Subject: Re: Replacing PRIAM disk on NOVA 4 syst
From: Christopher Kaine
Date: 20 Oct 1996 15:50:08 -0400
Vorster, JA, C2LAB 240, x 2358 wrote:
Hello:
There is a section in the Super Incos Service manual covering the
formatting of the Priam drive. If you are fortunate, perhaps that is
all that needs to be done. If you do not have the above manual, please
inform me, and I may be able to email the appropriate section.
If this is not the case(format trouble) as far as I am aware the drive
will need to be replaced. Unfortunately, only another Priam will work.
Cordially;
Chris Kaine
The above opinions are mine, and have nothing to do with my employer.
Subject: HELP ! * Reliable HPLC for benchtop ion-trap LC-MS
From: chemsurfer@aol.com (ChemSurfer)
Date: 21 Oct 1996 08:12:21 -0400
!! YOUR EXPERIENCE IS ASKED FOR !!
October 19, 1996
Dear ALL,
I am in the process of setting up the final instrumentation for the new
Finnigan LCQ. The MS will be delivered Mid February 1997 and we have
decided to start operation with an API-Interface, as we are most
interested in small, polar compounds (like pesticides, hormones,
antibiotics).
Usually it comes with HPLC-components of TSP. But recently I heard of a
bunch of problems with those devices (no pulse-free pumping, huge death
volumes, shifting retention times, bad peak forms).
Is there anybody who could confim or contradict these statements ?
Please let me know your own expertise with other brands too !
Note: It would be appreciated to get some information about the possible
sensitivity with any kind of ion-trap LC-MS in the analysis of
oestrogenes. Can I expect to see 0,5 pg absolute ?
Thanks a lot for your help.
-------------------------------------
Gerd Dettweiler, PhD
Lab manager at the federal residue lab for public health care
Hygiene Institut Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany
-------------------------------------
Subject: Employment
From: Andrew Pugh
Date: 23 Oct 1996 08:17:39 -0400
Andrew Pugh
5055 Boul. des Sources #414
Pierrefonds, Quebec
Canada
H8Y 3H9
EMail PUGA59@Discovland.net
I am seeking a position as Analyst or Scientist. I hold a B.Sc. in
Analytical Chemistry. I have 3 years of experience working in a contract
clinical research organization where my duties included...
Isolation and analysis of analytes from biological matrixes using
GC/NPD/ECD, LC/MS/MS (Sciex) and AA. Solid phase and liquid/liquid
extractions. Method validation. Data analysis and verification. Generation
of reports. Instrument operation, troubleshooting and general maintenance.
Method development (R&D;) and SOP writting.
If any of my skills are of interest to your company, you can reach me at
the above address or at my EMail address and I will send you my C.V.
Please include your company name, address, tel/fax no.
Thank you for your attention,
A. Pugh
Subject: Electronic Nose and Olfaction Symposium
From: VXCF37A@prodigy.com (Carl Chatfield)
Date: 23 Oct 1996 08:13:24 -0400
Meeting Announcement
The Third International Symposium on Olfaction and Electronic Nose
technology is being held at the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel in Miami,
Florida, November 3 to 6, 1996.
The scope and purpose of the meeting is to present advancements in
characterization and control of odors and volatile compounds. The
symposium will contribute to the advancement of state of the art odor
measurement and sampling tools, odor prediction and quality control
methods. Electronic nose technology will be discussed as an easier
approach and complementary tool to classical analytical techniques.
Application discussions include areas in sensor technology, polymer
analysis, cereal and grain characterization, meat sample contamination,
and comparisons with headspace analysis and sensory panels.
For registration or additional information contact:
Elizabeth McCarthy Phone 610-444-3551 Fax 610-444-3649
-
CARL CHATFIELD VXCF37A@prodigy.com
Subject: Re: HELP ! * Reliable HPLC for benchtop ion-trap LC-MS
From: cepas@randb.pprd.abbott.com
Date: 23 Oct 1996 16:31:36 -0400
}
} I am in the process of setting up the final instrumentation for the new
} Finnigan LCQ. The MS will be delivered Mid February 1997 and we have
} decided to start operation with an API-Interface, as we are most
} interested in small, polar compounds (like pesticides, hormones,
} antibiotics).
}
} Usually it comes with HPLC-components of TSP. But recently I heard of a
} bunch of problems with those devices (no pulse-free pumping, huge death
} volumes, shifting retention times, bad peak forms).
} Is there anybody who could confim or contradict these statements ?
} Please let me know your own expertise with other brands too !
}
} Note: It would be appreciated to get some information about the possible
} sensitivity with any kind of ion-trap LC-MS in the analysis of
} oestrogenes. Can I expect to see 0,5 pg absolute ?
}
} Gerd Dettweiler, PhD
}
--
We've had an LCQ since July with a Waters MS6000 system on it. We added a
TSP HPLC system just last week to take advantage of the full automation
that should afford.
The top reasons we choose TSP over another Waters or HP or Dionex:
1. LCQ compatibility
2. TSP systems are widely used throughout the corporation including in
peptide analysis and QC and quantitative analysis labs
(last year our company purchased over $3,000,000 in equipment from TSP,
so there is wide spread use and applications of the instruments)
3. In general the support and reliability of the instruments have been
good.
4. We do only qualitative analysis on our LCQ, so we didn't investigate
issues of quantitation (precision and accuracy).
That said, in the 4 days we've had the TSP on the LCQ, getting the
automation to run flawlessly has not happened. We've still learning, and
so is TSP and Finnigan. I hope we get there soon.
Steve Cepa
Abbott Labs
steven.cepa@abbott.com
Subject: CI problems
From: "Kerry M. Peru"
Date: 23 Oct 1996 11:07:32 -0400
I would like any suggestions that would aid in correcting the following
problem that I have been experiencing while trying to perform some CI work.
I operate an Autospec Q and for some reason I am having difficulties with
achieving a clean CI spectrum. Here are a list of the problems encountered
and remedial actions taken to date:
Upon introducing the CI gas (I have tried Ammonia, Methane and Isobutane) a
large background is apparent ie: a peak at every mass with emphasis at the
low end of the scan range (I am scanning from 60-500 daltons). I have tried
a full range of the emission current settings and eV settings but the
background is still abundant enough to mask the analytes of interest and
create very poor apparent sensitivity. My source temperature is at the
lowest it can maintain (130C) and the source is as tight as I can make it. I
am definitely achieving CI conditions, as I have introduced known compounds
at a concentration that I are visible and the M+1 ion is the most abundant.
I have cleaned the CI source, changed ceramics, cleaned the source housing,
leaked checked all lines, baked the source at 300C, but I still get this
large background signal. I think it is some sort of contamination (likely
hydrocarbon) but I do not know where it is coming from or how to get rid of
it. I ruled out contaminated CI gases, as I mentioned previously, 3
different gases were used.
A direct e-mail to me at PeruK@nhrisv.nhrc.sk.doe.ca of any suggestions
would be greatly appreciated.
Kerry M. Peru
National Hydrology Research Centre
Environment Canada
11-Innovation Blvd.,
Saskatoon, Sk.,
S7N 3H5
ph: 306-975-4206
Fax: 306-975-5143
Subject: question on TOF data acquisition electronics
From: smclemen@unity.ncsu.edu (Steven Mark Clements)
Date: 24 Oct 1996 01:50:38 -0400
Greetings,
I have a few questions for the time-of-flight mass spec experts.
I'm trying to learn more about data acquisition electronics for
TOF-MS. So far, I have seen that the detector output is usually logged
with either a fast digital o-scope, or some form of time-to-digital
converter. At the most general level, my real question is, "What are
the characteristics of the ideal data logging instrument?" To be more
specific:
1. What time resolution or sample interval is needed?
2. What is the maximum (single shot) time window that be covered?
3. What is the maximum number of separate events that must be recorded
in a single trace?
4. How important is the "analog" information, i.e. do we need to see
the pulse width, height, shape? What vertical resolution (4-bit,
8-bit) for the voltage or current waveform is sufficient?
Any words of wisdom will be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark Clements
Dept. of Elecrical and Computer Engineering
NCSU
Subject: Re: Computer upgrade for ITD 700?
From: jad@bart.nl (Alex van Renesse)
Date: 23 Oct 1996 08:18:25 -0400
Hi Ken,
We have run it on a PS2-30 without any problems and are now running on a
HP 386SX-25 also without any problems. The interface card is a normal
ISA-compatible card and the software has no problems running on a faster
computer (although I don't know what happens if you update to a pentium).
Alex van Renesse
In article <54fvna$me4@acmey.gatech.edu>, tomer@niehs.nih.gov (Kenneth Tomer) wrote:
#We have a Finnigan ITD 700 with an IBM XT computer. We would like to
#upgrade the computer to a more up-to-date computer. We have an IBM
#PS2-30, PS2-70, and a Dell 450 available. Has anyone tried to do this?
#Is the interface compatible with the newer computers? Any help on this
#would be greatly appreciated.
#
#Ken Tomer
#Laboratory of Structural Biology
#NIEHS
#RTP, NC
Subject: Employment
From: Andrew Pugh
Date: 24 Oct 1996 01:50:27 -0400
Andrew Pugh
5055 Boul. des Sources #414
Pierrefonds, Quebec
Canada
H8Y 3H9
EMail PUGA59@Discovland.net
I am seeking a position as Analyst or Scientist. I hold a B.Sc. in
Analytical Chemistry. I have 3 years of experience working in a contract
clinical research organization where my duties included...
Isolation and analysis of analytes from biological matrixes using
GC/NPD/ECD, LC/MS/MS (Sciex) and AA.
Solid phase and liquid/liquid extractions.
Method validation.
Data analysis and verification.
Generation of reports.
Instrument operation, troubleshooting and general maintenance.
Method development (R&D;) and SOP writting.
If any of my skills are of interest to your company, you can reach me at
the above address or at my EMail address and I will send you my C.V.
Please include your company name, address, tel/fax no.
Thank you for your attention,
A. Pugh
Subject: Re: CI problems
From: John Barton
Date: 25 Oct 1996 08:25:42 -0400
Kerry M. Peru wrote:
}
} I would like any suggestions that would aid in correcting the following
} problem that I have been experiencing while trying to perform some CI work.
}
} I operate an Autospec Q and for some reason I am having difficulties with
} achieving a clean CI spectrum. Here are a list of the problems encountered
} and remedial actions taken to date:
}
} Upon introducing the CI gas (I have tried Ammonia, Methane and Isobutane) a
} large background is apparent ie: a peak at every mass with emphasis at the
} low end of the scan range (I am scanning from 60-500 daltons). I have tried
} a full range of the emission current settings and eV settings but the
} background is still abundant enough to mask the analytes of interest and
} create very poor apparent sensitivity. My source temperature is at the
} lowest it can maintain (130C) and the source is as tight as I can make it. I
} am definitely achieving CI conditions, as I have introduced known compounds
} at a concentration that I are visible and the M+1 ion is the most abundant.
}
} I have cleaned the CI source, changed ceramics, cleaned the source housing,
} leaked checked all lines, baked the source at 300C, but I still get this
} large background signal. I think it is some sort of contamination (likely
} hydrocarbon) but I do not know where it is coming from or how to get rid of
} it. I ruled out contaminated CI gases, as I mentioned previously, 3
} different gases were used.
}
} A direct e-mail to me at PeruK@nhrisv.nhrc.sk.doe.ca of any suggestions
} would be greatly appreciated.
}
} Kerry M. Peru
} National Hydrology Research Centre
} Environment Canada
} 11-Innovation Blvd.,
} Saskatoon, Sk.,
} S7N 3H5
} ph: 306-975-4206
} Fax: 306-975-5143
I also have an AutoSpec-Q, and do a lot (2000 samples/year) of C.I.
using ammonia as a reagent gas, so I have some observations which may
help. There are usually quite a few background peaks, but these are of
low intensity and are always swamped by analyte peaks if the source is
working efficiently in C.I. mode.
Try introducing ~ 2 microlitres of amyl actetate into the septum
reservoir, and use ammonia as the reagent gas. Set the ammonia pressure
in the source housing to about 5e-5 mbar, and tune to optimise the peak
at m/z 148 (M+NH4). If things are going right, this peak should be at
least a factor of 20 higher than the peak at m/z 70. In fact, I find
that m/z 70 is barely detectable, and the 148 peak is off scale with the
multiplier at 220 volts.
If no amount of tuning helps, then check the seal between the solids
probe and the source block. A chip out of the probe tip ceramic will
cause considerable gas leakage. Also check the seal between the
reentrant and the spring-loaded sliding tube which mates with it. I once
found that someone had fitted a weaker spring to this tube, which was
enough to degrade the CI performance through leakage.
You do not say what type of solids probe you have. The water-cooled
probe has a two-piece ceramic tip. Part of this tip is made of
machinable ceramic (macor), and part out of boron nitride. These
materials can absorb certain chemicals, which then bleed out over a long
period of time. Try baking the probe at its highest temperature, or
replace the ceramic tip. If you replace it, it will still need baking,
as the macor absorbs CO2 and the boron nitride absorbs water in the
atmosphere.
One possible source of contamination is the tubing used to connect the
gas bottles to the instrument. Make sure all the tubing is GC-grade
stainless steel, and all valves are also stainless steel, and preferably
packless.
I hope you find these comments useful
Good luck!
John Barton
Chemistry Dept,
Imperial College,
LONDON, UK
Subject: Technological lock out
From: Melissa Schilling
Date: 25 Oct 1996 17:15:05 -0400
Hi,
I'm doing my dissertation research on technological lock out and I need to
develop a sample of firms which have been "locked out," but my own
industry experience/exposure is limited. I'm hoping to draw on your
diverse set of expertise. Can you think of a company (or companies) which
has been locked out of the market because either,
a) there is an established dominant design (single technology standard
which dominates the market) that the firm cannot produce (or is barred
from producing),
b) the industry is in the process of selecting a dominant design (there
are forces in the industry encouraging adoption of one standard
technology) and the firm's technology is not chosen, or,
c) the industry supports multiple product/technology designs, but the firm
is still unable to produce and/or competitively sell their technology?
Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated! Please tell me the
company name and the product/technology, and which condition (a, b, or c)
you think it fits into. Thanks a lot for your help!
Melissa
missi@u.washington.edu