Abstract: A fuel pump system for aircraft includes an auxiliary fuel pump in-line with the primary pump, and an electric motor driving the auxiliary fuel pump at an operational motor speed. The system includes an electric control circuit (ECC) and a pressure sensor to regulate the speed of the electric motor based on the output pressure from the sensor to maintain a constant predetermined output pressure. The system may have additional fault mitigation circuitry configured to automatically switch from a processor-controlled to a fixed voltage as a source of power driving the electric motor at either a regulated speed or a constant fixed speed, respectively. The system may include a switch having user-selectable operational modes, including ECC-controlled mode and a high boost mode selectable if the ECC fails. In high boost mode, the ECC is bypassed to drive the electric motor at a fixed safe speed.

Abstract: Packed-tip electrospray ionization (ESI) emitters for mass spectrometry are described. In one aspect an ESI emitter stores a first type of particle. A liquid chromatography (LC) column is coupled with the emitter via a junction. The LC column stores a different type of particle than the ESI emitter to facilitate better chromatographic and ESI performance.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a needle assembly comprising a needle, a needle housing, wherein the needle housing comprises at least one aligning component. The present invention also relates to a needle receiving assembly comprising a fluid conducting element and a fluid conducting element housing, wherein the fluid conducting element housing comprises at least one aligning component. Additionally, the present invention relates to connection assemblies, samplers and systems that can comprise the needle assembly and the needle receiving assembly.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that offer significant improvements in the performance of time division duplex (TDD) systems by utilizing an adaptive synchronous protocol. Conventional TDD systems are limited because data is transmitted during discreet and limited intervals of time, and because TDD transceivers may not simultaneously transmit and receive for reasons of insufficiently separated frequencies and limited receiver selectivity. Typically, TDD systems have significant latency due to the time to change from transmission to reception and the propagation delay time. By synchronizing the master nodes and the one or more remotes and by scheduling the traffic loads between these nodes, remote nodes may begin transmitting before the master node is finished with its transmission, and vice versa. This method reduces latency and improves the frame efficiency. Further, the frame efficiency may improve as the distance from the master node to the remote node increases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chromatography system which comprises a column extending between first and second ends and defining a passage containing a chromatographic sorbent for retaining and separating components of a sample. In one embodiment, there is an inlet fitting device proximate to the first end of the column to define a column inlet port, a sample conduit positioned to discharge a sample into the inlet fitting device, a mobile phase conduit separate from the sample conduit and positioned to discharge fluid into the inlet fitting device, a first fluid pump connected to the mobile phase conduit for conveying a mobile phase fluid into the mobile phase conduit, and a second fluid pump connected to the sample conduit for conveying a sample into the sample conduit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that offer significant improvements in the performance of time division duplex (TDD) systems by utilizing an adaptive synchronous protocol. Conventional TDD systems are limited because data is transmitted during discreet and limited intervals of time, and because TDD transceivers may not simultaneously transmit and receive for reasons of insufficiently separated frequencies and limited receiver selectivity. Typically, TDD systems have significant latency due to the time to change from transmission to reception and the propagation delay time. By synchronizing the master nodes and the one or more remotes and by scheduling the traffic loads between these nodes, remote nodes may begin transmitting before the master node is finished with its transmission, and vice versa. This method reduces latency and improves the frame efficiency. Further, the frame efficiency may improve as the distance from the master node to the remote node increases.

Abstract: A medical fluid infusion system including: a fluid pathway for transporting a pulsatile flow of fluid; a dampening element in communication with the fluid pathway, the dampening element configured to actively dampen pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile flow to smoothen the pulsatile fluid flow, the dampening element operable in any orientation; and a fluid flow sensor disposed along the fluid pathway downstream of the dampening element to measure the flow rate of the smoothened fluid flow.

Abstract: A system and method for verification and/or acceptance of an electronic employment contract. According to an embodiment, a notification is sent or otherwise transmitted to a candidate, and the notification includes a link for accessing a landing or web page. The page is configured to authenticate the candidate's credentialed and once logged on, the candidate is presented with a page that is configured to allow the candidate to review and/or verify the employment contract presented in an electronic form or rendering. The page is also configured with a confirmation control thereby allowing the candidate to confirm acceptance of the employment contract in its electronic form. The acceptance by the candidate is confirmed to the candidate and the electronic employment contract as accepted is archived and the acceptance parameters are logged.

Abstract: A medical fluid infusion system including: a fluid pathway for transporting a pulsatile flow of fluid; a dampening element in communication with the fluid pathway, the dampening element configured to actively dampen pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile flow to smoothen the pulsatile fluid flow, the dampening element operable in any orientation; and a fluid flow sensor disposed along the fluid pathway downstream of the dampening element to measure the flow rate of the smoothened fluid flow.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry system includes a chromatographic column through which an effluent passes, wherein the effluent comprises a plurality of analytes that correspond to a plurality of chromatographic peaks and an eluent; a post-column splitter having at least two output ports through which the effluent of the column is split to at least a first portion and a second portion; a mass spectrometer configured to receive the first portion from a first of the output ports for analysis; and a tube connected to a second of the output ports configured to prevent substantial evaporation of the eluent in the second portion until undergoing mass spectrometry. The second portion has a plurality of separated analytes corresponding to at least two chromatographic peaks. A method of using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An earbud is disclosed for use in a user's ear. The earbud includes an ear pad shaped to engage the concha of the ear and an audio driver coupled to the ear pad. When the earbud is installed in the user's ear the ear pad substantially occludes, or closes up the concha of the user's ear. Thus ambient noise is significantly attenuated before reaching the user's ear canal. Also, the earbud is supported primarily by the ear pad resting in the concha.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry system includes a chromatographic column through which an effluent passes, wherein the effluent comprises a plurality of analytes that correspond to a plurality of chromatographic peaks and an eluent; a post-column splitter having at least two output ports through which the effluent of the column is split to at least a first portion and a second portion; a mass spectrometer configured to receive the first portion from a first of the output ports for analysis; and a tube connected to a second of the output ports configured to prevent substantial evaporation of the eluent in the second portion until undergoing mass spectrometry. The second portion has a plurality of separated analytes corresponding to at least two chromatographic peaks. A method of using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfabricated silicon chip with a separation material, such as in situ prepared porous polymer monoliths in its microchannels is disclosed. The polymer monoliths are liquid-permeable and serve as microcolumns for liquid chromatography, which are prepared by in situ radical polymerization of a mixture containing vinyl monomers and solvents (porogen) in the microchannels. A method and system are disclosed to generate one or more electrospray plumes from one or more nozzles that provide an ion intensity as measured by a mass spectrometer that is approximately proportional to the number of electrospray plumes formed for analyses contained within the fluid. A plurality of electrospray devices can be used in the form of an array of miniaturized separate electrospray devices for the purpose of generating multiple electrospray plumes from multiple nozzles for the same fluid for analysis.