Abstract: The technology relates to a system for improved mass analysis operation by proactively identifying contamination. The system includes a mass analysis instrument comprising mass analysis hardware components, a processor, and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform a set of operations. The set of operations include performing, by the mass analysis instrument at a first time, a predefined series of operational tests to produce first mass analysis results for a calibrant; performing, by the mass analysis instrument at a second time, the predefined series of operational tests to produce second mass analysis results for the calibrant; determining an analysis difference between the first mass analysis results and the second mass analysis results; and based on a magnitude of the analysis difference, generating at least one of a contamination indicator or a degradation indicator.

Abstract: A customer-based availability method for a service provider such as a transportation carrier is disclosed. This method provides programmable logic to allow predetermined request types and service types to be defined. Associations are then formed between request types and service types. When a request is received from a potential customer to book a service, it is automatically determined whether the request is included within one of the request types. If so, it is automatically determined whether that request type is associated with a service type that includes the requested service. If this is the case, the request is allowed to book the service regardless of whether the service is considered to be unavailable, or the sale of the service is otherwise restricted.

Abstract: A method to book events such as trips are discloses. The method provides a conversation mode that allows a booking to be created within retentive storage in a portable format. In one embodiment, this portable format is a string written in eXtensible Markup Language (XML). This format may be stored to a database using a single database access operation. According to another aspect of the method, a user may ignore selectable portions of the booking as the booking is being created such that an entire booking need not be discarded when it is determined that a single service or informational element included in that booking is no longer needed.

Abstract: A system to book events such as trips are discloses. The system provides a conversation mode that allows a booking to be created within retentive storage in a portable format. In one embodiment, this portable format is a string written in eXtensible Markup Language (XML). This format may be stored to a database using a single database access operation. According to another aspect of the system, a user may ignore selectable portions of the booking as the booking is being created such that an entire booking need not be discarded when it is determined that a single service or informational element included in that booking is no longer needed.

Abstract: A system for managing inventory on a market basis is disclosed. When employed by a transportation carrier, the system allows for the creation of a market group that includes a limited amount of space that is provided by any one or more of a certain group of physical routes (e.g., airline flights traveling between predetermined departure and destination points flying on selected dates). A qualifying customer or request may book one or more seats to this market group rather than to a specific physical route. The customer is guaranteed a seat on one of the physical routes, but is not informed as to the route on which travel will occur until a time closer to departure when the space allocated to the market group is mapped to the physical routes. In one embodiment, the market groups are defined using programmable business rules of a type interpreted by a rules engine.

Abstract: A system and method for managing inventory on a market basis is disclosed. When employed by a transportation carrier, the system allows for the creation of a market group that includes a limited amount of space that is provided by any one or more of a certain group of physical routes (e.g., airline flights traveling between predetermined departure and destination points flying on selected dates). A qualifying customer or request may book one or more seats to this market group rather than to a specific physical route. The customer is guaranteed a seat on one of the physical routes, but is not informed as to the route on which travel will occur until a time closer to departure when the space allocated to the market group is mapped to the physical routes. In one embodiment, the market groups are defined using programmable business rules of a type interpreted by a rules engine.

Abstract: A step support method for use in the manufacturing of straight or curved stairs comprising a plurality of cutouts and a plurality of formed flanges in a contiguous sheet of metal creating a surface for stair treads and risers to be attached. The design of which allows the embodiment to serve structurally as being load bearing. With the addition of slits in the tread support flange, the embodiment can be applied to the manufacturing of curved stairs as well.

Abstract: A step support method for use in the manufacturing of straight or curved stairs comprising a plurality of cutouts and a plurality of formed flanges in a contiguous sheet of metal creating a surface for stair treads and risers to be attached. The design of which allows the embodiment to serve structurally as being load bearing. With the addition of slits in the tread support flange, the embodiment can be applied to the manufacturing of curved stairs as well.

Abstract: A step support method for use in the manufacturing of straight or curved stairs comprising a plurality of cutouts and a plurality of formed flanges in a contiguous sheet of metal creating a surface for stair treads and risers to be attached. The design of which allows the embodiment to serve structurally as being load bearing. With the addition of slits in the tread support flange, the embodiment can be applied to the manufacturing of curved stairs as well.

Abstract: A bracket for use in manufacturing a step supported by a stringer. The bracket includes an anchor block to which a tread for a step may be attached, a pair of frames flanking the anchor block and fixed thereto, and markings formed on at least one of the frames. The markings indicate a rise and a run for the step. The bracket may be used in a method for building a stairs. The method includes the steps of selecting a desired tread distance and rise distance for the stairs to be built, fastening tread receiving portions and riser-receiving portions of a bracket to a first elongate stringer to define the desired tread and riser distances, repeating the above steps with respect to a second stringer, mounting a tread to the tread-receiving portions, and mounting a riser to the riser-receiving portions.

Abstract: In the establishment of interference colors in weakly birefringent materials within living organisms, in fixed tissues or in preparations of liquid crystals, a compensating birefringent plate is positioned in series with the object in the direction of the light path between a crossed polarizer and analyzer in a polarizing microscope, and is aligned with the vibrational direction of its slow wave at a small angle of horizontal rotation from the vibrational direction of the polarizer or of the analyzer. The small angle of rotation is between 2.degree. and 15.degree., more especially 4.degree. and 7.5.degree.. The chromatic response (color intensity) is enhanced and increased color contrast is obtained for all live organisms, freshly fixed sections, and liquid crystal preparations.

Abstract: An improved method for die cutting a plastic or paper web which is used in the formation of the trays, pouches and such composite structures for containing food or other consumable products, or is used in the formation of hospital or medical products, for instance filters employed in medical procedures, is effective to provide smooth cut edges of the tray without any hair-like sliver members. In the process where a rotary die cutter is employed and includes a support member for supporting the web to be cut, a frangible but non-splintered coating is first applied to the surface of the web coming in contact with the support member. The web is conveyed between the rotatable die cutter and the support member and the die cutter cuts the web by penetrating the entire thickness thereof, however, the cutter blade does not come in contact with the support member.