The triplet state of the FMO complex of the green sulfur bacterium Prosthecochloris aestuarii studied with single-crystal EPR

Triplet-electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra were obtained of single crystals of the FMO complex of the green sulfur bacterium Prostecochloris aestuarii. The experiments support the results presented in a previous paper (Louwe et al., J. Phys. Chem. 101 (1997) 11280), which showed that the experimental optical spectra of this pigment-protein complex are best reproduced by assuming that one bacteriochlorophyll (BChl 3) is energetically isolated and that this BChl is the triplet-carrying BChl of the FMO complex at cryogenic temperatures for low excitation density. When comparing the experimental and simulated data sets of the triplet-EPR spectra in single crystals, the best fit is obtained for two triplet states, one localized at BChl 3 and the other at BChl 1. The existence of two different triplet states is traced to the relatively high excitation power necessary to observe the small triplet-EPR signal of the FMO single crystals.     

Progress in monomode optical-fiber interconnection devices

We review recent progress in coupling devices for monomode fiber systems, with an eye towards practical performance limits in the near future. Emphasis is placed on key subjects such as laser-to-fiber coupling and packaging, connectors, and splicing. In addition, we also discuss planar lenses which are being developed for various applications.     

The bad match; a total reward stochastic game

Summary For two person zero sum stochastic games we introduce a new criterion for evaluating streams of payoffs. When the players use this criterion we call such games total reward stochastic games. It is unknown whether total reward stochastic games, with the property that the average value is zero for each initial state, always have a value. We examine an example of such a total reward stochastic game in which one of the players can play-optimal only by using history dependent strategies.

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Zusammenfassung Für stochastische Zwei-PersonenNull-Summen-Spiele wird ein neues Kriterium zur Bewertung der Auszahlungsströme eingeführt, das Gesamt-Gewinn-Kriterium. Es ist bisher unbekannt, ob stochastische Spiele, deren Wert bezüglich des Durchschnittsgewinn-Kriteriums gleich Null ist, bezüglich des Gesamt-Gewinn-Kriteriums einen Wert besitzen. Es wird ein Beispiel untersucht, in dem ein Spieler nure-optimal spielen kann, wenn er von der Vorgeschichte abhängige Strategien benutzt.

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This research is supported by the Netherlands Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research (ZWO, project 10-64-10)     

An exploration of the base rate scores of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory–III.

The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (3rd ed.; MCMI–III) is a widely used psychological assessment of clinical and personality disorders. Unlike typical tests, the MCMI–III uses a base-rate score transformation to incorporate prior probabilities of disorder (i.e., base rates) in test output and diagnostic thresholds. The authors describe the base rate transformation and contend that its supporting documentation in the MCMI–III manual is incomplete and fails to meet interdisciplinary test documentation standards. They show that the MCMI–III's base rate transformation is not optimal, and they derive an optimal alternative transformation using Bayes' theorem. Bayes transformation formulae for 7 exponential family distributions are given. The authors discuss the effect of the base rate transformation and further argue that the MCMI–III's use of a single base rate per diagnostic category is ill-advised. They argue that base rates differ among clinical settings and that tests like the MCMI–III should flexibly incorporate a base rate of disorder pertinent to the examinee's characteristics, such as demographics, chief complaint, clinical history, or other variables. They explain how this can readily be accomplished. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Efficient coupling of laser diodes to tapered monomode fibres with high-index end

The coupling efficiency between monomode fibres and laser diodes can be significantly increased by means of a high-index microlens which is attached on the cleaved end of a tapered monomode fibre. Coupling efficiencies of more than 50% can be attained.     

Linear programming and undiscounted stochastic games in which one player controls transitions

This paper considers non-cooperative two-person zero-sum undiscounted stochastic games with finite state and action spaces. It is assumed that one player governs the transition rules. We give a linear programming algorithm and show, that an optimal solution to this program corresponds to the value of the game and to optimal stationary strategies for both players. Moreover, this linear programming formulation results in an existence proof of the value and of optimal stationary strategies for both players.

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Zusammenfassung In dieser Arbeit behandeln wir nichtkooperative nichtdiskontierte stochastische Zweipersonen-Nullsummenspiele mit endlichen Zustands- und Entscheidungsräumen. Dabei setzen wir voraus, daß ein Spieler das Übergangsverhalten steuert. Wir entwickeln ein lineares Programm und zeigen, daß eine Optimallösung dieses Programms den Spielwert und optimale stationäre Strategien für beide Spieler ergibt. Darüberhinaus liefert dieses lineare Programm einen Existenzbeweis für den Spielwert und für optimale stationäre Strategien für beide Spieler.

     

Multidimensional assessment of criminal recidivism: Problems, pitfalls, and proposed solutions.

All states have statutes in place to civilly commit individuals at high risk for violence. The authors address difficulties in assessing such risk but use as an example the task of predicting sexual violence recidivism; the principles espoused here generalize to predicting all violence. As part of the commitment process, mental health professionals, who are often psychologists, evaluate an individual's risk of sexual recidivism. It is common for professionals conducting these risk assessments to use several actuarial risk prediction instruments (i.e., psychological tests). These tests rarely demonstrate close agreement in the risk figures they provide. Serious epistemological and psychometric problems in the multivariate assessment of recidivism risk are pointed out. Sound psychometric, or in some cases heuristic, solutions to these problems are proffered, in the hope of improving clinical practice. The authors focus on how to make these tests' outputs commensurable and discuss various ways to combine them in coherent, justifiable fashions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)