Goniometric Data Research Articles

IJCM_232A: Identification of Kinematic Motifs in Crouch Gait of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background: Crouch Gait is a fairly common pathological gait adaptation seen in children with Cerebral Palsy, characterized by inadequacy of plantar flexion, knee extension and hip extension in the stance phase of gait. From a kinetic perspective crouch gait severely impairs the ability to generate thrusting forces through the extensor muscles of stance extremity which is necessary for forward progression. Broader goal of this study was to develop and test a wearable robotic exoskeletal device for children with crouch gait, where a knee actuator provides extensor thrust. Artificial Intelligence (AI) models which control the torque output of the knee actuator, needed to be trained to activate, control, or organize the output. Objectives: Rhythmical/repetitive patterns, like the phases of normal gait, needed to be identified in crouch gait, which could be used to train AI models Methodology: A total of 30 children with cerebral palsy were screened of which 7 children aged between 7 and 14 years, who presented with classical crouch gait were recruited. Kinesiological data was collected through accelerometric and goniometric placed bilaterally on thigh, leg, and knee, as well as pressure sensors embedded on to bilateral insoles at the fore-foot and hind foot, while the children walked over a 5 meter course. All sensor data was relayed through an Arduino micro-controller unit for analog to digital conversion and stored on a laptop computer. All Accelerometer and goniometric data was plotted against time on MS Excel to identify specific patterns or motifs. Results: Key kinematic motifs could be identified in crouch gait, which bestowed semblance of rhythmicity, and cyclical pattern, which was difficult to identify under normal observation. Conclusion: Accelerometric, as well as goniometric data suggest the presence of inherent kinematic patterns in the same. These could be used for training AI models for robotic exoskeletal devices.

Analyzing the Polyhedral Shape of Mineral Inclusions in Diamond Crystals Using Goniometric Data

Analyzing the Polyhedral Shape of Mineral Inclusions in Diamond Crystals Using Goniometric Data

Constructive and Software of a Gonio-Radiometer for UV Radiation Sources

The Keitz method is well-proved itself. And factually it became the basis for the accepted practice in measuring of radiant flux of the germicidal low-pressure lamps. But it was developed for linear lamps exclusively. The measuring of radiant flux of the compact and U-shaped germicidal lamps was not considered neither in the IUVA methodology and nor in the international standard ISO 15727. The results accuracy of the simplified methods depends on the type of approximation of the spatial distribution of the radiant intensity that should be based on the goniometric data. They are accumulated for the linear lamps and they are absent for the compact and U-shaped germicidal lamps. There are device and functions of the automated goniometer-radiometer complex, developed by specialists of the Scientific Research Institute of Light Sources named after A.N. Lodygin, described in the article. This complex is intended for research of the light power angle (space) distribution of the germicidal lamps having various shapes. The research aim is to clarify the existing simplified methods or to develop new ones. The complex operation is controlled by GNU/Linux system. The developed software program has the command-line interface that allows us to get the remote access (via SSH-server) and to make the personnel work safe by absence of the direct UV-radiation exposing. The article also provides examples of goniometer-radiometer measurement sessions and the obtained results for germicidal lamps DB15 (linear) and DKB11 (compact), which were used as test samples.

Comparison of Soil Moisture Content Retrieval Models Utilizing Hyperspectral Goniometer Data and Hyperspectral Imagery From an Unmanned Aerial System

AbstractTo understand surface biogeophysical processes, accurately evaluating the geographical and temporal fluctuations of soil moisture is crucial. It is well known that the surface soil moisture content (SMC) affects soil reflectance at all solar spectrum wavelengths. Therefore, future satellite missions, such as the NASA Surface Biology and Geology mission, will be essential for mapping and monitoring global soil moisture changes. Our study compares two widely used moisture retrieval models: the multilayer radiative transfer model of soil reflectance (MARMIT) and the soil water parametric (SWAP)‐Hapke model. We evaluated the SMC retrieval accuracy of these models using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) hyperspectral imagery and goniometer hyperspectral data. Laboratory analysis employed hyperspectral goniometer data of sediment samples from four locations reflecting diverse environments, while field validation used hyperspectral UAS imaging and coordinated ground truth collected in 2018 and 2019 from a barrier island beach at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long‐Term Ecological Research site. The (SWAP)‐Hapke model achieves comparable accuracy to MARMIT using laboratory hyperspectral data but is less accurate when applied to UAS hyperspectral imagery than the MARMIT model. We proposed a modified version of the (SWAP)‐Hapke model, which achieves better results than MARMIT when applied to laboratory spectral measurements; however, MARMIT's performance is still more accurate when applied to UAS imagery. These results are likely due to differences in the models' descriptions of multiply‐scattered light and MARMIT's more detailed description of air‐water interactions.

Enhancing motion tracking accuracy of a low-cost 3D video sensor using a biomechanical model, sensor fusion, and deeplearning.

Low-cost 3D video sensors equipped with routines for extracting skeleton data facilitate the widespread use of virtual reality (VR) for rehabilitation. However, the accuracy of the extracted skeleton data is often limited. Accuracy can be improved using a motion tracker, e.g., using a recurrent neural network (RNN). Yet, training an RNN requires a considerable amount of relevant and accurate training data. Training databases can be obtained using gold-standard motion tracking sensors. This limits the use of the RNN trackers in environments and tasks that lack accessibility to gold-standard sensors. Digital goniometers are typically cheaper, more portable, and simpler to use than gold-standard motion tracking sensors. The current work suggests a method for generating accurate skeleton data suitable for training an RNN motion tracker based on the offline fusion of a Kinect 3D video sensor and an electronic goniometer. The fusion applies nonlinear constraint optimization, where the constraints are based on an advanced shoulder-centered kinematic model of the arm. The model builds on the representation of the arm as a triangle (the arm triangle). The shoulder-centered representation of the arm triangle motion simplifies constraint representation and consequently the optimization problem. To test the performance of the offline fusion and the RNN trained using the optimized data, arm motion of eight participants was recorded using a Kinect sensor, an electronic goniometer, and, for comparison, a passive-marker-based motion tracker. The data generated by fusing the Kinect and goniometer recordings were used for training two long short-term memory (LSTM) RNNs. The input to one RNN included both the Kinect and the goniometer data, and the input to the second RNN included only Kinect data. The performance of the networks was compared to the performance of a tracker based on a Kalman filter and to the raw Kinect measurements. The accuracy of the fused data was high, and it considerably improved data accuracy. The accuracy for both trackers was high, and both were more accurate than the Kalman filter tracker and the raw Kinect measurements. The developed methods are suitable for integration with immersive VR rehabilitation systems in the clinic and the home environments.

Modern approaches to the development of rehabilitation programs for increasing muscle strength and volume of motion in the limbs in patients after ischemic stroke

The paper presents an analysis of the data obtained on the effectiveness of the inclusion of a pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field in the standard complex of medical rehabilitation in the long-term period in 60 patients who had an ischemic stroke with movement disorders in the form of hemiparesis with an increase in muscle tone by the type of spasticity, which were divided into 2 comparable clinically — functional characteristics of the group: the main group — 30 patients who underwent a course of massage with a pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field from the «Khivamat» apparatus in addition to the standard rehabilitation complex, consisting of exercise therapy, medical massage, kinesitherapy and medication support, and the control group — 30 patients, who received only the standard complex of medical rehabilitation and drug therapy. For a comparative assessment of muscle strength and range of motion in the extremities in patients after ischemic stroke in the initial state and after the course of treatment, we used the modified Ashfort spasticity scale (MAS), Bartel’s index, and goniometry indices. Research results. Before treatment, all patients with post-stroke spasticity included in the study had impaired motor functions of the upper limb in the form of moderate hemiparesis with high muscle tone and changes in the amplitude of movement. In the initial state, all patients included in the study showed motor changes in functions in the form of moderate hemiparesis with muscle hypertonicity, a decrease in the amplitude of movement of the upper limb and a decrease in the activity of daily life. After the course of treatment, the patients of the main group showed a pronounced positive dynamics of indicators, which was confi rmed by a significant decrease by 23.8 % (p < 0,05) in spasticity in the affected limb according to the MAS scale, which decreased after 6 months by 42,8 % (p < 0.01), and after 12 months by 38.0 % (p < 0,01). In patients of the control group, significantly less pronounced and unstable results were obtained and the studied indicator decreased after the course of treatment by 14,3 % (p > 0,05), after 6 months by 19,0 % (p < 0,05), and after 12 months approached the original value. The decrease in spasticity was confirmed by goniometric data, which indicated an increase in active functional use of the hand in the main group. Conclusion: The inclusion in a comprehensive rehabilitation program of patients after acute circulatory disorders with motor disorders in the form of hemiparesis with increased muscle tone by the type of spasticity of pulsed low-frequency electrostatic massage contributes to a significant decrease in the severity of spasticity, an increase in the range of motion in the affected limbs and an expansion of daily functional independence.

Correlations of back muscle electromyography and gait analysis data as a basis for exercise prescription in patients with lumbar disc herniation

IntroductionThe principles and practice of physical rehabilitation in patients with lumbar disc herniation still remain controversial. The objective of the study was to reveal the correlations of gait pattern changes and muscle (spinal and leg muscles) electromyographic recordings in patients with lumbar disc herniationMethodsA motion capture system was used to analyse gait parameters, including angular measurements of hip, knee, and ankle joints, foot support time, pace rate, and speed. A targeted exercise program with exercises in a shortened position of muscles without exceeding the internal range of contraction was applied to level the values of goniometric data and pace parameters obtained by motion capture.ResultsThe gait restored owing to the reconditioning of spine and leg muscles, confirmed by the recorded changes in electromyographic data, ensures the irreversible nature of gait improvement. The changes in H-reflex expression and muscle baseline electromyography of spine and leg muscles make up a proper tool that provides a system for periodic evaluation of gait recovery.ConclusionsTargeting the weak muscles helped to identify the causes of gait deviations, revealing an expressed positive (negative) correlation between the targeted muscle strengthening and gait restoration. This confirms the importance of selective targeting and strengthening of the muscles to restore the deviated angles and other gait parameters.

The Translation of Movement From the Equine to Rider With Relevance for Hippotherapy

Although horseback riding is a well-established means of rehabilitation therapy for a variety of human patients, there are few data on the biomechanical relationships between horse and rider during such hippotherapy. We simultaneously tracked the movements of a horse with several different novice riders, under conditions similar to hippotherapy, to evaluate whether horses pass the same motion to different riders while being lead at a walk. Riders were outfitted with a goniometric data collection system that recorded the angles of flexion and extension and lateral bending of the thoracic and lumbar spine, as well as the flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction of each hip. We found consistent rhythmic motion in the horse's hock, shoulder, and knee. There were no significant differences in equine movement across six different riders, supporting the conclusion that horses can be used as a reproducible rehabilitation platform for riders. Moreover, although riders demonstrated different baseline postures, there were no significant differences in their ranges of motion in each joint. These results indicate that a horse can reproducibly influence a population of participants in a hippotherapy situation.

Complex processing of goniometric and acoustic signals in the automated control system of the rehabilitation exoskeleton

The technique of express-assessment of intervertebral disk changes is described. This technique is based on the automation of goniometric and arthrophonometric measurements to reduce of the trauma in the regulation and using of the rehabilitation exoskeleton. It is characterized by the application of an individual biomechanical model of a human being, built on the basis of an individual n-shaped angular model and a three-dimensional biomechanical model. The using wavelet filtering and neural network algorithms for the detection and classification of pathologies when processing of the goniometric and atrofonometric data. The developed technique is adaptive: the parameters of models and processing units are adjusted to the physiological characteristics of the patient, the neural network coefficients are automatically adjusted during the diagnostics. The processing of acoustic signals is carried out in several bands with interference compensation. Goniometric measurements are built on the basis of an accelerometric phase-metric system. A generalized structure of the influence of biochemical and biophysical factors on the change of intervertebral discs was developed.

Progress of Radar Observations of Meteors in Kazan (Russia) over the Last Sixty Years

AbstractThis paper presents a brief survey on the history of radar observations of meteors in Kazan from 1950s to present days. Such achievements of Kazan researchers as development and further improvement of original measuring equipment and antenna systems, of observational data processing methods, their contribution to the theory of physics of meteor phenomena and theoretical interpretation of experimental data are highlighted. A particular progress in meteor astronomy has been achieved with a new discrete quasi-tomoghraphic method for faint meteor showers identification that uses goniometer data of meteor radio reflections detected on radar as input data. The current state and new horizons of meteor studies in Kazan are stated.

Kinect Camera Based Gait Data Recording and Analysis for Assistive Robotics-An Alternative to Goniometer Based Measurement Technique

With the increasing advancement of Gait analysis with marker-less skeletal tracking system, the Microsoft Kinect camera is becoming increasingly popular. This paper proposes a technique to record the joint coordinates of a lower extremity of a human being using a Microsoft Kinect camera which is quite reliable with respect to a wearable sensor like Goniometer. Using the raw data from Kinect camera a motion file is generated for simulating the musculoskeletal model of the OpenSim software. Further the moving average filter is applied to smooth the dataset to obtain a better motion. It provides a comparative study between the Kinect’s extracted gait data and a twin axis Goniometer data. Finally, the accuracy of the Kinect camera at different speed of range is estimated by making a study over a group of ten human subjects with normal gait pattern in a treadmill setup. The results obtained are verified by taking into account the angle data of five prominent lower limb sections during joint movement. Based on the experimental results the accuracy and correlation of various speed of motion for the Kinect v1 sensor is evaluated. One of the important application of this system in assistive robotics is to generate the trajectory of a lower limb exoskeleton device.

Aerial object ranging based on goniometric data in an airborne single-position passive optoelectronic system

A method is proposed for determining motion parameters of an aerial object using a passive optoelectronic system when an aircraft (AC) performs a special maneuver. The method is based on measuring the azimuth and elevation of the aerial object, as well as the AC’s own coordinates at three path points: two measurements on the straight-and-level segment and one measurement after the maneuver. The method does not violate the tactical situation and makes it possible to maintain optical contact with the object during the maneuver. The method is modeled. The accuracy characteristics are estimated. The validation procedure for determining an aerial object’s motion parameters is proposed.

Goniometrie evaluation of standing extension and maximum flexion joint angles of llamas and alpacas.

OBJECTIVE To determine and compare mean standing extension and maximum flexion angles of various joints in healthy adult alpacas and llamas, and determine the reliability of goniometric data within and between 2 observers for each joint of interest. SAMPLE 6 healthy adult llamas and 6 healthy adult alpacas. PROCEDURES The shoulder joint, elbow joint, carpal, and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the forelimbs and the hip joint, stifle joint, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints of the hind limbs were investigated. Each articulation was measured with a universal goniometer by 2 observers, who each obtained 2 measurements when each joint was maintained in standing extension and in maximal passive flexion. Two sample (unpaired) t tests were performed for comparisons of mean standing extension and maximum passive flexion angles between alpacas and llamas. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated for each articulation to assess interobserver and intra-observer reliability of measurements. RESULTS Llamas had larger mean standing extension angles than alpacas for the tarsal and elbow joint, but there were no significant differences between species for all other joints. For all joints, flexion measurements did not differ significantly between the 2 species. For most joints, the reliability of goniometric data between observers was good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.6 to 0.95) CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Except for the elbow joint and tarsus in extension, the angle of limb articulations during flexion and extension can be considered similar for alpacas and llamas. These measurements have relevance for veterinary surgeons when assessing joint mobility and conformation and determining appropriate angles for arthrodesis.

Synthesis of vibroarthrographic signals in knee osteoarthritis diagnosis training.

BackgroundVibroarthrographic (VAG) signals are used as useful indicators of knee osteoarthritis (OA) status. The objective was to build a template database of knee crepitus sounds. Internships can practice in the template database to shorten the time of training for diagnosis of OA.MethodsA knee sound signal was obtained using an innovative stethoscope device with a goniometer. Each knee sound signal was recorded with a Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grade. The sound signal was segmented according to the goniometer data. The signal was Fourier transformed on the correlated frequency segment. An inverse Fourier transform was performed to obtain the time-domain signal. Haar wavelet transform was then done. The median and mean of the wavelet coefficients were chosen to inverse transform the synthesized signal in each KL category. The quality of the synthesized signal was assessed by a clinician.ResultsThe sample signals were evaluated using different algorithms (median and mean). The accuracy rate of the median coefficient algorithm (93 %) was better than the mean coefficient algorithm (88 %) for cross-validation by a clinician using synthesis of VAG.ConclusionsThe artificial signal we synthesized has the potential to build a learning system for medical students, internships and para-medical personnel for the diagnosis of OA. Therefore, our method provides a feasible way to evaluate crepitus sounds that may assist in the diagnosis of knee OA.

Goniospectrometric space: identifiable presentation of spectral goniometric data for complex diffractive samples.

Optical security takes advantage of complex gonioapparent effects of diffractive samples having strong angular and spectral dependence of reflected light. However, resolving the full angular and spectral properties of these kinds of targets might be a tremendous task. Preferably, one would like to measure a more limited number of illumination-viewing directions, using a multiangle goniometer, and still reveal the complex and unique properties of the target. In this study, we use a method for converting the full angular reflection data into reduced goniospectrometric space and further on into an xDNA graph, which we find to show good potential as a fingerprint for gonioapparent surfaces when limited measurement geometries are available. For the evaluation of the xDNA graph, we use two goniometric devices with a 45° incident angle illumination, a high-resolution bidirectional spectrometer, and a portable multiangle goniometer. This study tests the xDNA graph by evaluating the effects of geometry count and spectral resolution in goniometric measurements and further finds that the xDNA graph indeed works best with a reduced count of geometries and is not sensitive to lowered spectral resolution.

Three-dimensional analysis versus goniometric measurement of total active elevation in normal subjects

Multiple planes of motion have been reported for shoulder elevation performed by visual inspection with a goniometer. It is typically measured by a clinician who is standing or sitting at the side of the patient. Instead, accurate assessment of shoulder elevation must be performed by using a plane of reference that is perpendicular to the plane of motion being measured. Three repetitions of humeral elevation in the sagittal, scapular, and coronal planes were performed in a random order and measured by goniometry and three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic sensors. A guide bar was used to control the initial plane of motion for the sagittal and coronal planes. The plane of motion at 90° and at peak elevation was recorded for each of the 3 defined planes. A goniometer was used to measure the range of maximal elevation performed in each plane, for each subject, by visual inspection. The 3D data revealed that subjects consistently moved toward scaption as the extremity moved above 90° of elevation, regardless of the initial plane of motion. Significant differences were seen in the goniometric data for the plane of motion at 90° (P=.00) in flexion, abduction, and scaption. Goniometric measurements revealed greater maximum elevation angles in comparison to the 3D kinematic measurements. Maximal glenohumeral elevation occurred near the plane of the scapula in all subjects, regardless of the plane in which elevation was initiated. Goniometric measurement of total elevation resulted in greater range of motion measurements than actually occurred because the observer was not routinely positioned in a plane perpendicular to the plane of actual elevation of the upper extremity.

Stick Together: A Nordic Walking Group Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors

Axillary lymph node dissection and axillary radiation as part of breast cancer treatment often result in arm and shoulder morbidity and limitations in daily functioning. Over and above the general benefits for cardiorespiratory fitness, Nordic Walking particularly targets at the muscles of the upper extremities and shoulder. This may increase shoulder range of motion and lead to a reduction in functional limitations. The aim of this study was to offer a Nordic Walking intervention to women after treatment for breast cancer and to investigate changes in subjective well-being and shoulder function. Three supervised Nordic Walking courses were organized (2009–2011). The intervention consisted of ten weekly 1-hour sessions focusing on upper body strength and condition. In total, 28 women participated in one of the cohorts. Results showed that after 10 weeks, patients’ vitality had improved, whereas perceived shoulder symptom severity and limitations in daily activities had decreased. Goniometric data indicated that range of motion (forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation) of the affected shoulder improved significantly within 10 weeks of training. Group interviews at 6 months follow-up confirmed that patients had appreciated the physical and psychosocial benefits of the intervention. These benefits outweighed the practical disadvantages. Patient selection, assessment and training should take place under (para-)medical supervision and group instructors should have the knowledge and skills to work with a group of recent cancer survivors. Results from this explorative study suggest that Nordic Walking is a feasible and potentially valuable tool in the rehabilitation of patients with breast cancer.

Muscle stimulation timing while implementing Ura Mawashi Geri in Iranian elite women

Karate is a martial art in which the technics are performed by kicks, punches (hand) and rotational movements [1, 2, 3]. Ura MAWASHI GERI is a kind of kick which involves the core stability muscles of Lumbar – Pelvic areas, Quadriceps muscle (Lower extremity) and knee and lumbar – pelvic joints while being performed [5-11]. The purpose of this research is to determine the muscle stimulation time pattern of Gluteus Medius (GM), External Oblique (EO) and Quadriceps muscles such as Vastus Medialis (VM), Vastus Lateralis (VL) at any phases of the implementation of the technique by the dominant leg. The muscular activities of VM, VL, EO and GM in 5 Iranian healthy elite Karatekas (in average age of (21/4) were recorded by the Electromyography device. The onset latency of the muscle activity and the Goniometric data (Knee Joint) were defined after processing the RMS of data and according to the Mean+4sd. After that, the average of the obtained records was used to determine the onset of each muscle separately at all phases of the implementation of the techniques. The results showed Glutesus Medius, at the phases of one, four, and five, and Vatus Medialis, at the phases of two and six, and the External Oblique at the third phase act earlier in comparison with other muscles.

Identification of three movement phases of the hand during lateral and pulp pinches using video motion capture.

Hand injuries affect a person's ability to engage successfully in activities of daily living (ADLs). Video motion capture (VMC) facilitates measurement of dynamic movement. No study to date has used VMC as a means of quantifying the simultaneous movement patterns of all joints of all digits of the hand during active purposeful movement. The purpose of this study was to analyze all joints of all five digits during active completion of the lateral and pulp pinches. VMC data were collected from four participants during completion of two pinches. Joint angles were plotted to facilitate identification of movement patterns. Range of motion recorded in all joints with VMC, excluding flexion of the thumb carpometacarpal of both pinches, coincided with the normative goniometric data. Three phases were observed: initiation, preshaping, and pinch phases. Patterns of movement in all digits were identified for the two pinches. VMC is a feasible and valid method for objectively quantifying dynamic movement of multiple joints simultaneously. The results provide new insight to the dynamics of hand movement as well as a basis for subsequent evaluations of movement patterns performed in ADLs and instrumental ADLs.

A Wearable Sensing System for Tracking and Monitoring of Functional Arm Movement

This paper presents a new sensing system for home-based rehabilitation based on optical linear encoder (OLE), in which the motion of an optical encoder on a code strip is converted to the limb joints' goniometric data. A body sensing module was designed, integrating the OLE and an accelerometer. A sensor network of three sensing modules was established via controller area network bus to capture human arm motion. Experiments were carried out to compare the performance of the OLE module with that of commercial motion capture systems such as electrogoniometers and fiber-optic sensors. The results show that the inexpensive and simple-design OLE's performance is comparable to that of expensive systems. Moreover, a statistical study was conducted to confirm the repeatability and reliability of the sensing system. The OLE-based system has strong potential as an inexpensive tool for motion capture and arm-function evaluation for short-term as well as long-term home-based monitoring.