We propose an exemplar-based tracking framework for human contour tracking. The exemplars, i.e. the contour representatives, are used to construct a contour ensemble. The main task of contour ensemble is to generate contours to fill in the gaps in-between in the test sequences, and to supply the dynamics for updating the target contour by fast contour query. As a result, a normal dynamic Bayesi...

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the correlation and reliability of cervical sagittal alignment parameters obtained from lateral cervical radiographs (XRs) compared with lateral whole-body stereoradiographs (SRs). METHODS We evaluated adults with cervical deformity using both lateral XRs and lateral SRs obtained within 1 week of each other between 2010 and 2014. XR...

Study Type Retrospective review. Introduction Sagittal imbalance has been associated with lower health-related quality of life outcomes, and restoration of imbalance is associated with improved outcomes.123 The long constructs used in adult spinal deformity have potential consequences such as proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). Clinically, the development of PJK may not be as important as failu...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Convincing evidence supporting the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an effective tool for evaluating cervical sagittal alignment is lacking. This study aims to analyze the differences and correlations between cervical sagittal parameters on x-ray and MRI in patients with cervical disc herniation and to determine whether MRI could substitute for cervical x-ray...

Lumbar degenerative kyphosis (LDK) is a subgroup of the flat-back syndrome and is most commonly caused by unique life styles, such as a prolonged crouched posture during agricultural work and performing activities of daily living on the floor. Unfortunately, LDK has been used as a byword for degenerative sagittal imbalance, and this sometimes causes confusion. The aim of this review was to eval...

STUDY DESIGN Exploratory study of regional muscle activity in different postures. OBJECTIVE To detail the relationship between spinal curves and regional muscle activity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Sagittal balanced spinal posture (C7 above S1 in the sagittal plane) is a goal for spinal surgery and conservative ergonomics. Three combinations of thoracolumbar and lumbar spinal curves can be ...

The visual system integrates discrete but aligned local stimuli to form percept of global contours. Previous experiments using "snake" contours showed that contour integration was mainly present in foveal vision but absent or greatly weakened in peripheral vision. In this study, we demonstrated that, for contour stimuli such as circles and ellipses, which bore good Gestalt properties, contour i...