Getting Started with System Parameters in MaSTR
Single source validation data is produced from analyzing replicates of single source dilutions across known, diverse samples following your lab’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The data provide the context for analyzing unknown samples according to the same SOPs. MaSTR uses this validation data to estimate system parameters, which are the expected parameters for variance (accounts for allele drop-out), stutter expectations, and peak height variations when analyzing samples according to your lab’s SOPs. After the estimations are complete, the Stutter Ratio for each allele in every marker and the Variance are automatically graphed and displayed for viewing.
The System Parameters page lists the system parameter sets that have been added or uploaded to the MaSTR database in reverse chronological order and that can be used in a DNA analysis. The following information is displayed for a system parameters set on the System Parameters page:
• The parameters set name. The name is a hyperlink to the System Parameters Information page, which details parameter-specific information and also provides options for working with the parameters set.
• The parameters set creation date. The date that the parameter set was added/uploaded to the MaSTR database .
• The parameters set owner. The username for the user who added/uploaded the parameters set to the MaSTR database.
• The Job Status (Completed). The number of tasks (out of six total possible) that were successfully completed for the estimation of the parameters set. Only those sets with 6 of 6 tasks showing as completed have been successfully estimated.
• The time. The total time that it took to complete the estimation of the system parameters set. Only those sets that were successfully estimated show a time. If the estimation failed, then no time (00:00:00) is displayed in the Time column.
• The owner. The username for the user who added/uploaded the parameters set to the MaSTR database.
• The Status indicator. By default, any system parameters set that is added/uploaded to the MaSTR database is added/uploaded with an “Active” status, which is indicated by a white checkmark with a blue background in the Active column. A parameters set with an Active status can be used in a DNA analysis. If a parameters set does not have an Active status, then the Status indicator is a blank checkbox and the set cannot be used in a DNA analysis.
Because a system parameters set is unique for your lab’s SOPs, no parameter sets are pre-loaded in the MaSTR database. Instead, you must add your own parameter sets that meet your lab’s SOPs. You can create the necessary parameters sets directly in MaSTR, or you can use the Upload function to add a new system parameters set to the MaSTR database. For any system parameters set that you add/upload to the MaSTR database, you can also open it simply to view its information, or after viewing its information, you can download it, you can change its status, you can view its job status, and you can delete it. See: