Abstract: A method of operating a differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) includes providing a heater disposed proximate a ceramic body of a DMS cell. A first control voltage is applied to the heater. A first threshold is detected by a first sensor disposed within a curtain plate that substantially surrounds the DMS cell. A second control voltage is applied to the heater based at least in part on the detected first threshold. During application of the second control voltage, a mass spectrometry analysis of a gas within the DMS cell is performed.

Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating and/or quantifying compounds, using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the applicants' teachings, the methods and systems can provide for the quantification of one or more compounds, for example, using isomeric labels that can be less costly to produce relative to conventional tags that incorporate stable-isotope labels. The present teachings can quantify the relative amount of a compound based on the effect of using an easily charged functional group as well as a functional group positioned at a resonant or non-resonant position through a DMS. In some aspects, methods and systems in accordance with various aspects of the present teachings provide for the detection and/or quantification of the analytes labeled with isomeric tags that can be differentiated via a DMS upstream of a first stage mass analyzer and/or prior to fragmentation of the labeled analyte, for example.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing fluids on a macro- or micro-scale are described. In various aspects, a fluid may have a plurality of elongated (i.e., substantially rod-shaped) magnetic elements disposed therein within a fluid container. An illustrative fluid container is an actuator electrode or a processing vial of a microfluidic device, such as a digital microfluidic device. A magnet component may be configured to generate a magnetic force sufficient to influence the movement of the plurality of elongated magnetic elements within the fluid to be processed. For example, the magnetic force (or magnetic force gradient) may influence the plurality of elongated magnetic elements to rotate, spin, and/or move laterally side-to-side. The shape and movements of the plurality of elongated magnetic elements facilitate the rapid and efficient processing of the fluid, such as fluid mixing and/or fluid separation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing fluids are described. In various aspects, a fluid processing system may include a magnetic assembly that includes a plurality of magnetic structures configured to generate a magnetic field gradient within a fluid container. The magnetic structures may be formed as a plurality of electromagnets configured to be individually actuated by a controller. Each of the electromagnets may generate a magnetic field within the fluid container. The electromagnets may be differentially actuated to create a magnetic field gradient within the fluid container to agitate, mix, or otherwise influence magnetic particles disposed within the fluid container. Activation of the electromagnets of an electromagnetic structure may generate a magnetic field gradient that influences magnetic particles in an x-y direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating and/or quantifying compounds, using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the applicants' teachings, the methods and systems can provide for the quantification of one or more compounds, for example, using isomeric labels that can be less costly to produce relative to conventional tags that incorporate stable-isotope labels. The present teachings can quantify the relative amount of a compound based on the effect of using an easily charged functional group as well as a functional group positioned at a resonant or non-resonant position through a DMS. In some aspects, methods and systems in accordance with various aspects of the present teachings provide for the detection and/or quantification of the analytes labeled with isomeric tags that can be differentiated via a DMS upstream of a first stage mass analyzer and/or prior to fragmentation of the labeled analyte, for example.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating and/or quantifying peptides using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the applicant's teachings, the methods and systems can provide for the separation of one or more peptides, for example, peptides that may be difficult to separate with conventional techniques, such as mass spectrometry (MS), by complexing the peptides with a metal cation (e.g., Ca2+) prior to DMS. In some aspects, the present teachings can prevent proton stripping from ionized peptides that can occur in DMS to prevent unintended and/or undesirable alterations to the peptide's charge state distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the quality of spectra of a sample obtained from a tandem mass spectrometer system containing an ion trap. The method and apparatus includes the setting of an upper and lower threshold limit on peak intensity and only triggering an enhanced product ion scan when a detected intensity of a peak in an initial scan falls between the upper and lower threshold limits. The spectra obtained from an enhanced product ion scan conducted in this manner are useful in library matching of spectra. The ion trap may be a linear ion trap and the sample may be a peptide.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating and/or quantifying peptides using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the applicant's teachings, the methods and systems can provide for the separation of one or more peptides, for example, peptides that may be difficult to separate with conventional techniques, such as mass spectrometry (MS), by complexing the peptides with a metal cation (e.g., Ca2+) prior to DMS. In some aspects, the present teachings can prevent proton stripping from ionized peptides that can occur in DMS to prevent unintended and/or undesirable alterations to the peptide's charge state distribution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing fluids on a macro- or micro-scale are described. In various aspects, a fluid may have a plurality of elongated (i.e., substantially rod-shaped) magnetic elements disposed therein within a fluid container. An illustrative fluid container is an actuator electrode or a processing vial of a microfluidic device, such as a digital microfluidic device. A magnet component may be configured to generate a magnetic force sufficient to influence the movement of the plurality of elongated magnetic elements within the fluid to be processed. For example, the magnetic force (or magnetic force gradient) may influence the plurality of elongated magnetic elements to rotate, spin, and/or move laterally side-to-side. The shape and movements of the plurality of elongated magnetic elements facilitate the rapid and efficient processing of the fluid, such as fluid mixing and/or fluid separation.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample that contains a plurality of lipid isomers is described that involves forming one or more lipid metal ion adducts and transporting the one or more lipid metal ion adducts through a differential mobility spectrometer to cause separation of the one or more lipid metal ion adducts from each other. The lipid isomers can be chosen, for example, from fatty acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, saccharolipids, polyketides, sterol lipids, and prenol lipids. Particular examples include phosphatidylcholine regioisomers such as 1-palmatoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and 1-oleoyl-2-palmatoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerols containing palmetic and oleic acid groups. The metal chosen can include a cationization reagent that contains sodium, potassium, silver or lithium.

Abstract: An electrospray ion source method and system is provided for detecting emitter failure comprising a liquid chromatography column suitable for chromatographic separation of a sample. The column can have an inlet for receiving the sample; and an outlet for ejecting the sample. A make-up flow channel is provided for introducing make-up flow of liquid to the sample post-column, wherein the make-up flow normalizes the spray current. An electrospray ionization source is provided having one or more electrospray ionization emitter nozzles for receiving the make-up flow containing sample. A power supply can provide a voltage to the one or more emitter nozzles, and a measurement device can measure and monitor the spray current.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample that contains a plurality of lipid isomers is described that involves forming one or more lipid metal ion adducts and transporting the one or more lipid metal ion adducts through a Mix of POPC+OPPC differential mobility spectrometer to cause separation of the one or more lipid metal ion adducts from each other. The lipid isomers can be chosen, for example, from fatty acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, saccharolipids, polyketides, sterol lipids, and prenol lipids. Particular examples include phosphatidylcholine regioisomers such as 1-palmatoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and 1-oleoyl-2-palmatoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerols containg palmetic and oleic acid groups. The metal chosen can include a cationization reagent that contains sodium, potassium, silver or lithium.

Abstract: An electrospray ion source method and system is provided for detecting emitter failure comprising a liquid chromatography column suitable for chromatographic separation of a sample. The column can have an inlet for receiving the sample; and an outlet for ejecting the sample. A make-up flow channel is provided for introducing make-up flow of liquid to the sample post-column, wherein the make-up flow normalizes the spray current. An electrospray ionization source is provided having one or more electrospray ionization emitter nozzles for receiving the make-up flow containing sample. A power supply can provide a voltage to the one or more emitter nozzles, and a measurement device can measure and monitor the spray current.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying a turkey. An embodiment may include an elongated body member that is attached to a clip that may engage a belt. Further, the body member may include a shoulder support as well as a plurality of turkey-leg-engagement loops suited to engage and support a pair of turkey legs. In this manner, the turkey carrier may provide the securing force with the engagement loops that were once provided by the person's clenched fists.

Abstract: A system for loading coal (particles) into railroad cars 16 wherein a control weight of a railroad car 16 loaded with coal (particles) is established and a maximum permissible weight of a railroad car 16 loaded with coal (particles) is known, the control weight being less than the maximum permissible weight, The system utilizes a continuous loading system 12 and a batch loading system 14. Coal (particles) first is loaded into each of the railroad cars 16 utilizing the continuous loading system 12 and the continuous loading system 12 is designed such that the continuous loading system 12 loads an amount of coal (particles) into each of the railroad cars 16 having a weight less than the predetermined control weight.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a process for reducing the gaseous sulfur dioxide content of flue gases by either or both preheating coal prior to burning the preheated coal and controlling the combustion temperature level to control the amount of sulfur being converted to sulfates and remaining in the ash residue.

Abstract: A method for loading particles, such as coal, into a plurality of railroad cars wherein a control weight of a railroad car loaded with particles is established. Each of the railroad cars is weighed prior to loading particles into the railroad car from a weigh bin to determine an unfilled weight of each railroad car and the unfilled weight of each railroad car is compared with the control weight to determine an unfilled differential weight for each railroad car. The particles are loaded into the weigh bin from a surge bin and the surge bin is weighed as the particles are being loaded into the weigh bin from the surge bin so the loading of particles into the weigh bin can be terminated when a weight of particles has been loaded into the weigh bin about equal to and less than the unfilled differential weight associated with the railroad car to be loaded with the unfilled differential weight of particles.

Abstract: A dust control system for a mining machine, particularly for controlling respirable dust in coal mining operations, comprising a ductwork system having intakes adjacent the cutter head of the mining machine, a fan for drawing air through the ductwork system, a flooded bed scrubber in the ductwork system upstream from the fan for entraining dust, including respirable dust, in the air in droplets of water, air flowing through the scrubber carrying the dust-laden droplets of water downstream from the scrubber, a sump below the ductwork system between the flooded bed scrubber and the fan, a demister in the ductwork system above the sump for separating the dust-laden droplets of water and directing them into the sump, and a pump for pumping the dust-laden water from the sump to a point adjacent the cutting head. A method of controlling dust is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of controlling the mining by a mining machine of a seam of material (e.g., coal) overlying or underlying a stratum of undesired material (e.g., clay) to reduce the quantity of undesired material mined with the desired material, the machine comprising a cutter movable up and down and adapted to cut down into a seam of coal on being lowered. The control apparatus comprises a first electrical signal constituting a slow-down signal adapted to be automatically operated to signal when the cutter has cut down into a seam of desired material generally to a predetermined depth short of the interface between the seam and the underlying stratum for slowing down the cutting rate as the cutter approaches the interface, and a second electrical signal adapted to be automatically operated subsequent to the first signal for signalling when the cutter has cut down through the seam to the interface for stopping the cutting operation, thereby to avoid mining undesired material with the desired material.