Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis of Changes in Land Cover in the Coastal Zones of the Red River Delta (Vietnam)

The majority of the population and economic activity of the northern half of Vietnam is clustered in the Red River Delta and about half of the country’s rice production takes place here. There are significant problems associated with its geographical position and the intensive exploitation of resources by an overabundant population (population density of 962 inhabitants/km2). Some thirty years after the economic liberalization and the opening of the country to international markets, agricultural land use patterns in the Red River Delta, particularly in the coastal area, have undergone many changes. Remote sensing is a particularly powerful tool in processing and providing spatial information for monitoring land use changes. The main methodological objective is to find a solution to process the many heterogeneous coastal land use parameters, so as to describe it in all its complexity, specifically by making use of the latest European satellite data (Sentinel-2). This complexity is due to local variations in ecological conditions, but also to anthropogenic factors that directly and indirectly influence land use dynamics. The methodological objective was to develop a new Geographic Object-based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) approach for mapping coastal areas using Sentinel-2 data and Landsat 8. By developing a new segmentation, accuracy measure, in this study was determined that segmentation accuracies decrease with increasing segmentation scales and that the negative impact of under-segmentation errors significantly increases at a large scale. An Estimation of Scale Parameter (ESP) tool was then used to determine the optimal segmentation parameter values. A popular machine learning algorithms (Random Forests-RFs) is used. For all classifications algorithm, an increase in overall accuracy was observed with the full synergistic combination of available data sets.

Incorporating DeepLabv3+and object-based image analysis for semantic segmentation of very high resolution remote sensing images

Semantic segmentation of remote sensing images is an important but unsolved problem in the remote sensing society.Advanced image semantic segmentation models,such as DeepLabv3+,have achieved astonishing performance for semantically labeling very high resolution(VHR)remote sensing images.However,it is difficult for these models to capture the precise outlines of ground objects and explore the context information that revealing relationships among image objects for optimizing segmentation results.Consequently,this study proposes a semantic segmentation method for VHR images by incorporating deep learning semantic segmentation model(DeepLabv3+)and objectbased image analysis(OBIA),wherein DSM is employed to provide geometric information to enhance the interpretation of VHR images.The proposed method first obtains two initial probabilistic labeling predictions using a DeepLabv3+network on spectral image and a random forest(RF)classifier on hand-crafted features,respectively.These two predictions are then integrated by Dempster-Shafer(D-S)evidence theory to be fed into an object-constrained higher-order conditional random field(CRF)framework to estimate the final semantic labeling results with the consideration of the spatial contextual information.The proposed method is applied to the ISPRS 2D semantic labeling benchmark,and competitive overall accuracies of 90.6%and 85.0%are achieved for Vaihingen and Potsdam datasets,respectively.

Evaluating pixel-based vs.object-based image analysis approaches for lithological discrimination using VNIR data of WorldView-3

The object-based against pixel-based image analysis approaches were assessed for lithological mapping in a geologically complex terrain using Visible Near Infrared(VNIR)bands of WorldView-3(WV-3)satellite imagery.The study area is Hormuz Island,southern Iran,a salt dome composed of dominant sedimentary and igneous rocks.When performing the object-based image analysis(OBLA)approach,the textural and spectral characteristics of lithological features were analyzed by the use of support vector machine(SVM)algorithm.However,in the pixelbased image analysis(PBIA),the spectra of lithological end-members,extracted from imagery,were used through the spectral angle mapper(SAM)method.Several test samples were used in a confusion matrix to assess the accuracy of classification methods quantitatively.Results showed that OBIA was capable of lithological mapping with an overall accuracy of 86.54%which was 19.33%greater than the accuracy of PBIA.OBIA also reduced the salt-and-pepper artifact pixels and produced a more realistic map with sharper lithological borders.This research showed limitations of pixel-based method due to relying merely on the spectral characteristics of rock types when applied to high-spatial-resolution VNIR bands of WorldView-3 imagery.It is concluded that the application of an object-based image analysis approach obtains a more accurate lithological classification when compared to a pixel-based image analysis algorithm.

Automatic area estimation of algal blooms in water bodies from UAV images using texture analysis

Algal blooms,the spread of algae on the surface of water bodies,have adverse effects not only on aquatic ecosystems but also on human life.The adverse effects of harmful algal blooms(HABs)necessitate a convenient solution for detection and monitoring.Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)have recently emerged as a tool for algal bloom detection,efficiently providing on-demand images at high spatiotemporal resolutions.This study developed an image processing method for algal bloom area estimation from the aerial images(obtained from the internet)captured using UAVs.As a remote sensing method of HAB detection,analysis,and monitoring,a combination of histogram and texture analyses was used to efficiently estimate the area of HABs.Statistical features like entropy(using the Kullback-Leibler method)were emphasized with the aid of a gray-level co-occurrence matrix.The results showed that the orthogonal images demonstrated fewer errors,and the morphological filter best detected algal blooms in real time,with a precision of 80%.This study provided efficient image processing approaches using on-board UAVs for HAB monitoring.

Sentiment Analysis Using E-Commerce Review Keyword-Generated Image with a Hybrid Machine Learning-Based Model

In the context of the accelerated pace of daily life and the development of e-commerce,online shopping is a mainstreamway for consumers to access products and services.To understand their emotional expressions in facing different shopping experience scenarios,this paper presents a sentiment analysis method that combines the ecommerce reviewkeyword-generated imagewith a hybrid machine learning-basedmodel,inwhich theWord2Vec-TextRank is used to extract keywords that act as the inputs for generating the related images by generative Artificial Intelligence(AI).Subsequently,a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network and Support Vector Machine(CNNSVM)model is applied for sentiment classification of those keyword-generated images.For method validation,the data randomly comprised of 5000 reviews from Amazon have been analyzed.With superior keyword extraction capability,the proposedmethod achieves impressive results on sentiment classification with a remarkable accuracy of up to 97.13%.Such performance demonstrates its advantages by using the text-to-image approach,providing a unique perspective for sentiment analysis in the e-commerce review data compared to the existing works.Thus,the proposed method enhances the reliability and insights of customer feedback surveys,which would also establish a novel direction in similar cases,such as social media monitoring and market trend research.

Assessment and Visualization of Ki67 Heterogeneity in Breast Cancers through Digital Image Analysis

The Ki67 index (KI) is a standard clinical marker for tumor proliferation;however, its application is hindered by intratumoral heterogeneity. In this study, we used digital image analysis to comprehensively analyze Ki67 heterogeneity and distribution patterns in breast carcinoma. Using Smart Pathology software, we digitized and analyzed 42 excised breast carcinoma Ki67 slides. Boxplots, histograms, and heat maps were generated to illustrate the KI distribution. We found that 30% of cases (13/42) exhibited discrepancies between global and hotspot KI when using a 14% KI threshold for classification. Patients with higher global or hotspot KI values displayed greater heterogenicity. Ki67 distribution patterns were categorized as randomly distributed (52%, 22/42), peripheral (43%, 18/42), and centered (5%, 2/42). Our sampling simulator indicated analyzing more than 10 high-power fields was typically required to accurately estimate global KI, with sampling size being correlated with heterogeneity. In conclusion, using digital image analysis in whole-slide images allows for comprehensive Ki67 profile assessment, shedding light on heterogeneity and distribution patterns. This spatial information can facilitate KI surveys of breast cancer and other malignancies.

Tongue image feature correlation analysis in benign lung nodules and lung cancer

Objective To analyze the differences in the correlation of tongue image indicators among patients with benign lung nodules and lung cancer.Methods From July 1;2020 to March 31;2022;clinical information of lung cancer patients and benign lung nodules patients was collected at the Oncology Department of Longhua Hos-pital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Physical Ex-amination Center of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chi-nese Medicine;respectively.We obtained tongue images from patients with benign lung nod-ules and lung cancer using the TFDA-1 digital tongue diagnosis instrument;and analyzed these images with the TDAS V2.0 software.The extracted indicators included color space pa-rameters in the Lab system for both the tongue body(TB)and tongue coating(TC)(TB/TC-L;TB/TC-a;and TB/TC-b);textural parameters[TB/TC-contrast(CON);TB/TC-angular second moment(ASM);TB/TC-entropy(ENT);and TB/TC-MEAN];as well as TC parameters(perAll and perPart).The bivariate correlation of TB and TC features was analyzed using Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation analysis;and the overall correlation was analyzed using canonical correlation analysis(CCA).Results Samples from 307 patients with benign lung nodules and 276 lung cancer patients were included after excluding outliers and extreme values.Simple correlation analysis indi-cated that the correlation of TB-L with TC-L;TB-b with TC-b;and TB-b with perAll in lung cancer group was higher than that in benign nodules group.Moreover;the correlation of TB-a with TC-a;TB-a with perAll;and the texture parameters of the TB(TB-CON;TB-ASM;TB-ENT;and TB-MEAN)with the texture parameters of the TC(TC-CON;TC-ASM;TC-ENT;and TC-MEAN)in benign nodules group was higher than lung cancer group.CCA further demon-strated a strong correlation between the TB and TC parameters in lung cancer group;with the first and second pairs of typical variables in benign nodules and lung cancer groups indicat-ing correlation coefficients of 0.918 and 0.817(P<0.05);and 0.940 and 0.822(P<0.05);re-spectively.Conclusion Benign lung nodules and lung cancer patients exhibited differences in correla-tion in the L;a;and b values of the TB and TC;as well as the perAll value of the TC;and the texture parameters(TB/TC-CON;TB/TC-ASM;TB/TC-ENT;and TB/TC-MEAN)between the TB and TC.Additionally;there were differences in the overall correlation of the TB and TC be-tween the two groups.Objective tongue diagnosis indicators can effectively assist in the diag-nosis of benign lung nodules and lung cancer;thereby providing a scientific basis for the ear-ly detection;diagnosis;and treatment of lung cancer.

3D characterization and analysis of pore structure of packed ore particle beds based on computed tomography images

Methods and procedures of three-dimensional （3D） characterization of the pore structure features in the packed ore particle bed are focused. X-ray computed tomography was applied to deriving the cross-sectional images of specimens with single particle size of 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10 ram. Based on the in-house developed 3D image analysis programs using Matlab, the volume porosity, pore size distribution and degree of connectivity were calculated and analyzed in detail. The results indicate that the volume porosity, the mean diameter of pores and the effective pore size （d50） increase with the increasing of particle size. Lognormal distribution or Gauss distribution is mostly suitable to model the pore size distribution. The degree of connectivity investigated on the basis of cluster-labeling algorithm also increases with increasing the particle size approximately.

Temporal sequence Object-based CNN(TS-OCNN) for crop classification from fine resolution remote sensing image time-series

Accurate crop distribution mapping is required for crop yield prediction and field management. Due to rapid progress in remote sensing technology, fine spatial resolution(FSR) remotely sensed imagery now offers great opportunities for mapping crop types in great detail. However, within-class variance can hamper attempts to discriminate crop classes at fine resolutions. Multi-temporal FSR remotely sensed imagery provides a means of increasing crop classification from FSR imagery, although current methods do not exploit the available information fully. In this research, a novel Temporal Sequence Object-based Convolutional Neural Network(TS-OCNN) was proposed to classify agricultural crop type from FSR image time-series. An object-based CNN(OCNN) model was adopted in the TS-OCNN to classify images at the object level(i.e., segmented objects or crop parcels), thus, maintaining the precise boundary information of crop parcels. The combination of image time-series was first utilized as the input to the OCNN model to produce an ‘original’ or baseline classification. Then the single-date images were fed automatically into the deep learning model scene-by-scene in order of image acquisition date to increase successively the crop classification accuracy. By doing so, the joint information in the FSR multi-temporal observations and the unique individual information from the single-date images were exploited comprehensively for crop classification. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was investigated using multitemporal SAR and optical imagery, respectively, over two heterogeneous agricultural areas. The experimental results demonstrated that the newly proposed TS-OCNN approach consistently increased crop classification accuracy, and achieved the greatest accuracies(82.68% and 87.40%) in comparison with state-of-the-art benchmark methods, including the object-based CNN(OCNN)(81.63% and85.88%), object-based image analysis(OBIA)(78.21% and 84.83%), and standard pixel-wise CNN(79.18%and 82.90%). The proposed approach is the first known attempt to explore simultaneously the joint information from image time-series with the unique information from single-date images for crop classification using a deep learning framework. The TS-OCNN, therefore, represents a new approach for agricultural landscape classification from multi-temporal FSR imagery. Besides, it is readily generalizable to other landscapes(e.g., forest landscapes), with a wide application prospect.

Automated Registration for Infrared Image Based on Wavelet Analysis

To develop a quick, accurate and antinoise automated image registration technique for infrared images, the wavelet analysis technique was used to extract the feature points in two images followed by the compensation for input image with angle difference between them. A hi erarchical feature matching algorithm was adopted to get the final transform parameters between the two images. The simulation results for two infrared images show that the method can effectively, quickly and accurately register images and be antinoise to some extent.

An Object-based Approach for Two-level Gully Feature Mapping Using High-resolution DEM and Imagery： A Case Study on Hilly Loess Plateau Region, China

Gully feature mapping is an indispensable prerequisite for the motioning and control of gully erosion which is a widespread natural hazard. The increasing availability of high-resolution Digital Elevation Model(DEM) and remote sensing imagery, combined with developed object-based methods enables automatic gully feature mapping. But still few studies have specifically focused on gully feature mapping on different scales. In this study, an object-based approach to two-level gully feature mapping, including gully-affected areas and bank gullies, was developed and tested on 1-m DEM and Worldview-3 imagery of a catchment in the Chinese Loess Plateau. The methodology includes a sequence of data preparation, image segmentation, metric calculation, and random forest based classification. The results of the two-level mapping were based on a random forest model after investigating the effects of feature selection and class-imbalance problem. Results show that the segmentation strategy adopted in this paper which considers the topographic information and optimal parameter combination can improve the segmentation results. The distribution of the gully-affected area is closely related to topographic information, however, the spectral features are more dominant for bank gully mapping. The highest overall accuracy of the gully-affected area mapping was 93.06% with four topographic features. The highest overall accuracy of bank gully mapping is 78.5% when all features are adopted. The proposed approach is a creditable option for hierarchical mapping of gully feature information, which is suitable for the application in hily Loess Plateau region.

Congruent Feature Selection Method to Improve the Efficacy of Machine Learning-Based Classification in Medical Image Processing

Machine learning(ML)is increasingly applied for medical image processing with appropriate learning paradigms.These applications include analyzing images of various organs,such as the brain,lung,eye,etc.,to identify specific flaws/diseases for diagnosis.The primary concern of ML applications is the precise selection of flexible image features for pattern detection and region classification.Most of the extracted image features are irrelevant and lead to an increase in computation time.Therefore,this article uses an analytical learning paradigm to design a Congruent Feature Selection Method to select the most relevant image features.This process trains the learning paradigm using similarity and correlation-based features over different textural intensities and pixel distributions.The similarity between the pixels over the various distribution patterns with high indexes is recommended for disease diagnosis.Later,the correlation based on intensity and distribution is analyzed to improve the feature selection congruency.Therefore,the more congruent pixels are sorted in the descending order of the selection,which identifies better regions than the distribution.Now,the learning paradigm is trained using intensity and region-based similarity to maximize the chances of selection.Therefore,the probability of feature selection,regardless of the textures and medical image patterns,is improved.This process enhances the performance of ML applications for different medical image processing.The proposed method improves the accuracy,precision,and training rate by 13.19%,10.69%,and 11.06%,respectively,compared to other models for the selected dataset.The mean error and selection time is also reduced by 12.56%and 13.56%,respectively,compared to the same models and dataset.

Prediction of different stages of rectal cancer: Texture analysis based on diffusion-weighted images and apparent diffusion coefficient maps

BACKGROUND It is evident that an accurate evaluation of T and N stage rectal cancer is essential for treatment planning.It has not been extensively investigated whether texture features derived from diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)images and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)maps are associated with the extent of local invasion(pathological stage T1-2 vs T3-4)and nodal involvement(pathological stage N0 vs N1-2)in rectal cancer.AIM To predict different stages of rectal cancer using texture analysis based on DWI images and ADC maps.METHODS One hundred and fifteen patients with pathologically proven rectal cancer,who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging,including DWI,were enrolled,retrospectively.The ADC measurements(ADCmean,ADCmin,ADCmax)as well as texture features,including the gray level co-occurrence matrix parameters,the gray level run-length matrix parameters and wavelet parameters were calculated based on DWI(b=0 and b=1000)images and the ADC maps.Independent sample t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish the models.The predictive performance was validated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.RESULTS Dissimilarity,sum average,information correlation and run-length nonuniformity from DWIb=0 images,gray level nonuniformity,run percentage and run-length nonuniformity from DWIb=1000 images,and dissimilarity and run percentage from ADC maps were found to be independent predictors of local invasion(stage T3-4).The area under the operating characteristic curve of the model reached 0.793 with a sensitivity of 78.57%and a specificity of 74.19%.Sum average,gray level nonuniformity and the horizontal components of symlet transform(SymletH)from DWIb=0 images,sum average,information correlation,long run low gray level emphasis and SymletH from DWIb=1000 images,and ADCmax,ADCmean and information correlation from ADC maps were identified as independent predictors of nodal involvement.The area under the operating characteristic curve of the model reached 0.802 with a sensitivity of 80.77%and a specificity of 68.25%.CONCLUSION Texture features extracted from DWI images and ADC maps are useful clues for predicting pathological T and N stages in rectal cancer.

Use of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and 3D image analysis to quantify mineral dissemination and pore space in oxide copper ore particles

Mineral dissemination and pore space distribution in ore particles are important features that influence heap leaching performance. To quantify the mineral dissemination and pore space distribution of an ore particle, a cylindrical copper oxide ore sample (I center dot 4.6 mm x 5.6 mm) was scanned using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT), a nondestructive imaging technology, at a spatial resolution of 4.85 mu m. Combined with three-dimensional (3D) image analysis techniques, the main mineral phases and pore space were segmented and the volume fraction of each phase was calculated. In addition, the mass fraction of each mineral phase was estimated and the result was validated with that obtained using traditional techniques. Furthermore, the pore phase features, including the pore size distribution, pore surface area, pore fractal dimension, pore centerline, and the pore connectivity, were investigated quantitatively. The pore space analysis results indicate that the pore size distribution closely fits a log-normal distribution and that the pore space morphology is complicated, with a large surface area and low connectivity. This study demonstrates that the combination of HRXCT and 3D image analysis is an effective tool for acquiring 3D mineralogical and pore structural data.

Object-based classification of cloudy coastal areas using medium-resolution optical and SAR images for vulnerability assessment of marine disaster

Efficient and accurate access to coastal land cover information is of great significance for marine disaster prevention and mitigation.Although the popular and common sensors of land resource satellites provide free and valuable images to map the land cover,coastal areas often encounter significant cloud cover,especially in tropical areas,which makes the classification in those areas non-ideal.To solve this problem,we proposed a framework of combining medium-resolution optical images and synthetic aperture radar(SAR)data with the recently popular object-based image analysis(OBIA)method and used the Landsat Operational Land Imager(OLI)and Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar(PALSAR)images acquired in Singapore in 2017 as a case study.We designed experiments to confirm two critical factors of this framework:one is the segmentation scale that determines the average object size,and the other is the classification feature.Accuracy assessments of the land cover indicated that the optimal segmentation scale was between 40 and 80,and the features of the combination of OLI and SAR resulted in higher accuracy than any individual features,especially in areas with cloud cover.Based on the land cover generated by this framework,we assessed the vulnerability of the marine disasters of Singapore in 2008 and 2017 and found that the high-vulnerability areas mainly located in the southeast and increased by 118.97 km2 over the past decade.To clarify the disaster response plan for different geographical environments,we classified risk based on altitude and distance from shore.The newly increased high-vulnerability regions within 4 km offshore and below 30 m above sea level are at high risk;these regions may need to focus on strengthening disaster prevention construction.This study serves as a typical example of using remote sensing techniques for the vulnerability assessment of marine disasters,especially those in cloudy coastal areas.

Multi-Modality Medical Image Fusion Based on Wavelet Analysis and Quality Evaluation

Multi-modality medical image fusion has more and more important applications in medical image analysis and understanding. In this paper, we develop and apply a multi-resolution method based on wavelet pyramid to fuse medical images from different modalities such as PET-MRI and CT-MRI. In particular, we evaluate the different fusion results when applying different selection rules and obtain optimum combination of fusion parameters.

CORRESPONDENCE ANALYSIS ON IMAGES OF JIANGXI PROVINCE AS A TOURIST DESTINATION

This paper delineates the images of Jiangxi Province as tourist destination perceived by about 2000 sample visitors at Lushan Mountain and other 3 famous resorts (Jinggangshan Mountains, Longhushan Mountain, and Sanqingshan Mountain), with a result that the most common image is the famous scenic mountain image with partial attribute of image of religious culture destination. In order to reveal the similarities and dissimilarities of images among the four destinations, a correspondence analysis on 16 image attributes was employed. The results indicate that the tourists’ images on Longhushan Mountain, Sanqingshan Mountain and Lushan Mountain are very similar: having a lot of good tourist sites, famous mountain scenery, being close to nature and having good guide service, and others, but religious culture and good shopping facilities having not made deep impression on tourist, while Jinggangshan Mountains is famous for its red culture. The correspondence analysis visualizes the strengths and weaknesses of the destinations, which is useful for market positioning among the competitive places. Finally, some marketing suggestions for the four destinations were provided.

SAR image denoising based on wavelet-fractal analysis

Wavelet-fractal based SAR （synthetic aperture radar） image processing is one of the advanced technologies in image processing. The main concept of analysis is that after wavelet transformation, multifractal spectrum of the signal is different from that of noise. This difference is used to alleviate the noise produced by SAR image.The method to denoise SAR image using the process based on wavelet-fractai analysis is discussed in detail. Essentially, the present method focuses on adjusting the Hoelder exponent α of multifractal spectrum. After simulation, α should be adjusted to 1.72-1.73. The more the value of α exceeds 1.73, the less distinctive the edges of SAR image become. According to the authors denoising is optimal at α=1.72-1.73. In other words, when α =1.72-1.73, a smooth and denoised SAR image is produced.

Acoustic Borehole Images for Fracture Extraction and Analysis in Second Pre-pilot Drillhole of CCSD

Ultrasonic imaging logging provides continuous and oriented images of structures vs. depth. In the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) Project, acoustic borehole images were recorded in the second pre-pilot drillhole which penetrates the metamorphic rocks. This paper focuses on fracture evaluation of the drillhole with these images. Both least square fit and a modified Hough transform are used for fracture extraction, and 269 fractures were mapped in the interval from 69.5 to 1 020 m. Most fractures dip steeply, with an average angle of 54°. Fracture dip directions are dominantly in the range of 220°-280° above the depth of 267 m, but 80°-120° in the lower zones. These observations may indicate the differences in structural movements or in-situ stress fields between the upper and lower zones in the drillhole.

Fluorescence Microscopic Image Analysis of Nucleic Acids Based on The Capillary Flow Directed Assembly Ring of Neutral Red-nucleic Acid Supramolecular Complexes

It is critical to establish a direct and precise method with a high sensitivity and selectivity in analytical chemistry. In this research, making use of a well known phenomenon of capillary flow, we have proposed an image analysis method of nucleic acids at the price of a small amount of sample. When a droplet of the supramolecular complex solution, formed by neutral red and nucleic acids(NA) under an approximate neutral condition, was placed on the hydrophobic surface of dimethyl dichlorosilane pretreated glass slides, and it was evaporated, the supramolecular complex exhibited the periphery of the droplet due to the capillary effect, and accumulated there to form a red capillary flow directed assembly ring(CFDAR). A typical CFDAR has an outer diameter of (2 r ) about 1.18 mm and a ring width(2 δ ) of about 41 μm. Depending on the experimental conditions, a variety of CFDAR can be assembled. The experimental results are in agreement with our former theoretical discussion. It was found that when a droplet volume is 0.1 μL, the fluorescence intensity of the CFDAR formed by the NR NA is in proportion to the content of calf thymus DNA in the range of 0-0.28 ng, fish sperm DNA of 0-0.24 ng and yeast RNA of 0-0.16 ng with the limit of detection(3 σ ) of 1 7, 1.4 and 0.9 pg, respectively for the three nucleic acids.