Detection of intact amino acids with a hypervelocity ice grain impact mass spectrometer.

Astrobiology studies are a top priority in answering one of the most fundamental questions in planetary science: Is there life beyond Earth? Saturn's icy moon Enceladus is a prime target in the search for life in our solar system, identified by NASA as the second-highest priority site for a flagship mission in the next decade. The orbital sampling technique of impact ionization mass spectrometry indicated the presence of complex organics in the small icy plume particles ejected by Enceladus encountered previously by Cassini. However, high interaction velocities caused ambiguity as to the origin and identity of the organics.

Ambient analysis by thermal desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization.

Ambient mass spectrometry has attracted substantial attention in recent years. Among ambient ionization methods, thermal desorption ionization stands out because of two attributes: (1) simplicity, rendering the technique suitable for in-field applications, and (2) ability to couple with a variety of gas-phase ionization methods thereby broadening the range of molecules that can be analyzed with this method. Here, we report on improving the performance of a direct analysis in real time (DART) source by implementing atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) downstream of the desorption region.

Ultra performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-tandem mass spectrometry for high-sensitivity and high-throughput analysis of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 16 priority pollutants polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

In this work, we demonstrate the utility of ultra performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-APPI-MS/MS) for high-sensitivity and high-throughput analysis of United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) 16 priority pollutants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Electrospray ionization/atmospheric pressure photoionization multimode source for low-flow liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis.

Analysis of several polar and non-polar compounds is performed with a newly developed dual electrospray ionization/atmospheric pressure photoionization (ESI/APPI) or ESPI source. Several variables are considered in the source, such as ESI probe heater temperature, solvent flow, dopant effects, repeller plate voltage, source geometry and photon energy (Kr vs. Ar lamp).

Comparison of atmospheric pressure photoionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for normal-phase LC/MS chiral analysis of pharmaceuticals.

In this work, we compared APPI and APCI for normal-phase LC/MS chiral analysis of five pharmaceuticals. Performance was compared both by FIA and by on-column analysis using a ChiralPak AD-H column under optimized conditions. By comparison, APPI generated more reproducible signals and was less susceptible to ion suppression than APCI.

Perinatal patient safety from the perspective of nurse executives: a round table discussion.

Six nurse executives across the United States discussed issues related to perinatal patient safety. Gaps in communication were identified as one of the biggest challenges facing nurse executives. Other issues included expectations of regulators and accreditors, the pressure for productivity with limited resources and staffing, and undercapitalized technology versus safety and staff competence.

Atmospheric pressure photoionization. II. Dual source ionization.

In this paper we describe results based on the combination of atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI). The main purpose of combining more than one ionizer is to extend the range of compounds that can be simultaneously analyzed. Three modes of operation are presented; use of either ionizer, simultaneous use of two ionizers, and rapid switching between ionizers during a single chromatographic run.

Atmospheric pressure photoionization. 1. General properties for LC/MS.

In this work, we describe the performance of an atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) source for sampling liquid flows. The results presented here primarily focus on the mechanism of direct photoionization (PI), as compared to the dopant mechanism of PI. Measured detection limits for direct APPI were comparable to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI; e.

Field-portable, high-speed GC/TOFMS.

This work is focused on developing a fast gas chromatograph, time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC/TOFMS) for man-portable field use. The goal is to achieve a total system solution for meeting performance, size, weight, power, cost, and ruggedness requirements for a laboratory in the field. The core technology will also be adaptable to specific applications including real-time point detection for hazardous chemical releases (e.

Desperately seeking synergy: the journey to systems integration of women's health services.

Providing women's health services can be a profitable enterprise. With 70% of health care purchases being made by women for themselves and their families, focusing on women as health care consumers strengthens the entire system. However, shrinking reimbursement and market pressures are creating an atmosphere of financial instability in health care.