Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for tomographic imaging of a region of interest in a subject using short-wave infrared light to provide for accurate reconstruction of absorption maps within the region of interest. The reconstructed absorption maps are representations of the spatial variation in tissue absorption within the region of interest. The reconstructed absorption maps can themselves be used to analyze anatomical properties and biological processes within the region of interest, and/or be used as input information about anatomical properties in order to facilitate data processing used to obtain images of the region of interest via other imaging modalities. For example, the reconstructed absorption maps may be incorporated into forward models that are used in tomographic reconstruction processing in fluorescence and other contrast-based tomographic imaging modalities.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate.

Abstract: A spectrometer with a Schmidt reflector is described. The spectrometer may include a Schmidt corrector and a dispersive element as separate components. Alternatively, the Schmidt corrector and dispersive element may be combined into a single optical component. The spectrometer may further include a field-flattener lens.

Abstract: Spectrometers include an optical assembly with optical elements arranged to receive light from a light source and direct the light along a light path to a multi-element detector, dispersing light of different wavelengths to different spatial locations on the multi-element detector. The optical assembly includes: (i) a collimator arranged in the light path to receive the light from the light source, the collimator including a mirror having a freeform surface; (2) a dispersive sub-assembly including an echelle grating, the dispersive sub-assembly being arranged in the light path to receive light from the collimator; and (3) a Schmidt telescope arranged in the light path to receive light from the dispersive sub-assembly and focus the light to a field, the multi-element detector being arranged at the field.

Abstract: A system and method for performing field-portable GC/MS measurements for the rapid sampling and measurement of high temperature boiling semi-volatile organic compounds in environmental samples, wherein other column bundles have cold spots that may prevent high temperature boiling semi-volatile components from eluting the GC column, this new design may eliminate those cold spots on the GC column.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a family of compounds that absorb and fluoresce in the short wave infrared region (SWIR, optionally 1000 nm to 1300 nm), including hydrophilic compounds that exhibit absorption and emission spectral profiles in aqueous solutions substantially similar to those observed in organic solvents such as methanol or DMSO. The compounds can be chemically linked to biomolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and therapeutic small molecules. The compounds are useful for imaging in a variety of medical, biological and diagnostic applications, including SWIR in vivo imaging of regions of interest within a mammal.

Abstract: This disclosure provides liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) methods and systems for detecting low levels of pesticides and mycotoxins in a test sample. In the disclosed methods and systems, oxalic acid is added to a mobile phase composition of a reverse phase chromatographic separation column. This addition improves the signal for certain pesticides and mycotoxins by a factor of from 1.5 to 9, improving their detection limits in a variety of test samples.

Abstract: A microfluidic mixing device comprising two bellows pumps (105, 115), microfluidic cartridges comprising the same and methods for use of the same are provided. The disclosed device enables efficient mixing of samples at the microfluidic scale.

Abstract: Certain configurations are described of column heaters that can be used in gas chromatography applications to provide individual heating zones along a gas chromatography column. The column heater may comprise a plurality of inductive elements that can be used to provide heating zones. A thermally conductive support can be used with the gas chromatography column and the inductive elements if desired. The column heater can be used to provide a travelling wave, a thermal gradient or other heating profiles.

Abstract: A blood sample processor for imaging a centrifuged blood sample is provided including a transparent container with the centrifuged blood sample therein. An illumination source is positioned to illuminate the centrifuged blood sample at a non-right angle to the transparent container. A digital camera disposed opposite the transparent container images the centrifuged blood sample and the image is processed to determine the relative locations of component layers of the centrifuged blood sample.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods that allow for vertebral centrums of individual vertebrae to be identified and segmented within a 3D image of a subject (e.g., a CT or microCT image). In certain embodiments, the approaches described herein identify, within a graphical representation of an individual vertebra in a 3D image of a subject, multiple discrete and differentiable regions, one of which corresponds to a vertebral centrum of the individual vertebra. The region corresponding to the vertebral centrum may be automatically or manually (e.g., via a user interaction) classified as such. Identifying vertebral centrums in this manner facilitates streamlined quantitative analysis of 3D images for osteological research, notably, providing a basis for rapid and consistent evaluation of vertebral centrum morphometric attributes.

Abstract: An ion source can include a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field in a direction parallel to a direction of the electron beam and coincident with the electron beam. However, this magnetic field can also influence the path of ionized sample constituents as they pass through and exit the ion source. An ion source can include an electric field generator to compensate for this effect. As an example, the electric field generator can be configured to generate an electric field within the ion source chamber, such that an additional force is imparted on the ionized sample constituents, opposite in direction and substantially equal in magnitude to the force imparted on the ionized sample constituents by the magnetic field.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the use of a single dried blood sample for the preparation of test samples including targets of differing structures. The processes allow the same dried blood sample to be used for preparation of a first test sample including a non-nucleic acid target, and the same dried blood sample to be subsequently processed for preparation of a test sample that includes a nucleic acid target whereby the processes preserve the ability of the nucleic acid to be detected in subsequent detection assays following prior isolation of non-nucleic acid targets.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods that provide for calibration and/or testing of liquid scintillation counters (LSCs) using an electronic test source. In certain embodiments, the electronic test source described herein provides for emission of emulated radioactive event test pulses that emulate light pulses produced by a scintillator as a result of radioactive decay of a variety of different kinds of radioactive emitters (e.g., beta, alpha, and gamma emitters). Additionally, in certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein provide for the emission of emulated background light (e.g., luminescence and after-pulses) from the electronic test source. The emulated radioactive event test pulses and, optionally, emulated background light can be used for the calibration and/or testing of LSCs, in place of hazardous radioactive material and/or volatile chemicals.

Abstract: A drying device comprising a regenerable desiccant medium that is effective to adsorb water without absorption of gaseous analyte species in an introduced ambient air stream is described. The drying device can be used with a thermal desorption device to remove water vapor from gaseous analyte species prior to analysis of the gaseous analyte species. Systems including a drying device are also described.

Abstract: Certain configurations described herein are directed to gas chromatography devices. In some instances, the gas chromatography devices may comprise at least one heating device which can be moved along a chromatography column to provide a thermal gradient to the chromatography column. In other instances, the gas chromatography devices may comprise a heating device that can receive a moving chromatography column to provide a thermal gradient to the chromatography column. The gas chromatography devices may be configured as portable devices which can be used to perform remote analyses.

Abstract: Certain configurations are described herein of an optical spectrometer and instruments including an optical spectrometer. In some instances, the optical spectrometer is configured to spatially separate provided wavelengths of light to permit detection or imaging of each provided wavelength of light. Improved sensitivities and detection limits may be achieved using the optical spectrometers described herein.

Abstract: Presented herein are efficient and reliable systems and methods for calculating and extracting three-dimensional central axes of bones of animal subjects—for example, animal subjects scanned by in vivo or ex vivo microCT platforms—to capture both the general and localized tangential directions of the bone, along with its shape, form, curvature, and orientation. With bone detection and segmentation algorithms, the skeletal bones of animal subjects scanned by CT or microCT scanners can be detected, segmented, and visualized. Three dimensional central axes determined using these methods provide important information about the skeletal bones.

Abstract: A system for preparing a test sample includes a vial holder, a needle trap connected to the vial holder, and a sample preparation station. The vial holder includes a vial chamber configured to hold a vial, a purge gas needle, and a needle trap heater. The needle trap includes a needle with the needle trap heater surrounding a distal end portion of the needle. A packing bed is disposed in the needle at the distal end portion. The sample preparation station includes a housing and a vial heater assembly including a vial heater and defining a cavity. The vial holder is configured to be received in the cavity in an installed position with the vial heater surrounding at least a portion of the vial.