Abstract: Devices and methods generate an ordered restriction map of genomic DNA extracted from whole cells. The devices have a fluidic microchannel that merges into a reaction nanochannel that merges into a detection nanochannel at an interface where the nanochannel diameter decreases in size by between 50% to 99%. Intact molecules of DNA are transported to the reaction nanochannel and then fragmented in the reaction nanochannel using restriction endonuclease enzymes. The reaction nanochannel is sized and configured so that the fragments stay in an original order until they are injected into the detection nanochannel. Signal at one or more locations along the detection nanochannel is detected to map fragments in the order they occur along a long DNA molecule.

Abstract: Provided are compounds, compositions, kits, systems, devices, and methods for improving an assay such as, for example, a multiplexed PCR assay (e.g., a multiplexed immuno-PCR assay). A solid support (e.g., a bead) may be provided according to some embodiments of the present invention. The solid support may comprise an encoding agent (e.g., a dye), a nucleic acid sequence (e.g., an oligonucleotide and/or primer); and a molecular recognition element (e.g., an antibody). A detection reagent may be provided according to some embodiments of the present invention. The detection reagent may comprise a molecular recognition element (e.g., an antibody) and a nucleic acid tag. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the nucleic acid sequence of the solid support and at least a portion of the nucleic acid target tag of the detection reagent are configured to participate in a nucleic acid amplification process. A solid support and detection reagent may bind to the same target, thereby forming a reagent pair.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Devices, such as chips for DNA analysis, have at least one fluid transport nanochannel with at least one intersecting (e.g., transverse) sensing nanochannel that can be monitored for change in ionic current to determine characteristics or parameters of interest, e.g., molecular identification, length determination, localized (probe) mapping and the like.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions, devices, and methods for improving a surface property of a substrate. In some embodiments, the hydrophobicity and/or fluorocarbon-phobicity of the surface is increased. Some embodiments include compositions, devices and methods for improving bead loading and/or immiscible oil sealing of microwell array reactions on plastic microfluidic devices.

Abstract: Analysis systems with a housing having a chamber sized and configured to receive at least one microfluidic device. The systems also include an optic system coupled to the housing in optical communication with the at least one microfluidic device, a controller coupled to the optic system, a heat source coupled to the optic system and thermally coupled to the at least one microfluidic device held in the housing, and a sub-array selection module in communication with the controller. The sub-array selection module is configured to select a sub-set of sets of microwells of at least one fluid channel of the microfluidic device for imaging by the optic system after a reaction step (e.g., one thermocycle) during an assay.

Abstract: Decoding methods are provided for identifying populations in assays, particularly multiplexing assays and those associated with fluidic devices.

Abstract: In some examples, a server may receive, from a software agent, data associated with a particular component of a plurality of components in a system (e.g., an information technology (IT) network). The data may include connection data, network location data, software data, user data, hardware data, and network routing data. The server may determine, using a k-nearest classification algorithm and based on the data, a current usage of the particular component. The server may determine an intended usage of the particular component and perform a comparison of the current usage with the intended usage. If the server determines that the current usage differs from the intended usage by at least a predetermined percentage, then the server may perform one or more remediation actions to modify the current usage to differ from the intended usage by less than the predetermined percentage.

Abstract: Methods of forming a chip with fluidic channels include forming (e.g., milling) at least one nanofunnel with a wide end and a narrow end into a planar substrate, the nanofunnel having a length, with width and depth dimensions that both vary over its length and forming (e.g., milling) at least one nanochannel into the planar substrate at an interface adjacent the narrow end of the nanofunnel.

Abstract: In some examples, a server may receive, from a software agent, data associated with a particular component of a plurality of components in a system (e.g., an information technology (IT) network). The data may include connection data, network location data, software data, user data, hardware data, and network routing data. The server may determine, using a k-nearest classification algorithm and based on the data, a current usage of the particular component. The server may determine an intended usage of the particular component and perform a comparison of the current usage with the intended usage. If the server determines that the current usage differs from the intended usage by at least a predetermined percentage, then the server may perform one or more remediation actions to modify the current usage to differ from the intended usage by less than the predetermined percentage.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide fluidic devices such as, but not limited to, microfluidic chips, with one or more freeze thaw valves (FTVs) employing one or more ice-nucleating agents (INAs), that can reliably operate to freeze at relatively higher temperatures and/or at faster rates than conventional microfluidic devices with FTV systems.

Abstract: A miniature electrode apparatus is disclosed for trapping charged particles, the apparatus includes, along a longitudinal direction, a first end cap electrode, a central electrode having an aperture, and a second end cap electrode. The aperture is elongated in the lateral plane and extends through the central electrode along the longitudinal direction and the central electrode surrounds the aperture in a lateral plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to define a transverse cavity for trapping charged particles. Electric fields can be applied in a y-direction of the lateral plane across one or more planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to translocate and/or manipulate ion trajectories.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide fluidic devices such as, but not limited to, microfluidic chips, with one or more freeze thaw valves (FTVs) employing one or more ice-nucleating agents (INAs), that can reliably operate to freeze at relatively higher temperatures and/or at faster rates than conventional microfluidic devices with FTV systems.

Abstract: An electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometer analysis systems include an ESI device with at least one emitter configured to electrospray ions and a mass spectrometer in fluid communication with the at least one emitter of the ESI device. The mass spectrometer includes a mass analyzer held in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber is configured to have a high (background/gas) pressure of about 50 mTorr or greater during operation. During operation, the ESI device is configured to either; (a) electrospray ions into a spatial region external to the vacuum chamber and at atmospheric pressure, the spatial extent being adjacent to an inlet device attached to the vacuum chamber, the inlet device intakes the electrosprayed ions external to the vacuum chamber with the mass analyzer and discharges the ions into the vacuum chamber with the mass analyzer; or (b) electrospray ions directly into the vacuum chamber with the mass analyzer.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a computer program product, and a system for informing collectors the locations of houses participating in a collecting event and safely transferring prizes to the collectors. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to receive registration corresponding to each player of a plurality of players, determine a set of active players and a set of inactive players among the plurality of players, determine a transfer request of a prize between a collector and an active player among the set of active players, and execute a transfer based on the determined transfer request.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry systems or assemblies therefore include an ionizer that includes at least one planar conductor, a mass analyzer with a planar electrode assembly, and a detector comprising at least one planar conductor. The ionizer, the mass analyzer and the detector are attached together in a compact stack assembly. The stack assembly has a perimeter that bounds an area that is between about 0.01 mm2 to about 25 cm2 and the stack assembly has a thickness that is between about 0.1 mm to about 25 mm.

Abstract: A pneumatic method, and associated apparatus, for injecting a discrete sample plug into the separation channel of an electrophoresis microchip (100) is disclosed. In a first step, pressurized gas (90) is applied to the sample (30) and background electrolyte (20) reservoirs such that the pressure is higher there than at the sample waste reservoir (35) to create a focused sample stream at the junction between the sample and separation channels. In a second step, the pressure at the sample reservoir (30) is reduced in order to pneumatically inject the sample plug into the separation channel. The waste reservoir (35) may be connected to a pressure reducing device (91). The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer (200i).