Computational Discovery of Lanthanide Doped and Co-Doped Y₃Al₅O₁₂ for Optoelectronic Applications

We systematically elucidate the optoelectronic properties of rare-earth doped and Ce co-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) using hybrid exchange-correlation functional based density functional theory. The predicted optical transitions agree with the experimental observations for single doped Ce:YAG, Pr:YAG, and co-doped Er,Ce:YAG. We find that co-doping of Ce-doped YAG with any lanthanide except Eu and Lu lowers the transition energies; we attribute this behavior to the lanthanide-induced change in bonding environment of the dopant atoms. Furthermore, we find infrared transitions only in case of the Er, Tb, and Tm co-doped Ce:YAG and suggest Tm,Ce:YAG and Tb,Ce:YAG as possible functional materials for efficient spectral up-conversion devices

Environment and Co-occurring Native Mussel Species, but Not Host Genetics, Impact the Microbiome of a Freshwater Invasive Species (Corbicula fluminea)

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Family: Cyneridae) has aggressively invaded freshwater habitats worldwide, resulting in dramatic ecological changes and declines of native bivalves such as freshwater mussels (Family: Unionidae), one of the most imperiled faunal groups. Despite increases in our knowledge of invasive C. fluminea biology, little is known of how intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including co-occurring native species, influence its microbiome. We investigated the gut bacterial microbiome across genetically differentiated populations of C. fluminea in the Tennessee and Mobile River Basins in the Southeastern United States and compared them to those of six co-occurring species of native freshwater mussels. The gut microbiome of C. fluminea was diverse, differed with environmental conditions and varied spatially among rivers, but was unrelated to host genetic variation. Microbial source tracking suggested that the gut microbiome of C. fluminea may be influenced by the presence of co-occurring native mussels. Inferred functions from 16S rRNA gene data using PICRUST2 predicted a high prevalence and diversity of degradation functions in the C. fluminea microbiome, especially the degradation of carbohydrates and aromatic compounds. Such modularity and functional diversity of the microbiome of C. fluminea may be an asset, allowing to acclimate to an extensive range of nutritional sources in invaded habitats, which could play a vital role in its invasive success

Self-assembly of phosphate fluorosurfactants in carbon dioxide

Anionic phosphodiester surfactants, possessing either two fluorinated chains (F/F) or one hydrocarbon chain and one fluorinated chain (H/F), were synthesized and evaluated for solubility and self-assembly in liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide. Several surfactants, of both F/F and EUF types and having varied counterions, were found to be capable of solubilizing water-in-CO2 (W/C), via the formation of microemulsions, expanding upon the family of phosphate fluorosurfactants already found to stabilize W/C microemulsions. Small-angle neutron scattering was used to directly characterize the microemulsion particles at varied temperatures, pressures, and water loadings, revealing behavior consistent with previous results on W/C microemulsions

Sex differences in financial barriers and the relationship to recovery after acute myocardial infarction

Background-Financial barriers to health care are associated with worse outcomes following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Yet, it is unknown whether the prevalence of financial barriers and their relationship with post-AMI outcomes vary by sex among young adults. Methods and Results-We assessed sex differences in patient-reported financial barriers among adults aged <55 years with AMI using data from the Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients study. We examined the prevalence of financial barriers and their association with health status 12 months post-AMI. Among 3437 patients, more women than men reported financial barriers to medications (22.3% vs 17.2%; P=0.001), but rates of financial barriers to services were similar (31.3% vs 28.9%; P=0.152). In multivariable linear regression models adjusting for baseline health, psychosocial status, and clinical characteristics, compared with no financial barriers, women and men with financial barriers to services and medications had worse mental functional status (Short Form-12 mental health score: mean difference [MD]=-3.28 and -3.35, respectively), greater depressive symptomatology (Patient Health Questionnaire-9: MD, 2.18 and 2.16), lower quality of life (Seattle Angina Questionnaire-Quality of Life: MD, -4.98 and -7.66), and higher perceived stress (Perceived Stress Score: MD, 3.76 and 3.90; all P<0.05). There was no interaction between sex and financial barriers. Conclusions-Financial barriers to care are common in young patients with AMI and associated with worse health outcomes 1 year post-AMI. Whereas women experienced more financial barriers than men, the association did not vary by sex. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing financial barriers to recovery post-AMI in young adults.Adam L. Beckman, Emily M. Bucholz, Weiwei Zhang, Xiao Xu, Rachel P. Dreyer, Kelly M. Strait, John A. Spertus, Harlan M. Krumholz, Erica S. Spat

The KASCADE-Grande Experiment and the LOPES Project

KASCADE-Grande is the extension of the multi-detector setup KASCADE to cover a primary cosmic ray energy range from 100 TeV to 1 EeV. The enlarged EAS experiment provides comprehensive observations of cosmic rays in the energy region around the knee. Grande is an array of 700 x 700 sqm equipped with 37 plastic scintillator stations sensitive to measure energy deposits and arrival times of air shower particles. LOPES is a small radio antenna array to operate in conjunction with KASCADE-Grande in order to calibrate the radio emission from cosmic ray air showers. Status and capabilities of the KASCADE-Grande experiment and the LOPES project are presented.Comment: To appear in Nuclear Physics B, Proceedings Supplements, as part of the volume for the CRIS 2004, Cosmic Ray International Seminar: GZK and Surrounding