modern scientific studies

[Jonathan Barlow Gee]

"composite-ccr12.pdf" =

Competing Memes Propagation on Networks: 

A Case Study of Composite Networks 

ABSTRACT 

If a false rumor propagates via Twitter, while the truth prop- 

agates between friends in Facebook, which one will prevail? 

This question captures the essence of the problem we ad- 

dress here. We study the intertwined propagation of two 

competing “memes” (or viruses, rumors, products etc.) in 

a composite network. A key novelty is the use of a com- 

posite network, which in its simplest model is defined as a 

single set of nodes with two distinct types of edges inter- 

connecting them. Each meme spreads across the composite 

network in accordance to an SIS-like propagation model (a 

flu-like infection-recovery). To study the epidemic behav- 

ior of our system, we formulate it as a non-linear dynamic 

system (NLDS). We develop a metric for each meme that 

is based on the eigenvalue of an appropriately constructed 

matrix and argue that this metric plays a key role in de- 

termining the “winning” meme. First, we prove that our 

metric determines the tipping point at which both memes 

become extinct eventually. Second, we conjecture that the 

meme with the strongest metric will most likely prevail over 

the other, and we show evidence of that via simulations in 

both real and synthetic composite networks. Our work is 

among the first to study the interplay between two compet- 

ing memes in composite networks.

"jbc.M114.561761.full.pdf" =

Targeting CB2 -GPR55 Receptor Heteromers

Modulates Cancer Cell Signaling 

ABSTRACT 

The G protein-coupled receptors CB2 

(CB2R) and GPR55 are overexpressed in cancer 

cells and human tumors. As a modulation of 

GPR55 activity by cannabinoids has been 

suggested, we analyzed whether this receptor 

participates in cannabinoid effects on cancer 

cells. Here, we show that CB2R and GPR55 

form heteromers in cancer cells, that these 

structures possess unique signaling properties, 

and that modulation of these heteromers can 

modify the antitumoral activity of cannabinoids 

in vivo. These findings unveil the existence of 

previously unknown signaling platforms that 

help explain the complex behavior of 

cannabinoids and may constitute new targets 

for therapeutic intervention in oncology.

[Jonathan Barlow Gee]

A systematic review on the efficacy and safety of chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19

Purpose: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a public health emergency of international concern. As of this time, there is no known effective pharmaceutical treatment, although it is much needed for patient contracting the severe form of the disease. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence regarding chlo- roquine for the treatment of COVID-19.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and three trial Registries were searched for studies on the use of chloroquine in pa- tients with COVID-19.
Results: We included six articles (one narrative letter, one in-vitro study, one editorial, expert consensus paper, two national guideline documents) and 23 ongoing clinical trials in China. Chloroquine seems to be effective in limiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2 (virus causing COVID-19) in vitro.

Conclusions: There is rationale, pre-clinical evidence of effectiveness and evidence of safety from long-time clin- ical use for other indications to justify clinical research on chloroquine in patients with COVID-19. However, clin- ical use should either adhere to the Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered Interventions (MEURI) framework or be ethically approved as a trial as stated by the World Health Organization. Safety data and data from high-quality clinical trials are urgently needed.

[Jonathan Barlow Gee]

""Abstract

A Quantum Path Forward. Today, many scientific experts recognize that building and scaling quantum-protected and enhanced communication networks are among the most important technological frontiers of the 21st century. The international research community perceives the construction of a first prototype global quantum network-the Quantum Internet-to be within reach over the next decade. In February 2020, the U.S Department of Energy (DOE)'s Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research hosted the Quantum Internet Blueprint workshop to define a potential roadmap toward building the first nationwide quantum Internet. The workshop participants included representatives from DOE national laboratories, universities, industry, and other U.S. agencies with serious interests in quantum networking. The goal was to provide an outline of the essential research needed, detail any engineering and design barriers, and suggest a path forward to move from today's limited local network experiments to a viable, secure quantum Internet.""

- https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1638794

[Jonathan Barlow Gee]

Abstract

As a complement to vaccines, small-molecule therapeutic agents are needed to treat or prevent infections by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, which cause COVID-19. Affinity selection-mass spectrometry was used for the discovery of botanical ligands to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Cannabinoid acids from hemp (Cannabis sativa) were found to be allosteric as well as orthosteric ligands with micromolar affinity for the spike protein. In follow-up virus neutralization assays, cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid prevented infection of human epithelial cells by a pseudovirus expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and prevented entry of live SARS-CoV-2 into cells. Importantly, cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid were equally effective against the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant B.1.1.7 and the beta variant B.1.351. Orally bioavailable and with a long history of safe human use, these cannabinoids, isolated or in hemp extracts, have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2.