132 research outputs found
Energy balance of cosmic rays
Energy dissipation channels of cosmic rays in galaxy and metagalax
Constraints on the variability of quark masses from nuclear binding
Based on recent work on nuclear binding, we update and extend the anthropic
constraints on the light quark masses, with results that are more tightly
constrained than previously obtained. We find that heavy nuclei would fall
apart (because the attractive nuclear central potential becomes too weak) if
the sum of the light quark masses m_u+m_d would exceed their physical values by
64% (at 95% confidence level). We summarize the anthropic constraints that
follow from requiring the existence both of heavy atoms and of hydrogen. With
the additional assumption that the quark Yukawa couplings do not vary, these
constraints provide a remarkably tight anthropic window for the Higgs vacuum
expectation value: 0.39 < v/v_physical < 1.64.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figure
THE ROLE OF PROTOCOL BIOPSIES IN EARLY PERIOD AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION
46 protocol graft biopsies with the subsequent histological examination were performed in 39 patients after kidney transplantation. In 20 patients with stable graft function acute subclinical rejection were revealed in 12 (60%) with the following steroid therapy. In 19 patients with delayed kidney graft function acute rejection was revealed in 13 (68,4%). Treatment by steroids was successful and function renewed. Our results showed that protocol biopsy is a safe and reliable method that allows to recognize such kidney graft pathology as subclinical rejection and to perform its treatment in time
Many-worlds interpretation of quantum theory and mesoscopic anthropic principle
We suggest to combine the Anthropic Principle with Many-Worlds Interpretation
of Quantum Theory. Realizing the multiplicity of worlds it provides an
opportunity of explanation of some important events which are assumed to be
extremely improbable. The Mesoscopic Anthropic Principle suggested here is
aimed to explain appearance of such events which are necessary for emergence of
Life and Mind. It is complementary to Cosmological Anthropic Principle
explaining the fine tuning of fundamental constants. We briefly discuss various
possible applications of Mesoscopic Anthropic Principle including the Solar
Eclipses and assembling of complex molecules. Besides, we address the problem
of Time's Arrow in the framework of Many-World Interpretation. We suggest the
recipe for disentangling of quantities defined by fundamental physical laws and
by an anthropic selection.Comment: 11 page
Computational and Biological Analogies for Understanding Fine-Tuned Parameters in Physics
In this philosophical paper, we explore computational and biological
analogies to address the fine-tuning problem in cosmology. We first clarify
what it means for physical constants or initial conditions to be fine-tuned. We
review important distinctions such as the dimensionless and dimensional
physical constants, and the classification of constants proposed by
Levy-Leblond. Then we explore how two great analogies, computational and
biological, can give new insights into our problem. This paper includes a
preliminary study to examine the two analogies. Importantly, analogies are both
useful and fundamental cognitive tools, but can also be misused or
misinterpreted. The idea that our universe might be modelled as a computational
entity is analysed, and we discuss the distinction between physical laws and
initial conditions using algorithmic information theory. Smolin introduced the
theory of "Cosmological Natural Selection" with a biological analogy in mind.
We examine an extension of this analogy involving intelligent life. We discuss
if and how this extension could be legitimated.
Keywords: origin of the universe, fine-tuning, physical constants, initial
conditions, computational universe, biological universe, role of intelligent
life, cosmological natural selection, cosmological artificial selection,
artificial cosmogenesis.Comment: 25 pages, Foundations of Science, in pres
ЗНАЧЕНИЕ ПРОТОКОЛЬНЫХ БИОПСИЙ В РАННЕМ ПЕРИОДЕ ПОСЛЕ ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИИ ПОЧКИ
46 protocol graft biopsies with the subsequent histological examination were performed in 39 patients after kidney transplantation. In 20 patients with stable graft function acute subclinical rejection were revealed in 12 (60%) with the following steroid therapy. In 19 patients with delayed kidney graft function acute rejection was revealed in 13 (68,4%). Treatment by steroids was successful and function renewed. Our results showed that protocol biopsy is a safe and reliable method that allows to recognize such kidney graft pathology as subclinical rejection and to perform its treatment in time. У 39 больных с пересаженной почкой было проведено 46 протокольных (плановых) биопсий с последующим патогистологическим исследованием полученного материала. Из 20 больных со стабильной функцией трансплантата у 12 (60%) была выявлена острая реакция отторжения и проведена стероидная пульс-терапия. Из 19 больных с отсроченной функцией острое отторжение выявлено у 13 (68,4%), лечение пульсовыми дозами кортикостероидов оказалось эффективным, функция быстро восстановилась. Результаты показали, что протокольная биопсия почечных трансплантатов является безопасным методом исследования. Она позволяет выявлять субклинические острые отторжения и своевременно назначать лечение, которое является эффективным.
Mechanisms explaining transitions between tonic and phasic firing in neuronal populations as predicted by a low dimensional firing rate model
Several firing patterns experimentally observed in neural populations have
been successfully correlated to animal behavior. Population bursting, hereby
regarded as a period of high firing rate followed by a period of quiescence, is
typically observed in groups of neurons during behavior. Biophysical
membrane-potential models of single cell bursting involve at least three
equations. Extending such models to study the collective behavior of neural
populations involves thousands of equations and can be very expensive
computationally. For this reason, low dimensional population models that
capture biophysical aspects of networks are needed.
\noindent The present paper uses a firing-rate model to study mechanisms that
trigger and stop transitions between tonic and phasic population firing. These
mechanisms are captured through a two-dimensional system, which can potentially
be extended to include interactions between different areas of the nervous
system with a small number of equations. The typical behavior of midbrain
dopaminergic neurons in the rodent is used as an example to illustrate and
interpret our results.
\noindent The model presented here can be used as a building block to study
interactions between networks of neurons. This theoretical approach may help
contextualize and understand the factors involved in regulating burst firing in
populations and how it may modulate distinct aspects of behavior.Comment: 25 pages (including references and appendices); 12 figures uploaded
as separate file
The fundamental constants and their variation: observational status and theoretical motivations
This article describes the various experimental bounds on the variation of
the fundamental constants of nature. After a discussion on the role of
fundamental constants, of their definition and link with metrology, the various
constraints on the variation of the fine structure constant, the gravitational,
weak and strong interactions couplings and the electron to proton mass ratio
are reviewed. This review aims (1) to provide the basics of each measurement,
(2) to show as clearly as possible why it constrains a given constant and (3)
to point out the underlying hypotheses. Such an investigation is of importance
to compare the different results, particularly in view of understanding the
recent claims of the detections of a variation of the fine structure constant
and of the electron to proton mass ratio in quasar absorption spectra. The
theoretical models leading to the prediction of such variation are also
reviewed, including Kaluza-Klein theories, string theories and other
alternative theories and cosmological implications of these results are
discussed. The links with the tests of general relativity are emphasized.Comment: 56 pages, l7 figures, submitted to Rev. Mod. Phy
The “conscious pilot”—dendritic synchrony moves through the brain to mediate consciousness
Cognitive brain functions including sensory processing and control of behavior are understood as “neurocomputation” in axonal–dendritic synaptic networks of “integrate-and-fire” neurons. Cognitive neurocomputation with consciousness is accompanied by 30- to 90-Hz gamma synchrony electroencephalography (EEG), and non-conscious neurocomputation is not. Gamma synchrony EEG derives largely from neuronal groups linked by dendritic–dendritic gap junctions, forming transient syncytia (“dendritic webs”) in input/integration layers oriented sideways to axonal–dendritic neurocomputational flow. As gap junctions open and close, a gamma-synchronized dendritic web can rapidly change topology and move through the brain as a spatiotemporal envelope performing collective integration and volitional choices correlating with consciousness. The “conscious pilot” is a metaphorical description for a mobile gamma-synchronized dendritic web as vehicle for a conscious agent/pilot which experiences and assumes control of otherwise non-conscious auto-pilot neurocomputation
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