Objective: To investigate the value of differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhotic nodules via radiomics models based on magnetic resonance images. Background: This study is to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhotic nodules using MR-radiomics features extracted from four different phases of MRI images, concluded T1WI, T2WI, T2 SPIR and delay phase of contrast MRI. Methods: In this study, the four kind of magnetic resonance images of 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were collected. Among them, 12 patients with liver cirrhosis were used to obtain cirrhotic nodules (CN). The dataset was used to extract MR-radiomics features from regions of interest (ROI). The statistical methods of MRradiomics features could distinguish HCC and CN. And the ability of radiomics features between HCC and CN was estimated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results: A total of 424 radiomics features were extracted from four kind of magnetic resonance images. 86 features in delay phase of contrast MRI,86 features in spir phase of T2WI,86 features in T1WI and 88 features in T2WI showed statistical difference (p < 0.05). Among them, the area under the curves (AUC) of these features larger than 0.85 were 58 features in delay phase of contrast MRI, 54 features in spir phase of T2WI, 62 features in T1WI and 57 features in T2WI. Conclusions: Radiomics features extracted from MRI images have the potential to distinguish HCC and CN.
The use of plant viruses as bioherbicides represents a fascinating and promising frontier in modern agriculture and weed management. This review article delves into the multifaceted world of harnessing plant viruses for herbicidal purposes, shedding light on their potential as eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical herbicides. We begin by exploring the diverse mechanisms through which plant viruses can target and control weeds, from altering gene expression to disrupting essential physiological processes. The article highlights the advantages of utilizing plant viruses, such as their specificity for weed species, minimal impact on non-target plants, and a reduced environmental footprint. Furthermore, we investigate the remarkable versatility of plant viruses, showcasing their adaptability to various weed species and agricultural environments. The review delves into the latest advancements in genetic modification techniques, which enable the engineering of plant viruses for enhanced herbicidal properties and safety. In addition to their efficacy, we discuss the economic and ecological advantages of using plant viruses as bioherbicides, emphasizing their potential to reduce chemical herbicide usage and decrease the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. We also address the regulatory and safety considerations associated with the application of plant viruses in agriculture. Ultimately, this review article underscores the immense potential of plant viruses as bioherbicides and calls for further research, development, and responsible deployment to harness these microscopic agents in the ongoing quest for sustainable and environmentally friendly weed management strategies.
Eco-friendly and greener barrier materials are required to replace the synthetic packaging materials as they produce a threat to environment. These can be fabricated by natural polymers such as cellulose nanofiber (CNF). The sustainability of CNF was so amazing due to its potential for circular economy and provides alternative platform for synthetic plastics. The challenging task to fabricate CNF films still existed and also current methods have various limitations. CNF films have good oxygen permeability and the value was lower than synthetic plastics. However, CNF films have poor water vapour permeability and higher than that of synthetic plastics. The fabrication method is one of strong parameters to impact on the water permeability of CNF films. The deposition of CNF suspension on the stainless-steel plate via spraying, is a potential process for fabrication for CNF films acting as barrier material against water vapour. In spraying process, the time required to form CNF films in diameter of 15.9 cm was less than 1 min and it is independent of CNF content in the suspension. The uniqueness of CNF films via the spraying process was their surfaces, such as rough surface exposed to air and smooth surface exposed to stainless steel. Their surfaces were investigated by SEM, AFM and optical profilometry micrographs, confirming that the smooth surface was evaluated notable lower surface roughness. The spray coated surface was smooth and glossy and its impact on the water vapor permeability remains obscure. The spraying process is a flexible process to tailor the basis weight and thickness of CNF films can be adjusted by the spraying of CNF suspension with varying fibre content. The water vapour permeability of CNF films can be tailored via varying density of CNF films. The plot between water vapour transfer rate (WVTR)/water vapour and density of CNF films has been investigated. The WVP of spray coated CNF films varied from 6.99 ± 1.17 × 10−11 to 4.19 ± 1.45 × 10−11 g/m.s.Pa. with the density from 664 Kg/m3 to 1,412.08 Kg/m3. The WVP of CNF films achieved with 2 wt% CNF films (1,120 Kg/m3) was 3.91 × 10−11 g/m.s.Pa. These values were comparable with the WVP of synthetic plastics. Given this correspondence, CNF films via spraying have a good barrier against water vapour. This process is a potential for scale up and commercialization of CNF films as barrier materials.
In most studies on hydroclimatic variability and trend, the notion of change point detection analysis of time series data has not been considered. Understanding the system is crucial for managing water resources sustainably in the future since it denotes a change in the status quo. If this happened, it is difficult to distinguish the time series data’s rising or falling tendencies in various areas when we look at the trend analysis alone. This study’s primary goal was to describe, quantify, and confirm the homogeneity and change point detection of hydroclimatic variables, including mean annual, seasonal, and monthly rainfall, air temperature, and streamflow. The method was employed using the four-homogeneity test, i.e., Pettitt’s test, Buishand’s test, standard normal homogeneity test, and von Neumann ratio test at 5% significance level. In order to choose the homogenous stations, the test outputs were divided into three categories: “useful”, “doubtful”, and “suspect”. The results showed that most of the stations for annual rainfall and air temperature were homogenous. It is found that 68.8% and 56.2% of the air temperature and rainfall stations respectively, were classified as useful. Whereas, the streamflow stations were classified 100% as useful. Overall, the change point detection analyses timings were found at monthly, seasonal, and annual time scales. In the rainfall time series, no annual change points were detected. In the air temperature time series except at Edagahamus station, all stations experienced an increasing change point while the streamflow time series experienced a decreasing change point except at Agulai and Genfel hydro stations. While alterations in streamflow time series without a noticeable change in rainfall time series recommend the change is caused by variables besides rainfall. Most probably the observed abrupt alterations in streamflow could result from alterations in catchment characteristics like the subbasin’s land use and cover. These research findings offered important details on the homogeneity and change point detection of the research area’s air temperature, rainfall, and streamflow necessary for the planers, decision-makers, hydrologists, and engineers for a better water allocation strategy, impact assessment and trend analyses.
A metakaolin-based geopolymer was fabricated with 5 ratios of two different nanomaterials. On the one hand, silicon carbide nanowhiskers and, on the other hand, titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Both were placed in water and received ultrasonic energy to be dispersed. The effects on mechanical properties and reaction kinetics were analyzed. Compared to the reference matrix, the results showed a tendency to increase the flexural strength. Probably due to the geometry of the SiC nanowhiskers and the pore refinement by the nano-TiO2 particles. The calorimetry curves showed that incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a 92% reduction in total heat, while SiC nanowhiskers produced a 25% reduction in total heat.
Forest is the main carbon sink of terrestrial ecosystem. Due to the unique growth characteristics of plants, the response of their growth status and physiological activities to climate change will affect the carbon cycle process of forest ecosystem. Based on the local scale CO2 flux and temperature observation data recorded by the FLUXNET registration site and Harvard Forest FLUX observation tower from 2000 to 2012, combined with the phenological model, this paper analyzes the impact of temperature changes on CO2 flux in temperate forest ecosystems. The results show that: (1) the maximum NEE in 2000–2012 was 298.13 g·m-2·a-1, which occurred in 2010. Except in the 2010 and 2011, the annual NEE in other years was negative. (2) NEE, GPP, temperature and phenology models have good fitting effects (R2 > 0.8), which shows that the stable period of photosynthesis in temperate mixed forest ecosystem is mainly concentrated in summer, and vegetation growth is the dominant factor of carbon cycle in temperate mixed forest ecosystem. (3) The linear fitting results of the change time points of air temperature (maximum point, minimum point and 0 point date) and the change time points of NEE and GPP (maximum point, minimum point and 0 point date) show that there is a significant positive correlation between air temperature and CO2 flux (P < 0.01), and the change of air temperature affects the carbon cycle process of temperate mixed forest ecosystem.
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