Quantum Theory and the Place of Mind in the Causal Order of Things

The received view in physicalist philosophy of mind assumes that causation can only take place at the physical domain and that the physical domain is causally closed. It is often thought that this leaves no room for mental states qua mental to have a causal influence upon the physical domain, leading to epiphenomenalism and the problem of mental causation. However, in recent philosophy of causation there has been growing interest in a line of thought that can be called causal antifundamentalism: causal notions cannot play a role in physics, because the fundamental laws of physics are radically different from causal laws. Causal anti-fundamentalism seems to challenge the received view in physicalist philosophy of mind and thus raises the possibility of there being genuine mental causation after all. This paper argues that while causal anti-fundamentalism provides a possible route to mental causation, we have reasons to think that it is incorrect. Does this mean that we have to accept the received view and give up the hope of genuine mental causation? I will suggest that the ontological interpretation of quantum theory provides us both with a view about the nature of causality in fundamental physics, as well as a view how genuine mental causation can be compatible with our fundamental (quantum) physical ontology.Peer reviewe

Virologie / Bakteriologie / Mykologie

141 - Effizienz von Kaliumhypochlorit zur Inaktivierung ausgewählter pilzlicher, bakterieller und viraler PflanzenkrankheitserregerEfficancy of Potassium Hypochlorite (KClO) to inactivate selected plant pathogenic fungi, bacteria and virusesMarlon-Hans Rodríguez, Martina Bandte, Gerhard Fischer, Carmen Büttner142 - Eignung von elektrolytisch generiertem Kaliumhypochlorit zur Inaktivierung von Pflanzenviren in rezirkulierender Nährlösungen im Gewächshausanbau von TomatenAbility of electrolysed produced Potassium Hypochlorite (KClO) to inactivate plant viruses in recirculating nutrient solutions in greenhouse production of tomatosJanine Paulke, Martina Bandte, Carmen Büttner143 - Ultrafiltration und Ultrazentrifugation zur Konzentrierung von Pflanzenviren in NährlösungUltrafiltration and ultracentrifugation as tools to concentrate plant viruses in nutrient solutionJanina Vincenz, Martina Bandte, Carmen Büttner144 - Reinigung doppelsträngiger RNA in Verbindung mit Hochdurchsatzsequenzierung als Werkzeug zum Nachweis von RNA Viren in PflanzenThe combination of double-stranded RNA isolation and deep sequencing as an unspecific diagnostic tool to assess the presence of RNA viruses in plantsTill Lesker, Paul Rentz, Edgar Maiss145 - Impact of silica supplementation on virus infected cucumber culturesRolle der Kieselsäureapplikation Virus infizierter GurkenkulturenSabine Holz, Grzegorz Bartoszewski , Michael Kube, Carmen Büttner146 - Untersuchungen zum Auftreten des Arabis mosaic virus in Birken aus Rovaniemi (Finnland) mit Virus-spezifischen SymptomenInvestigations on the occurence of Arabis mosaic virus in birches from Rovaniemi (Finland) with virus-specific symptomsRichard Pauwels, Markus Rott, Susanne von Bargen, Carmen Büttner147 - Cherry leaf roll virus in Betula spp. in Finland: what do we know about its population diversity?Cherry leaf roll virus in Birken-Arten in Finnland: Was wissen wir über die Populationsdiversität?A. Rumbou, S. von Bargen, M. Rott, R. Jalkanen, C. Büttner148 - Viruserkrankungen im WeinbauViroses in viticultureHenriette Gruber, Patricia Bohnert, Christiane Rieger149 - Molecular analysis of Tobacco rattle virus isolates from potatoes in various parts of GermanyKerstin Lindner, Renate Koenig150 - Detektion und Diversität des European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV) in Ebereschen (Sorbus aucuparia L.) in NorwegenDetection and variability of European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV) in Sorbus aucuparia L. in NorwayTheresa Büttner, Jenny Robel, Hans-Peter Mühlbach, Susanne von Bargen, Carmen Büttner151 - Charakterisierung des European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV) in Mehlbeerenarten (Sorbus spp.)Characterization of the European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV) in whitebeam species (Sorbus spp.)Luisa Dieckmann, Jenny Robel, Susanne von Bargen, Carmen Büttner152 - Vollständige Genomsequenz eines Carrot virus S Isolates aus Meerfenchel aus SpanienW. Menzel, P. Menzel, S. Winter153 - Nachweis und vollständige Sequenzierung eines Carla- und eines Potex-virus aus Epiphyullum spec.Detection and complete sequence of a Carla- and Potexvirus in Epiphyllum spec.Edgar Maiss, Paul Rentz, Annette Hohe, Rosa Herbst154 - Analysis of mixed populations of latent viruses of apple and rubbery wood disease of apple using new generation sequencingAnalyse von Mischpopulationen latenter Apfelviren und der Gummiholzkrankheit an Apfel mittels HochdurchsatzsequenzierungVladimir Jakovljevic, Patricia Otten, Jonathon Blake, Wilhelm Jelkmann155 - Experiments on transmission of viroids under glass and longevity of viroid RNA in detached leaves under different storage conditionsThi Thu Vo, Heinz-Wilhelm Dehne, Stephan Winter, Joachim Hamacher156 - Phytoplasmen in Schleswig-HolsteinPhytoplasmas in the state of Schleswig-HolsteinG. Henkel, C. Willmer, M. Wunderlich, B. Golecki157 . Phytoplasmen verändern das Dufststoffbouquet ihres pflanzlichen LebensraumsPlant volatile emission is affected by phytoplasma infectionMargit Rid, Kai Lukat, Svenja Hoferer, Jürgen Gross159 - Ist das Wurzelbild ein Sortierungsmerkmal für durch Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri verursachten Birnenverfall?Is the root file a sorting feature for Pear decline caused by Canditatus Phytoplama pyri?Georg Henkel, Claudia Willmer, Bernd Kaland, Bettina Golecki160 - Die Bedeutung von β-Caryophyllen als Lockstoff für die Apfeltriebsucht übertragende Blattsaugerart Cacopsylla pictaThe impact of β-caryophyllene as attractant for the Apple Proliferation transmitting insect Cacopsylla pictaConstanze Mesca, Svenja Hoferer, Jürgen Gross161 - Echte Mehltauarten an Beet- und BalkonpflanzenSpecies of powdery mildews on bedding plantsUlrike Brielmaier-Liebetanz162 - Echter Mehltau an Petersilie – Untersuchungen zum WirtspflanzenspektrumPowdery Mildew of Parsley – studies on the host rangePeggy Marx, Ute Gärber163 - Falscher Mehltau an Petersilie – Untersuchungen zum Wirtspflanzenspektrum und molekularbiologische CharakterisierungDowny mildew of parsley – studies on the host range and molecular characterizationGabriele Leinhos, Hermann-Josef Krauthausen, Frank Brändle164 - Welkekrankheit an Euonymus japonicaWilt disease on Euonymus japonicaUlrike Brielmaier-Liebetanz, Roswitha Ulrich, Stefan Wagner, Sabine Werres165 - Taxonomische Analyse der mikrobiellen Gemeinschaft von Zuckerrüben unter unterschiedlichen Lagerbedingungen mittels Hochdurchsatz-Amplikonsequenzierung von unterschiedlichen MarkergenenTaxonomic analysis of the microbial community in stored sugar beets using highthroughput sequencing of different marker genesSebastian Liebe, Daniel Wibberg, Anika Winkler, Alfred Pühler, Andreas Schlüter, Mark Varrelmann166 - Molecular characterization of a novel mycovirus found in Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2IIIBMolekulare Charakterisierung eines neuen Mycovirus aus Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 IIIBAnika Bartholomäus, Mark Varrelman

Ion channel clustering enhances weak electric field detection by neutrophils: apparent roles of SKF96365-sensitive cation channels and myeloperoxidase trafficking in cellular responses

We have tested Galvanovskis and Sandblom’s prediction that ion channel clustering enhances weak electric field detection by cells as well as how the elicited signals couple to metabolic alterations. Electric field application was timed to coincide with certain known intracellular chemical oscillators (phase-matched conditions). Polarized, but not spherical, neutrophils labeled with anti-K v 1.3, FL-DHP, and anti-TRP1, but not anti-T-type Ca 2+ channels, displayed clusters at the lamellipodium. Resonance energy transfer experiments showed that these channel pairs were in close proximity. Dose-field sensitivity studies of channel blockers suggested that K + and Ca 2+ channels participate in field detection, as judged by enhanced oscillatory NAD(P)H amplitudes. Further studies suggested that K + channel blockers act by reducing the neutrophil’s membrane potential. Mibefradil and SKF93635, which block T-type Ca 2+ channels and SOCs, respectively, affected field detection at appropriate doses. Microfluorometry and high-speed imaging of indo-1-labeled neutrophils was used to examine Ca 2+ signaling. Electric fields enhanced Ca 2+ spike amplitude and triggered formation of a second traveling Ca 2+ wave. Mibefradil blocked Ca 2+ spikes and waves. Although 10 μM SKF96365 mimicked mibefradil, 7 μM SKF96365 specifically inhibited electric field-induced Ca 2+ signals, suggesting that one SKF96365-senstive site is influenced by electric fields. Although cells remained morphologically polarized, ion channel clusters at the lamellipodium and electric field sensitivity were inhibited by methyl-β-cyclodextrin. As a result of phase-matched electric field application in the presence of ion channel clusters, myeloperoxidase (MPO) was found to traffic to the cell surface. As MPO participates in high amplitude metabolic oscillations, this suggests a link between the signaling apparatus and metabolic changes. Furthermore, electric field effects could be blocked by MPO inhibition or removal while certain electric field effects were mimicked by the addition of MPO to untreated cells. Therefore, channel clustering plays an important role in electric field detection and downstream responses of morphologically polarized neutrophils. In addition to providing new mechanistic insights concerning electric field interactions with cells, our work suggests novel methods to remotely manipulate physiological pathways.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46726/1/249_2005_Article_1.pd

Electromagnetic field effects on cells of the immune system: The role of calcium signalling

During the past decade considerable evidence has accumulated demonstrating the exposures of cells of the immune system to relatively weak extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (< 300 Hz) can elicit cellular changes which might be relevant to in-vivo immune activity. However, knowledge about the underlying biological mechanisms by which weak fields induce cellular changes is still very limited. It is generally believed that the cell membrane and Ca{sup 2+} regulated activity is involved in bioactive ELF field-coupling to living systems. This article begins with a short review of the current state of knowledge concerning the effects of nonthermal levels of ELF electromagnetic fields on the biochemistry and activity of immune cells, and then closely examines new results which suggest a role for Ca{sup 2+} in the induction of these cellular field effects. Based on these findings it is proposed that membrane-mediated Ca{sup 2+} signalling processes are involved in the mediation of field effects on the immune system. 64 refs., 2 tabs

Model for magnetic field effects on radical pair recombination in enzyme kinetics.

A prototypical model for describing magnetic field effects on the reaction kinetics of enzymes that exhibit radical pair recombination steps in their reaction cycle is presented. The model is an extended Michaelis-Menten reaction scheme including an intermediate enzyme-substrate complex where a spin-correlated radical pair state exists. The simple structure of the scheme makes it possible to calculate the enzyme reaction rate explicitly by combining chemical kinetics with magnetic field-dependent spin kinetics (radical pair mechanism). Recombination probability is determined by using the exponential model. Simulations show that the size of the magnetic field effect depends on relations between different rate constants, such as 1) the ratio between radical pair-lifetime and the magnetic field-sensitive intersystem crossing induced by the hyperfine interaction and the delta g mechanisms and 2) the chemical rate constants of the enzyme reaction cycle. An amplification factor that is derived from the specific relations between the rate constants is defined. It accounts for the fact that although the magnetic field-induced change in radical pair recombination probability is very small, the effect on the enzyme reaction rate is considerably larger, for example, by a factor of 1 to 100. Model simulations enable a qualitative comparison with recent experimental studies reporting magnetic field effects on coenzyme B12-dependent ethanolamine ammonia lyase in vitro activity that revealed a reduction in Vmax/KM at low flux densities and a return to the zero-field rate or an increase at high flux densities