bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MO‐D‐116‐01: MRI Applications in Radiation Oncology
Authors: Olsen J , Hu Y , Low D , Cao Y 
Published: July 2013

Computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality for radiation oncology. CT simulation, together with advanced dose delivery techniques, has moved radiotherapy from the 2D to the 3D era, enabling conformal dose delivery such as 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity‐modulated radiation therapy. CT simulation has greatly advanced our capability to manage cancer in the last two decades. However, suboptimal soft tissue contrast may limit accuracy of target and organ‐at‐risk delineation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has superior soft tissue contrast. Unlike CT, MRI acquisition sequences can even be tailored to highlight tumors or improve contrast between organs. In addition, MRI can provide valuable functional information to aid target definition and evaluate treatment response. MRI has been increasingly used in radiation oncology in support of CT to improve tumor and organ‐at‐risk delineation in radiation therapy. In this session, we will discuss how MRI can benefit radiation oncology clinics from a physician perspective, current status of MRI guided radiotherapy systems, feasibility and challenges in MRI‐based radiotherapy treatment planning and advanced MRI techniques to study tumor response to radiation therapy.Learning Objectives:1. Identify cases where MRI can provide valuable information for radiation therapy2. Learn the basis of MRI guided radiotherapy systems3. Understand the current status and the challenges in MRI‐based treatment planning for radiation therapy4. Become familiar with advanced quantitative MRI techniques such as DWI and DCE‐MRI to assess radiotherapy treatment response.
MO‐E‐105‐01: How To Be A Journal Referee
Authors: Becker S , Boone J , Orton C , Starkschall G , Thomadsen B 
Published: July 2013

Being a referee for a journal article is an important yet daunting task. It is especially worrisome for someone who has little reviewing experience. It is important to remember is that it is an honor and perhaps a duty, but not a burden. Someone considers you to be an expert in the subject and it is with that mindset that you should approach the task. Each part of the review process has its own difficulties:• Grammar and Language: How much of this do you need to do? Does poor grasp of the English language warrant rejection. Is it effective or excessively verbose?• Science: Is this project novel? How do you determine that? How similar can it be to other previously published manuscripts?• References: Are the proper studies referenced? How much does this affect the review?• Methods: How do you determine if the methods are sound? How much can you suggest without trying to be a collaborator?• Results: Are graphs and tables being utilized wisely? Are there an excessive number of them?All of these issues are important part of the review process and need to be considered. But how do you weight them in your final recommendation and communicate them to the authors and editors? This panel of senor medical physics, which has extensive experience in refereeing, will help guide the audience through the entire review process. These experts will share their experiences and methods to help new referees best prepare for the opportunity of reviewing manuscripts.Learning Objectives:1. Learn the role of the referee and what is expected of them.2. Learn how to perform a review.3. Learn how to communicate a review with authors and editors.
MO‐F‐137‐01: Controlling Stuff, Beating Stress, and Finding Work‐Life Balance
Authors: Jordan D 
Published: July 2013

Many busy professionals are susceptible to stress, burnout, and other work‐related conditions that detract from their quality of life. Medical physicists are no exception, and in some ways are even more susceptible to these pressures and difficulties than other professionals. The challenges to maintaining physical and mental stamina are real and fast‐changing due to advances in technology, economic forces, and generational shifts and trends in the workforce. A stressed or burned‐out individual is probably working harder than he or she needs to due to inefficient workflow. Such people tend to take a lot of work home with them, negatively impacting their priorities outside the workplace. As the stress mounts, it is typical to feel that one needs to “get organized” or improve “time management” in order to improve the situation. Most such efforts fail, if they are even begun.There are a number of popular approaches to time management and goal‐setting which fail to address these challenges because they take an unrealistic approach. These methods fail because they don' t give the user control over his or her situation. Unpleasant and difficult circumstances generate the most stress when the individual feels out of control. A successful approach to time, task, and stress management must be based on principles, but these principles must be tied to implementing clear and simple practices. This session will introduce a set of principles for managing time, tasks, and resources, beginning with attention. Examples of specific practices that support the principles will be discussed. The meaning of “work‐life balance” will be explored as it relates to the medical physics profession. Attendees will learn an approach to controlling their attention and focus so they can move toward aligning their day‐to‐day activities with their longer‐term goals.Learning Objectives:1. Explain what work‐life balance means to you.2. Describe the principles of self‐direction and control that are needed to align activities with goals and priorities.3. List three practices that lead to greater personal control and greater efficiency.
MO‐F‐500‐01: Clinical Applications of Surface Imaging
Authors: Al‐Hallaq H , Cervino L , Sonke J 
Published: July 2013

Non‐invasive 3D surface matching systems have become clinically available for patient positioning and tracking throughout treatment. This session will focus on the current clinical applications of surface imaging, specifically for breast radiotherapy and cranial radiosurgery. First, acceptance and commissioning of surface imaging systems will be reviewed. Next, workflows and resulting data will be presented for the use of surface imaging to position patients receiving whole‐breast irradiation. Additionally, workflows and data describing the use of surface imaging to track patients during breath‐hold breast cancer treatments and frameless radiosurgery will also be described. The session outline is: a. An overview of commissioning and acceptance testing of surface imaging systems, including incorporation of routine QA into current clinical practice for a comprehensive IGRT program b. The use of surface imaging for daily positioning of patients receiving whole‐breast radiotherapy c. Surface imaging applications for breath‐hold treatment of left‐sided breast cancer patients d. Surface imaging applications for frameless cranial radiosurgery.Learning Objectives:1. Learn to incorporate QA for surface imaging into current QA procedures for IGRT.2. Understand the advantages and limitations of surface imaging for clinical use in breast radiotherapy and cranial radiosurgery.3. Learn about the potential use of surface imaging for real‐time motion tracking.Jan‐Jakob Sonke's research is sponsored by Elekta Corporation.Elekta Corporation sponsors research by Jan‐Jakob Sonke.
TU‐A‐500‐01: Deformable Image Registration, Contour Propagation and Dose Mapping: 101 and 201
Authors: Kessler M , Pouliot J 
Published: July 2013

Deformable image registration, contour propagation and dose mapping have become common, possibly essential tools for modern image‐guided radiation therapy. Historically, these tools have been largely developed at academic medical centers and used in a rather limited and well controlled fashion. Today these tools are now available to the radiotherapy community at large, both as stand‐alone applications and as integrated components of treatment planning and treatment delivery systems. Unfortunately, the details of how these tools work and their limitations are not generally documented or described by the vendors that provide them. Although “it looks right”, determining that unphysical deformations may have occurred is crucial. Because of this, understanding how and when to use, and not use these tools to support everyday clinical decisions is far from straight forward.The goal of this session will be to present both the theory (basic and advanced) and practical clinical use of deformable image registration, contour propagation and dose mapping. To the extent possible, the “secret sauce” that different vendor use to produce reasonable/acceptable results will be described. A detailed explanation of the possible sources of errors and actual examples of these will be presented. Knowing the underlying principles of the process and understanding the confounding factors will help the practicing medical physicist be better able to make decisions (about making decisions) using the tools available.Learning Objectives:1. Understand the basic (101) and advanced (201) principles of deformable image registration, contour propagation and dose mapping data mapping2. Understand the sources and impact of errors in registration and data mapping and the methods for evaluating the performance of these tools3. Understand the clinical use and value of these tools, especially when used as a “black box”
TU‐C‐137‐01: Your First Job; Finding and Keeping It
Authors: Clements J , Tarver R 
Published: July 2013

New members to the field of Medical Physics find themselves in a very competitive market and will benefit from guidance on job seeking skills, negotiating salary/benefits, what type of job to look for, etc. Additionally, expectations may be different between employer and employee, and an understanding of how the clinical environment works as well as how it is changing will help newly employed physicists excel at their job.Learning Objectives:1. To understand the job market and how to successfully perform a job search2. To understand the importance of negotiating salary and benefits prior to employment3. To understand the nuances of today's clinical environment and how it is changing, in order to more easily adapt and excel.
TU‐C‐108‐07: Transmission Detector Array System for RT Delivery Monitoring: Validation Testing
Authors: Li T , Wu Q Jackie , Matzen T , O' Daniel J 
Published: July 2013

Purpose: To quantify the influence of the gantry‐mounted Delta4‐AT detector array on beam quality, and the detection sensitivity to machine output and MLC position deviations. Methods: A Delta4‐AT prototype was attached to the accessory holder mount of a Varian 21EX linear accelerator. The system utilizes an array of ∼4,000 transmission diodes (40 per MLC leaf, every 2.5mm along the direction of motion) to measure the fluence of photon beams during treatment deliveries. To quantify the influence from the detector array on beam quality, the percentage depth dose curves were measured with an IBA PFD3G diode in water and compared between with and without detector array. A static field with comb‐shaped MLC pattern was used to evaluate the systems ability to detect machine output and MLC position deviations. 1–5% MU deviations and 1–5 mm MLC offsets were introduced to the static plan. The modified plans were then delivered and the measurements by Delta4‐AT were compared to the original delivery. Results: For the 6MV beam tested in this study, the transmission reduction due to the presence of the detector array is ∼1% at both dmax and 10 cm depths for multiple field sizes. The skin dose measured at 1mm depth increases by < 0.5% relative to dose at dmax for field sizes up to 10cm, and by 4% and 7% for 20×20cm and 34×34cm fields, respectively. For plans with introduced MU deviations, the detected MU errors matched the planned errors within 0.8%. MLC position errors of 1‐5 mm are also identifiable through measured dose profiles by Delta4‐AT. The measured leaf position deviation is within 0.5 mm from the actual offsets introduced. Conclusion: The prototype Delta4‐AT transmission detector array has small influence on the beam quality, and successfully detected machine output deviations and MLC position offsets as low as 1% and 1mm, respectively.This research was partially supported by a grant from Scandidos Inc.
TU‐C‐WAB‐01: Accuracy Requirements and Uncertainty Considerations in Radiation Therapy
Authors: Van Dyk J , Bentzen S , Milosevic M , Followill D 
Published: July 2013

Recent years have seen major advances in the technology of radiation oncology allowing for a transition from 2‐D radiation therapy (RT) to 3‐D conformal RT, intensity modulated RT (IMRT), image‐guided RT (IGRT), adaptive RT (ART), and 4‐D imaging and motion management in RT. Brachytherapy procedures have evolved both for high dose rate (HDR) techniques as well as permanent implants, and image‐guided brachytherapy is the modern standard. While a number of publications have defined accuracy needs in radiation oncology, most of these reports were developed in an era with different radiation technologies and date back to the 1980s and 90s. In view of modern treatment procedures, improvements in dosimetry methodologies, and new clinical dose‐volume data, the AAPM 2011 summer school dealt with uncertainties in external beam radiation therapy and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is completing a new guidance document on “Accuracy Requirements and Uncertainties in Radiation Therapy”. This symposium will review the latest information on accuracy requirements and uncertainty considerations in radiation therapy in terms of radiobiological rationale, clinical needs and a practical reality check.Learning Objectives:1. To review historical and current data related to accuracy and uncertainties in the overall radiation treatment process.2. To provide a radiobiological rationale for accuracy considerations in RT.3. To provide a clinical rationale for accuracy considerations in RT.4. To review recent data demonstrating realistically achievable accuracy levels in RT.
TU‐C‐134‐01: Nuclear Medicine Advances in Instrumentation: PET/MRI Technical Design Challenges & Innovations
Authors: Catana C , Shao L , Doshi N 
Published: July 2013

PET/MR is an exciting new addition to the suite of commercially available hybrid imaging technologies. Although, there has been continued research on the integration of PET and MR since the initial demonstration of the proof‐of‐concept in the mid‐1990' s, it is only more recently that hybrid PET/MR systems have become a clinical reality. A number of different PET/MR integration designs were explored and crucial technological advancements were necessary before commercialization of clinical PET/MR systems became a reality.Learning Objectives:1. Present the historical development of PET/MR systems2. Overview of PET/MR image formation, artifacts, and clinical applications3. Design considerations, challenges, and technological advancements for clinical implementation of PET/MR
TU‐C‐144‐01: Image Guidance and Assessment of Therapeutic Ultrasound
Authors: Farahani K , Rieke V , Ebbini E , Mast D , Carol M 
Published: July 2013

Despite significant advances made over the past decade in ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for guidance and assessment of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatments many challenges remain. Recent developments address clinically relevant barriers to image guidance of therapeutic ultrasound. This session will feature invited presentations on (1) the use of MRI temperature mapping in presence of fat, within bone, and moving tissues, (2) dual mode ultrasound array (DMUA) systems for imaging and therapy with the advantage of inherent registration between the image‐guidance and therapeutic coordinate systems, (3) echo decorrelation imaging, providing real‐time feedback about cumulative heat‐induced tissue changes, (4) laparoscopic US imaging and HIFU treatments with special emphasis on the use of US to assess temperature change as well as tissue characteristics; and (5) opportunities for medical physicists to participate in the development, treatment planning, and quality control aspects of image‐guided HIFU therapy.Learning Objectives:1. To understand the role of various MRI and US technologies in guidance and monitoring of HIFU therapy, including MR temperature mapping, dual mode ultrasound array systems, echo decorrelation imaging for ablation assessment, and laparoscopic US‐guided HIFU2. To identify opportunities for medical physicists in assessment and deployment of technologies in image‐guided therapeutic ultrasoundDr. Carol is the Chief Development Officer for US HIFU, LLC
TU‐D‐137‐01: PQI
Authors: Thomadsen B , Yester M , White S 
Published: July 2013

Diplomates of the American Board of Radiology who participate in the Maintenance of Certificate program are required to complete a practice quality improvement (PQI) project. What such a project should look like often seems elusive to a medical physicist required to design one. The projects may involve peer reviews of one's practice modeled after the report of TG 103, or use other tools to assess and improve processes in a facility such as in the forthcoming report of TG 100. The projects also may come from an individual's practice, through group projects within a facility or through professional societies such as the AAPM. What is right for person involved seems to be a difficult decision. The type of project will depend on the individual's particular situation as there are many possibilities. This presentation will discuss the options and present some suggestions.Learning Objectives:1. To understand the goals and requirements for professional quality improvement (PQI) in the context of maintenance of certification,2. To learn about the various options available for PQI,3. To learn about possible projects and how they might apply to an individual's situation.
TU‐E‐105‐01: International Medical Physics Symposium — Part 1: Making a Difference in the World: Are You Willing to Be Part?
Authors: Cheung K , Meghzifene A , Damilakis J , Fontenla D , Lief E 
Published: July 2013

The Symposium is jointly sponsored by IOMP and IAEA with the International Affairs Committee of AAPM. So much is happening in large part of the world particularly when it comes to medical use of radiation and assessment of radiation doses to patients in over 50 developing countries, promoting harmonization of Medical Physics practice worldwide, and comparing doses with international standards and managing doses. In recent years many papers have been published in peer reviewed journals. Several premier international organizations have produced or are preparing publications impacting on the practice of medical physics. The momentum generated creates opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between medical physicists from developing countries and with those in America and Europe. AAPM members can contribute effectively in this very stimulating area of work. You can be part of the exercise of making a difference in the world, in making patients in need of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures safer and in improving the knowledge of colleagues in developing countries.Learning Objectives:1. To learn about the MP practice in west Europe, in Asia, and in Latin America.2. To learn about the MP practice in developing countries.3. To become familiar with on‐going work in over 50 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America on radiation protection of patients.4. To understand the mechanism of cooperation and collaboration.5. To consider development of new projects.
AAPM Website Development for International Information Exchange
Authors: Lief Eugene 
Published: July 2013

Rapidly growing international collaboration in Medical Physics leads to increasing globalization of our profession. To facilitate the information exchange necessary for the further development of international ties in Medical Physics, AAPM International Affairs Committee (IAC) plans significant expansion of its information webpages. The material that we plan to add includes:• links to our sister societies abroad,• regulations and work methodologies in other countries to be used as a reference,• training programs in Medical Physics,• schedules of refresher courses in other countries,• licensing issues overseas,• possible avenues in international collaboration• exchange programs• online educational materials,• personal contact information etc.We see the informational aspect of our work as a global task and propose formation of International Information Subcommittee. If approved, the subcommittee will have its first meeting in August 2013. The Subcommittee will establish working relations with other IAC subcommittees as well as with International Medical Physics Organizations and our sister societies in other countries. The result of this work will be a systematic collection of international information and placing it in the form of links to AAPM website. This task will be handled more efficiently with the help of other physicists and members of international community. We are soliciting comments, new ideas and new information that could be included on the website.This lecture will provide an overview of the plan for development of international information exchange and information that is going to be included. We will be providing our contact information and soliciting help from the participants. We are interested in new suggestions and possibly other information sources that could be suggested by the colleagues.Learning Objectives:1. Understand the future trends in globalization of Medical Physics profession.2. Learn about AAPM International Affairs Committee (IAC) efforts to help this globalization.3. Find out about the types of information that is going to be included in the IAC webpages.4. Be prepared to collaborate on the web site development.