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The thermochemistry of the barrierless radical coupling reactions and reactions with explicit high-barrier transition states is calculated at the M06-2X theoretical level with the 6-311g(d, p) basis set. The barrierless reactions are all exothermal with the heat release of 321-618 kJ/mol, while the potential barriers for reactions with explicit transition states vary between 37 and 229 kJ/mol. The results show that γ radiation-induced radicals are crucial for the ensuing gas formation and cross-linking reactions, especially for the radical coupling reactions. The radical chemistry involved in the radiolytic PDMS is the key to understand and simulate its radiolysis behavior, according to the experimental and simulated results.Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the essential conditions in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). IR occurs in hepatic cells when the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway is downregulated; thus, activating this pathway can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and ameliorate T2DM. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs), a DNA nanomaterial, are synthesized from four single-stranded DNA molecules. tFNAs possess excellent biocompatibility and good water solubility and stability. tFNAs can promote cell proliferation, cell autophagy, wound healing, and nerve regeneration by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Herein, we explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of tFNAs on IR. The results displayed that tFNAs could increase glucose uptake and ameliorate IR by activating the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway in glucosamine (GlcN)-stimulated HepG2 cells. By employing a PI3K inhibitor, we confirmed that tFNAs reduce IR through the PI3K/Akt pathway. Moreover, tFNAs can promote hepatic cell proliferation and inhibit GlcN-induced cell apoptosis. In a T2DM mouse model, tFNAs reduce blood glucose levels and ameliorate hepatic IR via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Taken together, tFNAs can improve hepatic IR and alleviate T2DM through the PI3K/Akt pathway, making contribution to the potential application of tFNAs in T2DM.The luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) offers a potential pathway for achieving low-cost, fixed-tilt light concentration. Despite decades of research, conversion efficiency for LSC modules has fallen far short of that achievable by geometric concentrators. However, recent advances in anisotropically emitting nanophotonic structures could enable a significant step forward in efficiency. Here, we employ Monte Carlo ray-trace modeling to evaluate the conversion efficiency for anisotropic luminophore emission as a function of photoluminescence quantum yield, waveguide concentration, and geometric gain. By spanning the full LSC parameter space, we define a roadmap toward high conversion efficiency. An analytical function is derived for the dark radiative current of an LSC to calculate the conversion efficiency from the ray-tracing results. We show that luminescent concentrator conversion efficiency can be increased from the current record value of 7.1-9.6% by incorporating anisotropy. We provide design parameters for optimized luminescent solar concentrators with practical geometrical gains of 10. Using luminophores with strongly anisotropic emission and high (99%) quantum yield, we conclude that conversion efficiencies beyond 28% are achievable. This analysis reveals that for high LSC performance, waveguide losses are as important as the luminophore quantum yield.The outstanding versatility of graphene for surface functionalization has been exploited by its decoration with synthesized polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles (NPs). A green, facile, and easily scalable for mass production nanocomposite development was proposed, and the resulting PPy@Graphene was implemented in chemoresistive gas sensors able to detect trace levels of ammonia (NH3) under room-temperature conditions. Gas exposure for 5 min revealed that the presence of nanoparticles decorating graphene entail greater sensitivity (13-fold) in comparison to the bare graphene performance. Noteworthy, excellent repeatability (0.7% of relative error) and a low limit of detection of 491 ppb were obtained, together with excellent long-term stability. Besides, an extensive material characterization was conducted, and vibration bands obtained via Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of PPy NPs, while X-ray spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the relative abundance of the different species, as polarons and bipolarons. Additionally, XPS analyses were conducted before and after NH3 exposure to assess the PPy aging and the changes induced in their physicochemical and electronic properties. Specifically, the gas sensor was tested during a 5-month period, demonstrating significant stability over time, since just a slight decrease (11%) in the responses was registered. In summary, the present work reports for the first time the use of PPy NPs decorating graphene for gas-sensing purposes, revealing promising properties for the development of unattended gas-sensing networks for monitoring air quality.Use of light is considered an effective approach to convert CO2 into usable chemical energy. In the present study, an iron- and nickel-containing bimetallic metal-organic framework (MOF) was synthesized via a simple solvothermal route. GSK4362676 SnO2 was then composited with the said MOF, and the obtained material was calcined and annealed to fabricate a series of nanophotocatalysts. The annealed sample displayed superior photocatalytic activity to the calcined sample, possibly due to the carbon-nitrogen layer formed after annealing mediating the charge-transfer process. The results of photocatalytic experiments indicated that using [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2·6H2O as a photosensitizer and triethanolamine (TEOA) and acetonitrile (MeCN) as sacrificial agents, the catalyst sample was annealed at 450 °C (NiFe2O4@N/C/SnO2-450) to afford the highest CO yield from CO2 (2057.41 μmol g-1 h-1). The increase in the photocatalytic ability of the nanocomposites is basically attributed to multiple synergistic effects between NiFe2O4 and SnO2, which reduce the recombination probability of the photo-induced electrons and holes. Ultimately, a photocatalytic reaction mechanism is proposed for NiFe2O4@N/C/SnO2 in the reduction of CO2.Digital media use has increased rapidly during the past two decades, and media use is now a major issue in adolescent development. Online connections and communities can help foster healthy identity development and provide needed peer support, particularly for adolescents from historically marginalized communities. Online harassment, or cyberbullying, is a common phenomenon. Media use can interfere with sleep hygiene and quality, and screen-based sedentary behaviors have been associated with decreased physical activity, decreased aerobic fitness, and increased adiposity among adolescents. The literature on media use and adolescent mental health still is evolving. Some research suggests a U-shaped association between these two factors, with high and low levels of internet use associated with depression. Social media use may amplify peer pressure to engage in sexual behavior, provide exposure to a greater network of individuals with sexual experience, and increase the risk of sexual behaviors. Counseling adolescent patients about safe and healthy media use is essential. Conversations with patients and their families about media use should begin before adolescence and continue through adolescence in the context of routine preventive care. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends creation and implementation of a Family Media Use Plan.Substance use in adolescents affects brain development and can influence health in adulthood. The substances most commonly used by adolescents are alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco. Adolescent alcohol use has been shown to inhibit and alter normal brain development, and has been associated with alcohol use disorder and other mental disorders in adulthood. Cannabis use during adolescence has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Adolescents may incorrectly assume that the negative health effects of smoking will not affect them. Electronic nicotine delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes, for vaping may be used to inhale nicotine, cannabis, or both. Strong family relationships and parental monitoring are protective factors against substance use. Screening at every preventive services visit is an essential element of adolescent care. The evidence-based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) strategy has been shown to decrease substance use and its adverse effects in adolescents. On societal and community levels, family physicians have numerous opportunities to advocate for adolescent well-being and prevention of substance use. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that family physicians advocate for legislation and governmental policies that facilitate the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use.Unintentional injuries, suicide, and homicide were the leading causes of deaths among US individuals ages 10 to 24 years in 2017. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death by unintentional injury among US adolescents. Family physicians can encourage adolescent patients who drive to use safe driving practices (eg, seat belt use, cell phone-free driving, sober driving). Poisoning and drowning are the second and third most common causes of death by unintentional injury among adolescents, respectively. Suicide is the second overall leading cause of death among adolescents and is a growing problem. Depression is a risk factor. The Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) suicide risk screening tool has been validated for use in patients ages 10 to 21 years in all medical settings. Screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of adolescent patients for depression and development of safety plans are key to suicide prevention. Homicides are the third leading cause of death among adolescents, and firearms are a clear contributor. Family physicians should assess adolescent patients for risk factors for violence, provide trauma-informed care, promote resilience and strong relationships with adults, and empower adolescents to use their strengths and skills to reduce their risk of involvement in violence.Communication is an essential component in providing health care for adolescent patients. A critical part of adolescence is identity development. Affirmation of identity and emphasis on individual strengths are important for this age group. The concept of resilience is at the center of adolescent care and shapes how care is defined and delivered. A primary goal is to protect patients from harm through a combination of promotion of protective factors, including resilience, and risk factor reduction. In adolescents, use of motivational interviewing has been shown to decrease risky sexual behaviors, help prevent unplanned pregnancy, increase physical activity levels, and decrease substance use. Confidentiality is another essential component of care. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends use of the Strengths, School, Home, Activities, Drugs/substance use, Emotions/eating/depression, Sexuality, Safety (SSHADESS) screen for psychosocial assessment. Several other standardized, validated screening tools also may be valuable in guiding discussions and identifying risky behaviors.