Abstract: A substrate orientation device includes a frame that supports a substrate on which liquid is dispensed, for example as may relate to (bio)chemical microarray fabrication. The frame is movable to different positions, such as for mounting the substrate to the frame, depositing droplets on the substrate, and applying a bulk liquid to the substrate. The substrate orientation device may be movable to different locations, such as different liquid dispensing devices, for example a printer and a flow cell.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping system includes a plurality of positive displacement vacuum pumps, and more particularly a plurality of positive displacement vacuum pumps working in parallel. The vacuum pumping system includes a management unit that carries out a synchronized control of all the positive displacement vacuum pumps of the vacuum pumping system and thus allows to check possible risk of contamination of the vacuum pumping system and carry out, if needed, the necessary corrective actions without requiring any modification to the construction of the vacuum pumping system.

Abstract: A method of handling a fluidic sample includes taking fluidic sample from a sample source by a sample shaping tool so that a pre-shaped planar fluidic sample is held by the sample shaping tool with at least one main surface, or both opposing main surfaces, of the pre-shaped planar fluidic sample being exposed, and processing the pre-shaped planar fluidic sample such as by separating the pre-shaped planar fluidic sample in a sample separation device.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping system includes a vacuum pump and a motor for driving the vacuum pump. A motor stator and a motor rotor are received in a pumping chamber of the vacuum pump. Thanks to such arrangement, the vacuum pumping can be made as a single, sealed unit and the need for dynamic seals can be avoided. Moreover, the vacuum pumping system can be more compact and lighter than prior vacuum pumping systems. A pump rotor of the vacuum pump may be at least partially made as a hollow body, and the motor may be received inside the pump rotor.

Abstract: A configurable injector for injecting a fluidic sample in a separation path of a sample separation apparatus includes a sample accommodation volume for accommodating the fluidic sample to be injected into the separation path, a valve arrangement fluidically couplable with the separation path, fluidically coupled with the sample accommodation volume, and being controllable for injecting the fluidic sample into the separation path, an input interface configured for receiving input data indicative of an injection profile of an injector to be emulated by the configurable injector, and a control unit configured for controlling the configurable injector, in particular the valve arrangement, so that the configurable injector is operated in accordance with the injection profile to thereby emulate the injector to be emulated.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for inducing CRISPR/Cas-based gene regulation (e.g., genome editing or gene expression) of a target nucleic acid (e.g., target DNA or target RNA) in a cell. The methods include using modified single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) that enhance gene regulation of the target nucleic acid in a primary cell for use in ex vivo therapy or in a cell in a subject for use in in vivo therapy. Additionally, provided herein are methods for preventing or treating a genetic disease in a subject by administering a sufficient amount of a modified sgRNA to correct a mutation in a target gene associated with the genetic disease.

Abstract: In some examples, a three-dimensional printed nanospray interface for mass spectrometry may include a body including a sheath inlet connected to a sheath outlet for passage of sheath liquid to an emitter. The emitter may include a sidewall including a stepped texture on an inner surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: A rocker valve for opening or closing a fluid connection includes a valve chamber into which at least one opening feeds, a pivotally mounted rocker switch, and a membrane surface located between the rocker switch and the opening. By pivoting the rocker switch, the opening can be fluidically opened or closed relative to the valve chamber. The rocker valve further includes a sealing element that is located between the membrane surface and the opening when the rocker switch closes the opening relative to the valve chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer-implemented method of automatically identifying the presence of one or more elements in a sample via optical emission spectroscopy.

Abstract: A sample management device which comprises a source flow path in which a fluidic sample can flow, a volume flow adjustment unit configured for adjusting a volume flow of the fluidic sample to be branched off from the source flow path at a fluidic coupling point, and a fluidic valve fluidically coupled with the source flow path and with the volume flow adjustment unit, wherein the fluidic valve is switchable into a branch off state in which the fluidic coupling point is established within the source flow path to branch off an adjustable volume of the fluidic sample from the source flow path via the fluidic coupling point while a flow of the fluidic sample in the source flow path continues.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus may include an advection flow structure including a passage to transport, via advection by a gas flow, an ablated sample from an ablation region to an ionization region.

Abstract: A jet injector for a GC that includes a body, a skirt extending away from the body; and a bore that extends through the skirt and the body to create an inlet and an outlet for the jet injector.

Abstract: An ion guide includes electrodes elongated along an axis from an entrance end to an exit end and spaced around the axis to surround an interior. The electrodes have polygonal shapes with inside surfaces disposed at a radius from the axis and having an electrode width tangential to a circle inscribed by the electrodes. An aspect ratio of the electrode width to the radius varies along the axis. The electrodes are configured to generate a two-dimensional RF electrical field in the interior having a multipole composition comprising one or more lower-order multipole components and one or more higher-order multipole components and varying along the axis in accordance with the varying aspect ratio, and having an RF voltage amplitude that varies along the axis.

Abstract: A jet injector for a GC that includes a body, a skirt extending away from the body; and a bore that extends through the skirt and the body to create an inlet and an outlet for the jet injector.

Abstract: Provided herein is an ion source containing a plurality of components, at least one of which is partially coated with a layer of silicon. The ion source reduces reactivity between the sample and the carrier gas, reduces or eliminates tailing in ion chromatograms, and/or improves mass spectral fidelity. Also provided are methods of using the ion source in a mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A vacuum scroll pump having an inlet portion having a pump inlet, and an exhaust portion having a pump outlet; a frame; a stationary scroll plate fixed to the frame and comprising a stationary plate comprising at least one stationary scroll blade; an orbiting scroll plate comprising an orbiting plate comprising at least one orbiting scroll blade projecting axially from a front side of the orbiting plate toward the stationary plate; a drive mechanism supported by the frame and operatively connected to the orbiting scroll plate so as to cause the orbiting scroll plate to orbit about a longitudinal axis of the vacuum scroll pump and thereby pump a process gas; a double-sided thrust bearing supporting the orbiting scroll plate; and a bellows which isolates the process gas from the drive mechanism.

Abstract: The presence of mild electrophiles, such as aldehydes, during the denaturation of glycoproteins or glycopeptides and subsequent enzymatic deglycosylation reduces artifacts in subsequent analyses of the glycans released from the glycoproteins or glycopeptides.

Abstract: A process of determining a modified separation method for a sample separation apparatus based on an initial separation method, including carrying out the initial separation method on a sample separation apparatus, detecting sensor data at the sample separation apparatus during carrying out the initial separation method, and carrying out a numerical analysis for determining the modified separation method by modifying at least one operation parameter of the initial separation method and by using the detected sensor data.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods for determining and scoring reproducibly the extent of nuclear expression of protein Ki-67 (also known as MK167) in a tissue sample. In alternative embodiments, provided are methods for diagnosing, treating or ameliorating or assessing the risk of recurrence for a cancer or a tumor using an IHC method as provided herein. In alternative embodiments, provided are kits comprising components and instructions for practicing methods as provided herein.