On the hard problem of consciousness: Why is physics not enough?

I present 3 arguments that the laws of physics, by themselves, cannot explain the origin of phenomenal consciousness. First, physics investigates the objective, while consciousness is subjective. Second, the laws of physics are syntactical, while consciousness is semantic. Third, the concept of consciousness cannot even be defined in terms of physics

Quantum statistical mechanics from a Bohmian perspective

We develop a general formulation of quantum statistical mechanics in terms or probability currents that satisfy continuity equations in the multi-particle position space, for closed and open systems with a fixed number of particles. The continuity equation for any closed or open system suggests a natural Bohmian interpretation in terms of microscopic particle trajectories, that make the same measurable predictions as standard quantum theory. The microscopic trajectories are not directly observable, but provide a general, simple and intuitive microscopic interpretation of macroscopic phenomena in quantum statistical mechanics. In particular, we discuss how various notions of entropy, proper and improper mixtures, and thermodynamics are understood from the Bohmian perspective.Comment: 31 page

On the hard problem of consciousness: Why is physics not enough?

I present 3 arguments that the laws of physics, by themselves, cannot explain the origin of phenomenal consciousness. First, physics investigates the objective, while consciousness is subjective. Second, the laws of physics are syntactical, while consciousness is semantic. Third, the concept of consciousness cannot even be defined in terms of physics

The Mediterranean deep-water kelp Laminaria rodriguezii is an endangered species in the Adriatic Sea

Acknowledgments Thanks are due to Klaus Lüning for a gametophyte culture of L. abyssalis, and to Britta Schaffelke for a herbarium specimen of L. rodriguezii from the western Mediterranean. We are grateful to the Total Foundation (Paris) for funding this study within the framework of the project “Brown algal ecology and biodiversity in the eastern Mediterranean Sea”, and to the MASTS pooling initiative (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland, funded by the Scottish Funding Council and contributing institutions; grant reference HR09011), as well as Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports for supporting project “Benthic communities in the Adriatic Sea (Project ID: 0001005)”. Open access via Springer Compact AgreementPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Some remarks on a nongeometrical interpretation of gravity and the flatness problem

In a nongeometrical interpretation of gravity, the metric $g_{\mu\nu}(x)=\eta_{\mu\nu}+\Phi_{\mu\nu}(x)$ is interpreted as an {\em effective} metric, whereas $\Phi_{\mu\nu}(x)$ is interpreted as a fundamental gravitational field, propagated in spacetime which is actually flat. Some advantages and disadvantages of such an interpretation are discussed. The main advantage is a natural resolution of the flatness problem.Comment: 6 pages, late

Hemoptysis as an Early Symptom of Abdominal Actinomycosis with Thoracic Extension Ten Years after Cholecystectomy with Retained Gallstone

Abstract Background: Thoracoabdominal actinomycosis is rare, especially in the context of readily available medical facilities. Methods: Case report and review of the literature. Case Report: A 54-year-old male patient was admitted because of hemoptysis and a pulmonary infiltrate in the left lower lobe. His history was unremarkable except for chronic gastritis and an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed 10 years earlier. Following persistent hemoptysis, elevated inflammatory markers, and a non-revealing bronchoscopy, a computed tomography scan of the thorax and upper abdomen revealed a tumor in the upper part of the left kidney spreading directly to the adjacent diaphragm and left lower lobe. Laparotomy revealed a granulomatous mass containing a gallstone, as well as orange granular content. The treatment involved surgical removal of the mass, splenectomy, excision of the infiltrated part of the left hemidiaphragm, and decortication of the left lower lobe. Because of a prolonged post-operative low-grade fever and radiologically confirmed encapsulation in the lingula, the patient was given ceftriaxone. Repeat bronchoscopy revealed Actinomyces meyeri. The initial antibiotic therapy was replaced with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, after which the patient's health improved. Conclusion: Actinomycosis is still a highly intriguing disease, as initial symptoms often mislead clinicians. It is important to consider the disease whenever we are challenged diagnostically or when risk factors are present

Emergent diffeomorphism invariance in toy models

Conceptual difficulties in semiclassical and quantum gravity arise from diffeomorphism invariance of classical general relativity. With a motivation to shed some light on these difficulties, we study a class of toy models for which one-dimensional diffeomorphism invariance, namely time-reparametrization invariance, emerges at the classical level from energy conservation. An attempt to quantize the models while taking the invariance seriously leads to toy versions of the problem of time in quantum gravity, of the cosmological constant problem, and of the black hole firewall problem. Nevertheless, all these problems are easily resolved by taking into account that the invariance emerges only at the classical level, while the fundamental theory that needs to be quantized is not diffeomorphism invariant.Comment: 21 pages, accepted for publication in Fortsch. Phy