First investigation of noble gases in the Dengli H3,8 chondrite

The Dengli (H3,8) meteorite, which weighs 243.5 g, is a find from the Karakum desert. It is a complex microbreccia containing unusual clasts which are more typical for regolithic breccias than for H-chondrites. Based on comparisons of Xe and Kr content and isotopic composition, the Dengli does not differ significantly from other H-chondrites. Its exposure age is 7.6 Ma. That is in agreement with common data for the exposure age (6.2 + 0.2 Ma) of 350 H-chondrites. Dengli's K/Ar age (4.01 Ga) coincides with the same ages of many other H-chondrites. Thus the Dengli is not regolithic breccia, and it probably formed during accretion of its parent body

A reconstruction of the past trend of atmospheric CO based on firn air samples from Berkner Island, Antarctica

International audienceAlthough for several atmospheric trace gases trends over the past 100 year have been reconstructed using firn air analyses, little is known about one of the chemically most significant trace gases, namely CO. Among the 3 Antarctic drilling expeditions reported, the one from Berkner Island appears to have given results of sufficient analytical quality to warrant a modelling with the aim to reconstruct past changes in atmospheric CO. Based on our reconstructions, CO in high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere has been increasing since beginning of the 20th century from ~38 ppbv to a recent value of about 52.5 ppbv. The increase in CO is mainly explained by the known increase in CH4, with biomass burning output being most likely responsible for an additional increase. Which, if any, role changes in OH have played cannot be derived

Anxiety-depressive manifestations and their relationship with somatic symptoms in patients with interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is important not only medical, but also a social problem, because it can lead to productivity loss, neurotic states occurrence, sleep deprivation and behavior change. The study and assessment of anxiety-depressive disorders in patients with interstitial cystitis will allow to learn better the features and structure of the psychic component in the symptomatology of this pathology and to develop the most appropriate treatment strategy with the involvement of a mental health specialist to work with an urologist. Aim. To assess anxiety-depressive manifestations and their relationship with somatic symptoms in patients with interstitial cystitis. Materials and methods. A total of 44 patients (38 women and 6 men) diagnosed with interstitial cystitis / bladder pain syndrome were examined. To assess the somatic manifestations and the symptoms effect on the quality of life, the Genitourinary Pain Index (GUPI) questionnaire, the O'Leary-Sant questionnaire, the Pelvic Pain and Urgency / Frequency (PUF) Patient Symptom Scale questionnaire were used. To assess the mental manifestations, the Beck Depression Scale and the Spielberger test were used. Results. 5 of the examined patients had a low state anxiety, 11 – moderate and 28 - high state anxiety. 9 of the examined patients had a low trait anxiety, 18 – moderate and 17 - high trait anxiety. There was no correlation between state and trait anxiety indicators with the results of the GUPI questionnaire, the PUF scale, the O'Leary-Sant questionnaire. 22 subjects had mild depressive symptoms, 22 subjects had no depressive symptoms. A negative correlation was found between the degree of symptomatology according to the GUPI questionnaire and the severity of depression (rs = -0.28, P < 0.1). A direct correlation was found between the negative effect on the quality of life and the degree of depression severity (rs = +0.253, P < 0.1). Conclusions. Interstitial cystitis is always accompanied by anxiety-depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms are more common and expressed than depressive. Severe symptomatology may be a precondition for the development of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients, but is not a direct cause of their occurrence. Trait anxiety is not a risk factor for the early onset of the disease and its course prolongation, as well as earlier or later occurrence and longer duration of interstitial cystitis is not a prerequisite for state anxiety aggravation. Severity of depression depends directly on the negative impact of somatic symptoms on the quality of life. An integrated complex approach to the diagnosis and management involving a mental health specialist can significantly improve the effectiveness of interstitial cystitis therapy

Variations of tropospheric methane over Japan during 1988–2010

We present observations of CH4 concentrations from the lower to upper troposphere (LT and UT) over Japan during 1988–2010 based on aircraft measurements from the Tohoku University (TU). The analysis is aided by simulation results using an atmospheric chemistry transport model (i.e. ACTM). Tropospheric CH4 over Japan shows interannual and seasonal variations that are dependent on altitudes, primarily reflecting differences in air mass origins at different altitudes. The long-term trend and interannual variation of CH4 in the LT are consistent with previous reports of measurements at surface baseline stations in the northern hemisphere. However, those in the UT show slightly different features from those in the LT. In the UT, CH4 concentrations show a seasonal maximum in August due to efficient transport of air masses influenced by continental CH4 sources, while LT CH4 reaches its seasonal minimum during summer due to enhanced chemical loss. Vertical profiles of the CH4 concentrations also vary with season, reflecting the seasonal cycles at the respective altitudes. In summer, transport of CH4-rich air from Asian regions elevates UT CH4 levels, forming a uniform vertical profile above the mid-troposphere. On the other hand, CH4 decreases nearly monotonically with altitude in winter–spring. The ACTM simulations with different emission scenarios reproduce general features of the tropospheric CH4 variations over Japan. Tagged tracer simulations using the ACTM indicate substantial contributions of CH4 sources in South Asia and East Asia to the summertime high CH4 values observed in the UT. This suggests that our observations over Japan are highly sensitive to CH4 emission signals particularly from Asia

Evidence for a CO increase in the SH during the 20th century based on firn air samples from Berkner Island, Antarctica

Trends of carbon monoxide (CO) for the past 100 years are reported as derived from Antarctic firn drilling expeditions. Only one of 3 campaigns provided high quality results. The trend was reconstructed using a firn air model in the forward mode to constrain age distributions and assuming the CO increase to be proportional to its major source, namely CH4. The results suggest that CO has increased by ~38%, from 38±7 to 52.5±1.5 ppbv over a period of roughly 100 years. The concentrations are on the volumetric scale which corresponds to ~1.08 of the scale used by NOAA/CMDL. The estimated CO increase is somewhat larger than what is estimated from the CO budget estimations and the CH4 growth alone. The most likely explanation might be an increase in biomass burning emissions. Using CH3Cl as another proxy produces a very similar reconstruction