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Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the need for resilient health systems. However, Ghana does not seem to achieve commensurate results, suggesting potential gaps in critical interventions. This study examines these gaps by drawing on global experiences to guide Ghana's preparedness for future emergencies. Methods A scoping review based on the synthesis of published journal articles and grey literature was used to gather relevant evidence to address the study’s objective. Peer-reviewed literature searches were conducted in databases, including Medline, Scopus, and Health Sources, supplemented by searches on organizational websites to identify grey literature. We adopted the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) framework to explore how health systems responded to the COVID-19 pandemic globally and draw lessons for strengthening Ghana's health system resilience. We analyzed policy responses in three main areas: pandemic preparedness, crisis management, and response and recovery. Results Ten strategies emerged from the study as critical in strengthening health system resilience against future pandemics. These strategies include whole-of-government engagement, financing for preparedness, community engagement and trust, robust surveillance systems, emergency medical care, diverse workforce development, digital health integration, critical health infrastructure, well-planned commodities/products, and social capital. Each strategy plays a vital role in enhancing preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, highlighting the multifaceted approach needed to mitigate the impact of future pandemics on health systems. Conclusions The identified strategies align with the attributes of a resilient healthcare system. By adopting these strategies, Ghana can build a resilient healthcare system that effectively addresses future challenges, guided by global insights and experiences.

Disaster management requires efficient allocation of essential facilities with consideration of various objectives. During the response and recovery phase of disaster management (RRDM), various types of missions occur in multiple periods, and each of them needs different support from facilities. In this study, a bi-objective mathematical model was derived to support multi-period RRDM by optimal allocation of required facilities such as drone stations, shelters, emergency medical facilities, and warehouses according to the mission life cycle. Connectivity between facilities was considered to ensure inter-facility complementarity. For efficient derivation of Pareto solutions, a modified epsilon-constraint algorithm for bi-objective optimization was developed. The algorithm was tested with a realistic disaster simulation scenario using HAZUS 4.0 as a demonstration of the benefits of the proposed approach. With the simulation experiments, the proposed approach was expected to provide efficient operational plans and guidelines to decision makers for the bi-objective optimization problem in RRDM systems. In addition, the consideration of inter-facility connectivity can play an important role in the RRDM, especially for robustness and readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disaster management requires efficient allocation of essential facilities with consideration of various objectives. During the response and recovery phase of disaster management (RRDM), various types of missions occur in multiple periods, and each of them needs different support from facilities. In this study, a bi-objective mathematical model was derived to support multi-period RRDM by optimal allocation of required facilities such as drone stations, shelters, emergency medical facilities, and warehouses according to the mission life cycle. Connectivity between facilities was considered to ensure inter-facility complementarity. For efficient derivation of Pareto solutions, a modified epsilon-constraint algorithm for bi-objective optimization was developed. The algorithm was tested with a realistic disaster simulation scenario using HAZUS 4.0 as a demonstration of the benefits of the proposed approach. With the simulation experiments, the proposed approach was expected to provide efficient operational plans and guidelines to decision makers for the bi-objective optimization problem in RRDM systems. In addition, the consideration of inter-facility connectivity can play an important role in the RRDM, especially for robustness and readiness.

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The aim of this study was to examine the availability of disaster equipment and measures for disaster prevention, response and recovery in some selected academic libraries in Gusau metropolis, Zamfara State, Nigeria. Survey research method was adopted for the study using questionnaire as the research instrument. 86 copies of the questionnaires were systematically distributed across the four selected academic libraries in the city and out of which 82 copies (95.34%) were filled, returned and found suitable for use. Thus, the data collected using the questionnaire were analysed using tables, frequency and percentage. The results of the analyzed data shows that thunder arrestor is the disaster prevention equipment with highest rate in the libraries 25 (30.4). this was closely followed by smoke detectors 24 (29.2) for detecting early sign of fire disaster; warning alarm systems 22 (26.8) for alerting any impending situation. Building inspection measures and other equipment such as photocopy machines and antiviruses software recorded 5(6.09) and 6(7.31) respectively. Close circuit television and disaster plan were absent in the libraries as they recorded no responses. the results also revealed that fire extinguishers and clearly marked exit doors are the equipment and measures available in all the libraries for disasters response as the items recorded maximum responses 82 (100%) each. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the availability of communication gadgets for effective communication during disaster as 34 (41.46%) respondents recorded that they are not aware of the existence of the gadgets. Evacuation team 2 (2.43%), water hose 9 (10.97%) and disaster fighting team 20 (24.39%) are equipment and measures with least availability in the libraries. Moreover, the results show that mops 82 (100%) and segregation technique 70(85.36%) are the two dominant measures of disaster recovery. Other measures and equipment were conspicuously absent in the libraries as all the respondents 82 (100%) indicated. Finally, majority of respondents 40 (48.78%) strongly agreed that inadequate funding constitute a major constraint to disaster preparedness in the libraries. Other impediments as indicated by the respondents were lack of interest on the part of staff 46 (56.09%); lack of interest on the part of librarian 42 (51.21%). However, majority of respondents 46 (56.09%) and 42 (51.21%) and strongly disagree that environmental condition and poor library condition affect their disaster preparedness in the libraries. It was therefore recommended among other that the libraries should sensitize their staff and users on the roles they could play in disaster preparedness in addition to need for training the staff on regular basis on handling disaster equipment. Modern equipment for disaster prevention, response and recovery should be provided by the libraries. The libraries should also plan for other sources of funding to enable them acquire and maintain best equipment for disaster prevention, response and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While logistics research recently has placed increased focus on disruption management, few studies have examined the response and recovery phases in post-disaster operations. We present a multiple objective, integrated network optimisation model for making strategic decisions in the supply distribution and network restoration phases of humanitarian logistics operations. Our model provides an equity-based solution for constrained capacity, budget and resource problems in post-disaster logistics management. We conduct designed experiments for this NP-hard problem to analyse important aspects of the integrated problem for both small- and large-sized networks: full vs. partial restoration and pooled vs. separate budgeting approach. Finally, we apply the model to a Hazus-generated regional case study based on an earthquake scenario and generate efficient Pareto frontiers to understand the trade-off between the objectives of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a unique Armalcolite-PDMS-based flexible capacitive humidity sensor is designed by using spin coating technique, which uses interdigitated gold (Au) electrode and ultrathin ($\sim 80~\mu \text{m}$) flexible polyimide substrate. The structural and morphological properties of the Armalcolite nanocomposite are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM. The electrical characterization of the Armalcolite-PDMS-based flexible capacitive humidity sensor is performed at 25 °C, followed by relative humidity ranging from 33% to 95% and frequency varying 102 Hz to 106 Hz. The experimental investigation reveals a fast response time (8.53 s) and recovery time (11.25 s). The developed sensor exhibits a reversible response with ultra-low hysteresis of 0.92%. The sensor response is recorded for 30 days to confirm its long-term stability. The sensing mechanism is studied using impedance plots obtained at different humidity environments. The excellent sensing performance of the developed sensor could be beneficial for the researchers working in the area of flexible humidity sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Response and recovery time was significantly shorten for aerosol-jet-printed sensor. • The PANI transferred from partial crystalline to amorphous form in printing process. • Arrangement of atoms in the PANI was disordered by ultrasonic in printing process. • Unsaturated atomic coordination state of the amorphous PANI has more active sites. Conductive polymer-based ammonia gas sensors show advantage in room-temperature response. Polyaniline (PANI)-based ammonia gas sensors were prepared by drop-coating and aerosol-jet printing methods and tested for their ammonia gas sensing properties. The aerosol-jet-printed sensor shows significantly shortened response and recovery time for ammonia sensing. Morphological observations were carried out to investigate the mechanism of the improvement. The crystalline form of PANI was found to transfer in the aerosol-jet printing process and play the critical rule in the ultra-fast response and recovery of the sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a selective chemi‐resistive gas sensor of molybdenum diselenide/graphene (MoSe2/G) nanoflakes (NF) that detects ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas at room temperature is successfully fabricated. The MoSe2/G NF based sensor shows good sensitivity (2.476 ppm−1) and selectivity to NO2 in comparison with some VOCs and toxic gases than MoSe2 NF (2.275 ppm−1). But in case of NH3 gas, it shows a drastic increase in sensitivity of MoSe2/G NF (9.115 ppm−1) than MoSe2 NF (2.466 ppm−1). The MoSe2/G NF shows a low detection limit (11 ppb for NH3 and 41 ppb for NO2), an outstanding repeatability, and a reliable long‐term device durability (more than eight weeks) significantly. The reason of the significant improvement in gas sensing performance can be attributed mainly due to the addition of graphene in MoSe2 NF which in turns increases the surface‐to‐volume ratio. It encourages the adsorption of gas molecules on the surface of the material, thereby facilitating the charge transfer process. The superior performance of this gas sensor makes MoSe2/G NF a potential candidate for NO2 and NH3 gas detection at room temperature. Due to the presence of graphene, MoSe2 NF becomes less hydrophilic which shows very less effect of humidity effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A humidity sensor thin film based on nanoporous PbWO4-WO3 composites has been prepared by spin coating technique with different weight ratio of PbWO4 (Pb) and WO3 (WO) (PWWO-01, PWWO-82, PWWO-64, PWWO-46, PWWO-28, PWWO-01) and their humidity sensing properties have also been investigated at different relative humidity (RH) in the range of 5% - 98% at room temperature with dc resistance. It is found that composite PWWO-28 show best humidity sensing properties with the sensitivity factor value of (Sf) 3733. The response and recovery time of humidity sensor are about 50 s and 120 s, respectively. High sensitivity, narrow hysteresis loop, rapid response and recovery, prominent stability and good repeatability are obtained. Synthesized PbWO4-WO3 composites were characterized by power X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, BET and photoluminescence studies. The photocatalytic result demonstrated photocatalytic efficiency of nonporous PWWO-28 composite. The antimicrobial activity of the composites was determined by disc diffusion method.

During disasters, the presence of companion animals is an identified risk for household relocation failure as well as premature return. In Australia, where bushfires are a regular summer threat, householders are encouraged to develop a written bushfire action plan that includes pets and animals. As part of this plan, householders are recommended to relocate themselves and their animals at least the day before a forecast catastrophic fire day. This advice is particularly relevant for horse owners, as the challenges and risks associated with evacuating horses are arguably much more complex than those for smaller companion animals. However, there is little empirical research on the plans and responses of horse owners to bushfire threat. In this paper, we present qualitative findings of semi-structured interviews with 21 households threatened by one of three significant fire events in South Australia in January 2014, all of which were responsible for a horse or pony. We describe and discuss nine different scenarios organised around intended and ultimate action. We found no apparent patterns between intentions and actions for pre-emptive relocation of horses. The extended explanations presented for each scenario provide important insight into equestrian cultures, especially in relation to plans, pre-emptive relocation, behaviour change, and ‘the horse community’ in Australia. We question whether the pre-emptive relocation of horses is over-emphasised for bushfires, and ask if scenario-based planning with contingencies might be more useful and realistic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased vulnerability to natural disasters has been associated with particular groups in the community. This includes those who are considered de facto vulnerable (children, older people, those with disabilities etc.) and those who own pets (not to mention pets themselves). The potential for reconfiguring pet ownership from a risk factor to a protective factor for natural disaster survival has been recently proposed. But how might this resilience-building proposition apply to vulnerable members of the community who own pets or other animals? This article addresses this important question by synthesizing information about what makes particular groups vulnerable, the challenges to increasing their resilience and how animals figure in their lives. Despite different vulnerabilities, animals were found to be important to the disaster resilience of seven vulnerable groups in Australia. Animal attachment and animal-related activities and networks are identified as underexplored devices for disseminating or ‘piggybacking’ disaster-related information and engaging vulnerable people in resilience building behaviors (in addition to including animals in disaster planning initiatives in general). Animals may provide the kind of innovative approach required to overcome the challenges in accessing and engaging vulnerable groups. As the survival of humans and animals are so often intertwined, the benefits of increasing the resilience of vulnerable communities through animal attachment is twofold: human and animal lives can be saved together.

This article reports on findings from a qualitative research study on natural disaster preparedness in ‘at risk’ population groups in regional Australia, and in particular on findings highlighting the key, and often unrecognised, role played by many older people in developing and maintaining local informal networks, activated repeatedly before, during and after natural disasters. The article outlines major themes in recent literature on community resilience and social capital in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, the design and implementation of the current study in which, 17 focus groups were held with ‘at risk’ groups across three communities and findings in relation to the role of older people. The implications from these findings are discussed in the context of community-based disaster preparedness strategies. Findings point to older people as critical, community assets in local neighbourhoods, contributing both their experience and relationship-building capacity to prepare themselves for natural disasters. In addition, there was clear evidence of older people sharing resources and experience in support of others of all ages in responding to and recovering from natural disasters. Older people in the research were found both to generate and mobilise social capital at a local level in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Zn-doped NiO two-dimensional grainy films on glass substrates are shown to be an ammonia-sensing material with excellent comprehensive performance, which could real-time detect and monitor ammonia (NH) in the surrounding environment. The morphology and structure analysis indicated that the as-fabricated semiconductor films were composed of particles with diameters ranging from 80 to 160 nm, and each particle was composed of small crystalline grain with a narrow size about 20 nm, which was the face-centered cubic single crystal structure. X-ray diffraction peaks shifted toward lower angle, and the size of the lattice increased compared with undoped NiO, which demonstrated that zinc ions have been successfully doped into the NiO host structure. Simultaneously, we systematically investigated the gas-sensing properties of the Zn-doped NiO sensors for NH detection at room temperature. The sensor based on doped NiO sensing films gave four to nine times faster response and four to six times faster recovery speeds than those of sensor with undoped NiO films, which is important for the NiO sensor practical applications. Moreover, we found that the doped NiO sensors owned outstanding selectivity toward ammonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, we have seen a shift in the focus of cyber attacks, moving from traditional IT systems to include more specialised Industrial Control Systems (ICS), often found within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Despite a push from governments to introduce appropriate legislation and guidance for such systems, operators of ICS and CNI still face multiple challenges in their cyber incident response and recovery capabilities, a theme that is often viewed as a last line of defence in minimising the impact of cyber attacks. This paper provides the following contributions: Firstly, we analyse existing standards and guidelines within cyber incident response and recovery. This analysis provides a structure on key response and recovery phases, a foundational understanding of associated requirements for these, and identifies challenges that could affect the quality of in-practice response and recovery capabilities. Using this analysis as a baseline, we examine how response and recovery processes are currently undertaken in practice through engagement with UK-based CNI operators and regulators. Secondly, as a starting point towards improving identified challenges in existing standards and guidelines and their use in practice, we propose a framework, built using the outputs identified from the document analysis and the stakeholder engagement, for use by operators to support them in assessing and improving their response and recovery capabilities. • Analysis of guideline documents on industrial cyber incident response & recovery. • Stakeholder engagement to determine current response and recovery practices. • Proposal of Framework to support operators of Industrial Control Systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel porous polymer was synthesized by Friedel-Crafts alkylation polymerization, and the structure and characteristic of the polymer was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption/desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The obtained polymer was used to prepare humidity sensitive composites by loading LiCl. Compared with the pure polymer, LiCl-loaded composites showed improved humidity sensing properties and the 4wt% LiCl/polymer sensor showed the best sensing properties. The impedance of the optimum sensor changed near four orders of magnitude over the whole humidity range, with a good linearity, little hysteresis, good stability and short response and recovery times (2 and 7s, respectively). The complex impedance plots were used to research conductive mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Increased vulnerability to natural disasters has been associated with particular groups in the community. This includes those who are considered de facto vulnerable (children, older people, those with disabilities etc.) and those who own pets (not to mention pets themselves). The potential for reconfiguring pet ownership from a risk factor to a protective factor for natural disaster survival has been recently proposed. But how might this resilience-building proposition apply to vulnerable members of the community who own pets or other animals? This article addresses this important question by synthesizing information about what makes particular groups vulnerable, the challenges to increasing their resilience and how animals figure in their lives. Despite different vulnerabilities, animals were found to be important to the disaster resilience of seven vulnerable groups in Australia. Animal attachment and animal-related activities and networks are identified as underexplored devices for disseminating or 'piggybacking' disaster-related information and engaging vulnerable people in resilience building behaviors (in addition to including animals in disaster planning initiatives in general). Animals may provide the kind of innovative approach required to overcome the challenges in accessing and engaging vulnerable groups. As the survival of humans and animals are so often intertwined, the benefits of increasing the resilience of vulnerable communities through animal attachment is twofold: human and animal lives can be saved together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essential component of disaster planning and preparation is the identification and selection of temporary disaster debris management sites (DMS). However, since DMS identification is a complex process involving numerous variable constraints, many regional, county and municipal jurisdictions initiate this process during the post-disaster response and recovery phases, typically a period of severely stressed resources. Hence, a pre-disaster approach in identifying the most likely sites based on the number of locational constraints would significantly contribute to disaster debris management planning. As disasters vary in their nature, location and extent, an effective approach must facilitate scalability, flexibility and adaptability to variable local requirements, while also being generalisable to other regions and geographical extents. This study demonstrates the use of binomial cluster analysis in potential DMS identification in a case study conducted in Hamilton County, Indiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over application of phosphate fertilizers in modern agriculture contaminates waterways and disrupts natural ecosystems. Nevertheless, this is a common practice among farmers, especially in developing countries as abundant fertilizers are believed to boost crop yields. The study of plant phosphate metabolism and its underlying genetic pathways is key to discovering methods of efficient fertilizer usage. The work presented here describes a genome-wide resource on the molecular dynamics underpinning the response and recovery in roots and shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana to phosphate-starvation. Results: Genome-wide profiling by micro- and tiling-arrays (accessible from GEO: GSE34004) revealed minimal overlap between root and shoot transcriptomes suggesting two independent phosphate-starvation regulons. Novel gene expression patterns were detected for over 1000 candidates and were classified as either initial, persistent, orlatent responders. Comparative analysis to At GenExpress identified cohorts of genes co-regulated across multiple stimuli. The hormone ABA displayed a dominant role in regulating many phosphate-responsive candidates. Analysis of co-regulation enabled the determination of specific versus generic members of closely related gene families with respect to phosphate-starvation. Thus, among others, we showed that PHR1-regulated members of closely related phosphate-responsive families (PHT1;1, PHT1;7-9, SPX1-3, and PHO1;H1) display greater specificity to phosphate-starvation than their more generic counterparts. Conclusion: Our results uncover much larger, staged responses to phosphate-starvation than previously described. To our knowledge, this work describes the most complete genome-wide data on plant nutrient stressto-date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning and calcination techniques. Two direct current (DC) humidity sensors with different electrodes (Al and Ag) were fabricated by loading BaTiO3 nanofibers as the sensing material. Compared with the Al electrode sensor, the Ag electrode sensor exhibits larger sensitivity and quicker response/recovery. The current of Al electrode sensor increases from 4.08×10−9 to 1.68×10−7 A when the sensor is switched from 11% to 95% relative humidity (RH), while the values are 2.19×10−9 and 3.29×10−7 A for the Ag electrode sensor, respectively. The corresponding response and recovery times are 30 and 9s for Al electrode sensor, and 20 and 3s for Ag electrode sensor, respectively. These results make BaTiO3 nanofiber-based DC humidity sensors good candidates for practical application. Simultaneously, the comparison of sensors with different electrode materials may offer an effective route for designing and optimizing humidity sensors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • N-doping p-type MoS 2 was prepared to against the native n-type propensity of MoS 2. • N-doped MoS 2 exhibited the fast response/recovery to NO 2 at room temperature. • The mechanism was revealed by DFT calculations, kinetics, and Hall-Effect tests. • Fast response /recovery is attributed to new active sites and fast charge transfer. The slow response and incomplete recovery are primary bottlenecks for the sensing performance of 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) at room temperature, which hinders their development for state-of-the-art gas sensors. Herein, we engineered N doped p-type MoS 2 against its native n-type propensity to enable a rapid room-temperature response/recovery detection of NO 2. Compared to pristine n-type MoS 2 showing typical slow response and no recovery (1544 s/-), the prepared N-doped MoS 2 sensor exhibits a fast response/recovery (22/109 s) toward 10 ppm NO 2 at room temperature. In addition, the N dopants endow MoS 2 with a sensing response of 28% to 10 ppm NO 2 , ppb-level of detection limit (125 ppb), excellent selectivity, good repeatability, and humidity resistance. We underline the fast response/recovery mechanism of N-doped MoS 2 to be the N dopants triggered synergistic effect of new active sites and fast charge transfer based on density functional theory calculation and Hall-Effect measurement. We hope this result may shed a new light on the development of TMDs-based sensing materials aiming at improving their room-temperature response/recovery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk perception influences vulnerability to natural hazards in two key ways: 1) how an individual adapts to the risk, and 2) how a community responds and adjusts to these risks. Hence, risk perception plays a critical role in flood response and recovery policies for local communities. However, this perception variation among floodplain residents is not well understood, especially under varying flood threats. The research aimed to characterize how risk perceptions of varying flood threats diverged across groups of people living in floodplains and identify individuals' preferences for response and recovery actions. A household survey was conducted to determine residents' risk perceptions in the 1%- and 0.2% annual chance floodplain in Corvallis, OR. Contingency tables were used to evaluate relationships between respondents' sociodemographics, perceptions, and preferences for flood response and recovery actions. The results highlight that, even when households are exposed to similar threats of floodwater depths, survey respondents' risk perceptions and support for proposed response and recovery actions differed along sociodemographic lines. Understanding the nuanced relationships among socio-demographics, risk perceptions, and response and recovery actions can facilitate practical and better-informed approaches for community-relevant decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thick films of ZnO were prepared by a screen printing technique. Unmodified ZnO thick film was almost insensitive to NH3. ZnO thick films were surface modified with Fe3+ by dipping them into an aqueous solution of ammonium ferric sulfate for different intervals of time and fired at 500degC for 24 h. The ammonium ferric sulfate would transform into ferric oxide Fe2O3 upon firing. The grains of Fe2O3 dispersed around the grains of ZnO base material. Upon exposure to NH3 gas, the barrier height Fe2O3-ZnO intergranular region decreases markedly due to the chemical transformation of Fe2O 3 into ammonium ferric hydroxide, leading to a drastic increase in conductance. The ZnO film dipped for 5 min (with 0.74 mass % of Fe2O3) was observed to be most sensitive to NH 3 gas at 350degC. The Fe-surface misfits, calcination temperature, and operating temperature can affect the microstructure and gas sensing performance of the sensor. The efforts are made in present paper to develop the sensor using surface-modified zinc oxide. An exceptional sensitivity was found to low concentrations (50 ppm) of NH 3 gas at 350degC, and no cross sensitivity was observed, even to high concentrations of other hazardous and polluting gases. The effects of microstructure and surfactant concentration on the sensitivity, selectivity, response, and recovery of the sensor in the presence of NH3 gas were studied and discussed [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract Background Over application of phosphate fertilizers in modern agriculture contaminates waterways and disrupts natural ecosystems. Nevertheless, this is a common practice among farmers, especially in developing countries as abundant fertilizers are believed to boost crop yields. The study of plant phosphate metabolism and its underlying genetic pathways is key to discovering methods of efficient fertilizer usage. The work presented here describes a genome-wide resource on the molecular dynamics underpinning the response and recovery in roots and shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana to phosphate-starvation. Results Genome-wide profiling by micro- and tiling-arrays (accessible from GEO: GSE34004) revealed minimal overlap between root and shoot transcriptomes suggesting two independent phosphate-starvation regulons. Novel gene expression patterns were detected for over 1000 candidates and were classified as either initial, persistent, or latent responders. Comparative analysis to AtGenExpress identified cohorts of genes co-regulated across multiple stimuli. The hormone ABA displayed a dominant role in regulating many phosphate-responsive candidates. Analysis of co-regulation enabled the determination of specific versus generic members of closely related gene families with respect to phosphate-starvation. Thus, among others, we showed that PHR1-regulated members of closely related phosphate-responsive families (PHT1;1, PHT1;7–9, SPX1-3, and PHO1;H1) display greater specificity to phosphate-starvation than their more generic counterparts. Conclusion Our results uncover much larger, staged responses to phosphate-starvation than previously described. To our knowledge, this work describes the most complete genome-wide data on plant nutrient stress to-date.

Sodium titanate Na2Ti6O13 nanorods were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Then, the material was coated on a Al2O3 ceramic substrate to fabricate humidity sensors using Ag–Pd as interdigitated electrodes. The sensor shows high humidity sensitivity and fast response and recovery. The impedance changes by five orders of magnitude over a relative humidity (RH) range from 11% to 95%. At the frequency of 100 Hz, response and recovery times are both <2~s, and the maximum hysteresis is <3\% RH. In addition, the complex impedance at different RH was investigated to understand the sensing mechanism. The results indicate potential applications of sodium titanate for fabricating high-performance humidity sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Phosphorene is a novel two-dimensional (2D) material with exceptional properties and is connecting the gaps between graphene and transition-metal chalcogenides but having environmental instability. In this study, we present effective liquid exfoliation of few-layer phosphorene (FLP) from bulk black phosphorous (BP) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a cationic surfactant that is highly stable. It successfully stabilizes FLP in deionized water, which is consistent with obtained characterization and gas-sensing studies. Our investigation shows that the dynamic sensing response of the CTAB-grafted phosphorene (P-CTAB) sensor increases by ∼1.5 times as the relative humidity (RH) varies from 33 to 75%, which is the first published result for CO 2 gas detection. The sensitivity values of the P-CTAB and P-CTAB/polylactic acid (PLA) are found to be 0.0356 and 0.0329 ppm -1 , respectively, toward CO 2 gas. It is notable that when a polylactic acid (PLA) membrane is introduced as a barrier layer in our fabricated Arduino-based Bluetooth-enabled hand-held device, it obstructs the environmental effect with a trace-level detection capability and negligible change over time (up to 30 days). Herein, for the first time, we discover the gas-sensing characteristics of CTAB-grafted phosphorene and witness an ultrasensitive and selective response toward CO 2 gas detection.