The European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics (EFOMP) White Paper : Big data and deep learning in medical imaging and in relation to medical physics profession

Big data and deep learning will profoundly change various areas of professions and research in the future. This will also happen in medicine and medical imaging in particular. As medical physicists, we should pursue beyond the concept of technical quality to extend our methodology and competence towards measuring and optimising the diagnostic value in terms of how it is connected to care outcome. Functional implementation of such methodology requires data processing utilities starting from data collection and management and culminating in the data analysis methods. Data quality control and validation are prerequisites for the deep learning application in order to provide reliable further analysis, classification, interpretation, probabilistic and predictive modelling from the vast heterogeneous big data. Challenges in practical data analytics relate to both horizontal and longitudinal analysis aspects. Quantitative aspects of data validation, quality control, physically meaningful measures, parameter connections and system modelling for the future artificial intelligence (AI) methods are positioned firmly in the field of Medical Physics profession. It is our interest to ensure that our professional education, continuous training and competence will follow this significant global development.Peer reviewe

Quantum Dynamics Simulations Using the Standard Matching Pursuit Gaussian Wavepacket Method : Practical Considerations

In any quantum dynamics method that approximates wave functions as a linearly combined basis set, non-orthogonality can be is a problem. It has been proven in previous studies that, by using the most standard form of Matching Pursuit in combination with a Gaussian wave packet ansatz, exact quantum-mechanical correspondence can be obtained for particle tunneling in one and two dimensions. This study is an attempt to prove that this approach can be generally applicable to systems of arbitrary dimension propagating with an an-harmonic potential, and that adaptive initial state sampling can be used to make the method even more computationally efficient

Dose Management in Diagnostic Radiology - application of the DICOM imaging standard and a Monte Carlo dose engine for exposure surveillance

Ionizing radiation is used in diagnostic radiology with a large contribution to the health of the patients. The regulations to limit the detrimental effects, e.g. cancer induction, are based on recommendations from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Epidemiological evidence for radiation induced cancer is expressed as a function of absorbed dose in the irradiated organs. The committee for Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation has favored the use of Lifetime Attributable Risk, a risk estimator applicable to individuals exposed in medical applications. The imaging in radiology complies with a technical standard that potentiates the retrieval of exposure information that can be used in optimization of patient exposure. The information can also be used as input in organ dose calculations. The aims were to apply the benefits of the technical image standard to radiation safety management by automated collection and analysis of exposure data and to adapt a Therapy Planning System (TPS) for radiotherapy to calculate dose for a Computed Tomography (CT) machine. An automated workflow for extraction, communication and analysis of exposure data from the image files in the central image archive was defined and implemented at the institution (papers I-II). A source model for Monte Carlo simulation of the CT was developed taking into consideration the energy spectrum of the photons, the spiral movement of the X-ray beam, the beam shaping filter and the tube current modulation (paper III). The source model was used exploring the possibilities to utilize the tissue characterization methods and segmentation tools available in the TPS to devise a strategy to automate organ dose calculations for patients undergoing thorax examinations in a CT (paper IV). The exposure data workflow was finalized showing that the technical standard for images could supply a framework for automated assembly and analysis of the data, supporting the local implementation of optimization. The CT was modeled with regard to its irradiation characteristics with uncertainties in the dose calculations below 4%. Dose calculations with the tissue characterization methods available in the TPS deviated by less than 2% from measurements and a strategy for automation of organ dose calculations was devised that could facilitate individual risk estimates in CT

Polisutbildningens vapenutbildning i Umeå : Finns behovet av en examinationsform med definiering innan agerandet

Syftet med denna rapport är att undersöka huruvida den praktiska examinationen inom ämnet vapen och taktik på Polisutbildningen vid Umeå Universitet skulle kunna kompletteras med en mer tillämpad examination i form av en upplevelsebaserad övning. Eftersom författarna genomgått större delen av den vapenutbildning som bedrivs vid skolan har det uppstått frågetecken över vad den nuvarande examinationen egentligen visar. Problemet har även påvisats ur vapenlärarnas perspektiv och det blev upptakten till denna rapport. Dagens examination bygger mycket på den motoriska inlärningen och att skytten rent precisionsmässigt skall kunna verka med tjänstevapnet, som i och för sig är viktig för ett säkert och bra agerande. Däremot tar den inte sikte på den identifiering och definiering samt det stresspåslag som alla är ingredienser i en verklighetsnära situation. Underlaget till rapporten är intervjuer gjorda med de sex vapenlärare som är verksamma vid Polisutbildningen vid Umeå Universitet. Efter sammanställandet av svaren på dessa intervjuer visar resultatet att dagens praktiska examination i vapenutbildningen saknar de viktiga inslagen av identifiering, definiering och övrig stress som en examination i form av upplevelsebaserad övning har att erbjuda, samtidigt som dessa inslag är viktiga ur ett kvalitetshöjande perspektiv

Cr L Edge X ray Absorption Spectroscopy of CrIII acac 3 in Solution with Measured and Calculated Absolute Absorption Cross Sections

X ray absorption spectroscopy at the L edge of 3d transition metals is widely used for probing the valence electronic structure at the metal site via 2p 3d transitions. Assessing the information contained in L edge absorption spectra requires systematic comparison of experiment and theory. We here investigate the Cr L edge absorption spectrum of high spin chromium acetylacetonate CrIII acac 3 in solution. Using a transmission flatjet enables determining absolute absorption cross sections and spectra free from x ray induced sample damage. We address the challenges of measuring Cr L absorption edges spectrally close to the O K absorption edge of the solvent. We critically assess how experimental absorption cross sections can be used to extract information on the electronic structure of the studied system by comparing our results of this CrIII 3d3 complex to our previous work on L edge absorption cross sections of MnIII acac 3 3d4 and MnII acac 2 3d5 . Considering our experimental uncertainties, the most insightful experimental observable for this d3 Cr III d4 Mn III d5 Mn II series is the L edge branching ratio and we discuss it in comparison to semi empirical multiplet theory and ab initio restricted active space calculations. We further discuss and analyze trends in integrated absorption cross sections and correlate the spectral shapes with the local electronic structure at the metal site

Quantifying similarity for spectra with a large number of overlapping transitions : Examples from soft X-ray spectroscopy

Theoretical simulations are frequently used to assign electronic and geometric structure from spectral fingerprints. However, such assignments are prone to expectation bias. Bias can be reduced by using numerical measures of the similarity between calculated and experimental spectra. However, the commonly used pointwise comparisons cannot handle larger deviations in peak position. Here a weighted cross-correlation function is used to evaluate similarity scores for soft X-ray spectra of first-row transition metals. These spectra consist of hundreds of overlapping resonances, which makes spectral decomposition difficult. They are also challenging to model, leading to significant errors in both peak position and intensity. It is first shown how the choice of weight-function width can be related to the modeling errors. The method is then applied to evaluate the sensitivity of multiconfigurational wavefunction and charge-transfer multiplet simulations to model choices. The approach makes it possible to assess the reliability of assignments from spectral fingerprinting

Molecular orbital simulations of metal 1s2p resonant inelastic X-ray scattering

For first-row transition metals, high-resolution 3d electronic structure information can be obtained using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). In the hard X-ray region, a K pre-edge (1s -> 3d) excitation can be followed by monitoring the dipole-allowed K alpha (2p -> 1s) or K beta (3p -> 1s) emission, processes labeled 1s2p or 1s3p RIXS. Here the restricted active space (RAS) approach, which is a molecular orbital method, is used for the first time to study hard X-ray RIXS processes. This is achieved by including the two sets of core orbitals in different partitions of the active space. Transition intensities are calculated using both first- and second-order expansions of the wave vector, including, but not limited to, electric dipoles and quadrupoles. The accuracy of the approach is tested for 1s2p RIXS of iron hexacyanides [Fe(CN)(6)](n-) in ferrous and ferric oxidation states. RAS simulations accurately describe the multiplet structures and the role of 2p and 3d spin-orbit coupling on energies and selection rules. Compared to experiment, relative energies of the two [Fe(CN)(6)](3-) resonances deviate by 0.2 eV in both incident energy and energy transfer directions, and multiplet splittings in [Fe(CN)(6)](4-) are reproduced within 0.1 eV. These values are similar to what can be expected for valence excitations. The development opens the modeling of hard X-ray scattering processes for both solution catalysts and enzymatic systems

Cr L-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of CrIII(acac)3 in Solution with Measured and Calculated Absolute Absorption Cross Sections.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the L-edge of 3d transition metals is widely used for probing the valence electronic structure at the metal site via 2p-3d transitions. Assessing the information contained in L-edge absorption spectra requires systematic comparison of experiment and theory. We here investigate the Cr L-edge absorption spectrum of high-spin chromium acetylacetonate CrIII(acac)3 in solution. Using a transmission flatjet enables determining absolute absorption cross sections and spectra free from X-ray-induced sample damage. We address the challenges of measuring Cr L absorption edges spectrally close to the O K absorption edge of the solvent. We critically assess how experimental absorption cross sections can be used to extract information on the electronic structure of the studied system by comparing our results of this CrIII (3d3) complex to our previous work on L-edge absorption cross sections of MnIII(acac)3 (3d4) and MnII(acac)2 (3d5). Considering our experimental uncertainties, the most insightful experimental observable for this d3(CrIII)-d4(MnIII)-d5(MnII) series is the L-edge branching ratio, and we discuss it in comparison to semiempirical multiplet theory and ab initio restricted active space calculations. We further discuss and analyze trends in integrated absorption cross sections and correlate the spectral shapes with the local electronic structure at the metal sites

Simulations of valence excited states in coordination complexes reached through hard X-ray scattering

Hard X-ray spectroscopy selectively probes metal sites in complex environments. Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) makes it is possible to directly study metal-ligand interactions through local valence excitations. Here multiconfigurational wavefunction simulations are used to model valence K pre-edge RIXS for three metal-hexacyanide complexes by coupling the electric dipole-forbidden excitations with dipole-allowed valence-to-core emission. Comparisons between experimental and simulated spectra makes it possible to evaluate the simulation accuracy and establish a best-modeling practice. The calculations give correct descriptions of all LMCT excitations in the spectra, although energies and intensities are sensitive to the description of dynamical electron correlation. The consistent treatment of all complexes shows that simulations can rationalize spectral features. The dispersion in the manganese(iii) spectrum comes from unresolved multiple resonances rather than fluorescence, and the splitting is mainly caused by differences in spatial orientation between holes and electrons. The simulations predict spectral features that cannot be resolved in current experimental data sets and the potential for observing d-d excitations is also explored. The latter can be of relevance for non-centrosymmetric systems with more intense K pre-edges. These ab initio simulations can be used to both design and interpret high-resolution X-ray scattering experiments