Estimating a reduced rank regression model for non-normal variables

A method using third order moments for estimating the regression coefficients as well as the latent state scores of the reduced-rank regression model when the latent variable(s) are non-normally distributed is presented in this paper. It is shown that the factor analysis type indeterminacy of the regression coefficient matrices is eliminated. A real life example of the proposed method is presented. Differences of this solution with the reduced-rank regression eigen solution are discussed.     

Energy transfer between the flavin chromophores of electron-transferring flavoprotein fromMegasphaera elsdenii as inferred from time-resolved red-edge and blue-edge fluorescence spectroscopy

Both a mode-locked argon-ion laser and synchrotron radiation were used as excitation sources to obtain time-resolved polarized fluorescence of the two FAD cofactors in electron transferring flavoprotein fromMegasphaera elsdenii. Red-edge excited and blue-edge detected fluorescence anisotropy decay curves did not contain a fast relaxation process which was observed upon mainband excitation and detection. This relaxation was assigned to homo-energy transfer between the two FAD cofactors. Failure of energy transfer as observed with edge spectroscopy on this protein excludes restricted reorientational motion of the flavins as a possible mechanism of depolarization. From the global analysis of the fluorescence anisotropy decay surface obtained at multiple excitation and detection wavelengths, the distance between and the relative orientation of the flavins could be estimated. The methodology described has general applicability in other multichromophoric biopolymers and has the potential to acquire accurate geometrical parameters in these systems.     

Magnetic excitations and phase transition of CsFeBr3 in an external magnetic field

In CSFeBr₃ the Fe²⁺ ion with effective spin one has locally a singlet ground state (m=0). The antiferromagnetic interactions between neighbouring Fe-ions are too weak as compared with the anisotropy constant to introduce long range order in the absence of an external field. By inelastic neutron scattering we studied the magnetic excitations in an external magnetic field up to 5 Tesla applied along thec-axis. A linear Zeeman splitting was observed with a Landé factorg=2.4. The field renormalizes the dispersion curves in such a way that the exchange interaction has decreasing influence with increasing field. Theoretical calculations according to the excitonic model of Lindgård describe the experimental results very well. At 4.1 Tesla a phase transition appears to a commensurate long range order with a 120° arrangement of the spins in the hexagonal plane. Within the limits of experimental observation this phase transition has no influence on the dynamical behaviour. No critical phenomena could be observed. The dynamical structure factor |G _j()|² of the lower Zeeman split modes decreases with increasing field.     

Magnetic excitations in the quasi one-dimensional antiferromagnetic singlet groundstate system CsFeBr3

We have measured the magnetic excitations in CsFeBr₃ along the chain direction (z-axis) and perpendicular to it by inelastic neutron scattering. The measured dispersion curves can be reproduced by the formula $$\omega ^2 (q) = A^2 - 8A[J\cos (\pi q_c ) + J'\gamma (2\pi q_ \bot )]R(T)$$ which is very different from dispersion relations for usual 1 D antiferromagnets, because of the singlet groundstate of this system. The large value of the anisotropy energyA/k=29.8±0.5 K, which is independent of temperature, causes the singlet groundstate. The intra-and inter-chain exchange parameters areJ/k=?3.2±0.15K andJ'/k=?0.32±0.02 K determined atT=1.4 K. At 1.4 K the renormalisation factor is taken to beR(T)=1. AtT=30 K the value forR(T) was found to be 0.5±0.1 keepingJ andJ' unchanged. The excitations at (1/3 1/31) show soft mode behaviour but no phase transition. The observed intensities are interpreted by a heuristic model for the eigenvectors in the excited state including antiferro-as well as ferromagnetic configurations of the fluctuations.     

Bonding Properties of a Novel Inorganometallic Complex, Ru(SnPh(3))(2)(CO)(2)(iPr-DAB) (iPr-DAB = N,N'-Diisopropyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene), and its Stable Radical-Anion, Studied by UV-Vis, IR, and EPR Spectroscopy, (Spectro-) Electrochemistry, and Density Functional Calculations

Ru(SnPh(3))(2)(CO)(2)(iPr-DAB) was synthesized and characterized by UV-vis, IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, (119)Sn NMR, and mass (FAB(+)) spectroscopies and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which proved the presence of a nearly linear Sn-Ru-Sn unit. Crystals of Ru(SnPh(3))(2)(CO)(2)(iPr-DAB).3.5C(6)H(6) form in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; in a unit cell of dimensions a = 11.662(6) ?, b = 13.902(3) ?, c = 19.643(2) ?, alpha = 71.24(2) degrees, beta = 86.91(4) degrees, gamma = 77.89(3) degrees, and V = 2946(3) ?(3). One-electron reduction of Ru(SnPh(3))(2)(CO)(2)(iPr-DAB) produces the stable radical-anion [Ru(SnPh(3))(2)(CO)(2)(iPr-DAB)](*-) that was characterized by IR, and UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry. Its EPR spectrum shows a signal at g = 1.9960 with well resolved Sn, Ru, and iPr-DAB (H, N) hyperfine couplings. DFT-MO calculations on the model compound Ru(SnH(3))(2)(CO)(2)(H-DAB) reveal that the HOMO is mainly of sigma(Sn-Ru-Sn) character mixed strongly with the lowest pi orbital of the H-DAB ligand. The LUMO (SOMO in the reduced complex) should be viewed as predominantly pi(H-DAB) with an admixture of the sigma(Sn-Ru-Sn) orbital. Accordingly, the lowest-energy absorption band of the neutral species will mainly belong to the sigma(Sn-Ru-Sn)-->pi(iPr-DAB) charge transfer transition. The intrinsic strength of the Ru-Sn bond and the delocalized character of the three-center four-electron Sn-Ru-Sn sigma-bond account for the inherent stability of the radical anion.     

Systematic computer-aided interpretation of vibrational spectra

The diagnostic value of an interpretation system for vibrational spectra has been investigated in relation to the number of structural units the system can cope with. For five structural units the correlated wavenumber intervals are derived from three infrared and three Raman files by the CRISE program. The interpretative value of each interval in relation to the intensity threshold is discussed. For most intervals a decrease is found on increasing the number of structural units.     

Systematic computer-aided interpretation of infrared and raman vibrational spectra based on the crise program

The CRISE computer program is used to correlate wavenumber regions and 6 structural elements containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen on the basis of 2 standard files with 549 infrared and Raman spectra. The degree of correlation, including score percentages and interfering percentages, is established for different types of intervals in relation to various intensity thresholds. Specific regions (score 100%, interference 0%) proved to be rare, whereas pseudo-specific regions (score < 100%, interference 0%) are normally present. The usefulness of selective regions (score 100%, interference > 0%) is doubtful. The infrared and Raman results for a structural element can differ appreciably, yet neither technique is clearly superior for interpretative purposes.     

Dynamic imaging of single DNA-protein interactions using atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of static DNA-protein complexes, in air and in liquid, can be used to directly obtain quantitative and qualitative information on the structure of different complexes. For example, DNA length, the location of preferential binding sites for proteins and bending of DNA as a result of the complexation can all be measured. Recording consecutive AFM images of DNA and protein molecules under conditions that they are still able to move and interact, or dynamic AFM imaging, however, can reveal information on the dynamic aspects of the interactions between these molecules. Here, an overview is given of the technical challenges that need to be considered for successful dynamic AFM imaging studies of individual DNA-protein interactions. Necessary technical improvements to the AFM set-up and the development of new sample preparation methods are described in this paper.     

Feeble forces and gravity

We develop a scenario in which feeble intermediate range forces emerge as an effect resulting from the compactification (à la Kaluza-Klein) of multidimensional theories. These feeble forces compete with gravity and in general permit different bodies to fall to earth with different accelerations. We show that these feeble forces are mediated by vectors (V) and/or scalars (S), whose dimensionless coupling constants are typically of order g_v g_s 10^–10 Under certain plausible assumptions the ranges of these feeble forces are expected to be of order 1 m to 1 km. It is conjectured that the general strategy will prove applicable to realistic multidimensional theories such as the 10-dimensional superstring theories. We speculate that deviations from the standard gravitational force-similar to the ones reported recently as a fifth force-may be interpreted as evidence for higher dimensions.This essay received the second award from the Gravity Research Foundation for the year 1986.Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under grant # DE-FG03-84ER-40168.