Abstract: In one aspect, an electron capture dissociation (ECD) device for use in a mass spectrometer is disclosed, which is configured to trap precursor ions and cause the trapped precursor ions (or a portion thereof) to exit the ion trap, via radial excitation thereof by a resonant AC voltage, such that the released precursor ions can enter an ion-electron interaction region in which at least a portion of the precursor ions undergo fragmentation via interaction with an electron beam. The fragment ions are trapped and prevented from undergoing multiple dissociations. Once the fragmentation of the precursor ions is completed and/or after a predefined period, the fragment ions are released from the ECD to be received by downstream components of the mass spectrometer in which the ECD device is incorporated.

Abstract: Vibration damping devices and methods utilizing the same for damping vibrations in a fan. A vibration damping device for a fan, the fan having an inlet side of a frame and an exhaust side of the frame and the frame retains a fan mechanism. The vibration damping device includes a mass mT which may include either: a block with a total mass mT; or a finger guard and at least one resilient attachment member having a first spring characteristic, wherein resilient attachment member is configured to be connected to and retain the mass mT. The vibration damping device may be tunable to damp the vibration of fan by (a) varying the total mass mT of the block, or replacing the finger guard, and/or (b) replacing the at least one resilient attachment member with a second resilient attachment member having a second spring characteristic.

Abstract: A cooling system for electrical and electronic devices for hot swapping of a fan module without affecting cooling efficiency due to air backflow, preventing stalling of newly installed exhaust device due to reverse rotation. A check valve assembly having an inlet side frame member, an outlet side frame member, and one or more non-symmetrical valve flaps, each flap having a movable part and a fixed part. The outlet side frame allows the flaps to open under suction pressure on side of the outlet side frame, the inlet side frame disallows the flaps to open under suction pressure on side of the inlet side frame, allowing air to flow in one direction from inlet side frame side to outlet side frame side only. The check valve assembly can be independent of the exhaust device. The check valve assembly can prevent backflow of air during hot swapping of the exhaust device.

Abstract: A cooling system for electrical and electronic devices for hot swapping of a fan module without affecting cooling efficiency due to air backflow, preventing stalling of newly installed exhaust device due to reverse rotation. A check valve assembly having an inlet side frame member, an outlet side frame member, and one or more non-symmetrical valve flaps, each flap having a movable part and a fixed part. The outlet side frame allows the flaps to open under suction pressure on side of the outlet side frame, the inlet side frame disallows the flaps to open under suction pressure on side of the inlet side frame, allowing air to flow in one direction from inlet side frame side to outlet side frame side only. The check valve assembly can be independent of the exhaust device. The check valve assembly can prevent backflow of air during hot swapping of the exhaust device.

Abstract: Vibration damping devices and methods utilizing the same for damping vibrations in a fan. A vibration damping device for a fan, the fan having an inlet side of a frame and an exhaust side of the frame and the frame retains a fan mechanism. The vibration damping device includes a mass mT which may include either: a block with a total mass mT; or a finger guard and at least one resilient attachment member having a first spring characteristic, wherein resilient attachment member is configured to be connected to and retain the mass mT. The vibration damping device may be tunable to damp the vibration of fan by (a) varying the total mass mT of the block, or replacing the finger guard, and/or (b) replacing the at least one resilient attachment member with a second resilient attachment member having a second spring characteristic.

Abstract: Scanning mechanisms that have application in confocal imaging use electromagnetic actuation to move elements in an optical system. An objective lens mounted to a flexure comprising a magnetic material is actuated in the axial direction by an electromagnet coil. An optical path may pass through the coil. Scanning in transverse directions may be provided using magnetically actuated flexible beams which move the tip of an optical fiber or other pinhole in one or more transverse directions. Actuators may be actuated using driving currents that include an AC component and a DC bias component. The scanning mechanisms may be miniaturized and may be constructed to provide real-time imaging.

Abstract: Scanning mechanisms that have application in confocal imaging use electromagnetic actuation to move elements in an optical system. An objective lens mounted to a flexure comprising a magnetic material is actuated in the axial direction by an electromagnet coil. An optical path may pass through the coil. Scanning in transverse directions may be provided using magnetically actuated flexible beams which move the tip of an optical fiber or other pinhole in one or more transverse directions. Actuators may be actuated using driving currents that include an AC component and a DC bias component. The scanning mechanisms may be miniaturized and may be constructed to provide real-time imaging.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of a novel putative efflux gene from Pseudomonas mendocina. The putative efflux gene is useful for probing an organism's efflux system to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of solvent tolerance. The invention further provides a Pseudomonas mendocina strain deficient in this gene. This strain is unable to grow in the presence of chloramphenicol and, compared to the wildtype strain, grows slowly in the presence of high concentrations of PHBA.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of a novel putative efflux gene from Pseudomonas mendocina. The putative efflux gene is useful for probing an organism's efflux system to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of solvent tolerance. The invention further provides a Pseudomonas mendocina strain deficient in this gene. This strain is unable to grow in the presence of chloramphenicol and, compared to the wildtype strain, grows slowly in the presence of high concentrations of PHBA.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of a novel putative efflux gene from Pseudomonas mendocina. The putative efflux gene is useful for probing an organism's efflux system to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of solvent tolerance. The invention further provides a Pseudomonas mendocina strain deficient in this gene. This strain is unable to grow in the presence of chloramphenicol and, compared to the wildtype strain, grows slowly in the presence of high concentrations of PHBA.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel, modified subtilisin enzyme(s) having improved catalytic activity and/or stability in organic media.