A clustering technique in the classification of almost periodic waveforms

A method for quantification of alternate pronation and supination of forearms

A method for quantitative evaluation of diadochokinesia test (alternate pronation and supination of forearms) has been developed. Ten parameters that quantify features of movements were established. The method was applied to a group of healthy people and a group of patients with methylmercury poisoning. Significant differences between the two groups were noted in many parameters. To interpret the parameters synthetically, principal component analysis was applied and a scatter diagram on the first two principal components indicated the difference in distribution between the two groups. Among the established parameters, there were six related to regularity. They were combined in a linear form to define a summarized measure for regularity. The measure agreed very well with visual judgment. The obtained results demonstrated the usefulness of the method in daily clinical practices.

Analysis of variability in pylon transducer signals

A pylon transducer has been used to provide force and moment data relating to the stance phase of gait of below-knee amputees fitted with modular types of PTB prostheses. The data has been collected and modified using digital processing systems with particular interest in quantifying shape differences in the loading information curves. Earlier tests illustrated the need for more data to provide statistical support for conclusions. However, the requirements for more data greatly increased the data handling and storage problems. A method was devised whereby those features considered significant from an information point of view could be extracted from the transducer signals and then combined. The statistical combination of features was made to allow objective comparisons of strides for a particular subject.