Abstract: A peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-E) system has a reconfigurable link architecture. The system comprises a system slot adapted to receive a PCI-E compatible system controller, a plurality of peripheral slots adapted to receive a plurality of peripheral modules, and a reconfigurable switch fabric configured to create a variable number of PCI-E links between the system slot and the plurality of peripheral slots.

Abstract: An electromagnet structure comprises a magnetic shell having a cavity, a magnetic pole located within the cavity and having a magnetic gap for focusing a magnetic field on a magnetically tunable filter, a conductive coil located within the cavity of the magnetic shell and forming multiple turns around the magnetic pole, and a heater located within the cavity of the magnetic shell and configured to maintain the conductive coil at a substantially constant temperature when the magnetically tunable filter is tuned to different frequencies.

Abstract: A support for a rolling bearing of the kind equipped with an outer rotating ring for a rotary vacuum pump, the support comprising an inner portion that can be associated with the rotating ring, a fastening outer portion and a connecting portion, interposed between the inner and outer portions, wherein the connecting portion is a frusto-conical resilient element.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making an inorganic/organic hybrid totally porous spherical silica particles by self assembly of surfactants that serve as organic templates via pseudomorphic transformation.

Abstract: A method for evaluating hepatocellular carcinoma in a subject is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: a) obtaining a hepatocellular carcinoma protein marker profile for a sample obtained from the subject; and b) comparing the protein marker profile to a control profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring analytes from a dried biological fluid sample includes a tube, a substrate in a proximal section of the tube, and a sorbent bed in a distal section of the tube. A biological fluid sample is dispensed on the substrate and is dried to form a dried sample. A conditioning solvent is flowed into the distal section to condition the sorbent bed. A first elution solvent is flowed through the substrate and the sorbent bed. Analytes are eluted from the dried sample and retained on the sorbent bed. A second elution solvent is flowed through the substrate and the sorbent bed. The analytes are eluted from the sorbent bed, pass through an opening, and are collected. Alternatively, an elution solvent is flowed through the substrate and the sorbent bed such that analytes eluted from the dried sample pass through the sorbent bed and the opening for collection, while non-analytes are retained on the sorbent bed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a measurement apparatus has an input stage, an output stage and a multiplexer. The input stage has a signal input, a plurality of measurement range outputs, and a plurality of selectable gain stages, with each of the selectable gain stages being coupled between the signal input and a respective one of the measurement range outputs. The output stage has a measurement acquisition path between an analog measurement input and a digital measurement output. The measurement acquisition path includes an analog-to-digital converter. The multiplexer has i) a plurality of data inputs, at least two of which are coupled to respective ones of the plurality of measurement range outputs, and at least one of which is a reference input configured to receive a signal to which signals appearing at the measurement range outputs are commonly referenced, ii) a data output coupled to the analog measurement input of the output stage, and iii) a control input.

Abstract: In accordance with a representative embodiment, a method for reducing the effect of jitter in a sampled signal is described. The method comprises: obtaining a frequency-domain data set representing the sampled signal; obtaining an average sideband amplitude distribution generated by jitter around one or more principal frequencies of the signal; estimating the jitter phases for sidebands generated by jitter in the frequency-domain data set; subtracting a jitter contribution characterized by the average sideband amplitude distribution and the estimated jitter phases from the data record.

Abstract: A fluid supply system configured for metering two or more fluids in controlled proportions, including a plurality of solvent supply lines, a pumping unit configured for taking in fluids from selected solvent supply lines and for supplying a pressurized mixture, a proportioning valve configured for modulating solvent composition by sequentially coupling selected ones of the solvent supply lines with the inlet of the pumping unit, a sensor configured for sensing process information in the fluid supply system, an analysis entity configured for analyzing the process information for determining reciprocating element related information at a beginning of fluid intake, and a control unit configured for switching the proportioning valve to sequentially couple selected ones of the solvent supply lines to the inlet of the pumping unit at one or more switching points based on the given metering scheme and based on the reciprocating element related information.

Abstract: A control device for a sample separation apparatus, the sample separation apparatus including a first separation unit and a second separation unit downstream of the first separation unit and supplied with the fluidic sample after treatment by the first separation unit. A control device is configured for controlling the first separation unit to execute a primary separation sequence within a time interval for separating the fluidic sample into fractions, and for controlling the second separation unit to execute secondary separation sequences within the time interval for further separating the separated fractions into sub-fractions, wherein the secondary separation sequences form part of a common sample separation method defined by a common specification of the sample separation involving a set of parameters, and adjusting, over a progress of the primary separation sequence, at least one parameter according to which at least one of the plurality of secondary separation sequences is executed.

Abstract: A device for driving a switch in a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes first and second latches, and a logic gate. The first latch is configured to store a digital input data signal according to a clock signal, and to output a first latch signal corresponding to the stored digital input data signal. The second latch is configured to store the first latch signal output by the first latch according to a logical inverse of the clock signal, and to output a second latch signal corresponding to the stored first latch signal. The logic gate is configured to perform an OR logic operation on the first latch signal and the second latch signal, the logic gate outputting a drive signal for driving a switch in the DAC connected to a current source.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe comprises a superconducting material formed in a spiral having a plurality of fingerlets separated by a plurality of slits, and a normal-metal overlayer formed on the spiral over the plurality of fingerlets and the plurality of slits.

Abstract: Superficially porous hybrid particles include hybrid solid cores that each contain an inorganic material and an organic material; and porous hybrid outer shells each include the inorganic and organic materials and having ordered pores, wherein the ordered pores have a median pore size ranges from about 15 to about 1000 ? with a pore size distribution (one standard deviation) of no more than 50% of the median pore size and produce at least one X-ray diffraction peak between 0.01° and 10° of a 2? scan range; wherein the particles have a median size range from about 0.5 ?m to about 100 ?m with a particle size distribution (one standard deviation) of no more than 15% of the median particle size, wherein the inorganic material comprises a metal oxide selected from silica, alumina, titania or zirconia.

Abstract: A fluid pumping device includes a piezoelectric actuator externally coupled to a microfluidic device. The piezoelectric actuator has an axial displacement along a lengthwise axis responsive to application of a bias voltage. The axial displacement of the piezoelectric actuator operates one of an internal valve and an internal pump chamber of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A micro-machined frit is provided for use in a chromatography column, having a substrate with a thickness, and holes extending through the thickness and providing fluid communication through the substrate. A micro-machined flow distributor is provided for use in a chromatography column having a substrate, holes extending through the substrate, and channels in fluid communication with the holes. A micro-machined integrated frit and flow distributor device is also provided having a substrate with a thickness, holes extending through the thickness and providing fluid communication therethrough, and channels in fluid communication with at least one of the holes. A chromatography column is provided having a tube, an extraction medium contained therein, and a micro-machined frit positioned proximate an end of the tube. The column can include a micro-machined flow distributor positioned between the frit and the end of the tube.

Abstract: An ionization device comprises: a plasma source configured to generate a plasma. The plasma comprises light, plasma ions and plasma electrons. The plasma source comprises an aperture disposed such that at least part of the light passes through the aperture and is incident on a gas sample. The ionization device further comprises an ionization region; and a plasma deflection device comprising a plurality of electrodes configured to establish an electric field, wherein the electric field substantially prevents the plasma ions from entering the ionization region.

Abstract: A fluid pumping device includes a piezoelectric actuator externally coupled to a microfluidic device. The piezoelectric actuator has an axial displacement along a lengthwise axis responsive to application of a bias voltage. The axial displacement of the piezoelectric actuator operates one of an internal valve and an internal pump chamber of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A method is provided for compensating for impairment of an electrical signal output from a device under test (DUT), the impairment resulting from an impairment network. The method includes measuring an impaired electrical signal received at an electronic analyzer via the impairment network; applying a coded pulse sequence to the impairment network; estimating an impairment transfer function corresponding to the impairment based on the applied pulse sequence; and correcting the measured electrical signal using the impairment transfer function to determine the electrical signal output from the DUT.

Abstract: A method is provided for compensating for impairment of an electrical signal output from a device under test (DUT), the impairment resulting from an impairment network. The method includes measuring an impaired electrical signal received at an electronic analyzer via the impairment network; applying a stimulus signal to the impairment network; estimating an impairment transfer function corresponding to the impairment based on the applied stimulus signal; and correcting the measured electrical signal using the impairment transfer function to determine the electrical signal output from the DUT.