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Real-time ultrasound imaging of the lumbar multifidus muscle was performed in 48 normal subjects (21 males, 27 females) aged 18-35 ycars. Measuremetits of multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA) and shape were symmetrical between the right and left sides of the spine. Muscle shape differed between the males and females. Two measurements (linear dimensions) of the muscle cross-section were closely correlated with CSA in both groups (males r=0.98; females r = 0 . 9 3 ) , but this relationship needs to be determined in wasted muscles where changes in shape may occur. Correlations between CSA and height and weight differed between males and females. Measurements were repeatable between days (CV= 6%) and between scans (CV=4.9%). The present study indicates that real-time ultrasound may be clinically useful for measuring multifidus muscle wasting, but larger scale studies are required to establish definitive reference ranges of data in different age groups of normal subjects. Documentation of changes in symmetry of multifidus muscle size and shape with back pain could then be performed.

A method for building flexible shape models is presented in which a shape is represented by a set of labelled points. The technique determines the statistics of the points over a collection of example shapes. The mean positions of the points give an average shape and a number of modes of variation are determined describing the main ways in which the example shapes tend to deform from the average. In this way allowed variation in shape can be included in the model. The method produces a compact flexible 'Point Distribution Model' with a small number of linearly independent parameters, which can be used during image search. We demonstrate the application of the Point Distribution Model in describing two classes of shapes.

This papa describes a technique for building compact models of the shape and appearance ofpuibre fiom the siatidcs of sets o labelled ima s of shape t&e, describing how m ant putts of the ob&ct can vary, and a s t a t i s t i c a e l of the exleveh in regions around each d e i Petted point. Suc 7 d e b have oved usefil in a wide variety o f e c a t i m. we L c & h~w the d e i s can be used ut local imas search and give cuunples of their application. objkct~ ~m in 2-0 haw. T k models derived example ob' cts. Each mode f c~* s t s of a f&e

We have developed a trainable method of shape representation which can automatically capture the invariant properties of a class of shapes and provide a compact parametric description of variability. We have applied the method to a family of flexible ribbons (worms) and to heart shapes in echocardiograms. We show that in both cases a natural parameterisation of shape results.

This study examined relationships between oral language and literacy in a two-year, multivariate design. Through empirical cluster analysis of a sample of 88 kindergarten children, four oral language subtypes were identified based on measures of semantics, syntax, metalinguistics, and oral narration. Validation efforts included (a) concurrent and predictive analyses of subtype differences on reading, spelling, and listening comprehension measures based on a priori hypotheses and (b) a comparison of the teacher classification of the children with the empirical classification. The subtypes represented high average, low average, high narrative, and low overall patterns of oral language skill. The high average subtype received the most consistent evidence for validation. The pattern of validation results indicates that the relationship between oral language and literacy is not uniform and suggests a modification of the assumption that oral language skills have a direct role in reading acquisition.