Abstract: Method for analyzing the alkalinity conditions in aqueous liquids, comprising: sampling a known amount of the aqueous liquid and placing it in a container of known volume, measuring pH in the sampled liquid and pressure in the container, adding a known amount of CO2 to the sampled liquid, and measuring pH in the sampled liquid and the pressure in the container, and finally calculating the total alkalinity based on the values from the performed measurements. An apparatus for conducting the method is also described as well as a method for controlling chemistry of a glycol containing liquid in a system for recovery of glycol.

Abstract: An example method of calibrating a detected intensity of gas components includes measuring an intensity of a reference gas, measuring an intensity of a calibration gas, and calibrating a measurement of an intensity of a test gas using at least a measurement of the intensity of the reference gas and at least a measurement of the intensity of the calibration gas.

Abstract: A method for measuring a sample to identify a chemical includes receiving respective spectra for each of a plurality of chemicals. Using a processor, a plurality of binary mathematical filters are computed using the received spectra. A spatial light modulator is adjusted according to a selected mathematical filter. Light that has interacted with the sample is dispersed over the surface of the spatial light modulator, so that the spatial light modulator provides light at wavelengths corresponding to the selected mathematical filter. The light provided by the spatial light modulator is measured to provide a score corresponding to the selected mathematical filter. Filter scores are combined to determine a chemical amount. The processor can operate detection apparatus having a light source, an objective for focusing source light onto the sample, a spatial light modulator, and a detector for detecting the modulator output.

Abstract: A method of classifying plant embryos according to their quality based on a general form of Lorenz-Bayes classifier is disclosed. First, image or spectral data of plant embryos of known quality are acquired, and the data are divided into two classes according to the embryos' known quality. Second, metrics are calculated from the acquired image or spectral data in each class. Third, multi-dimensional histograms of multiple metrics are prepared for both classes. Fourth, the difference or some other measure of comparison between the two multi-dimensional histograms is obtained. Fifth, image or spectral data of a plant embryo of unknown quality are obtained and metrics are calculated therefrom. Sixth, the embryo of unknown quality is assigned to a class based on its calculated metrics and the result of the comparison as calculated in the fourth step above.

Abstract: A means for determining the electrical resistance and resistivity of thermoelectric material allows quality control at all steps in the construction of a bismuth telluride and antimony telluride thermoelectric generator. The method involves measuring negative thermoelectric voltage with no current flowing and then a measure of negative thermoelectric voltage while forcing known current through the material in the same direction as shorted to accurately determine thermoelectric resistance. A manual and automatic method of manufacturing thermoelectric rings using forcing current for in-process testing means.

Abstract: A method for determining the composition of a material including the steps of fitting multivariate analytical data of the material to a combination of multivariate analytical data in a database to determine coefficients of the combination so as to determine a reference model of composition based on the coefficients and the compositions in the database, wherein the database includes multivariate analytical data of database materials whose compositions are known, and reconciling the reference model of composition to match properties of the material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining properties of hydrocarbonaceous samples including a component prepared from: 1) the thermo-catalytic conversion of biomass, or 2) the pyrolytic conversion of biomass with subsequent upgrading. The determination of the property(ies) is by use of a near-infrared spectra based correlation.

Abstract: An analyzer which acquires first measured data relating to a first parameter and second measured data relating to a second parameter, the first and second measured data being obtained by measuring an analyte, forms a two-dimensional distribution chart that indicates a distribution of tangible components contained in the analyte based upon the first and second measured data, with the first and second parameters being set as two axes of the two-dimensional distribution chart, sets an area on the two-dimensional distribution chart, and forms a frequency distribution chart with respect to tangible components belonging to the area, with the first parameter being set as an axis of the frequency distribution chart is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for chromatogram peak purity determination are provided, where the chromatogram's dimensions consist of retention time, wavelength and absorbance. The apparatus or method accumulates, at each retention time, absorbance in the wavelength direction for all or a part of a wavelength range in a predetermined retention time range; extracts a plurality of groups where, for each group, the absorbance accumulation value is the same for one point on a rising slope and one point on a falling slope regarding a peak that exists on a chromatogram that is prepared based on a 2-dimensional data whose dimensions are absorbance accumulation value and retention time; calculates similarities between absorption spectrum pattern at one point on the rising slope and at one point on the falling slope for each group; and determines from the plurality of groups, whether the peak consists of a single component based on similarity.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a method and apparatus for analyzing a mass spectrum on which multivalent ion peaks originating from a target compound appear, and calculating the mass of the target compound. First, each peak on the mass spectrum is analyzed to detect isotopic clusters, and the valence and the representative point (m/z value) of each isotopic cluster are obtained (S1 through S3). Since the range of the m/z value of the component which is added to or desorbed from the compound is limited, by using this factor, the isotopic clusters originating from the same compound are deduced. By combining the deduced isotopic clusters, the candidates for the m/z value of the added/desorbed component are deduced (S5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting soil nutrients or soil nutrients in soil from reflected light, and also includes systems for the measurement, calculation and transmission of data relating to or carrying out that method.

Abstract: Methods of assisting human users with dosing of aquatic environments, such as aquariums, pools, hot tubs, ponds, etc., that utilize automated monitoring systems that continually monitor various parameters of the water in the aquatic environments. When one or more measured water parameters of an aquatic environment are out of tolerance, a dosing calculator uses water-quality information from a monitoring system to generate dosing instructions for a human user that instruct the user how to dose the aquatic environment with one or more additives that will put the one or more parameters back into tolerance. In some embodiments, input from a user is used to switch the monitoring system to a dosing mode from a normal monitoring mode to track the progress of the dosing more closely than the normal monitoring mode would.

Abstract: Photo-aging monitoring of light-based chemical indicators that experience performance degradation as the cumulative amount of light exposure from measurement and/or reference illumination increases from usage. Cumulative exposure to measurement and/or reference illumination from a monitoring/measuring system is tracked and stored as at one or more locations. Cumulative exposure information can be used to control various actions relating to measurements acquired from the chemical indicators, such as compensating measurement readings for photo-aging, assigning confidence levels to measurement readings, and issuing alerts to users when photo-aging exceeds one or more predetermined thresholds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically evaluating the useful life of an engine oil based on data corresponding to a plurality of preselected key oil properties. The evaluation includes determining, in connection with each of the pre-selected key oil properties, a first current measured oil property value, a first reference oil property value, a first deterioration-limit value, and a first weighting factor. The evaluation also includes determining a single index value, indicating a state of deterioration of the engine oil, in a calculation using each of the values and factors.

Abstract: The present invention comprises devices, systems, methods, and computer program products for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media as part of a medical procedure. The device and system provide a controller that is capable of communicating with a dispensing device so as to extract, arrange, process, and present a data set (e.g., a usage data set) from the dispensing device to a user such that the user may selectively monitor statistics related to the administration of contrast media, saline, or other consumables used during one or more dispensing operations. The method and computer program product for managing data related to the dispensing of contrast media may further allow for extraction, arrangement, processing, and presentation of the data set via the controller, via a user interface that is operably engaged with the dispensing device and/or via a computer network that may be in communication with the dispensing device.

Abstract: Methods to determine drug hydrophobicity and to quantify changes in drug hydrophobicity that optimize drug function by means of differential scanning calorimetry of an endothermic phase transition of a base protein-based polymer, specifically of an elastic-contractile model protein, to which is attached the drug to be evaluated for its hydrophobicity in terms of the change in Gibbs free energy for hydrophobic association, ?GHA have been developed. Also described herein is the preparation of nanoparticles comprised of protein-based polymers, specifically of elastic-contractile model proteins, designed for the binding and desired release rate of a specific drug or class of drugs. Further described herein is a means of targeting the drug-laden nanoparticle to a cell by means of decorating the nanoparticle surface with a molecular entity that selectively binds to the diseased cell or disease causing organism, e.g.

Abstract: A method and device allow the determination of the concentrations of a plurality of gas species in a gas mixture based on the output signals from a plurality of gas sensors, each of which is sensitive to a plurality of gas species in the gas mixture. The method includes measuring the response of each sensor at a number of levels of each gas in the mixture, determining a mathematical representation of the response characteristics of each sensor, and using the mathematical representation to determine gas concentrations from sensor readings.

Abstract: A prediction and assessment tool for bioremediation performance based on a comprehensive understanding of the link between chemical flow and microbial community interactions includes linking molecular microbial ecology data with electron and alkalinity balances to make it possible to understand dechlorinating microbial communities and their metabolic processes. The interactions of biological processes and site mineralogy result in changes to alkalinity and pH that can lead to incomplete reductive dechlorination resulting from suboptimal pH. Understanding these interactions allows for strategies to predict expected bioremediation outcomes and/or to mitigate incomplete reductive dechlorination.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for evaluating corrosion resistance of coated metals substrates, such as autobodies at accelerated rate. An anode and cathode coated with protective coating being tested are exposed to an electrolyte in a chamber of a corrosion resistance evaluator. These coatings are provided with predetermined and standardized defects, such as micro-holes to accelerate the corrosion of the underlying metal substrate in a predictable and repeatable manner. The coated cathode/anode pair is subject to a start-up period followed by series preset DC voltages modulated in a stepwise manner for preset durations that are interspaced with recovery periods. The impedance data collected are then used to arrive at the corrosion performance resistance of the coating applied over the cathode/anode pair. The foregoing evaluator substantially reduces the time required to test corrosion from several days (40 plus days) to few days (about two days).

Abstract: A system, a method and a computer program product for identifying incompatible manufacturing tools. The system receives measurements of products that were subject to a manufacturing process involving a plurality of manufacturing tools. The measurements pertain to a performance characteristic of each product. The system evaluates whether each manufacturing tool implemented in a sequential manufacturing process individually performs normally based on the received measurements. In response to evaluating each manufacturing tool implemented in said manufacturing process individually performs normally, the system evaluates whether a first combination of the manufacturing tools together in sequential manufacturing process perform normally based on the received measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing rapid characterization of an unknown nuclear source are described. A sequential Bayesian particle filter is used to analyze in real time the neutron inter-arrival times to estimate the multiplication of the source, the mass of the spontaneously fissioning isotope, the neutron detection efficiency, and the neutron lifetime. A method defines an array of trial solutions, each specifying a combination of fissile parameters characterizing the source; determines a first time interval between a first neutron and a second neutron detected by the neutron detector; calculates a probability distribution of an array of the parameter values; determines additional time intervals between each subsequent successive pairs of neutrons detected by the neutron detector; and refines the probability distribution based on the additional time intervals using a recursive Bayesian process to estimate the most probable combination of parameter values.

Abstract: A method of measuring a capacitance (C) of a sensor having a working electrode that is coated by an insulating layer and a ligand forming an affinity surface. The method involves the steps of bringing the electrode into contact with an analyte, supplying a constant first current (I1), and a constant second current (I2) of opposite direction to the first current (I1), and a constant third current (I3) of same direction as the first current (I1) during determined time periods to the sensor. Further the method includes sampling the potential (V) built up across the sensor, and calculating the capacitance of the sensor from the inclination (B, D, F, H) of a potential curve received in response to the current supply. A method used for detection of an interaction between a ligand and an analyte is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring radioactive material of an ingot, in which an ingot having a volume produced by subjecting metal waste generated in nuclear fuel processing or production facilities to melting decontamination undergoes gamma spectroscopy using a NaI detector to measure gamma rays of U-235 (185.72 keV, 57.2%) among uranium isotopes, followed by performing detector calibration using a certified reference material and self-absorption correction depending on the density of a medium using MCNP computer code, and which enables rapid determination of whether the ingot subjected to melting decontamination may be self-disposed of or not.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring radioactive material of an ingot, in which an ingot having a volume produced by subjecting metal waste generated in nuclear fuel processing or production facilities to melting decontamination undergoes gamma spectroscopy using a HPGe detector to measure gamma rays of U-235 (185.72 key, 57.2%) among uranium isotopes, followed by performing detector calibration using a certified reference material and self-absorption correction depending on the density of a medium using MCNP computer code, and which enables rapid determination of whether the ingot subjected to melting decontamination may be self-disposed of or not.

Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochloritc, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.

Abstract: A method of producing an alkylene oxide includes passing a reaction mixture comprising alkylene, oxygen and a gaseous chlorine-containing promoter species over a supported catalyst containing silver and a promoting amount of rhenium to undergo an epoxidation reaction at a first operating condition. The method further includes subsequently performing the epoxidation reaction at a preferred operating condition. The preferred operating condition is characterized by an efficiency of the epoxidation reaction toward the alkylene oxide where the efficiency is lower than that of a maximum efficiency achievable at an operating temperature corresponding to the preferred operating condition.

Abstract: A method for determining the oxygen concentration of a sample made of a semiconductor material includes a heat treatment step of the sample to form thermal donors, the measurement of the resistivity in an area of the sample, the determination of the thermal donor concentration from a relation expressing the charge carrier mobility according to an ionized dopant impurity concentration, by adding to the dopant impurity concentration four times the thermal donor concentration, and from the measured resistivity value. The method finally includes determining the oxygen concentration from the thermal donor concentration.

Abstract: Provided are a water toxicity detecting apparatus and a method using sulfur particles.

Abstract: In a method of preparing a liquid solution by mixing ingredients according to a predetermined recipe, wherein at least one pair of species of the liquid solution is derived from a weak electrolyte and corresponds to an acid-base pair, the conductivity of the liquid solution is predicted by: (i) for each pair of species derived from a weak electrolyte, solving a respective equilibrium equation to calculate the actual molar concentration of each such species at equilibrium in the liquid solution, (ii) calculating for each ionic species of said plurality of species the molar conductivity by the formula: ?=?0?K×Sqrt(c) wherein ? is the molar conductivity, ?0 is the molar conductivity at infinite dilution, c is the concentration, and K is the Kohlrausch coefficient, and wherein K and ?0 are predetermined values for K and ?0 for each ionic species, (iii) calculating the conductivity x for each ionic species by the formula: ?=c×? and (iv) adding up the conductivities determined in step (iii) for

Abstract: A measuring method of an intermolecular interaction for optically measuring an intermolecular interaction between a plurality of substances on a thin film, the method comprising: detecting intensity at a first wavelength of reflected light or transmitted light before start of the intermolecular interaction with a detection unit which detects the reflected light from the thin film or the transmitted light transmitted through the thin film; detecting intensity at the first wavelength of the reflected light or the transmitted light after the start of the intermolecular interaction with the detection unit; and calculating a difference in intensity of the reflected light or the transmitted light at the first wavelength between before and after the start of the intermolecular interaction.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for rapidly and accurately determining the lipophilicity of a wide variety of substances.

Abstract: A system for managing a concrete delivery vehicle having a mixing drum 14 and hydraulic drive 16 for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor 20 configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor 22 coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the drum, and a communications port 26 configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system 28 commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum. Temperature readings are further used to qualify or evaluate a load. Also, water purge connections facilitate cold weather operation.

Abstract: An exemplary method for measuring the electrical resistance and/or electrical conductivity of solutions, includes: exciting the electrodes with a rectangular shaped, alternating current of a certain frequency fH through a connecting cable; synchronously rectifying a voltage of the electrodes of the measuring cell in response to the alternating current, calculating a first average voltage, dividing the first average voltage by the current amplitude to obtain a first impedance RH; then exciting the electrodes with a rectangular shaped, alternating current of another frequency fL through the connecting cable; synchronously rectifying the voltage of the electrodes in response to the alternating current, calculating a second average voltage, and dividing the second average voltage by the current amplitude to obtain a second impedance RL.

Abstract: There is provided a method for determining Total Acid Number (TAN) in a fluid fossil fuel, such as a crude oil, comprising: separating said fluid fossil fuel by liquid chromatography into a plurality of fractions, comprising at least one acidic fraction; determining boiling point distribution of said crude oil, of said acidic fraction, and of said polyacidic fraction by simulated distillation (SD); and correlating said boiling point distributions to acid molecular weights to determine the TAN.

Abstract: A method for the determination of optimal pipestill operation comprising the steps of: feeding a crude oil feedstream into the pipestill wherein the crude oil feedstream is separated into boiling range fractions, performing a virtual assay of the crude oil feedstream to determine predicted boiling range fraction yields, comparing the predicted boiling range fraction yields with the actual boiling range fraction yields from the pipestill to determine differences between these fraction yields, relating the difference between the fraction yields with the operation of the pipestill.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and a method of spectrometry are disclosed wherein liquid chromatography mass spectral data are probabilistically clustered on the basis of mass to charge ratio and retention time.

Abstract: A method for determining a condition indicator of a water analysis apparatus includes determining a respective parameter value for each of at least two different technical parameters of the water analysis apparatus. A respective deviation value of each of the parameter values is determined with respect to an associated respective parameter reference value for each of the technical parameters. A respective deviation relevance value from each of the deviation values is determined using a respective parameter-specific deviation relevance function for each of the parameter values, the parameter-specific deviation relevance functions being different from each other. Using an indicator function, a condition indicator is calculated from the determined deviation relevance values.

Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement of the invention includes: At least one measuring device, which generates, repeatedly during operation, measured values, especially digital, measured values, representing the at least one measured variable to be registered; as well as an electronic data processing system superordinated to the at least one measuring device, especially a data processing system which is spatially distributed and/or spatially remote from the measuring device. Measuring device and data processing system are connected together by means of at least two line-pairs, through each of which an electrical current flows, at least at times, during operation. According to the invention, the measuring device transmits the internally generated, measured values to the data processing system via both line-pairs. In this way, it is then possible to transmit a plurality of measured values simultaneously, when each of the two line-pairs is embodied as part of a two-conductor current-loop.

Abstract: Methods for generating putative ligand structures capable of altering the activity of a target effector molecule comprise: constructing an elongated monomer of the target effector molecule; constructing a three dimensional model of the target effector molecule under the influence of elongation using empirical three dimensional data, the model including a conformation revealing the binding portion of the target effector molecule to a putative ligand structure; generating a plurality of computational models of the target effector molecule; filtering the plurality of computational models against the three dimensional model created experimentally using a reiterative simulation analysis algorithm operable to identify and select a plurality of computational models having a root-mean square deviation below a predetermined threshold when compared to the three dimensional model of the target effector molecule; screening a plurality of ligands to rank the binding strength of each ligand with the plurality of computatio

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for characterizing complex polymeric mixture of interest. Candidate solutions are eliminated from a solution space using one or more experimental measurements of a polymeric mixture of interest. The elimination step can be repeated one or more times using different experimental measurements produced by various chemical and physical protocols, so that the remaining candidate solutions converge to describe the actual polymeric mixture under investigation. Once the composition of the complex polymeric mixture has been characterized, the information thus generated can be used to facilitate, for example, the manufacture of a bio-equivalent of the complex polymeric mixture.

Abstract: A control system for industrial water systems that utilizes multiple measurements of information and models to decide optimal control actions to maximize corrosion/scaling/fouling inhibition and particulate dispersancy performance and minimize cost of water and treatment chemicals. This system is capable of automatic operation for a wide range of process conditions, ensures multiple performance objectives, achieves robust operation under a variety or un-measurable disturbances and achieves the least costly solution delivery.

Abstract: A method for monitoring global crude oil quality. The method includes the steps of obtaining samples of a crude oil having a quality, generating characterization data from measurements of samples of the crude oil, determining values of properties of an assay of the crude oil using the data of step a), storing the values of the properties of the assay in a database, determining deviations of the values of the properties of the assay from the values of the properties of a recommended assay having a quality, determining a statistical significance of the deviations of the values of the properties of the assay from the values of the properties of the recommended assay to determine if the crude oil quality is different from the quality of the recommended assay, and determining if the statistical significance indicates a change in the economic valuation between the assay and the recommended assay.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for identifying unknown drug targets via adverse event data. An analyzer receives an identification of a first drug having one or more unknown target proteins and identifies a second drug related to the first drug. The analyzer retrieves, from an adverse event database, a first side effect profile associated with the first drug, and a second side effect profile associated with the second drug. The analyzer generates a third side effect profile comprising a subset of the first side effect profile not shared by the second side effect profile, and identifies a third drug having a fourth side effect profile comprising the third side effect profile. The analyzer retrieves a list of one or more target proteins of the third drug not targeted by the second drug, and presents the retrieved list as potential target proteins of the first drug.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, method and computer-readable medium for isolating chemical exchange saturation transfer contrast from magnetization transfer asymmetry under two-frequency RF irradiation. A two-pool model for magnetization transfer (MT) can be established fully based on Provotorov's theory of saturation, and then extended to the situation of simultaneous two-frequency RF irradiation. Numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate that two-frequency RF irradiation can make MT effects independent of irradiation frequency over a wide range, and thus can suppress MT asymmetry. Exemplary embodiments can be provided to isolate chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast from MT asymmetry contrast by using the two-frequency RF irradiation technique. A further embodiment can isolate a narrow-frequency spectrum MT mechanism from a broad-frequency spectrum MT mechanism.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is directed to a method of detecting an emulsion in a turbid brine, the method comprising the steps of disposing an aliquot of the turbid brine into a sample container to produce a test sample; adding one or more drops of a dye solution comprising an oil-soluble dye dissolved in a nonaqueous base fluid to said test sample; and determining the configuration of the dye solution after a period of time on a surface of the test sample, wherein a configuration of the dye solution forming a ring around the perimeter of the sample container at the interface of a wall of the sample container and the turbid brine indicates an emulsion is present in the turbid brine, and wherein a configuration of the dye solution forming a single dot or a plurality of dots on the surface of the turbid brine indicates an emulsion is not present in the turbid brine.

Abstract: A reaction characteristic detector comprising a ladder assembly including a plurality of rungs, where each rung in the plurality of rungs comprises a reaction passage determiner spaced a distance from a point of an energetic material reaction initiation. Each reaction passage determiner has at least one characteristic that is configured to change in response to the reaction occurring proximate to the reaction passage determiner.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method for determining an exhaust system condition includes determining if a reaction in an oxidation catalyst is performing acceptably based on a determined temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from the oxidation catalyst and determining a temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from a particulate filter. The method further includes determining a temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into the oxidation catalyst, determining an exhaust system condition based on a first difference between the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from the particulate filter and the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from the oxidation catalyst and a second absolute difference between the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing from the oxidation catalyst and the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into the oxidation catalyst and communicating a signal to identify the determined exhaust system condition.

Abstract: An ion guide or mass analyser is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes having apertures through which ions are transmitted in use. A pseudo-potential barrier is created at the exit of the ion guide or mass analyser. The amplitude or depth of the pseudo-potential barrier is inversely proportional to the mass to charge ratio of an ion. One or more transient DC voltages are applied to the electrodes of the ion guide or mass analyser in order to urge ions along the length of the ion guides or mass analyser. The amplitude of the transient DC voltage applied to the electrode may be increased with time so that ions are caused to be emitted from the ion guide or mass analyser in reverse order of their mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods providing data such as, for example, calibration and reagent information (30) over a network (6) to a measurement apparatus (4) which makes use of a consumable reagent (18) in a measuring process are disclosed. The present invention permits a measurement apparatus (4) to download the necessary code assignment (24) and calibration data (32) of the consumable reagent (18) by means of an electronic communication protocol from a host (33). The host (33) can be a software application running on a host computer (34), another measurement apparatus (50, 58) with or without a code-key slot used to read a memory device providing the above mentioned information (30), a dedicated connectivity device, such as a docking station (44), a portable memory reader (48), a remote computer (54), and combinations thereof.