Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing matrix effects in protein precipitated bioanalytical samples comprising: a support, and a sorbent associated with the support capable of binding matrix interfering agents present in the bioanalytical sample, wherein the device further comprises filtering means for removing precipitated protein particles. The filtering means is a size exclusion filter or a polymeric or inorganic monolith having a maximum pore size less than or equal to the diameter of the particles to be removed from the sample, and can be integral with the sorbent or associated with the sorbent. The sorbent is characterized by sufficient selectivity between the matrix interfering agents and analytes of interest to provide retention of the matrix interfering agents while providing elution of the analytes of interest (e.g., a reversed phase or a polar modified reversed phase).

Abstract: A supporting plate of a device is suggested. The device has at least one component and a housing for at least partly protecting the component. The supporting plate has at least one receiving element adapted for accepting the at least one component of the device in at least one of the following manners: in a form-closed manner, in a force-closed manner. The supporting plate is part of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods directed to chimeric DNA polymerases, which comprise a mutated DNA binding polypeptide domain and a mutated or wild-type DNA polymerase polypeptide domain.

Abstract: An optical emission spectrometer system includes a light source and a dichroic beam combiner. The light source emits first light in a first direction and second light in a second direction different from the first direction. The dichroic beam combiner receives the first light via a first light path and the second light via a second light path, reflects a portion the first light into an entrance aperture of a light detection and measurement apparatus, and transmits a portion of the second light into the entrance aperture, enabling analysis and measurement of both first and second light characteristics simultaneously. The portion of the first light reflected into the entrance aperture predominately has wavelengths in a first range of wavelengths and the portion of the second light transmitted into the entrance aperture predominately has wavelengths in a second range of wavelengths, different from the first range of wavelengths.

Abstract: An optical absorption spectrometry system includes first and second light sources, a dichroic beam combiner and a wavelength selective module. The first light source emits first light having first wavelengths within a first wavelength range, and the second light source emits second light having second wavelengths within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range. The dichroic beam combiner includes a predetermined first reflectance/transmission transition region, the dichroic beam combiner being configured to transmit a first portion of the first light and to reflect a second portion of the second light to provide combined light. The wavelength selective module is configured to disperse the combined light received at an entrance aperture, to select a sample wavelength range of the dispersed light as sample light, and to output the sample light having the selected sample wavelength range from an exit aperture for illuminating a sample.

Abstract: A chromatography column is prepared with a stationary phase comprising a deuterated poly(ethyleneglycol), or other deuterated polymer. Formation of the stationary phase can be performed using exactly the same methodology as used when forming a stationary phase with the equivalent non-deuterated polymer. The deuterated poly(ethyleneglycol), or other deuterated polymer, preferably has increased thermal stability as compared to non-deuterated poly(ethyleneglycol), or equivalent non-deuterated polymer. This reduces bleeding of the stationary phase during gas chromatography and allows the use of greater operating temperatures.

Abstract: A photon source includes a plasma source for generating plasma and a photon guide through which the plasma travels. The photon guide includes an inner surface configured for reflecting photons emitted from the plasma. As the plasma travels through the photon guide, plasma electrons and ions recombine at the inner surface, whereby the predominant species emitted from an outlet of the photon guide are the photons and neutral particles, with few or no plasma electrons and ions being emitted.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) system includes an ion deflector, ion extractor, a flight tube, and a detector. The deflector may be disposed in the flight tube or outside the flight tube upstream of the extractor. The deflector deflects ions away from a main flight path such that the defected ions are not detected.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and extracting analytes from a dried biological fluid spot includes a tube and a sorbent bed. The tube includes a proximal tube opening, a distal tube opening, and a distal section. The distal section includes a tube wall having a tapered diameter that reduces down to the distal tube opening. The apparatus may also include a tube extension that includes an extension wall having a tapered diameter that reduces from a proximal extension opening to a distal extension opening. The tube extension is movable between an attached position and a detached position. At the attached position, the tube extension is secured to the tube by frictional contact between the extension wall and the tube at the distal tube opening. At the detached position the tube extension is physically separate from the tube. The sorbent bed is disposed at an axial distance from the distal tube opening and in the tube or the tube extension. The sorbent bed has a composition configured for solid phase extraction.

Abstract: The present invention provides new compositions for transposase-mediated fragmenting and tagging DNA targets. The invention relates to the surprising discovery that use of manganese ions (Mn2+) in transposase reactions improves the transposase reaction. It also relates to the surprising discovery that Mg2+ ions can be used in a transposase reaction with wild-type and/or engineered transposases at levels much higher than previously thought. The invention provides for the use of naturally-occurring transposases in in vitro reactions, as well as improved schemes for cleaving, tagging, and amplifying target DNA.

Abstract: A fitting (200) for providing a fluid connection between a capillary (202) and a fluidic conduit (204) of a fluidic component (30), the fitting (200) comprising a male piece (240) and a female piece (250) for connection with the male piece (240), wherein the male piece (240) comprises a housing (252) with a capillary reception (212) configured for receiving the capillary (202), wherein a part of the capillary (202) being received in the capillary reception (212) is circumferentially covered by a sleeve (214), an elastic biasing mechanism (206) being arranged at least partially within the housing (252), being configured for biasing the capillary (202) against the female piece (250) and being supported by the sleeve (214), and a locking mechanism (208) being arranged at least partially within the housing (252) and being configured for locking the capillary (202) to the fitting (200).

Abstract: A system for performing tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis of a sample includes a mass spectrometer and a processor. The mass spectrometer is configured to perform a mass spectrometry (MS) scan of an ionized sample to provide a mass of an observed peak corresponding to a precursor ion. The processor is configured to perform operations including determining whether the mass of the observed peak matches a mass of at least one of multiple expected peptides on a dynamic watch list, where the expected peptides correspond to a protein in the sample, and calculating a score of an accuracy of the determination when the mass of the observed peak is determined to match the mass of at least one of the plurality of expected peptides. The precursor ion is excluded from an MS/MS scan when the accuracy score indicates that the determination is accurate.

Abstract: A method for solid state bonding of a plurality of metallic layers and devices made by that method are disclosed. First and second metallic layers are solid state bonded utilizing a protective coating on the non-bonded surfaces that engage the pressure applying appliance to prevent the surfaces from adhering to the pressure applying appliance and to protect the surfaces from imprinting during the bonding process. The invention can be used to fabricate micro-channel devices with smooth outer surfaces and eliminate mold release compounds utilized in conventional bonding procedures.

Abstract: A system for performing optical spectroscopy measurements includes a light source for generating an input optical beam and an interferometer. The interferometer includes a beam splitter that splits the input optical beam into first and second light beams; a first light path that directs the first light beam through a sample containing an analyte to a first output port; and a second light path that directs the second light beam to the first output port. At least one of the first and second light paths adjusts a relative phase of a corresponding one of the first and second light beams, so that the first and second light beams are out of phase at the first output port, substantially canceling background light and outputting sample light corresponding to a portion of the first light signal absorbed by the sample in the sample cell. A detection system detects the output sample light.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) system includes an ion deflector, ion extractor, a flight tube, and a detector. The deflector may be disposed in the flight tube or outside the flight tube upstream of the extractor. The deflector deflects ions away from a main flight path such that the defected ions are not detected.

Abstract: A scroll pump facilitates the installation of a new tip seal between an axial end of the scroll blade of one of inner stationary and orbiting plate scrolls of the pump and the plate of the other of the inner stationary plate and orbiting plate scrolls. To this end, the orbiting plate scroll has a central portion and an outer peripheral portion extending around and seated on the central portion. The outer peripheral portion of the orbiting plate scroll is keyed to and/or fastened to the central portion such that the outer peripheral portion is not rotatable relative to the central portion and yet is axially removable from the central portion. The tip seal can be readily accessed and replaced by removing the outer peripheral portion of the orbiting scroll plate from the central portion.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of sample analysis. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: a) cross-linking protein of a cell using a first compound to produce a first cross-linked product comprising cross-linked protein, and RNA; b) contacting the first cross-linked product and a second compound under conditions by which an oligonucleotide portion of the second compound hybridizes to the RNA; c) activating a reaction the first and second compound, thereby covalently crosslinking the oligonucleotide to the cross-linked protein to produce a second cross-linked product; d) isolating the second cross-linked product using an affinity tag; and e) analyzing the isolated second cross-linked product. Compounds for performing the method are also provided.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure (AP) interface for a spectrometer includes wall for separating an ionization chamber from a reduced-pressure region of the spectrometer, an ion inlet defining an ion path from the ionization chamber to the reduced-pressure region, and a passage defining a gas path from the ionization chamber to a gas outlet external to the reduced-pressure region. The passage may have a greater gas conductance than the ion inlet such that most gas into the passage and not the ion inlet. The interface device is configured for applying a static electric field effective for focusing ions in the ionization chamber preferentially into the ion inlet.