Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and apparatus for performing charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). In particular, techniques are disclosed for monitoring a detector signal from a CDMS device to determine how many ions are present in the ion trap (10) of the CDMS device. For example, if no ions are present the measurement can then be terminated early. Similarly, if more than one ion is present, the measurement can be terminated early, or ions can be removed from the trap (10) until only a single ion remains. Techniques are also provided for increasing the probability of there being a single ion in the trap (10). A technique for attenuating an ion beam is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating an electrostatic ion trap, the electrostatic ion trap including a plurality of electrodes, the method including setting the voltage of the plurality of electrodes to a first voltage map, wherein the voltage map is configured such that: at a first ion kinetic energy per unit charge (KE) range, more than a first percentage of ions are stable, at a second ion KE range, less than a second percentage of ions are stable, and at a third ion KE range, more than the first percentage of ions are stable, wherein the first percentage is at least 4 times greater than the second percentage, and wherein the second ion KE range is between the first ion KE range and the third ion KE range.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a) providing temporally separated precursor ions; b) mass analyzing separated precursor ions, and/or product ions derived therefrom, during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods, wherein the value of an operational parameter of the spectrometer is varied during the different acquisition periods; c) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period along with its respective value of the operational parameter; d) interrogating the stored spectral data and determining which of the spectral data for a precursor ion or product ions meets a predetermined criterion, and determining the value of the operational parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a target operational parameter value; and e) mass analyzing again the precursor or product ions whilst the operational parameter is set to the target operational parameter value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and apparatus for performing charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). In particular, techniques are disclosed for monitoring a detector signal from a CDMS device to determine how many ions are present in the ion trap (10) of the CDMS device. For example, if no ions are present the measurement can then be terminated early. Similarly, if more than one ion is present, the measurement can be terminated early, or ions can be removed from the trap (10) until only a single ion remains. Techniques are also provided for increasing the probability of there being a single ion in the trap (10). A technique for attenuating an ion beam is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining whether repair or replacement of a multi-leaf collimator for a radiotherapy device should be scheduled. The multi-leaf collimator comprises a leaf bank comprising a plurality of leaves, a leaf bank support configured to support the leaf bank, a leaf bank guide, and a guide actuation means configured to extend the leaf bank along the leaf bank guide into the path of a radiation beam. The device further comprises current sensing means configured to produce a signal indicative of the current supplied to the guide actuation means. The method comprises receiving signals from the current sensing means; processing the signals; and based on the processing, determining whether repair or replacement of the multi-leaf collimator should be scheduled.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: trapping ions in an ion trap (40); applying a first force on the ions within the ion trap in a first direction, said force having a magnitude that is dependent upon the value of a physicochemical property of the ions; applying a second force on these ions in the opposite direction so that the ions separate according to the physicochemical property value as a result of the first and second forces; and then pulsing or driving ions out of one or more regions of the ion trap.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a plurality of cycles of operation during a single experimental run, wherein each cycle comprises: mass selectively transmitting precursor ions of a single mass, or range of masses, through or out of a mass separator or mass filter at any given time, wherein the mass separator or mass filter is operated such that the single mass or range of masses transmitted therefrom is varied with time; and mass analysing ions.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing soil for accretion and retention of coastal water soil is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of artificial reef segments, where each segments comprises a homogenous curved frame structure, a plurality of openings extending through the homogenous curved frame structure, a plurality of frame segments, and a plurality of cutouts disposed along a terminating end of each artificial reef segment. In one embodiment, an artificial reef configuration is disclosed having a first reef segment arranged on top of a second reef segment and a third reef segment in such a way that the cutouts of the first reef segment receive at least one of the plurality of frame segments of the second reef segment and the third reef segment. Furthermore, a transport configuration includes a first reef segment stacked on top of a second reef segment.

Abstract: A method of self-calibrating a mass spectrometer or mass spectral data is disclosed. At least some first observed mass to charge ratios are matched with or against a comprehensive reference set of possible or predicted elemental compositions having known precise mass to charge ratios. One or more calibration parameters of a calibration routine are then adjusted so as to optimise the match between one or more of the first observed mass to charge ratios and the corresponding known precise mass to charge ratios of one or more possible or predicted elemental compositions contained within the reference set.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: trapping ions in an ion trap (40); applying a first force on the ions within the ion trap in a first direction, said force having a magnitude that is dependent upon the value of a physicochemical property of the ions; applying a second force on these ions in the opposite direction so that the ions separate according to the physicochemical property value as a result of the first and second forces; and then pulsing or driving ions out of one or more regions of the ion trap.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a plurality of cycles of operation during a single experimental run, wherein each cycle comprises: mass selectively transmitting precursor ions of a single mass, or range of masses, through or out of a mass separator or mass filter at any given time, wherein the mass separator or mass filter is operated such that the single mass or range of masses transmitted therefrom is varied with time; and mass analysing ions.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a) providing temporally separated precursor ions; b) mass analyzing separated precursor ions, and/or product ions derived therefrom, during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods, wherein the value of an operational parameter of the spectrometer is varied during the different acquisition periods; c) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period along with its respective value of the operational parameter; d) interrogating the stored spectral data and determining which of the spectral data for a precursor ion or product ions meets a predetermined criterion, and determining the value of the operational parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a target operational parameter value; and e) mass analyzing again the precursor or product ions whilst the operational parameter is set to the target operational parameter value.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns snake-derived peptides and the useful application of such peptides to inhibit bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections. The disclosed peptides are also useful for the treatment of an inflammatory condition or cancers.

Abstract: A method of self-calibrating a mass spectrometer or mass spectral data is disclosed. At least some first observed mass to charge ratios are matched with or against a comprehensive reference set of possible or predicted elemental compositions having known precise mass to charge ratios. One or more calibration parameters of a calibration routine are then adjusted so as to optimise the match between one or more of the first observed mass to charge ratios and the corresponding known precise mass to charge ratios of one or more possible or predicted elemental compositions contained within the reference set.

Abstract: There is provided a method of analysis of mass spectrometry data comprising obtaining raw experimental mass spectrometry data; performing a first deconvolution of the raw experimental mass spectrometry data using a deconvolution algorithm, a wide first input parameter set, and a wide first output parameter set to obtain a deconvolved output; obtaining discrete peak data from the deconvolved output; simulating raw data for a first peak of the discrete peak data to obtain reference simulated raw discrete data; simulating raw data for a second peak of the discrete peak data to obtain suspect simulated raw discrete data; and determining whether the second peak is likely an artefact or indicative of a mass by comparing the suspect simulated raw discrete data with the reference simulated raw discrete data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and apparatus for performing charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). In particular, techniques are disclosed for monitoring a detector signal from a CDMS device to determine how many ions are present in the ion trap (10) of the CDMS device. For example, if no ions are present the measurement can then be terminated early. Similarly, if more than one ion is present, the measurement can be terminated early, or ions can be removed from the trap (10) until only a single ion remains. Techniques are also provided for increasing the probability of there being a single ion in the trap (10). A technique for attenuating an ion beam is also provided.

Abstract: A method of analysing high-mass (>1 MDa) particles comprises ionising particles to as to produce ions, separating the ions according to mass to charge ratio by passing the ions through an ion separation device in which one or more time-varying electric fields is used to urge ions through a gas such that ions are separated according to mass to charge ratio, measuring the transit time of the ions through the ion separation device, and determining a drift time or mass to charge ratio distribution of the ions therefrom. The method further comprises identifying one or more charge envelopes in the drift time or mass to charge ratio distribution, and using the one or more charge envelopes to characterise the particles.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a plurality of cycles of operation during a single experimental run, wherein each cycle comprises: mass selectively transmitting precursor ions of a single mass, or range of masses, through or out of a mass separator or mass filter at any given time, wherein the mass separator or mass filter is operated such that the single mass or range of masses transmitted therefrom is varied with time; and mass analysing ions.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns snake-derived peptides and the useful application of such peptides to inhibit bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections. The disclosed peptides are also useful for the treatment of an inflammatory condition or cancers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods and apparatus for performing charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). In particular, techniques are disclosed for monitoring a detector signal from a CDMS device to determine how many ions are present in the ion trap (10) of the CDMS device. For example, if no ions are present the measurement can then be terminated early. Similarly, if more than one ion is present, the measurement can be terminated early, or ions can be removed from the trap (10) until only a single ion remains. Techniques are also provided for increasing the probability of there being a single ion in the trap (10). A technique for attenuating an ion beam is also provided.