Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating ions having the same mass to charge ratio but different ion mobility characteristics, based on the ion focussing principles of high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry. Isomers including gas-phase molecular anions of the amino acids leucine and isoleucine are separable by the method of the present invention. Identification of different conformers of ions at the same charge state, including conformers present at certain charge states of the protein bovine ubiquitin, is also possible using the method of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) with optical based detection of selectively transmitted ions. Light from a light source is directed through an optical port in an electrode of the FAIMS. A light detector is provided for receiving light that is one of transmitted and scattered by the selectively transmitted ions within the FAIMS.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) with optical based detection of selectively transmitted ions. Light from a light source is directed through an optical port in an electrode of the FAIMS. A light detector is provided for receiving light that is one of transmitted and scattered by the selectively transmitted ions within the FAIMS.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) with optical based detection of selectively transmitted ions. Light from a light source is directed through an optical port in an electrode of the FAIMS. A light detector is provided for receiving light that is one of transmitted and scattered by the selectively transmitted ions within the FAIMS.

Abstract: A sterile aqueous specimen collection fluid containing a buffer, an aliphatic aldehyde at a concentration of 0.15M to 3.4M, and one or more heavy metal salts at a concentration of 0.2×10−3M to 0.2M, and having a pH of 6.8 to 8.0. Also disclosed is a method of colleting a specimen with such a fluid for haematological analysis.

Abstract: A method for seperating ions is disclosed. A first analyzer region is provided defined by a space between first and second spaced apart electrodes. A second analyser region is defined in operational communication with the first analyzer region and having two electrodes. Ions are provided to one of the first analyzer region and the second analyzer region and then coupled from there to the other analyzer region. A first asymmetric waveform and a first direct-current compensation voltage are applied to electrodes for providing an electric field within the first analyzer region. The first asymmetric waveform is typically selected for effecting a difference in net displacement between two different ions in the time of one cycle of the applied first asymmetric waveform and the first compensation voltage is selected to support selective transmission of a first subset of the ions within the first analyzer region.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for selectively transmitting ions produced by an inductively coupled plasma ionization technique is disclosed. Ions produced within the plasma source are provided to a FAIMS analyzer within a low pressure chamber of a mass spectrometer and in fluid communication with the plasma source for receiving ions therefrom. The ions are separated in FAIMS and at least some of the ions are provided to the mass spectrometer after separation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for selectively transmitting ions with a FAIMS analyzer in which a flow of carrier gas of a mixed composition is provided. Ions that are transmitted at a same combination of applied potentials when a first carrier gas is provided are in certain cases transmitted at different combinations of applied potentials when a second other carrier gas having a different composition is provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for selectively transmitting ions produced by a laser-based ionization technique is disclosed. The method relies on a FAIMS analyzer having a surface disposed therein for receiving a sample on the surface. The surface is in optical communication with a light transmissive port through which the laser light is directed such that it impinges upon the sample and causes ioniztaion thereof.

Abstract: A method for selectively transmitting ions using a FAIMS device is disclosed. A first analyzer region is defined by a space between first and second spaced apart electrodes. A second analyser region is provided in operational communication with the first analyzer region. Ions are provided to the first analyzer region. The ions are coupled from the first analyser region to the second analyzer region. An asymmetric waveform is used to generate an electric field within the first analyser region and a compensation voltage is applied to prevent some ions from exiting the analyser region. Conditions are provided within the second analyzer region for effecting a second different separation of ions therein. Finally, the separated ions are trapped to accumulate ions within a trapping region thereof.

Abstract: A fiber-optic acoustical sensor system includes a light source, an elongate optical cable conducting light from the light source to an optical acoustical transducer located at a distance from the light source along this cable, and a polarizer at the acoustical transducer. The sensor system includes a polarizer providing orthogonally-polarized light along the optical cable to the polarizer located adjacent to the transducer. Because of the polarizer adjacent to the transducer, disturbances of the optical cable and resulting polarization perturbations of the light transmitted along this cable do not affect the optical acoustical transducer. The acoustic transducer is responsive to sound energy to provide an optical return signal indicative of this sound energy.

Abstract: A fiber-optic acoustical sensor system includes a light source, an elongate optical cable conducting light from the light source to an optical acoustical transducer located at a distance from the light source along this cable, and a polarizer at the acoustical transducer. The sensor system includes a polarizer providing orthogonally-polarized light along the optical cable to the polarizer located adjacent to the transducer. Because of the polarizer adjacent to the transducer, disturbances of the optical cable and resulting polarization perturbations of the light transmitted along this cable do not affect the optical acoustical transducer. The acoustic transducer is responsive to sound energy to provide an optical return signal indicative of this sound energy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel methods of stabilizing blood compositions for use in the quality control of analytical techniques. The novel method comprises removing leucocytes from a blood composition to yield a depleted blood composition, stabilizing the leucocytes by treatment with an effective amount of a stabilizing agent comprising an aged transition metal solution, and then adding the resultant stabilized leucocytes to the depleted blood composition or a second blood component composition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel stabilized blood compositions and methods of stabilizing blood compositions for use in the quality control of analytical techniques. The novel blood compositions comprise leucocytes and an effective amount of an aged transition metal solution. The novel method comprises removing leucocytes from a blood composition to yield a depleted blood composition, stabilizing the leucocytes by treatment with an effective amount of a stabilizing agent comprising an aged transition metal solution, and then, adding the resultant stabilized leucocytes to the depleted blood composition or a second blood component composition.

Abstract: A fiber-optic acoustical sensor system includes a light source, an elongate optical cable conducting light from the light source to an optical acoustical transducer located at a distance from the light source along this cable, and a polarizer at the acoustical transducer. The sensor system includes a polarizer providing orthogonally-polarized light along the optical cable to the polarizer located adjacent to the transducer. Because of the polarizer adjacent to the transducer, disturbances of the optical cable and resulting polarization perturbations of the light transmitted along this cable do not affect the optical acoustical transducer. The acoustic transducer is responsive to sound energy to provide an optical return signal indicative of this sound energy.

Abstract: A system for referencing a range of cells in a spreadsheet formula by using label references. The label references are used to identify labels within the spreadsheet which, in turn, refer to a range of cells. First, a formula is parsed in order to identify any label references within the formula. Second, the cells of the spreadsheet are searched in order to generate a list of labels within the spreadsheet that match the label references identified in the formula. Third, each of the labels are examined and a preferred label set is selected. The preferred label set represents the actual labels that were intended by the formula references. Finally, the range of cells referenced by the preferred label set is determined. Thus, a user is able to reference a cell within a spreadsheet table by entering column and row labels that intersect at that cell.

Abstract: A stabilized cell suspension is prepared by treating the cell suspension with a solution of a heavy metal compound, which has been aged at pH 6.5-7.5 prior to use to allow a precipitate to form, removing the precipitate from the heavy metal solution, mixing the aged heavy metal solution with the cell suspension to form a first mixture, and mixing the first mixture with a paraformaldehyde solution to form a stabilized cell suspension which is still capable of lysis.

Abstract: A system and method is provide for managing input/output (I/O) resources in a computer system. The system includes a hardware resource manager which tracks the use of the I/O resources. In addition, the hardware resource manager can allocate the resources between device drivers and provide a standard implementation to be used by device drivers.

Abstract: Process for the remanufacture of transformers of the type having a coil/core assembly immersed in a tank of mineral oil. Contaminants such as water, air and dirt are removed from the coil/core assembly by means of a hot mineral oil bath which is maintained in a temperature range between the boiling point of water and the boiling point of the mineral oil, typically 212.degree. F. to 295.degree. F.

Abstract: Strain measurement apparatus comprises a rigid support arranged to be secured against the surface of a structure. One or more resiliently deformable carrier elements provided with strain gauges mounted in said support are urged against the surface by the securing of the support to engage the surface at regions spaced from the region of securing of the support and thereby the strains at said regions of engagement are translated directly into deformation of the carrier element or elements to produce measurement signals from the strain gauges. The engagement pressure is transmitted to the elements through resilient means that limit its magnitude while allowing the apparatus to be firmly secured to the surface.