Abstract: A system for characterizing suspended particles in a water treatment facility is disclosed. The system uses an imaging array to take multiple images of the particles in a sample volume. These images are then processed to determine geometrical properties of individual particles in the sample. These geometric properties can then be used to identify properties of the sample volume such as particle volume concentration, particle number concentration, computed particle diameter, gravitational settling velocity, mass concentration, and computed particle volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the lubrication oil content in an exhaust gas mixture comprising the steps of ionizing the exhaust gas mixture by means of an ion source (3), feeding the ions of the exhaust gas mixture to a filter unit (5) which is embodied as a multipole with a connected voltage source, setting a transmission range of the filter unit (5) according to a lubrication oil fraction to be measured, filtering out ions with a specific mass outside the transmission range and feeding the other ions to a measuring device (8) as well as measuring the intensity of the transmitted ions. According to the invention there is provision for the determination of the proportion of the lubrication oil fraction to be measured to be carried out as a global measurement of the intensity of the ions in a step over the transmission range. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method. The invention provides an improvement both in the measuring quality and in the measuring speed.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide means to obtain correct gas density and flux measurements using (i) gas analyzer (open-path, or closed-path gas analyzers with short intake tube, for example 1 m long, or any combination of the two); (ii) fast temperature or sensible heat flux measurement device (such as, fine-wire thermocouple, sonic anemometer, or any other device providing fast accurate gas temperature measurements); (iii) fast air water content or latent heat flux measurement device (such as, hygrometer, NDIR analyzer, any other device providing fast accurate gas water content measurements); (iv) vertical wind or sampling device (such as sonic anemometer, scintillometer, or fast solenoid valve, etc.) and (v) algorithms in accordance with the present invention to compute the corrected gas flux, compensated for T-P effects.

Abstract: A sampling system for measuring the presence and concentration of inorganic ion species, including, metals, metalloids and non-metals, in a liquid solution including a first sampling unit. The first sampling unit includes a potentiometric subsystem configured to gather environmental metrics of the liquid sample, a preparation subsystem, coupled to the potentiometric module, the preparation subsystem being configured to prepare and isolate contaminants of concern in a flow of a liquid sample into metal, metalloid, or non-metal ionic forms; and a voltammetric subsystem selectively coupled to the preparation subsystem, potentiometric subsystem and a sample source, the voltammetric subsystem being configured to identify and determine a concentration of metal, metalloid, or non-metal ionic species through stripping voltammetry. The system is configured to compare a value of a stripping signal of the sample with a predetermined value to determine if dilution of the sample is required.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described for determining a characteristic of an electric cable using THz radiation. The THz radiation may non-destructively penetrate a carbon black semiconductor layer to detect a THz spectrum of a cross-linked polyethylene insulator. The THz spectrum can be analyzed to determine the characteristics of the electric cable, including concentrations of polar chemical by-products in the XLPE insulator and, and to control the production process of the electric cables.

Abstract: There is described a method and device for measurement of the specific density of a gaseous or liquid medium, whereby a pulsed acoustic signal is injected into the measured medium by means of a transmitting transducer, the signal is detected by a receiver transducer, after passing over a measured path, whereupon the acoustic impedance Z is automatically determined in an analytical device by comparison of a curve for the currently measured received signal with reference curves, predetermined for various values of the acoustic impedances stored for each value of the acoustic impedance, whereby the propagation speed c of the acoustic signal in the medium is determined and the density p of the medium is calculated as the quotient from the acoustic impedance Z and the propagation speed c. The method is preferably of application to an ultrasound mass flow measurement device and hence has the advantage that no additional density sensor is required, nevertheless permitting a robust and precise measurement of density.

Abstract: The invention relates to mass spectrometers in which ion clouds are stored in two spatial directions by radial forces while oscillating largely harmonically at a mass-specific frequency in a third spatial direction perpendicular to the other two, in a potential minimum, the shape of which is as close to a parabola as possible. Analysis of the oscillation frequencies of these ion clouds, preferably by a Fourier analysis, leads via a frequency spectrum to a mass spectrum. The frequency spectrum is analyzed to identify false signals in the frequency spectrum as harmonics and eliminating them where necessary.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for determining composition of chemical constituents in a complex mixture are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for determining composition of chemical constituents in a complex mixture includes generating, using a separation tool and a mass spectrometer, separation and mass spectrometry data of a sample, wherein the separation data includes peak information and wherein the mass spectrometry data includes primary and secondary mass spectrometry data. The analysis results, including the generated separation and mass spectrometry data, are collected and stored. A chemical constituent of the sample is determined by comparing the analysis results to a library of information indicating characteristics of chemical entities, where the comparison is based on the separation and mass spectrometry information.

Abstract: A field device for determining or monitoring a process variable in process automation. The field device includes: a sensor, which works according to a defined measuring principle; and a control/evaluation unit, which conditions and evaluates the measurement data delivered by the sensor; wherein the control/evaluation unit is embodied at least partially as a reconfigurable logic chip FPGA having a plurality of dynamically reconfigurable function modules; wherein an interface is provided, via which the control/evaluation unit receives sensor- and application-specific information concerning a defined sensor type in a defined process application; and wherein the control/evaluation unit so configures the function modules corresponding to the sensor- and application-specific information, that the field device is optimally adapted to the process variable to be ascertained, or to be monitored, and to the current process application of the field device.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a patient employs hypothesis testing against each of several monitored signals to determine whether an artifact is present in the monitored signals. In the hypothesis testing, a null hypothesis includes an assumption that pairs of samples of highly correlated monitored signals of the several monitored signals have a predetermined distribution. The method determines that an artifact may exist in one of the monitored signals when the likelihood that the null hypothesis is true falls below a predetermined confidence value. This method can be embodied in an intelligent module for processing multiple data from one or more patients to filter out clinically significant changes in the patient from those changes caused by artifacts.

Abstract: The present application describes a sensor apparatus, especially an electronic nose, based on 2D films or 3D assemblies of cubic nanoparticles capped with an organic coating. The organic coating is modified with unique compositions of functional moieties, e.g. cyclodextrins, to provide the detection of volatile and non-volatile compounds derived from explosive materials, e.g. PETN, RDX, TNT etc. with very high sensitivity. The nose employs pattern recognition algorithms and methods, e.g. PCA, for detecting and quantifying specific explosive compounds.

Abstract: A method for selecting at least one catalyst from a catalyst library on the basis of the reactivity thereof in a chemical conversion process includes: (a) testing the catalytic activity of a first catalyst from said catalyst library with respect to a reaction medium containing, as the compounds to be converted, at least one reactivity probe having a labeling system and including at least one reaction unit capable of reacting in said chemical conversion; (b) analyzing the reaction medium after said catalytic test for the purpose of qualitatively and/or qualitatively characterizing the resulting compounds; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for at least one other catalyst in said library; and (d) comparing the analysis results for each catalyst in order to characterize at least one catalyst having the required reactivity in said chemical conversion.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for estimating the concentration (C) of a chemical element in the primary coolant of a nuclear reactor, the reactor comprising means for injecting a dilution solution or a concentrated solution of the said chemical element in a predetermined concentration (C*) into the primary coolant and a sensor capable of measuring a quantity (Cm) representing the concentration of the said chemical element. The process is an iterative process comprising repeatedly in each time step k: a stage of acquiring quantities (qdk) and (qck) representing the injected flows of dilution solution and concentrated solution in step k, and a quantity (Cmk) representing the concentration measured by the sensor; a stage of calculating an estimated value (Cek+1) of the concentration of the said chemical element in the primary coolant in step k+1 on the basis of representative quantities (qdk, qck, Cmk) acquired in stage k.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample which comprises: a) performing an electrochemical test comprising: (i) contacting the sample with an electrochemical cell comprising at least two electrodes; and (ii) obtaining at least one group of three or more measurements of an electrochemical parameter from the cell, wherein each measurement in each at least one group is obtained at a different time; b) deriving from said at least one group of three or more measurements a single value that is indicative of the time-dependent behavior of the measured parameter; c) comparing the single value indicative of the time-dependent behavior of the measured parameter with a pre-determined range of acceptable time-dependent behaviors; d) determining whether the test is acceptable based on the result of said comparison; e) optionally repeating the above-mentioned steps; and 0 determining the concentration of the analyte from the measurements obtained from the acceptable test or acceptabl

Abstract: Known methods use the temperature of the water bath which surrounds the liquid sample as the adjusting parameter. The aim in these methods is to maintain the water bath at a constant temperature in order to fulfill the prerequisites for calibration. In contrast, in the inventive method a measurement is determined for the maximum permissible drift (?max) in the temperature of the water bath (?B) which is measured as the equivalent of the sample temperature (?P). This greatly simplifies the problem of adjusting the temperature which primarily arises as a result of the delays in the control circuit. The adjusting element need only recognize a drift (?) and correct the sum of the thermal currents which have occurred, to zero, allowing for a residual error (Prestmax) which results from a permissible contouring error (?B, ?B). The release of heat from the mixing propeller (Q) is used to obtain a rapid compensation.

Abstract: A mass spectrum is generated by a process in which, from a mass scan signal comprising original samples defining a peak, a subset of the original samples defining the peak is selected. One or more synthesized samples are synthesized from the subset of the original samples. The one or more synthesized samples provide a temporal resolution greater than the temporal resolution of the original samples. The one or more synthesized samples are summed with respective temporally-aligned accumulated samples to produce the mass spectrum. The accumulated samples are obtained from mass scan signals generated during respective previously-performed mass scan operations.

Abstract: A method for non-targeted complex sample analysis which involves the following steps. A first step involves providing a database containing identifying data of known molecules. A second step involves introducing a complex sample containing multiple unidentified molecules into a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Mass Spectrometer to obtain data regarding the molecules in the complex sample with the identifying data of known molecules in order to arrive at an identification through comparison of the molecules in the sample.

Abstract: A new method is presented for characterizing the associative properties of a solution of macromolecules at high concentration. Sample aliquots spanning a range of concentrations are injected sequentially into a light scattering photometer. Equilibrium association constants and association stoichiometry are derived from an analysis of the angular and concentration dependence of the scattering signals. Thermodynamic nonideality, which becomes important at high concentrations, is dealt with in the analysis in a simplified manner which is applicable to multiple associated species.

Abstract: Methods for processing spectra are disclosed. The method includes obtaining a plurality of spectra, each spectrum in the plurality of spectra comprising a signal including a signal strength as a function of time-of-flight, mass-to-charge ratio, or a value derived from time-of-flight or mass-to-charge ratio. Then, a signal cluster is formed by clustering signals from the plurality of spectra with time-of-flights, mass-to-charge ratios, or values derived from time-of-flights or mass-to-charge ratios that are within a window that is defined using an expected signal width value.

Abstract: In a method of dating paintings in particular from the last two hundred years isotopes of a selected element are detected which are found in living plants and used for making binding agents of artistic paint. In the detection only the relative concentration of the two isotopes in relation to each other has to be determined. One of them can be radioactive suitably having a half-life period smaller than e.g. 1000 years. For accurate determining even isotopes having shorter half-life periods can be used. For dating paintings alleged to have been made in the 20th century e.g. 90Sr and 86Sr or 137Cs and 133Cs can be used to decide whether a painting was made before or after the midst of said century.

Abstract: A system and method to improve the accuracy of the measure of constituent element(s) in a sample containing domains potentially including the constituent element(s) are described herein. For each domain, the volume of the domain is estimated and the concentration of the constituent element(s) in the domain is determined using LIBS. When all the domains have been analyzed, the volumetric concentration of the domains is summed and divided by the total volume of the sample. Accordingly, by limiting the concentration analysis to separate domains, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the concentration analysis.

Abstract: A product ion spectrum is created on the basis of MS2 analysis data respectively obtained for a parent compound and a metabolite (S1 and S2). Additionally, a neutral loss spectrum, in which the mass of each product ion is replaced with a mass difference between the mass of the product ion and that of a precursor ion, is created (S3). Then, a common peak having the same mass in both the parent compound and the metabolite is extracted (S4), and a complementary peak appearing at a position corresponding to the difference between the mass of the common peak and that of the precursor ion is extracted (S5); the complementary peak corresponding to a common peak located on the product ion spectrum appears on the neutral loss spectrum, while the complementary peak corresponding to a common peak located on the neutral loss spectrum appears on the product ion spectrum.

Abstract: A method of determining an empirical formula of an analyte ion from a measured mass spectrum including a main peak and one or more isotope peaks. The method comprises comparing a relative isotopic intensity of the measured isotope peak to a calculated relative isotopic intensity of an isotopic ion of a proposed empirical formula and comparing a relative mass defect of the measured isotope peak to a calculated relative mass defect of the isotopic ion of the proposed empirical formula. The proposed empirical formula is identified as a potential candidate for the analyte ion based on these comparisons.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a level of contamination of a particle sensor provided with two electrodes situated on an insulator material for generating an electrical field, the insulator material is heated to above a limiting temperature of the insulator material at which the insulator material begins to become conductive. The insulator material is modulated by heating or cooling, the modulation being carried out at a lower temperature and an upper temperature which are each above the limiting temperature. The variation over time of a measuring signal which may be picked up between electrodes is measured during the modulation. The measured variation over time of the measuring signal is compensated using a theoretical variation over time of the measuring signal in a contamination-free state of the particle sensor in order to obtain a variation over time of a differential signal.

Abstract: In deducing the composition of an unknown metabolite, information on the kind of reaction and the component which is added or dropped is provided, based on the prediction and knowledge on the pathways of metabolism (S5). Then, based on the information, the kind of elements and the maximum value of the increase and decrease in the number of atoms of the elements are computed. In addition, based on the values and the composition of the original substance, the kind of the unknown substance and the possible range of numbers of atoms thereof are obtained (S6 and S7). Using the element's kind and range of numbers as a computational condition, the combination of elements that matches the mass of the unknown metabolite obtained by a mass analysis is searched to deduce the composition of the unknown metabolite (S8). Since the computational condition is fairly limited, the composition can be deduced with a practical amount of computation and with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A product ion spectrum is created on the basis of MS2 analysis data respectively obtained for a parent compound and a metabolite (S1 and S2). Additionally, a neutral loss spectrum, in which the mass of each product ion is replaced with a mass difference between the mass of the product ion and that of a precursor ion, is created (S3). Then, a common peak having the same mass on the neutral loss spectrums of both the parent compound and the metabolite is extracted (S4), and a complementary peak appearing on the product ion spectrum of the metabolite is extracted (S5); this peak appears at a position corresponding to the difference between the mass of the common peak and that of the precursor ion. The ion corresponding to the complementary peak is designated as a precursor ion for the next MS3 analysis (S6), and this MS3 analysis is performed (S7).

Abstract: System and method for determining total mill flow (TMF) in a biofuel production process. Measured slurry flow and density values from a process fed by mill(s), backset, and at least one water source, are received. The slurry includes biomass solids and water. Measured backset flow and density values, and a backset composition value are received, as well as a slurry composition value indicating % biomass solids of the slurry is received. A quantity of biomass solids and/or water of the slurry determined based on the slurry flow, density, and composition, and a quantity of the biomass solids and/or water of the backset determined based on the backset flow and density, backset composition, and a system filter characterizing time delays and lags between measurements of the backset flow and biomass slurry flow. Total mill flow is determined based on the quantities of biomass solids and/or water of the slurry and backset.

Abstract: Several full-spectrum imaging techniques have been introduced in recent years that promise to provide rapid and comprehensive chemical characterization of complex samples. One of the remaining obstacles to adopting these techniques for routine use is the difficulty of reducing the vast quantities of raw spectral data to meaningful chemical information. Multivariate factor analysis techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis and Alternating Least Squares-based Multivariate Curve Resolution, have proven effective for extracting the essential chemical information from high dimensional spectral image data sets into a limited number of components that describe the spectral characteristics and spatial distributions of the chemical species comprising the sample. There are many cases, however, in which those constraints are not effective and where alternative approaches may provide new analytical insights.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a volatile organic compound (VOC) detector. In one implementation, an initiation request may be received indicating a gas concentration level amount to be used for calibrating a VOC detector. A gas may be provided to the VOC detector according to the gas concentration level amount. The VOC detector may be provided with the gas concentration level amount. A calibration log may be received from the VOC detector. The calibration log may comprise an identifier of the VOC detector, the gas concentration level amount, and a date indicating when the VOC detector received the gas concentration level amount and the gas according to the gas concentration level amount.

Abstract: Ozone and, if necessary, water is added to an exhaust gas, such as air, containing hydrogen- and carbon-containing molecules of a pollutant. The exhaust gas is then continually flowed into one or more oxidizing reaction chamber modules. In the reaction chamber(s) the ozone- and water-containing gas is subjected to intense ultraviolet radiation (wavelength of 254 nm) to promote the formation of hydroxyl radicals to oxidize the pollutant molecules to carbon dioxide and water. The continually discharged gas is analyzed for residual ozone and hydrocarbon content and the analytical data used in feedback control of ozone addition and UV radiation intensity.

Abstract: A method of optimizing operation of a fossil fuel fired boiler includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing a plurality of sensors positioned in different spatial positions within the fossil fuel fired boiler. The method also includes recording sensor outputs, identifying spatial combustion anomalies indicated by sensor outputs, identifying burners responsible for the spatial combustion anomalies, and adjusting air flow of responsible burners to alleviate the spatial combustion anomalies.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining attenuation coefficients for an object using a movable X-ray source and a detector, which is provided for recording projections, is provided. The method includes specifying a trajectory for the movable X-ray source, specifying positions on the trajectory for determining a derivative of projections recorded by the detector, specifying a plurality of scanning positions for each of the specified positions, following the trajectory with the X-ray source and recording a projection for each scanning position, numerically calculating a projection derivative in relation to the trajectory path for each of the positions using the projections recorded for the associated plurality of scanning positions, and determining attenuation coefficients for the object from the calculated projection derivatives using a theoretically exact or approximate rule for the reconstruction.

Abstract: Method of preparing a calibration curve and determining the amount of an analyte polynucleotide present in a test sample, particularly using real-time amplification data. The method involves determining indicia of amplification for both the internal calibrator and analyte polynucleotide standards, each as a function of the amount of analyte polynucleotide standard input into the amplification reaction.

Abstract: A urea concentration identification device comprising a concentration identification sensor unit (2) and a support unit (4) attached at the bottom end thereof with this sensor unit and provided at the top end thereof with a mounting unit (4a) to a urea solution tank opening. The concentration identification sensor unit (2) has an indirectly-heated concentration detector and liquid temperature detector provided with metal fins (21c),(22c), respectively, for heat-exchanging with urea solution. The concentration identification sensor unit (2) is provided with a cover member (2d) that forms an opposite-ends-opened urea solution induction passage so as to surround the metal fins (21c),(22c), and an enclosure (2e) that forms communication holes (26),(27) in the top and bottom end plate thereof (2e1),(2e2).

Abstract: Quantitation is performed using data from a mass spectrometer. A calibration ion mass spectrum is acquired for each of a plurality of known quantities of a material. From the calibration spectra a plurality of ions that identify the material is determined, and for each ion of the plurality of ions a linear range and linear function are determined. A sample ion mass spectrum is acquired for an unknown quantity of the material. A sample intensity is measured for each ion of the plurality of ions from the sample spectrum. After acquiring the sample spectrum, one or more ions are selected from the plurality of ions such that the sample intensity of each of the one or more ions is within a linear range of the ion. The unknown quantity is calculated from the sample intensities and linear functions of the one or more ions.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining an environmental footprint of a website are presented. The system includes a website embedded with a unique identifying tag, a user terminal to view the website, an environmental footprint server which identifies the unique identifying tag of the website, and a processor to calculate the environmental footprint of the website based upon time data and the average emissions emitted by a user terminal, the server hosting the website and a network connecting the user terminal and the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.

Abstract: A data acquisition system and method are described that may be used with various spectrometers. The data acquisition system may include an ion detector, an initial processing module, and a spectra processing module. The initial processing module is provided for receiving, sampling, and processing ion detection signals received from the ion detector, and for supplying processed signals to the spectra processing module. The initial processing module includes a horizontal accumulation circuit that combines a fractional number of adjacent samples of the ion detection signals into bins. The number of adjacent samples to combine into bins may vary as a function of: (1) the time of arrival at the ion detector corresponding to that sample; (2) the mass corresponding to that sample; (3) the resolution corresponding to that sample; and/or (4) an operational mode of the spectrometer. The spectra processing module receives the processed signals and generates spectra.

Abstract: Methods of determining analyte concentration. The methods use a fraction of the predicted total charge, from analyte electrolysis, instead of using time, for determination of a data collection endpoint. The total charge is then extrapolated from the data collection endpoint. The analyte concentration is determined from the total charge.

Abstract: A fluorescence detecting device irradiates an object to be measured with a laser beam, receives fluorescence generated from the object and processes a fluorescence signal generated when receiving the fluorescence. The device includes a laser light source section outputting the laser beam for irradiating the object, a light receiving section outputting the fluorescence signal of the fluorescence generated by the irradiated object, a light source control section generates a modulation signal having a frequency in order to time-modulate an intensity of the laser beam, and a processing section that calculates a fluorescence relaxation time of the fluorescence of the object based on the fluorescence signal output from the light receiving section. From the detection values acquired by the device including the phase information on the fluorescence, the intensity of the fluorescence is calculated.

Abstract: A system for selectively determining at least two analytes, comprising at least one resonant sensor circuit comprising a sensing material that predictably affects the resonant complex impedance response of a sensor electrode, wherein the sensing material having at least two material properties that change upon exposure to two or more analytes; and a processor that generates a multivariate sensor response pattern that is based at least in part on a change in the two material properties of the sensing material and a sensing device and methods adapted to detect an analyte using the same sensor system.

Abstract: A test system for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a biological fluid sample comprises: a plurality of test members (16) in a container (10), each test member (16) including reagent means for indicating the catalytic activity of an enzyme when in the presence of a biological fluid containing an analyte acted upon by the enzyme; 0 a test meter (2) for receiving a test member (16), the meter (2) having circuitry for performing a measurement on a test member received therein to produce a measured physical value, means for determining an analyte concentration value for a specified biological fluid from said measured physical value, and means (4) for indicating a determined analyte concentration value; a Container RFID tag (14) associated with the container (10) which includes data specific to said plurality of test members (16); and a Patient RFID tag (28) which includes data specific to a patient; and wherein said test meter (2) includes means for reading and storing data from said Container RFID tag

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid dosage product includes the controlling of a measure of each of at least one property of dissolution of an ingredient of a sample of the solid dosage product, the measure of each of said at least one property being in an advantageous form and/or controlled in an advantageous manner, e.g., as a function of cumulative mass of the ingredient dissolved from the solid dosage product, and/or as determined under a member of certain advantageous dissolution conditions. A method of testing includes the determining and the evaluating of the measure of each of the at least one property in the advantageous form and/or in an advantageous manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for quantifying concentration includes a temporal path-length distribution (TPD) storage unit configured to store a TPD model of a short-time-pulse of light, a time-resolved waveform storage unit configured to store a time-resolved waveform model of the short-time-pulse of light, a light irradiating unit configured to irradiate the short-time-pulse of light, a light receiving unit configured to receive a backscattered light, a measured light intensity acquisition unit configured to acquire a light intensity of the backscattered light, a TPD acquisition unit configured to acquire a TPD, a model light intensity acquisition unit configured to acquire the light intensity of the short-time-pulse of light, a light absorption coefficient calculating unit configured to calculate a light absorption coefficient, and a concentration calculating unit configured to calculate the concentration of a target component.

Abstract: A trans-configurable modular chromatograph assembly is provided with a core unit, at least one column module, and at least one detector module. The core unit includes a controller module having a first computer processing unit, an analogue to digital signal converter, and a thermally insulated enclosure. The enclosure includes a first heater member positioned to heat the thermally insulated first enclosure housing, a first analytes stream inlet, and a first analyte stream conduit. A temperature controller is programmed to maintain the thermally insulated first enclosure at a uniform temperature throughout an analysis. The at least one column module includes a computer processor, means for releasably securing the core unit to a column module, a capillary column, a capillary column heater member, and means for sensing and controlling the temperature of the capillary column. The capillary column has an analyte outlet member in fluid communication with at least one detector module.

Abstract: A field device for measuring the filling level, the pressure or the density of a medium in a container is described. The field device comprises two processors that are separate from each other. The first processor corresponds to a lower safety standard while the second processor corresponds to a higher safety standard. Functions of the field device that are directed towards safety are carried out in the second processor. Functions that are less critical to safety are carried out in the first processor. Data exchange between the two processors is controlled by way of an operating system.

Abstract: A biosensor system determines an analyte concentration using one or more calibrated correlation equations for an optical and/or electrochemical analysis of a biological fluid. The biosensor system may be implemented using a measurement device and a sensor strip. The measurement device applies test signals to a sequential conductive pattern on a sensor strip. The measurement device selectively and sequentially connects test contacts with conductive and non-conductive areas on the sequential conductive pattern, which generates code signals in response to the test signals. The measurement device uses the code signals to calibrate one or more of the correlation equations. The measurement device uses the calibrated correlation equations to determine the analyte concentration.

Abstract: Fixed bond information is derived. A fixed bond representation of a chemical structure is derived from a delocalized representation. A path is conceptually traced through the represented structure and an examination is conducted, for each atom, of each possible electronic and bonding state that is consistent with what has come before along the path. A result is found by extensively or exhaustively examining all possible states and orders in a semi-recursive procedure that is directed early towards likely answers. If there is more than one possible solution, the best solution is chosen by use of a rating function.

Abstract: A method of obtaining pure component mass spectra or pure peak elution profiles from mass spectra of a mixture of components involves estimating number of components in the mixture, filtering noise, and extracting individual component mass spectra or pure peak elution profiles using blind entropy minimization with direct optimization (e.g. downhill simplex minimization). The method may be applied to deconvolution of pure GC/MS spectra of overlapping or partially overlapping isotopologues or other compounds, separation of overlapping or partially overlapping compounds in proteomics or metabolomics mass spectrometry applications, peptide sequencing using high voltage fragmentation followed by deconvolution of the obtained mixture mass spectra, deconvolution of MALDI mass spectra in the separation of multiple components present in a single solution, and specific compound monitoring in security and/or environmentally sensitive areas.

Abstract: A method of processing time-discrete measured values, which can be described in their time characteristic by a first exponential function which has a first time constant, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a first measured value and storing the first measured value, detecting a second measured value and storing the second measured value according to a defined time interval with respect to the detection of the first measured value, filtering the first measured value and second measured value by calculating a sum of the first measured value and a weighted difference between the second measured value and the first measured value, thereby generating time-discrete output values which can be described in their time characteristic by a second exponential function having a second time constant different from the first time constant, and outputting the output values is disclosed.