Quantum Boundaries of Life

1st Edition, Volume 82 - November 18, 2020
Imprint: Academic Press
Editors: Roman R. Poznanski, Erkki J. Brändas
Language: English
Hardback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 2 6 3 9 - 1
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 2 6 1 6 - 2

Quantum Boundaries of Life, Volume 82 in the Advances in Quantum Chemistry series, presents current topics in this rapidly developing field that have emerged at the cross sectio… Read more

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Quantum Boundaries of Life, Volume 82 in the Advances in Quantum Chemistry series, presents current topics in this rapidly developing field that have emerged at the cross section of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Topics covered include Quantum Considerations of Neural Memory, Functional Neural Electron Transport, Plasmon-polariton mechanism of the saltatory conduction in myelinated axons, Quantum Field Theory Formulation of Brain Dynamics: Nonequilibrium, Multi Field Theory Formulation of Brain Dynamics, Quantum Protein Folding, Classical-Quantum Interplay in Living Neural Tissue Function, Quantum Effects in Life Dynamics, Quantum transport and utilization of free energy in protein α-helices, and much more.

The book’s message is simple. Mystics prefer to put consciousness in the cosmos to avoid Darwinism. If the seat of consciousness is found to evolve within all animals, then we have a Darwinian understanding not only of the origin of life and species according to natural selection but also concerning consciousness and, in particular, life being quantum Darwinian.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Contributors
Preface
Chapter One: Is life quantum Darwinian?
Abstract
Acknowledgment
Chapter Two: Quantum considerations of neural memory
Abstract
1: The challenge of memory
2: Mental states and quantum mechanics (QM)
3: Facts
4: Tripartite mechanism of neural memory
5: Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Conflict of interest
Chapter Three: Functional neural electron transport
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Physics of ferritin and neuromelanin
3: QD electron transport
4: Theory and discussion
5: C-AFM test results
6: Electron transport and voluntary action selection
7: Conclusion
Chapter Four: Ion plasmon collective oscillations underlying saltatory conduction in myelinated axons and topological-homotopy concept of memory
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Insufficiency of the cable theory to explain the saltatory conduction
3: Plasmon-polaritons in a chain of finite ion systems—Model of the saltatory conduction in myelinated axons
4: Plasmon-polariton model of saltatory conduction: Fitting the plasmon-polariton kinetics to the axon parameters
5: Soft plasmonics toward recognition of the different role of gray and white matter in information processing
6: Conclusion
Acknowledgment
Appendix A: The role of the thickness of the myelin sheath
Appendix B: Braid groups—Preliminaries
Chapter Five: Nonequilibrium quantum brain dynamics
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Brief background in physiology and neuroscience
3: Model in nonequilibrium QBD
4: Memory in nonequilibrium QBD
5: Consciousness in QBD
6: Summary and perspective
Chapter Six: Quantum protein folding
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: General formula for conformational transition rate
3: Temperature dependence of protein folding
4: Denaturant concentration dependence of protein folding
5: N-dependence of the protein folding rate
6: N-dependence of the folding rate for RNA molecule
7: Multistate protein folding
8: Discussions
Acknowledgments
Chapter Seven: Classical-quantum interfaces in living neural tissue supporting conscious functions
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Glutamatergic information transmission and reception
3: The neuron-astrocyte interaction model
4: The hydro-ionic wave
5: Quantum computing with calcium ions
6: Conscious “binding” in neural tissue
7: Negentropy, recoherence and the formation of conscious episodes
8: The Tasaki action potential and conscious binding
9: Final remarks
Acknowledgment
Chapter Eight: Quantum transport and utilization of free energy in protein α-helices
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Protein α-helix structure and infrared spectra
3: The generalized Davydov model of protein α-helices
4: A computational study
5: Conclusions
Chapter Nine: Panexperiential materialism: A physical exploration of qualitativeness in the brain
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Is panexperiential materialism non-panpsychist materialism?
3: Defeating various monistic doctrines and the “ghost in the machine”
4: Dialectical materialism versus panexperiential materialism
5: Quantum holism and classicality
6: The self-amplification mechanism of simultaneity
7: Hierarchical thermodynamics via density matrices
8: The whole of nature and abiogenesis
9: The teleological formulation of organismic teleofunctions
10: Disruption of free energy through non-covalent bonds
11: The partial gain of intrinsic information as negentropic entanglement
12: Thermoquantal information as the physicality of quality
13: Discussion
Acknowledgment
Index

Roman R. Poznanski

Roman R. Poznański is a distinguished mathematical neuroscientist and research professor in theoretical studies on the brain. As a prolific writer, he has edited several contemporary books: Biophysical Neural Networks (2001), Modeling in the Neurosciences (1999, 2005), Biophysics of Consciousness (2017), and co-authored Mathematical Neuroscience (2014).

Affiliations and expertise

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Erkki J. Brändas

Erkki Brändas was born in Tampere, Finland in July1940 and was, as a Finnish war child, transported to Sweden in February 1942, finally adopted by his Swedish parents and given Swedish citizenship in 1947. He received his FL (PhD) in 1969 and Doctor of Philosophy (habilitation) in 1972, both at Uppsala University. Except for guest professorships in USA, Germany, Israel, he spent his professional career in Uppsala employed as Assistant- Associate- and Full Professor from 1975 until retirement in 2007. In addition to serving as chairman of the department of Quantum Chemistry, he was appointed Executive Director of the Uppsala Graduate School Advanced Instrumentation and Measurement supervising the doctoral education of 35 PhD’s from 1997-2007. He has served on various international scientific and editorial boards, e.g. Wiley, Elsevier and Springer including the service as Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, Series Editor of the Advances in Quantum Chemistry. He is the current President of the International Society for Theoretical Chemical Physics, since 15 years, chairing a variety of international congresses and other numerous meetings, schools and workshops. He has published over 260 articles and edited more than 50 books on fundamental theoretical chemical physics from research on atoms, molecules and solid-state physics to complex enough systems in biology – from the microscopic realm to the cosmological rank.

Affiliations and expertise

Department of Quantum Chemistry, Angstrom Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

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