Abstract: The present disclosure provides polypeptides, and nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, that include severe acute respiratory syndrome Co-V-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike polypeptide receptor-binding domain (RBD) polypeptides or variants thereof, which are capable of multimerization and thus presenting multiple copies of the RBD to enhance the immune response generated when the polypeptide is administered to a subject. The disclosure also provides multimers, scaffolds, compositions, pharmaceutical compositions, and vaccines that include the polypeptides and/or nucleic acids that encode such polypeptides.

Abstract: Isolated antigenic polypeptides, multimers thereof, encoding nucleic acids, and pharmaceutical compositions are provided that can be used for treating or limiting development of a sever acute respiratory (SARS) coronavirus infection.

Abstract: A system and method of authenticating users and data. One embodiment of the invention includes a smart card that digitally signs a message in response to authenticating biometric information that is provided by a user. The smart card may include a random number generator and an encryption module. In an enrollment mode, the biometric data analyzer receives biometric data from a user and triggers the random number generator to create a public key and a private key. The private key is stored in a tamper-resistant component on the smart card. The public key is transmitted to an external device, such as a computer, via a card reader interface. During a signing mode, the smart card digitally signs incoming messages subsequent to verifying the biometric information that is provided by the user.

Abstract: A system and method of authenticating users and data. One embodiment of the invention includes a smart card that digitally signs a message in response to authenticating biometric information that is provided by a user. The smart card may include a random number generator and an encryption module. In an enrollment mode, the biometric data analyzer receives biometric data from a user and triggers the random number generator to create a public key and a private key. The private key is stored in a tamper-resistant component on the smart card. The public key is transmitted to an external device, such as a computer, via a card reader interface. During a signing mode, the smart card digitally signs incoming messages subsequent to verifying the biometric information that is provided by the user.

Abstract: An antisense or sense agent of the oligonucleotide type, includes a single-stranded oligonucleotide sequence having a binding affinity for DNA, RNA, or protein selected from the group consisting of (a) a sequence whose ends are linked to one another via covalent linkage to form a closed, single-stranded structure, and (b) a sequence wherein one free end is linked to an internal nucleotide via covalent linkage to form a closed, single-stranded branched structure.