Gait Analysis Essay Example

Gait Analysis Essay Gait Analysis Name: Course: Lecturer: We will write a custom essay sample on Gait Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Gait Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Gait Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Date: Gait Analysis Gait analysis in biometrics Gait analysis has been a subject of discussion for many years as to its use. The recognition f gait by computers requires profound knowledge to instill in them the ability to recognize human traits or gait. Gait analysis is a new form of technology that has attracted the attention of computer enthusiasts and the medical fraternity alike, due to the profound abilities of the gait (Li, Miaou, Hung, Sese, 2003). The use of gait falls in two core categories, which are the gait recognition as a biometric and gait use as a means of rehabilitation and sports activity. Gait has attracted a lot of attention in many areas of its abilities. The area, which has attracted most interest, is the visual aspect of recognition by an individual’s gait. Gait analysis in biometrics works in ways that were never thought as possible in earlier periods (Whittle, 1996). . However, this has been enabled by the technological advancements in all aspects aiding research in the topic of gait use. Its use in the field of biometrics has enabled identification of suspicious individuals and restricting entry into various premises such as offices and residences of people. This is done is such a way that the biometric system is set in a way that it has the ability to recognize the bodily features of the people it is allowed to give entry or access into various premises. Biometrics, which involves identification of people by their features, is a new way of doing things, which can be attributed to the presence technological advancements (Razali Manaf, 2007) The common field of biometric is the use of fingerprints in the identification of individuals and facial recognition. These forms of gait analysis are used in numerous countries around the world. This is in areas of ensuring security especially within sensitive areas that are susceptible to criminal acts. Despite the advantages accrued to this forms of gait analysis, they are becoming obsolete in the sense that they are cumbersome in their use. For instance, fingerprint and facial recognition require a lot of effort to identify people. In addition, the gait systems cannot identify all individuals in busy areas such as airports and banks, which are susceptible to criminal, and terror activities. Hence, these vulnerabilities necessitate the creation of new forms of gait, which are able to recognize individuals even in crowded places with ease and adequate speed simultaneously. Gait recognition systems work in identical ways (Li et al., 2003). They rely on information fed to them about the specific individual. This enables the system to have background data and be able to recognize individuals at any vantage points. The individual should provide his features portrayed in background viewpoint. The gait detector is placed on a vantage point in order to allow it to recognize individuals from various positions. The gait detector takes up the features identified and compares them with the existing data in relation to the individual. This is with the hope of attaining positive recognition of the individual. The identification process can be classified into two distinct approaches the motion based approach model based approach. The model based approach focuses on the individual’s bodily features such as posture, walking styles, the height, neck length, feet length and the distance between the pelvis and the feet. Such details are vital in exact body recognition by the gait detector. The motion-based approach is whereby the gait detector recognizes the motion patterns of an individual such as the movement of the hands while walking (Post, 2006). Such movements are put as data and are fed into the gait for future recognition of the individual. Despite the numerous advantages accrued from the use of gait systems as biometric identifiers. The gait data can be manipulated by use of identical height and items such as clothing and shoes to gain identical height or body size. In addition, body movements can be mastered to gain access of individual residences or other premises. Moreover, the use of gait systems can be used with other forms of identifiers, which enhance their ability to recognize individuals with utmost accuracy. Gait analysis in rehabilitation and sport activities Gait analysis systems in the art of rehabilitation treatment and the enhancement of performance of individuals is different is some aspects in relation to gait systems used in biometrics. The gait capture systems are different because they are not invasive in terms of individual privacy, and more so, they do not operate without the consent of the subject. Gait systems because of consent from the subjects are elaborate in study of the gait. They are efficient because of their incorporation of various systems in the evaluation of the subject’s gait. Methods vary in terms of their application and methodology and more so the treatment of various conditions. Several equipments are used in the evaluation of the gait of an individual, they include, electromyography data, magnetic fields, cameras and force plates (Post, 2006). However, notion capture systems are disadvantageous in that they do not allow outdoor movement and mobile motion capture. This inhibits the medical practitioners from getting a clarified answer in relation to the movements of an individual on real terrain in comparison to the evenly shaped and sized floors in the medical institutions. Some gait systems use sensors placed on the subject’s body; these sensors are connected to a transmitter, which generates low electromagnetic forces. The electromagnetic enables the connection to the computer, which is programmed with tracking software for monitoring the different positions and movements of the body locations. Despite the efficiency provided by such methods, the method cannot be used effectively in the presence of other electromagnetic fields provided by other electronic equipment within an area. In addition, the presence of metal, which is attracted to any magnetic force, poses a challenge in the use of this method. Other methods use cameras with infrared capabilities. Cameras are used to monitor the markers placed on the subject’s body and they resonate with each movement of the individual. The primary focus of this system is on the central points and joints of the body in the evaluation of the subject. Artificial neural networks are another form of gait systems in that they use layer feed forward networks to examine the bodily activity of individuals. People with sports injuries, bodily injuries unrelated to sporting activities and those who have ever suffered from stroke require this form of treatment because it focuses on the movement of muscles and other vital body movements (Li et al., 2003). The methods usually use physical assistance from physiotherapists and medical practitioners to assist in the movement and therapy, which might eventually enable movement of the muscles. Gait analysis is extensive in terms of its study and its use. Gait analysis has been a successful subject of study because it has given people hope of achieving treatments in extensive study of body movements. In addition, it has enabled improvements in the methods used to achieve security in people’s areas of residences, premises and other sensitive pubic and private areas such as military barracks, airports, seaports and banks (Lee, 2003). There is adequate room for more inventions in terms of new gait systems. This can only be facilitated by the presence of new technological advancements, which have aided in the formation of new systems. Such systems will eventually transform the way medical practitioners with specific reference to the physiotherapists involved in the treatment of bodily-related ailments and injuries. References Lee, L. (2003). Gait Analysis for Classification. Boston, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Li, Y., Miaou, S., Hung, K. C., Sese, J. T. (2003). A Gait Analysis System Using Two Cameras with Orthogonal View. Chung-Li: Chung Yuan Christian University Post, D. C. (2006). Gait Analysis Review. Washington, DC: Mendeley University Razali, N. S., Manaf, A. A. (2003). Gait Analysis for Criminal Identification Based on Motion Capture. Advanced Informatics School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Whittle, M. W. (1996). Clinical gait analysis: A review. Human Movement Science, 15(3), 369–387

M1903 Springfield Rifle - World War I

M1903 Springfield Rifle - World War I The M1903 Springfield rifle was the primary rifle used by the United States Army and Marine Corps during the first several decades of the 20th century. Officially designated United States Rifle, Caliber .30-06, Model 1903, it was a bolt-action rifle that utilized a five-round magazine. The M1903 was used by the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I and was retained after the conflict. It was not replaced as the standard American infantry rifle until the introduction of the M1 Garand in 1936. Despite this change, the M1903 was still in use during the early campaigns of World War II. In the years after the war, only the M1903A4 sniper rifle variant remained in the inventory. That last of these were retired during the early years of the Vietnam War. Background Following the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Army began seeking a replacement for its standard Krag-JÃ ¸rgensen rifles. Adopted in 1892, the Krag had shown several weaknesses during the conflict. Among these was a lower muzzle velocity than the Mausers employed by Spanish troops as well as a difficult to load magazine which required the insertion of one round at time. In 1899, attempts were made to improve the Krag with the introduction of a high-velocity cartridge. These proved unsuccessful as the rifles single locking lug on the bolt proved incapable of handling the increased chamber pressure. Development Design Over the next year, engineers at the Springfield Armory began developing designs for a new rifle. Though the U.S. Army had examined the Mauser in the early 1890s prior to selecting the Krag, they returned to the German weapon for inspiration. Later Mauser rifles, including the Mauser 93 used by the Spanish, possessed a magazine fed by a stripper clip and a greater muzzle velocity than its predecessors. Combining elements from the Krag and the Mauser, Springfield produced its first operational prototype in 1901. Soldier with M1903 Springfield. U.S. Army Center for Military History Believing they had achieved their goal, Springfield began tooling its assembly line for the new model. Much to their dismay, the prototype, designated M1901, was declined by the U.S. Army. Over the next two years, the U.S. Army laid out a variety of changes which were incorporated into the M1901s design. In 1903, Springfield presented the new M1903, which was accepted into service. Though the M1903 was a composite consisting of the best elements from several prior weapons, it remained similar enough to the Mauser that the U.S. Government was forced to pay royalties to Mauserwerke. M1903 Springfield Cartridge: .30-03 .30-06 SpringfieldCapacity: 5 round stripper clipMuzzle Velocity: 2,800 ft./sec.Effective Range: 2,500 yds.Weight: approx. 8.7 lbs.Length: 44.9 in.Barrel Length: 24 in.Sights: Leaf rear sight, barleycorn-type front sightAction: Bolt-action Introduction The M1903 was officially adopted on June 19, 1903 under the official designation of United States Rifle, Caliber .30-06, Model 1903. Moving into production, Springfield built 80,000 of the M1903 by 1905, and the new rifle slowly began to replace the Krag. Minor changes were made in the early years, with a new sight added in 1904, and a new knife-style bayonet in 1905. As these alterations were implemented, two major changes were introduced. The first was a shift to pointed, spitzer ammunition in 1906. This led to the introduction of the .30-06 cartridge that would become standard for American rifles. The second change was a shortening of the barrel to 24 inches. World War I During testing, Springfield found that the M1903s design was equally effective with a shorter, cavalry-style barrel. As this weapon was lighter and more easily wielded, it was ordered for the infantry as well. By the time the US entered World War I in April 1917, 843,239 M1903s had been produced at Springfield and the Rock Island Arsenal. Equipping the American Expeditionary Forces, the M1903 proved lethal and efficient against the Germans in France. During the war, the M1903 Mk. I was produced which allowed for the fitting of a Pedersen device. Developed in an effort to increase the M1903s volume of fire during assaults, the Pedersen device allowed the rifle to fire .30 caliber pistol ammunition semi-automatically. World War II After the war, the M1903 remained the standard American infantry rifle until the introduction of the M1 Garand in 1937. Much beloved by American soldiers, many were reluctant to switch to the new rifle. With the entry of the US into World War II in 1941, many units, both in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, had not completed their transition to the Garand. As a result, several formations deployed for action still carrying the M1903. The rifle saw action in North Africa and Italy, as well as in the early fighting in the Pacific. A GI with the 36th Infantry Division cleans his M1903 Springfield, equipped with sniper scope. Public Domain The weapon was famously used by the U.S. Marines during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Though the M1 replaced the M1903 in most units by 1943, the older rifle continued to be used in specialized roles. Variants of the M1903 saw extended service with the Rangers, Military Police, as well as with Free French forces. The M1903A4 saw extensive use as a sniper rifle during the conflict. M1903s produced during World War II were often made by Remington Arms and the Smith-Corona Typewriter Company. Later Use Though it was reduced to a secondary role, the M1903 continued to be produced during World War II by Remington Arms and Smith-Corona Typewriter. Many of these were designated M1903A3 as Remington requested several design changes to improve performance and simplify the manufacturing process. With the conclusion of World War II, most M1903s were retired from service, with only the M1903A4 sniper rifle being retained. Many of these were replaced during the Korean War, however the U.S. Marine Corps continued to use some until the early days of the Vietnam War.