Search

New particle formation in the upper free troposphere is a major global source of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)1–4. However, the precursor vapours that drive the process are not well understood. With experiments performed under upper tropospheric conditions in the CERN CLOUD chamber, we show that nitric acid, sulfuric acid and ammonia form particles synergistically, at rates that are orders of magnitude faster than those from any two of the three components. The importance of this mechanism depends on the availability of ammonia, which was previously thought to be efficiently scavenged by cloud droplets during convection. However, surprisingly high concentrations of ammonia and ammonium nitrate have recently been observed in the upper troposphere over the Asian monsoon region5,6. Once particles have formed, co-condensation of ammonia and abundant nitric acid alone is sufficient to drive rapid growth to CCN sizes with only trace sulfate. Moreover, our measurements show that these CCN are also highly efficient ice nucleating particles—comparable to desert dust. Our model simulations confirm that ammonia is efficiently convected aloft during the Asian monsoon, driving rapid, multi-acid HNO3–H2SO4–NH3nucleation in the upper troposphere and producing ice nucleating particles that spread across the mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere.

The mechanistic pathway by which high relative humidity (RH) affects gas–particle partitioning remains poorly understood, although many studies report increased secondary organic aerosol (SOA) yields at high RH. Here, we use real-time, molecular measurements of both the gas and particle phase to provide a mechanistic understanding of the effect of RH on the partitioning of biogenic oxidized organic molecules (from α-pinene and isoprene) at low temperatures (243 and 263 K) at the CLOUD chamber at CERN. We observe increases in SOA mass of 45 and 85% with increasing RH from 10–20 to 60–80% at 243 and 263 K, respectively, and attribute it to the increased partitioning of semi-volatile compounds. At 263 K, we measure an increase of a factor 2–4 in the concentration of C10H16O2–3, while the particle-phase concentrations of low-volatility species, such as C10H16O6–8, remain almost constant. This results in a substantial shift in the chemical composition and volatility distribution toward less oxygenated and more volatile species at higher RH (e.g., at 263 K, O/C ratio = 0.55 and 0.40, at RH = 10 and 80%, respectively). By modeling particle growth using an aerosol growth model, which accounts for kinetic limitations, we can explain the enhancement in the semi-volatile fraction through the complementary effect of decreased compound activity and increased bulk-phase diffusivity. Our results highlight the importance of particle water content as a diluting agent and a plasticizer for organic aerosol growth.

GEOMAGIA50.v3 is a comprehensive online database providing access to published paleomagnetic, rock magnetic, and chronological data from a variety of materials that record Earth’s magnetic field over the past 50 ka. Since its original release in 2006, the structure and function of the database have been updated and a significant number of data have been added. Notable modifications are the following: (1) the inclusion of additional intensity, directional and metadata from archeological and volcanic materials and an improved documentation of radiocarbon dates; (2) a new data model to accommodate paleomagnetic, rock magnetic, and chronological data from lake and marine sediments; (3) a refinement of the geographic constraints in the archeomagnetic/volcanic query allowing selection of particular locations; (4) more flexible methodological and statistical constraints in the archeomagnetic/volcanic query; (5) the calculation of predictions of the Holocene geomagnetic field from a series of time varying global field models; (6) searchable reference lists; and (7) an updated web interface. This paper describes general modifications to the database and specific aspects of the archeomagnetic and volcanic database. The reader is referred to a companion publication for a description of the sediment database. The archeomagnetic and volcanic part of GEOMAGIA50.v3 currently contains 14,645 data (declination, inclination, and paleointensity) from 461 studies published between 1959 and 2014. We review the paleomagnetic methods used to obtain these data and discuss applications of the data within the database. The database continues to expand as legacy data are added and new studies published. The web-based interface can be found at http://geomagia.gfz-potsdam.de.

GEOMAGIA50.v3 for sediments is a comprehensive online database providing access to published paleomagnetic, rock magnetic, and chronological data obtained from lake and marine sediments deposited over the past 50 ka. Its objective is to catalogue data that will improve our understanding of changes in the geomagnetic field, physical environments, and climate. GEOMAGIA50.v3 for sediments builds upon the structure of the pre-existing GEOMAGIA50 database for magnetic data from archeological and volcanic materials. A strong emphasis has been placed on the storage of geochronological data, and it is the first magnetic archive that includes comprehensive radiocarbon age data from sediments. The database will be updated as new sediment data become available. The web-based interface for the sediment database is located at http://geomagia.gfz-potsdam.de/geomagiav3/SDquery.php. This paper is a companion to Brown et al. (Earth Planets Space doi:10.1186/s40623-015-0232-0, 2015) and describes the data types, structure, and functionality of the sediment database.

The article focuses on guitarists and composer Kai Nieminen. It says that Nieminen composes several varieties of music including lyrical, expressive, and poetic music. It states that the type of music of Nieminen reflects Impressionism, neo-Romanticism, and Expressionism. It adds that Nieminen was inspired by several notable musicians including Cliff Richard, Andrés Segovia, and Giuliano Balestra.

The article features the 19th century Finnish composer Ernst Mielck, who died at the age of 21 in October 1899. Mielck was regarded by his contemporaries as a potential challenger to fellow Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. A composition concert given by the Berlin Philharmonic in 1898 where Mielck performed as piano soloist is described as the high point of his career. His ostracism from mainstream society is attributed to factors such as his poor health and musical orientation.

The article features Finnish composer Heikki Suolahti. He was born on February 2, 1920 in Helsinki, Finland, said to have learned how to sing before he could speak, and started taking systematic music lessons at the age of eight. Suolahti started composing works for orchestra at 12-years-old including "Fantasia impromptu" dedicated to his father, "Agnus Dei," and "Sinfonia piccola," also known as the Symphony in B Minor. His works became known after his death at the age of 16.

The article features composer Armas Järnefelt. It notes that Järnefelt was regarded primarily as a lyrical National Romantic and a miniaturist. The author notes that the orchestral music pieces he produced during the 1890s were with a strong Wagnerian streak which was considered something new to Finnish music during those days. Information on his career shift is also provided.

The article features Finnish composer Selim Palmgren and discusses his significant role in bringing Finnish folk music to international recognition. It tells about Palmgren's international ties with foreign musicians in Berlin, Germany like pianist Ferruccio Busoni and conductor Arthur Nikisch and describes his style of music composition giving attention to his Finnish nationalistic ideals. It also highlights the events involving the rise of Palmgren's operatic compositions from national to international fame.

Background and aims:The methods of treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have changed and become more prophylactic. This study describes and analyzes 1) the incidence rates of major lower extremity amputation (LEA) due to PAD, 2) occurrence of re-amputation, and 3) the survival of amputees and factors predicting survival. Methods:The series consisted of 210 patients (mean age 76.6, SD 10.7 yrs, 45.2% men) who underwent their first, i.e. index, major leg amputation because of PAD, in 1998–2002, in the city of Turku, Finland, population 175,000. Results:Theage-and gender-standardized incidence rate of combined above-knee and below-knee amputations was 24.1/100,000 person-years during 1998–2002. Thirty-four per cent of amputees underwent repetitive amputation. One-month mortality was 21% (n=45), one-year mortality 52% (n=109) and overall mortality 80% (n=168). Cardiovascular diseases predicted equally well 31-day, one-year, and overall mortality in age- and gender-adjusted analysis. Multiple co-morbidities (p=0.023) and unilateral above-knee amputations (p=0.047) were significant predictors for overall mortality in age- and gender-adjusted analysis. Cardiovascular diseases remained a significant predictor for 31-day and overall mortality in multivariate analysis (p=0.008 and p=0.015, respectively). Amputated patients’ previous vascular procedures did not have any effect on mortality in the Cox model. Most revascularizations were performed less than six months before the index/first major LEA. Conclusion:Major LEAs seem to have been done late, and mainly for pain relief in the end-stage of patients with peripheral arterial disease.

The article offers a look at the status of opera in Finland. The Finnish opera became popular during the start of the 20th century. Almost all operas were written to represent the Finnish environment and history, and mostly were taken from Finnish literature. People who have contributed to the status of opera in Finland include Erkki Melartin, Oskar Merikanto and Aare Merikanto. Overview of some of the Finnish operas is also presented.

Since 1994, the Finnish Geodetic Institute has operated a superconducting gravimeter (SG) at the Metsähovi research station in southern Finland. Superconducting gravimeter measurements are very sensitive to different environmental effects due to their high precision (10−12g)and low drift (3 μgal/year). In order to gain more complete knowledge of the measured data, we have worked extensively to discover and isolate different factors influencing SG data. In this study, we introduce one independent factor influencing SG data, i.e. the water flowing in the fractures of bedrock above the groundwater table. In order to estimate its effect on SG data, we conducted a ground‐penetrating radar survey to locate fractures below the gravity station. In addition, structural geology investigations were carried out to determine the type of fractures. On the basis of our studies, we constructed a 3D fracture model and calculated the effect that water‐filled fractures have on the gravity field at Metsähovi. The results of our calculations indicate that water flowing in the fractures at the Metsähovi site may cause an effect of several hundreds of nanogals.

The article presents tribute for composer Jouni Kaipainen.

The article discusses the artistic output of the Finnish National Opera (FNO), under the leadership of Päivi Kärkkäinen and Mikko Franck. It outlines the plan of Franck for the 2008-2009 opera performance season, with a focus on compositions of Giuseppe Verdi and Finnish musicians. The attempt of the FNO to inculcate different aspects of Finishness in its productions is mentioned.

The article presents an obituary for Paavo Berglund, violinist, and former conductor of the Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Bournemouth Symphony, as well as the Helsinki Philharmonic, Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, and Royal Danish Orchestra.

The article talks about the crisis in the Finnish National Opera (FNO). General Music Director Mikko Franck has resigned from FNO in February 2007. The management has announced a restructuring programme to reduce the number of performers per week in the main hall, while the number of premieres per season remained at seven. There was a lay-off of staff in order to cut costs which lasted for two months to coincide with the modernization of the main stage.