Michel Bounias

Scanning the structure of ill‐known spaces: Part 1. Founding principles about mathematical constitution of space

Some necessary and sufficient conditions allowing a previously unknown space to be explored through scanning operators are reexamined with respect to measure theory. Some generalized concepts of distances and dimensionality evaluation are proposed, together with their conditions of validity and range of application to topological spaces. The existence of a Boolean lattice with fractal properties originating from non‐wellfounded properties of the empty set is demonstrated. This lattice provides a substratum with both discrete and continuous properties from which existence of physical universes can be proved, up to the function of conscious perception. Space‐time emerges as an ordered sequence of mappings of closed 3D Poincare sections of a topological four‐space provided by the lattice, and the function of conscious perception is founded on the same properties. Self‐evaluation of a system is possible against indecidability barriers through anticipatory mental imaging occurring in biological brain systems; then our embedding universe should be in principle accessible to knowledge. The possibility of existence of spaces with fuzzy dimension or with adjoined parts with decreasing dimensions is raised, together with possible tools for their study. The work presented here provides the introductory foundations supporting a new theory of space whose physical predictions (suppressing the opposition of quantum and relativistic approaches) and experimental proofs are presented in detail in Parts 2 and 3 of the study.

Scanning the structure of ill‐known spaces: Part 3. Distribution of topological structures at elementary and cosmic scales

The distribution of the deformations of elementary cells is studied in an abstract lattice constructed from the existence of the empty set. One combination rule determining oriented sequences with continuity of set‐distance function in such spaces provides a particular kind of space‐time‐like structure which favors the aggregation of such deformations into fractal forms standing for massive objects. A correlative dilatation of space appears outside the aggregates. At large scale, this dilatation results in an apparent expansion, while at submicroscopic scale the families of fractal deformations give rise to families of particle‐like structure. The theory predicts the existence of classes of spin, charges and magnetic properties, while quantum properties associated with mass have previously been shown to determine the inert mass and the gravitational effects. When applied to our observable space‐time, the model would provide the justifications for the existence of the creation of mass in a specified kind of void, and the fractal properties of the embedding lattice extend the phenomenon to formal justifications of big‐bang‐like events without any need for supply of an extemporaneous energy.

Effects of honeybee insulin-immunoreactive peptide on haemolymph lipid and carbohydrate: Interaction of vertebrate somatostatin

Abstract The haemolymph lipid and carbohydrate concentrations were determined in emerging worker honeybees following injection of [ I ] saline, [ II ] a bee insulin-immunoreactive peptide ( BIRP ) and [ III ] BIRP + vertebrate somatostatin. BIRP promptly lowered trehalose, glucose, diacylglycerol and phospholipid concentrations, and increased the levels of fatty acid and triacylglycerol. It also induced a positive correlation between 1,2-diacylglycerol and short chain triacylglycerol, and completely reversed a negative correlation between long chain triacylglycerol and fatty acid, as well as a positive correlation between 1,3-diacylglycerol and steroid, both of the latter correlation appearing following treatment [ I ]. In all correlations except those between fatty acid, phospholipid and diacylglycerol, injection of vertebrates somatostatin together with BIRP partially neutralizes the specific effects of BIRP injected alone, a result similar to the action of somatostatin in vertebrates. BIRP is an endogenous intestinal insulin-like peptide whose physiological activity may be modulated by somatostatin-like molecules.

Scanning the structure of ill-known spaces: Part 2. Principles of construction of physical space

An abstract lattice of empty set cells is shown to be able to account for a primary substrate in a physical space. Space‐time is represented by ordered sequences of topologically closed Poincare sections of this primary space. These mappings are constrained to provide homeomorphic structures serving as frames of reference in order to account for the successive positions of any objects present in the system. Mappings from one section to the next involve morphisms of the general structures, representing a continuous reference frame, and morphisms of objects present in the various parts of this structure. The combination of these morphisms provides space‐time with the features of a non‐linear generalized convolution. Discrete properties of the lattice allow the prediction of scales at which microscopic to cosmic structures should occur. Deformations of primary cells by exchange of empty set cells allow a cell to be mapped into an image cell in the next section as far as the mapped cells remain homeomorphic. However, if a deformation involves a fractal transformation to objects, there occurs a change in the dimension of the cell and the homeomorphism is not conserved. Then, the fractal kernel stands for a “particle” and the reduction of its volume (together with an increase in its area up to infinity) is compensated by morphic changes of a finite number of surrounding cells. Quanta of distances and quanta of fractality are demonstrated. The interactions of a moving particle‐like deformation with the surrounding lattice involves a fractal decomposition process, which supports the existence and properties of previously postulated inerton clouds as associated to particles. Experimental evidence of the existence of inertons is reviewed and further possibilities of experimental proofs proposed.

Formation of active oxygen species during autoxidation of DOPA

The light emission during DOPA autoxidation and the transition metal ion-catalyzed oxidation of this amine to melanins has been studied. Chemiluminescence and fluorescence spectra from both systems were measured. The light emission was inhibited by quenchers of singlet oxygen (1O2) and scavengers of superoxide anion radical (O 2−) hydroxyl radical (HO.) and by catalase. The generation of 1O2 was confirmed using electron spin resonance (ESR) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine as a trap as well as by spectrophotometry method. The formation of HO. was demonstrated by the technique of ESR spin trapping with DMPO as a spin trap.

Properties of acetylcholinesterase from Apis mellifera heads

Abstract AChE (EC 3.1.1.7) from the bee Apis mellifera head was solubilized by different extraction procedures. Buffers containing the non-ionic detergent Lubrol-PX were more efficient for solubilizing the enzyme and exhibited little inactivation effect when compared with Triton X-100-containing buffers. The acetylthiocholine-splitting activity was shown to be that of true AChE on the basis of inhibitor sensitivity and substrate inhibition. The enzyme from Lubrol-containing and detergent-free extracts had an optimum pH for activity of 9 and 8.7, respectively. The optimum temperature for activity was 45°C. The Arrhenius plot showed that the enzyme has an activation energy of 26 ± 0.8 kJ mol−1. Bee head AChE was susceptible to the presence of divalent cations but monovalent cations such as Na+ and K+ did not induce any inhibitory effect at concentrations up to 1 M. By contrast, they exhibited an activation effect with a maximum at 0.2 M. Histochemical localization for AChE on frozen sections of honeybees confirmed its specificity as true AChE by the use of specific inhibitors such as iso-OMPA, BW284C51 and eserine. The main AChE activity was located in the neuropil appearing as diffused or clumped dots. An AChE activity coating nuclei of neurones and glial cells in the vicinity of the neuropile was detected with Koelles reaction. Such a distribution suggests different sites for synthesis, storage, transit and secretion for AChE in the brain.

The formation of singlet oxygen during oxidation of catechol amines as detected by infrared chemiluminescence and spectrophotometric method.

1Δg → 3∑g- near infrared chem iluminescence from the peroxidation reaction of dopa, dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline was measured. The spectrophotometric method based on the bleaching of p-nitrosodimethylaniline was applied to check the generation of singlet oxygen catecholamines.

A comparison of haemolymph levels and inter-relations of trehalose glucose and fructose in workerbees from different races and hybrids

Abstract 1. 1. Significant differences are found in the levels of haemolymphtrehalose, glucose and fructose as compared in workerbees of different races and their hybrids. 2. 2. A heterosis effect has been observed in triple hybrids, but crossings always result in a specific depress of trehalose concentrations which is examined in regard to kno known metabolic origins of the haemolymph-carbohydrates of insects. 3. 3. As an application, the honey productions of the races is correlated with their glycemic levels.

Evidence for the Generation of Singlet Molecular Oxygen during Dopa and Dopamine Peroxidation

Abstract Participation of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) in peroxidation of dopa and dopamine was studied by measurements of chemiluminescence spectra, the influence of solvents with various lifetime of O2 (1Δg) and O2 (1Δg)-quenchers on quantum yield of chemiluminescence. A decrease of absorption and fluorescence intensities of 1,3-diphenylizobenzofuran (DPBF) was also studied in the presence of dopa and dopamine oxidized with alkaline H2O2 as a criterion for the involvement of 1O2.

Membrane acetylcholinesterase from Apis mellifera head solubilized by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C interacts with an anti-CRD antibody

1. 1. Membrane acetylcholinesterase from Apis mellifera head was solubilized by a phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from Bacillus thuringiensis in a dose-dependent mode. 2. 2. The PI-PLC cleavage product is a hydrophilic form with an increased electrophotetic mobility which binds to an anti-cross-reaching determinant (CRD) antibody.