TASK SPECIFIC EVALUATION METHODOLOGY FOR CLINICAL FULL FIELD DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation is to evaluate the image quality of clinical Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) systems. This is done by evaluating image acquisition performance of clinical FFDM in a comprehensive way that accounts for scatter, focal spot un-sharpness, detector blur and anti-scatter grid performance using an anthropomorphic phantom. Additionally we intend to provide a limited evaluation of the effects that image processing in clinical FFDM has in signal detectability. Methodology: We explored different strategies and a variety of mathematical model observers in order to evaluate the performance of clinical FFDM systems under different conditions. To evaluate image acquisition performance, we tested a system-model-based Hotelling observer (SMHO) model on a bench-top system using a uniform anthropomorphic phantom for an signal known exactly background known exactly (SKE/BKE) task. We then applied this concept on two clinical FFDM systems to compare their performance. In a limited study to evaluate the effects of image processing in the detectability of FFDM, we implemented the channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) model on clinically realistic images of an anatomical phantom for an SKE/BKE task. Results: Even though the two systems use different detection technologies, there was no significant difference between their image acquisition performances quantified by the Contrast-Detail (CD) curves. We applied the CHO model to investigate the image processing algorithms used in GE Senographe DS FFDM system. For the particular SKE/BKE task with rotationally symmetric signals, the image processing tends to contribute to a non-significant reduction of system detectability. Conclusion: We provided a complete description of FFDM system performance including the image acquisition chain and post-acquisition image processing. We demonstrated the simplicity and effectiveness of both the MFHO and CHO methods in a clinical setting

My Journey: From the NSU College Classroom to the Dermatology Office Exam Room

I was introduced to the Physician Assistant profession as a high school sophomore during a pre-medical program. I always desired to be in the medical field as I enjoyed science, problem solving, and interacting with others. I decided to learn more about what a PA does and if I could see myself becoming one. I began shadowing my now supervising physician in 2004. At the time, he had a physician assistant working with him, so I had the opportunity to observe their interaction, learn dermatologic terminology and procedures, and strengthen my interpersonal communication skills. I knew I could see myself as an integral part of the patient’s care and was determined to become a physician assistant. Once accepted as a dual admission student, my undergraduate journey began. I had a rigorous schedule for three years which included required science courses and honors program seminars. I was on the executive board of pre-medical clubs and was a peer tutor at Academic Services. It was crucial to have an organized and strict schedule, which I feel helped prepare me well for the challenging and intense coursework in PA school. Being a PA student taught me to persevere and gave me confidence to apply my knowledge when diagnosing and treating patients. I have been practicing as a physician assistant for over six years and still learn new things each day; about medicine, those I take care of, and myself. It’s about working as a team to comfort patients, educate patients, and save lives

Some Banach spaces added by a Cohen real

We study certain Banach spaces that are added in the extension by one Cohen real. Specifically, we show that adding just one Cohen real to any model adds a Banach space of density $\aleph_1$ which does not embed into any such space in the ground model such a Banach space can be chosen to be UG This has consequences on the the isomorphic universality number for Banach spaces of density $\aleph_1$, which is hence equal to $\aleph_2$ in the standard Cohen model and the same is true for UG spaces. Analogous universality results for Banach spaces are true for other cardinals, by a different proof.Comment: The version to appear in Topology and Its Applications arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1308.364

Rezension: Die deutsche Sprache in China. Geschichte, Gegenwart, Zukunftsperspektiven.

Im Nachklang zu seiner umfangreichen Abhandlung zur internationalen Stellung der deutschen Sprache von 1991 (vgl. Ammon 1991) bringt Ulrich Ammon im Abstand von einigen Jahren regionalspezifische Bände zum gleichen Thema heraus. Auf Die deutsche Sprache in Japan. Verwendung und Studium, München 1994, folgte Die deutsche Sprache in Korea. Geschichte und Gegenwart, München 2003 (hg. zus. m. Chong Si Ho), und 2007 die Beitragssammlung zu China. In diesen auf die drei ostasiatischen Länder bezogenen Bänden wird mit zunehmender Beteiligung anderer Autoren bzw. Herausgeber – im Band zu China meldet sich Ammon nur noch zusammen mit den beiden Mitherausgebern im Vorwort zu Wort – sehr detailreich die jeweilige Situation des Deutschen umrissen