Direct observation of geometric-phase interference in dynamics around a conical intersection.

Conical intersections are ubiquitous in chemistry and physics, often governing processes such as light harvesting, vision, photocatalysis and chemical reactivity. They act as funnels between electronic states of molecules, allowing rapid and efficient relaxation during chemical dynamics. In addition, when a reaction path encircles a conical intersection, the molecular wavefunction experiences a geometric phase, which can affect the outcome of the reaction through quantum-mechanical interference. Past experiments have measured indirect signatures of geometric phases in scattering patterns and spectroscopic observables, but there has been no direct observation of the underlying wavepacket interference. Here we experimentally observe geometric-phase interference in the dynamics of a wavepacket travelling around an engineered conical intersection in a programmable trapped-ion quantum simulator. To achieve this, we develop a technique to reconstruct the two-dimensional wavepacket densities of a trapped ion. Experiments agree with the theoretical model, demonstrating the ability of analogue quantum simulators-such as those realized using trapped ions-to accurately describe nuclear quantum effects.

Fifteen-year global time series of satellite-derived fine particulate matter.

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a leading environmental risk factor for premature mortality. We use aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieved from two satellite instruments, MISR and SeaWiFS, to produce a unified 15-year global time series (1998-2012) of ground-level PM2.5 concentration at a resolution of 1° x 1°. The GEOS-Chem chemical transport model (CTM) is used to relate each individual AOD retrieval to ground-level PM2.5. Four broad areas showing significant, spatially coherent, annual trends are examined in detail: the Eastern U.S. (-0.39 ± 0.10 µg m(-3) yr(-1)), the Arabian Peninsula (0.81 ± 0.21 µg m(-3) yr(-1)), South Asia (0.93 ± 0.22 µg m(-3) yr(-1)) and East Asia (0.79 ± 0.27 µg m(-3) yr(-1)). Over the period of dense in situ observation (1999-2012), the linear tendency for the Eastern U.S. (-0.37 ± 0.13 µg m(-3) yr(-1)) agrees well with that from in situ measurements (-0.38 ± 0.06 µg m(-3) yr(-1)). A GEOS-Chem simulation reveals that secondary inorganic aerosols largely explain the observed PM2.5 trend over the Eastern U.S., South Asia, and East Asia, while mineral dust largely explains the observed trend over the Arabian Peninsula.

The pulmonary rehabilitation maze.

The difficulties in delivering patient-care services in a pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP), especially in a program with a multidisciplinary approach, can usually be overcome by first conceptualizing and then organizing the PRP within a human-service-agency framework. All human-service agencies have six service components in common. The following are the components and their applicability to the Harper Hospital (Detroit, Michigan) PRP: (1) Outreach and Referral--local physicians are informed of the program and asked to send referrals; (2) Intake--initial information about the patient is gathered and his initial eligibility for the program is determined; (3) Assessment--more information about the patient is obtained, all data are organized for easy use and accessibility, and a final determination of eligibility is made; (4) Service Planning--needed service consultations are determined and obtained; (5) Service Delivery--during which a respiratory therapist serves as coordinator of the linkage of the various service subsystems and facilitates communication among them; (6) Follow-Up and Maintenance--at 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year intervals and after each rehospitalization. Through evaluation of the program process and the program outcomes, PRP administrators can modify PRP structure and staffing to enhance the effectiveness of service delivery.

Suggestions for establishment of pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the second greatest cause of disability in the USA. COPD rehabilitation programs can reduce numbers of rehospitalizations, reduce overall costs of care, and improve the quality of patients' lives. A rehabilitation program must address both physical and emotional disability and must be designed for the individual patient's unique life-pattern. The program should be a team effort, involving physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, psychologists, social workers, and, at times, other allied health personnel. Respiratory therapists can participate in pulmonary rehabilitation programs in program design and evaluation, in interviewing, educating, and counseling patients and families, by performing respiratory and physical therapy, and in vital research on costs and benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation. In addition, some respiratory therapy managers may direct financial management of such programs.