Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to novel recombinant coronavirus-based fusion proteins (“RBDs-IgG Fc protein” and “RBDs protein”) and vaccine compositions using the same, in which the fusion proteins comprise tandemly arranged coronaviruses receptor binding domains (RBDs). The present disclosure further provides methods and kits for immunizing a subject using the compositions.

Abstract: A quantum EIT-based optical switch includes a first waveguide, linear or nonlinear, a separate nonlinear waveguide evanescently coupled to the first waveguide, and a pump coupled to the nonlinear waveguide. A quantum STIRAP-based optical transduction device, which includes an auxiliary, intermediate spectral state for the quantum signal that aids efficient transduction of the quantum signal from the input spectral state to the output spectral state in a single device.

Abstract: A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe techniques that involve an active stabilization of coherent controllers using nearby qubits. In an aspect, a quantum information processing (QIP) system for stabilizing phase damping in qubits is described that provides a first and a second qubit ion, measuring magnetic field fluctuations using the second qubit ion, and generates one or more magnetic fields based on the measured magnetic field fluctuations, the one or more magnetic fields being applied near the first qubit ion to cancel the magnetic field fluctuations to stabilize the phase damping of the first qubit ion. Another such QIP system performs provides a first and a second qubit ion, locks a local oscillator to a frequency reference associated with the second qubit ion, and tracks, using the local oscillator, a frequency of the first qubit ion based on the frequency reference. Methods associated with these QIP systems are also described.

Abstract: A method for detecting a two-qubit correlated dephasing error includes accessing a signal of a quantum system, where the quantum system includes a plurality of qubits. Every qubit has a nonzero rate of dephasing and some qubits have a nonzero rate of correlated dephasing. The signal further includes information about a matrix that includes diagonal elements and off-diagonal elements. The off-diagonal elements of the matrix are 2s-sparse. The method further includes performing randomized measurements of the off-diagonal elements of the matrix and recovering the matrix based on a direct measurement of the diagonal elements of the matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed are fast high-temperature sintering systems and methods. A method of fabrication includes positioning a material at a distance of 0-1 centimeters from a first conductive carbon element and at a distance of 0-1 centimeters from a second conductive carbon element, heating the first conductive carbon element and the second conductive carbon element by electrical current to a temperature between 500° C. and 3000° C., inclusive, and fabricating a sintered material by heating the material with the heated first conductive carbon element and the heated second conductive carbon element for a time period between one second and one hour. Other variations of the fast high-temperature sintering systems and methods are also disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can quickly fabricate unique structures not feasible with conventional sintering processes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modifying genomic DNA sequences of a plant cell are provided. The methods produce double stranded breaks at target sites in a genomic DNA sequence, resulting in mutation, insertion, and/or deletion of DNA sequences at the target site(s) in a genome. The compositions comprise DNA constructs comprising nucleotide sequences that encode a Cas12b protein. The DNA constructs can be used to direct the modification of genomic DNA at a target site. Methods to use these DNA constructs to modify genomic DNA sequences are described herein. Additionally, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of genes are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods of quantum sensing include depositing a sample volume onto an ensemble of quantum defects, hyperpolarizing spins in the sample volume, performing a sensing sequence, and reading out information regarding electronic spin states of the quantum defects in the ensemble of quantum defects, which sense the hyperpolarized spins in the sample volume.

Abstract: Solid-state lithium ion electrolytes of lithium metal nitride based compounds are provided which contain an anionic framework capable of conducting lithium ions. Materials of specific formulae are provided and methods to alter the materials with inclusion of aliovalent ions shown. Lithium batteries containing the composite lithium ion electrolytes are provided. Electrodes containing the lithium metal nitride based composites are also provided.

Abstract: A system for generating a coherent laser light includes a light source configured to pump a first color laser light and a device configured to generate a coherent second color light and a coherent third color light. The device includes a waveguide configured to couple to the light source and a microring resonator coupled to the light source via the waveguide. The microring resonator is configured to generate a coherent second color light and a coherent third color light. The generation of the coherent second color light and the coherent third color light is based on hybrid-mode optical parametric oscillation.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for contact-free heart rate monitoring and/or measurement are provided. One method may include receiving video(s) that include visual frame(s) of individual(s) performing exercises, detecting some exposed skin from the video(s), and performing motion compensation to generate color signals for the exposed skin to precisely align frames of the exposed skin. The method may also include generating the color signals by estimating a skin color for each frame by taking a spatial average over pixels of a cheek of the face(s) for R, G, and B channels, respectively, applying an operation to remove remaining motion traces from the frames such that the heart rate traces dominate, and extracting and/or outputting the heart rate of the individuals using a frequency estimator of the skin color signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods, network devices, and machine-readable media disclosed herein include encoding data for storage or transmission by encoding the data according to a tamper-resistant data encoding scheme that renders the data secure against unbounded polynomial size attacks. The present disclosure further includes subsequently determining whether the data has been tampered with, and notifying a processor when the data has been modified or compromised.

Abstract: In a first stage of a methane conversion system, at least some methane (CH4) in an input gas flow stream can be converted into C2 hydrocarbons, hydrogen gas (H2), and aromatics to provide a first processed stream. The conversion can be direct non-oxidative methane conversion (DNMC). At least some of the aromatics can be removed from the first processed stream to provide a second processed stream. In a second stage of the methane conversion system, at least some of the H2 can be removed from the second processed stream to provide a recycle stream. The recycle stream can be returned to the first stage of the methane conversion system for further conversion of methane and removal of aromatics and H2 products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a doped cubic bismuth oxide that is phase stable in a temperature range of from about 550° C. to about 700° C. The doped cubic bismuth oxide comprises a mixture of a first dopant and a second dopant.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for tracking weak signal traces under severe noise and/or distortions. A method may include tracking at least one candidate frequency trace from a time-frequency representation of a signal. The method may also include identifying a frequency trace of the signal based on tracking results. In addition, the method may include outputting an estimated frequency vector related to the frequency trace. Further, the tracking may be performed under a noisy condition environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rhomboidal phase bismuth oxide that maintains electric conductivity of at least about 1×10?2 S/cm at temperature of about 500° C. for at least about 100 hours. In particular, the bismuth oxides of the invention have stable conductivity at a temperature range from about 500° C. to about 550° C.

Abstract: A system for noise-resistant quantum communication using hyperentanglement includes a quantum system that includes a plurality of qubits, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the quantum system to access a signal of a quantum system that includes a plurality of qubits and obtain hyperentanglement of the plurality of qubits via an entanglement source. The hyperentanglement of the plurality of qubits is in at least two dimensions, including a first dimension and a second dimension. The instructions, when executed, further cause the quantum system to transmit the hyperentangled plurality of qubits via a communication channel; perform a communication of the signal with the first dimension of the at least two dimensions; and filter results of the communicated signal based on the second dimension of the at least two dimensions.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe techniques for controlling coherent crosstalk errors that occur in multi-channel acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) by applying cancellation tones to reduce or eliminate the crosstalk errors. For example, a method and systems are described that include applying a first radio frequency (RF) tone to generate a first acoustic wave in a first channel of the multi-channel AOM, wherein a portion of the first acoustic wave interacts with a second channel to cause a crosstalk effect, and applying a second RF tone to generate a second acoustic wave in the second channel, wherein the second acoustic wave reduces or eliminates the crosstalk effect caused by the portion of the first acoustic wave.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe techniques for controlling coherent crosstalk errors that occur in multi-channel acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) by applying cancellation tones to reduce or eliminate the crosstalk errors. For example, a method and systems are described that include applying a first radio frequency (RF) tone to generate a first acoustic wave in a first channel of the multi-channel AOM, wherein a portion of the first acoustic wave interacts with a second channel to cause a crosstalk effect, and applying a second RF tone to generate a second acoustic wave in the second channel, wherein the second acoustic wave reduces or eliminates the crosstalk effect caused by the portion of the first acoustic wave.

Abstract: Disclosed are single atom dispersions and multi-atom dispersions, and systems and methods for synthesizing the atomic dispersions. An exemplary method of synthesizing atomic dispersions includes: positioning a loaded substrate which includes a substrate which is loaded with at least one of: a precursor of an element or a cluster of an element, applying one or more temperature pulses to the loaded substrate where a pulse of the temperature pulse(s) applies a target temperature for a duration, maintaining a cooling period after the pulse, and providing single atoms of the element dispersed on the substrate after the one or more temperature pulses. The target temperature applied by the pulse is between 500 K and 4000 K, inclusive, and the duration is between 1 millisecond and 1 minute, inclusive.