Quantum Tunneling-Induced Membrane Depolarization Can Explain the Cellular Effects Mediated by Lithium: Mathematical Modeling and Hypothesis

Lithium imposes several cellular effects allegedly through multiple physiological mechanisms. Membrane depolarization is a potential unifying concept of these mechanisms. Multiple inherent imperfections of classical electrophysiology limit its ability to fully explain the depolarizing effect of lithium ions; these include incapacity to explain the high resting permeability of lithium ions, the degree of depolarization with extracellular lithium concentration, depolarization at low therapeutic concentration, or the differences between the two lithium isotopes Li-6 and Li-7 in terms of depolarization. In this study, we implemented a mathematical model that explains the quantum tunneling of lithium ions through the closed gates of voltage-gated sodium channels as a conclusive approach that decodes the depolarizing action of lithium. Additionally, we compared our model to the classical model available and reported the differences. Our results showed that lithium can achieve high quantum membrane conductance at the resting state, which leads to significant depolarization. The quantum model infers that quantum membrane conductance of lithium ions emerges from quantum tunneling of lithium through the closed gates of sodium channels. It also differentiates between the two lithium isotopes (Li-6 and Li-7) in terms of depolarization compared with the previous classical model. Moreover, our study listed many examples of the cellular effects of lithium and membrane depolarization to show similarity and consistency with model predictions. In conclusion, the study suggests that lithium mediates its multiple cellular effects through membrane depolarization, and this can be comprehensively explained by the quantum tunneling model of lithium ions.

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Proton Quantum Tunneling: Influence and Relevance to Acidosis-Induced Cardiac Arrhythmias/Cardiac Arrest

Pathophysiology ◽

10.3390/pathophysiology28030027 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 400-441

Author(s):

Omar Ababneh ◽

Abdallah Barjas Qaswal ◽

Ahmad Alelaumi ◽

Lubna Khreesha ◽

Mujahed Almomani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Membrane Potential ◽

Sodium Channels ◽

Cardiac Arrhythmias ◽

Quantum Tunneling ◽

Membrane Depolarization ◽

Cardiac Cells ◽

Quantum Model ◽

Quantum Conductance ◽

Voltage Gated Sodium Channels

Acidosis and its associated pathologies predispose patients to develop cardiac arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest. These arrhythmias are assumed to be the result of membrane depolarization, however, the exact mechanism of depolarization during acidosis is not well defined. In our study, the model of quantum tunneling of protons is used to explain the membrane depolarization that occurs during acidosis. It is found that protons can tunnel through closed activation and inactivation gates of voltage-gated sodium channels Nav1.5 that are present in the membrane of cardiac cells. The quantum tunneling of protons results in quantum conductance, which is evaluated to assess its effect on membrane potential. The quantum conductance of extracellular protons is higher than that of intracellular protons. This predicts an inward quantum current of protons through the closed sodium channels. Additionally, the values of quantum conductance are influential and can depolarize the membrane potential according to the quantum version of the GHK equation. The quantum mechanism of depolarization is distinct from other mechanisms because the quantum model suggests that protons can directly depolarize the membrane potential, and not only through indirect effects as proposed by other mechanisms in the literature. Understanding the pathophysiology of arrhythmias mediated by depolarization during acidosis is crucial to treat and control them and to improve the overall clinical outcomes of patients.

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Quantum Computer: Quantum Model and Reality

10.31235/osf.io/rgkm2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vasil Dinev Penchev

Keyword(s):

Quantum Mechanics ◽

Turing Machine ◽

Quantum Computer ◽

Classical Model ◽

Hidden Variables ◽

Quantum Model ◽

Computational Process ◽

Intermediate Domain ◽

And Mathematics ◽

The Axiom Of Choice

Any computer can create a model of reality. The hypothesis that quantum computer can generate such a model designated as quantum, which coincides with the modeled reality, is discussed. Its reasons are the theorems about the absence of “hidden variables” in quantum mechanics. The quantum modeling requires the axiom of choice. The following conclusions are deduced from the hypothesis. A quantum model unlike a classical model can coincide with reality. Reality can be interpreted as a quantum computer. The physical processes represent computations of the quantum computer. Quantum information is the real fundament of the world. The conception of quantum computer unifies physics and mathematics and thus the material and the ideal world. Quantum computer is a non-Turing machine in principle. Any quantum computing can be interpreted as an infinite classical computational process of a Turing machine. Quantum computer introduces the notion of “actually infinite computational process”. The discussed hypothesis is consistent with all quantum mechanics. The conclusions address a form of neo-Pythagoreanism: Unifying the mathematical and physical, quantum computer is situated in an intermediate domain of their mutual transformations.

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A Quantum Model for Bending Vibrations and Thermodynamic Properties of C3

Canadian Journal of Physics ◽

10.1139/p73-101 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 51 (7) ◽

pp. 751-760 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

C. Frederick Hansen ◽

Walter E. Pearson

Keyword(s):

Thermodynamic Properties ◽

Vibrational Energy ◽

Classical Model ◽

Energy Levels ◽

Quantum Model ◽

Bending Vibrations ◽

Bending Mode ◽

Vibrational Levels ◽

Vibrational Energy Levels ◽

Vapor Pressure Measurements

A quadratically perturbed square well potential is used to derive quantized bending mode vibrational energy levels for the C3 molecule. Coupling with rotational modes and l doubling is neglected for simplicity. The model is constrained to a best fit with observed lower vibrational levels in the lowest rotational state, and subject to this constraint the upper vibrational levels have maximum possible divergence. Thus a lower limit for the partition function and the entropy of C3 is established; the neglected rotational coupling has little influence on these quantities because the splitting of levels is almost symmetrical. The limits obtained support the classical model of Strauss and Thiele for the thermodynamic properties of C3 rather than the estimates listed in current JANAF Thermochemical Tables, and imply that recent graphite vapor pressure measurements made by Zavitsanos and by Wachi and Gilmartin are more correct than earlier measurements.

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An Analytical Quantum Model to Calculate Fluorescence Enhancement of a Molecule in Vicinity of a Sub-10 nm Metal Nanoparticle

Applied Spectroscopy ◽

10.1177/0003702816653127 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 71 (5) ◽

pp. 963-969 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zahra Bagheri ◽

Reza Massudi

Keyword(s):

Enhancement Factor ◽

Radiative Decay ◽

Fluorescence Enhancement ◽

Classical Model ◽

Field Enhancement ◽

Decay Rates ◽

Metal Nanoparticle ◽

Quantum Model ◽

Electrical Field ◽

Electrical Permittivity

An analytical quantum model is used to calculate electrical permittivity of a metal nanoparticle located in an adjacent molecule. Different parameters, such as radiative and non-radiative decay rates, quantum yield, electrical field enhancement factor, and fluorescence enhancement are calculated by such a model and they are compared with those obtained by using the classical Drude model. It is observed that using an analytical quantum model presents a higher enhancement factor, up to 30%, as compared to classical model for nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm. Furthermore, the results are in better agreement with those experimentally realized.

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Maxi K+ channels and their relationship to the apical membrane conductance in Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

The Journal of General Physiology ◽

10.1085/jgp.95.5.791 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 95 (5) ◽

pp. 791-818 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Y Segal ◽

L Reuss

Keyword(s):

Patch Clamp ◽

Apical Membrane ◽

Membrane Conductance ◽

Membrane Depolarization ◽

Membrane Voltage ◽

K Channel ◽

Gallbladder Epithelium ◽

Patch Clamp Technique ◽

K Channels ◽

Necturus Gallbladder

Using the patch-clamp technique, we have identified large-conductance (maxi) K+ channels in the apical membrane of Necturus gallbladder epithelium, and in dissociated gallbladder epithelial cells. These channels are more than tenfold selective for K+ over Na+, and exhibit unitary conductance of approximately 200 pS in symmetric 100 mM KCl. They are activated by elevation of internal Ca2+ levels and membrane depolarization. The properties of these channels could account for the previously observed voltage and Ca2+ sensitivities of the macroscopic apical membrane conductance (Ga). Ga was determined as a function of apical membrane voltage, using intracellular microelectrode techniques. Its value was 180 microS/cm2 at the control membrane voltage of -68 mV, and increased steeply with membrane depolarization, reaching 650 microS/cm2 at -25 mV. We have related maxi K+ channel properties and Ga quantitatively, relying on the premise that at any apical membrane voltage Ga comprises a leakage conductance and a conductance due to maxi K+ channels. Comparison between Ga and maxi K+ channels reveals that the latter are present at a surface density of 0.09/microns 2, are open approximately 15% of the time under control conditions, and account for 17% of control Ga. Depolarizing the apical membrane voltage leads to a steep increase in channel steady-state open probability. When correlated with patch-clamp studies examining the Ca2+ and voltage dependencies of single maxi K+ channels, results from intracellular microelectrode experiments indicate that maxi K+ channel activity in situ is higher than predicted from the measured apical membrane voltage and estimated bulk cytosolic Ca2+ activity. Mechanisms that could account for this finding are proposed.

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Action of Certain Tropine Esters on Voltage-Clamped Lobster Axon

The Journal of General Physiology ◽

10.1085/jgp.51.3.309 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 309-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

M. P. Blaustein

Keyword(s):

Action Potential ◽

Benzene Ring ◽

Pulse Duration ◽

Membrane Conductance ◽

Giant Axon ◽

Membrane Depolarization ◽

K Current ◽

Axonal Excitability ◽

Voltage Axis ◽

K Currents

Tropine p-tolylacetate (TPTA) and its quaternary analogue, tropine p-tolylacetate methiodide (TPTA MeI) decrease the early transient (Na) and late (K) currents in the voltage-clamped lobster giant axon. These agents, which block the nerve action potential, reduce the maximum Na and K conductance increases associated with membrane depolarization. They also slow the rate at which the sodium conductance is increased and shift the (normalized) membrane conductance vs. voltage curves in the direction of depolarization along the voltage axis. All these effects are qualitatively similar to those resulting from the action of procaine on the voltage-clamped axon. One unusual effect of the tropine esters, noticeable particularly at large depolarization steps, is that they cause the late, K current to reach a peak and then fall off with increasing pulse duration. This effect has not been reported to occur as a result of procaine action. Tropine p-chlorophenyl acetate (TPClϕA), which differs from TPTA only by the substitution of a p-Cl for a p-CH3 group on the benzene ring, had a negligible effect on axonal excitability.

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Novel Functionalized Cellulose Microspheres for Efficient Separation of Lithium Ion and Its Isotopes: Synthesis and Adsorption Performance

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24152762 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (15) ◽

pp. 2762 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ichen Chen ◽

Chenxi Xu ◽

Jing Peng ◽

Dong Han ◽

Siqi Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Separation Factor ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Epoxy Group ◽

Lithium Ion ◽

Lithium Ions ◽

Lithium Isotopes ◽

Grafted Polymer ◽

Adsorption Affinity ◽

Adsorption Temperature ◽

Solvent Metal

The adsorption of lithium ions(Li+) and the separation of lithium isotopes have attracted interests due to their important role in energy storage and nuclear energy, respectively. However, it is still challenging to separate the Li+ and its isotopes with high efficiency and selectivity. A novel cellulose-based microsphere containing crown ethers groups (named as MCM-g-AB15C5) was successfully synthesized by pre-irradiation-induced emulsion grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and followed by the chemical reaction between the epoxy group of grafted polymer and 4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 (AB15C5). By using MCM-g-AB15C5 as adsorbent, the effects of solvent, metal ions, and adsorption temperature on the adsorption uptake of Li+ and separation factor of 6Li/7Li were investigated in detail. Solvent with low polarity, high adsorption temperature in acetonitrile could improve the uptake of Li+ and separation factor of lithium isotopes. The MCM-g-AB15C5 exhibited the strongest adsorption affinity to Li+ with a separation factor of 1.022 ± 0.002 for 6Li/7Li in acetonitrile. The adsorption isotherms in acetonitrile is fitted well with the Langmuir model with an ultrahigh adsorption capacity up to 12.9 mg·g−1, indicating the unexpected complexation ratio of 1:2 between MCM-g-AB15C5 and Li+. The thermodynamics study confirmed the adsorption process is the endothermic, spontaneous, and chemisorption adsorption. As-prepared novel cellulose-based adsorbents are promising materials for the efficient and selective separation of Li+ and its isotopes.

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QUANTUM COSMOLOGY OF SUPERSTRING UNIVERSE

Modern Physics Letters A ◽

10.1142/s0217732391002384 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 06 (24) ◽

pp. 2181-2187

Author(s):

JIN WANG ◽

SUBENDRA MOHANTY

Keyword(s):

Quantum Cosmology ◽

Bound States ◽

Classical Model ◽

Matter Field ◽

Einstein Equations ◽

Quantum Model ◽

Walker Metric ◽

Discrete Values ◽

Heating Up ◽

The Universe

We study the quantum cosmology of the string universe obtained by embedding the Robertson–Walker metric in the nonlinear σ-model.1 We find that the quantum model has some unusual features not seen in the classical model. Initially the universe exists in a series of metastable bound states with scale factor taking discrete values. Then the universe tunnels through a barrier and comes out in an inflationary state. This tunneling (or evolution in imaginary time) also has the effect of heating up the matter field so that we have the conditions of chaotic inflation. Our asymptotic solutions agree with those obtained from the classical Einstein equations in Ref. 1.

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SIMULATION STUDY ON THE ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE OF EQUILIBRIUM THIN-BODY DOUBLE-GATE NANO-MOSFET

Jurnal Teknologi ◽

10.11113/jt.v76.3892 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chek Yee Ooi ◽

Lim Soo King

Keyword(s):

Simulation Study ◽

Model Simulation ◽

Classical Model ◽

Electron Velocity ◽

Electrical Performance ◽

Thin Body ◽

Quantum Model ◽

Double Gate ◽

Electrical Characteristics ◽

Nano Mosfet

This paper presents a numerical simulation study for electrical characteristics of double-gate (DG) nano-MOSFET at equilibrium thin-body condition. The electrical characteristics which are studied include subband energy (including unprimed and primed subbands), 2D electron density at 77K and 300K ambient temperatures, transmission coefficient, average electron velocity and ballistic current. The ranges of silicon body thickness TSi are 1.0 nm, 1.5 nm and 2.0 nm. The electron transport models used in simulation tool covered quantum model and classical model. Simulation output data are also compared with theoretical discussion.

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A model for the mass and distribution of particles in dark matter halos

Canadian Journal of Physics ◽

10.1139/cjp-2017-0804 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 96 (11) ◽

pp. 1178-1182

Author(s):

Allan Runstedtler

Keyword(s):

Dark Matter ◽

Total Mass ◽

Classical Model ◽

Variable Density ◽

Particle Mass ◽

Quantum Model ◽

Dark Matter Halos ◽

Quantum Uncertainty ◽

System Temperature ◽

Straightforward Solution

This model is intended for dark-matter-dominated galaxies and galaxy clusters for which the centrifugal force caused by system rotation is negligible. Such systems, ostensibly dark matter halos, would tend to be spherical. Consider a uniform sphere of identical, massive particles in equilibrium (not contracting or expanding). In the quantum model, gravitation pulls the particles together and quantum uncertainty pushes them apart. In the corresponding classical model, gravitation pulls the particles together and thermal motion pushes them apart. This model provides an expression for particle mass as a function of the total mass and density of the system and its quantum state or temperature. Using the measured total mass and density of our dark-matter-dominated galaxy, and assuming the system is in the ground state, the particle mass is found to be 10.5 eV and the temperature 0.042 K. This represents the lowest possible system temperature and particle mass. If, on the other hand, the system is in equilibrium with the cosmic microwave background, the particle mass is found to be 693 eV. This range of inferred particle masses supports the hypothesis of “low-mass dark matter” with approximate mass 100 eV. However, the system temperature is not presently known so it is possible that the temperature is higher and, consequently, the particles are heavier. The average speed of the particles is found to be approximately 1/1000 the speed of light in our galaxy. Remarkably, this result does not depend on the system temperature and, therefore, does not depend on the particle mass. The extension of this model to variable density provides a straightforward solution to the “core-cusp problem” because the distribution of dark matter that minimizes the system energy has a flat central dark matter density profile.

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