Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the performance of a mass spectrometer system when multiple measurements are made. For example, the total settling time of different components or stages of a mass spectrometer, such as a tandem mass spectrometer, are decreased by optimally ordering the measurements.

Abstract: A Method and System for Optimizing Decibel Data Conversion. This invention provides an ability to convert linear signals into decibel units via digital logic circuitry. The resultant system can present information to users in real-time. This is made possible by performing an approximation function that is simple enough to be implemented directly in digital hardware, rather than through software executed by massive computing resources. An exemplary application for this technology is as a component of a surgical reactive electronic jamming system. This invention allows a surgical reactive jammer to determine precisely the correct jamming thresholds to apply in real-time. It allows signal surveillance equipment to survey the spectrum and display those results in dBm with far more efficiency than before. Finally, it enables a whole industry of communications related devices that need to do real time decibel conversion.

Abstract: An integrated step attenuator (“ISA”) monolithically integrated on a single chip for adjusting an input signal. The ISA may include a step attenuation network (“SAN”) that may include at least one switchable attenuation section, and at least one electronically switchable trimming network (“ESTN”). The SAN may be configured to adjust the input signal responsive to the state of a switch that bridges the attenuation sections of the SAN, and the ESTN may be configured to adjust the input signal responsive to the state of a switch in signal communication with one or more shunt resistors in the ESTN.

Abstract: Techniques for triggering that provide time-aligned triggering of a set of components using a bussed topology. Triggering according to the present teachings includes a set of components that each include circuitry for measuring a propagation delay on a trigger bus of a test trigger signal from each of a set of sources of the test trigger signal and a programmable delay circuit for delaying a trigger signal in response to a corresponding delay setting derived from the measured propagation delays.

Abstract: A method in which an array identifier for a chemical array with probes at multiple feature locations is retrieved from a memory or read. The array identifier, a request for a test which requires an instruction on reading or processing the signal data read from the array, and payment information, are all forwarded to a remote location. A method is also provided which includes retrieving an instruction on reading or processing signal data read from a chemical array. This is retrieved from a memory using a test request and which memory carries one or more instructions for the array each retrievable with a different test request. Apparatus and computer program products are further provided.

Abstract: A fluid containment structure that includes a substrate with a gasket surface and a form-in-place gasket disposed on the gasket surface and a method for forming the fluid containment structure are described. The form-in-place gasket is disposed around and marks the perimeter of an interior area on the substrate. The interior area and the form-in-place gasket define a well that is adapted for retaining a fluid. The fluid containment structure may be associated with or form a portion of an analysis site where a sample fluid retained in the fluid containment structure may be analyzed.

Abstract: An oversampling delay is provided between clock and data signals by steering a current between first and second nodes. The first node is coupled to an input differential pair of a clock interpolator and a delayed differential pair of a data interpolator. The second node is coupled to an input differential pair of the data interpolator and a delayed differential pair of the clock interpolator. First clock and data signals are provided to a first data sampling element and, respectively, to the clock and data interpolators. Second clock and data signals, respectively output from the clock and data interpolators, are provided to a second data sampling element. Additional data sampling elements may be linked to form a longer chain of data sampling elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the analysis of co-eluting compounds during a cycle of a tandem mass spectrometer system are provided. The tandem mass spectrometer system switches fast from analyzing one compound ion to analyzing another compound ion and from one collision cell energy to another. The fast switching allows complex sampling patterns that improve coverage of the ionic signal of the co-eluting compounds while allowing different collision cell energies to be analyzed.

Abstract: A data analysis method includes automatically generating a set of curve fits for a data set from a mass spectrometer. The set of curve fits includes a plurality of suggested curve fits, each associated with a curve fit equation type. For each suggested curve fit, a fit metric is generated that indicates how well the curve fit matches the data set. Thereafter, a user interface is displayed that includes a table of user selectable suggested curve fits for display. A default suggested curve fit having a highest fit metric is displayed. A user override selection may be received for displaying at least one of the suggested curve fits in the table. The set of suggested curve fits under consideration can be filtered to conform with user requirements.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a device under test (DUT) includes detecting four interferograms of the DUT including two orthogonal detections and two orthogonal input polarizations, performing a Hilbert transformation to obtain transfer functions of the DUT on the basis of the detected interferograms, performing an Inverse Fourier transformation on the transfer functions of the DUT to get an impulse response matrix IR of the DUT, and determining impulse response eigenvalues of the DUT on the basis of the impulse response matrix of the DUT.

Abstract: A nanoscale displacement detector includes a cantilever integrated with an optical resonator, referred to herein as a “microresonator.” The microresonator and cantilever are configured such that displacement of the cantilever relative to the microresonator causes a change in the resonant frequency of the microresonator. The change in the resonant frequency of the microresonator is used to monitor cantilever displacement. In an embodiment, the microresonator includes a cavity that faces the cantilever and the cantilever includes a protrusion that faces the microresonator and is aligned with the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for threading a biopolymer through a nanopore. The apparatus of the present invention provides a substrate having a channel with a channel wall and a nanopore in the channel wall. The channel and nanopore are designed for receiving a biopolymer. The apparatus includes at least one set of electrodes for moving the biopolymer in a first direction past the nanopore, and at least one set of electrodes for moving the biopolymer through the nanopore in a second direction. The invention also provides a method for threading a biopolymer through a nanopore. The method includes moving the biopolymer past the nanopore in a first direction, and threading the biopolymer through the nanopore in a second direction.

Abstract: Methods, systems and recordable media for using expression data characterizing protein pathways of diseases to produce phase relationships between treatment responses of diseased tissues to treatments applied thereto and expression profiles of the diseased tissues as measured when untreated. Methods, systems and recordable media for augmenting an original or existing treatment or treatment combination with one or more treatments that cover gene activity of a disease not addressed by the original/existing treatment.

Abstract: Accurate correction of a local clock that avoids excessive drift in the local clock while avoiding an accumulation of quantization errors. A local clock according to the present techniques generates a local time by accumulating a sequence of rate coefficients selected from a plurality of rate coefficients using a series of progressively longer replacement periods.

Abstract: Purely gain-coupled diffraction gratings may be realized for use in QCLs and other edge emitting lasers that lack a typical p-n junction. The periodic, typically heavily n-doped regions of doped diffraction gratings are replaced with p-type regions having significantly lower doping.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve separating the collimating function and tilting function into two separate optical elements. The separation increases tolerance to misalignment and simplifies the fabrication of the MUXes.

Abstract: Methods, reagents and kits are disclosed for selecting target-specific oligonucleotide probes, which may be used in analyzing a target nucleic acid sequence. In one aspect the present invention is directed to selecting a set of target-specific oligonucleotide probes. A cross-hybridization oligonucleotide probe is identified based on a candidate target-specific oligonucleotide probe for the target nucleic acid sequence. The cross-hybridization oligonucleotide probe measures the extent of occurrence of a cross-hybridization event having a predetermined probability. Cross-hybridization results are determined employing the cross-hybridization oligonucleotide probe and the target-specific oligonucleotide probe. The target-specific oligonucleotide probe is selected or rejected for the set based on the cross-hybridization results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method of load dependent analyzing an optical component (114), comprising the steps of: splitting an initial signal (115) into the reference signal (115b) into and into a measurement signal (115a), intermittently providing a load signal (108) to the component (114), providing the measurement signal (115a), to the component (114),so that the component (114) can influence the measurement signal (115a) to create a signal (120) influenced by and received from the component (114), superimposing the reference signal with the signal (120) received from the component (114), to provide a superimposed signal (118), detecting the superimposed signal (118) when the loading signal (108) is not present at the component (114) to provide an information containing signal (126), and processing the information containing signal (126) to determine an optical property of the component (114) dependent on a property of the load signal (118).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring CPT is disclosed. The apparatus includes a quantum absorber that is irradiated by radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source. The quantum absorber includes a material that exhibits CPT. The electromagnetic radiation source generates electromagnetic radiation having first and second CPT-generating frequency components. The first CPT-generating frequency component has a frequency ?L??, and a first CPT component amplitude. The second CPT generating frequency component has a frequency ?L+? and a second CPT component amplitude. The apparatus also includes a detector for generating a detector signal related to the power of electromagnetic radiation that leaves the quantum absorber. The detector signal exhibits an asymmetry as a function of frequency ? in a frequency range about a frequency ?0. The apparatus includes an asymmetry servo loop that alters one of ?L, the first CPT component amplitude, and the second CPT component amplitude to reduce the asymmetry.

Abstract: A method and miniature analytical device with thermal regulation of reactant using a localized heat source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, such as light emitting diodes (“LED”s) and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (“VCSEL”s), generating internal heat, such as resistive, inductive and Peltier heaters, or external heating. The miniature analytical device comprises of array of temperature-controlled zones to restrict the volume heated and localize the heating by having the localized heat source comprise an array of emitters or heaters.