Abstract: A system and method are provided for loading a sample into an analytical instrument using acoustic droplet ejection (“ADE”) in combination with a continuous flow sampling probe. An acoustic droplet ejector is used to eject small droplets of a fluid sample containing an analyte into the sampling tip of a continuous flow sampling probe, where the acoustically ejected droplet combines with a continuous, circulating flow stream of solvent within the flow probe. Fluid circulation within the probe transports the sample through a sample transport capillary to an outlet that directs the analyte away from the probe to an analytical instrument, e.g., a device that detects the presence, concentration quantity, and/or identity of the analyte. When the analytical instrument is a mass spectrometer or other type of device requiring the analyte to be in ionized form, the exiting droplets pass through an ionization region, e.g.

Abstract: Customer content is securely loaded on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) located on a secure cryptography card. The customer content is loaded such that it may not be extracted. A customer obtains a secure cryptography card that includes a field programmable gate array and a master key generated by the secure cryptography card. The customer loads customer specific content on the field programmable gate array, wherein, based on the loading, the customer specific content is secure from extraction via the master key by at least entities other than the customer.

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 delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, MS-based systems and methods are provided in which a desorption solvent utilized in a sampling interface to desorb one or more analyte species from an SPME device is fluidly coupled to an ion source for ionizing the one or more analyte species desorbed into the desorption solvent for subsequent mass spectrometric analysis (e.g., without a liquid chromatography (LC) column between the sampling interface and the ion source).

Abstract: A tool includes an actuator assembly, a rod, a first nut, and a second nut. The actuator assembly includes a cylinder, a ram, and a bore extending through the cylinder and the ram. The cylinder includes an internal chamber supporting the ram, a first end, a second end, and a reaction surface positioned proximate the first end. The ram is movable relative to the cylinder and positioned adjacent the second end of the cylinder. The rod extends through the bore of the actuator assembly. The first nut is selectively coupled to one of a first end of the rod and a second end of the rod, and defines a first dimension larger than the bore width of the bit block. The second nut is selectively coupled to the other of the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod, and defines a second dimension less than the bore width.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer-implemented method and system for generating a transport key. A method can include generating, using a processor, a key agreement pair comprising a public agreement key and a private agreement key in a second element. Thereafter, generating, using the processor, a transport key based on the public agreement key in a first element. Then sending, using the processor, an information blob to the second element. Finally, independently generating, using the processor, the transport key in the second element using the information blob and the private agreement key. The transport key can thereafter be used to send information securely between the first and second elements.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.

Abstract: A tool includes an actuator assembly, a rod, a first nut, and a second nut. The actuator assembly includes a cylinder, a ram, and a bore extending through the cylinder and the ram. The cylinder includes an internal chamber supporting the ram, a first end, a second end, and a reaction surface positioned proximate the first end. The ram is movable relative to the cylinder and positioned adjacent the second end of the cylinder. The rod extends through the bore of the actuator assembly. The first nut is selectively coupled to one of a first end of the rod and a second end of the rod, and defines a first dimension larger than the bore width of the bit block. The second nut is selectively coupled to the other of the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod, and defines a second dimension less than the bore width.

Abstract: Customer content is securely loaded on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) located on a secure cryptography card. The customer content is loaded such that it may not be extracted. A customer obtains a secure cryptography card that includes a field programmable gate array and a master key generated by the secure cryptography card. The customer loads customer specific content on the field programmable gate array, wherein, based on the loading, the customer specific content is secure from extraction via the master key by at least entities other than the customer.

Abstract: Customer content is securely loaded on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) located on a secure cryptography card. The customer content is loaded such that it may not be extracted. A customer obtains a secure cryptography card that includes a field programmable gate array and a master key generated by the secure cryptography card. The customer loads customer specific content on the field programmable gate array, wherein, based on the loading, the customer specific content is secure from extraction via the master key by at least entities other than the customer.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes extracting first key derivation data from a first row of data to be stored in a database, where the database includes two or more rows of data. A first encryption subkey is generated, by a computer processor, by combining the first key derivation data with a static key. One or more sensitive fields in each row of the two or more rows of the database are encrypted using a unique corresponding encryption subkey for the row, and the first encryption subkey is unique to the first row among the two or more rows of the database. The one or more sensitive fields in the first row of data are encrypted with format-preserving encryption using the first encryption subkey. The first row of data, including the encrypted one or more sensitive fields, are stored in the database.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for inducing tissue vibration for magnetic resonance elastography is described. The system includes a hydraulic drive component that is mechanically linked to a pneumatic drive component. The pneumatic drive component is pneumatically linked to a passive pneumatic actuator component that is positionable on a patient proximate to a target tissue. Alternating linear movement of an actuator piston within the passive actuator component induces vibration of the target tissue. The frequency of the alternating linear movement of the actuator piston within the passive pneumatic actuator component is controlled by adjusting how fluid is pumped in the hydraulic drive component.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, MS-based systems and methods are provided in which a desorption solvent utilized in a sampling interface to desorb one or more analyte species from an SPME device is fluidly coupled to an ion source for ionizing the one or more analyte species desorbed into the desorption solvent for subsequent mass spectrometric analysis (e.g., without a liquid chromatography (LC) column between the sampling interface and the ion source).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes extracting first key derivation data from a first row of data to be stored in a database, where the database includes two or more rows of data. A first encryption subkey is generated, by a computer processor, by combining the first key derivation data with a static key. One or more sensitive fields in each row of the two or more rows of the database are encrypted using a unique corresponding encryption subkey for the row, and the first encryption subkey is unique to the first row among the two or more rows of the database. The one or more sensitive fields in the first row of data are encrypted with format-preserving encryption using the first encryption subkey. The first row of data, including the encrypted one or more sensitive fields, are stored in the database.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for updating map structures in an object storage system. A server communicates with users of an object storage system over a network. A plurality of data storage devices are arranged into locations to store and retrieve data objects of the users. A storage controller is associated with each location to direct data object transfers between the data storage devices of the associated location and the server using an existing map structure that describes the data objects in each location. A management module is adapted to generate a new map structure, migrate at least one data object from an existing location described by the existing map structure to a new location described by the new map structure, and to distribute the new map structure to each of the storage controllers after the migration of the at least one data object.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.

Abstract: A support system, an excavation arrangement, and a process of supporting an object are disclosed. The support system includes a weight-bearing device and a camming mechanism positioned below the weight-bearing device. A downward force on the weight-bearing device at least partially secures the camming mechanism to opposing surfaces. The excavation arrangement includes a borehole, a support system positioned within and secured to the borehole, and an object positioned on and supported by the support system. The process includes positioning and securing the support system and positioning the object on the weight-bearing device.

Abstract: An aspect of cipher text translation includes a memory configured to store predetermined conditions for performing an encryption operation, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions include determining through analysis of an inbound key and an outbound key of the encryption operation that the encryption operation includes a translation from a first class of encryption to a second class of encryption. The second class of encryption is determined to be weaker than the first class of encryption. The instructions also include applying the predetermined conditions to the input key and the output key and authorizing the translation via the processor, based on the applying, when aspects of the predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: Customer content is securely loaded on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) located on a secure cryptography card. The customer content is loaded such that it may not be extracted. A customer obtains a secure cryptography card that includes a field programmable gate array and a master key generated by the secure cryptography card. The customer loads customer specific content on the field programmable gate array, wherein, based on the loading, the customer specific content is secure from extraction via the master key by at least entities other than the customer.