Abstract: Ionization devices that have at least two modes of ionization, and that can switch between these two modes of operation, are described. Illustratively, the ionization devices can switch between a photoionization (PI) mode and a combined mode of electroionization (EI) and PI (EI/PI mode).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method of preparing an eluted sample containing salts or buffers from a liquid chromatography device for analysis by a mass spectrometry device. The method includes: continuously providing a non-polar solvent to the mass spectrometry device; receiving the eluted sample from the liquid chromatography device; flowing the eluted sample over a solid phase extraction column; flowing the non-polar solvent over the solid phase extraction column; and presenting non-polar solvent and the eluted sample to the mass spectrometry device.

Abstract: Responses of voltage and current probes are characterized or corrected. A voltage probe method includes measuring output of the voltage probe and a first output of a through, in response to an input signal applied to the through, with the voltage probe connected, measuring a second output of the through with the voltage probe disconnected, and characterizing the response of the voltage probe using the output of the voltage probe and the first and/or second outputs. A current probe method includes measuring output current of the current probe and first output current of a through, in response to an input signal applied to the through with the current probe connected in series, measuring second output current of the through with the current probe disconnected, and characterizing the response of the current probe using the output current of the current probe and the first and/or second output currents of the through.

Abstract: A DC-balanced signal is imposed on the input of a transmission line. Prior to imposing the DC-balanced signal, the input of the transmission line is held at an intermediate DC level that intermediate between the maximum and minimum DC levels of the DC-balanced signal. Alternatively, a compensating pulse is additionally imposed on the input of the transmission line. The compensating pulse compensates for a change in the DC level at the output of the transmission line caused by the imposing of the DC-balanced signal on the input of the transmission line.

Abstract: A power diverter has a first terminal for interposition between a signal input and a signal output. A MEMS switch is coupled to the first terminal and has a MEMS switch control input. A MEMS protection switch is coupled to the MEMS switch and has a protection switch control input. The switch control inputs are configured to receive control signals for selectively placing the power diverter in i) an ON state in which signal power at the signal input is diverted from the signal output via the MEMS switch and the MEMS protection switch, ii) an OFF state in which signal power at the signal input is not diverted from the signal output, and in which the MEMS switch mitigates an insertion loss and distortion imparted by the MEMS protection switch to a signal path between the signal input and the signal output, and iii) an intermediary state in which the MEMS protection switch reduces current flow through the MEMS switch.

Abstract: A switchable valve for a sample injector includes a first valve member and a second valve member that can moved with respect to the other. The first valve member includes a plurality of ports, the second valve member includes a plurality of fluid paths. The plurality of ports include eight circumferential ports distributed along a circumference and one central port arranged at a central position of the first valve member. The plurality of fluid paths include three arcuate fluid paths so as to be couplable with at least two of the circumferential ports and one straight fluid path extending between the central position and a circumferential position so as to be couplable with the central port and one of the circumferential ports.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system, a conditioning gas such as, for example, hydrogen is added to condition or clean one or more components or regions of the mass spectrometer such as the ion source. The conditioning gas may be added upstream of the mass spectrometer such as, for example, into a sample inlet or a chromatographic column, or may be added directly into the mass spectrometer. The conditioning gas may be added off-line, when the mass spectrometer is not analyzing a sample, or on-line during sample analysis. When added on-line, the conditioning gas may be mixed with a carrier gas such as, for example, helium. In another embodiment, the conditioning gas also serves as the carrier gas through the column; another gas such as, for example, helium may be added to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: A frame for a microfluidic chip may be used together with a laboratory apparatus. The frame is adapted at least for one of the following features: receiving the microfluidic chip; protecting the microfluidic chip; and, positioning the microfluidic chip relative to the frame. The microfluidic chip is movable relative to the frame.

Abstract: A method of genome analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: a) contacting a double-stranded genomic DNA with a site-specific nicking endonuclease that recognizes a sequence comprising a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), in which the endonuclease nicks the genomic DNA at a nick site only if a first allele of the SNP is present; b) denaturing the genomic sample; c) contacting the denatured genomic sample with an array comprising a first probe and a second probe, in which nicking results in less binding of the denatured sample to the first probe relative to a sample that is not nicked; and d) comparing the amount of hybridization to the first probe to the amount of hybridization to said second probe, in which decreased binding of the denatured genomic samples to the first probe relative to the second probe indicates that the first allele of the SNP is present.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and method for operating the same. The mass spectrometer includes a vacuum chamber and an input port that receives ions to be analyzed in the mass spectrometer. The chamber is adapted to operate at a pressure less than a first pressure, and includes a wall that separates the chamber from an environment outside the chamber at atmospheric pressure. The input port provides a pressure drop between the outside environment at a second pressure and the chamber. The input port includes a plurality of channels, each channel having first and second electrodes arranged on opposing surfaces of that channel and having first and second ends. The first end of each channel is at a pressure equal to the first pressure and the second end is at a pressure less than the second pressure.

Abstract: A method for operating a mass spectrometer (MS) includes establishing a pressure differential across a membrane wherein an upstream pressure in a calibrant gas inlet line on an upstream side of the membrane is greater than a downstream pressure in an ion source on a downstream side of the membrane; flowing a calibrant gas from the calibrant gas inlet line, through a nano-scale orifice of the membrane, and into the ion source; and maintaining the upstream pressure at a constant value. The calibrant may be flowed at a low flow rate. An MS system includes a membrane interposed between a calibrant gas introduction system and a mass spectrometer. The membrane may include an orifice of nano-scale diameter.

Abstract: Systems to obtain a chemical array layout are provided. Systems of the invention include input and output managers for receiving information from and sending information to one or more users and a processing module having an array layout developer that applies rules relating to array layout design. The array layout developer develops an array layout based on the application of one or more of the rules to array request information received from one or more users. Also provided are computer program products for executing the subject methods.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system, a conditioning gas such as, for example, hydrogen is added to condition or clean one or more components or regions of the mass spectrometer such as the ion source. The conditioning gas may be added upstream of the mass spectrometer such as, for example, into a sample inlet or a chromatographic column, or may be added directly into the mass spectrometer. The conditioning gas may be added off-line, when the mass spectrometer is not analyzing a sample, or on-line during sample analysis. When added on-line, the conditioning gas may be mixed with a carrier gas such as, for example, helium. In another embodiment, the conditioning gas also serves as the carrier gas through the column; another gas such as, for example, helium may be added to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: In a communication network architecture, a service provider monitors its customer's experience as the customer selects and uses services offered by the service provider. An agent, such as software installed on-board the customer's mobile equipment, measures parameters that are related to the services, and communicates the measured parameters to the service provider, over the communication network.

Abstract: The invention refers to analyzing a digitally modulated test signal received from a device under test -DUT-, comprising providing a first sampled signal by assigning a first sequence of digital values as result of a level comparison of the test signal with a first threshold at first successive timing points, generating a first masking signal indicating matches between a second sequence of digital values expected from the DUT and one or a plurality of first data patterns, and analyzing the first sampled signal in conjunction with the masking signal.

Abstract: A method and compositions for sulfurizing at least one phosphite or thiophosphite linkage in an oligonucleotide. The addition of N-alkyl imidazole to the acetyldisulfide sulfurization solution enables the use of industrially preferred solvents or solvents that are derived from renewable resources.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope (AFM) apparatus for determining a topography of a sample surface is disclosed. The AFM apparatus comprises: a controller having a controller frequency response and being configured to provide a controller output signal. The controller comprises an integrator that provides an integrator output signal, and a filter block. The AFM apparatus also comprises a physical system having a physical system response and being configured to receive the controller output signal and to provide a probe height in response to the controller output signal. The physical system comprises an actuator configured to maintain a deflection of a probe tip relative to the sample surface. The deflection being is indicated by a deflection signal, and the filter block of the controller provides an inverse of the physical system response, such that the probe height is substantially equal to the integrator output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for archiving robust channel estimation in a communication system includes a training sequence generator to generate a training sequence. A formatter inserts the training sequence to a frame. A transmitting module is employed to transmit the frame. The training sequence generator further includes a symbol generator to generate a plurality of training symbols satisfying a predetermined constraint such that the training symbols are insensitive to synchronization error and a training sequence forming unit that forms the training sequence from the training symbols generated by the training symbol generator.

Abstract: The optical multiplexer system comprises an optical multiplexer, an output path and an adjustable beam steering element. The optical multiplexer comprises an input port characterized by an original acceptance range. The output path is disposed relative to the optical multiplexer such that a light beam incident on the input port within the original acceptance range enters the output path. The adjustable beam steering element is located adjacent the input port and is adjustable such that a light beam incident on the beam steering element within an enhanced acceptance range enters the output path as an output beam. The enhanced acceptance range is at least angularly greater than the original acceptance range.

Abstract: A method for semi-automatically generating configuration information for a gas chromatograph uses an identification device reader of the gas chromatograph to 1) determine a presence and location of sample flow component identification devices in or on identification device holders that hold the sample flow component identification devices; 2) read information from sample flow component identification devices held in the identification device holders; and 3) output configuration information for the gas chromatograph. The configuration information is based on the presence and location of particular sample flow component identification devices in or on particular identification device holders, and on associations of particular identification device holders with particular sample flow component connections to the gas chromatograph. The configuration information indicates if and how sample flow components are connected to the gas chromatograph.