A low-cost digital first aid tool to reduce psychological distress in refugees: A multi-country randomized controlled trial of self-help online in the first months after the invasion of Ukraine.

Armed conflicts increase distress levels among affected populations, particularly impacting refugees who often face barriers to accessing psychological support. We evaluate an online version of a previously tested in-person and endorsed for online adaptation by the WHO Self-Help Plus (SH+) program among Ukrainian refugees dispersed across 17 countries, internally displaced and not displaced Ukrainians. This is the first randomized controlled trial to test an online psychological intervention simultaneously on refugees, internally displaced, and non-displaced conflict-affected populations.

N-doped titania nanoparticles containing Mo bromide and iodide clusters: Activity in photodegradation of rhodamine B and tetracycline.

Contamination of water sources is a major environmental problem with far-reaching consequences for humanity. Organic substances are among the most widespread and persistent pollutants. Advanced oxidation processes, especially photocatalysis, have been considered as one of the most promising technologies for organic pollution control.

Mental health and stress level of Ukrainians seeking psychological help online.

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, more than 8 million Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes. Ukrainians exposed to armed conflict and migration are likely to have low levels of mental health status and seek help. We provide a uniform quantitative assessment of the mental health conditions of Ukrainians seeking help soon after the invasion and resettlement.

System-, teacher-, and student-level interventions for improving participation in online learning at scale in high schools.

Many school systems across the globe turned to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. This context differs significantly from the prepandemic situation in which massive open online courses attracted large numbers of voluntary learners who struggled with completion. Students who are provided online courses by their high schools also have their behavior determined by actions of their teachers and school system.

Effect of Titanium and Molybdenum Cover on the Surface Restructuration of Diamond Single Crystal during Annealing.

Diamond is an important material for electrical and electronic devices. Because the diamond is in contact with the metal in these applications, it becomes necessary to study the metal-diamond interaction and the structure of the interface, in particular, at elevated temperatures. In this work, we study the interaction of the (100) and (111) surfaces of a synthetic diamond single crystal with spattered titanium and molybdenum films.

Unusual Square Pyramidal Chalcogenide Mo Cluster with Bridging Pyrazolate-Ligands.

The family of chalcogenide molybdenum clusters is well presented in the literature by a series of compounds of nuclearity ranging from binuclear to multinuclear articulating octahedral fragments. Clusters actively studied in the last decades were shown to be promising as components of superconducting, magnetic, and catalytic systems. Here, we report the synthesis and detailed characterization of new and unusual representatives of chalcogenide clusters: square pyramidal complexes [{Mo(μ-Se)(μ-Se)(μ-pz)}(pzH)] (pzH = pyrazole, i = inner, t = terminal).

In-Situ Electrochemical Exfoliation and Methylation of Black Phosphorus into Functionalized Phosphorene Nanosheets.

Two-dimensional black phosphorus (BP) has attracted great attention as a perspective material for various applications. The chemical functionalization of BP is an important pathway for the preparation of materials with improved stability and enhanced intrinsic electronic properties. Currently, most of the methods for BP functionalization with organic substrates require either the use of low-stable precursors of highly reactive intermediates or the use of difficult-to-manufacture and flammable BP intercalates.

Highly Dispersed Ni on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon for Stable and Selective Hydrogen Generation from Gaseous Formic Acid.

Ni supported on N-doped carbon is rarely studied in traditional catalytic reactions. To fill this gap, we compared the structure of 1 and 6 wt% Ni species on porous N-free and N-doped carbon and their efficiency in hydrogen generation from gaseous formic acid. On the N-free carbon support, Ni formed nanoparticles with a mean size of 3.

Surface and Structural Characterization of PVTMS Films Treated by Elemental Fluorine in Liquid Perfluorodecalin.

Poly(vinyl trimethylsilane) (PVTMS) films were subjected to direct surface fluorination in liquid medium (perfluorodecalin). The samples were investigated using several techniques: SEM-XEDS, XPS, ATR-IR, and contact angle measurement. The methods used allowed us to estimate chemical changes occurring because of the treatment.

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Red Phosphorus in Lithium-Ion Batteries: Effect of Surface and Encapsulated Phosphorus.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with their high surface area, electrical conductivity, mechanical strength and elasticity are an ideal component for the development of composite electrode materials for batteries. Red phosphorus has a very high theoretical capacity with respect to lithium, but has poor conductivity and expends considerably as a result of the reaction with lithium ions. In this work, we compare the electrochemical performance of commercial SWCNTs with red phosphorus deposited on the outer surface of nanotubes and/or encapsulated in internal channels of nanotubes in lithium-ion batteries.

Optical Properties of Tricarboxylic Acid-Derived Carbon Dots.

Herein, we report the characterization of two types of luminescent carbon dots (CDs) synthesized by the hydrothermal treatment of citric acid and -aconitic acid by using ammonia solution as a nitrogen dopant. The lateral size range of nanoparticles for CDs lies in the range of 3-15 nm. The intense blue photoluminescence (PL) was emitted by the CDs at around 409-435 nm under the excitation of 320 nm.

Hydrophobic-Hydrophilic Properties and Characterization of PIM-1 Films Treated by Elemental Fluorine in Liquid Perfluorodecalin.

A direct fluorination technique was applied for the surface treatment of PIM-1 films in a liquid phase (perfluorodecalin). The fluorinated samples were analyzed by various instrumental techniques. ATR-IR spectroscopy showed that the fluorination predominantly takes place in methylene- and methyl-groups.

Nano TiO and Molybdenum/Tungsten Iodide Octahedral Clusters: Synergism in UV/Visible-Light Driven Degradation of Organic Pollutants.

Emissions of various organic pollutants in the environment becomes a more and more acute problem in the modern world as they can lead to an ecological disaster in foreseeable future. The current situation forces scientists to develop numerous methods for the treatment of polluted water. Among these methods, advanced photocatalytic oxidation is a promising approach for removing organic pollutants from wastewater.

Highly Active Visible Light-Promoted Ir/-CN Photocatalysts for the Water Oxidation Reaction Prepared from a Halogen-Free Iridium Precursor.

A combination of the exceptional stability of -[Ir(HO)(NO)] together with thermolability of nitro and aqua ligands and high solubility in various solvents makes it promising as a brand-new chlorine-free precursor of iridium for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts. In the current work, a new technique of -[Ir(HO)(NO)] preparation based on hydrothermal treatment of (NH)[Ir(NO)] was developed. For this purpose, the influence of reaction parameters such as the reaction time, temperature, and pH of the solution on the process of hexanitroiridate salt hydrolysis was investigated.

Sulfuric Acid Solutions of [Pt(OH)(HO)]: A Platinum Speciation Survey and Hydrated Pt(IV) Oxide Formation for Practical Use.

The systematic study of the platinum speciation in sulfuric acid solutions of platinum (IV) hydroxide {[Pt(OH)(HO)], HHPA} was performed with the use of a combination of methods. Depending on the prevailing Pt form, the three regions of HSO concentration were marked: (1) up to 3 M HSO forms unstable solutions gradually generating the PtO·HO particles; (2) 4-12 M HSO, where the series of mononuclear aqua-sulfato complexes ([Pt(SO)(HO)], where = 0···4) dominate; and (3) 12 M and above, where, along with [Pt(SO)(HO)] species, the polynuclear Pt(IV) species and complexes with a bidentate coordination mode of the sulfato ligand are formed. For the first time, the salts of the aqua-hydroxo Pt(IV) cation [Pt(OH)(HO)]SO (triclinic and monoclinic phases) were isolated and studied with a combination of methods, including the single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Photolysis of Fluorinated Graphites with Embedded Acetonitrile Using a White-Beam Synchrotron Radiation.

Fluorinated graphitic layers with good mechanical and chemical stability, polar C-F bonds, and tunable bandgap are attractive for a variety of applications. In this work, we investigated the photolysis of fluorinated graphites with interlayer embedded acetonitrile, which is the simplest representative of the acetonitrile-containing photosensitizing family. The samples were continuously illuminated in situ with high-brightness non-monochromatized synchrotron radiation.

Enhancement of Volumetric Capacitance of Binder-Free Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Film via Fluorination.

Robust electrode materials without the addition of binders allow increasing efficiency of electrical storage devices. We demonstrate the fabrication of binder-free electrodes from modified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). Modification of SWCNTs included a sonication in 1,2-dichlorobenzene and/or fluorination with gaseous BrF at room temperature.

Effect of Toluene Addition in an Electric Arc on Morphology, Surface Modification, and Oxidation Behavior of Carbon Nanohorns and Their Sedimentation in Water.

Carbon nanohorns (CNHs) are attractive for various applications, where a high specific surface area and long dispersion stability in water are important. In the present work, we study these parameters of CNHs prepared by arc evaporation of graphite depending on the conditions of the synthesis and subsequent oxidation in air. It is shown that the addition of toluene in the reactor during the arcing allows obtaining CNHs functionalized with -CH groups.

Remote-learning, time-use, and mental health of Ecuadorian high-school students during the COVID-19 quarantine.

The COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools around the world, forcing school systems and students to quickly attempt remote learning. We conducted a rapid response phone survey of over 1500 high school students aged 14 to 18 in Ecuador to learn how students spend their time during the period of quarantine, examine their access to remote learning, and measure their mental health status. We find 59 percent of students have both an internet connection at home and a computer or tablet, 74 percent are engaging in some online or telelearning, and 86 percent have done some schoolwork on the last weekday.

Insight into the thermal decomposition of ammonium hexahalogenoiridates(IV) and hexachloroiridate(III).

Thermal decomposition of (NH4)3[IrCl6]·H2O, (NH4)2[IrCl6] and (NH4)2[IrBr6] in reductive and inert atmospheres has been investigated in situ using quick-EXAFS and temperature-resolved powder X-ray diffraction. For the first time, (NH4)2[Ir(NH3)Cl5] and (NH4)2[Ir(NH3)Br5] have been proven as intermediates of thermal decomposition of (NH4)3[IrCl6]·H2O, (NH4)2[IrCl6] and (NH4)2[IrBr6]. Thermal degradation of (NH4)2[IrCl6] and (NH4)2[IrBr6] is a more complex process as suggested previously and includes simultaneous formation of (NH4)2[Ir(NH3)Cl5] and (NH4)2[Ir(NH3)Br5] intermediates mixed with metallic iridium.

Chemiresistive Properties of Imprinted Fluorinated Graphene Films.

The electrical conductivity of graphene materials is strongly sensitive to the surface adsorbates, which makes them an excellent platform for the development of gas sensor devices. Functionalization of the surface of graphene opens up the possibility of adjusting the sensor to a target molecule. Here, we investigated the sensor properties of fluorinated graphene films towards exposure to low concentrations of nitrogen dioxide NO.

Hexamolybdenum Clusters Supported on Exfoliated h-BN Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Water Purification.

Nowadays, the development of new effective photocatalytic materials for the purification of real wastewaters and model systems containing organic molecules constitutes an important challenge. Here we present a preparation strategy for composite materials based on hexamolybdenum cluster complexes and exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets. Cluster deposition on the nanosheet surface was achieved by impregnation of the matrix by a (BuN)[{MoI}(NO)]/acetone solution.

Bimetallic Pt,Ir-containing coatings formed by MOCVD for medical applications.

Biocompatible PtIr layers combining high mechanical strength of the iridium component and outstanding corrosion resistance of the platinum component providing reversible charge transfer reactions in the living tissue are one of the important materials required for implantable medical electrodes. The modern trend to complicate the shape and reduce the electrode dimensions includes the challenge to develop precise methods to obtain such bimetallic coatings with enhanced surface area and advanced electrochemical characteristics. Herein, PtIr coatings were firstly obtained on cathode and anode pole tips of endocardial electrodes for pacemakers using chemical vapor deposition technique.

From oxide to a new type of molecular tungsten compound: formation of bitetrahedral cluster complexes [{W(μ-O)(μ-CCN)}(CN)] and [{W(μ-O)(μ-As)}(CN)].

Tungsten trioxide has been found to be a convenient precursor for the synthesis of metal cluster compounds with new types of cluster cores. The reaction between WO3 and KCN led to the formation of the cluster complex [{W6(μ4-O)2(μ3-CCN)4}(CN)16]10-. Unexpectedly, it includes the fully deprotonated form of acetonitrile, the CCN3- anion, as a μ3-bridging ligand coordinated to the trigonal faces of the bitetrahedral W6 metallocluster.