Computed tomography scanning for three-dimensional imaging and complexity analysis of developing root systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (11) ◽  
pp. 1434-1442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda Lontoc-Roy ◽  
Pierre Dutilleul ◽  
Shiv O. Prasher ◽  
Liwen Han ◽  
Donald L. Smith

To improve our understanding of the role of root systems in soil-based resource acquisition by plants and eventually model it completely, root system complexity must be quantified, in addition to other morphometric traits. In this note, we introduce a new approach in which computed tomography (CT) scan data are collected on crop root systems in three-dimensional (3-D) space nondestructively and noninvasively, thus allowing for repeated measurements and a relevant complexity analysis of root systems. The experimental crop is maize ( Zea mays L.). Four potted seedlings were CT scanned under wet soil conditions on the day of emergence, and each of the two following days. Specifically, a high-resolution X-ray CT scanner formerly used for medical purposes produced 3 × 500 CT images of 0.1 mm thick cross-sections for each seedling. The fractal dimension of each root system on each day was estimated on a skeletonized 3-D image reconstructed from CT scan data. We found that the mean fractal dimension value was not significantly greater than 1 on day 1 (1.015 ± 0.015), contrary to days 2 and 3 (1.037 ± 0.015, 1.065 ± 0.016). Our results, including original 3-D images, provide support for a novel type of root system studies based on the collection and advanced analysis of CT scan data.


1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. F. Fayle

Extension of the root system and stem during the first 30 years of growth of plantation-grown red pine (Pinusresinosa Ait.) on four sites was deduced by root and stem analyses. Maximum rooting depth was reached in the first decade and maximum horizontal extension of roots was virtually complete between years 15 and 20. The main horizontal roots of red pine seldom exceed 11 m in length. Elongation of vertical and horizontal roots was examined in relation to moisture availability and some physical soil conditions. The changing relations within the tree in lineal dimensions and annual elongation of the roots and stem are illustrated. The development of intertree competition above and below ground is considered.



2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 549-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kodrík ◽  
M. Kodrík

Beech is, thanks to its root system, in general considered to be a wind-resistant woody plant species. Nevertheless, the research on beech root systems has revealed that it is not possible to mechanically divide the woody plants into deep rooted and shallow rooted, because their root systems are modified according to various stand conditions. The root system shape, growth and development are mostly influenced by soil conditions and groundwater level. In the case of a high groundwater level beech root systems do not form tap roots and the lateral roots are rather thin and weak. Important factor for the tree static stability is number of roots with diameter 3–10 cm. The most important for the tree stability are roots with diameter over 10 cm. Wood-destroying fungi have strong negative impact on tree static stability. There are differences between beech below-ground biomass growing in soils rich in nutrients and poor in nutrients. The total below-ground biomass of the beech stands poor in nutrients is higher.



Author(s):  
Niraj Suresh ◽  
Sean A. Stephens ◽  
Lexor Adams ◽  
Anthon N. Beck ◽  
Adriana L. McKinney ◽  
...  


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 4189-4206 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bechmann ◽  
C. Schneider ◽  
A. Carminati ◽  
D. Vetterlein ◽  
S. Attinger ◽  
...  

Abstract. Detailed three-dimensional models of root water uptake have become increasingly popular for investigating the process of root water uptake. However, they suffer from a lack of information on important parameters, particularly on the spatial distribution of root axial and radial conductivities, which vary greatly along a root system. In this paper we explore how the arrangement of those root hydraulic properties and branching within the root system affects modelled uptake dynamics, xylem water potential and the efficiency of root water uptake. We first apply a simple model to illustrate the mechanisms at the scale of single roots. By using two efficiency indices based on (i) the collar xylem potential ("effort") and (ii) the integral amount of unstressed root water uptake ("water yield"), we show that an optimal root length emerges, depending on the ratio between roots axial and radial conductivity. Young roots with high capacity for radial uptake are only efficient when they are short. Branching, in combination with mature transport roots, enables soil exploration and substantially increases active young root length at low collar potentials. Second, we investigate how this shapes uptake dynamics at the plant scale using a comprehensive three-dimensional root water uptake model. Plant-scale dynamics, such as the average uptake depth of entire root systems, were only minimally influenced by the hydraulic parameterization. However, other factors such as hydraulic redistribution, collar potential, internal redistribution patterns and instantaneous uptake depth depended strongly on the arrangement on the arrangement of root hydraulic properties. Root systems were most efficient when assembled of different root types, allowing for separation of root function in uptake (numerous short apical young roots) and transport (longer mature roots). Modelling results became similar when this heterogeneity was accounted for to some degree (i.e. if the root systems contained between 40 and 80% of young uptake roots). The average collar potential was cut to half and unstressed transpiration increased by up to 25% in composed root systems, compared to homogenous ones. Also, the least efficient root system (homogenous young root system) was characterized by excessive bleeding (hydraulic lift), which seemed to be an artifact of the parameterization. We conclude that heterogeneity of root hydraulic properties is a critical component for efficient root systems that needs to be accounted for in complex three-dimensional root water uptake models.



2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gauthier Dot ◽  
Frederic Rafflenbeul ◽  
Adeline Kerbrat ◽  
Philippe Rouch ◽  
Laurent Gajny ◽  
...  

Objectives To assess manual landmarking repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) of a set of three-dimensional (3D) landmarks and to evaluate R&R of vertical cephalometric measurements using two Frankfort Horizontal (FH) planes as references for horizontal 3D imaging reorientation. Methods Thirty-three landmarks, divided into "conventional", "foraminal" and "dental", were manually located twice by 3 experienced operators on 20 computed tomography (CT) scans of orthognathic surgery patients. R&R of the landmark localization were computed according to the ISO 5725 standard. These landmarks were then used to construct 2 FH planes: a conventional FH plane (orbitale left, porion right and left) and a newly proposed FH plane (midinternal acoustic foramen, orbitale right and left). R&R of vertical cephalometric measurements were computed using these 2 FH planes as horizontal references for CT reorientation. Results Landmarks showing a 95% confidence interval (CI) of repeatability and/or reproducibility > 2mm were found exclusively in the "conventional" landmarks group. Vertical measurements showed excellent R&R (95% CI < 1mm) with either FH plane as horizontal reference. However, the 2 FH planes were not found to be parallel (absolute angular difference of 2.41°, SD 1.27°). The average time needed to landmark one CT scan was 14 ± 3 minutes. Conclusions The "dental" and "foraminal" landmarks tended to be more reliable than the "conventional" landmarks. Despite the poor overall reliability of the landmarks orbitale and porion, the construction of the conventional FH plane using 3 landmarks provided a reliable horizontal reference for 3D craniofacial CT scan reorientation.



2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tito Aureliano ◽  
Aline M. Ghilardi ◽  
Bruno A. Navarro ◽  
Marcelo A. Fernandes ◽  
Fresia Ricardi-Branco ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study reports the occurrence of pneumosteum (osteohistological structure related to an avian-like air sac system) in a nanoid (5.7-m-long) saltasaurid titanosaur from Upper Cretaceous Brazil. We corroborate the hypothesis of the presence of an air sac system in titanosaurians based upon vertebral features identified through external observation and computed tomography. This is the fifth non-avian dinosaur taxon in which histological traces of air sacs have been found. We provided a detailed description of pneumatic structures from external osteology and CT scan data as a parameter for comparison with other taxa. The camellate pattern found in the vertebral centrum (ce) of this taxon and other titanosaurs shows distinct architectures. This might indicate whether cervical or lung diverticula pneumatized different elements. A cotylar internal plate of bone tissue sustains radial camellae (rad) in a condition similar to Alamosaurus and Saltasaurus. Moreover, circumferential chambers (cc) near the cotyle might be an example of convergence between diplodocoids and titanosaurs. Finally, we also register for the first time pneumatic foramina (fo) and fossae connecting camellate structures inside the neural canal in Titanosauria and the second published case in non-avian dinosaurs. The extreme pneumaticity observed in this nanoid titanosaur contrasts with previous assumptions that this feature correlates with the evolution of gigantic sizes in sauropodomorphs. This study reinforces that even small-bodied sauropod clades could present a hyperpneumatized postcranial skeleton, a character inherited from their large-bodied ancestors.



2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (04) ◽  
pp. E131-E135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Teichgräber ◽  
Judith Hackbarth

Abstract To date, the reliability of ultrasound for the quantitative assessment of pleural effusion has been limited. In the following study, an easy and cost-effective bedside ultrasound method was developed and investigated for specific use in the intensive care unit (ICU). 22 patients (median age: 58.5 years, range: 37–88 years, 14 men and 8 women) with a total of 31 pleural effusions were examined in the ICU. The inclusion criterion was complete visualization of the effusion on chest computed tomography (CT). The ultrasound (US) examination was performed less than 6 h after the diagnostic CT scan. The pleural effusion volume was calculated volumetrically from the CT scan data. Within 4.58 +/- 2.87 h after the CT scan, all patients were re-examined with US in the ICU. The fluid crescent's thickness was measured between each intercostal space (ICS) with the patient in a supine position and a 30° inclination of the torso. The US measurements were compared to the calculated CT volumes using regression analysis, resulting in the following formula: V=13.330 x ICS6 (V=volume of the effusion [ml]; ICS6=sonographic measurement of the thickness of the liquid crescent [mm] in the sixth ICS).A significant correlation between the sonographically measured and the CT-calculated volumes was best observed for the sixth ICS (R2=0.589; ICC=0.7469 with p<0.0001 and a 95% CI of 0.5364–0.8705).The sonographic assessment of pleural effusions in a supine position and a 30° inclination of the torso is feasible for the volumetric estimation of pleural effusion. This is especially true for ICU patients with severe primary diseases and orthopnea who are unable to sit upright or lie flat.



2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-21
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar Jha ◽  
Prasanna Ghimire ◽  
Sagun Shrestha

Introduction: Compensatory hypertrophy of inferior turbinate in the contralateral side of the deviated nasal septum is a known phenomenon. The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between the nasal septum and inferior turbinate and to determine the dimension and composition of inferior turbinate hypertrophy.Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was performed on 52 patients who were referred for Computed tomography of PNS with deviated nasal septum having compensatory hypertrophy of contralateral inferior turbinate. Non-hypertrophied inferior turbinate on the side of deviation was taken as a control group. Deviation angle, mucosal thickness including medial and lateral and bone thickness were evaluated using three-dimensional CT scan and compared to the control group.Result: Dimensions of the bony and mucosal components of the inferior turbinate were significantly greater than those of the control group. This study included 52 patients (M- 30, F- 22) having a mean age of 37 years. Out of 52, the septum deviated to the left side in 56% and 44% to the right side. The average angle of deviation was 10.12°. There was a statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) between total turbinate thickness and angle of deviation. A statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) was also observed between medial mucosa and bone thickness.Conclusion: Compensatory hypertrophy of inferior turbinate in patients with deviated nasal septum not only involves the mucosal component but also the bone itself. Pre-operative CT scan of PNS helps evaluate dimension and composition of inferior turbinate and assists to decide on surgical technique to fix turbinate.



2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-180
Author(s):  
Yuji Maenohara ◽  
Takumi Matsumoto ◽  
Song Ho Chang ◽  
Jun Hirose ◽  
Sakae Tanaka

Intercuneiform arthrodesis is often required for various midfoot pathologies; however, intercuneiform screw insertion is not easy due to the complicated anatomical structure of cuneiforms. This study aimed to determine the advisable screw entry point and direction using intraoperatively detectable landmarks. The computed tomography (CT) scan data of feet were reformatted using OsiriX software multiplanar reconstruction. First, based on the data of 10 CT scans of normal feet, we determined the advisable screw entry point at the upper one-third in the dorsoplantar direction and center in the anteroposterior direction on the medial aspect of the medial cuneiform and insertion direction toward the outermost point of the base of the fifth metatarsal in the axial plane and parallel to the plantar surface in the coronal plane. Second, we examined the accuracy of these newly designed guideposts in the simulation using other CT scan data of the other 27 normal feet and 12 flat feet. The simulated screw trajectory penetrated the mid three-fifths of all three cuneiforms in 97% of the normal feet and 92% of the flat feet with no cases of cortical wall violation. Levels of Evidence: Level V: Expert opinion



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