Interdigitating organic bilayers direct the short interlayer spacing in hybrid organic–inorganic layered vanadium oxide nanostructures

Layered metal oxides provide a single-step route to sheathed superlattices of atomic layers of a variety of inorganic materials, where the interlayer spacing and overall layered structure forms the most critical feature in the nanomaterials’ growth and application in electronics, health, and energy storage. We use a combination of computer simulations and experiments to describe the atomic-scale structure, dynamics and energetics of alkanethiol-intercalated layered vanadium oxide-based nanostructures. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations identify the unusual substrate-constrained packing of the alkanethiol surfactant chains along each V2O5 (010) face that combines with extensive interdigitation between chains on opposing faces to maximize three-dimensional packing in the interlayer regions. The findings are supported by high resolution electron microscopy analyses of synthesized alkanethiol-intercalated vanadium oxide nanostructures, and the preference for this new interdigitated model is clarified using a large set of MD simulations. This dependency stresses the importance of organic–inorganic interactions in layered material systems, the control of which is central to technological applications of flexible hybrid nanomaterials

Accommodating curvature in a highly ordered functionalized metal oxide nanofiber: synthesis, characterization and multi-scale modeling of layered nanosheets

A key element in the rational design of hybrid organic-inorganic nanostructures, is control of surfactant packing and adsorption onto the inorganic phase in crystal growth and assembly. In layered single crystal nanofibers and bilayered 2D nanosheets of vanadium oxide, we show how the chemisorption of preferred densities of surfactant molecules can direct formation of ordered, curved layers. The atom-scale features of the structures are described using molecular dynamics simulations that quantify surfactant packing effects and confirm the preference for a density of 5 dodecanethiol molecules per 8 vanadium attachment sites in the synthesised structures. This assembly maintains a remarkably well ordered interlayer spacing, even when curved. The assemblies of interdigitated organic bilayers on V2O5 are shown to be sufficiently flexible to tolerate curvature while maintaining a constant interlayer distance without rupture, delamination or cleavage. The accommodation of curvature and invariant structural integrity points to a beneficial role for oxide-directed organic film packing effects in layered architectures such as stacked nanofibers and hybrid 2D nanosheet systems

Sekundärprävention der Nutzung von Kindesmissbrauchsabbildungen im Internet: ein internationaler Überblicksversuch [Secondary prevention of the use of online child sexual exploitation material: an initial overview of international efforts]

Prevention of the consumption of online child sexual exploitation material presents society with a host of new challenges and is a priority of the European Union (EU). Alongside the identification and prosecution of individuals who use child sexual exploitation material, there is a strong desire to prevent these offences before they occur. Due to the reports of exponential rises in detected child sexual exploitation material offending behaviour, an enhanced focus has been on secondary prevention efforts. Based on prevention and intervention models, this article briefly reviews some of the secondary prevention deterrence and psychosocial intervention efforts in Europe, with the aim to inform and support professionals in research, politics and service provision in German-speaking countries who wish to develop such approaches. The article initially discusses the European Commission’s current classification criteria to better understand and classify child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention programs. Approaches to preventative deterrence by law enforcement agencies are addressed, alongside the importance of cross-sectional collaboration with various stakeholders such as technology companies (e.g., Microsoft) and nongovernmental organisations (e.g., the International Hotline Operators of Europe). This is particularly focused on the situational prevention efforts and deterrence of at-risk populations. Furthermore, psychosocial intervention providers, such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Stop it Now! Helpline, Project PARAPHILE, Kein Täter werden and other secondary prevention services in Germany, show the growth and diversity of work by existing prevention providers. The article concludes with a discussion of current challenges in the prevention of child sexual exploitation material

SHARE Ireland first results

Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Science

Sekundärprävention der Nutzung von Kindesmissbrauchsabbildungen im Internet: Ein internationaler Überblicksversuch

Preventing and responding to online Child Sexual Exploitation Material presents society with a host of new challenges and is a priority of the European Union (EU). Alongside the identification and prosecution of individuals who use child sexual exploitation material, there is a strong desire to prevent these offences before they occur. Due to the reports of exponential rises in detected child sexual exploitation material offending behaviour, an enhanced focus has been on secondary prevention efforts. Based on prevention and intervention models, this article briefly reviews some of the secondary prevention deterrence and psychosocial intervention efforts in Europe, with the aim to inform and support professionals in research, politics and service provision in German-speaking countries who wish to develop such approaches. The paper will initially discuss the European Commission’s current classification criteria to better understand and classify child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention programs. Approaches to preventative deterrence by law enforcement agencies will be addressed, alongside the importance of cross-sectional collaboration with various stakeholders such as technology companies (e.g., Microsoft) and nongovernmental organisations (e.g., the International Hotline Operators of Europe). This is particularly focused on the situational prevention efforts and deterrence of at-risk populations. Case studies, such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Stop it Now! Helpline, Project PARAPHILE, "Kein Täter werden" and other prevention services in Germany, show the growth and diversity of work by existing psychosocial intervention providers. The paper concludes with a discussion of current challenges in the prevention of child sexual exploitation material

Secondary prevention of the use of online child sexual exploitation material : an initial overview of international efforts

Abstract: Prevention of the consumption of online child sexual exploitation material presents society with a host of new challenges and is a priority of the European Union (EU). Alongside the identification and prosecution of individuals who use child sexual exploitation material, there is a strong desire to prevent these offences before they occur. Due to the reports of exponential rises in detected child sexual exploitation material offending behaviour, an enhanced focus has been on secondary prevention efforts. Based on prevention and intervention models, this article briefly reviews some of the secondary prevention deterrence and psychosocial intervention efforts in Europe, with the aim to inform and support professionals in research, politics and service provision in German-speaking countries who wish to develop such approaches. The article initially discusses the European Commission's current classification criteria to better understand and classify child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention programs. Approaches to preventative deterrence by law enforcement agencies are addressed, alongside the importance of cross-sectional collaboration with various stakeholders such as technology companies (e.g., Microsoft) and nongovernmental organisations (e.g., the International Hotline Operators of Europe). This is particularly focused on the situational prevention efforts and deterrence of at-risk populations. Furthermore, psychosocial intervention providers, such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Stop it Now! Helpline, Project PARAPHILE, Kein Tater werden and other secondary prevention services in Germany, show the growth and diversity of work by existing prevention providers. The article concludes with a discussion of current challenges in the prevention of child sexual exploitation material