Reinventing the national topographic database

The National Land Survey (NLS) has had a digital topographic database (TDB) since 1992. Many of its features are based on the Basic Map created by M. Kajamaa in 1947, mapping first completed in 1977. The basis for the renewal of the TDB begun by investigating the value of the TDB, a study made by the Aalto University in 2014 and a study on the new TDB system 2030 published by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2015. As a result of these studies the NLS set up a programme for creating a new National Topographic Database (NTDB) in beginning of 2015. First new version should be available in 2019. The new NTDB has following key features: 1) it is based on processes where data is naturally maintained, 2) it is quality managed, 3) it has persistent Ids, 4) it supports 3D, 4D, 5) it is based on standards. The technical architecture is based on interoperable modules. A website for following the development of the NTDB can be accessed for more information: http://kmtk.maanmittauslaitos.fi/

Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles

Studies of the biological activity of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) show that this compound exhibits antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The CONPs were obtained by pulsed electron evaporation in a low-pressure gas with a specific surface area of ∼ 190 m 2 /g. Strongly-noequilibrium conditions of synthesis led to the formation of high defect structures, which makes it possible to change the Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ ions ratio and, consequently, to enhance the level of their biological activity. To analyze the content of cerium with different valences, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was performed. To determine the enzyme-like activity of CONPs, a chemical analysis of the interaction with hydrogen peroxide was carried out on a spectrophotometer. The results show a significant presence of Ce 3+ in CONPs and the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The valence of the cerium atoms determines the chemical activity of CONPs; thus, in a more alkaline medium, the CONPs decrease the ROS concentration, while in the acidic medium its activity diminishes. By varying the parameters of the nanopowders obtained and achieving the optimum Ce 3+ /Ce 4+ ratio, one can produce CONPs having properties which enable the creation of pharmaceuticals for protection against ROS or for combating tumors, viruses and bacteria. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.This work was performed within a support of the Russian Science Foundation project [16-16-04038]

Efficient model for modular multi-level converter simulation

Detailed models of modular multi-level converters (MMCs) are cumbersome for electromagnetic transient simulation programs because of their high number of components which involve large simulation times. In this work, the modeling of an MMC is addressed with the objective of reducing the simulation time. First, the MMC structure is presented, including the modulation technique, the voltage balancing algorithm and the circulating current control used to validate the model. Next, an efficient simplified model is proposed. This is formed by just one variable voltage source, one variable capacitor and one variable resistor per arm, regardless of the number of submodules. This simplified model allows the simulation time to be reduced while keeping the dynamics of the MMC. The comparison through several PSCAD simulations with a detailed 5-level MMC model proves its validity during both steady-state and transient conditions (ac and dc short-circuits).The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and EU FEDER Funds under Grant DPI2014-53245-R and the Universitat Jaume I under Grants P1.1B2013-51 and E-2014-24.Vidal-Albalate, R.; Belenguer, E.; Beltrán, H.; Blasco Gimenez, R. (2015). Efficient model for modular multi-level converter simulation. Mathematics and Computers in Simulation. 99(1):1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matcom.2015.10.001S11599

Pulmonary toxicity of synthetic amorphous silica–effects of porosity and copper oxide doping

Materials can be modified for improved functionality. Our aim was to test whether pulmonary toxicity of silica nanomaterials is increased by the introduction of: a) porosity; and b) surface doping with CuO; and whether c) these modifications act synergistically. Mice were exposed by intratracheal instillation and for some doses also oropharyngeal aspiration to: 1) solid silica 100 nm; 2) porous silica 100 nm; 3) porous silica 100 nm with CuO doping; 4) solid silica 300 nm; 5) porous silica 300 nm; 6) solid silica 300 nm with CuO doping; 7) porous silica 300 nm with CuO doping; 8) CuO nanoparticles 9.8 nm; or 9) carbon black Printex 90 as benchmark. Based on a pilot study, dose levels were between 0.5 and 162 µg/mouse (0.2 and 8.1 mg/kg bw). Endpoints included pulmonary inflammation (neutrophil numbers in bronchoalveolar fluid), acute phase response, histopathology, and genotoxicity assessed by the comet assay, micronucleus test, and the gamma-H2AX assay. The porous silica materials induced greater pulmonary inflammation than their solid counterparts. A similar pattern was seen for acute phase response induction and histologic changes. This could be explained by a higher specific surface area per mass unit for the most toxic particles. CuO doping further increased the acute phase response normalized according to the deposited surface area. We identified no consistent evidence of synergism between surface area and CuO doping. In conclusion, porosity and CuO doping each increased the toxicity of silica nanomaterials and there was no indication of synergy when the modifications co-occurred

Cryo-EM structure of a helicase loading intermediate containing ORC-Cdc6-Cdt1-MCM2-7 bound to DNA

In eukaryotes, the Cdt1-bound replicative helicase core MCM2-7 is loaded onto DNA by the ORC-Cdc6 ATPase to form a prereplicative complex (pre-RC) with an MCM2-7 double hexamer encircling DNA. Using purified components in the presence of ATP-γS, we have captured in vitro an intermediate in pre-RC assembly that contains a complex between the ORC-Cdc6 and Cdt1-MCM2-7 heteroheptamers called the OCCM. Cryo-EM studies of this 14-subunit complex reveal that the two separate heptameric complexes are engaged extensively, with the ORC-Cdc6 N-terminal AAA+ domains latching onto the C-terminal AAA+ motor domains of the MCM2-7 hexamer. The conformation of ORC-Cdc6 undergoes a concerted change into a right-handed spiral with helical symmetry that is identical to that of the DNA double helix. The resulting ORC-Cdc6 helicase loader shows a notable structural similarity to the replication factor C clamp loader, suggesting a conserved mechanism of action

Modifying the Surface of Cerium Oxide Nanopowders Produced by Physical Method

The work was supported by Russian Science Foundation project № 18-72-00041. The authors are grateful to A. N. Kiryakov (Ural Federal University) for assistance in luminescence measurements

Modifying the surface of cerium oxide nanopowders produced by physical method

Cerium oxide nanoparticles present an interesting material for different industrial applications in biotechnology and medicine. The CeO2 nanopowder was produced by the method of pulsed electron evaporation of ceramic oxide targets with condensation of the vapors in a low pressure gas. The modification of nanoparticle surface was made with sodium citrate and N-phosphonomethylaminodiacetic acid. The stable aqueous suspensions of CeO2 nanoparticles could not be obtained in the work. This is probably due to the high hydrophobic properties of the nanoparticle surface. The cerium oxide nanoparticles with different stabilizers exhibit luminescence properties. © 2019 Author(s)

Field trial on glucose-induced insulin and metabolite responses in Estonian Holstein and Estonian Red dairy cows in two herds

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Insulin secretion and tissue sensitivity to insulin is considered to be one of the factors controlling lipid metabolism <it>post partum</it>. The objective of this study was to compare glucose-induced blood insulin and metabolite responses in Estonian Holstein (EH, n = 14) and Estonian Red (ER, n = 14) cows.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was carried out using the glucose tolerance test (GTT) performed at 31 ± 1.9 days <it>post partum</it> during negative energy balance. Blood samples were obtained at -15, -5, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min relative to infusion of 0.15 g/kg BW glucose and analysed for glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), cholesterol and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Applying the MIXED Procedure with the SAS System the basal concentration of cholesterol, and basal concentration and concentrations at post-infusion time points for other metabolites, area under the curve (AUC) for glucose and insulin, clearance rate (CR) for glucose, and maximum increase from basal concentration for glucose and insulin were compared between breeds.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a breed effect on blood NEFA (<it>P </it>< 0.05) and a time effect on all metabolites concentration (<it>P </it>< 0.01). The following differences were observed in EH compared to ER: lower blood insulin concentration 5 min after glucose infusion (<it>P </it>< 0.05), higher glucose concentration 20 (<it>P </it>< 0.01) and 30 min (<it>P </it>< 0.05) after infusion, and higher NEFA concentration before (<it>P </it>< 0.01) and 5 min after infusion (P < 0.05). Blood TG concentration in ER remained stable, while in EH there was a decrease from the basal level to the 40^thmin nadir (<it>P </it>< 0.01), followed by an increase to the 60^thmin postinfusion (<it>P </it>< 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results imply that glucose-induced changes in insulin concentration and metabolite responses to insulin differ between EH and ER dairy cows.</p