Abstract: In accordance with a set of embodiments of the present invention, a method can be used to filter the motion of a body or a system of articulated bodies so that the motion conforms to the laws of classical dynamics. Based on a specified set of kinematic inputs, on a dynamic model that represents the articulated bodies, and on a set of tunable filter parameters, an optimization-based inverse dynamics algorithm can be used to determine values of control variables and each time step during a forward simulation so that the model is driven toward the specified set of desired kinematics while at the same time potentially optimizing various other aspects of the motion. The embodiments may be useful in the areas of biomechanics, medicine, ergonomics, computer animation, or other areas where realistic motion generation is desired.

Abstract: An improved procedure for statistically evaluating the performance, precision and/or accuracy, of at least one analytical instrument in a pool of like or substantially like instruments by comparing the performance of the one instrument located in one laboratory with the performance of like instruments in other laboratories. The procedure includes the step of quantitatively analyzing a reference or control specimen of known constituents by each instrument in the pool and collecting the resultant data from the one instrument in the pool and of the pool instruments. The mean data from the one instrument and of the pool instruments are mathematically correlated in a series of statistical equations for computing a novel, sensitive index known as the "Instrument Performance Index" or IPI.