Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the performance of a mass spectrometer system when multiple measurements are made. For example, the total settling time of different components or stages of a mass spectrometer, such as a tandem mass spectrometer, are decreased by optimally ordering the measurements.

Abstract: Methods of detecting radioactivity in dynamic situations in which radiation is detected from large and small radioactive objects with at least one radiation detector as the objects pass through the field of view and combinations are made from those measurements which are either adjacent in time, from multiple detectors, or at different energies. An elevated signal is reported when an analysis of the various combinations shows an elevated signal in anyone combination. Small amounts of radioactivity can be detected even in the presence of large amounts.

Abstract: The method of analyzing the measured radiation spectra to estimate the identified nuclide activities using a designated efficiency calibration based on average expected geometry and using spectral characteristics to flag significant shielding that would otherwise skew said nuclide activities (FIG. 5). And providing an estimation of activity correction factor or attenuation factor for each affected nuclide (200).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the performance of a mass spectrometer system when multiple measurements are made. For example, the total settling time of different components or stages of a mass spectrometer, such as a tandem mass spectrometer, are decreased by optimally ordering the measurements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the performance of a mass spectrometer system when multiple measurements are made. For example, the total settling time of different components or stages of a mass spectrometer, such as a tandem mass spectrometer, are decreased by optimally ordering the measurements.

Abstract: A tandem mass spectrometer and method for calibrating a tandem mass spectrometer. The tandem mass spectrometer comprises first and second mass analyzers. The first and second mass analyzers form an ion path. The second mass analyzer is positioned downstream from the first mass analyzer and is arranged to receive ions from the first mass analyzer. An electrode arrangement positioned between the first and second mass analyzers. The electrode assembly is configured to selectively deflect ions from the ion path.

Abstract: The method of analyzing the measured radiation spectra to estimate the identified nuclide activities using a designated efficiency calibration based on average expected geometry and using spectral characteristics to flag significant shielding that would otherwise skew said nuclide activities (FIG. 5). And providing an estimation of activity correction factor or attenuation factor for each affected nuclide (200).

Abstract: Methods of detecting radioactivity in dynamic situations in which radiation is detected from large and small radioactive objects with at least one radiation detector as the objects pass through the field of view and combinations are made from those measurements which are either adjacent in time, from multiple detectors, or at different energies. An elevated signal is reported when an analysis of the various combinations shows an elevated signal in any one combination. Small amounts of radioactivity can be detected even in the presence of large amounts.

Abstract: A tandem mass spectrometer and method for calibrating a tandem mass spectrometer. The tandem mass spectrometer comprises first and second mass analyzers. The first and second mass analyzers form an ion path. The second mass analyzer is positioned downstream from the first mass analyzer and is arranged to receive ions from the first mass analyzer. An electrode arrangement positioned between the first and second mass analyzers. The electrode assembly is configured to selectively deflect ions from the ion path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the performance of a mass spectrometer system when multiple measurements are made. For example, the total settling time of different components or stages of a mass spectrometer, such as a tandem mass spectrometer, are decreased by optimally ordering the measurements.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of identifying nuclides, including the steps of: determining spectral continuum via a peak erosion process to render a residual peak spectrum; filtering a standard nuclide library specified by a user to select candidate nuclides; simultaneously fitting calibrations and activities of selected candidate nuclides from the standard library to the peak spectrum using a standard least squares method; calculating statistical significances of optimized nuclide activities and determining shape correlations between optimized candidate nuclide peak spectra and measured peak spectrum with alternative candidates subtracted; and identifying and providing activities of nuclides determined to have sufficiently significant activities and sufficient shape correlations.

Abstract: Methods of using biological sequence data. Evolved biological sequences may be used to identify the defining biological characteristics of the sequences—the three-dimensional structure and biochemical function. Some of the present methods extract such information, use such information to predict functional mechanism, and/or use such information in the design of artificial biological sequences. Other methods are included, as are related computer readable media and computer systems.

Abstract: A system and method of processing signals generated at a detector of a mass spectrometer prior to signal conversion in which a pre-ADC offset is applied to the signals that is adjustable in polarity and magnitude in accordance with a user-selected mode. According to a first mode, a positive offset is applied to the signals to improve quantitation accuracy and in a second mode, a negative offset is applied to the signals to improve resolution and mass assignment.

Abstract: A system and method of processing signals generated at a detector of a mass spectrometer prior to signal conversion in which a pre-ADC offset is applied to the signals that is adjustable in polarity and magnitude in accordance with a user-selected mode. According to a first mode, a positive offset is applied to the signals to improve quantitation accuracy and in a second mode, a negative offset is applied to the signals to improve resolution and mass assignment.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering ions between vacuum stages. The apparatus includes a concave electrode ion pipe originating in a first vacuum stage and terminating in a second vacuum stage. The design of the concave electrode ion pipe provides for transport of ions over long distances without substantial loss of the ions while at the same time restricting overall gas flow. The invention allows for the elimination of vacuum stages or a reduction in vacuum pumping speed(s) if the same number of vacuum stages is employed.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering ions between vacuum stages. The apparatus includes a concave electrode ion pipe originating in a first vacuum stage and terminating in a second vacuum stage. The design of the concave electrode ion pipe provides for transport of ions over long distances without substantial loss of the ions while at the same time restricting overall gas flow. The invention allows for the elimination of vacuum stages or a reduction in vacuum pumping speed(s) if the same number of vacuum stages is employed.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer method and apparatus improve resolution and sensitivity. A voltage supply is coupled to a mass filter for applying a radio frequency voltage and for operating at at least one selected frequency. An ion optical element such as an entrance lens is driven by a voltage supply that is phase coherent with the voltage applied to the mass filter. The ion beam is tailored so that the phase space relationship of the ions is more closely matched to the acceptance of the mass filter. The ions in the incoming beam are dynamically matched to the acceptance of the mass filter over each cycle of the voltage applied to the mass filter. The ion optical element may be a single entrance lens to which is applied only a single phase coherent voltage.