title: Effect of the time characteristics of the Compton camera on its performance

authors: Uche, Chibueze Zimuzo

abstract: Purpose: The effect of the time characteristics of the Compton camera data acquisition (DAQ) system on the camera’s performance has been studied. 
Methods: The GEANT4 simulation software was used to simulate radiation transport and interactions with matter. Further investigations were carried out by utilizing straightforward approximations to estimate the charge collection times and their relationship to finding coincident events, setting thresholds to reject noise, and the resultant impacts on the Compton camera performance. 
Results: The results show that the time characteristics of the Compton camera DAQ account for about 17% and 13% reduction in detection efficiency at 140.5 keV and 511 keV, respectively, but made no significant difference on the Compton camera resolution.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that the detection efficiency of the Compton camera has been overestimated by previous investigators who did not predict count rate losses under clinical conditions.

text: Effect of the time characteristics of the Compton camera on its performance Purpose: The effect of the time characteristics of the Compton camera data acquisition (DAQ) system on the camera’s performance has been studied. 
Methods: The GEANT4 simulation software was used to simulate radiation transport and interactions with matter. Further investigations were carried out by utilizing straightforward approximations to estimate the charge collection times and their relationship to finding coincident events, setting thresholds to reject noise, and the resultant impacts on the Compton camera performance. 
Results: The results show that the time characteristics of the Compton camera DAQ account for about 17% and 13% reduction in detection efficiency at 140.5 keV and 511 keV, respectively, but made no significant difference on the Compton camera resolution.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that the detection efficiency of the Compton camera has been overestimated by previous investigators who did not predict count rate losses under clinical conditions.

year: 2011

title: Teaching formal methods lite via testing

authors: Utting, Mark

subjects: computer science

abstract: A new style of formal methods course is described, based on a pragmatic approach that emphasizes testing. The course introduces students to formal specification using Z, and shows how formal specification and testing can benefit each other, in both the validation and verification phases. It uses a tools-based approach, with practical work that reinforces formal specification techniques as well as traditional software engineering skills, such as unit and system testing, inspection and defensive programming with assertions. The two main results are to identify several practical uses of formal specifications that are not widely practised or taught and to demonstrate that teaching them results in a more interesting and relevant formal methods course.

text: Teaching formal methods lite via testing A new style of formal methods course is described, based on a pragmatic approach that emphasizes testing. The course introduces students to formal specification using Z, and shows how formal specification and testing can benefit each other, in both the validation and verification phases. It uses a tools-based approach, with practical work that reinforces formal specification techniques as well as traditional software engineering skills, such as unit and system testing, inspection and defensive programming with assertions. The two main results are to identify several practical uses of formal specifications that are not widely practised or taught and to demonstrate that teaching them results in a more interesting and relevant formal methods course.

year: 2001

title: Older adult education in a New Zealand university: Developments and issues

authors: Findsen, Brian

abstract: This article explores a case study of educational provision for older adults in the context of continuing education in one of New Zealand’s universities. It explains how developments in older adult education at the University of Waikato have reflected historical and cultural trends related to the wider field of adult and community education (ACE) inside a higher education setting. It discusses issues of tertiary education policy and funding, what constitutes curriculum and provision for older adults and how university-community partnerships have shaped opportunities for both indigenous Māori and Pakeha (European) seniors. Government removal of funding to all universities in New Zealand for ACE at the end of 2012 ended formal provision but older adult education groups, formerly supported by the Centre for Continuing Education in the University of Waikato, have assumed a more proactive stance in planning and implementing their own programmes.

text: Older adult education in a New Zealand university: Developments and issues This article explores a case study of educational provision for older adults in the context of continuing education in one of New Zealand’s universities. It explains how developments in older adult education at the University of Waikato have reflected historical and cultural trends related to the wider field of adult and community education (ACE) inside a higher education setting. It discusses issues of tertiary education policy and funding, what constitutes curriculum and provision for older adults and how university-community partnerships have shaped opportunities for both indigenous Māori and Pakeha (European) seniors. Government removal of funding to all universities in New Zealand for ACE at the end of 2012 ended formal provision but older adult education groups, formerly supported by the Centre for Continuing Education in the University of Waikato, have assumed a more proactive stance in planning and implementing their own programmes.

year: 2014