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The purpose of this paper is to summarize 3 methods for treating adrenal metastases with stereotactic body radiation therapy. This article is not meant to provide consensus guidelines but rather to present 4 practical examples of treatment techniques using different treatment platforms from 3 institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 65th annual meeting of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine took place in July 2023 with a theme of "The Art of Science, The Science of Care." We review a sample of the more than 1000 talks and 1600 posters, focusing on a few topics of interest. Recent legislative changes across the country regarding reproductive health care have led to questions about how these regulations may affect your practice. A fantastic multidisciplinary session addressed these issues with experts in the areas of legal, administration, physics, and medicine. Both the scientific sessions and vendor hall displayed a multitude of artificial intelligence-based solutions. Presenters from academia and industry discussed the latest technological advancements, along with the potential challenges of evaluating, implementing, and maintaining this new technology. Advancements in artificial intelligence have reduced the time required to contour and compute new plans, allowing adaptive radiation therapy (ART) to become mainstream. ART-specific treatment platforms, such as MR linacs and Ethos, streamline the ART workflow and make it accessible to most clinics. Presenters discussed the latest clinical applications of ART, and shared their experience with the workflows, commissioning, and training that has worked in their clinics. We hope this snapshot of American Association of Physicists in Medicine 2023 has piqued your interest and we will see you in Los Angeles in 2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) have been used for the treatment of head and neck or skull base paraganglioma for a considerable time, demonstrating promising local control rates and a favorable safety profile compared with surgical approaches. Nevertheless, the choice of treatment must be carefully tailored to each patient's preferences, tumor location, and size, as well as anticipated treatment-related morbidity. This case-based review serves as a practical and concise guide for the use of SRS and FSRT in the management of head and neck or skull base paragangliomas, providing information on the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up considerations, and potential pitfalls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for gynecologic malignancies is controversial. We discuss certain circumstances when highly precise SBRT may be a useful tool to consider in the management of selected patients. Case selection included the following scenarios, the first 2 with palliative intent, para-aortic nodal oligorecurrence of ovarian cancer, pelvic sidewall oligorecurrence of cervical cancer, and inoperable endometrial cancer boost after intensity modulated radiation to the pelvis treated with curative intent. Patient characteristics, fractionation, prescription dose, treatment technique, and dose constraints were discussed. Relevant literature to these cases was summarized to provide a framework for treatment of similar patients. Treatment of gynecologic malignancies with SBRT requires many considerations, including treatment intent, optimal patient selection, fractionation selection, tumor localization, and plan optimization. Although other treatment paradigms including conventionally fractionated radiation therapy and brachytherapy remain the standard-of-care for definitive treatment of gynecologic malignancies, SBRT may have a role in palliative cases or those where high doses are not required due to the unacceptable toxicity that may occur with SBRT. A case-based practice review was developed by the Radiosurgery Society to provide a practical guide to the common scenarios noted above affecting patients with gynecologic malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation Oncology is a complex, resource-intensive discipline. The complexity of the radiation oncology treatment process has increased significantly in recent years with the introduction of more advanced imaging, planning, and treatment delivery technology and enhanced use of multidisciplinary care paths. We conducted a multi-institutional study to estimate the average time by functional unit for a wide range of modern radiation oncology treatment regimens. Structured process mapping was performed for 24 treatment categories, and average time estimates for 6 functional groups were obtained for each process step through consultation with the full clinical team at each institution. Six geographically dispersed institutions participated in the study. Significant effort was invested in aggregate data analysis and clarification of assumptions. The findings show significant variability in the resources expended for many treatment categories as well as the distribution of workload between functional units. Major factors in the variability include the rate of adoption of hypofractionation in external beam therapy, adoption of automation tools and standardization, and the transition to multimodality image-based planning in brachytherapy. The data obtained from this study may be useful in designing institution-specific staffing models appropriate to the scope of radiation therapy services provided at each institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total body irradiation (TBI), a form of immunomodulation, improves treatment outcomes for rapidly progressive scleroderma. The landmark Scleroderma: Cyclophosphamide or Transplantation (SCOT) trial used strict 200-cGy lung and kidney dose restrictions to limit the likelihood of normal tissue toxicity. The protocol as written did not specify how or where the 200-cGy limit was to be measured, opening the door to variable techniques and outcomes. Following the SCOT protocol, a validated 18-MV TBI beam model was used to evaluate lung and kidney doses with varying Cerrobend half-value layers (HVLs). Block margins were constructed per the SCOT protocol. Using the 2 HVL SCOT block guidelines, the average central point dose under the lung block center was 353 (±27) cGy, almost double the mandated 200 cGy. The mean lung dose was 629 (±30) cGy, triple the mandated 200 cGy. No block thickness could achieve the mandated 2 Gy due to contribution from unblocked peripheral lung tissue. With 2 HVLs, the average kidney dose was 267 (±7) cGy. Three HVLs were needed to reduce it <200 cGy, meeting the mandated SCOT limit. There is considerable ambiguity (and inaccuracy) in lung and kidney dose modulation for TBI. It is not possible to achieve the mandated lung doses using the protocol-specified block parameters. Future investigators are encouraged to take these findings into account to develop more explicit, achievable, reproducible, and accurate TBI methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen (H 2) produced via photocatalytic water splitting shows great potential as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, as it uses clean and renewable resources (water and solar light). However, low efficiency remains a significant challenge for this technology. In this study, we synthesized novel graphitic carbon nitride (GCN)–Prussian blue analog (PBA) heterostructure composites using suitable PBAs for photocatalytic reactions, and explored their application in visible-light-induced H 2 production. GCN-PBA heterostructure composites were synthesized using PBAs containing Ni, Co, and Fe, and their photocatalytic activities under visible light irradiation were compared. The visible-light absorption characteristics and H 2 production efficiency of the GCN-PBA composites were characterized. The GCN-NiFe heterostructure composite showed excellent visible-light-induced H 2 production efficiency, indicating effective charge separation and transfer characteristics that enhanced the photocatalytic activity of GCN. These findings contribute to the development of efficient photocatalytic materials for solar H 2 production, thereby contributing to the advancement of renewable energy technologies. [Display omitted] • H 2 produced by photocatalytic water-splitting is an alternative to fossil fuels. • Novel graphitic C nitride (GCN)–Prussian blue analog heterostructures were tested. • H 2 production efficiency by GCN-PBA composites was characterized. • GCN-NiFe showed excellent visible-light-induced H 2 production efficiency. • Efficient photocatalytic materials for solar H 2 production can be readily developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the common challenges in delivering complex healthcare procedures such as radiation oncology is the organization and sharing of information in ways that facilitate workflow and prevent treatment delays. Within the major vendors of Oncology Information Systems (OIS) is a lack of tools and displays to assist in task timing and workflow processes. To address this issue, we developed an electronic whiteboard integrated with a local OIS to track, record, and evaluate time frames associated with clinical radiation oncology treatment planning processes. We developed software using an R environment hosted on a local web-server at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) in 2017. The planning process was divided into stages, and time-stamped moves between planning stages were recorded automatically via Mosaiq (Elekta, Sweden) Quality Check Lists (QCLs). Whiteboard logs were merged with Mosaiq-extracted diagnostic factors and evaluated for significance. Interventional changes to task time expectations were evaluated for 6 months in 2021 and compared with 6 month periods in 2018 and 2019. Whiteboard/Mosaiq data from the SCCA show that treatment intent, number of prescriptions , and nodal involvement were main factors influencing overall time to plan completion. Contouring and Planning times were improved by 2.6 days (p < 1 0 − 14 ) and 2.5 days (p < 1 0 − 11 ), respectively. Overall time to plan completion was reduced by 33% (5.1 days; p < 1 0 − 11 ). This report establishes the utility of real-time task tracking tools in a radiotherapy planning process. The whiteboard results provide data-driven evidence to add justification for practice change implementations. • The Whiteboard successfully tracks patients and planning status in real time. • Overall planning time is specific to disease site. • Treatment intent, number of prescriptions, and nodal involvement were main factors influencing overall time to plan completion. • Contouring and Planning task times were significantly improved by implementation of the Whiteboard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymoquinone, extracted from the black seeds of Nigella sativa , is a natural substance with highly beneficial effects against various human diseases. In this study, we aimed to construct a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain that, produce thymoquinone from thymol, a relatively inexpensive substrate. To achieve this, cytochrome P450 from Origanum vulgare was expressed in S. cerevisiae for the bioconversion of thymol to thymoquinone, with the co-expression of cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) from Arabidopsis thaliana , ATR1. Additionally, flexible linkers were used to connect these two enzymes. Furthermore, modifications were performed to expand the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) space, leading to increased thymoquinone production. After integrating the genes into the chromosome and optimizing the media components, a significant improvement in the thymol-to-thymoquinone conversion rate and yield were achieved. This study represents a possibility of the production of thymoquinone, a bioactive ingredient of a plant, using an engineered microbial cell. • Thymoquinone is a natural substance from a plant black seed with highly beneficial effects. • A cytochrome P450 for the bioconversion of thymol to thymoquinone was expressed in S. cerevisiae. • With the co-expression with ATR1 and expansion of ER, thymoquinone production was increased. • The production of thymoquinone in an engineered microbial cell was demonstrated for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We studied the effects of isolated somatosensory impairment on the balance and gait. • BBS and FAC showed significant differences among the groups according to SSEP latency. • Muscle strength of lower extremity was not significantly different among the groups. • The reference value of SSEP was determined by considering the physical indices. Balance and ambulation are the result of a multicomponent control process through the interaction of the sensory and motor information. Despite the clinical relevance of the somatosensory system, its role has not drawn much attention from clinical researchers in that motor impairment is considered a major cause of dysfunction. There is little research on how somatosensory impairment alone affects functional disability after stroke. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isolated somatosensory deficit on the balance and ambulation ability in patients with stroke. P38 latency of the SSEP was used to evaluate the integrity of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway and the SSEP reference value was derived from the formula considering individual height and age. According to the SSEP latency, subjects were classified into 'normal', 'abnormal', and 'no response' group. A total of 110 supratentorial stroke patients with at least grade 4 of the Medical Research Council scale of lower extremity on the affected side were enrolled. Berg balance scale (BBS) and functional ambulatory categories (FAC) showed significant differences among the groups (P < 0.05). In post-hoc analysis, the BBS and FAC was significantly different between the 'normal' and 'abnormal SSEP' group (P = 0.013 for BBS, P = 0.004 for FAC) and the 'normal' and 'no response SSEP' group (P = 0.015 for BBS, P = 0.006 for FAC). We found that isolated somatosensory impairment has a negative effect on the balance and ambulation ability in patients with supratentorial stroke after the acute phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quasi-solid electrolyte is fabricated facilely using LLZO, PVDF-HFP, and BMIM-TFSI. • Plasticizer effect of BMIM-TFSI increases the contact area between LLZO and PVDF-HFP. • Well-developed interface in electrolyte results in high Li-ion transference number. • QSE cell shows great performance and stable coulombic efficiency with LFP cathode. Solid-state electrolytes (SEs), promising alternatives to liquid electrolytes (LEs), have their own pros and cons, necessitating exploring combined systems to achieve optimal performance. However, several issues occur due to the poor interface between combined SEs. Herein, Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) inorganic SE and PVDF-HFP (poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)) solid polymer electrolyte are combined with the ionic liquid BMIM-TFSI (1-Butyl-3-methylimidazoliumbis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) to obtain quasi-solid electrolyte (QSE) via a facile method. This study reveals that BMIM-TFSI in PVDF-HFP acts as a plasticizer and has an important role in covering LLZO particles for the properly formed interface between inorganic SE particles and solid polymer electrolyte. Thanks to the well-built interface, the QSE exhibits a high Li-ion transference number (t Li+), good ionic conductivity, and outstanding cycling performance, including a high capacity of 140 mAh g−1 and stable Coulombic efficiency. Therefore, QSE has high potential as a next-generation SE for lithium batteries with its good electrochemical properties and simple fabrication process. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study analyzes the effect of price discount on performance recovery of hotels, utilizing property-level data and spatial econometric model. • Hotels often endure unexpected demand shocks. • While relevant crisis-coping strategies are important for hotels, related research has been scarce. • Results suggest that price discount does not help is both occupancy and RevPAR recovery. Hotels often must manage unexpected external shocks, such as crises, which can threaten the sustained profitability and viability of the firms. While the literature suggests that hotels' crisis management capabilities can be improved by evaluating the efficacy of crisis-coping strategies used for a past crisis, a limited number of empirical studies have focused on such assessment. Anchored from crisis management perspectives, this study examines the effect of a hotels' common crisis-coping strategy—room rate discounts—on alleviating cumulative performance loss and on accelerating the speed of performance recovery. By applying a fixed effects spatial panel to the property-level performance data in a U.S. lodging market, we find 1) that discounting room rates may alleviate cumulative occupancy loss precipitated by a crisis but do not reduce cumulative RevPAR loss, and 2) that discounting may delay both occupancy and RevPAR recovery times. Managerial implications and suggestions for future studies are discussed with the study's findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (f-PEHs) have drawn attention for their potential use as power sources for wearable electronics. However, the amount of power harvested from conventional f-PEHs is still insufficient for achieving energy autonomy; hence, they are only used for limited applications. One of the effective approaches to enhancing the energy extraction from an f-PEH is to optimize the harvesting circuits. In this article, an energy extraction enhancement circuit (EEEC) using an f-PEH based on piezoelectric (PZT) material is reported to improve energy harvesting from irregular human movement of a joint or limb. The proposed EEEC is optimized for harvesting energy from random energy inputs with varying magnitudes and intervals, just like sporadic and irregular human movement. An f-PEH with a total thickness of 170 µm is utilized, which provides sufficient flexibility for attachment on clothes or human skin. By minimizing the capacitive load experienced by the PZT material during deformation, the EEEC maximizes the output voltage and increases the amount of extracted energy with low static power consumption (1.15 nW). Compared with a conventional full bridge rectifier (FBR)-based harvesting circuit, energy extraction is enhanced up to 495%. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Irregular human motion based energy-harvesting circuit is proposed. • 170 µm thick flexible piezoelectric material was developed for wearables. • Load hiding technique was applied to maximize energy generation by the PZT. • Energy extraction is boosted up to 495% compared to an FBR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, coal fly ash (CFA), i.e., an industrial waste product created in large quantities by thermoelectric power plants, was treated with sodium hydroxide to afford a novel Fe (0) catalyst supported on alkaline-treated CFA. The NaOH-treated CFA (NCFA) exhibited a morphological change from slick spheres to pointed, leaf-like spheres, which was accompanied by a noticeable increase in specific surface area from 1.2 to 7.5 m2/g. Sequential addition of an Fe(III) precursor and NaBH 4 solution to a suspension of NCFA resulted in the formation of Fe (0) particles on the surface of NCFA (Fe/NCFA). The catalytic activity of Fe/NCFA toward the reduction of p -nitrophenol (p-NP) was examined; among the Fe/NCFAs synthesized from different NCFAs (1, 3, and 7 M NaOH), the Fe/3 M NCFA sample displayed the highest activity owing to the highest Fe content on its surface, without leaching any toxic heavy metals. In addition, the effects of NaBH 4 concentration, Fe loading, and catalyst dosage on the catalytic reduction of p-NP by Fe/NCFA were comprehensively investigated. Finally, the recyclability and stability of Fe/NCFA were examined, demonstrating the complete reduction of p-NP over four continuous recycling cycles. The present results demonstrate the marked potential of CFA as a component in reactive catalysts for the removal of environmental pollutants from wastewater. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Surface characteristics of coal fly ash (CFA) was changed after NaOH treatment. • Treatment of CFA by 3 M NaOH (NCFA) showed the highest surface area. • A novel Fe (0) supported by NCFA (Fe/NCFA) showed efficient reduction of p-NP. • Fe/NCFA showed a reusability for continuous catalytic reduction of p-NP. • No significant leaching of heavy metals was observed after the reaction in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally expected that competitors do not react uniformly in response to a cut in price. Although the literature suggests that firms are heterogeneous in their price responses, little empirical research has examined how competitors actually respond. This study investigates how hotels strategically respond to competitors’ room rate decisions through the lens of the firm dyad. Through an empirical analysis using a fixed effect spatial panel, we find 1) that smaller hotels reduce their room rates following price cuts of larger hotels, while the larger hotels are unaffected by discounts of smaller hotels, 2) that chain and independent hotels are interdependent in their price decisions, and 3) that older hotels discount room rates when their newer competitors cut prices while price cuts by older hotels are not associated with price-cutting by newer properties. Implications for practitioners and suggestions for future research are discussed along with findings of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster in Japan in 2011, the demand drastically increased for efficient technology for the removal of radioactive cesium. Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles have shown excellent adsorption ability toward Cs. In this study, we synthesized PB nanoparticles incorporated polyacrylonitrile nanofiber (PB/PAN). PB/PAN has the porous structure of nanofibers, with diameters of several hundred nanometers. PB nanoparticles can be incorporated successfully into the PAN matrix without any change to their intrinsic crystallinity and structure. The mesoporous structure of PB/PAN and the incorporation of PB nanoparticles led to an increase in the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and pore volume. In addition, PB/PAN exhibited excellent wettability with water. With simple filtering for the removal of radioactive cesium, PB/PAN showed high removal efficiency (87 ± 3%) within 10 s for 10 mL of 137 Cs solution (1000 Bq L −1 ). In addition, the 137 Cs removal by PB/PAN showed high removal efficiency (70 ± 2%, after 1 h), even in the actual seawater medium (1000 Bq L −1 of 137 Cs). Therefore, PB-incorporated PAN nanofibers can be considered useful in the practical application of Cs removal from radioactive wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic optical fiber fabrics are widely utilized as efficient support materials owing to their high flexibility. In this study, we have investigated a remote photocatalysis system using modified plastic optical fiber fabrics. We successfully deposited TiO 2 onto a modified plastic optical fiber fabric using the dip-coating method. The drying temperature was fixed at 50 °C in order to inhibit the decomposition of the fabric. The TiO 2- coated woven plastic optical fiber fabric was applied to the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and the simultaneous oxidation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and reduction of Cr(VI). The degradation of MB by direct photolysis, or through dark reactions of the adsorbed MB on the surface of the fabric, was not observed. MB degradation increased with increasing TiO 2 loading, Pt deposition, increasing solution pH, and decreasing initial MB concentration. Repeated testing in the above-mentioned degradation and simultaneous redox reactions revealed that the TiO 2 -coated woven plastic optical fiber fabrics retain good activity after multiple cycles. On the basis of these results, we propose that plastic optical fiber fabrics together with photocatalysts are suitable for remote ( in situ ) advanced oxidation process useful for the remediation of contaminated soil or groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic depolymerization of empty fruit bunch (EFB)-derived organosolv lignin, which is free of ash and catalyst-poisoning sulfur, is performed using supported metal catalysts. Without the improved reaction activity in the presence of supercritical solvents, water and ethanol in this study, at the subcritical conditions, Hβ-supported Ru catalyst achieved 16.5% yield of small molecule phenolic hydrocarbons, including guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol, cerulignol, and iso-eugenol, and produced degraded lignin polymer with 63% decreased weight-average molecular weight based on polystyrene-calibrated gel permeation chromatography results. The catalytic depolymerization activity was determined by the quantity of acid sites on the catalysts; however, the presence of metal nanoparticles is required to supply hydrogen atoms to the reaction system, which particles improve the catalytic depolymerization activity. The structure of organosolv lignin prepared by extraction using a mixture of ethanol and water was also studied using GPC and NMR results, which indicated that a possibly linear polymer composed of phenolic monomers with two or fewer linking functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to study the butyric acid production from softwood hydrolysate by acetate-consuming Clostridium sp. S1. Results showed that Clostridium sp. S1 produced butyric acid by simultaneously utilizing glucose and mannose in softwood hydrolysate and, more remarkably, it consumed acetic acid in hydrolysate. Clostridium sp. S1 utilized each of glucose, mannose, and xylose as well as mixed sugars simultaneously with partially repressed xylose utilization. When softwood (Japanese larch) hydrolysate containing glucose and mannose as the main sugars was used, Clostridium sp. S1 produced 21.17 g/L butyric acid with the yield of 0.47 g/g sugar and the selectivity of 1 (g butyric acid/g total acids) owing to the consumption of acetic acid in hydrolysate. The results demonstrate potential of Clostridium sp. S1 to produce butyric acid selectively and effectively from hydrolysate not only by utilizing mixed sugars simultaneously but also by converting acetic acid to butyric acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a common belief that businesses performance should not be evaluated by immediate fiscal returns, but rather based on an extended time horizon. While the literature implies that pricing decisions may exert lagged as well as contemporaneous effects on performance, a limited number of empirical studies have focused on such effects. The current study investigates effects of idiosyncratic price movements on short-run and long-run hotel performance, where idiosyncratic price movements refer to the changes in individual hotels’ room rates unexplained by price competition, product differentiation, and market conditions. By analyzing spatial panel data from the Houston lodging market between 2005 and 2014, we find that idiosyncratic price movements enhance hotel performance in the short-run and that adverse effects followed in the long-run. Findings of the study and implications for practitioners are discussed along with suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An elaborate model was developed to estimate on-site and off-site greenhouse gases (GHGs) generated from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The model was applied to a hybrid treatment system (five-stage Bardenpho processes) treating 5500 m 3 d −1 of municipal wastewater with 200 mg L −1 influent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). A sensitivity analysis was performed to predict the potential variability of GHG emissions from the WWTP. On-site GHG emissions related to biochemical reactions at the system were estimated to be 8264 ± 678kgCO 2 e d −1 . The major source of on-site GHG emissions was the first aeration tank, and these were caused by the release of dissolved and accumulated GHGs by air-blowing. Off-site GHG emissions related to electricity consumption, chemical production, and transportation were estimated to be 4591 ± 576 kgCO 2 e d −1 . Off-site production of chemicals to be used on-site was identified as the primary source of the off-site GHG emissions. The recovery of biogas and its reuse as electricity reduced the overall GHG emissions. The results obtained from the newly developed model (10.6 kgCO 2 e·kg −1 BOD) were 2.83–4.24 times greater than those obtained from previous studies. From the results of this study, an appropriate methodology is proposed to accurately estimate GHG emissions from WWTPs and tactics are outlined for reducing GHG emissions without reducing the quality of treated wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis-based solar hydrogen (H 2 ) has garnered attention as a renewable energy carrier, yet the technology is still immature. For practical operation of photocatalytic H 2 production, we fabricated a novel heterojunction of CdS-loaded flexible carbon nanofiber (CNF) mats. CNF mats were prepared by electrospinning and carbonization. CdS nanoparticles were deposited in alcohol and water solutions by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The former solution was found to be more effective in uniformly dispersing CdS particles in the CNF mats. When pristine CNF mats were treated with acid (hereafter CdS/a-CNF), the degree of CdS particle distribution was further enhanced. Moreover, H 2 production was improved by a factor of 3 in an aqueous solution of Na 2 S (0.1 M) and Na 2 SO 3 (0.1 M) under visible light ( λ > 420 nm). Heat-treatment of CdS/a-CNF mats at 400 °C dramatically increased H 2 production by 3.6 times due to the improved crystallinity of the CdS particles. In this heterojunction, the CNF mats have three roles: They work as a multi-scalable support for CdS particles, enhance photogenerated charge transfers, and catalyze H 2 evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was studied over silica/tungsten oxide nanofacets (SiO2/WO3−x ) that was prepared by calcinations of electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers containing silicotungstic acid under air atmosphere. It was found that the Keggin structure of precursor (H4SiW12O40.29H2O) was decomposed and transferred to crystalline monoclinic WO3 after calcinations at 500 °C. The morphology of prepared catalyst after pyrolysis, observed by FE-SEM, was nanocrystals deposited on joined nanoparticles fiber. The size of nanocrystal increases with increasing annealing time. In addition, increasing annealing time also enhances interaction between SiO2 and WO3−x . The synthesized catalyst was employed as an electrocatalyst for HER. It was found that the catalyst annealed at 500 °C for 5 h showed 6.6 times higher HER activity than the bulk WO3 and exhibits excellent electrochemical stability over 100 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we characterized a putative peroxidase Prx1 of Candida albicans by: 1) demonstrating the thioredoxin-linked peroxidase activity with purified proteins, 2) examining the sensitivity to several oxidants and the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species with a null mutant ( prx1Δ), a mutant (C69S) with a point mutation at Cys69, and a revertant, and 3) subcelluar localization. Enzymatic assays showed that Prx1 is a thioredoxin-linked peroxidase which reduces both hydrogen peroxide (HO) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide ( t-BOOH). Compared with two other strong HO scavenger mutants for TSA1 and CAT1, prx1Δ and C69S were less sensitive to HO, menadione and diamide at all concentrations tested, but were more sensitive to low concentration of t-BOOH. Intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulated in prx1Δ and C69S cells treated with t-BOOH but not HO. These results suggest that peroxidase activity of Prx1 is specified to t-BOOH in cells. In both biochemical and physiological cases, the evolutionarily conserved Cys69 was found to be essential for the function. Immunocytochemical staining revealed Prx1 is localized in the cytosol of yeast cells, but is translocated to the nucleus during the hyphal transition, though the significances of this observation are unclear. Our data suggest that PRX1 has a thioredoxin peroxidase activity reducing both t-BOOH and HO, but its cellular function is specified to t-BOOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-branded hotels have received great attention in the industry recently. Our study uniquely examines the dual branding effects in two dimensions of synergy (operation and marketplace) and the role of dual branding composition in creating synergy. Based on the property-level data, this study conducts a systematic analysis to verify these benefits using a fixed-effects model and a matched-sample analysis. There are three key findings. First, the benefit of dual branding mainly comes from operating synergy. Dual branding could lower revenue volatility for all dual-branded hotels and reduce operating costs for those paired with the same-class hotels. Second, dual branding on marketplace performance varies by property characteristics. Third, the anchoring effect is asymmetric. In a different-class dual-branded hotel pair, the higher-class hotel's occupancy is anchored down but the lower-class hotel's occupancy is not anchored up. • The present study extends the synergy literature by investigating hotels' dual branding synergy in two dimensions: operating synergy and marketplace synergy. • The benefit of dual branding mainly comes from operating synergy, especially in same-class pairs. • The dual branding's anchoring effect in marketplace performance is asymmetric. The higher-class hotel's occupancy is anchored down but the lower-class hotel's occupancy is not anchored up. • Dual branding could lower revenue volatility in both same-class dual-branded hotels and different-class dual-branded hotels. • The type of hotel that could benefit most from dual branding is chain-owned or managed, located in urban, with more than 500 rooms, and upscale or upper midscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how conformity and differentiation impacts hotel performance. It evaluates strategic outcomes of hotel entrepreneurs' choice of geographic location, capacity, and quality. Using instrumental variable (IV) estimation, we find that the distribution of similar competitors affects hotel performance and performance risk. Specifically, results show that choosing a similar capacity (conformity) to competitors may lead to higher and more stable performance. The results also reveal that locating geographically close to competitors or choosing a similar quality of product to competitors (both conformity strategies) can increase hotel performance but also increases performance risk. Additionally, when mixing conformity and differentiation strategies in terms of location, capacity, and quality selection, a higher dispersion of differentiation (i.e., highly differentiated in one product dimension while conforming to others in all remaining product dimensions) increases both performance and performance risk. Findings of this study can aid entrepreneurs in improving their strategic decisions and product positioning. Image 1 • As a long-term strategy, hotels may choose to conform to or differentiate from market competitors. • This study investigates the effect of hotel positioning on performance and performance risk. • It is found that conformity in the capacity dimension results in stable performance. • Conformity in location and quality improves performance but also increases performance risk. • When strategies are mixed, differentiation increases both performance and performance risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary artery disease leads to stenosis of the major cardiac vessels, resulting in ischemia and infarction. Percutaneous intervention (PCI) with balloon angioplasty can re-open stenosed vessels. Drug eluting stents (DES) and intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT) and drug-coated balloons (DCBs) are proven to decrease the likelihood of another restenosis after PCI, but neither is completely effective. Due to the limited long-term effectiveness of IVBT or DCB used separately for salvage PCI, we combined the two in some poor prognosis patients. Combined IVBT+DCB was intended for a total of 36 patients from 2015-2020. PCI with some combination of ballooning, laser and directional/rotational atherectomy was used to maximally open the stenotic region prior to IVBT+DCB. Beta-radiation brachytherapy for all patients was done with a Novoste Beta-Cath. Lutonix 4.0 x 40 mm paclitaxel-coated balloons (Bard, Murray Hill, NJ) were employed. Overall survival at two years was 88%. Nine patients had follow-up angiograms, all for cardiac symptoms. Time from IVBT+DCB to follow-up angiography ranged from 4 to 33 months. The average months PCI-free interval before brachy therapy was 11.1 mos (95% CI 1.03-23.25) versus 23.3 mos after VBT (23.3 95% CI 12.3-32.3). The mean difference was 11.2 mos (95% CI 1.06-21.4, p < 0.031). None of the follow-up angiographic procedures displayed evidence of what could be interpreted as radiation damage. In this uncontrolled series, IVBT plus DCB appeared to lengthen the ISR-free interval relative to what had been achieved prior to the combined intervention. We view these results as mildly encouraging, worthy of further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate coronary artery integrity after very high radiation doses from intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT) in the setting of source asymmetry. Ten patients treated for right coronary artery (RCA) in-stent restenosis (ISR) between 2017 and 2021 and for whom follow-up angiograms were available were identified from departmental records. Procedural angiograms, taken to document source position, were used to estimate vascular wall doses. The 2.5 mm proximal source marker was used to estimate the distance from source center to the media and adventitia. Distances were converted to dose (Gy) using the manufacturers' dose fall-off table, measured in water. Follow-up films were scrutinized for any sign of late vascular damage. The average minimal distance from catheter center to the adjacent media and the adventitia was 0.9 mm (±0.2) mm and 1.4 mm (±0.2), respectively. The average maximum media and adventitial doses adjacent to the source were 75 Gy (±26) and 39 Gy (±14), respectively. Follow-up angiograms were available from 0.6 years to 3.9 years following IVBT (median: 1.6 years). No IVBT-treated vascular segment showed signs of degeneration, dissection or aneurysm. IVBT vascular wall doses are frequently far higher than prescribed. The lack of complications in this unselected group of patients gives a modicum of reassurance that raising the prescription dose is unlikely to lead to a sudden appearance of complications. • Intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT) radiation doses are frequently far higher than prescribed • In a carefully scrutinized group of 10 patients, no IVBT-treated vascular segment showed signs of degeneration, dissection or aneurysm in areas of extreme radiation dose • The lack of complications in this unselected group of patients gives a modicum of reassurance that raising the prescription dose is unlikely to lead to a sudden appearance of complications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]