Solvent-Controlled Morphology of Zinc-Cobalt Bimetallic Sulfides for Supercapacitors.

Bimetallic sulfides offer high theoretical specific capacitance and good stability as electrode materials due to their diverse redox reactions, larger specific surface areas, and better conductivity. The morphology of the electrode material is an important influencing factor for the electrochemical properties. Herein, a series of ZnCoS electrode materials with different morphologies were prepared by varying the solvent in the solvothermal reaction, and the effects of different microstructures on the electrochemical properties of ZnCoS were investigated. The ratio of water and ethanol in the solvent was controlled to modulate the microstructure of the as-prepared ZnCoS materials. XRD and XPS revealed the physical and chemical structure of the ZnCoS materials. SEM and TEM observations showed that the microstructure of ZnCoS transformed from one-dimensional wires to two-dimensional sheets with increasing amounts of ethanol. The maximum specific capacitance of the as-prepared ZnCoS materials is 6.22 F cm-2 at a current density of 5 mA cm-2, which is superior to that of most previously reported bimetallic sulfides. The enhanced electrochemical performance could be ascribed to its sheet-assembled spherical structure, which not only shortens the path of ion diffusion but also increases the contact between surface active sites and the electrolyte. Moreover, the spherical structure provides numerous void spaces for buffering the volume expansion and penetration of the electrolyte, which would be favorable for electrochemical reactions. Furthermore, the ZnCoS electrodes were coupled with activated carbon (AC) electrodes to build asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). The ASC device exhibits a maximum energy density of 0.124 mWh cm-2 under a power density of 2.1 mW cm-2. Moreover, even under a high-power density of 21 mW cm-2, the energy density can still reach 0.055 mWh cm-2.

[Research on Oil Sands Spectral Characteristics and Oil Content by Remote Sensing Estimation].

Visible and near infrared spectroscopy is a proven technology to be widely used in identification and exploration of hydrocarbon energy sources with high spectral resolution for detail diagnostic absorption characteristics of hydrocarbon groups. The most prominent regions for hydrocarbon absorption bands are 1,740-1,780, 2,300-2,340 and 2,340-2,360 nm by the reflectance of oil sands samples. These spectral ranges are dominated by various C-H overlapping overtones and combination bands. Meanwhile, there is relatively weak even or no absorption characteristics in the region from 1,700 to 1,730 nm in the spectra of oil sands samples with low bitumen content. With the increase in oil content, in the spectral range of 1,700-1,730 nm the obvious hydrocarbon absorption begins to appear. The bitumen content is the critical parameter for oil sands reserves estimation. The absorption depth was used to depict the response intensity of the absorption bands controlled by first-order overtones and combinations of the various C-H stretching and bending fundamentals. According to the Pearson and partial correlation relationships of oil content and absorption depth dominated by hydrocarbon groups in 1,740-1,780, 2,300-2,340 and 2,340-2,360 nm wavelength range, the scheme of association mode was established between the intensity of spectral response and bitumen content, and then unary linear regression(ULR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) methods were employed to model the equation between absorption depth attributed to various C-H bond and bitumen content. There were two calibration equations in which ULR method was employed to model the relationship between absorption depth near 2,350 nm region and bitumen content and PLSR method was developed to model the relationship between absorption depth of 1,758, 2,310, 2,350 nm regions and oil content. It turned out that the calibration models had good predictive ability and high robustness and they could provide the scientific basis for rapid estimation of oil content in oil sands in future.

Sorafenib in combination with ionizing radiation has a greater anti-tumour activity in a breast cancer model.

High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with breast cancer has been associated with a poor prognosis, indicating that VEGF could be linked to the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It has also been suggested that radiation resistance is partly due to tumour cell production of angiogenic cytokines, particularly VEGF receptor (VEGFR). This evidence indicates that inhibition of VEGFR might enhance the radiation response. Sorafenib tosylate (Bay 54-9085) is an oral, small-molecule multikinase inhibitor of several targets including RAF/MEK/ERK MAP kinase signalling, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta. Sorafenib has shown clinical efficacy in treating solid tumours such as renal cell and hepatocellular carcinomas. However, strategies are yet to be identified to prolong and maximize the anticancer effect of this multikinase inhibitor. The objective of this study was to determine whether a combination of Sorafenib and radiation will enhance the treatment response in vitro and in vivo. Radio-modulating effect of Sorafenib was assessed by performing clonogenic assays. In addition, cell cycle analyses as well as annexin-V apoptosis assays were performed 24 and 48 h after treatment, respectively. To confirm our in-vitro results, tumour growth delay assays were performed. Our results showed a strong and supra-additive antitumour effect of radiation combined with Sorafenib in vitro (dose enhancement factor of 1.76). The combined therapy demonstrated a strong and significant G2/M cell cycle arrest (combined treatment vs. irradiated alone: P<0.0008). Moreover, annexin-V staining showed a significant increase in the level of apoptosis (combined treatment vs. irradiated alone: P<0.0004). Study of the syngeneic model demonstrated the superior potency of the Sorafenib combined with radiotherapy. Our results demonstrate that higher antitumour activity can be achieved when radiation and Sorafenib are combined.

Radiochromic film dosimetry of HDR (192)Ir source radiation fields.

PURPOSE: A radiochromic film based dosimetry system for high dose rate (HDR) Iridium-192 brachytherapy source was described. A comparison between calibration curves established in water and Solid Water™ was provided. METHODS: Pieces of EBT-2 model GAFCHROMIC™ film were irradiated in both water and Solid Water™ with HDR (192)Ir brachytherapy source in a dose range from 0 to 50 Gy. Responses of EBT-2 GAFCHROMIC™ film were compared for irradiations in water and Solid Water™ by scaling the dose between media through Monte Carlo calculated conversion factor for both setups. To decrease uncertainty in dose delivery due to positioning of the film piece with respect to the radiation source, traceable calibration irradiations were performed in a parallel-opposed beam setup. RESULTS: The EBT-2 GAFCHROMIC™ film based dosimetry system described in this work can provide an overall one-sigma dose uncertainty of 4.12% for doses above 1 Gy. The ratio of dose delivered to the sensitive layer of the film in water to the dose delivered to the sensitive layer of the film in Solid Water™ was calculated using Monte Carlo simulations to be 0.9941 ± 0.0007. CONCLUSIONS: A radiochromic film based dosimetry system using only the green color channel of a flatbed document scanner showed superior precision if used alone in a dose range that extends up to 50 Gy, which greatly decreases the complexity of work. In addition, Solid Water™ material was shown to be a viable alternative to water in performing radiochromic film based dosimetry with HDR (192)Ir brachytherapy sources.

Clinical Implication of Dosimetry Formalisms for Electronic Low-Energy Photon Intraoperative Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) using the INTRABEAM, a miniature x-ray source, has shown to be effective in treating breast cancer. However, recent investigations have suggested a significant deviation between the reported and delivered doses. In this work, the dose delivered by INTRABEAM in the TARGIT breast protocol was investigated, along with the dose from the Xoft Axxent, another source used in breast IORT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The absorbed dose from the INTRABEAM was determined from ionization chamber measurements using: (a) the manufacturer-recommended formula (Zeiss V4.0 method), (b) a Monte Carlo calculated chamber conversion factor (CQ method), and (c) the formula consistent with the TARGIT breast protocol (TARGIT method). The dose from the Xoft Axxent was determined from ionization chamber measurements using the Zeiss V4.0 method and calculated using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine TG-43 formalism. RESULTS: For a nominal TARGIT prescription of 20 Gy, the dose at the INTRABEAM applicator surface ranged from 25.2 to 31.7 Gy according to the CQ method for the largest (5 cm) and smallest (1.5 cm) diameter applicator, respectively. The Zeiss V4.0 method results were 7% to 10% lower (23.2 to 28.6 Gy). At 1 cm depth, the CQ and Zeiss V4.0 absorbed doses were also larger than those predicted by the TARGIT method. The dose at 1 cm depth from the Xoft Axxent for a surface dose of 20 Gy was slightly less than INTRABEAM (3%-7% compared with CQ method). An exception was for the 3 cm applicator, where the Xoft dose was appreciably lower (31%). CONCLUSIONS: The doses delivered in the TARGIT breast protocol with INTRABEAM were significantly greater than the prescribed 20 Gy and depended on the size of spherical applicator used. Breast IORT treatments with the Xoft Axxent received less dose compared with TARGIT INTRABEAM, which could have implications for studies comparing clinical outcomes between the 2 devices.

Evaluation of EBT-2 model GAFCHROMIC film performance in water.

PURPOSE: The authors present results of the measurements on the impact of radiochromic film immersion in water. The impact of film piece size, initial optical density, postimmersion waiting time prior to scanning, and the time film was kept in water has been investigated. The authors also investigated the pathways of water penetration into the film during the film immersion in water. METHODS: To study the impact of water immersion on change in optical density, the authors used various sizes of the latest EBT-2 model GAFCHROMICTM film: 2 x 2, 4 x 4, and 8 x 8 in.2. In addition, to test any existing dependence of the film's optical density on water diffusion, the authors used two sets of films: Unexposed (0 Gy) and film pieces exposed to a dose of 3 Gy. Times that film pieces were left in water ranged from 30 min to 24 h, and once the film was permanently removed from water, the authors also studied the impact of the scanning time (deltat) that ranged from 0 (films scanned right after removal from water) to 72 h postimmersion. RESULTS: While the penetration depth can reach as much as 9 mm around the edges of the EBT-2 GAFCHROMIC film, the anticipated dose error due to the change in optical density due to the water immersion appears to be negligible for the short immersions of the order of 30 min. However, as the immersion time increases, the anticipated dose error may reach 22 cGy on a 2 x 2 in.2 piece of film, which corresponds to 7% dose error at 3 Gy of measured dose. CONCLUSIONS: In this work, the authors report on an undoubted impact of radiochromic film immersion in water on the measured change in optical density, which may lead to systematic errors in dose measurements if the film is kept in water for longer periods of time. The magnitude of the impact depends on many parameters: Size of the film piece, initial optical density, postimmersion waiting time prior to scanning (defined by the current radiochromic film dosimetry protocol in. place), and the time film was kept in water. The authors also suggested various approaches in correcting for the change in netOD due to water penetration into the film, but the authors believe that the use of the control film piece would be the most appropriate.

Absorption spectra time evolution of EBT-2 model GAFCHROMIC film.

PURPOSE: One of the major drawbacks of the current radiochromic film dosimetry protocols is the postirradiation waiting time. In this article, the authors study the postirradiation time evolution of the absorption spectrum of radiochromic EBT-2 GAFCHROMIC film model. METHODS: Postirradiation scanning times range from 3 min to 5 days and a dose range extends from 0 to 6 Gy. The authors compare the results of absorption spectra measurements for the latest GAFCHROMIC EBT-2 film model to the absorption spectra of the previous EBT GAFCHROMIC film model. The authors also describe a method that can establish the time error constraints on the postirradiation scanning time that will still provide an acceptable dose error for clinical applications if the protocol employing the shorter postirradiation scanning time is implemented in the clinic. RESULTS: The two film models experience the very same dose change in net absorbance with sensitivity of the latest EBT-2 model GAFCHROMIC film being slightly lower than its predecessor. The authors show that for two postirradiation scanning times of 30 min and 24 h, the 1% dose error can be achieved if the scanning time window is less than +/- 5 min and +/- 2 h, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: By comparing the resultant change in net absorbance between the latest EBT-2 and previous EBT GAFCHROMIC film models, the authors conclude that the addition of the yellow marker dye to the sensitive layer does not affect dosimetric properties of the latest film model. The authors also describe a procedure by which one can establish an acceptable time window around chosen postirradiation scanning time protocol that would provide an acceptable dose error for practical purposes.

Dose measurements nearby low energy electronic brachytherapy sources using radiochromic film.

PURPOSE: We investigate the effect of the GafChromic™ film EBT3 model absorbed dose energy response when used for dose measurements around low-energy photon sources. Monte Carlo based correction procedure in synergy with appropriate calibration curves was shown to provide more accurate absorbed dose (either relative or absolute). An assessment was made of possible dose errors that might be encountered if such energy dependent response is ignored. METHODS: We measured PDDs in water from a Xoft 50 kVp source using EBT3 film, and compared to PDD measurements acquired with a PTW-TN34013 parallel-plate ionization chamber. For the x-ray source, we simulated spectra using the EGSnrc (BEAMnrc) Monte Carlo code, and calculated Half Value Layer (HVL) at different distances from the source in water. Measurement strips of EBT3 film were positioned at distances of 2-6 cm from the Xoft source in a water phantom using a custom-made holder and irradiated simultaneously. RESULTS: Our results show that film calibration curves obtained at beam qualities near the effective energy of the Xoft 50 kVp source in water lead to variation in absorbed dose energy dependence of the response of around 5%. However, if the calibration curve was established in an MV beam quality, the error in absorbed dose could be as large as 20%. CONCLUSION: Accurate dose measurements using radiochromic films at low photon energies require that the radiochromic film dosimetry system be calibrated at appropriate corresponding low energies, as large absorbed dose errors are expected when film calibration is performed in MV beam qualities.

The effect of the flattening filter on photoneutron production at 10 MV in the Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator.

PURPOSE: Neutrons are an unavoidable by-product of high-energy radiation therapy treatments that deliver unwanted nontarget dose to patients. Use of flattening-filter-free (FFF) photon beams has been shown to significantly reduce photoneutron production per monitor unit (MU) of dose delivered. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the photoneutron production of the 10 MV and 10 MV FFF beams of the Varian TrueBeamTM linear accelerator. METHODS: Neutron fluence spectra were measured using a Nested Neutron SpectrometerTM (NNS, Detec Inc., Gatineau, Canada). The ratios of neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent for the 10 MV FFF beam relative to the 10 MV beam, dubbed FF-ratios (FFF/FF), were used to characterize the difference between the two beams. FF-ratios were compared under the following three conditions (a) per MU, at various locations in the treatment room, (b) per MU, with the linac jaws opened and closed, and (c) per electron striking the bremsstrahlung target, as opposed to per MU, at one location with the jaws closed. RESULTS: On average, the neutron fluence for the 10 MV FFF beam was 37% lower per MU than the 10 MV beam (FF-ratio = 0.63). The FF-ratio in neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent did not vary by much between different locations within the treatment room. However, the FF-ratio in neutron ambient dose equivalent was reduced significantly when the linac jaws were opened compared to closed, which implies that the jaws contribute more to the photoneutron spectrum of the 10 MV FFF beam than to the 10 MV beam. Finally, it was found that the 10 MV FFF beam produces more photoneutrons per electron striking the bremsstrahlung target than the 10 MV beam (FF-ratio = 2.56). CONCLUSIONS: The photoneutron fluence per MU produced by the 10 MV FFF beam is 37% lower than the 10 MV beam of a Varian TrueBeam linac. Accordingly, a reduction in neutron dose received by patients is achieved through use of the unflattened beam, provided that treatment plans for each beam require approximately the same number of MU. It was found to be instructive to compare the photoneutron yield per source electron between the two beams as it helped provide an understanding of the physics underlying photoneutron production in both beams.

Characterization of calibration curves and energy dependence GafChromic™ XR-QA2 model based radiochromic film dosimetry system.

PURPOSE: The authors investigated the energy response of XR-QA2 GafChromic™ film over a broad energy range used in diagnostic radiology examinations. The authors also made an assessment of the most suitable functions for both reference and relative dose measurements. METHODS: Pieces of XR-QA2 film were irradiated to nine different values of air kerma in air, following reference calibration of a number of beam qualities ranging in HVLs from 0.16 to 8.25 mm Al, which corresponds to effective energy range from 12.7 keV to 56.3 keV. For each beam quality, the authors tested three functional forms (rational, linear exponential, and power) to assess the most suitable function by fitting the delivered air kerma in air as a function of film response in terms of reflectance change. The authors also introduced and tested a new parameter χ = netΔR·e(m netΔR) that linearizes the inherently nonlinear response of the film. RESULTS: The authors have found that in the energy range investigated, the response of the XR-QA2 based radiochromic film dosimetry system ranges from 0.222 to 0.420 in terms of netΔR at K(air)(air) = 8 cGy. For beam qualities commonly used in CT scanners (4.03-8.25 mm Al), the variation in film response (netΔR at K(air)(air) = 8 cGy) amounts to ± 5%, while variation in K(air)(air) amounts to ± 14%. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our investigation revealed that the use of XR-QA2 GafChromic™ film is accompanied by a rather pronounced energy dependent response for beam qualities used for x-ray based diagnostic imaging purposes. The authors also found that the most appropriate function for the reference radiochromic film dosimetry would be the power function, while for the relative dosimetry one may use the exponential response function that can be easily linearized.