Abstract: Disclosed are methods for improving compound detection and characterization. Methods for characterizing a sample are disclosed. The methods can include providing a sample to a liquid chromatography system capable of sample separation to generate sample components; analyzing sample components by multiplexed targeted selected ion monitoring (SIM) to generate an inclusion list; and performing iterative mass spectral data-dependent acquisition (DDA) from the inclusion list, to identify individual sample components thereby characterizing the sample. In one example, multiplexed targeted SIMs and iterative MS2 DDA acquisition is used to increase robust compound identification for cell culture medium analysis.

Abstract: A known compound and at least one adduct, modified form, or peptide of the known compound are separated from a sample mixture and analyzed. An XIC is calculated for each of M product ions of the known compound and L product ions of the at least one adduct, modified form, or peptide. A first XIC peak group is calculated from the M XICs and a second XIC peak group is calculated from the L XICs using curve subtraction. Representative first and second XIC peaks are selected for the two XIC peak groups. The retention time of the second XIC peak is shifted by an expected retention time difference found from a database. The retention time of the first XIC peak is verified as the retention time of the known compound if the difference of the retention times of the first and second XIC peaks is within a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ion accumulation are disclosed. An apparatus for ion accumulation includes multiple regions. A first region receives and transfers ions to a second region using a first drive potential. The second region is switchable between a first state where it generates a first electric field preventing ions from further movement and entering a third region, and a second state where it generates a second electric field that guides the ions toward the third region. When in the first state, the ions are prevented from further movement by the first electric field, which causes the ions to accumulate in the second region. When in the second state, the ions are moved from the second region to the third region by the second electric field. A method of accumulating ions involves switching an electric field applied to a region between a trap state and a release state.

Abstract: A sample support includes: a substrate having a plurality of through-holes opening on a first surface and on a second surface; a first member having a plurality of first openings and disposed on the first surface; a second member having a plurality of second openings and disposed on the second surface, and; a bonding member disposed between the first member and the second member; and a conductive layer integrally provided on a region of the second surface corresponding to each of the plurality of second openings. The plurality of through-holes include a plurality of first through-holes located between each of the plurality of first openings and each of the plurality of second openings, and a plurality of second through-holes located between the first member and the second member. Each of the plurality of second openings communicate with each of the plurality of first openings through the plurality of first through-holes.

Abstract: An ion source ionizes a compound, producing precursor ions with different m/z values. A reagent source supplies charge reducing reagent. An ion guide is positioned between a mass filter and both the ion source and the reagent source. The ion guide applies an AC voltage and DC voltage to its electrodes that creates a pseudopotential to trap the precursor ions in the ion guide below a threshold m/z. This AC voltage, in turn, causes the trapped precursor ions to be charge reduced by the reagent so that m/z values of the trapped precursor ions increase to a single m/z value above the threshold m/z. The ion guide applies the DC voltage to its electrodes relative to a DC voltage applied to electrodes of the mass filter that causes the precursor ions with m/z values increased to the single m/z value to be continuously transmitted to the mass filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis of NAFLD in a subject, and for the differential diagnosis of NASH or steatosis in a subject suffering from NAFLD, based on the determination in a sample of metabolic markers, particularly lipid metabolic markers.

Abstract: A user may select one or more potential common ancestors with a DNA match to view the target individual's relationship with them. The process may include identifying, from a first genealogical profile of the target individual. A first individual has a first linkage that connects the target individual towards the selected potential common ancestor. The process may also include identifying, from a second genealogical profile of the DNA match, a second individual who has a second linkage that connects the DNA match towards the selected potential common ancestor. The process may further include connecting the first linkage and the second linkage with the selected potential common ancestor by adding one or more individuals whose profiles are retrieved from other searchable genealogical profiles stored in the online system. With the nodes and connections available, the process may generate a map of visual connections between the target individual and the DNA match.

Abstract: An ion trap mass spectrometer includes an ion trap including a first electrode and a second electrode different from the first electrode, a first voltage controller that periodically switches a DV voltage among DC voltages having a plurality of values and apply the DV voltages to the first electrode, and a second voltage controller that applies a sine-wave voltage to the second electrode when ions captured in the ion trap are dissociated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for FTMS-based analysis having an improved duty cycle relative to conventional FTMS techniques are provided herein. In various aspects, the methods and systems described herein operate on a continuous ion beam, thereby eliminating the relatively long duration trapping and cooling steps associated with Penning traps or orbitraps of conventional FTMS systems, as well as provide increased resolving power by sequentially interrogating the continuous ion beam under different radially-confining field conditions.

Abstract: The methods and systems may include LC-MS/MS. For example the method may include obtaining MS/MS data for a predetermined MS/MS transition for THC and/or at least one THC metabolite and CBD and/or at least one CBD metabolite, and determining a ratio of the amount of the CBD and/or at least one CBD metabolite to the amount of the THC and/or at least one THC metabolite for the biological sample. In certain embodiments, the methods and/or systems are used to distinguish CBD from THC use in a subject.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting a biomarker indicating states of a target biological system based on data acquired by measuring the target biological system. The method includes the steps of: preparing a reference dataset based on data acquired from one or more reference biological systems; generating a target dataset by adding, to the reference dataset, target biological data acquired from the target biological system; acquiring first correlation coefficients between a plurality of factor items in the reference dataset; acquiring second correlation coefficients between the plurality of factor items in the target dataset; acquiring difference correlation coefficients that are differences between the first correlation coefficients and the second correlation coefficients; acquiring indexes respectively for the plurality of factor items based on the difference correlation coefficients; and selecting the biomarker based on the indexes.

Abstract: A system and method for storing sensed values in an optical receiver corresponding to time-of-flight windows for receiving optical signals elicited by emitted optical pulses includes at least one photodetector, a storage array, and a control circuit. The at least one photodetector is configured to generate output signals indicative of received optical signals. The storage array includes a plurality of storage elements and is connected to receive and store the output signals from the at least one photodetector corresponding to at least a portion of a time-of-flight receive window.

Abstract: An ion detector comprises a surface configured to receive one or more ions and a detector configured to detect one or more ions by detecting electromagnetic radiation scattered by one or more ions at the surface.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatuses for liquid substance vaporization and concentration level determination are provided. An example apparatus may include a constant temperature chamber having a vaporization housing that includes a capillary component disposed within and a syringe assembly configured to inject a liquid substance to the capillary component. An example method may include determining an injection rate for injecting the liquid substance to the capillary component, determining a flow rate of the gaseous substance in the vaporization housing, and calculating a concentration level of a vaporized substance based on the injection rate and the flow rate.

Abstract: A portable terminal capable of executing a plurality of applications at the same time comprising a system controller configured to determine whether or not a background application can be executed in the background while the foreground application is being executed and executes the background application in the background, wherein the system controller determines whether or not the background application can be executed in the background based on information about the foreground application and environment suitability information from during the execution of the foreground application.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating neutrons may include: a hollow casing configured to rotate about a central axis, the casing including a wall having a central region substantially at the central axis and a peripheral region, wherein the wall defines a cavity, and wherein the cavity is configured to contain a first coolant fluid; an active layer at least partially on the peripheral region external to the cavity, wherein the active layer is configured to realize a neutron-generating reaction; at least one particle accelerator configured to direct an ion beam on the active layer to activate the neutron-generating reaction; movement means configured to rotate the casing about the central axis and to force the first coolant fluid to contact the wall at the active layer for cooling the casing; and external cooling including a second coolant fluid contacting at least an external portion of the wall.

Abstract: Systems and multiplexing methods for measuring the mass of multiple large molecules simultaneously using multiple ion trapping with charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) are described. The methods trap ions with a broad range of energies that decouple ion frequency and m/z measurements allowing energy measurements of each ion throughout the acquisition. The ion energy may be obtained from the ratio of the intensity of the fundamental to the second harmonic frequencies of the periodic trapping oscillation making it possible to measure both the m/z and charge of each ion. Because ions with the exact same m/z but different energies appear at different frequencies, the probability of ion-ion interference is significantly reduced. By maximizing the decoupling of ion m/z from frequency, the rate of signal overlap is significantly reduced making it possible to trap more ions and substantially reduce analysis time.

Abstract: A method for detecting radicals in process gases in a semiconductor fabrication assembly is provided where the semiconductor fabrication includes a plasma source and a mass spectrometer with an ion source. The method includes separating ions from the process gases and determining a fixed electron energy in which to measure the process gases. Process gases in the semiconductor fabrication assembly are continuously sampled. A first measurement is performed on the sampled process gases at the electron energy using the mass spectrometer, where the first measurement is performed with the plasma source off. A second measurement of the sampled process gases is performed at the fixed electron energy using the mass spectrometer, where the second measurement is performed with the plasma source on. An amount of a radical present in the sampled process gases is determined as a difference between the second measurement and the first measurement.

Abstract: An analysis operator checks an optical microscopic image obtained with an imaging mass microscope and indicates a color characteristic of an area which the analysis operator is focusing on. An optical microscopic image feature extractor calculates luminance distribution data in the indicated color. An image position adjustment processor performs a position adjustment process on a luminance distribution image derived from the optical microscopic image and an MS imaging graphic, while a resolution adjuster equalizes their spatial resolutions. A statistical analysis processor calculates a coefficient of spatial correlation between the luminance distribution image and the MS imaging graphic for each mass-to-charge ratio. Based on the calculated correlation coefficients, an analysis result display processor extracts a mass-to-charge ratio which shows an ion intensity distribution similar to the luminance distribution image. and displays it on a display unit.

Abstract: In some implementations, a sensing device associated with less than a 360 degree measurement range may obtain a set of signal values. The sensing device may be configured to sense a magnetic field present at the sensing device and collect sensor data based on the magnetic field. The set of signal values may be included in the sensor data collected by the sensing device and may correspond to one or more components of the magnetic field present at the sensing device. The sensing device may determine, based on the set of signal values, a set of calibration points and a set of angular positions. The sensing device may calculate a set of calibration parameters based on the set of calibration points and the set of angular positions. The sensing device may utilize the set of calibration parameters to perform one or more safety checks.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for precursor and neutral loss scan in an ion trap. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system that includes a mass spectrometer having an ion trap, and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU includes storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to excite a precursor ion and eject a product ion in the single ion trap.

Abstract: A capacitive trans-impedance amplifier comprising a voltage amplifier having an inverting input terminal for connection to an input current source. A feed-back capacitor is coupled between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal to accumulate charges received from the input current source and to generate a feed-back voltage accordingly. A calibration unit includes a calibration capacitor electrically coupled, via a calibration switch, to the inverting input terminal and electrically coupled to the feed-back capacitor. The calibration unit is operable to switch the calibration switch to a calibration state permitting a discharge of a quantity of charge from the calibration capacitor to the feed-back capacitor.

Abstract: Improved ion mirrors 30 (FIG. 3) are proposed for multi-reflecting TOF MS and electrostatic traps. Minor and controlled variation by means of arranging a localized wedge field structure 35 at the ion retarding region was found to produce major tilt of ion packets time fronts 39. Combining wedge reflecting fields with compensated deflectors is proposed for electrically controlled compensation of local and global misalignments, for improved ion injection and for reversing ion motion in the drift direction. Fine ion optical properties of methods and embodiments are verified in ion optical simulations.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a computer-implemented method for filtering out at least one selected ion from an ion beam by the following steps: determining the selected ion with a selected ion mass, selected charge and/or selected mass to charge ratio; determining at least one predefinable region with predefinable ions, whose ion masses, charges and/or mass to charge ratios are greater than or smaller than the selected ion mass, the selected charge and/or the selected mass to charge ratio of the selected ion; isolating the predefinable region of the ion beam along a trajectory of the ion beam, and detecting the predefinable ions within the predefinable region. In addition, the present disclosure includes to a computer program which is configured to perform a method according to the present disclosure and to a computer program product having the computer program.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and assay systems for use in spatially encoded biological assays. The invention provides an assay system comprising an assay capable of high levels of multiplexing where reagents are provided to a biological sample in defined spatial patterns; instrumentation capable of controlled delivery of reagents according to the spatial patterns; and a decoding scheme providing a readout that is digital in nature.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at an antibody conjugate having an antibody and a tag, wherein one or more element(s) present in the antibody exhibit an isotope ratio which differs from the naturally occurring isotope ratio of the one or more element(s), wherein the amount of the isotope which is less-common in nature, is increased to at least 4% of the atoms of the respective element in the antibody, as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising providing a sample to be analysed, separating successive populations of ions from said sample in a separator, wherein said populations of ions are introduced into said separator at regular intervals, and the intervals are timed such that at least some ions in a subsequent population of ions overlap ions in a preceding population of ions, varying one or more parameters of said separator such that different populations of ions experience different separation conditions, detecting ions from said populations of ions and obtaining a convolved data set, and de¬ convolving said convolved data set using the known variance of the parameters and outputting data corresponding to the successive populations of ions.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a mass spectrometry based method for detecting serum metabolite, and relates to the technical field of mass spectrometric detection.

Abstract: An extraction section extracts a basic pattern of chemical noise included in a mass spectrum. A generation section generates pseudo chemical noise as a connected body of a plurality of pseudo fragments generated by intensity correction of the basic pattern. A removal section removes the pseudo chemical noise from the mass spectrum.

Abstract: Improved multi-pass time-of-flight mass spectrometers MPTOF, either multi-reflecting (MR) or multi-turn (MT) TOF are proposed with elongated pulsed converters—either orthogonal accelerator or radially ejecting ion trap. The converter 35 is displaced from the MPTOF s-surface of isochronous ion motion in the orthogonal Y-direction. Long ion packets 38 are pulsed deflected in the transverse Y-direction and brought onto said isochronous trajectory s-surface, this way bypassing said converter. Ion packets are isochronously focused in the drift Z-direction within or immediately after the accelerator, either by isochronous trans-axial lens/wedge 68 or Fresnel lens. The accelerator is improved by the ion beam confinement within an RF quadrupolar field or within spatially alternated DC quadrupolar field. The accelerator improves the duty cycle and/or space charge capacity of MPTOF by an order of magnitude.

Abstract: Targeted quantification for mass spectrometry is described. In one aspect, a mass spectrometer can generate survey mass spectra and identify the compounds of a sample using the survey mass spectra. Compounds that elute within a same time range and do not form interfering product ions upon fragmentation can be identified, and grouped together for an MS2 scan. A series of MS2 scans can then be generated to acquire MS2 mass spectra.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry for analyzing a sample within a mass range of interest includes the steps: ionizing the sample to produce a plurality of precursor ions; performing an MS1 scan of the precursor ions comprising mass analyzing the precursor ions across the mass range of interest, to obtain an MS1 mass spectrum of the precursor ions; determining ion intensity values within the MS1 mass spectrum; selecting precursor mass segments within the mass range of interest, and for each precursor mass segment: fragmenting the precursor ions within that precursor mass segment; and performing an MS2 scan of the fragmented ions by: controlling an amount of fragmented ions for that precursor mass segment, based on an intensity value for that precursor mass segment derived from the MS1 spectrum; and mass analyzing the amount of fragmented ions.

Abstract: An ion mobility separator comprises an RF-device for transversely confining ions in an ion region using: (a) a first set of electrodes arranged parallel to one another along a direction of ion travel to define a first transverse boundary of the ion region, and that are supplied with a first RF-voltage such that different phases of the first RF-voltage are applied to adjacent electrodes of the first set; and (b) a second set of electrodes arranged parallel to one another along said direction of ion travel to define a second transverse boundary of the ion region, and that are supplied with a second RF-voltage such that different phases of the second RF-voltage are applied to adjacent electrodes of the second set, the first and second transverse boundaries being substantially opposite each other in a transverse direction of the ion region and the first and second RF voltages having different frequencies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a neutral atom imaging unit, a neutral atom imager, a neutral atom imaging method, and a space detection system. The neutral atom imaging unit includes at least one set of detection units, the at least one set of detection units includes: at least one semiconductor detector line array, each semiconductor detector line array includes a semiconductor detector strip composed of a plurality of semiconductor detectors; and at least one modulation grid. The modulation grid includes a slit and a slat forming the slit; the modulation grid includes a plurality of grid periods, each of the grid periods includes n slits, the width of the semiconductor detector strip is d, and the width (wi) of the i-th slit of the modulation grid satisfies the following relationship: w i = n i × d .

Abstract: An ion funnel fabricated from at least three faces that are each formed from a printed circuit board is described. In one aspect the faces are arranged edge to edge and there is provided a set of guard rails proximal to the edges to bias ions away from the edges. In another aspect slots are provided within the circuit board to facilitate an escape of gases from within the funnel.

Abstract: Synchronized ion modification systems and techniques are described. An ion modifier can be used to modify a portion of ions that enter a drift chamber via a gate that controls entry of the ions to the drift chamber. A controller that is communicatively coupled to the ion modifier is configured to control the ion modifier to select a portion of the ion to be modified. In embodiments, the controller selects the portion based on a detector's previous response to other ions that are formed from a sample from which the ions were formed. The other ions, for example, correspond to ions that are associated with a peak in previous operation of a spectrometer.

Abstract: An environmental sampling chamber for sampling the particulates and substances emitted from a test sample when the surface of the sample is ablated. The sampling chamber avoids the need for clean rooms and other expensive testing apparatus and can be used to test a variety of materials in accordance with standard measurement procedures. Use of the testing chamber and methods assists with safety and risk evaluation in applications such as painting and removal of coatings.

Abstract: A method of analysing a structure of a composition of matter in a sample includes obtaining a data set comprising a plurality of spectra from the composition, from a first method of analysis, dividing each of the spectra into a plurality of bins, determining a control parameter or parameters indicative of synchronised fluctuations in signal intensity across some or all channels, resulting in universal correlation between said bins, and determining a partial covariance of different bins across the plurality of spectra using the control parameter to correct the correlation of intensity fluctuations between said bins.

Abstract: A method of carrying out mass spectrometry, comprising: using an electrostatic or electrodynamic ion trap to contain a plurality of ions, each ion having a mass to charge ratio, the ions having a first plurality of mass to charge ratios, each ion following a path within the electrostatic or electrodynamic ion trap having a radius; and for each of a second plurality of the mass to charge ratios: modulating the radii of the ions in a mass to charge ratio-dependent fashion dependent upon the mass to charge ratio; fragmenting the ions thus modulated in a radius-dependent fashion; and determining a mass spectrum of the ions.

Abstract: A multi-pass time-of-flight mass spectrometer is disclosed having an elongated orthogonal accelerator (30). The orthogonal accelerator (30) has electrodes (31) that are transparent to the ions so that ions that are reflected or turned back towards it are able to pass through the orthogonal accelerator (30). The electrodes (31) of the orthogonal accelerator (30) may be pulsed from ground potential in order to avoid the reflected or turned ion packets being defocused. The spectrometer has a high duty cycle and/or space charge capacity of pulsed conversion.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprises an interface for receiving an ion beam from an ion source, a mass analyzer unit for selecting from the received ion beam, in two or more time periods, ions having different ranges of mass-to-charge ratios, a first detection unit for detecting, in each of said time period, ions within a selected range and producing first detection signals representative of quantities of detected ions having respective mass-to-charge ratios, and a second detection unit arranged between the interface and the mass analyzer unit for producing a second detection signal representative of a total intensity of the ion beam received from the ion source as a function of time. The mass spectrometer further comprises a processing unit for normalizing the first detection signals by using the second detection signal, which processing unit may output a ratio of normalized first detection signals.

Abstract: A method for determining in a sample, by mass spectrometry, the amount of one or more analytes selected from the group consisting of 12,13-DiHOME, 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), 3-hydroxyoctanoate, 3-methylglutarylcarnitine, 3-ureidopropionate, 7-alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7-Hoca), citrate, fucose, fumarate, gamma-tocopherol, glutamate, glutarate, glycerol, glycochenodeoxycholate, glycocholate, hypoxanthine, maleate, malonate, mannose, orotate, 2,3-pyrdinedicarboxylate, ribose, serine, taurine, taurochenodeoxycholate, taurocholate, palmitoleate, linolenate, xanthine, xylitol, and combinations thereof is described.

Abstract: A precursor ion selection processing unit (22) sequentially selects precursor ions having different mass-to-charge ratios, and causes an MS/MS spectrum data acquisition processing unit (23) to acquire MS/MS spectrum data corresponding to each precursor ion. The precursor ion selection processing unit (22) sequentially selects the precursor ion having a mass-to-charge ratio which is not included in a predetermined range with respect to a mass-to-charge ratio of the precursor ion for which the MS/MS spectrum data has already been acquired.

Abstract: A method of determining one or more interference parameters for a particular peak of an isotopic distribution corresponding to a precursor molecule in MS scan data is provided. The MS scan data comprises a plurality of peaks. Each peak has a mass-to-charge ratio and a relative abundance. The isotopic distribution comprises a subset of the plurality of peaks. The one or more interference parameters comprises a peak purity, pi, for the particular peak. The method comprises determining that there are no interfering peaks relevant to the isotopic distribution and determining that the peak purity, pi, for the particular peak should be a maximum purity value.

Abstract: A multipole with mounting rings arranged on its end faces for mounting the multipole in a mass spectrometer includes two electrode half-shells each having at least two electrodes joinable together by positive-fitting connections on the electrode half-shell longitudinal edges. Each positive-fitting connection includes a fitting and a matching mating fitting, the fitting integrally formed on one electrode half-shell and the mating fitting integrally formed on the other electrode half-shell. Each mounting ring has two mounting ring fittings. One mounting ring fitting can be joined to a mating fitting integrally formed on one of the two electrode half-shells and the other of the two mounting ring fittings can be joined to a mating fitting integrally formed on the other of the two electrode half-shells. Furthermore, a mounting ring for such a multipole has two mounting ring fittings joinable to corresponding mating fittings integrally formed on the electrode half-shells.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a chamber, an evaporator that evaporates an organic source to provide a source gas on a substrate in the chamber, a vacuum pump that pumps the source gas and air from the chamber, an exhaust line between the vacuum pump and the chamber, and an analyzer connected to the exhaust line. The analyzer detects a derived molecule produced from the organic source and determines a replacement time of the evaporator.

Abstract: A method of spectrometric analysis comprises obtaining one or more sample spectra for an aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The one or more sample spectra are subjected to pre-processing and then multivariate and/or library based analysis so as to classify the aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The results of the analysis are used for various surgical or non-surgical applications.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes a controller operable to: transfer first ions of a first charge into an ion trap; apply an RF pseudopotential that radially confines the first ions in an elongate ion channel of the trap; generate a first potential well that confines the first ions within a first volume; after a specified pre-cooling time, transfer second ions of a second, opposite charge into the trap; apply one or more additional DC potentials that generate a second potential well that confines the second ions within a second volume, the first potential well being within the second potential well; cause, after cooling the second ions, the first ions and the second ions to interact and generate product ions; and generate at least one third potential well that confines the product ions, that is adjacent to the second potential well and that has a same polarity as the first potential well.

Abstract: The disclosure features mass spectrometry systems and methods that include an ion source, an ion trap, a detector subsystem featuring first and second detector elements, and a controller electrically connected to the ion source, the ion trap, and the detector subsystem and configured so that during operation of the system, the controller: applies an electrical signal to the ion source to generate positively and negatively charged particles from sample particles in the system; applies an electrical signal to the ion trap to eject a plurality of particles from the ion trap through a common aperture of the ion trap, and determines information about the sample particles based on first and second electrical signals generated by the ejected particles.

Abstract: In a mass spectrometry apparatus, an electric field is applied to an injected specimen to ionize the specimen, and mass spectrometry of the specimen is performed. In an emitter which ionizes the specimen, a flashing process to increase a temperature of the emitter is repeatedly performed at a short-time interval during an injection period of the specimen. A flashing current controller controls a flashing current value to be applied to the emitter to increase, in a long term, a flashing temperature which the emitter reaches in the flashing process.