Evaluating atmospheric methane inversion model results for Pallas, northern Finland

A state-of-the-art inverse model, CarbonTracker Data Assimilation Shell (CTDAS), was used to optimize estimates of methane (CH4) surface fluxes using atmospheric observations of CH4 as a constraint. The model consists of the latest version of the TM5 atmospheric chemistry-transport model and an ensemble Kalman filter based data assimilation system. The model was constrained by atmospheric methane surface concentrations, obtained from the World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG). Prior methane emissions were specified for five sources: biosphere, anthropogenic, fire, termites and ocean, of which bio-sphere and anthropogenic emissions were optimized. Atmospheric CH 4 mole fractions for 2007 from northern Finland calculated from prior and optimized emissions were compared with observations. It was found that the root mean squared errors of the posterior esti - mates were more than halved. Furthermore, inclusion of NOAA observations of CH 4 from weekly discrete air samples collected at Pallas improved agreement between posterior CH 4 mole fraction estimates and continuous observations, and resulted in reducing optimized biosphere emissions and their uncertainties in northern Finland

Evaluation of Polysaccharide–Peptide Conjugates Containing the RGD Motif for Potential Use in Muscle Tissue Regeneration

New scaffold materials composed of biodegradable components are of great interest in regenerative medicine. These materials should be: stable, nontoxic, and biodegrade slowly and steadily, allowing the stable release of biodegradable and biologically active substances. We analyzed peptide-polysaccharide conjugates derived from peptides containing RGD motif (H-RGDS-OH (1), H-GRGDS-NH2 (2), and cyclo(RGDfC) (3)) and polysaccharides as scaffolds to select the most appropriate biomaterials for application in regenerative medicine. Based on the results of MTT and Ki-67 assays, we can state that the conjugates containing calcium alginate and the ternary nonwoven material were the most supportive of muscle tissue regeneration. Scanning electron microscopy imaging and light microscopy studies with hematoxylin–eosin staining showed that C2C12 cells were able to interact with the tested peptide–polysaccharide conjugates. The release factor (Q) varied depending on both the peptide and the structure of the polysaccharide matrix. LDH, Alamarblue®, Ki-67, and cell cycle assays indicated that peptides 1 and 2 were characterized by the best biological properties. Conjugates containing chitosan and the ternary polysaccharide nonwoven with peptide 1 exhibited very high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Overall, the results of the study suggested that polysaccharide conjugates with peptides 1 and 2 can be potentially used in regenerative medicine

Virtuoso : 20./21. stoljeće (studenti Muzičke akademije u Zagrebu, 15.4.2021.)

Koncert iz studentskog ciklusa Virtuoso održan na Muzičkoj akademiji u Koncertnoj dvorani "Blagoje Bersa" 15.4.2021. Izvođači: Štefan Đurković (udaraljke), Bartol Stopić (saksofon), Hana Novoselec (klavir), Luka Ivir (udaraljke), Klara Ćavar (rog), Nina Lucia Perina (violončelo), Teo Devčić (violina), Lucija Borković (klavir), Petra Pia Kartelo (pjevanje), Daniel Halužan (klavir), Patrik Prežgaj (sopran saksofon), Dragutin Roić (alt saksofon), Jakov Varezić (tenor saksofon), Sven Crnković (bariton saksofon). Program: 1. Nicolas Martynciow: Tchik (izvođač: Štefan Đurković); 2. Karlheinz Stockhausen: In Freundschaft, Werk Nr. 46 9/10 (izvođač: Bartol Stopić); 3. Maurice Ravel: Miroirs (IV. Alborada del gracioso) (izvođač: Hana Novoselec); 4. Nebojša Jovan Živković: Ultimatum I (izvođač: Luka Ivir); 5. Bernhard Krol: Laudatio (izvođač: Klara Ćavar); 6. Dmitrij Šostakovič: Klavirski trio u C-duru, op. 8 (izvođači: Nina Lucia Perina, Teo Devčić, Lucija Borković); 7. George Gershwin: I got Rhythm (izvođači: Petra Pia Kartelo, Daniel Halužan); 8. George Gershwin: By Strauss (izvođači: Petra Pia Kartelo, Daniel Halužan); 9. Perry Goldstein: Blow! (izvođači: Patrik Prežgaj, Dragutin Roić, Jakov Varezić, Sven Crnković)

Virtuoso : 20./21. stoljeće (studenti Muzičke akademije u Zagrebu, 15.4.2021.)

Koncert iz studentskog ciklusa Virtuoso održan na Muzičkoj akademiji u Koncertnoj dvorani "Blagoje Bersa" 15.4.2021. Izvođači: Štefan Đurković (udaraljke), Bartol Stopić (saksofon), Hana Novoselec (klavir), Luka Ivir (udaraljke), Klara Ćavar (rog), Nina Lucia Perina (violončelo), Teo Devčić (violina), Lucija Borković (klavir), Petra Pia Kartelo (pjevanje), Daniel Halužan (klavir), Patrik Prežgaj (sopran saksofon), Dragutin Roić (alt saksofon), Jakov Varezić (tenor saksofon), Sven Crnković (bariton saksofon). Program: 1. Nicolas Martynciow: Tchik (izvođač: Štefan Đurković); 2. Karlheinz Stockhausen: In Freundschaft, Werk Nr. 46 9/10 (izvođač: Bartol Stopić); 3. Maurice Ravel: Miroirs (IV. Alborada del gracioso) (izvođač: Hana Novoselec); 4. Nebojša Jovan Živković: Ultimatum I (izvođač: Luka Ivir); 5. Bernhard Krol: Laudatio (izvođač: Klara Ćavar); 6. Dmitrij Šostakovič: Klavirski trio u C-duru, op. 8 (izvođači: Nina Lucia Perina, Teo Devčić, Lucija Borković); 7. George Gershwin: I got Rhythm (izvođači: Petra Pia Kartelo, Daniel Halužan); 8. George Gershwin: By Strauss (izvođači: Petra Pia Kartelo, Daniel Halužan); 9. Perry Goldstein: Blow! (izvođači: Patrik Prežgaj, Dragutin Roić, Jakov Varezić, Sven Crnković)

Dose Reduction of Preoperative Radiotherapy in Myxoid Liposarcoma A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Importance Currently, preoperative radiotherapy for all soft-tissue sarcomas is identical at a 50-Gy dose level, which can be associated with morbidity, particularly wound complications. The observed clinical radiosensitivity of the myxoid liposarcoma subtype might offer the possibility to reduce morbidity. Objective To assess whether a dose reduction of preoperative radiotherapy for myxoid liposarcoma would result in comparable oncological outcome with less morbidity. Design, Setting, and Participants The Dose Reduction of Preoperative Radiotherapy in Myxoid Liposarcomas (DOREMY) trial is a prospective, single-group, phase 2 nonrandomized controlled trial being conducted in 9 tertiary sarcoma centers in Europe and the US. Participants include adults with nonmetastatic, biopsy-proven and translocation-confirmed myxoid liposarcoma of the extremity or trunk who were enrolled between November 24, 2010, and August 1, 2019. Data analyses, using both per-protocol and intention-to-treat approaches, were conducted from November 24, 2010, to January 31, 2020. Interventions The experimental preoperative radiotherapy regimen consisted of 36 Gy in once-daily 2-Gy fractions, with subsequent definitive surgical resection after an interval of 4 or more weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures As a short-term evaluable surrogate for local control, the primary end point was centrally reviewed pathologic treatment response. The experimental regimen was regarded as a success when 70% or more of the resection specimens showed extensive treatment response, defined as 50% or greater of the tumor volume containing treatment effects. Morbidity outcomes consisted of wound complications and late toxic effects. Results Among the 79 eligible patients, 44 (56%) were men and the median (interquartile range) age was 45 (39-56) years. Two patients did not undergo surgical resection because of intercurrent metastatic disease. Extensive pathological treatment response was observed in 70 of 77 patients (91%; posterior mean, 90.4%; 95% highest probability density interval, 83.8%-96.4%). The local control rate was 100%. The rate of wound complication requiring intervention was 17%, and the rate of grade 2 or higher toxic effects was 14%. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of the DOREMY nonrandomized clinical trial suggest that deintensification of preoperative radiotherapy dose is effective and oncologically safe and is associated with less morbidity than historical controls, although differences in radiotherapy techniques and follow-up should be considered. A 36-Gy dose delivered in once-daily 2-Gy fractions is proposed as a dose-fractionation approach for myxoid liposarcoma, given that phase 3 trials are logistically impossible to execute in rare cancers