In this paper we argue that, in addition to electrical and chemical signals propagating in the neurons of the brain, signal propagation takes place in the form of biophoton production. This statement is supported by recent experimental confirmation of photon guiding properties of a single neuron. We have investigated the interaction of mitochondrial biophotons with microtubules from a quantum mechanical point of view. Our theoretical analysis indicates that the interaction of biophotons and microtubules causes transitions/fluctuations of microtubules between coherent and incoherent states. A significant relationship between the fluctuation function of microtubules and alpha-EEG diagrams is elaborated on in this paper. We argue that the role of biophotons in the brain merits special attention.

We developed a simulation scheme based on the coupling of the lattice-Boltzmann method with the smoothed-profile method (SPM) to predict the dynamic behavior of colloidal dispersions. The SPM provides a coupling scheme between continuum fluid dynamics and rigid-body dynamics through a smoothed profile of the fluid-particle interface. In this approach, the flow is computed on fixed Eulerian grids which are also used for the particles. Owing to the use of the same grids for simulation of fluid flow and particles, this method is highly efficient. Furthermore, an external boundary is used to impose the no-slip boundary condition at the fluid-particle interface. In addition, the operations in the present method are local; it can be easily programmed for parallel machines. The methodology is validated by comparing with previously published data.

We find a class of asymptotically flat slowly rotating charged black hole solutions of Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton theory with arbitrary dilaton coupling constant in higher dimensions. Our solution is the correct one generalizing the four-dimensional case of Horne and Horowitz [1]. In the absence of a dilaton field, our solution reduces to the higher dimensional slowly rotating Kerr-Newman black hole solution. The angular momentum and the gyromagnetic ratio of these rotating dilaton black holes are computed. It is shown that the dilaton field modifies the gyromagnetic ratio of the black holes.

In this paper we briefly discuss the necessity of using quantum mechanics as a fundamental theory applicable to some key functional aspects of biological systems. This is especially relevant to three important parts of a neuron in the human brain, namely the cell membrane, microtubules (MT) and ion channels. We argue that the recently published papers criticizing the use of quantum theory in these systems are not convincing. 1) Quantum theory and biological systemsBiological systems operate within the framework of irreversible thermodynamics and nonlinear kinetic theory of open systems, both of which are based on the principles of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. The search for physically-based fundamental models in biology that can provide a conceptual bridge between the chemical organization of living organisms and the phenomenal states of life and experience has generated a vigorous and so far inconclusive debate [1,2]. Recently published experimental evidence has provided support for the hypothesis that biological systems use some type of quantum coherence in their functions. The nearly 100% efficient excitation energy transfer in photosynthesis is an excellent example [3]. Living systems are composed of molecules and atoms, and the most advanced physical theory describing interactions between atoms and molecules is quantum mechanics. For example, making and breaking of chemical bonds, absorbance of frequency specific radiation (e.g. in photosynthesis and vision), conversion of chemical energy into mechanical motion (e.g. ATP cleavage) and single electron transfer through biological polymers (e.g. in DNA or proteins) are all quantum effects. Regarding the efficient functioning of biological systems, the relevant question to ask is how can a biological system with billions of semi-autonomous components function effectively and coherently? Why providing a complete explanation remains a major challenge, quantum coherence is a plausible mechanism responsible for the efficiency and co-ordination exhibited by biological systems [4].

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