Abstract: In a mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system, one or more different conditioning gases are added to condition or modify one or more surfaces or regions of the ion source. The conditioning gas(es) may be added directly into the ion source. The conditioning gas may be added off-line, when the mass spectrometer is not analyzing a sample.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a system for analytical sample preparation. In some embodiments, the system includes a container having disposed therein an analytical sample treatment composition including ?-cyclodextrin and/or an ?-cyclodextrin co-polymer. Also provided is a method of reducing matrix effects in an analytical sample. In some embodiments, the method includes: contacting a sample including a matrix-interfering agent and an analyte with a cyclodextrin composition to produce a matrix-cyclodextrin complex, wherein the cyclodextrin composition comprises an ?-cyclodextrin and/or an ?-cyclodextrin co-polymer; separating the complex from the contacted sample to produce a matrix-reduced composition; and detecting the analyte in the matrix-reduced composition. Kits and compositions for use in the subject systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and kits to improve procedures for reducing carbohydrates, such as glycans released from glycoconjugates, or for labeling carbohydrates by reductive amination.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable media, and methods using mass spectrometry to analyze a sample are provided. For example, a method includes: acquiring a precursor ion spectrum; analyzing the precursor ion spectrum to identify precursor ions that preliminarily match one or more peptides that each belong to at least one protein of interest for the analysis; selecting each of the identified precursor ions in an order according to a ranking protocol for maximizing the number of proteins that are identified in the sample; for each selected precursor ion: acquiring a corresponding product ion spectrum, determining whether the acquired product ion spectrum matches one of the peptides that belong to the set of proteins of interest, and identifying a matched peptide as being present in the sample; and identifying proteins of interest that are present in the sample based on the peptides that are identified as being present in the sample.

Abstract: Provided herein, among other things, are compositions for improving signal-to-noise in hybridization to oligonucleotide arrays. In some embodiments, the composition may comprise a population of indexing oligonucleotides of formula X-Y, where the sequences of region X hybridize to an array and the sequences of region Y hybridize to distinct sites within a genomic region, transcript, set of transcripts, or complement of the same. Use of these oligonucleotides increases signal, reduces background and smoothens array hybridization analyses. Methods and kits that employ the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a high voltage power supply includes a DC voltage input, a converter for converting a DC voltage at the DC voltage input to an AC voltage, a booster for boosting the AC voltage to a boosted AC voltage, a rectifier in DC isolation from the DC voltage input, the rectifier operable to convert the boosted AC voltage to a high DC voltage at an isolated rectifier output, a high voltage DC output for outputting the high DC voltage, a voltage control input, and an error circuit coupled to the voltage control input and operable to reduce variation in the high DC voltage by driving a return side of the isolated rectifier output in response to feedback based on the high DC voltage.

Abstract: An ion transfer device includes a tube, a resistive layer on an inside surface of the tube, and a dielectric layer on the resistive layer. The device defines a conduit providing a transfer path for gas and ions. The conduit is surrounded by the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer protects the resistive layer from the chemical environment in the conduit, while being thin enough to allow charges to pass through the dielectric layer and be dissipated by the resistive layer.

Abstract: An ATR scanning system and a method for positioning a specimen against the reflective surface of an ATR objective are disclosed. The scanning system includes an ATR objective, a controller, a stage, and a height profiler. The controller forms an image of the reflective surface. The stage moves a specimen in a direction toward the reflective surface at a speed determined by the controller. The height profiler measures a minimum distance between the specimen and the reflective surface as the z-axis stage moves the specimen at a first speed. When the specimen is a predetermined distance from the reflective surface of the ATR objective, the controller causes the z-axis stage to move toward the reflective surface at a second speed while forming approach images of the reflective surface to determine if the specimen is in contact with the reflective surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to reagents and methods for increasing specificity and efficiency of genome editing by CRISPR associated (Cas) protein systems, more particularly by Cas:guide RNA complexes, by blocking off-target nucleic acids from cleavage by Cas:guide RNA complexes.

Abstract: Provided herein, among other things, is a method for producing a ligation product on a support. In some embodiments, the method may comprise hybridizing a first double-stranded oligonucleotides and a second double-stranded oligonucleotide to a substrate comprising surface-tethered oligonucleotides and ligating the distal ends of the first and second double-stranded oligonucleotides together, thereby producing a first ligation product that is tethered to the support at both ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to guide RNAs comprising adaptor segments having one or more modifications, and their use in homologous recombination by CRISPR:Cas systems. The modified adaptor segments are resistant to degradation by RNaseH. The present invention also relates to a dual guide RNA strategy in which a first guide RNA directs a Cas enzyme to make a double-strand break at a first target sequence, and a second guide RNA comprises an adaptor segment attached to a donor polynucleotide, and binds a second target sequence that is offset from the first target sequence.

Abstract: Chromogenic conjugates for color-based detection of targets are described. The conjugates comprise a chromogenic moiety such as rhodamine, rhodol or fluorescein. The chromogenic moiety is linked to a peroxidase substrate. The chromogenic conjugates can be used in immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization. The conjugates can be used to detect 1, 2, 3 or more targets in a sample by color.

Abstract: Provided is an emulsion comprising: (a) droplets that contain a single polymeric compound or a pre-defined mixture thereof, and (b) an immiscible liquid, wherein: (i) each of the droplets comprises multiple molecules of the compound(s) contained therein; and the droplets do not contain monomeric precursors for the polymeric compound. A method for making the emulsion is also provided.

Abstract: To correct spectral interference due to a divalent ion of an interfering element on a measurement ion of an analysis element measured by a mass spectrometer using a plasma ion source by accounting for a mass-bias effect of the mass spectrometer, measurement values of ionic strength of divalent ions of two isotopes having different, odd mass numbers among isotopes of the interfering element are used. In measuring to obtain a measurement value where a correction method of the present invention is applied, it is suitable to set a mass resolution of the mass spectrometer to be higher than a time of normal analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides superficially porous metal oxide particles with precisely controlled particle density and to methods for their preparation and use, as well as to separation devices (e.g., high pressure liquid chromatography) having superficially porous particles.

Abstract: A torch for use in analytic instruments includes a tube subassembly with substantially cylindrical nested inner and outer tubes with coincident central axes, the inner tube having a terminus. The torch also includes a removable injector extending at least partially in the inner tube and having an alignment feature, an inlet, an outlet, and a central axis that is coincident with the central axes of the inner and outer tubes, a seal having a channel for accommodating a portion of the injector, and a base for supporting the tube subassembly, injector, and seal. The seal has a complementary feature to engage the alignment feature of the injector to prevent axial misalignment of the injector and maintain a fixed gap between the terminus of the inner tube and the outlet of the injector.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for generating a library of synthetic polynucleotides. The present invention also provides methods for generating proteins encoded by the library of synthetic polynucleotides. In addition, provided herein are methods for determining the soluble expression of said proteins. This invention is based, in part, on the discovery of a method for selecting optimal oligonucleotides in combination with performing a phosphorylation reaction, ligation reaction and PCR amplification in a single reaction vessel to produce synthetic polynucleotides in a multiplex manner.

Abstract: A flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a fluid may include a cartridge containing certain components such as a flow sensor. The cartridge is removable from the flow meter such that it may be replaced with a new cartridge, allowing calibration of the flow meter while enabling the flow meter to continue to be operated with another cartridge in the place of the removed cartridge. The flow meter may be configured to direct fluid flow away from selected components of the flow meter.

Abstract: An apparatus introduces a sample into a separation unit of a chromatography system with a mobile phase, including first and second mobile phase components. The apparatus includes first and second pump systems, and an injection unit. The first pump system provides the first mobile phase component, first and second portions of the first mobile phase component flowing through first and second branches, respectively. The second pump system provides the second mobile phase component, a first portion of the second mobile phase component flowing through a third branch. The injection unit receives a combined stream of the first portions of the first and second mobile phase components provided via the first and third branches, respectively, and injects the sample into the combined stream to form a sample-containing stream, which is subsequently combined with the second portion of the first mobile phase component to form a diluted sample-containing stream.

Abstract: A modular pump platform includes a pump head module, a pump motor module, an electronics module and a separable tray. The pump motor module includes a pump motor having a rotary output removably coupled to a crank shaft of the pump head, the pump motor being one of multiple types of pump motors, and the pump motor module being detachably connected to the pump head module. The electronics module includes an electronic control circuit configured to control operation of the pump motor, the electronic control circuit being one of multiple types of electronic control circuits corresponding to the types of pump motors. Each of the pump head module, the pump motor module and the electronics module is detachably connected to the separable tray. At least the pump motor module is interchangeable with another pump motor module comprising a pump motor of another type.