Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of detecting one or more strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The method may include forming a plurality of mixtures for nucleic amplification. The method can include amplification of specific sequences within the K. pneumonia genome that can provide definitive information to distinguish between one or more types or strains of K. pneumonia.

Abstract: A transmitting device and a receiving device independently generate shared encryption keys by exchanging a ternary datastream composed of trits encoded by polarized photons generated and measured using one of two polarization orientations. The first orientation defines two mutually-orthogonal polarization axes and a mixed polarization state formed by a combination of the two axes for that orientation. The second orientation also define two mutually-orthogonal polarization axes and a mixed polarization state formed by a combination of the two axes for that orientation. The mutually-orthogonal axes of one orientation are combinations of the mutually-orthogonal axes of the other orientation. The sender and receiver independently choose an orientation for each trit and use trits where each party's polarization orientations agree to determine addresses in separate cryptographic tables belonging to each party.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods of identifying microorganisms and/or diagnosing infections in subjects cause by microorganisms. Embodiments of the invention may also include further characterizing (e.g., determining the presence of one or more antibiotic resistance markers) the microorganisms and determining a strain identity of the microorganisms.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is provided herein that includes a control unit including a controller. At least one embedded sensor is configured to acquire data. An actuator is in electrical communication with the at least one embedded sensor and the controller. The controller is configured to adjust a level of assistance or resistance provided by the actuator in response to a change in a performance metric as measured by the acquired data.

Abstract: A method of using an ankle exoskeleton device is provided herein. The method includes collecting one or more biomechanical data points from an individual. The method also includes developing individualized musculoskeletal simulations based on the one or more biomechanical data points. In addition, the method includes creating predictive simulations by modeling effects of an ankle exoskeleton device on the individualized musculoskeletal simulations. The method also includes utilizing established device-user relationships with real-time measurements to adjust device control. Lastly, the method includes optimizing design and control parameters of the exoskeleton device based on the predictive simulations and user responses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving security in computer-based authentication systems by using physical unclonable functions are presented. A computing device used to provide authentication includes an array of physical unclonable function devices. Rather than storing user passwords or message digests of passwords, the computing device generates a message digest based on a combination of a user ID and corresponding password. This message digest forms part of challenge (together with instructions for responding to the challenge). A challenge response generated by measuring physical parameters of set of physical unclonable function devices specified by the message digest. This allows the computing device to provide authentication without storing information which could be used by an attacker to compromise user credentials.

Abstract: This invention disclosure describes how the security of existing quantum key distribution protocols can be enhanced with the use of a ternary/binary arithmetic conversion along with shared keys between communicating parties. With these schemes, Bob can detect eavesdropping attacks without exchanging the content of the transmitted data stream with the Alice. Addressable physical unclonable function (PUF) technology can be exploited to design protocols that securely exchange the shared keys.

Abstract: A cryptographic infrastructure, which provides a method for generating private keys of variable length from a cryptographic table and a public key. This infrastructure provides an approximation of the one-time pad scheme. The cryptographic table is shared between a message sender and a message recipient by a secure transfer. After sharing the cryptographic table, no new private keys need to be sent—the private keys are independently generated by each party from the data contained within the shared cryptographic tables, using the public key. After public keys are exchanged, private keys may be generated and used to encrypt and decrypt messages and perform authentication cycles, establishing a secure communication environment between the sender and the recipient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of genotyping a C. gattii sample, which can include forming a plurality of mixtures for nucleic amplification. The method can include amplification of specific sequences within the C. gattii genome that can provide definitive genotype information to distinguish between one or more types or subtypes of C. gattii.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computing system with the capability to execute instructions in different positional notation values. The definition of a positional notation value is given by the general formula that represent a base 10 numeral in any positional notation in the following manner: . . . d3r3+d2r2+d1r1+d0r0, where d is a coefficient, r is the base of the positional number system (i.e. r=2 for binary, or r=3 for ternary), and the exponent is the position of the digit. The computing may provide a configuration which hybridizes the instructions of multiple positional notation values in variable ratios. The computing system may dynamically switch between the multiple hybridized instructions sets. Embodiments may be applied to provide security benefits.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods of treating an infection using a pharmaceutical composition comprising an active ingredient selected from Table 1. In some aspects, the infection can be caused by one or more pathogens, including fungal pathogens. For example, the infection may be Valley Fever.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to implementations of physically unclonable functions (PUFs) for cryptographic and authentication purposes. Specifically, the disclosure describes implementations of machine learning engines (MLEs) in conjunction with PUFs generating outputs having multiple states.

Abstract: Methods for the production of lipids and biofuels with a culture of Candidatus Microthrix spp. grown on a medium such as wastewater or sewage sludge are provided. The Candidatus Microthrix spp. may be cultured with additional microorganisms that contribute to the accumulation of lipids from the growth medium such as Zoog!oea spp., Rhizobacter spp., Blautia spp., Hydrolatea spp., ODI genera incertae sedis. Further discloses are transformed organisms comprising genes isolated from Candidatus Microthrix parvicella, as well as methods and processes for producing lipids, fatty acids, or biofuels in vitro using the protein products of the isolated genes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to implementations of physically unclonable functions (PUFs) for cryptographic and authentication purposes. Specifically, the disclosure describes implementations of machine learning engines (MLEs) in conjunction with PUFs generating outputs having multiple states.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a method of preparing a sample for sequencing that includes receiving a sample and amplifying at least one marker within the sample. In some embodiments, amplification of the first marker may include mixing the sample with a first oligonucleotide that comprises a first universal tail sequence and a second oligonucleotide that comprises a second universal tail sequence. In some aspects of the invention, the first universal tail sequence and the second universal tail sequence are different sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting a heteroresistant population of a pathogen in a sample, the method comprising: a) providing a sample comprising a population of a pathogen; b) extracting nucleic acids from the sample; c) amplifying a target locus of the genome of the pathogen in the extracted nucleic acids, wherein the target locus comprises at least one minor variant associated with drug resistance in the pathogen; d) consecutively sequencing both overlapping nucleic acid strands from a single DNA molecule amplified from the target locus on a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform; e) applying an alignment algorithm to sequencing data from the overlapping nucleic acid strands; and f) performing an analysis of the aligned sequencing data to detect the at least one minor variant and heteroresistant population of the pathogen.

Abstract: An authentication system for a computing environment uses physically unclonable functions (PUFs) to authenticate requests to perform an action in the environment. The system receives, from an imaging device, an image of a physically unclonable object associated with the electronic request. The system then obtains from a computer server operating within the system via an encrypted communication channel, a challenge associated with the object. The system uses extraction parameters encoded within the challenge to transform a portion of the image and produce authentication data representing a response to the challenge. The system extracts, using the extraction parameters, the authentication data from the image and determines whether the challenge and response match and the request is authenticated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for authenticating distributed peripherals on a computer network using an array of physically unclonable functions (PUF). As each PUF is unique, each PUF is able to generate a plurality of challenge response pairs that are unique to that PUF. The integrated circuits of the PUF comprise a plurality of cells, where a parameter (such as a voltage) of each cell may be measured (possibly averaged over many readings). The plurality of cells in the PUF may be arranged in a one, two or more dimensional matrix. A protocol based on an addressable PUF generator (APG) allows the protection of a network having distributed peripherals such as Internet of things (IoT), smart phones, lap top and desk top computers, or ID cards. This protection does not require the storage of a database of passwords, or secret keys. and thereby is immune to traditional database hacking attacks.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of detecting one or more strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The method may include forming a plurality of mixtures for nucleic amplification. The method can include amplification of specific sequences within the K. pneumonia genome that can provide definitive information to distinguish between one or more types or strains of K. pneumonia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for authenticating distributed peripherals on a computer network using an array of physically unclonable functions (PUF). As each PUF is unique, each PUF is able to generate a plurality of challenge response pairs that are unique to that PUF. The integrated circuits of the PUF comprise a plurality of cells, where a parameter (such as a voltage) of each cell may be measured (possibly averaged over many readings). The plurality of cells in the PUF may be arranged in a one, two or more dimensional matrix. A protocol based on an addressable PUF generator (APG) allows the protection of a network having distributed peripherals such as Internet of things (IoT), smart phones, lap top and desk top computers, or ID cards. This protection does not require the storage of a database of passwords, or secret keys. and thereby is immune to traditional database hacking attacks.