Abstract: Peptides capable of binding to HLA-E and affecting immune cell activity are provided. Such peptides can selectively activate NKG2C+ immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells and/or can inhibit NKG2A+ cells to decrease or suppress immune cell responses. Methods of use of the peptides are also disclosed, for instance, for treating or inhibiting the development or progression of a multitude of illnesses and conditions, including autoimmune disease, infectious disease such as viral or bacterial infection, and proliferative disorders such as cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of retroviruses and methods of using the same for gene delivery, wherein the retroviruses comprise a viral envelope protein comprising at least one mutation that diminishes its native function, a non-viral membrane-bound protein comprising a membrane-bound domain and an extracellular targeting domain.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein for identifying callable regions and performing variant calling while operating within allocated memory. A sequencing subsystem may comprise a variant caller or variant caller subsystem. The variant caller may include a calling subsystem configured to identify callable regions and may send the callable regions to a downstream genotyping subsystem of the variant caller. The calling subsystem of the variant caller may be configured to detect a callable region of the sequencing data when a depth of the plurality of reads is above a callable region depth threshold. The calling subsystem of the variant caller may monitor memory used by the callable region and, when the memory used exceeds a memory threshold of a total amount of memory allocated, the calling subsystem may split or spill at least a portion of the callable region to operate within the total amount of allocated memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improvement of mental health of a subject that avoids adverse side effects and may be safely administered over long periods of time, such as to address chronic conditions. The systems and methods include use of immersive technology, such as augmented reality environments, which may be used as an effective treatment for negative symptoms of mental illness systems or to promote mental health.

Abstract: MHC multimer expression constructs are provided that contiguously encode an MHC-binding peptide, MHC molecule chains and a multimerization domain in the construct such that expression in a host cell results in production of peptide-loaded MHC (pMHC) multimers by the host cell. The multimers can further comprise oligonucleotide barcodes. Peptide exchange can be performed with a plurality of pMHC multimers to create pMHC multimer libraries. Methods of making and using the pMHC multimers and libraries are also provided. Peptide-loaded MHC Class I and MHC Class II multimers, and libraries thereof, are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of retroviruses and methods of using the same for gene delivery to a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC), wherein the retroviruses comprise a viral envelope protein comprising at least one mutation that diminishes its native function, a non-viral membrane-bound protein comprising a membrane-bound domain and an extracellular targeting domain.

Abstract: An optical system for responding to distortions in incident light in a free space optical communication system includes a machine learning output storing at least an indication of multiple images and corresponding positioning or orientation attributes for one or more optical elements; a sensor configured to generate an image; and a component configured to adjust the one or more optical elements based on the generated image. Various other methods, systems, and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical transceiver for controlling a steering angle between a receive light beam and a transmit light beam includes an optical beam coupling device. The optical beam coupling device comprises a plurality of optical elements configured to control a steering angle between the receive light beam received by the optical beam coupling device along a first line of sight (LOS) and the transmit light beam that is output from the optical beam coupling device along a second LOS different from the first LOS, wherein both the receive light beam and the transmit light beam pass through the plurality of optical elements. The plurality of optical elements have a set of combinations for different positions of each of the optical elements, wherein each position in the set of combinations induces a different steering angle between the transmit light beam and the receive light beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of retroviruses and methods of using the same for gene delivery, wherein the retroviruses comprise a viral envelope protein comprising at least one mutation that diminishes its native function, a non-viral membrane-bound protein comprising a membrane-bound domain and an extracellular targeting domain.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) viral libraries and methods of making the same. In some embodiments, the CAR comprises an intracellular domain (ICD) with at least one immune activation signaling domain, one co-stimulatory domain, and one or more inhibitory signaling domain or signaling domain from non-T cell lineages. In some embodiments, the signaling domains of the ICD are joined by distinct linkers of 10 amino acids. In some embodiments, the CARs contain a 18-nucleotide barcode in the 3? untranslated region. Also provided herein, are CAR cell libraries and methods of making the same.

Abstract: A system for active co-boresight measurement includes a detector, first and second steering mirrors, and a controller. The detector detects a portion of a transmission beam emitted by a transmitter and a portion of a received beam received from a remote terminal. The controller instructs the first steering mirror to scan the detected portion of the received beam to determine an alignment position. The controller controls a position of the first steering mirror to align the portion of the received beam with the alignment position on the detector, and controls a position of the second steering mirror to align the detected portion of the transmission beam with a defined position on the detector. The detected portion of the received beam at the alignment position and the detected portion of the transmission beam at the defined position correspond to the received beam and the transmission beam being aligned.

Abstract: An optical system for responding to distortions in incident light in a free space optical communication system includes a machine learning output storing at least an indication of multiple images and corresponding positioning or orientation attributes for one or more optical elements; a sensor configured to generate an image; and a component configured to adjust the one or more optical elements based on the generated image. Various other methods, systems, and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compact system for active co-boresight measurement includes a detector, a steering mirror, and a controller. The detector detects a portion of a transmission beam emitted by a transceiver and a portion of a received beam that is received from a remote terminal. The controller measures an offset between the detected portion of the received beam and the detected portion of the transmission beam. The controller controls a position of the steering mirror to align the portion of the received beam with a defined position on the detector, the defined position based in part on the offset.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical communication through air or space are disclosed. A method includes encoding one or more data frames with a data-link layer forward error correction (FEC) code to produce a plurality of encoded data frames and transmitting the plurality of encoded data frames from a transmitter (TX) to a receiver (RX) at least partially through air or space using a plurality of optical beams. The RX identifies a corrupted encoded data frame and reconstructs the corrupted encoded data frame using a data-link layer FEC decoder operating over a plurality of non-corrupted encoded data frames.

Abstract: Optical systems and methods for transmission of multiple beams and direct detection of those beams are described. One transmitter for use in a free space optical communication system includes a broad spectrum light source and an optical component including a plurality of sections positioned to receive an optical beam produced by the broad spectrum light source. The sections of the optical component are formed to introduce optical path differences into portions of the optical beam that impinge on the optical component such that each section introduces a delay into a corresponding portion of the optical beam. The introduced delays cause each portion of the optical beam to lack coherence with other portions of the optical beam. A direct detection receiver detects the intensity of the aggregate beams and produces a signal with improved signal-to-noise ratio. The disclosed technology can be used with modulated optical beams such as intensity modulated beams.

Abstract: An optical system for responding to distortions in incident light in a free space optical communication system comprises a machine learning output storing at least an indication of multiple images and corresponding positioning or orientation attributes for one or more optical elements; a sensor configured to generate an image; and a component configured to adjust the one or more optical elements based on the generated image.

Abstract: An optical transceiver for controlling a steering angle between a receive light beam and a transmit light beam includes an optical beam coupling device. The optical beam coupling device comprises a plurality of optical elements configured to control a steering angle between the receive light beam received by the optical beam coupling device along a first line of sight (LOS) and the transmit light beam that is output from the optical beam coupling device along a second LOS different from the first LOS, wherein both the receive light beam and the transmit light beam pass through the plurality of optical elements. The plurality of optical elements have a set of combinations for different positions of each of the optical elements, wherein each position in the set of combinations induces a different steering angle between the transmit light beam and the receive light beam.

Abstract: A system for active co-boresight measurement includes a detector, first and second steering mirrors, and a controller. The detector detects a portion of a transmission beam emitted by a transmitter and a portion of a received beam received from a remote terminal. The controller instructs the first steering mirror to scan the detected portion of the received beam to determine an alignment position. The controller controls a position of the first steering mirror to align the portion of the received beam with the alignment position on the detector, and controls a position of the second steering mirror to align the detected portion of the transmission beam with a defined position on the detector. The detected portion of the received beam at the alignment position and the detected portion of the transmission beam at the defined position correspond to the received beam and the transmission beam being aligned.

Abstract: A compact system for active co-boresight measurement includes a detector, a steering mirror, and a controller. The detector detects a portion of a transmission beam emitted by a transceiver and a portion of a received beam that is received from a remote terminal. The controller measures an offset between the detected portion of the received beam and the detected portion of the transmission beam. The controller controls a position of the steering mirror to align the portion of the received beam with a defined position on the detector, the defined position based in part on the offset.

Abstract: Optical communication systems and methods using coherently combined optical beams are disclosed. A representative system includes a first mirror having a first actuator for adjusting a position of the first mirror in a path of a first optical beam and a first optical detector for receiving light reflected from the first mirror. The system also includes a second mirror having a second actuator for adjusting a position of the second mirror in a path of a second optical beam and a second optical detector for receiving light reflected from the second mirror. The system includes an interferometer for measuring an interference between the first and second optical beams and a third optical detector for receiving light from the second interfered optical beam. Intensity of the first interfered optical beam is increased by the interference, and intensity of the second interfered optical beam is decreased by the interference.