Abstract: Ion guides for use in mass spectrometry (MS) systems are described. The ion guides are configured to provide a reflective electrodynamic field and a direct current (DC or static) electric field to provide ion beams that are more spatially confined with a comparatively large mass range. Some ion guides are provided between the ion source and the first stage vacuum chamber of the MS system.

Abstract: An amplifier system and method that eliminates memory effects due to amplifier sharing. The amplifier has a plurality of input stages. An input to be amplified is applied to one of the input stages of the amplifier, while the other input stages are turned off and reset. The inputs of the unused input stages are thus reset and equalized while the other input stage is turned on to receive the input to be amplified. An explicit reset phase is not needed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a sample injection system including a vacuum source, a conduit in communication with the vacuum source, a fluid sensor configured to detect the presence of the fluid in the conduit, a sample loop in communication with the conduit; and a sipper in communication with the sample loop.

Abstract: The area density of broadcast stations having respective service areas and broadcasting on the same channel is increased without exceeding a specified level of co-channel interference within the service areas by a method in which the field strength of the signal transmitted by the first broadcast station is monitored, and a field strength determining property of the first broadcast station is controlled in response to the monitoring.

Abstract: A microwave imaging system uses microwave radiation provided by a microwave source to image targets. The system includes an array of antenna elements that are capable of being programmed with a respective direction coefficient to direct the microwave illumination from the microwave source toward a position on the target. The antenna elements are further capable of being programmed to receive reflected microwave illumination reflected from the position on the target. A processor is operable to measure an intensity of the reflected microwave illumination to determine a value of a pixel within an image of the target. Multiple beams can be directed towards the target to obtain corresponding pixel values for use by the processor in constructing the image.

Abstract: A method of operating a superconducting switch system to protect against quenching in a superconducting magnet circuit is provided. The system comprises a magnet circuit, a main superconducting switch and an auxiliary superconducting switch connected in parallel thereto by low resistance connecting parts. In an initial magnet energisation procedure, after establishing superconducting flow in the circuit, the main and auxiliary switches are closed to cause current to persist in the circuit without further power input. If the main switch quenches, the current will transfer to the auxiliary switch through the resistive connecting parts. Upon restoring the main switch to the superconducting state, the voltage drop through the resistive connecting parts will drive the current back through the main switch. A preconditioning procedure is carried out as part of the magnet energisation procedure to ensure that opening the main switch will establish superconducting current through the auxiliary switch.

Abstract: A disruptor apparatus comprises a nozzle comprising: a converging section; a diverging section; and a throat between the converging section and the diverging section. The disruptor apparatus also comprises a holder configured to receive a fluid conduit, which comprises an outlet located in the converging section; and a channel disposed about the holder and configured to guide a gas past the outlet of the fluid conduit, through the converging section, through the throat and into the diverging section where the gas travels at supersonic speed and establishes a standing shock wave in the diverging section. A mass spectrometer and a method are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analysis of polymers, e.g., polynucleotides, are provided. The systems are capable of analyzing a polymer at a specified rate. One such analysis system includes a structure having a nanopore aperture and a molecular motor, e.g., a polymerase, adjacent the nanopore aperture.

Abstract: A porous layer open tubular (PLOT) column includes capillary tubing; one or two particle traps disposed inside one or two end sections of the capillary tubing; and a stationary phase comprising a porous or non-porous material coated inside a main section of the capillary tubing. A method for preparing a porous layer open tubular (PLOT) column includes preparing one or two particle traps inside one or two end sections of a capillary tubing; and preparing a stationary phase comprising a layer of a porous material coated inside a main section of the capillary.

Abstract: A method for operating a plurality of processor to determine a sequence of states traversed by a finite state machine in processing an input stream that includes a plurality of characters. The method divides the input stream into a plurality of contiguous sections characterized by a beginning character and an end character. Each section is assigned to a different processor. Each processor determines an end state that the finite state machine would traverse after the end character in the section assigned to that processor has been processed. That end state is provided to a processor that did not process the section associated with that end state. Each processor determines a sequence of states that the finite state machine would traverse if the finite state machine processed the section assigned to that processor using one of said received end states.

Abstract: A method for determining an efficiency of target enrichment from a DNA library, includes: adding a negative control sequence and a positive control sequence to the DNA library, or picking a negative control sequence and/or a positive control sequence from the library; determining a pre-capture amount of the negative control sequence and a pre-capture amount of the positive control sequence; performing enrichment of a target sequence from the DNA library using a bait sequence to produce a post-capture library; determining a post-capture amount of the negative control sequence and a post-capture amount of the positive control sequence in the post-capture library; and determining the efficiency of the target enrichment, based on the post-capture amount of the positive control sequence, the post-capture amount of the negative control sequence, the pre-capture amount of the positive control sequence, and the pre-capture amount of the negative control sequence.

Abstract: An ion trap includes a trap exit at which an ion energy adjusting device is located. The adjusting device may be configured for focusing a beam of ions ejected from the trap, reducing the energy distribution of the ions, and/or reducing the average kinetic energy of the ions. The adjusting device may include lenses to which RF and/or DC voltages are applied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting or enriching for a target deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) present in a nucleic acid sample, said method comprising: (a) fragmenting a nucleic acid sample to generate nucleic acid fragments including a target fragment containing said target DNA and non-specifically ligating an adaptor sequence to an end of said fragments; (b) rendering said fragments at least partially single-stranded; (c) contacting the at least partially single-stranded fragments of step (b) with oligonucleotides A and B of a single target-specific nucleic acid probe; (d) ligating oligonucleotide B of said probe to the part of the single-stranded portion of said target fragment which is hybridised to oligonucleotide A of said probe to produce a probe-target fragment hybrid; and (e) detecting or enriching for said probe-target fragment hybrid.

Abstract: A dried biological fluid spot punch device includes a tube, a frit, and a filter disposed on the frit. The tube includes a main section and a distal section adjoining the main section. The main section includes a proximal tube end circumscribing a proximal tube opening, and the distal section includes a distal tube end circumscribing a distal tube opening. The distal section further includes a distal tube having a tapered inside diameter that reduces from the main section to the distal tube opening. The frit is disposed in the distal section at a distance from the distal tube opening and fixed in position by frictional contact with the distal tube wall. The punch device may also include a punching tool. The punching tool may include a body engaging the tube at the proximal tube end and an ejection mechanism configured for disengaging the body from the tube.

Abstract: A peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-E) system has a reconfigurable link architecture. The system comprises a system slot adapted to receive a PCI-E compatible system controller, a plurality of peripheral slots adapted to receive a plurality of peripheral modules, and a reconfigurable switch fabric configured to create a variable number of PCI-E links between the system slot and the plurality of peripheral slots.

Abstract: A method is provided increasing the useful dynamic range of an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) or an IMS-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) device. The method includes accumulating a first sample of ions over a first time interval; providing the first sample of ions to an ion detector to provide a first frame, accumulating a second sample of ions over a second time interval, where the second time interval is different than the first time interval, and providing the second sample of ions to the ion detector to provide a second frame. First data points of the first frame are selectively combined with second data points of the second frame to provide an accumulation frame of the first and second samples of ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical detection cell for micro-fluidics. The detection cell provides a first layer, a detection cell layer contacting the first layer, a third layer contacting the detection cell layer, a micro-fluidic chip having a fluidic port and a detection channel defined through the detection cell and being in fluid communication with the fluidic port of the chip, the detection channel serving as a light path for receiving light for detecting a molecule. Methods of detecting molecules and making the detection cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for fabricating a heat exchanger, a metal body includes a bore and inlet and outlet connectors fitted to the body at respective inlet and outlet ends of the bore. The connectors each include an inner surface in which annular grooves are formed. A tube is inserted in the bore such that inlet and outlet ends of the tube are respectively located in the inlet and outlet connectors. A mandrel is operated to expand at least a portion of the tube into contact with the body, and to expand the inlet and outlet tube ends into contact with the grooves of the inlet and outlet connectors, respectively. The heat exchanger provides improved thermal exchange efficiency between the tube and the body, and fluid-tight connections between the tube and the inlet and outlet connectors.

Abstract: A method for operating a mass spectrometer (MS) includes establishing a pressure differential across a membrane wherein an upstream pressure in a calibrant gas inlet line on an upstream side of the membrane is greater than a downstream pressure in an ion source on a downstream side of the membrane; flowing a calibrant gas from the calibrant gas inlet line, through a nano-scale orifice of the membrane, and into the ion source; and maintaining the upstream pressure at a constant value. The calibrant may be flowed at a low flow rate. An MS system includes a membrane interposed between a calibrant gas introduction system and a mass spectrometer. The membrane may include an orifice of nano-scale diameter.

Abstract: An ion trap includes a trap exit at which an ion energy adjusting device is located. The adjusting device may be configured for focusing a beam of ions ejected from the trap, reducing the energy distribution of the ions, and/or reducing the average kinetic energy of the ions. The adjusting device may include lenses to which RF and/or DC voltages are applied.