bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MO‐AB‐206‐00: Nuclear Medicine Physics and Testing
Authors: White Sharon 
Published: July 2016

This education session will cover the physics and operation principles of gamma cameras and PET scanners.The first talk will focus on PET imaging. An overview of the principles of PET imaging will be provided, including positron decay physics, and the transition from 2D to 3D imaging. More recent advances in hardware and software will be discussed, such as time‐of‐flight imaging, and improvements in reconstruction algorithms that provide for options such as depth‐of‐interaction corrections. Quantitative applications of PET will be discussed, as well as the requirements for doing accurate quantitation. Relevant performance tests will also be described.

Learning Objectives:
Be able to describe basic physics principles of PET and operation of PET scanners.
Learn about recent advances in PET scanner hardware technology.
Be able to describe advances in reconstruction techniques and improvements
Be able to list relevant performance tests.The second talk will focus on gamma cameras. The Nuclear Medicine subcommittee has charged a task group (TG177) to develop a report on the current state of physics testing of gamma cameras, SPECT, and SPECT/CT systems. The report makes recommendations for performance tests to be done for routine quality assurance, annual physics testing, and acceptance tests, and identifies those needed satisfy the ACR accreditation program and The Joint Commission imaging standards. The report is also intended to be used as a manual with detailed instructions on how to perform tests under widely varying conditions.Learning Objectives:At the end of the presentation members of the audience will:

Be familiar with the tests recommended for routine quality assurance, annual physics testing, and acceptance tests of gamma cameras for planar imaging.
Be familiar with the tests recommended for routine quality assurance, annual physics testing, and acceptance tests of SPECT systems.
Be familiar with the tests of a SPECT/CT system that include the CT images for SPECT reconstructions.
Become knowledgeable of items to be included in annual acceptance testing reports including CT dosimetry and PACS monitor measurements.T. Turkington, GE Healthcare
MO‐A‐209‐03: A Look Ahead: Stewarding the Financial Future of AAPM Journals
Authors: Svatos M. 
Published: July 2016

Scientific publishing is a major endeavor of the AAPM. Although publishing requires substantial resources, it has the potential to generate both reputation and revenue to further the missions of our society. The AAPM owns and publishes two journals: Medical Physics and the Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics (JACMP). Medical Physics, with the tagline “The international journal of medical physics research and practice,” publishes research concerned with the application of physics and mathematics to the solution of problems in medicine and human biology, with an emphasis on theoretical and experimental approaches. The JACMP is an applied journal that publishes papers designed to help clinical medical physicists perform their responsibilities more effectively and efficiently for the greater benefit of patients. The two journals reflect two different missions, reach two different (yet often overlapping) audiences, engage two different publication approaches, and operate under two different financial models. A journal must serve both “producers” (authors who submit manuscripts to – and ultimately have their work published in – the journal) and “consumers” (readers – either individuals who access journal content or subscribing institutions that make the journal's content available to its members). Any viable publication model and cost‐recovery structure must satisfy the interests of both groups without sacrificing the needs of the scientific community. The purpose of this symposium is to explore the roles of the AAPM's two journals in advancing the scientific and clinical missions of the society and to understand the complex interplay of economic factors that impact financial decisions governing the journals and the returns they bring to the AAPM.

Learning Objectives:
Appreciate the complementary roles of Medical Physics and JACMP in advancing the scientific and clinical missions of the AAPM.
Understand AAPM resources committed to the two journals and the return on these investments.
Understand the role of the AAPM's Journals Business Management Committee in the financial stability of the two journals.
Explore the potential benefits and pitfalls of various economic and publication models for the two journals.J. Bourland, Member, Journals Business Management Committee, AAPM.
MO‐A‐207B‐00: Segmentation & Feature Extraction Techniques
Authors: Veeraraghavan Harini 
Published: July 2016

Image segmentation is one of the core problems for applying radiomics‐based analysis to images. However, achieving repeatable and accurate segmentations for large datasets is challenging. The choice of segmentation method, the metrics used to evaluate the quality of such segmentations all depend on the specific clinical problem. This course will introduce three approaches, namely, fully automatic, interactive, and semi‐automatic methods for generating segmentations. The pros and cons of each approach and when to choose a specific method will be discussed. Evaluation and assessment of the quality of a segmentation method is essential before it can be deployed for high‐throughput analysis such as radiomics. This course will present some of the metrics that can be used for assessing quality of segmentations and highlight their advantages and deficiencies.Another important issue with respect to generating high quality segmentations and ultimately extracting robust radiomics features is image pre‐processing. A few pre‐processing techniques that can be used to improve the robustness of the analysis for MR and CT images will be presented.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the difference and applicability of various segmentation methods.
Understand how pre‐processing can be used to improve the robustness of feature extraction and segmentation
Understand some basics of evaluating the quality of segmentations and the relevance of such metrics for clinical problems.
MO‐B‐BRC‐01: Introduction
Authors: Prisciandaro J. 
Published: July 2016

Brachytherapy has proven to be an effective treatment option for prostate cancer. Initially, prostate brachytherapy was delivered through permanently implanted low dose rate (LDR) radioactive sources; however, high dose rate (HDR) temporary brachytherapy for prostate cancer is gaining popularity. Needle insertion during prostate brachytherapy is most commonly performed under ultrasound (U/S) guidance; however, treatment planning may be performed utilizing several imaging modalities either in an intra‐ or post‐operative setting. During intra‐operative prostate HDR, the needles are imaged during implantation, and planning may be performed in real time. At present, the most common imaging modality utilized for intra‐operative prostate HDR is U/S. Alternatively, in the post‐operative setting, following needle implantation, patients may be simulated with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each imaging modality and workflow provides its share of benefits and limitations.Prostate HDR has been adopted in a number of cancer centers across the nation. In this educational session, we will explore the role of U/S, CT, and MRI in HDR prostate brachytherapy. Example workflows and operational details will be shared, and we will discuss how to establish a prostate HDR program in a clinical setting.

Learning Objectives:
Review prostate HDR techniques based on the imaging modality
Discuss the challenges and pitfalls introduced by the three imagebased options for prostate HDR brachytherapy
Review the QA process and learn about the development of clinical workflows for these imaging options at different institutions
MO‐B‐209‐00: Certificate Extension Process for DBT and the Medical Physicist's Role
Authors: Reiser Ingrid 
Published: July 2016

This presentation will describe the role of medical physicists during FDA's certificate extension process (CE). The presentation will outline FDA's CE process, with detailed discussions on training, MEE, and requirements for continued QA for the facility, vis‐a‐vis medical physicist's responsibilities. A few important tests will be discussed that need special emphasis for each of the DBT systems currently approved by FDA. What can be accepted as additional didactic and hands on training in fulfilling modality related training will be explained.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the certificate extension process
Understand medical physicist's responsibility in performing QC tests following the QC manual
Learn about proper presentation of data in reporting and generating soft copy phantom image
Understand on‐going responsibilities in monitoring QC technologists’ tests
MO‐B‐207B‐01: Harmonization & Robustness in Radiomics
Authors: Court L. 
Published: July 2016

Feature extraction for radiomics studies typically comprises the following stages: Imaging, segmentation, image processing, and feature extraction. Each of these stages has associated uncertainties that can affect the quality of a radiomics model created using the resulting image features. For example, the imaging device manufacturer and model have been shown to impact the values of image features, as have pixel size and imaging protocol parameters. Image processing, such as low‐pass filtering to reduce noise, also changes calculated image features and should be designed to optimize the information content of the resulting features. The details of certain feature algorithms, such as co‐occurrence matrix bin sizes, are also important, and should be optimized for specific radiomics tasks. The volume of the region of interest should be considered as image features can be related to volume and can give unanticipated results when the volumes are too small. In this session we will describe approaches to quantify the variabilities in radiomics studies, including the most recent results quantifying these variabilities for CT, MRI and PET imaging. We will discuss methods to optimize image processing and feature extraction in order to maximize the information content of the image features. Finally, we will describe work to harmonize imaging protocols and feature calculations to help minimize uncertainties in radiomics studies.Learning Objectives:At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify the sources of uncertainty in radiomics studies (CT, PET, and MRI imaging)
Describe methods for quantifying the magnitude of uncertainties
Describe approaches for mitigating the effects of the uncertainties on radiomics modelsFunding from NIH, CPRIT, Varian, Elekta; L. Court, NCI, CPRIT, Varian, Elekta
MO‐D‐BRC‐04: Multiple‐Criteria Optimization Planning
Authors: Donaghue J. 
Published: July 2016

Treatment planning is a central part of radiation therapy, including delineation in tumor volumes and critical organs, setting treatment goals of prescription doses to the tumor targets and tolerance doses to the critical organs, and finally generation of treatment plans to meet the treatment goals. National groups like RTOG have led the effort to standardize treatment goals of the prescription doses to the tumor targets and tolerance doses to the critical organs based on accumulated knowledge from decades of abundant clinical trial experience. The challenge for each clinical department is how to achieve or surpass these set goals within the time constraints of clinical practice. Using fifteen testing cases from different treatment sites such as head and neck, prostate with and without pelvic lymph nodes, SBRT spine, we will present clinically utility of advanced planning tools, including knowledge based, automatic based, and multiple criteria based tools that are clinically implemented.The objectives of this session are:

Understand differences among these three advanced planning tools
Provide clinical assessments on the utility of the advanced planning tools
Discuss clinical challenges of treatment planning with large variations in tumor volumes and their relationships with adjacent critical organs.Ping Xia received research grant from Philips. Jackie Wu received research grant from Varian; P. Xia, Research support by Philips and Varian; Q. Wu, NIH, Varian Medical
MO‐D‐BRB‐01: Fundamental Aspects of SBRT
Authors: Yin F. 
Published: July 2016

Increased use of SBRT and hypofractionation in radiation oncology practice has posted a number of challenges to medical physicist, ranging from planning, image‐guided patient setup and on‐treatment monitoring, to quality assurance (QA) and dose delivery. This symposium is designed to provide current knowledge necessary for the safe and efficient implementation of SBRT in various linac platforms, including the emerging digital linacs equipped with high dose rate FFF beams. Issues related to 4D CT, PET and MRI simulations, 3D/4D CBCT guided patient setup, real‐time image guidance during SBRT dose delivery using gated/un‐gated VMAT/IMRT, and technical advancements in QA of SBRT (in particular, strategies dealing with high dose rate FFF beams) will be addressed. The symposium will help the attendees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the SBRT workflow and facilitate their clinical implementation of the state‐of‐art imaging and planning techniques.

Learning Objectives:
Present background knowledge of SBRT, describe essential requirements for safe implementation of SBRT, and discuss issues specific to SBRT treatment planning and QA.
Update on the use of multi‐dimensional and multi‐modality imaging for reliable guidance of SBRT.
Discuss treatment planning and QA issues specific to SBRT.
Provide a comprehensive overview of emerging digital linacs and summarize the key geometric and dosimetric features of the new generation of linacs for substantially improved SBRT.NIH/NCI; Varian Medical Systems; F. Yin, Duke University has a research agreement with Varian Medical Systems. In addition to research grant, I had a technology license agreement with Varian Medical Systems
MO‐D‐BRB‐03: Quality Assurance of SBRT
Authors: Roper J. 
Published: July 2016

Increased use of SBRT and hypofractionation in radiation oncology practice has posted a number of challenges to medical physicist, ranging from planning, image‐guided patient setup and on‐treatment monitoring, to quality assurance (QA) and dose delivery. This symposium is designed to provide current knowledge necessary for the safe and efficient implementation of SBRT in various linac platforms, including the emerging digital linacs equipped with high dose rate FFF beams. Issues related to 4D CT, PET and MRI simulations, 3D/4D CBCT guided patient setup, real‐time image guidance during SBRT dose delivery using gated/un‐gated VMAT/IMRT, and technical advancements in QA of SBRT (in particular, strategies dealing with high dose rate FFF beams) will be addressed. The symposium will help the attendees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the SBRT workflow and facilitate their clinical implementation of the state‐of‐art imaging and planning techniques.

Learning Objectives:
Present background knowledge of SBRT, describe essential requirements for safe implementation of SBRT, and discuss issues specific to SBRT treatment planning and QA.
Update on the use of multi‐dimensional and multi‐modality imaging for reliable guidance of SBRT.
Discuss treatment planning and QA issues specific to SBRT.
Provide a comprehensive overview of emerging digital linacs and summarize the key geometric and dosimetric features of the new generation of linacs for substantially improved SBRT.NIH/NCI; Varian Medical Systems; F. Yin, Duke University has a research agreement with Varian Medical Systems. In addition to research grant, I had a technology license agreement with Varian Medical Systems
MO‐DE‐201‐00: Medical Physics Leadership Academy
Authors: Clements Jessica 
Published: July 2016

Medical physicists possess technical knowledge and problem solving skills required to deliver high quality diagnosis and treatment in the clinic, to provide excellence in research, or to transfer expertise in industrial or regulatory environments. As the healthcare industry rapidly evolves, medical physicists must make a case for ensuring recognition of their value. One of many ways the AAPM is working to ensure stewardship of the profession is through development of the Medical Physics Leadership Academy (MPLA).This session will provide an introduction to the MPLA and one of its focus areas of emotional intelligence. The session will make the case for emotional competencies in addition to technical competencies. MPLA work group representatives will share consolidated results from conducting 360 feedback assessments used to measure emotional competencies of medical physicists. Some emotional competencies contribute more to professional success than others, and the session will explain how to overcome shortcomings. Two specific emotional competencies will be covered: selfawareness and empathy.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the importance of medical physics leadership in the future of health care
Understand emotional intelligence and emotional competencies and ways they can be measured
Utilize self‐awareness and empathy to improve management of our own emotions and others
MO‐DE‐BRA‐03: The Ottawa Medical Physics Institute (OMPI): A Practical Model for Academic Program Collaboration in a Multi‐Centre City
Authors: McEwen M , Rogers D , Johns</sup> P 
Published: July 2016

Purpose:To build a world‐class medical physics educational program that capitalizes on expertise distributed over several clinical, government, and academic centres. Few if any of these centres would have the critical mass to solely resource a program.Methods:In order to enable an academic program, stakeholders from five institutions made a proposal to Carleton University for a) a research network with defined membership requirements and a process for accepting new members, and b) a graduate specialization (MSc and PhD) in medical physics. Both proposals were accepted and the program has grown steadily. Our courses are taught by medical physicists from across the collaboration. Our students have access to physicists in: clinical radiotherapy (the Ottawa Cancer Centre treats 4500 new patients/y), radiology, cardiology and nuclear medicine, Canada's primary standards dosimetry laboratory, radiobiology, and university‐based medical physics research. Our graduate courses emphasize the foundational physics plus applied aspects of imaging, radiotherapy, and radiobiology. Active researchers in the city‐wide volunteer‐run network are appointed as adjunct professors by Physics, giving them access to national funding competitions and partial student funding through teaching assistantships while opening up facilities in their institutions for student thesis research.Results:The medical physics network has grown to ∼40 members from eight institutions and includes five full‐time faculty in Physics and 17 adjunct research professors. The graduate student population is ∼20. Our graduates have proceeded to a spectrum of careers. Our alumni list includes a CCPM Past‐President, the current COMP President, many clinical physicists, and the heads of at least three major clinical medical physics departments. Our PhD was Ontario's first CAMPEP‐accredited program.Conclusion:A self‐governing volunteer network is the foundational element that enables an MSc/PhD medical physics program in a city with multiple physicist employers. It enriches graduate education with an unusually broad range of expertise.
MO‐DE‐BRA‐05: EUTEMPE‐RX: Combining E‐Learning and Face‐To‐Face Training to Build Expert Knowledge, Skills and Competences for Medical Physicists in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
Authors: Bosmans H , Van Peteghem N , Mackenzie A , Vano E , Creten S , Borowski M , Christofides S , Caruana C 
Published: July 2016

Purpose:In 2013, the EURATOM authorities of the European Commission decided to support the Horizon2020 project submission ‘EUTEMPE‐RX’ that aimed for a new set of course modules to train medical physicists in diagnostic and interventional radiology to expert level with small group deep learning. Each module would consist of 2 phases: an e‐learning and a face‐to‐face phase, each phase requiring typically 40h of participant time.Methods:The European Federation (EFOMP) and 13 European partners, all of them selected for their excellent scientific and/or educational skills, led the 12 course modules. A quality manual ensured the quality of course content and organization. Educational workshops familiarized the teachers with e‐learning techniques and methods for assessment. Content was set in accordance with the EC document RP174 that lists learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and competences (KSCs) for different specialties and levels of medical physics. Surveys for stake holder satisfaction were prepared.Results:Today the course modules are being realized. The modules cover most of the KSCs in RP174 document. Teachers have challenged the participants with unique tasks: case studies in medical physics leadership, Monte Carlo simulation of a complete x‐ray imaging chain, development of a task specific QA protocol, compilation of optimization plans, simulation tasks with anthropomorphic breast models, etc. Participants undertook practical sessions in modern hospitals and visited a synchrotron facility, a calibration lab, screening organizations, etc. Feedback form quality surveys was very positive and constructive. A sustainability plan has been worked out.Conclusion:The modules have enabled the participants to develop their KSCs and cope with challenges in medical physics. The sustainability plan will be implemented to continue the unique combined e‐learning and face to face training at high level training in diagnostic and interventional radiology also beyond Europe.The EUTEMPE‐RX project is funded by the Horizon2020 ‐ EURATOM program of the European Commission