Abstract
In this paper we will describe our experiments with x-ray image analysis for vertebra detection in juvenile/adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliotic spines. We will focus on detecting vertebrae location in a anterior-posterior x-ray image in a fully automatic way. For accomplishing this, we propose a set of techniques for (i) isolating the spine by removing other bone structures (e.g. ribs), (ii) detecting vertebrae location along the spine using an hierarchical and progressive threshold analysis, and (iii) detecting vertebrae lateral boundaries.

Abstract
This paper describes a new parallel algorithm to compute the optical flow of a video sequence. A previous sequential algorithm has been distributed over a cluster. It has been implemented in a cluster with 8 nodes connected by means of a Gigabit Ethernet. On this architecture, the algorithm, that computes the optical flow of every image on the sequence, is able of processing 10 images of 720 x 576 pixels per second.

Abstract
This paper describes a new parallel algorithm to compute the optical flow of a video sequence. A previous sequential algorithm has been distributed over a cluster. It has been implemented in a cluster with 8 nodes connected by means of a Gigabit Ethernet. On this architecture, the algorithm, that computes the optical flow of every image on the sequence, is able of processing 10 images of 720x576 pixels per second.

Abstract
The 'future is haptic' is what we have been hearing from technologists and visionary theorists. Yet, haptic is not a technological feature, but a biological function. Haptic is almost an unknown term outside the research discourses and engineering labs. When asked, the majority of people ignore the relation between haptic and touch. What is unknown is that haptic is part of our multifunctional sense of touch formed by cutaneous, kinesthetic, and haptic sensory systems. Proposing to rediscover the haptic through crossroads of art and design research, intermediated by emergent technologies, this paper aims to introduce a haptic art concept for a touch reactive dynamic surface as an awareness project. Inspired by the instinctive survival touch reactions of the living beings, it is intended to construct the knowledge of the self through the sense of touch, following the latest technological advances in smart materials that provide physical interactivity for art and design explorations. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract
This paper describes the technology (software & hardware) used in the Gait Analysis Laboratory of CRPG - Centro de Reabilitac (a) over tildeo Profissional de Gaia. This laboratory is mainly intended to support CRPG with quantitative data for clinical rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal pathologies, namely in the lower limbs. Usually, for the gait analysis is considered data obtained from several acquisition sensors, such as: image cameras, electromyographic devices, pressure devices and force plates. This paper also presents briefly how quantitative motion analysis can be used for a clinical point of view and it presents the influence of image algorithms in gait rehabilitation.

Abstract
We address the problem of tracking efficiently feature points along image sequences. To estimate the undergoing movement we use an approach based on Kalman filtering which performs the prediction and correction of the features movement in every image frame. In this paper measured data is incorporated by optimizing the global correspondence set based on efficient approximations of the Mahalanobis distances (MD). We analyze the difference between using the MD and its efficient approximation in the tracking results, and examine the related computational costs. Experimental results which validate our approach are presented.