Abstract: A process for the rapid fabrication of a sorbent hollow fiber membrane (HFM) with a very high metal organic framework (MOF) content as well as the apparatus to contain such fibers for the purposes of sequestering and separating chemicals is described. Herein we developed a process to rapidly prototype meters long HFM batches with a high MOF content for sequestering and filtration. The HFM produced herein can be tailored to precisely sequester chemical of a hazardous nature which may include chemical warfare agents (CWA) or toxic industrial chemicals (TIC). The HFM are comprised of a polymer-based material that includes a polymeric binder; and one or more porous active materials that adsorb, chemisorb, decompose, or a combination thereof, a hazardous chemical.

Abstract: A horizontal acoustic vector sensor system described herein includes a housing which has a gimbal assembly therein which is attached to a sensor assembly which has multiple pairs of seismometers that arranged orthogonally to one or more neighboring pairs of seismometers, along an approximately horizontal axis. The gimbal assembly with sensor assembly are enclosed within the housing by an endcap which includes an electronics assembly. The multiple pairs of seismometers are wired to the electronics assembly through a slip-ring which allows for movement of the gimbal assembly without entangling the wires. The horizontal acoustic vector sensor system further includes at least one omni-directional hydrophone integrated into the endcap.

Abstract: In a federated learning system, a central server and multiple individual clients utilize model segmentation (CMS), wherein instead of each client sending its full model, the server only requests certain parameter matrices from each client model; and fully homomorphic encryption (FHE), wherein the certain parameter matrices are homomorphically encrypted before being sent to the server. FHE enables computations to be run on encrypted data, so the server is still able to aggregate received encrypted matrices.

Abstract: A low power mass spectrometer assembly includes at least an ionization component, an electrostatic analyzer, a lens assembly, a magnet assembly and at least one detector located in a same plane as the entrance to the magnet assembly for detecting the deflected sample ions and/or fragments of sample ions, including ions or ion fragments indicative of the Vitamin D metabolite within the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides virus-based expression vectors comprising immune-checkpoint inhibitor inserts for use as effective adjuvants in enhancing T-cell priming to an antigen in a host during a vaccination regimen. In particular, the compositions described herein are novel recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) viral constructs encoding one or more peptides which, upon administration, are expressed in a multimer conformation and subsequently cleaved and secreted from the cell. Such peptides are capable of downregulating an immune checkpoint pathway, for example, by inhibiting the activation of programmed-cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), or another immune checkpoint regulator, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A process described herein facilitates linking nodes to form a directional network in GPS-denied circumstances. Synchronized nodes wirelessly transmit link establishment requests on pseudo-randomly selected time slots within sub-templates, receive link establishment responses from unsynchronized node on the same time slot in future sub-templates, and transmit link establishment acknowledgements on the same time slot to the unsynchronized node. Upon receipt of the link establishment acknowledgement, the unsynchronized node calculates a clock value to match a clock value of the synchronized node and establishes a link therewith.

Abstract: A process for augmenting network and/or software security-domain data for use in training machine learning (ML) models includes application of one or more augmentation methodologies to existing data sets related to network activities and known attacks. The ML models trained on extended data sets can be implemented in a tool for automating network security defensive training and deployment. Learning attack distributions as opposed to pattern-matching approaches, allows enhanced automation and targeted defenses beyond traditional tools.

Abstract: A scan head design uses 1:1 (one-to-one) imaging micro-lens arrays to transfer the object plane X-ray image from a CR-plate onto a linear photosensor. The scan-head includes a housing having therein, an array of red light emitting diodes (LEDs), a microlens array, and a sensor. The housing faces the CR-plate and the scan-head is translated across the CR-plate to read out the X-ray image therein. The scan head is compact and provides for improved spatial resolution and reduced power requirements.

Abstract: An array-based system of assembled DNA for computer data storage is described. An array surface contains immobilized seed DNA initially having with blunt (or blocked) ends with a photocleavable optical linker at a forward end thereof holding the last few base pairs. A light source is light is applied to break the linker, generating a sticky end which allows for hybridization. Data-bearing DNA cassettes are introduced to the array and attach via their sticky ends to the unblock sites on the array surface. The attachment is made permanent via ligase.

Abstract: A system for generating and providing an object in the field of view (FOV) of a user's augmented reality or virtual reality (AR/VR) session responsive to a verbal request for the object is described herein. An AR/VR communication component receives a verbal request for an object from the user and produces a text request for the object based on the verbal request. 2D image and 3D model generation components generate a 3D model of the object which is provided within the FOV of the user's AR/VR session.

Abstract: This disclosure provides peptides which can therefore be used for various therapeutic purposes, such as inhibiting the progression of a hyperproliferative disorder, including cancer; treating infectious diseases; enhancing a response to vaccination; treating sepsis; and promoting hair re-pigmentation or lightening of pigmented skin lesions.

Abstract: An array-based system of assembled DNA for computer data storage is described. An array surface contains immobilized seed DNA initially having with blunt (or blocked) ends with a photocleavable optical linker at a forward end thereof holding the last few base pairs. A light source is light is applied to break the linker, generating a sticky end which allows for hybridization. Data-bearing DNA cassettes are introduced to the array and attach via their sticky ends to the unblock sites on the array surface. The attachment is made permanent via ligase.

Abstract: A low power mass spectrometer assembly includes at least an ionization component, an electrostatic analyzer, a lens assembly, a magnet assembly and at least one detector located in a same plane as the entrance to the magnet assembly for detecting the deflected sample ions and/or fragments of sample ions, including ions or ion fragments indicative of the Vitamin D metabolite within the sample.

Abstract: This disclosure provides peptides which have a strong affinity for the checkpoint receptor “programmed death 1” (PD-1). These peptides block the interaction of PD-1 with its ligand PD-L1 and can therefore be used for various therapeutic purposes, such as inhibiting the progression of a hyperproliferative disorder, including cancer; treating infectious diseases; enhancing a response to vaccination; treating sepsis; and promoting hair re-pigmentation or lightening of pigmented skin lesions.

Abstract: The pocket detection platform (PDP) detects pathogens, toxins and chemicals of interest simultaneously by way of a multi-channeled, soft see-through plastic pouch design that consists of inner and outer compartments that promote compartmentalization and/or unidirectional sample flow. The platform enables the concurrent running of multiple detection assay techniques such as lateral flow immunoassays (LFI), Isothermal molecular assays (i.e., Recombinase Polymerase Amplification, or RPA) and/or paper-based chemical assays (i.e., M8, pH paper) from a single wet or dry sample with minimal sample processing. The PDP reduces soldier overburden by decreasing size weight, and power (SWaP) as well as training time, electronic burden, while providing a flexible, customizable assay platform that can be rapidly produced, assembled, sustained, and when contaminated, easily to dispose of.

Abstract: Entangled quantum photons augment a classically encrypted data message and the augmented message, classical decryption key and quantum photon augmentation key are transmitted on a single classical transmission line to a receiver. Eavesdroppers, i.e., attacks, are detected in accordance with changes to the quantum photons in the augmented message.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides materials and methods for cell-free expression of epitopes for immunotherapy applications. In particular, the present disclosure provides materials and methods for expressing concatenated epitopes using a cell-free protein synthesis platform for high throughput, large scale, and unbiased epitope screening and the generation of multi-epitope vaccines.

Abstract: A portable fluidic platform for rapid and flexible end-to-end production of recombinant protein biologics includes a bioreactor system hosting stable and robust cell-free translation systems that is fluidically integrated with modular protein separation functionalities (e.g., size exclusion, ion exchange or affinity chromatography systems) for purification of the cell-free expressed product and which are configurable for process-specific isolation of different proteins, as well as for formulation. The bioreactor utilizes lysates from engineered eukaryotic (e.g., yeast) or prokaryotic (e.g., bacterial) strains that contain factors for protein folding and posttranslational modifications. Combination of various purification modules on the same fluidic platform allows flexibility of re-routing for purification of different proteins depending on specific target requirements.

Abstract: A horizontal acoustic vector sensor system described herein includes a housing which has a gimbal assembly therein which is attached to a sensor assembly which has multiple pairs of seismometers that arranged orthogonally to one or more neighboring pairs of seismometers, along an approximately horizontal axis. The gimbal assembly with sensor assembly are enclosed within the housing by an endcap which includes an electronics assembly. The multiple pairs of seismometers are wired to the electronics assembly through a slip-ring which allows for movement of the gimbal assembly without entangling the wires. The horizontal acoustic vector sensor system further includes at least one omni-directional hydrophone integrated into the endcap.

Abstract: An Activation Map Analysis (AMA) system attaches to an existing deep neural network (host network) as an observer that analyzes the internal activities of the host network to provide additional information, e.g., metrics for resilience, interpretability, and adversarial defense, to the end-user. The AMA system is developed using deep k-nearest neighbor (DkNN) coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) for data dimensionality reduction or Hyperdimensional Computing (HDC) to encode activation map data of the host for data reduction.