the wild-type form of the polymerase.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: an electromagnetic waveguide and an iris structure providing an iris in the electromagnetic waveguide. The iris structure defines an iris hole. The apparatus further includes an electric field rotation arrangement configured to establish a 2N-pole electric field around a circumference of the iris hole, wherein N is an integer which is at least two. The electric field rotation arrangement may include at least four iris slots, each in communication with the iris hole, wherein a first one of the iris slots is further in disposed at a first side of the iris hole and a second one of the iris slots is disposed at a second side of the iris hole which is opposite the first side.