Release Notes for 32 Karat Version 8.0 June 01, 2006 1. Major Features 1.1. USB Dongle License A USB dongle license is now used. The software licenses for previous versions were installed from a diskette and have been replaced by a USB hardware license. This license is portable and does not require uninstalling. The software support checks for the license when the instrument is launched and each run is started. The software licenses for previous versions of the software are not required and will not work with version 8.0 software. 1.2. Enhanced Groups Range Annotations Range annotations for Groups have been enhanced. In previous versions, when a Calibrated or Uncalibrated group range was configured, annotating names would display the group s name over every peak in the group. With many peaks, this could get very busy. In addition, there was no range bar (similar to RT Window bar) that displayed the group s range. This new feature will display the group name only once, at the right side of the group s range bar. Annotated group range markers can be chosen that show the time ranges for Calibrated and Uncalibrated Range groups. These are similar to the RT Window bars. The range bars start, stop, and position can be graphically updated. The changes are reflected in the Group Table. 1.3. Retention Time Window Graphical Adjustments Graphical adjustments of retention time window (annotated as RT Window) has been enhanced. In previous versions, the RT Window could only be changed through the Peak Table, by changing either the retention time or the window width. This new feature allows the user to graphically (tool bar buttons at the bottom of the chromatogram window) change the Retention Time and/or window limits for Peaks and Groups. The user can graphically change the RT Window s start, stop and position, using the graphical toolbar icons at the bottom of the instrument screen. The changes are then reflected in the Peak Table. 1.4. Enhanced Export Functionality Post-export user program has been enhanced. Previous versions allow users to run custom programs before the run, after the run was finished but before analysis, and after the analysis. Performing the analysis, however, did not include exporting or printing. This enhancement allows exporting of results and then launches a custom program to evaluate these results. Users can now launch custom programs at the very end of the post-run acquisition. This allows users to Page 1 of 6
export data, and then have the custom program look at the exported information. This is enabled in the Method/Advanced/Files tab. 1.5. Mandatory Audit Trails Mandatory Audit Trails have been enhanced to allow turn on audit trailing on a project-by-project basis. This is accomplished when creating projects through the System Administration Wizard. This applies to methods and sequences. This enhancement requires the use of Project Management and logins (System Administration). Prior to this release, users had the choice to either turn on audit trails (method and sequence) on a file by file basis, or for the whole enterprise. This enhancement allows the user to also activate the audit trails on a project by project basis. This feature is enabled through the System Administration wizard when creating a new project. 1.6. Default Project Lockout Default project lockout has been added. Before, when using System Administration, if a user deleted the Default project folder, no new projects could be created. This was because the software needed the contents of the Default/Template folder to be able to create new projects. This enhancement makes it possible to create new projects even if the Default project is missing. When System Administration is enabled, everyone has rights to the Default project. The contents of the Default/Template folder were copied to the template folder of each newly created project. This feature allows creation of new projects even when the Default/Template directory has been deleted. It just notifies you that it does not exist. The user needs to copy the files from some other template directory. 1.7. Peak Centroid Calculation Peak centroid calculation has been added. The peak centroid is the time in an integrated peak where half the peak s area is before it and half after it. For a perfectly symmetrical peak, this would be the retention time. This feature calculates the mean time for the area of a peak. That is that time at which 50% of the peaks area comes before and 50% comes after. For perfectly symmetrical peaks, this would be equal to the retention time. 1.8. Single User Login Single user login has been added. When using project login, this feature allows to user to specify that the computer user s login (domain or local) can be used to automatically log into instruments and projects that the user has rights to. It can also be specified so that a user can login once to an instrument, then not be required to log into any other instruments. The feature allows users to: a. Login to the first instrument, then not have to login to any others; they would just open. b. Allow the user to use their computer login in place of the instrument/project login. Page 2 of 6
1.9. HPLC Signal To Noise Ratio HPLC signal to noise ratio has been enhanced. The signal to noise ratio for a given peak in a data file will the same for a given peak, regardless if the peak ID table is active or not. 1.10. HPLC Retains Function After Application Exit Previously, when a HPLC instrument was exited in 32 Karat software and then reopened, the solvent selector(s) went to position l and the flow rate went to zero. This has been changed so when a HPLC instrument is exited and re-opened, the pump flow rate will remain on and at the same flow rate prior to exiting and the pump solvent position will remain the same as that prior to exiting. This is how HPLC instruments worked prior to 32 Karat software version 7.0. 1.11. Enhanced Qualitative Analysis Report In P/ACE MDQ and ProteomeLab PA 800, the Qualitative Analysis Report has been enhanced in the following three areas; 1) the Y axis is on scale; 2) the type of curve fit now matches the line drawn; and 3) mobility values have sufficient decimal units to show a significant mobility value. 1.12. CE Drift Units In MDQ and PA 800, the units for drift in the Suitability set up table and in the report are now Drift/Min. 1.13. CE Sequence Wizard In MDQ and PA 800, the sequence wizard has been enhanced so when the Advance box is unchecked, the outlet vial does not advance for the calibration vial. When the Advance box is checked, the outlet vial does advance for the calibration vial. 1.14. CE LIF Mobility Values In MDQ and PA 800, mobility values calculated with the LIF detector is now in the same units as the mobility values for the UV and PDA detector. LIF data files prior to version 8.0 collected voltage data with a 10 5 multiplier instead of a 10 6 multiplier. This caused the annotation and report values for LIF mobility to be reported in 1/10 units of mobility. For LIF data files prior to version 8, this onetenth difference in the mobility values among the detectors will remain. However, LIF data files collected with version 8 software, the mobility values will be multiplied as the other detectors. UV and PDA data files collected prior to and with version 8.0 use the multiplier of 10 6. The calculation of mobility is given in the MDQ User s Guide, Appendix B and in the PA 800 User s Information manual, Appendix 1. Page 3 of 6
2. System Requirements 2.1. Workstation Requirements The 32 Karat Software version 8.0 has been validated to run on the following workstation: Pentium 3.0 GHz Processor 1024 MB RAM Memory 80 GB Hard Drive or larger SVGA Display with 1024 x 768 resolution, True Color capable Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 CD-DVD Write Drive USB 2.0 Connector Suitable hardware communications board for the systems. 2.2. System Gold HPLC Module Requirements 32 Karat Software version 8.0 is designed to work with System Gold HPLC modules. Modules with the most recent firmware versions should be used with this software. Only HPLC modules in current production were validated with this software. At the time of this software release the current versions of firmware are: Category Model Firm ware Pumps: 118 3.3 125 1.0 126 3.3 127 1.0 128 3.3 Detectors: 166 3.0 168 2.0 Autosamplers: 508 1.03 2.3. P/ACE MDQ and ProteomeLab PA 800 Firmware Requirements 32 Karat software version 8.0 supports P/ACE MDQ and ProteomeLab PA 800 systems with the most recent firmware version used with this software. At the time of this software release, the current version of firmware is 5.0 for P/ACE MDQ and the current version of firmware is 7.0 for ProteomeLab PA 800. 2.4. Printer Compatibility Printer drivers for some printers may not be provided with Windows XP Professional operating system. Generic drivers that allow these printers to work with Windows XP Professional may be available from the printer manufacturer. Performance of printers that are not Windows XP compatible may result in printed output that is distorted or difficult to read. The use of such printers with the 32 Karat software is not recommended. Page 4 of 6
3. Known Issues 3.1. Floating Point Numbers For Time Values The 32Karat software and SS420X device all use floating point numbers for time values. Because of differences in the way each of these rounds floating-point numbers, some small discrepancies may be noted in time displayed for the same events when recorded by these different devices. 3.2. Advanced Report Values In Advanced Reports, values of %RSD and Standard Deviation for Migration Times (CE) or Retention Times (LC) that are equal to zero may be reported as "- 1." For these parameters in Advanced Reports, "-1" should be considered equal to "0.0" 3.3. Do Not Click Stop When Opening Instrument During the interval when an instrument is opening, DO NOT click the "Stop" button or attempt to close the instrument window. Allow the instrument to fully open before STOPPING or CLOSING it. Stopping or Closing prematurely may "crash" the workstation. 3.4. CE Analog Output When data is collected from the analog output ports of the MDQ or PA 800 instruments, full scale will be lower than the specified range to account for negative shifts. The maximum output scale is 1 volt using a 0.000001 multiplier. Analog output should be calibrated using your analog input device. 3.5. Audit Trail During a Sequence Run Enable audit trail is not allowed during a sequence run. The following message will be entered in the IA log each time you try to enable the sequence audit trail: "Enabling audit trail is permanent. Do you wish to continue?" 3.6. Use of the GOTO Action When the 'GOTO' action is used in concurrence with any of the Test Condition (Cal, System Suit, Any Condition etc.), the Instrument window crashes. In order to avoid the crash, you must complete the Action dialog without inserting any GOTO line, close the dialog and save the sequence, open the sequence and activate the Action dialog, then insert the GOTO action lines. 3.7. Tertiary Pump HPLC System When a tertiary pump HPLC is configured, after the method is downloaded, the flow will go to zero and the solvent selectors will switch to the A positions momentarily. The parameters specified in the Pump Tab of the Instrument Setup will then resume. The pressure reading in Direct Control and Instrument Status and the pressure trace for pump C will register zero psi during the entire run. Page 5 of 6
3.8. Quaternary Pump HPLC System When a quaternary pump HPLC is configured, after the method is downloaded, the flow will go to zero and the solvent selectors will switch to the A positions momentarily. The parameters specified in the Pump Tab of the Instrument Setup will then resume. The pressure readings for all four pumps is correct quaternary configuration. ------------- System Gold, ProteomeLab and P/ACE MDQ are registered trademarks of Beckman Coulter, Inc. Copyright 2006 Beckman Coulter, Inc. All rights reserved. Page 6 of 6