Abstract: The invention described herein provides a matrix-based ion source including a gas heating device for providing heated gas at a defined temperature to the ionization region of the ion source. The ion source may also include a temperature sensor. The heating device and temperature sensor may be operably connected to work as a closed feedback loop to provide gas at a constant, pre-determined, temperature to the ionization region. Also disclosed is a mass spectrometer system having the matrix-based ion source. A method of producing ions employing gas that is heated to a pre-determined temperature is also provided.

Abstract: A bus data signal is applied to a tapped data delay line. The various increasingly delayed data values present at the taps of the delay line are clocked into respective cells of a sticky ZEROs register (SZERO) previously initialized to all ONES, and into respective cells of a sticky ONES (SONE) register previously initialized to all ZEROS. SZERO measures the unit interval of a ONE.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methods for assaying nucleic acid molecules with reduced levels of background signal and enhanced specificity and sensitivity. In particular, the present invention provides a system and methods for detecting, sorting, tracking and characterizing nucleic acid molecules using hybridization assays with reduced levels of undesirable cross hybridization and reduced levels of intramolecular secondary structure.

Abstract: The method and device performs spread spectrum based communication and/or navigation. Device embodiments may include a receiver having a plurality of programmable tracking units and a processor in communication with the receiver to control the device, such as reconfiguration of the device from one mode to another mode. The tracking units are programmable in a navigation mode to receive and process the satellite navigation signals or in a communication mode to receive and process the spread spectrum based communication signals. When the receiver is configured to track navigation signals, operation may include acquiring the tracked navigation signals, synchronizing the tracking units, obtaining correlation data from a set of correlators, determining pseudo-ranges based on the correlation data, and determining a position fix based on the pseudo-ranges.

Abstract: A multiple array substrate having multiple assay chambers, each assay chamber containing one or more arrays. The assay chambers include a form-in-place gasket between a substrate and a cover. Methods of forming such multiple array substrates are described. The assay chambers may further be associated with an analysis site for analyzing a sample solution contained within the assay chamber. Each assay chamber is in fluid communication with a port, and the ports are positioned in a spatial format adapted to interface to standard laboratory equipment for handling multiple fluids in parallel.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes a scanning probe tip and an electrostatic surface actuator operatively coupled to the scanning probe tip. The electrostatic surface actuator includes a movable member that has a first surface with a first plurality of electrodes disposed on the first surface and a stationary member that has a second surface with a second plurality of electrodes disposed on the second surface. The first and second surfaces are disposed in a confronting relationship The movable and stationary members are resiliently coupled so that the movable member is capable of being displaced with respect to the stationary member. The first and second pluralities of electrodes are configured to generate electrostatic forces in response to voltages applied. The electrostatic forces laterally displace the movable member in the direction generally parallel to the first and second surfaces. The scanning probe tip is controllably positioned by displacement of the movable member.

Abstract: An ion source for an analytical instrument is described. The ion source comprises a capillary tip and counter-electrode interface and a feedback loop control device connected to the capillary tip and counter-electrode interface. The feedback loop control device comprises a transimpedance amplifier, a DC de-coupler, a frequency to voltage converter, a controller, and a voltage-controlled high-voltage power supply that provides a tip to counter-electrode voltage to the capillary tip and counter-electrode interface. The feedback loop control device measures the modulation frequency of ionization currents and provides a feedback adjustment of the tip-to-counter-electrode voltage to maintain ionization efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for introducing ions into the primary ion path of a mass spectrometry system. In general, the device contains an electrical lens having a primary ion passageway and a secondary ion passageway that merges with the primary ion passageway. In certain embodiments, the electrical lens contains a first part and a second part that, together, form the primary ion passageway. The first part of the lens may contain the secondary ion passageway.

Abstract: Methods and kits for labeling nucleic acids are provided. In the subject methods, an oligonucleotide tagged nucleic acid comprising an oligonucleotide tag is first generated. The oligonucleotide tagged nucleic acid is then contacted under hybridization conditions with a labeled oligonucleotide complementary to the oligonucleotide tag, yielding a labeled nucleic acid. The kits of the subject invention at least include a primer for use in enzymatically generating an oligonucleotide tagged target nucleic acid, where the primer generally at least includes an oligo dT region and the oligonucleotide tag, and a labeled oligonucleotide complementary to the oligonucleotide tag. The subject methods and kits find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in gene expression analysis applications.

Abstract: Compounds having a phosphorus group structure of: wherein: R is alkyl, modified lower alkyl; and Ri and Ri are each independently H, alkyl, modified alkyl, or aryl; are provided. Also provided are polynucleotide compositions that include these compounds and methods of using the compounds in synthesis of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing ions from an electrospray assembly. The apparatus comprises an ionization chamber, an electrospray assembly, an isolating electrode, an isolated ionization region within the ionization chamber and optionally, a vacuum interface at a vacuum interface voltage and a vacuum chamber. Sample is introduced into the ionization chamber from an electrospray assembly and transported to an electric field region that is isolated from the electric field created by the electrospray assembly.

Abstract: An iconic network communicates with test and measurement instruments. A watch window displays and updates data values of the iconic network as the iconic network is processed.

Abstract: A method for storing data available on a computing device in a database is disclosed. The method includes providing a definition file that specifies selected portion of the data for storing in the database and generating a script file using the definition file and the data. The method further includes executing the script file to store the selected portion of the data in the database. A computing device on which the method is implemented is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for performing optical inspection are provided. At least one “invariant feature” of an object design is determined, and such invariant feature is used in inspecting objects having the corresponding design. An “invariant feature” is a feature that is invariant certain transformations occurring in a captured image of an object under inspection, such as brightness, color, and/or other transformations in the captured image. Accordingly, an inspection template may comprise information corresponding to at least one pre-selected invariant feature of an object's design. In certain embodiments, the template is a shape description of a feature that provides an intrinsic invariance to a specified set of basic transformations. Accordingly, the amount of pixel values stored in a template may be minimized, which minimizes the number of pixel comparisons made between a captured image of the object under inspection and the inspection template during the inspection analysis.

Abstract: Individual and aggregate test strip arrays having a backing strip supporting a flexible array substrate which supports an addressable collection of probes are taught. Hybridization cells for use with the individual test strip arrays are also disclosed, and in particular embodiments the hybridization cells closely fit a portion or all of the individual test strip arrays. Array hybridization systems that include test strip arrays and hybridization cells are disclosed with methods for performing a hybridization assay on a sample solution.

Abstract: A dual port memory is updated at substantially the same data sampling rate as a clock frequency of the dual port memory. The dual port memory stores data relating to each different parameter value in a stream of data samples, and provides the stored data from an address in the memory corresponding to the received parameter value. An updating element updates stored data and provides the updated data to an input of the dual port memory for writing back into the address corresponding to the received parameter value. A first port of the dual port memory is utilised as the output of the dual port memory coupled to the input of the updating element on a first clock cycle of the dual port memory, and a second port of the dual port memory is normally utilised as the input of the dual port memory coupled to the output of the updating element on a second clock cycle, the next address being accessed via the first port on the second clock cycle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing an in-focus image of an area on a sample plate for an ion source, e.g., a matrix-based ion source or any other type of ion source that employs a sample plate onto which samples are deposited. The method generally includes: a) positioning an area of the sample plate in the field of view of an imaging device; b) producing a plurality of images of the area having different in-focus regions; and c) generating an in-focus image of the area using the plurality of images. The in-focus image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Systems and programming for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and sub-systems for substantially optimizing the absorbance measurement in optical instruments are provided. A method comprises forming a liquid sample into a droplet extending between two opposing surfaces, passing a light beam through the sample, and varying the distance between the two opposing surfaces until a distance substantially corresponding to a optimum absorbance is obtained.

Abstract: A method of aligning an optomechanical assembly and an optomechanical assembly are described.

Abstract: The delivery of liquid to a device, for example, a microswitch, can be achieved without the application of external pressure to the liquid by using capillary action to cause the liquid to move as desired. In one embodiment, at least one channel having a wettable surface is created that allows liquid metal to flow into a measuring reservoir without the liquid metal being pressurized and without applying other external forces on the liquid metal to facilitate its movement. A portion of the channel between the wettable channel and the reservoir is non-wettable and this non-wettable area, while allowing the metal to flow into the reservoir, acts to prevent the liquid from back-flowing from the reservoir to the channel. In one embodiment pressurized gas can be generated and applied to the liquid in the reservoir to facilitate the movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the switch cavity.