Abstract: An ion trap includes a containment region for containing ions, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on a regular polyhedral structure encompassing the containment region. An electrode is positioned on each vertex of the encompassing structure and at least one of the polygonal surfaces includes additional electrodes configured to form a plurality of quadrupoles on the surface. Alternating RF voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes, so that directly neighboring electrodes are of equal amplitude and opposite polarity at any point in time. This configuration on the polyhedral structure forms a potential barrier for repelling the ions from each of the regular polygonal surfaces and containing them in the trap. Mass selective filters can be formed from the quadrupoles for parallel mass analysis in different m/z windows. Application of a small DC potential to a plate electrode outside the quadrupoles preferentially depletes single charged ions for enhanced signal-to-noise analysis.

Abstract: An ion transfer device for transferring ions emerging from an electrospray ion source at atmosphere to a vacuum chamber includes an inner surface in the shape of a diverging conical duct. The ion transfer device has an entrance aperture for positioning proximate the exit port of the electrospray ion source emitter, the entrance aperture receiving the electrosprayed ions from the exit port of the electrospray ion source emitter at atmosphere, the diverging conical duct being an electrode toward which the ions migrate and having an exit aperture with an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of its entrance aperture, the exit aperture enclosed in the vacuum chamber, the diverging conical duct transporting the ions from atmosphere to vacuum. The vacuum chamber can be a chamber of a vacuum housing enclosing a mass analyzer.

Abstract: An ion trap includes a containment region for containing ions, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on a regular polyhedral structure encompassing the containment region. An electrode is positioned on each vertex of the encompassing structure and at least one of the polygonal surfaces includes additional electrodes configured to form a plurality of quadrupoles on the surface. Alternating RF voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes, so that directly neighboring electrodes are of equal amplitude and opposite polarity at any point in time. This configuration on the polyhedral structure forms a potential barrier for repelling the ions from each of the regular polygonal surfaces and containing them in the trap. Mass selective filters can be formed from the quadrupoles for parallel mass analysis in different m/z windows. Application of a small DC potential to a plate electrode outside the quadrupoles preferentially depletes single charged ions for enhanced signal-to-noise analysis.

Abstract: An ion transfer device for transferring ions emerging from an electrospray ion source at atmosphere to a vacuum chamber includes an inner surface in the shape of a diverging conical duct. The ion transfer device has an entrance aperture for positioning proximate the exit port of the electrospray ion source emitter, the entrance aperture receiving the electrosprayed ions from the exit port of the electrospray ion source emitter at atmosphere, the diverging conical duct being an electrode toward which the ions migrate and having an exit aperture with an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of its entrance aperture, the exit aperture enclosed in the vacuum chamber, the diverging conical duct transporting the ions from atmosphere to vacuum. The vacuum chamber can be a chamber of a vacuum housing enclosing a mass analyzer.

Abstract: An ion trap includes a containment region for containing ions, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on a regular polyhedral structure encompassing the containment region. An electrode is positioned on each vertex of the encompassing structure and at least one of the polygonal surfaces includes additional electrodes configured to form a plurality of quadrupoles on the surface. Alternating RF voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes, so that directly neighboring electrodes are of equal amplitude and opposite polarity at any point in time. This configuration on the polyhedral structure forms a potential barrier for repelling the ions from each of the regular polygonal surfaces and containing them in the trap. Mass selective filters can be formed from the quadrupoles for parallel mass analysis in different m/z windows. Application of a small DC potential to a plate electrode outside the quadrupoles preferentially depletes single charged ions for enhanced signal-to-noise analysis.

Abstract: An ion transfer device for transferring ions emerging from an electrospray ion source at atmosphere to a vacuum chamber includes an inner surface in the shape of a diverging conical duct. The ion transfer device has an entrance aperture for positioning proximate the exit port of the electrospray ion source emitter, the entrance aperture receiving the electrosprayed ions from the exit port of the electrospray ion source emitter at atmosphere, the diverging conical duct being an electrode toward which the ions migrate and having an exit aperture with an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of its entrance aperture, the exit aperture enclosed in the vacuum chamber, the diverging conical duct transporting the ions from atmosphere to vacuum. The vacuum chamber can be a chamber of a vacuum housing enclosing a mass analyzer.

Abstract: An ion trap includes a containment region for containing ions, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on a regular polyhedral structure encompassing the containment region. An electrode is positioned on each vertex of the encompassing structure and at least one of the polygonal surfaces includes additional electrodes configured to form a plurality of quadrupoles on the surface. Alternating RF voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes, so that directly neighboring electrodes are of equal amplitude and opposite polarity at any point in time. This configuration on the polyhedral structure forms a potential barrier for repelling the ions from each of the regular polygonal surfaces and containing them in the trap. Mass selective filters can be formed from the quadrupoles for parallel mass analysis in different m/z windows. Application of a small DC potential to a plate electrode outside the quadrupoles preferentially depletes single charged ions for enhanced signal-to-noise analysis.

Abstract: An ion trap includes a containment region for containing ions, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on a regular polyhedral structure encompassing the containment region. An electrode is positioned on each vertex of the encompassing structure and at least one of the polygonal surfaces includes additional electrodes configured to form a plurality of quadrupoles on the surface. Alternating RF voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes, so that directly neighboring electrodes are of equal amplitude and opposite polarity at any point in time. This configuration on the polyhedral structure forms a potential barrier for repelling the ions from each of the regular polygonal surfaces and containing them in the trap. Mass selective filters can be formed from the quadrupoles for parallel mass analysis in different m/z windows. Application of a small DC potential to a plate electrode outside the quadrupoles preferentially depletes single charged ions for enhanced signal-to-noise analysis.

Abstract: An ion trap includes a containment region for containing ions, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on a regular polyhedral structure encompassing the containment region. An electrode is positioned on each vertex of the encompassing structure and at least one of the polygonal surfaces includes additional electrodes configured to form a plurality of quadrupoles on the surface. Alternating RF voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes, so that directly neighboring electrodes are of equal amplitude and opposite polarity at any point in time. This configuration on the polyhedral structure forms a potential barrier for repelling the ions from each of the regular polygonal surfaces and containing them in the trap. Mass selective filters can be formed from the quadrupoles for parallel mass analysis in different m/z windows. Application of a small DC potential to a plate electrode outside the quadrupoles preferentially depletes single charged ions for enhanced signal-to-noise analysis.

Abstract: An ion transfer device for transferring ions emerging from an electrospray ion source at atmosphere to a vacuum chamber includes an inner surface in the shape of a diverging conical duct. The ion transfer device has an entrance aperture for positioning proximate the exit port of the electrospray ion source emitter, the entrance aperture receiving the electrosprayed ions from the exit port of the electrospray ion source emitter at atmosphere, the diverging conical duct being an electrode toward which the ions migrate and having an exit aperture with an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of its entrance aperture, the exit aperture enclosed in the vacuum chamber, the diverging conical duct transporting the ions from atmosphere to vacuum. The vacuum chamber can be a chamber of a vacuum housing enclosing a mass analyzer.

Abstract: An ion trap includes a containment region for containing ions, and a plurality of electrodes positioned on a regular polyhedral structure encompassing the containment region. An electrode is positioned on each vertex of the encompassing structure and at least one of the polygonal surfaces includes additional electrodes configured to form a plurality of quadrupoles on the surface. Alternating RF voltage is applied to the plurality of electrodes, so that directly neighboring electrodes are of equal amplitude and opposite polarity at any point in time. This configuration on the polyhedral structure forms a potential barrier for repelling the ions from each of the regular polygonal surfaces and containing them in the trap. Mass selective filters can be formed from the quadrupoles for parallel mass analysis in different m/z windows. Application of a small DC potential to a plate electrode outside the quadrupoles preferentially depletes single charged ions for enhanced signal-to-noise analysis.

Abstract: A method for manipulating ions in an ion trap includes storing ions, spatially compressing, and ejecting selected ions according to mass-to-charge ratio. An ion trap includes an injection port, an arm having a first and a second end for confining and spatially compressing the ions, and an ejection port for ejecting the ions from the second end. The arm includes two pairs of opposing electrodes, which provide a quadrupole electric field potential at any cross-section of the ion trap. The distance between opposing electrodes and the cross-sectional area of the electrodes increases from the first to second end. The electrodes may be tapered cylindrical rods or of hyperbolic cross-section. Ions selected for ejection are spatially compressed into a region at the second (wider) end. The ion trap may include one arm, with either orthogonal or axial ejection, or two arms with a central insert for orthogonal ejection.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for investing with a no or low-loss assurance the aid of an agent. The invention provides a plurality of risk levels having a gain apportionment value and a lost apportionment value. The gain apportionment value dictates the apportionment of a gain between the investor and the agent, while the lost apportionment value dictates the apportionment of a loss between the investor and the agent. Each risk level also has a gain sale threshold and a loss sale threshold. The investor selects one of the risk levels. When one of the sale thresholds is reached, the equity is sold to complete a cycle or transaction of a combo, or combination of transactions. The investor's apportioned gain is added to an investor's money packet thereby increasing its value. A loss sale threshold ends the combo.

Abstract: A method for manipulating ions in an ion trap includes storing ions, spatially compressing, and ejecting selected ions according to mass-to-charge ratio. An ion trap includes an injection port, an arm having a first and a second end for confining and spatially compressing the ions, and an ejection port for ejecting the ions from the second end. The arm includes two pairs of opposing electrodes, which provide a quadrupole electric field potential at any cross-section of the ion trap. The distance between opposing electrodes and the cross-sectional area of the electrodes increases from the first to second end. The electrodes may be tapered cylindrical rods or of hyperbolic cross-section. Ions selected for ejection are spatially compressed into a region at the second (wider) end. The ion trap may include one arm, with either orthogonal or axial ejection, or two arms with a central insert for orthogonal ejection.

Abstract: A system for determining the ratio of mass to charge of an ion including a pulsed ionizer, a high pressure co-linear ion guide/accelerator, and a mass analyzer. The pulsed ionizer generates intact analyte ions from a sample of matter to be analyzed. The high pressure co-linear ion guide/accelerator is interfaced with the ion source for receipt of the intact ions of the sample. The ion guide/accelerator simultaneously dampens and linearly accelerates the intact ions in the substantial absence of fragmentation of the ions to provide a substantially continuous beam of the intact ions for mass analysis. The mass analyzer is connected to the ion guide/accelerator for receipt of the beam of ions and determines the mass to charge ratio of the intact ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and substantially purified nucleic acids encoding human Jade-1 (for “gene” for Apoptosis and Differentiation in Epithelia) and related nucleic acids. The invention further provides Jade protein, which, when expressed in a eukaryotic cell, has an apparent molecular weight of 64 kD. We have discovered that Jade protein functions 1 apoptosis and regulation of cell cycle as well as in cellular differentiation process. Accordingly, the Jade-family of genes and their gene products provide novel diagnostic and prognostic tools for identifying and/or classifying diseases involving abnormal apoptosis and defective cell cycle.

Abstract: A system for determining the ratio of mass to charge of an ion including a pulsed ionizer, a high pressure co-linear ion guide/accelerator, and a mass analyzer. The pulsed ionizer generates intact analyte ions from a sample of matter to be analyzed. The high pressure co-linear ion guide/accelerator is interfaced with the ion source for receipt of the intact ions of the sample. The ion guide/accelerator simultaneously dampens and linearly accelerates the intact ions in the substantial absence of fragmentation of the ions to provide a substantially continuous beam of the intact ions for mass analysis. The mass analyzer is connected to the ion guide/accelerator for receipt of the beam of ions and determines the mass to charge ratio of the intact ions.

Abstract: A system for determining the ratio of mass to charge of an ion including a pulsed ionizer, a high pressure co-linear ion guide/accelerator, and a mass analyzer. The pulsed ionizer generates intact analyte ions from a sample of matter to be analyzed. The high pressure co-linear ion guide/accelerator is interfaced with the ion source for receipt of the intact ions of the sample. The ion guide/accelerator simultaneously dampens and linearly accelerates the intact ions in the substantial absence of fragmentation of the ions to provide a substantially continuous beam of the intact ions for mass analysis. The mass analyzer is connected to the ion guide/accelerator for receipt of the beam of ions and determines the mass to charge ratio of the intact ions.

Abstract: A system for determining the ratio of mass to charge of an ion including a pulsed ionizer, a high pressure co-linear ion guide/accelerator, and a mass analyzer. The pulsed ionizer generates intact analyte ions from a sample of matter to be analyzed. The high pressure co-linear ion guide/accelerator is interfaced with the ion source for receipt of the intact ions of the sample. The ion guide/accelerator simultaneously dampens and linearly accelerates the intact ions in the substantial absence of fragmentation of the ions to provide a substantially continuous beam of the intact ions for mass analysis. The mass analyzer is connected to the ion guide/accelerator for receipt of the beam of ions and determines the mass to charge ratio of the intact ions.

Abstract: A method for investing with the aid of an agent, and with a no or low-loss assurance possibility, provides a plurality of risk levels for the investor to select. Each risk level has a gain apportionment value and a lost apportionment value. The gain apportionment value dictates the apportionment of a gain between the investor and the agent, while the lost apportionment value dictates the apportionment of loss between the investor and the agent. Each risk level also has a gain sale threshold and a loss sale threshold. The investor selects one of the risk levels. The agent purchases an equity with a money packet of the investor. When one of the sale thresholds is reached, the equity is sold to complete a cycle or transaction of a combo, or combination of transactions. If the sale threshold reached is a gain sale threshold, the gain is apportioned between the investor and the agent according to the gain apportionment value of the selected risk level.