Less Decoherence and More Coherence in Quantum Gravity, Inflationary Cosmology and Elsewhere

In Crull (2015) it is argued that, in order to confront outstanding problems in cosmology and quantum gravity, interpretational aspects of quantum theory can by bypassed because decoherence is able to resolve them. As a result, Crull (2015) concludes that our focus on conceptual and interpretational issues, while dealing with such matters in Okon and Sudarsky (2014), is avoidable and even pernicious. Here we will defend our position by showing in detail why decoherence does not help in the resolution of foundational questions in quantum mechanics, such as the measurement problem or the emergence of classicality.Comment: 37 page

Crystal structure of monomeric human β-2- microglobulin reveals clues to its amyloidogenic properties

Dissociation of human β-2-microglobulin (β(2)m) from the heavy chain of the class I HLA complex is a critical first step in the formation of amyloid fibrils from this protein. As a consequence of renal failure, the concentration of circulating monomeric β(2)m increases, ultimately leading to deposition of the protein into amyloid fibrils and development of the disorder, dialysis-related amyloidosis. Here we present the crystal structure of a monomeric form of human β(2)m determined at 1.8-Å resolution that reveals remarkable structural changes relative to the HLA-bound protein. These involve the restructuring of a β bulge that separates two short β strands to form a new six-residue β strand at one edge of this β sandwich protein. These structural changes remove key features proposed to have evolved to protect β sheet proteins from aggregation [Richardson, J.&Richardson, D. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 2754–2759] and replaces them with an aggregationcompetent surface. In combination with solution studies using (1)H NMR, we show that the crystal structure presented here represents a rare species in solution that could provide important clues about the mechanism of amyloid formation from the normally highly soluble native protein

Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of the West African Fiddler Crab (Ucatangeri) in MboRiver, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria

The length- weight relationship and condition factor of the West African fiddler crab (Ucatangeri) in Mbo river of AkwaIbom State, Nigeria, was conducted for 12 consecutive months (April, 2012 – March, 2013). Ucatangeri exhibits sexual dimorphism with sex ratio of 1.2:1.0 which was significantly biased in favour of males. The length-weight relationship showed negative allometric growth, b=1.6431. With an average of 9.61, Ucatangeri had a very high condition factor which is an indication of the well-being of the species. Keywords: Growth rate, Crab, Mbo

On Superdeterministic Rejections of Settings Independence

Relying on some auxiliary assumptions, usually considered mild, Bell's theorem proves that no local theory can reproduce all the predictions of quantum mechanics. In this work, we introduce a fully local, superdeterministic model that, by explicitly violating settings independence--one of these auxiliary assumptions, requiring statistical independence between measurement settings and systems to be measured--is able to reproduce all the predictions of quantum mechanics. Moreover, we show that, contrary to widespread expectations, our model can break settings independence without an initial state that is too complex to handle, without visibly losing all explanatory power and without outright nullifying all of experimental science. Still, we argue that our model is unnecessarily complicated and does not offer true advantages over its non-local competitors. We conclude that, while our model does not appear to be a viable contender to their non-local counterparts, it provides the ideal framework to advance the debate over violations of statistical independence via the superdeterministic route.Comment: 38 pages, 2 figure

Quantum spatial superpositions and the possibility of superluminal signaling

Mari et al. [Sci. Rep. 6, 22777 (2016)] and Belenchia et al. [Phys. Rev. D 98, 126009 (2018)] explore a gedankenexperiment in which the (gravitational or electromagnetic) interaction between two objects, one placed in a state of quantum superposition of two locations, seems to allow for faster-than-light communication. Building on the analysis carried out in Mari et al. [Sci. Rep. 6, 22777 (2016).], Belenchia et al. [Phys. Rev. D 98, 126009 (2018)] argue that, by considering the quantization of radiation and the existence of vacuum quantum fluctuations of the fields, the apparent possibility of superluminal signaling is completely avoided. Moreover, in the gravitational case, such a conclusion is taken as providing support for the view that gravity must necessarily have a quantum nature. In this work, we reconsider the situation and find several limitations of these assessments.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figur

Ocimum gratissimum alleviates derangements in serum and biliary bilirubin, cholesterol and electrolytes in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats

Aims: The effects of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) on biliary and serum bilirubin, cholesterol and electrolytes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Albino Wistar rats was studied. Methodology: Type 1 Diabetes mellitus was induced in the test groups (DM and DMT) by a single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg, i.p.). The phytoconstituents and median lethal dose of the plant extract was determined before administration. The extract was administered per oral to the DMT group at a dose of 1500 mg/kg body weight daily for 28 days. All the groups were fed normal rat chow and allowed water ad libitum. Biliary secretion was collected and assayed, biliary bilirubin was measured by colorimetric method, Sodium and potassium was determined using a flame photometer and Chloride was determined by end point calorimetric titration. Results: The result showed that serum cholesterol was significantly (p=.001) higher in the DM group compared to the control while the DMT group was significantly (p=.001) lower than the DM group. Serum conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin were significantly (p=.05, p=0.01) higher in the DM group compared to the control and DMT groups, with the DMT group significantly (p=.01) lower than the DM group. The serum electrolytes showed no significant change in K+. However, Cl- and HCO3 - were significantly (p=.001) reduced in the test group compared to the control. Na+ was significantly raised in the DMT group compared to the control. Conclusion: These results are indicative of the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum to obviate the derangement in biliary and serum bilirubin, cholesterol and electrolytes caused by the STZ-induced type 1 DM in albino wistar rats. Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum; diabetes mellitus; electrolytes; cholesterol; bilirubin

Evaluation of Background Ionising Radiation Levels in Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi North Central Nigeria

No Abstract

Curcuma longa (Turmeric) and Cucumis sativus (Cucumber) Juice Ameliorative Hematological Effects in Lead Induced Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Hematological parameters are essential clinical indicators of health status, which are of great research interest. Our study attempts an assessment of the possible ameliorative hematological effects of Turmeric and Cucumber juice in lead induced toxicity using male Wistar rats as models. Experimental animals were acclimatized for 2 weeks and were subsequently randomly distributed into five groups made up of five rats per group. Lead toxicity was induced through a single daily oral administration of 2.25mg/kg body weight of lead in all rat groups except groups1 and 7 for 28 days and were treated as follows: Group 1: Control; animals in this group had free access to tap water and normal rat chow at will. Group 2: Pb only; animals in this group received 2.25mg/kg bw of lead acetate only. Group 3: Pb + TUM; rats in this group got 1ml of Turmeric juice only following induction of lead toxicity. Group 4: Pb + CUC; animals in this group were given 1ml of Cucumber juice only following induction of lead toxicity. Group 5: Pb + TUM + CUC; animals in this group received 1ml of Turmeric and 1ml of Cucumber juice following induction of lead toxicity. Group 6: Pb + bioferon; animals in this group received 0.23ml/kg body weight dose of bioferon following lead induced toxicity. Group 7: Bioferon Only; animals in this group received 0.23ml/kg body weight dose of bioferon only. All administrations were orally carried out once a day in the morning hours (between 8am-9am) using oral cannula. On day 29, experimental animals were anesthetized using diethyl ether and blood samples taken via cardiac puncture for serum erythrocyte parameters (PCV, Hb and RBC) and total WBC and PLT counts determination. Assayed parameters were assessed using a reflotron produced by Boehringer Mannhein. Predictably, administration of 2.25mg/kg bw of lead acetate to group 2 (Pb Only) rats produced a significant reduction (p<0.05) in PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC and PLT counts when compared to group 1 (Control) rats. This is suggestive of a possible deleterious effect of lead acetate at the administered dose. However, administration of 1ml each of turmeric and cucumber juice respectively significantly increased (p<0.05) the above parameters amongst groups 3 (Pb + TUM) and 4 (Pb + CUC) rats when compared to group 2 (Pb Only) rats with turmeric showing a better effect. Significantly higher (p<0.05) values of PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, and platelet counts were observed amongst group 5 (Pb + TURM + CUC) rats co-administered 1ml each of both turmeric and cucumber juice, compared togroups1 (Control), 2 (PbOnly), 3 (Pb + TUM) and 4 (Pb + CUC) rats. Indicating a possible greater hematopoietic effect of the combined administration of both juices compared to single administration of either juice. Our findings suggest a possible synergistic effects of the juices on haematological indices when combined following lead administration in experimental rats

Citrus Sinensis separately increases Serum Plasma Proteins while its combination treatment with Carbimazole reduces-the thyroid hormones connection

Plasma proteins play a vital role in the bioavailability and by implication, the activity of thyroid hormones. This study therefore became expedient in order to investigate the effect of Citrus sinensis on serum plasma proteins in comparison with standard thyro-active drugs. Albino wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 7 rats each. Group I served as control, group II received 1500mg/kg of fresh orange juice (FOJ), group III received 0.1ug/g of Levothyroxine (LVT), group IV received 0.01mg/kg of Carbimazole (CARB) and group V received FOJ (1500mg/kg)+ CARB (0.01mg/g) once daily per oral for 28 days. The animals were sacrificed after a night fast and blood samples obtained by cardiac puncture and processed by standard procedure to obtain the serum which was used for plasma protein analysis. The results showed that FOJ and LVT significantly (p<0.05) increased total protein, albumin and globulin levels while FOJ+CARB significantly (p<0.05) decreased them. It appears that the separate effect of Citrus sinensis and LVT on plasma protein is unrelated to their effect on thyroid hormone levels. The combination treatment appears to synergistically potentiate their antithyroid effect irrespective of the singular effect of Citrus sinensis on plasma proteins. Thus, there may be need for caution on the excessive consumption of Citrus sinensis during treatment with Carbimazole Keywords Citrus Sinensis, Carbimazole, Levothyroxine, Thyro-Active Drugs, Plasma Protein