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 column for use in chromatography, the column having a tube with a bore that can contain a packing medium captured between two porous plugs positioned at opposite ends. End fittings are attached to the tube ends, the end fittings having a duct with a duct opening having a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the tube bore which it faces. The duct opening may be positioned within a recess in spaced apart relation to the porous plugs to prevent the end fitting from contacting the plug and burnishing its surface.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a fixed assembly including a base, a beam splitter assembly and a fixed mirror, and a movable assembly including an upper scan carriage, a lower scan carriage and a movable mirror connected to the lower scan carriage. The pair of inner bearing flexures is connected to the base and the upper scan carriage, enabling movement of the upper scan carriage relative to the base, and the pair of outer bearing flexures is connected to the upper and lower scan carriages, enabling movement of the lower scan carriage relative to the upper scan carriage. The movement of the upper and lower scan carriages enable a scan movement of the movable mirror in a scan direction restricted such that the scan movement maintains a plane containing the movable mirror parallel to planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the movable and fixed assemblies during the scan movement.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for glycan analysis includes a deglycosylation column comprising a glycosidase attached to a solid support; a tagging column comprising a reactive ester for reaction with an amino group, wherein the tagging column is arranged downstream of the deglycosylation column; an analytical column comprising a stationary phase capable of separating a derivatized glycan; and a plurality of inlet/outlet ports configured to connect with channels on a switching element to form flow paths.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of preparing an RNA sample comprising: a) obtaining an RNA sample comprising: i. long RNA molecules that may be unfragmented or fragmented to contain 5?-OH group and a 2?-3?-cyclic phosphate group; and ii. short RNA molecules that comprise a 5? phosphate group and a 3? OH group; and b) contacting the RNA sample with an adaptor comprising either a 2?-PO group and 3?-OH group or a 2?,3?-cyclic phosphate group in the presence of a eukaryotic tRNA ligase, thereby producing a ligated RNA sample in which a) the short RNA molecules are selectively ligated to the adaptor or b) the short RNA molecules and long RNA fragments are selectively ligated to the adaptor.

Abstract: A fluidic chip device configured for processing a fluid, wherein the fluidic chip device comprises a plurality of layers laminated to one another, wherein at least a part of the layers comprises a patterned section of an alternating sequence of bars and fluidic channels for conducting the fluid under pressure, the patterned section being configured for being displaceable in response to the pressure, and a pressure detector responding to the displacement of the patterned section by generating a detector signal being indicative of a value of the pressure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for manipulation of charged molecules in solution. More particularly, the invention provides nanofluidic CCD arrays that are capable of manipulate one or a group of molecules on an individual bases such that they undergo controlled physical and/or chemical movements and/or transformations.

Abstract: A method for operating a data processing system to simulate a physical system is disclosed. The physical system receives a time-varying input and generates a time-varying output. A model of the physical system is provided. The model depends on values of the time-varying input and an internal state in the physical system, the internal state is not directly measurable. The model includes a bi-quad component that models a resonance or anti-resonance of the physical system. For each of a plurality of time points, a current input value for the time-varying input is received. An internal state vector having a value of the internal state at a current time point as one component thereof is computed and computing an estimate of a system output at that time point, the system output being directly measurable. In one aspect of the invention, the internal state vector depends on a previous value of the internal state vector and the current input value.

Abstract: A fluidic chip device configured for processing a fluidic sample includes two outer boundary layers, and at least one reinforcing layer arranged between the two outer boundary layers and being at both of its opposing main surfaces laminated with directly adjacent layers to reinforce pressure resistance of the fluidic chip device by the lamination, in which at least a part of the layers of the fluidic chip device includes a hole forming at least a part of a fluidic conduit for conducting the fluidic sample under pressure.

Abstract: A microscope having a first illumination spatial light modulator (SLM) that receives light of a first wavelength from an illumination source and processes that light in a manner that transfers light into an objective lens through a dichroic reflector that passes light of the first wavelength is disclosed. The microscope includes an imaging system that receives light from the objective lens and forms an image on a camera, and a controller having a graphical user input that displays the image to a user and controls the first illumination SLM to alter the processing of the light in response to commands from the user. The illumination SLM is controlled to provide functions that would normally be carried out by one or more lenses or prisms in the illumination optical train of a conventional microscope and/or correct for alignment errors in the illumination source.

Abstract: A sample dispatcher is disclosed and is configured for individually introducing a plurality of portions of one or more sample fluids into a flow of a mobile phase of a liquid separation system. The liquid separation system is configured for separating compounds of the sample fluids and comprises a mobile phase drive configured for driving the mobile phase through a separation unit configured for separating compounds of the sample fluids in the mobile phase. The sample dispatcher comprises one or more sample reservoirs, each configured for receiving and temporarily storing a respective sample fluid portion or at least a part thereof, and a bypass channel.

Abstract: A device and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The device comprises a substrate and a thin film. The substrate is characterized by a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The thin film is attached to a surface of the substrate, and is characterized by a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The thin film includes first and second layers in states of compression, and a third layer in a state of tension, the third layer being positioned between the first and second layers. The thin film is in a net state of tension within a temperature range.

Abstract: A method for fragmenting a genome is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: (a) combining a genomic sample containing genomic DNA with a plurality of Cas9-gRNA complexes, wherein the Cas9-gRNA complexes comprise a Cas9 protein and a set of at least 10 Cas9-associated guide RNAs that are complementary to different, pre-defined, sites in a genome, to produce a reaction mixture; and (b) incubating the reaction mixture to produce at least 5 fragments of the genomic DNA. Also provided is a composition comprising at least 100 Cas9-associated guide RNAs that are each complementary to a different, pre-defined, site in a genome. Kits for performing the method are also provided. In addition, other methods, compositions and kits for manipulating nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: A method of enriching for a fragment of a genome, as well as corresponding compositions and kits, are provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: (a) contacting a sample comprising fragmented DNA with a Cas9-gRNA complex comprising mutant Cas9 protein that has inactivated nuclease activity and a Cas9-associated guide RNA that is complementary to a site in the DNA, to produce a Cas9-fragment complex that comprises a fragment of the fragmented DNA; and (b) isolating the complex. In addition, other methods and compositions for Cas9/CRISPR-mediated nucleic acid manipulation are also provided.

Abstract: A reagent for oligonucleotide synthesis or purification, wherein the reagent has a structure of: X—C—L—H??(Formula A) wherein X is a phosphoramidite group, an H-phosphonate group, an acetal group, or an isocyanate; C is a direct bond or a cleavable adaptor represented by —Ca—Cb—; L is a hydrocarbyl chain; and H is a terminal alkyne or an activated cyclooctyne. The reagent of Formula (A) can be used in the synthesis and purification of oligonucleotides.

Abstract: An ion detection system for detecting ions whose velocity varies during an operating cycle. The ion detection system includes a dynode electron multiplier (e.g., a microchannel plate (MCP)) having a bias voltage input, and a bias voltage source to apply a bias voltage to the bias voltage input of the dynode electron multiplier. With a fixed bias voltage applied to its bias voltage input, the dynode electron multiplier has a gain dependent on the velocity of ions incident thereon. The bias voltage applied by the bias voltage source to the bias voltage input of the dynode electron multiplier varies during the operating cycle to reduce the dependence of the gain of the dynode electron multiplier on the velocity of the ions incident thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for detecting leaks in a head space sampling device. One exemplary method for detecting leaks in a head space sampling device includes establishing fluid communication between a head space and a pressurization gas conduit. Gas pressure and flow rate are monitored within the pressurization gas conduit during pressurization of the head space. Changes in monitored gas pressure and flow rate are used to evaluate whether a leak exists within the head space sampling device or the vial containing the head space. One exemplary head space sampling device includes a conduit for receiving a pressurization gas, flow and pressure sensors for measuring gas flow and pressure within the conduit, a ventilation valve, a pressure valve for controlling gas flow through the conduit, and a controller for processing and controlling pressure and flow through the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of using DNA polymerase fusions at high pH in PCR, DNA sequencing and mutagenesis protocols.

Abstract: Polyamide sample preparation tubes with a hollow polyamide tube and an extraction medium contained within the tube are utilized in the sample preparation devices. The sample preparation tubes are substantially inert and show little tendency to dissolve or leach contaminants into nonaqueous liquids. The polyamide tubes may be used in preparing samples for analytical procedures such as GC, GC/MS, LC or LC/MS.

Abstract: A vacuum pump and a method of controlling the operation of the vacuum pump employ an expansion chamber to reduce a pressure differential between an inlet side and an exhaust side of the pump. In particular, the expansion chamber may be used to rid the pump head of the pump of a pocket of relatively high pressure fluid that accumulates behind a poppet valve disposed over an exhaust opening. The pump itself may be used to create a level of vacuum pressure in the expansion chamber. Alternatively, a piston or diaphragm may be used. In either case, the expansion chamber is isolated from the ambient and interior of the pump head once a level of vacuum pressure is produced in the expansion chamber. Then the exhaust outlet is redirected from the ambient to the interior of the expansion chamber.