Abstract: A polymer-based material includes a polymeric binder and one or more porous active materials that adsorb, chemisorb, decompose, or a combination thereof, a hazardous chemical. The polymeric binder and the one or more porous active materials are combined to form a composite bead. The polymeric binder may include a polyurethane or a styrene-based block copolymer. The porous active materials may comprise metal-organic frameworks, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, and metal hydrates. The one or more porous active materials may be between 1 and 99 wt % of a total composite mass of the composite bead. Alternatively, the one or more porous active materials may be between 80 and 95 wt % of a total composite mass of the composite bead. The hazardous chemical may include a chemical warfare agent, a simulant of chemical warfare agents, and toxic industrial chemicals.

Abstract: A gripping device is provided for grasping an object. The device includes a frame, an axial threaded screw, an actuator, an armature, a plurality of links, and a plurality of arms. The frame has proximal and distant ends to hold the screw. The actuator connects to the screw at the proximal end. The armature threads onto the screw. The links radially extend from the armature. Each link terminates in a ball tip. Each arm includes a lever bounded by a proximal hinge and a distal claw. The lever contains a plate to slide therealong. The plate has a socket that receives the ball tip. The hinge pivotably connects to the proximal end of the frame. The actuator turns the screw, thereby translating the armature aft towards the distal end of the frame. The armature carries each link to pull its ball tip aft, thereby causing each arm to radially contract its claw around the object.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) having antigenic specificity for CD70, the CAR comprising: an antigen binding—transmembrane domain comprising a CD27 amino acid sequence lacking all or a portion of the CD27 intracellular T cell signaling domain; a 4-1BB intracellular T cell signaling domain; a CD3? intracellular T cell signaling domain; and optionally, a CD28 intracellular T cell signaling domain. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions relating to the CARs are disclosed. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer in a mammal and methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed The variables X1, X2, and R1-4 are disclosed herein. The compounds are useful for treating cancer and related proliferative diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula I and methods of treatment comprising administering compounds of Formula I are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for depositing a monocrystalline or polycrystalline tin alloy layer on an amorphous or crystallographically mis-matched substrate. The method includes selecting tin halide as the tin source; selecting an alloying metal precursor from germanium precursors, silicon precursors, and mixtures of germanium and silicon precursors; selecting a substrate from amorphous substrates and crystallographically mis-matched substrates; generating an inert gas plasma in a remote plasma generation reactor; contacting the inert gas plasma with the tin halide to provide an activated tin halide flow stream; contacting the inert gas plasma with the alloying metal precursor to provide an activated alloying metal flow stream; directing the activated tin halide flow stream and activated alloying metal flow stream to an alloy deposition chamber physically remote from the plasma chamber; and depositing the monocrystalline or polycrystalline tin alloy layer on the substrate in the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A laminated article having a first layer and a second layer. Each layer has a porous carbon structure and a porous polymer. The pores of the two porous polymers are from 1 nanometer to 10 microns in diameter, and the two porous polymers have different pore size distributions. A method of making the laminated article by hot-pressing the two or more layers. The article may be used in an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A substrate is printed with front side and back side markings in a first color ink. The front side when viewed with reflected light includes a first marking printed in a first saturation and a first symbol printed in the first saturation. The back side when viewed with reflected light includes: a second marking printed in a second saturation; a second symbol printed in the second saturation; a third marking printed in the first saturation; and a third symbol printed in the first saturation. The first marking, the second marking, and the third marking are printed to provide an interlocking pattern of low saturation color and high saturation color when viewed with transmitted light. The second symbol is visible, and the first symbol and the third symbol are visible and indistinguishable, when viewed with transmitted light.

Abstract: In examples, a relative skin reflectance of a captured image of a subject is quantified. Based on the relative skin reflectance, the captured image is determined as suitable or not suitable for biometric identification. When the captured image is determined not suitable, a remedial capture setting is calculated and provided to an image capturing resource. Another captured image of the subject, captured under the remedial capture setting, is received from the image capturing resource. The relative skin reflectance of the another captured image is quantified and based thereon, there is a determining of whether the another captured image is suitable or is not suitable.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions that include SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, S1 protein, or S2 protein, and an adjuvant, such as alum, or a combination of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, Poly I:C, and IL-15, and nanoparticle compositions that include SARS-CoV-2 S protein, S1 protein, or S2 protein, and CpG oligonucleotide, poly(I:C), and IL-15, are provided. Also provided are methods of using such compositions, for example a prime intramuscular administration followed by one or more intranasal boosters that include the disclosed nanoparticles, to generate an immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in a subject, for example respiratory mucosal immunity, for example to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection or transmission to other subjects.

Abstract: Tunable thermochromic materials comprise a metal salt with a varying proportion of two different anions and an organic ligand. Partial substitution via doping during the initial synthesis with a macro-structurally similar (generating an isostructural material) yet chemically different anion creates a material with altered thermochromic properties. For example, in bromide-doped bis(N,N?-diethylethylenediamine)nickel(II)) tetrafluoroborate; both the tetrafluoroborate (BF4-) and bromide (Br—) derivatives are isostructural. Substitution of BF4- for Br— causes a decrease in the materials' thermochromic transition temperature by approximately 10° C.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptor is disclosed that includes: (a) an scFv comprising a light chain variable domain (VL) and a heavy chain variable domain (VH), wherein the scFv specifically binds to CCR4; (b) a hinge and transmembrane domain from CD8; (c) an intracellular 4-1BB signaling domain; and (d) an intracellular CD3 zeta signaling domain, wherein (a)-(d) are in N to C terminal order. Uses of the chimeric antigen receptor, such as for treating a malignancy, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to shape memory films that are tri-functionally crosslinked and that comprise multiple, non-terminal, phenylethynyl moieties. In addition, the present invention relates methods of fabricating such films. Due to the improved properties of such SMPS, the SMP designer can program in to the SMP mechanical property enhancements that make the SMP suitable, among other things, for advanced sensors, high temperature actuators, responder matrix materials and heat responsive packaging.

Abstract: A drone for delivering plural repeaters in a hostile environment and method of delivering plural repeaters from the drone. The drone is controllable from a remote base station and carries a payload of repeaters on a round tray. The tray has a dispensing hole, complementary to the geometry of the repeater for dispensing the repeaters as needed. Repeaters are consecutively dispensed at stations as determined by an operator. A central radial arm sweeps each repeater around the tray, in turn, until the hole is encountered and the repeater gravity drops to a surface below. The drone may have two or more vertically stacked trays to increase payload without increasing footprint.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for label placement that provide necessary information on a map when map features conflict without significantly impacting performance. Embodiments of the present disclosure can handle placement of map labels that vary in size, have prioritized label/feature groupings, apply to point, line, and area features, minimize overlap when there is no more open space, and render fast enough for interactive viewing.

Abstract: A MEMS nanotube based radiation sensor that is low cost, low power, compact, reliable and is applicable across many fields and a method for fabricating such a sensor are described. Each sensor may be connected to an array of similar but distinct sensors that leverage different materials and nanotube technology to detect radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for selective reshaping of nanoparticles in three dimensional articles, three dimensional articles produced by such processes, and methods of using such three dimensional articles. As a result of the aforementioned process, such three dimensional articles can have selective tuning that arises, at least in part, from the reshaped nanoparticles found in such articles. Such tuning provides the aforementioned articles with superior performance that can be advantageous in the areas including such as optical filters, multi-functional composites and sensing elements.

Abstract: A method of precoding the power of a channel of a ground terminal in communication with a satellite. The ground terminal is subject to limitations in terrestrial mobile network rates and other congestion conditions. An actual signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is calculated and adjusted according to a desired signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio for a predetermined time epoch. The actual signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is adjusted while considering the competing requirements of both: the energy of the difference between the successive actual/desired signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio levels and the energy of the control sequences. The actual signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is autonomously converged with the desired with the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio, subject to the limitations in terrestrial mobile network rates and other congestion conditions, by dynamically minimizing covariance error and predicting gain for the epoch.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for designing combinational logics with resistance to hardware Trojan induced data leakage. The invention solves the untrustworthy fabrication risk problem by introducing a design method such that even when the design is entirely known to an attacker and a data leakage Trojan is injected subsequently, no useful information can be obtained. This invention contains several methods as shown in several embodiments. The methods include randomized encoding of binary logic, converting any combinational binary logic into one with randomized encoding, and partitioning a randomized encoded logic for split manufacturing.

Abstract: Light controlled switching modules are provide. In embodiments, a light controlled switching module includes: a housing; a light controlled semiconductor switch mounted to the housing, the light controlled semiconductor switch including a semiconductor body; at least one light source mounted to the housing in a spaced relationship from the light controlled semiconductor switch and positioned to direct light emitted from the at least one light source toward the semiconductor body; and first and second electrodes mounted to the housing and connected to the light controlled semiconductor switch, wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to have variable resistance between the first and the second electrode.