Abstract: A detection system comprises a housing having a sample inlet and a gas outlet, and a preconcentrator. The preconcentrator can include a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) configured to accumulate or release a dopant at selected times, and can be located inside or outside the housing. The detection system can include an ion mobility spectrometer, a mass spectrometer, or a combination thereof. A method of analyzing a substance comprises supplying a sample gas or vapor comprising the substance, accumulating a dopant in a first preconcentrator, releasing the dopant at selected times from the preconcentrator to an area containing the sample, ionizing the substance to generate detectable species, separating the detectable species, and determining the detectable species by a detection unit. The system and method allow the rapid introduction and removal of dopant to facilitate fast and accurate identification of the sample.

Abstract: A user interacts with a data storage service which enables one or more feeds from video and or web cameras to be streamed to the data storage service. The data storage service then provides storage and/or playback services to the subscriber (e.g., for a monthly fee or a usage fee). Once the video streams have been established between at least one camera and the data storage facility, the user may access the recorded data from any one of several sources, such as a world wide web browser or a cellular phone). The interface may provide a matrix of displays such that the user can see multiple areas or multiple parts of the same area simultaneously.

Abstract: A field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) has an analyte ion source assembly by which an analyte substance is ionized and supplied to the inlet of the spectrometer. The ion source assembly has an upstream source of clean, dry air and two ion sources of opposite polarity arranged at the same distance along the flow path. The ion sources are arranged so that the overall charge of the plasma produced is substantially neutral. The analyte substance is admitted via an inlet downstream of the ion sources and flows into a reaction region of enlarged cross section to slow the flow and increase the time for which the analyte molecules are exposed to the plasma.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer has an inlet for an analyte substance opening into an ionization region that produces ions of the substance. Parallel grid electrodes extend laterally across the ion flow path and apply an electric field to the ions that is switchable between a relatively low magnitude alternating field that varies in magnitude over multiple periods and an asymmetric alternating field of sufficiently high magnitude to cause differential mobility effects. A collector collects the passed ions, and an indication of the nature of the analyte substance is produced from the collected ions passed during both the low and high field intervals. Also disclosed is the application of a substantially alternating field between the electrodes, which field varies between a low value and a higher value over a time exceeding that of the alternating period.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer or other ion apparatus has two or three grid electrodes 51 and 52; 151 to 153; 106 and 107; 106? and 107? extending laterally of the ion flowpath. An asymmetric waveform with a dc compensating voltage is applied between the electrodes to produce a field parallel to the ion flow path that affects ions differently according to their field-dependent mobility. This filters or delays different ions selectively in their passage to an ion detector 11, 111, 111 to facilitate discrimination between ions that would otherwise produce a similar output.

Abstract: A cardiac monitoring system and method for configuring a case template including selecting critical parameters to be monitored during a procedure, entering patient-specific details for computing patient values for determining control limits for the critical parameters, setting control limits for each of the selected critical parameters, monitoring parametric data in real-time against the set control limits, capturing and recording event parametric data related to control limit breach events, and charting the event parametric data corresponding with the timing of the control limit breach event.

Abstract: A dual blood flow monitoring system includes an electronic first sensor, an electronic second sensor, and an electronic monitoring device in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor. The first sensor monitors a first blood flow and the second sensor monitors a second blood flow. The electronic monitoring device is operative to receive signals from the sensors and to calculate and display a differential value representing a difference between the at least one parameter of the first blood flow and the at least one parameter of the second blood flow. A dual blood flow monitoring system is provided in a method for simultaneously monitoring extracorporeal arterial and venous blood flows, in which the sensors are placed in communication with respective tubing lines carrying the arterial and venous blood flows.

Abstract: A power generation system is disclosed for supplying power to an electrical grid. The system comprises a synchronous machine and coupling means for coupling the synchronous machine to a prime mover. Control means are provided to control the system such that the system is selectively operable in two modes. In the first mode, the synchronous machine is coupled to the prime mover and acts as a synchronous generator to supply power to the grid. In the second mode the synchronous machine is decoupled from the prime mover and acts as a synchronous condenser. This can allow parameters of the grid, such as power factor and voltage, to be adjusted.

Abstract: IMS apparatus has a preconcentrator (20) connected at the inlet (2) of an IMS detector (1) such that all gas supplied to the detector flows through the preconcentrator. The preconcentrator comprises a metal tube (21) having a layer of silicone rubber (24) exposed on its inner surface (25). An electrical resistance heating element (22) extends under the silicone rubber layer (24) and is connected to a power source (23) such that the silicone rubber layer can be periodically heated to desorb substances absorbed by the layer and release them to flow to the IMS detector 1 at a higher concentration. The silicone rubber (24) can operate in the desorption phase in the presence of air without degradation.

Abstract: A user interacts with a data storage service which enables one or more feeds from video and or web cameras to be streamed to the data storage service. The data storage service then provides storage and/or playback services to the subscriber (e.g., for a monthly fee or a usage fee). Once the video streams have been established between at least one camera and the data storage facility, the user may access the recorded data from any one of several sources, such as a world wide web browser or a cellular phone). The interface may provide a matrix of displays such that the user can see multiple areas or multiple parts of the same area simultaneously.

Abstract: An IMS or other analytical instrument has a corona discharge needle (20) to ionize sample gases or vapours. A gate (3) is opened or closed to admit or prevent entry of the ions produced by the corona discharge to a drift chamber (4). The operation of the corona discharge needle (20) and the gate (3) are controlled such that the gate is open during at least two discharges, to admit faster ions produced by the most recent discharge together with slower ions produced by an earlier discharge.

Abstract: Access Control Lists (ACLs) are used to describe the permitted actions (permissions) on protected network computer system resources or objects associated with an client or user identity. An identity may be an individual user or group of users. The actions are used to represent the different access methods available on a particular projected object or resource. A new action grouping mechanism is provided which tags each action with an action group name. The grouping of actions facilitates a larger permission set to be defined in an ACL, whereas action permission indicators can be reused for unique action definitions within various action groups. This effectively extends the finite total number of permissions available within a security system, allows a more descriptive and extensible permission mechanism in an Access Control List, as well as aiding in the simplification of management and definition of security policies.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-human animal models, and preferably, rodent models, and more preferably, mouse models, of B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). In particular, the present invention provides animal models of B cell NHL including, B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma (B-CLL), Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), Follicular-like lymphoma (FLL) and Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), as well as various methods for producing these non-human animal models. These animal models, as well as cell lines produced from or derived from these models, are useful tools for a variety of methods, including, but not limited to, preclinical testing of drug candidates, and particularly drug candidates that are specific for human proteins, and any research, development, pharmaceutical, or clinical purpose, including but not limited to, the identification, development, and/or testing of drugs (therapeutics, prophylactics, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for conditionally immortalizing stem cells, including adult and embryonic stem cells, the cells produced by such methods, therapeutic and laboratory or research methods of using such cells, and methods to identify compounds related to cell differentiation and development or to treat diseases, using such cells. A mouse model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cells and methods related to such mouse model are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are coating compositions that include a polymer comprising silanol functional groups. Also disclosed are substrates coated with such compositions, methods for coating substrates with such compositions, and methods for imparting self cleaning properties to a substrate.

Abstract: Elastomeric sleeves are positioned on the handles of tile nippers to maintain the tile nippers in an open position and to absorb shock. The elastomeric sleeves each include two opposed raised projections. The raised projections nearest the head of the tile nipper bias the tile nipper in an open position and provide cushioning as the tile nippers engage a piece of tile. The second raised projections contact each other as the tile nipper cuts the tile, preventing the jaws from contacting each other and reducing the jolt that the user feels as they cut the tile.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced pultruded planks serve as underlayment for tile, stone or terrazzo. In one embodiment, the planks have a thin base surface with a plurality of elongated ridges. The planks have interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration with the thin base resting on the support. Tile can be adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area, creating a very rigid support structure. If the planks are reversed with the ridges resting on the support, tile or stone can be adhered to the relatively smooth thin base with an epoxy adhesive.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced pultruded underlayment for ceramic tile includes a thin base with a plurality of elongated ridges. The underlayment is in the form of planks having interlocking tongue and groove edges. The elongated ridges have a narrow base and a wider distal portion wherein the areas between adjacent ridges have a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration. Tile is adhered to the surface using a rigid cementitious or epoxy adhesive which fills in the trapezoidal area creating a very rigid support structure for the ceramic tile.

Abstract: An enterprise computing environment such as a corporate web portal includes an intermediary server, a sign on service, and one or more backend enterprise systems managed by resource managers. Before or after user primary logon, which establishes a user primary account identity, the intermediary server uses its own identity to authenticate to the sign on service its right to retrieve user secondary account identities with respect to the backend enterprise systems. Retrieved secondary account identities are then used by the intermediary server to perform user secondary logons to respective resource managers in the environment. The intermediary server also manages the passing of resource requests and associated replies between the user and the resource managers.