Category Archives: TraceFinder 3.2
Issues with Actively Scanning Virus Protection Applications and Data Acquisition and Processing
In many instances of instrument and processing stations being connected to the internet, I’ve helped individuals having system lock up issues on various mass spec systems over the past 20 years, when using Real-Time Virus Scanning Protection.
This issue is vendor agnostic and will causes problems in data collection and processing on a number of vendor platforms.
If you have Norton, McAfee, Microsoft Security Essentials/Windows Defender, etc and you need to run real-time virus protection. You should exclude the folders where data is actively being collected and processed. This will ensure that any processes, such as instrument communication, raw data writing to disk or processed result file creation,aren’t being interrupted by virus checking during data collection and manipulation.
Below is a list of folders recommended for exclusion in the various anti-virus programs.
The example comes from Windows Defender in Windows 10, and will have a different user interface dependent on what application you are using, however each application available commercially today has this capability.
1:Real-time protection is on and select settings
2: Select Add an Exclusion
3: Add each of these folders as an exclusion
TraceFinder Webinar series in Begins in October
please click the link below for more information.
http://www.thermoscientific.com/content/tfs/en/about-us/events/tracefinder-webinar-series.html
Links to each webinar listed below:
- Configuration and Administrator Console
- Acquisition and Intelligent Sequencing
- How to Develop a Quantitative workflow
- Quantitative Results
- Targeted Screening Methods and Results
- Reporting Engine
TF 3.2 Setting up to Data Review to display Positive results first
In the video below, we have set up the flagging criteria to be able to sort and float Positive results, above the LOR/Cutoff Limit set in the method settings,to the top of the data review grid. We have also setup a flag to allow compounds with detected peaks but fall under the LOR/Cuttoff level in the QAQC section of the master/local method, to appear below the positive results. This should assist in labs wanting to review data by exception and to validate their data review process to incorporate into their SOPs to utilize this criteria.
TraceFinder 3.2 – Method Setup Tweak – Threshold Setting
There have been a few questions on the issue of peaks not being integrated, while performing quantitation, although the signal is strong. A reason could be that when a compound is created in the method, it has a related compound database entry for a threshold setting. This setting is used in targeted screening but is not editable in quantitation mode.
The setting has a default value of 5000 for calculated peak area. This setting does have a global override in the Local and Master method Processing section. The default value is unchecked and blank. This means the default threshold is 5000 for all peaks. If you are having an issue where the peak is not integrated but has a strong signal, then change the setting by checking the box and entering a new value such as 0 or 500. The data will need to be reprocessed as this value is not automatically applied.
TraceFinder 3.2 – New Quick Acquisition for Method Development
In previous versions of TraceFinder, there existed the Development Batch under the Method Development Mode of the application.
TraceFinder 3.2 has been replaced with a new Quick Acquisition button in the toolbar and in the Tools menu items.
This allows the user to acquire a sequence of files and open them in either Qual Browser or FreeStyle, from any view or mode.
The main benefit is that the user can perform method development or simply acquire a file to test the system. This is done without having to utilize batch processing to get an quick answer to the question.
Video player has changed. If the picture appears blurry, in the top right hand corner of the player you can enable HD to play back high resolution video.
TraceFinder 3.2 – Intelligent Sequencing as a Standard Feature
TraceFinder 3.2 will include Intelligent Sequencing as part of the standard features set.
Previously, this was an additional add-on to the TF applications, with a separate license.
Now Intelligent Sequencing will be able to be configured in the Application Configuration section of TF, as shown below.
If you are not familiar with Intelligent Sequencing, it is the capability to perform actions on the sequence list of samples from real-time analysis of the flagging system.
The uses of this feature are numerous, the main benefit is that you have a safeguard for your samples.
– If you have a QC sample that is out of tolerance, you can stop the acquisition of following samples.
– If you have carryover in your blank, the system can automatically introduce additional blanks until it is clear or stop the sequence after so many blanks have been injected.
TraceFinder 3.2 – New Instrument Method Managed Location
In previous versions of TraceFinder, the Instrument Method utilized for data collection was required to belong in the c:/Xcalibur/Methods directory folder.
In TraceFinder 3.2, the new location for the Instrument Methods is located under the C:/TraceFinderData/Instrument Methods directory folder.
Since TF has is a “managed systems”, meaning that we provide the unique capability of synced updates and other functions the Instrument Method, we have a need to know where the method is at all times.
Therefore, the use of the managed directory is a requirement. By moving the Instrument Method for TraceFinder into it’s unique folder, it allows you the freedom to use any folder for method development purposes.
When you have the final version for use in data collection simply save the “.meth” file into the C:\TraceFinderData\Instrument Methods directory folder, so that it will be used as a template for all the sample sets going forward.
Thermo Freestyle – Data Dependant Navigation Tutorial
In the pending TraceFinder 3.2 release, FreeStyle will be an optional feature that comes with every installation.
FreeStyle is a new qualitative viewing package that is taking on the features of QualBrowser.
TraceFinder 3.2 gives you the ability to utilize both QualBrowser and Freestyle when analyzing data, from links within the application.
Please view the video below as a quick tutorial on the data dependant navigation of FreeStyle.
Video player has changed. If the picture appears blurry, in the top right hand corner of the player you can enable HD to play back high resolution video.
Thermo FreeStyle – Sequence Navigation tutorial
In the pending TraceFinder 3.2 release, FreeStyle will be an optional feature that comes with every installation.
FreeStyle is a new qualitative viewing package that is taking on the features of QualBrowser.
TraceFinder 3.2 gives you the ability to utilize both QualBrowser and Freestyle when analyzing data, from links within the application.
Please view the video below as a quick tutorial on the sequence navigation of FreeStyle.
Video player has changed. If the picture appears blurry, in the top right hand corner of the player you can enable HD to play back high resolution video.
Thermo Freestyle – General Navigation Tutorial
In the pending TraceFinder 3.2 release, FreeStyle will be an optional feature that comes with every installation.
FreeStyle is a new qualitative viewing package that is taking on the features of QualBrowser.
TraceFinder 3.2 gives you the ability to utilize both QualBrowser and Freestyle when analyzing data, from links within the application.
Please view the video below as a quick tutorial on the basic navigation of FreeStyle.
Video player has changed. If the picture appears blurry, in the top right hand corner of the player you can enable HD to play back high resolution video.
Note: FreeStyle is a separate application and will require a separate license from TraceFinder.
However, when you apply for a TraceFinder 3.2 license you will receive both a TF license and a FreeStyle license.
You simply apply each to their respective license when using the applications together.
TraceFinder: Direct Knowledge 