Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing defining a chamber and having an air inlet. A blower is disposed in the chamber and is in fluid communication with the air inlet. The blower is positioned to direct air in a flow direction. A sensor is disposed in the chamber and has a lens. The sensor is spaced from the blower. An air nozzle is aimed to direct air across the lens. A duct is disposed in the chamber and is coupled to the blower and the air nozzle. The duct extends from the blower in a departure direction oblique to the flow direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method by a router in a multicast network for multicast mtrace extension to trace one or more any-source multicast (ASM) sources includes transmitting a mtrace (*,G) route to a last hop router, receiving an active source list, and creating a mtrace (S,G) route for a rendezvous point (RP) to initiate based on the received active source list.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method by a router in a multicast network includes receiving a multicast trace query comprising a data packet, editing the multicast trace query to include data corresponding to the data packet, transmitting the edited multicast trace query to a subsequent router, transmitting a first message indicating the edited multicast trace query was transmitted to the subsequent router, and starting a timer for a determined period of time.

Abstract: We disclose a method, comprising administering, to a patient suffering from a cancer, a composition comprising a compound containing a gold atom; and administering, to a portion of the patient's body in which the cancer is present, radiation. We also disclose a kit comprising a composition comprising a compound containing a gold atom; and instructions to perform the method.

Abstract: In some implementations, a distributed database management system may monitor data operations performed by a plurality of user devices, wherein the data operations are associated with a distributed database. The distributed database management system may detect that a user device is to perform a data operation associated with a data structure of the distributed database. The distributed database management system may determine identification information associated with the user device. The distributed database management system may generate, based on the data operation, evidence information associated with the data operation, wherein the evidence information includes the identification information. The distributed database management system may store the evidence information in an immutable data structure to record that the user device is associated with the data operation.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target includes positioning a multi-aperture collimator on the skin within a trajectory of orthovoltage x-rays directed at the target, thus generating an array of minibeams, each of width between 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. The skin is irradiated with the array. An effective beam of therapeutic radiation, which may be a solid beam, is delivered to the target at a predetermined tissue depth by merging adjacent orthovoltage x-ray minibeams sufficiently to form the effective beam. The effective beam may be formed proximal to the target. The depth at which the effective, preferably, solid, beam is formed is controlled by varying one or more of the spacing of the minibeams in the array, the minibeam width, the distance from the x-ray source to the collimator, and the x-ray source spot size. Planar minibeams can be arc-scanned while continuously modulating beam shape and intensity.

Abstract: The present invention as described herein is aimed at combining a radiation-induced immunogenic effect with a T-cell therapy technique to markedly improve the therapeutic effectiveness of adoptive T-cell therapy with minimized toxicity. The method of this invention comprises, identifying a target tumor, applying ablative radiation treatment to the tumor in-situ, waiting for the production of CTLs primed by antigen presenting cells (APC), then resecting the target tumor from the patient. The CTLs are harvested and isolated from the tumor and undergo ex-vivo expansion and subsequent treatment of immune checkpoint blockades. The expanded CTLs are then infused back into the patient for systemic treatment of microscopic disease. The primed CTLs that are induced by radiation in-situ, are used as the source of T-cell therapy or other types of cell therapy. The harvested CTLs will have high tumor specificity with a wide range of heterogeneous tumor associated antigens (TAA) presentation.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target includes positioning a multi-aperture collimator on the skin within a trajectory of orthovoltage x-rays directed at the target, thus generating an array of minibeams, each of width between 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. The skin is irradiated with the array. An effective beam of therapeutic radiation, which may be a solid beam, is delivered to the target at a predetermined tissue depth by merging adjacent orthovoltage x-ray minibeams sufficiently to form the effective beam. The effective beam may be formed proximal to the target. The depth at which the effective, preferably, solid, beam is formed is controlled by varying one or more of the spacing of the minibeams in the array, the minibeam width, the distance from the x-ray source to the collimator, and the x-ray source spot size. Planar minibeams can be arc-scanned while continuously modulating beam shape and intensity.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target includes positioning a multi-aperture collimator on the skin within a trajectory of orthovoltage x-rays directed at the target, thus generating an array of minibeams, each of width between 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. The skin is irradiated with the array. An effective beam of therapeutic radiation, which may be a solid beam, is delivered to the target at a predetermined tissue depth by merging adjacent orthovoltage x-ray minibeams sufficiently to form the effective beam. The effective beam may be formed proximal to the target. The depth at which the effective, preferably, solid, beam is formed is controlled by varying one or more of the spacing of the minibeams in the array, the minibeam width, the distance from the x-ray source to the collimator, and the x-ray source spot size. Planar minibeams can be arc-scanned while continuously modulating beam shape and intensity.

Abstract: Methods for sensitizing target cells to ionizing radiation are provided comprising the administration of high-Z particles (e.g., gold nanoparticles) in conjunction with a de-aggregation agent. In some aspects, particles comprise a targeting molecule to enable cellular uptake by the target cells. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising high-Z particles and de-aggregation agents are also provided.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic light ion radiation to a target volume of a subject, wherein the target volume is located at a predetermined depth from the skin, includes irradiating a surface of the skin with an array of light ion minibeams comprising parallel, spatially distinct minibeams at the surface in an amount and spatially arranged and sized to maintain a tissue-sparing effect from the skin to a proximal side of the target volume, and to merge into a solid beam at a proximal side of the target volume. A gap between the parallel, spatially distinct minibeams at the surface and a species of light ions forming the minibeams are selected such that the array merges into a solid beam at a predetermined beam energy, and across all energies for Bragg-peak spreading, at a proximal side of the target volume.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic light ion radiation to a target volume of a subject, wherein the target volume is located at a predetermined depth from the skin, includes irradiating a surface of the skin with an array of light ion minibeams comprising parallel, spatially distinct minibeams at the surface in an amount and spatially arranged and sized to maintain a tissue-sparing effect from the skin to a proximal side of the target volume, and to merge into a solid beam at a proximal side of the target volume. A gap between the parallel, spatially distinct minibeams at the surface and a species of light ions forming the minibeams are selected such that the array merges into a solid beam at a predetermined beam energy, and across all energies for Bragg-peak spreading, at a proximal side of the target volume.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target includes positioning a multi-aperture collimator on the skin within a trajectory of orthovoltage x-rays directed at the target, thus generating an array of minibeams, each of width between 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. The skin is irradiated with the array. An effective beam of therapeutic radiation, which may be a solid beam, is delivered to the target at a predetermined tissue depth by merging adjacent orthovoltage x-ray minibeams sufficiently to form the effective beam. The effective beam may be formed proximal to the target. The depth at which the effective, preferably, solid, beam is formed is controlled by varying one or more of the spacing of the minibeams in the array, the minibeam width, the distance from the x-ray source to the collimator, and the x-ray source spot size. Planar minibeams can be arc-scanned while continuously modulating beam shape and intensity.

Abstract: A method for generating light intensity inside a tumor to aid in the treatment of diseases such as cancer is disclosed. The light is generated inside the body to perform a modified photodynamic therapy treatment (PDT) that allows treatment of body regions that are inaccessible by normal PDT procedures. In addition, the use of two spatially and temporally coincident treatment modalities, i.e. radiation and PDT, have the potential for significant biological synergy in the tumor.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of diseases and disorders using systematically-introduced nanoparticles to create a focused localized hyperthermia in a target area to enhance the effect of additional treatment therapies such as ionizing radiation. Advantages include an enhancement of the therapeutic effect of other therapies by increasing perfusion or reducing hypoxia in the treatment area, further, the methods herein may also result in the disruption of the vasculature, which provide further impetus for such treatments, singly and in combination with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Abstract: A method for the design, manufacturing, and use of a high-Z particle to enhance the effects of ionizing radiation. In particular, the use of a targeting molecule to enable cellular uptake by the target cells (tumor cells or endothelial cells proximate to the tumor) will enhance the dose effect.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of diseases and disorders using systematically-introduced nanoparticles to create a focused localized hyperthermia in a target area to enhance the effect of additional treatment therapies such as ionizing radiation. Advantages include an enhancement of the therapeutic effect of other therapies by increasing perfusion or reducing hypoxia in the treatment area, further, the methods herein may also result in the disruption of the vasculature, which provide further impetus for such treatments, singly and in combination with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Abstract: A method for generating light intensity inside a tumor to aid in the treatment of diseases such as cancer is disclosed. The light is generated inside the body to perform a modified photodynamic therapy treatment (PDT) that allows treatment of body regions that are inaccessible by normal PDT procedures. In addition, the use of two spatially and temporally coincident treatment modalities, i.e. radiation and PDT, have the potential for significant biological synergy in the tumor.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of diseases and disorders using systematically-introduced nanoparticles to create a focused localized hyperthermia in a target area to enhance the effect of additional treatment therapies such as ionizing radiation. Advantages include an enhancement of the therapeutic effect of other therapies by increasing perfusion or reducing hypoxia in the treatment area, further, the methods herein may also result in the disruption of the vasculature, which provide further impetus for such treatments, singly and in combination with conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Abstract: A method for generating light intensity inside a tumor to aid in the treatment of diseases such as cancer is disclosed. The light is generated inside the body to perform a modified photodynamic therapy treatment (PDT) that allows treatment of body regions that are inaccessible by normal PDT procedures. In addition, the use of two spatially and temporally coincident treatment modalities, i.e. radiation and PDT, have the potential for significant biological synergy in the tumor.