Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A method comprises: aspirating a sample through a needle capillary into a chamber having first and second windows, the capillary and chamber both affixed to a moveable robotic arm; causing a light beam generated by a light source that is affixed to the robotic arm to pass through the sample between the windows; detecting, using a photodetector that is affixed to the robotic arm, a quantity of the light that passes through the sample and the windows; determining an optical absorbance of the sample and a concentration of an analyte in the sample from the detected quantity of light; determining a quantity of the sample to dispense into an analytical apparatus based on the determined concentration; moving the robotic arm so as to cause the needle capillary to mate with an inlet port of an analytical apparatus; and dispensing the determined quantity of the sample into the analytical apparatus.

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A method comprises: aspirating a sample through a needle capillary into a chamber having first and second windows, the capillary and chamber both affixed to a moveable robotic arm; causing a light beam generated by a light source that is affixed to the robotic arm to pass through the sample between the windows; detecting, using a photodetector that is affixed to the robotic arm, a quantity of the light that passes through the sample and the windows; determining an optical absorbance of the sample and a concentration of an analyte in the sample from the detected quantity of light; determining a quantity of the sample to dispense into an analytical apparatus based on the determined concentration; moving the robotic arm so as to cause the needle capillary to mate with an inlet port of an analytical apparatus; and dispensing the determined quantity of the sample into the analytical apparatus.

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A system comprises: (a) a robotic arm; (b) a needle capillary coupled to the robotic arm; (c) a cell coupled to the robotic arm comprising: a housing; first and second windows disposed within the housing and defining a width of an internal chamber therebetween; a collimating lens optically coupled to the first window; a focusing lens optically coupled to the second window; an inlet port fluidically coupled to a first end of the internal chamber; and an outlet port fluidically coupled to a second end of the internal chamber; (d) a pump; (e) first and second tubings fluidically coupled, respectively, between the needle capillary and the inlet port and between the pump and the outlet port; (f) a light source; (g) a photodetector; and (h) first and second optical fibers optically coupled, respectively, between the light source and the collimating lens and between the photodetector and the focusing lens.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing electronic ticket status information over a network to a remote subscriber portable computing device for a live event includes providing an electronic ticket manager application to a subscriber for installation on the remote subscriber portable computing device. Ticket data for the live event is received over the Internet with a transmission server which has a microprocessor and a memory that stores a remote subscriber's preferences for ticket information format and destination address. The microprocessor filters the ticket data based on past live events and other subscribers who have attended past live events with the subscriber in a group seating arrangement. The microprocessor generates an alert that activates the portable computing device to display a message that suggests the subscriber may attend the live event and invite other subscribers to sit with the subscriber at the event.

Abstract: A system comprises: (a) a robotic arm; (b) a needle capillary coupled to the robotic arm; (c) a cell coupled to the robotic arm comprising: a housing; first and second windows disposed within the housing and defining a width of an internal chamber therebetween; a collimating lens optically coupled to the first window; a focusing lens optically coupled to the second window; an inlet port fluidically coupled to a first end of the internal chamber; and an outlet port fluidically coupled to a second end of the internal chamber; (d) a pump; (e) first and second tubings fluidically coupled, respectively, between the needle capillary and the inlet port and between the pump and the outlet port; (f) a light source; (g) a photodetector; and (h) first and second optical fibers optically coupled, respectively, between the light source and the collimating lens and between the photodetector and the focusing lens.

Abstract: A nano-flow fractionator apparatus, comprises: one or more sources of mobile phase solvent; a source of auxiliary solvent; a sample injection valve; a chromatographic column having an inner diameter of less than or equal to 75 micro-meters, a column inlet end and a column outlet end; a solvent fraction delivery line comprising: an inlet end that is configured to receive eluate that is emitted from the column outlet end and an outlet end that is configured to dispense the eluate to each of a plurality of sample fraction containers; a fluid junction configured to receive the eluate that is emitted from the column outlet end and to receive a flow of the auxiliary solvent that is delivered from the source of auxiliary solvent and to deliver the eluate and the flow of auxiliary solvent to the solvent fraction delivery line.

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for assessing cardiovascular health is provided that incorporates a microfluidic platform and sensors that capture inflammatory monocytes. The portable microfluidic platform shears activated monocytes in a small volume of blood (˜50 ?L) over a glass substrate that mimics the stress and molecular constituents of an inflamed artery. The sensor utilizes CD11c antibodies and/or VLA-4 ligands to capture cells. The device captures a subset of inflammatory subset of activated white blood cells that play a critical role in the progression of cardiovascular disease and whose numbers in the blood and the efficiency of capture directly correlate with risk and pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The risk of future cardiac events can be assessed. The system can facilitate early detection of cardiovascular disease and can guide risk factor modification and therapy following treatment.

Abstract: A process for maintaining the electrostatic charges substantially at neutral levels thereby reducing or avoiding sheeting in a fluid bed gas phase olefin polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A golf club stabilizer having a plurality of rubber discs all connected to a single threaded rod. In one embodiment, all of the discs can be expanded into contact with the shaft of the golf club uniformly or they can be varied in selectively different amounts. The discs can all be tightened to make the club very stiff or they can be tightened only loosely to make the club more stiff than without the discs but less than with fully tightened discs, The kick point of the club can also be varied by leaving some of the discs in a relaxed state out of contact with the shaft and doing this with any of the discs along the several discs in the club. In another embodiment, the discs of a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the shaft can be connected to the rod, lubricated, and forcibly pressed into the shaft.

Abstract: A golf club stabilizer having a plurality of radially expanded rubber discs all energized by a single threaded energizing rod. All of the discs can be expanded into contact with the shaft of the golf club uniformly or they can be varied in selectively different amounts. The discs can all be tightened to make the club very stiff or they can be tightened only loosely to make the club more stiff than without the discs but less than with fully tightened discs. The kick point of the club can also be varied by leaving some of the discs in a relaxed state out of contact with the shaft and doing this with any of the discs along the several discs in the club.