Abstract: Circular RNA and transfer vehicles, along with related compositions and methods are described herein. In some embodiments, the inventive circular RNA comprises group I intron fragments, spacers, an IRES, duplex forming regions, and an expression sequence. In some embodiments, the expression sequence encodes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In some embodiments, circular RNA of the invention has improved expression, functional stability, immunogenicity, ease of manufacturing, and/or half-life when compared to linear RNA. In some embodiments, inventive methods and constructs result in improved circularization efficiency, splicing efficiency, and/or purity when compared to existing RNA circularization approaches.

Abstract: Circular RNA and transfer vehicles, along with related compositions and methods are described herein. In some embodiments, the inventive circular RNA comprises group I intron fragments, spacers, an IRES, duplex forming regions, and an expression sequence. In some embodiments, the expression sequence encodes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In some embodiments, circular RNA of the invention has improved expression, functional stability, immunogenicity, ease of manufacturing, and/or half-life when compared to linear RNA. In some embodiments, inventive methods and constructs result in improved circularization efficiency, splicing efficiency, and/or purity when compared to existing RNA circularization approaches.

Abstract: Provided herein are, in various embodiments, methods and compositions comprising polynucleotides (e.g., mRNA) for eliciting an immune response. In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides for methods and compositions for enhancing efficacy of infectious disease treatment (e.g., mRNA vaccines). In still further embodiments, the disclosure provides methods and compositions for enhancing one or more vaccines, such as SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines.

Abstract: A load control system may be commissioned using beacons. The load control system may include control devices that each include a beacon transmitting circuit configured to transmit a beacon that comprises an identifier associated with the control device. A network device, such as a mobile device, may discover a control device based on the beacon received from the control device. In response to discovery of the control device, the control device may be added to a temporary group of control devices for being collectively configured and/or controlled. Control devices may be discovered based on the signal strength at which the beacons are received. The control devices may provide feedback to a user in response to confirmation messages to indicate to a user that the lighting control device has been added to the temporary group. The control devices may stop providing the feedback after they are removed from the temporary group.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method of cryptographically identifying and authenticating embedded devices through interaction with a distributed ledger. The device begins with a manufacturer root key and a globally unique identifier. It registers by signing a registration transaction that includes its identifier using its private root key with a digital signature algorithm and sending the resultant transaction to the distributed ledger. The ledger generates a registration root key and responds by sending this second root key back to the device. The device then uses the manufacturer root key and the registration root key to generate a child key that it uses to sign its response to the challenge proving that it possesses both the manufacturer key and the registration key. Thereafter, the device can non-interactively identify and authenticate itself to the distributed ledger by signing transactions with the derivative key.

Abstract: A cross-modal interface includes a multi-modal sensor configured to concurrently receive multiple input signals with each input signal being provided from a different imaging modality and in response thereto providing a single cross-modal output signal to processing circuitry which processes the single cross-modal output signal provided thereto and generates an output comprising information obtained or otherwise derived from each of or a combination of the different imaging modalities.

Abstract: Identity management in the present invention can include several operational steps such as identity verification by a third party, identity inquiries, and inquiry approval by the identity holder.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a pixel array. A light source may illuminate the pixel array to produce image light. The image light may pass through a multi-element lens and may be coupled into a waveguide using an input coupler such as a prism. An output coupler such as a diffraction grating may couple the image light out of the waveguide and towards a user. The user may view the image light and may observe real-world objects through the waveguide. The waveguide may have locally modified portions that define an aperture stop at a distance from an exit surface of the multi-element lens. The multi-element lens may have first and second achromatic doublets and first and second singlets between the first and second achromatic doublets. The lens elements of the multi-element lens may include lens elements with aspheric surfaces.

Abstract: A load control system may be commissioned using beacons. The load control system may include control devices that each include a beacon transmitting circuit configured to transmit a beacon that comprises an identifier associated with the control device. A network device, such as a mobile device, may discover a control device based on the beacon received from the control device. In response to discovery of the control device, the control device may be added to a temporary group of control devices for being collectively configured and/or controlled. Control devices may be discovered based on the signal strength at which the beacons are received. The control devices may provide feedback to a user in response to confirmation messages to indicate to a user that the lighting control device has been added to the temporary group. The control devices may stop providing the feedback after they are removed from the temporary group.

Abstract: A muffler includes a housing defining a first chamber, a second chamber and a third chamber. The muffler includes at least a pair of nested protrusions in communication with an inlet. The pair of nested protrusions is coupled to a respective surface of a pair of plates disposed in the housing such that one of the pair of nested protrusions is spaced apart from and opposite another of the pair of nested protrusions to define a tortuous path that terminates at an outlet defined along an outer circumference. The first chamber is downstream from the pair of plates. The muffler includes a first tube fluidly coupled to the first chamber to direct the exhaust gases from the first chamber to the second chamber. The muffler includes a second tube fluidly coupled to the second chamber to direct the exhaust gases from the second chamber to the third chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for estimating the strength of a concrete foundation. The disclosed systems and methods can be used to estimate compressive strength of below-grade concrete without excavation. A method of estimating compressive strength may include determining compressive strength measurements corresponding to surface wave speeds for a plurality of concrete test specimens, determining a speed of surface waves in the concrete foundation, and estimating compressive strength of the concrete foundation based on the compressive strength measurements and corresponding surface wave speeds for the plurality of concrete test specimens and the speed of surface waves in the concrete foundation.

Abstract: A pill-dispensing system includes a base including a first processor and a storage, a container for pills carried by the base, and a dispenser mechanism. A data store includes an authorization code and instructions. A second processor is coupled to the data store, is in communication with the first processor, and is programmed to receive from the first processor a code associated with the container, compare the code to the authorization code, and retrieve and serve the instructions to the first processor upon the code matching the authorization code. The first processor is programmed, upon receiving the instructions from the second processor, to download to the storage the instructions that when executed by the first processor cause the first processor to effectuate a dispensing of pills from the container by the dispenser mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of implementing a private but traceable primary transaction implementing a transfer of an asset from an originator to a recipient using a third party, using a distributed network of computers implementing a distributed ledger. The methods use a third party to accept a transaction request from an originator. The third party then separates the transaction into a plurality of secondary transactions, characterized by various steps to make reconstruction of the original transaction difficult. The secondary transactions are recorded on the distributed ledger, accomplishing the original transaction without having any single transaction on the publicly accessible distributed ledger that directly corresponds to the original transaction. ary transactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to three stick product containers. One has a removable top cap with a crown and a hollow base, such that the top cap can be removed and inserted into the hollow base. The top cap has associated with it a thumb lever push ring to prevent the stick from rolling when laid horizontal. The other container is more suitable, for example, for a lip balm that has a top cap with a living hinge that can be flipped all the way back, inserted into a plug insert hole in the base of the cap, and then the cap is used to support the container in an at rest position to prevent it from rolling.

Abstract: Covalently modified alginate polymers, possessing enhanced biocompatibility and tailored physiochemical properties, as well as methods of making and use thereof, are disclosed herein. The covalently modified alginates are useful as a matrix for the encapsulation and transplantation of cells. Also disclosed are high throughput methods for the characterizing the biocompatibility and physiochemical properties of modified alginate polymers.

Abstract: A method of health management and assessment for an air data probe comprises performing a calibration process for the air data probe prior to installation of the air data probe on a vehicle; performing an operational process after the air data probe is installed on the vehicle; computing residuals for individual pressure channels of the air data probe and an aggregated response function, based on outputs from the calibration process and the operational process; storing and trending the residuals over time; evaluating a trendline for the residuals against one or more threshold values; and announcing a message when one or more of the threshold values is exceeded, indicating that the health of the air data probe is compromised.

Abstract: Circular RNA and transfer vehicles, along with related compositions and methods are described herein. In some embodiments, the inventive circular RNA comprises group I intron fragments, spacers, an IRES, duplex forming regions, and an expression sequence. In some embodiments, the expression sequence encodes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). In some embodiments, circular RNA of the invention has improved expression, functional stability, immunogenicity, ease of manufacturing, and/or half-life when compared to linear RNA. In some embodiments, inventive methods and constructs result in improved circularization efficiency, splicing efficiency, and/or purity when compared to existing RNA circularization approaches.

Abstract: Methods and constructs for engineering circular RNA are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and constructs comprise a vector for making circular RNA, the vector comprising the following elements operably connected to each other and arranged in the following sequence: a.) a 5? homology arm, b.) a 3? group I intron fragment containing a 3? splice site dinucleotide, c.) optionally, a 5? spacer sequence, d.) a protein coding or noncoding region, e.) optionally, a 3? spacer sequence, f) a 5? Group I intron fragment containing a 5? splice site dinucleotide, and g.) a 3? homology arm, the vector allowing production of a circular RNA that is translatable or biologically active inside eukaryotic cells. Methods for purifying the circular RNA produced by the vector and the use of nucleoside modifications in circular RNA produced by the vector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compression system trains a compression model for an encoder and decoder. In one embodiment, the compression model includes a machine-learned in-loop flow predictor that generates a flow prediction from previously reconstructed frames. The machine-learned flow predictor is coupled to receive a set of previously reconstructed frames and output a flow prediction for a target frame that is an estimation of the flow for the target frame. In particular, since the flow prediction can be generated by the decoder using the set of previously reconstructed frames, the encoder may transmit a flow delta that indicates a difference between the flow prediction and the actual flow for the target frame, instead of transmitting the flow itself. In this manner, the encoder can transmit a significantly smaller number of bits to the receiver, improving computational efficiency.

Abstract: A bleed valve for a gas turbine engine includes a housing that defines an inlet upstream from an outlet. The bleed valve includes a poppet movable relative to the housing between a first position, in which the poppet closes the inlet, and a second position, in which the inlet is open and configured to receive a fluid flow. The housing defines a tortuous path for the fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet configured to reduce a pressure of the fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet within the housing. The tortuous path is defined by a plurality of rings positioned about the poppet, with each ring of the plurality of rings spaced apart from an adjacent ring of the plurality of rings between the inlet and the outlet to define the tortuous path.