The planter: green insert in the urban environment
The planter is today an integral part of urban spaces: the most common are the round concrete planters
or those with seats even if today's market offers increasingly innovative products. Designed to increase the aesthetic value of city squares and streets, over time the planters have assumed a functional value linked to respect for the environment and the improvement of atmospheric quality. This element of street furniture is considered increasingly important and for this reason, it is sometimes designed in relation to the context and the needs of the specific place.
Now let's see what are the main characteristics and types of planters illustrated in the following guide
Advantages of the planter
Introduced in order to make the urban environment more aesthetically pleasing, the planters allow urban scenarios to be equipped with a green insert, where overbuilding has taken over. In addition, through the green and floral species, cities gain a marked improvement in atmospheric terms: in fact, thanks to vegetation, the amount of CO2 present in the air decreases and that of oxygen increases. It is therefore evident that the lower the level of pollution, the better the quality of the air and the health of the citizen.
Depending on the context in which the planters will be placed, it is good to consider the characteristics relating to the level of transpiration of the soil present in them, the materials that make up the pots and the resistance of the surfaces exposed to external agents. In order to obtain a good overall result, the colors and shapes must be defined on the basis of an urban project that ensures consistency between the parts and with the surrounding environment. Only in this way will the presence of the planter and other furnishing components improve the appearance and performance of public spaces. It is a methodology aimed at creating spaces on a human scale, able to give vitality to the urban environment and improve the user experience within the scenario that he experiences every day.
For example, in an area where a high flow of users is expected, the planter may also include a seating space or an additional element designed to provide a specific service. On the contrary, if it is a question of spaces intended to improve the aesthetics of the context, the planter will have to be treated in particular from the point of view of the plant and floral species it will host.
A variation of the classic planter, inserted inside the cities, is represented by the grids for the trees
. Often, it is found along the courses and pedestrian walkways, where the need arises to align and space shrubs of substantial size. However, they may also be needed in squares and open spaces, where the trees are inserted according to a precise design. In both cases, the grids are made of metal materials, such as steel and iron sheet, they are shock-resistant, water-repellent and, thanks to specific treatments, do not rust. The empty spaces allow rainwater to filter and be captured by the surrounding land, making the large asphalted or paved surfaces more permeable. Sometimes, integrated LEDs or spotlights are inserted inside the grids, in order to create special scenic effects during the evening hours.
Examples of urban iron and concrete grids
To view some configurations of urban green spaces click here
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AS I SEE IT - 6/18/2002:
A Week... from the Improbable to the Unthinkable
by: Bob Magee
In what most readers saw as a shocking turn of events within the last week...
Steve Austin abruptly left World Wrestling Entertainment over a disagreement concerning the creative direction of his character, rumored to involve working with and doing a job to Brock Lesnar.
Many, included yours truly, suspected an elaborate Vince Russo-style angle...even with Saturday night's WWE Confidential show with Jim Ross and Vince McMahon doing interviews concerning the situation that appeared to make clear that the situation was a legitimate one and that Austin's career with WWE might well be over.
If only all our suspicions had been true, and if only that had been all there was to it.
Instead, less than a week after walking out on WWE, Steve Williams is a suspect in a domestic violence incident involving his wife, Debra.
The story begins here. On Saturday afternoon, Karen Merritt (a former PWBTS reporter and columnist who lives in San Antonio) sent me the following information:
"..Got some hot news for you. Lead story on KENS TV the NBC station here in San Antonio. Debra called police at 4:00 am this morning (Saturday) to report Steve had beat her. It (the beating) left a welt under her left eye and bruises on her back. She said she was reluctant to call police because of who Steve was. And she couldn't believe he had hit her.
She said the abuse had happened before.
When police got to the home on the far north side of San Antonio, Steve had already left the residence. He could not be reached by the news media for comment."
I was at the Major League Wrestling show at the ECW Arena Saturday afternoon, and did not see the e-mail until Sunday morning.
Obviously I checked a story such as this before posting it, given the severity of the issue in question. The station in question, as well as the station cited by Dave Meltzer
(KMOL TV 4 in San Antonio) had no information on the item on Sunday morning.
Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer had posted, then removed a story on the situation...leading to speculation the story was somehow not legitimate.
Since no news was posted on the KMOL or KENS websites, I assumed someone had been worked, whether the San Antonio media outlets in question or Dave Meltzer or both.
It wouldn't have been the first time a wrestling websites been worked or scammed. Leaving out the obvious intentional leaks of information by the WWF (as well as ECW and WCW in the past)....usually such things are simple and childish, like fake spoilers sent from people supposedly at Smackdown tapings. Other times, they are sick, such as the ever present death rumors sent to major websites, including PWBTS and likely many of the sites on which you read this column.
However... I found out later Sunday, that this was no such work or scam. Instead it was a tragic happening between two very public figures.
On about noon on Sunday the story was confirmed, with Dave Meltzer reporting that the San Antonio Police have confirmed that a police report was filed listing only "suspect" and "victim". It does not list names but according to
Meltzer, the address is apparently the right address for the Williams household.
Because the alleged perpetrator (Steve Williams) is said to be at large, San Antonio Police will not officially confirm the names of those involved in the alleged incident.
Other sites, such as the Pro Wrestling Torch and 1wrestling have also confirmed with staff of San Antonio's KMOL TV that the story did run on the
station's 10 O'Clock News.
KMOL finally put this story up on their website Monday morning:
"...News 4 broke this story this weekend, professional wrestler, Steve Williams allegedly hit his wife Debora in the face and back at their San Antonio home on the far Northwest Side. Mrs. Williams told police this isn't the first time it has happened and that she was scared to call the police.
Sunday, World Wrestling Entertainment had a response. They told News 4 that this isn't the first bizarre behavior by Stone Cold. They say it started last week when he walked out of an event...."
Later Monday, Reuters and other national media sources published the story online, and the investigative website The SmokingGun.com published the complaint report from the San Antonio Police Department.
Other mainstream news sources picked it up later in the evening.
Those who wish to read it in full and without editorial interpretation can do so at this URL.
I have strong feelings about domestic abuse.
I've had to deal personally with cases of friends physically abused by those with whom they have had relationships. I've had to deal professionally as a school counselor with a number of abuse cases, including two incidents where physical confrontations actually occurred at the school I was working in.
Back when I was in college, I even became involved in a situation where physical intervention became necessary to save a young woman from abusive family members. Along with a friend, I had to help sneak the abuse victim out of a hospital, where she was being forced to visit one of the abusing family member, down the street to a women's shelter.
With all these experiences, I feel that there is never an appropriate time for a man to physically attack a significant other with whom he is in a relationship.
That being said, human relationships are far more complex than simple black and white. As of this moment, we don't know what actually happened in the situation that occurred last Friday night between Debra Marshall and Steve Williams. We don't know if this was part of a fight between the
two... or whether he attacked her.
While there has been a statement by Debra Marshall-Williams that it isn't the only time such an incident has happened, we know nothing more than that. We also know that she has chosen not to file charges as of this writing.
As I write this article, we don't even know where Steve Williams is.
Forget "Steve Cold Steve Austin" right now. Forget angles, TV ratings, and even professional wrestling. This is a serious situation regarding a man's psyche and life itself.
I think it's safe to say that everyone reading this hopes Steve Williams turns himself in to police.
He is going to need to confront the situation created Friday night...whatever it is. No charges have been filed by Debra Marshall-Williams, but it's clear that San Antonio Police want to talk to him.
He and Debra are going to need counseling...before whatever, if anything, is going to happen next within their own relationship.
Perhaps someday, somewhere, we'll again see the beer-drinking, middle finger pointing, profanity-spewing rebel character that many of us have grown to know and love.
But I doubt it.
If there was any chance before, Vince McMahon isn't going to touch Steve Austin with a ten-foot pole now. Certainly not anytime soon. But Vince McMahon isn't going to let anyone else touch him, either. Because you can be sure someone else WOULD touch him if he were available... damned the consequences.
But wrestling notwithstanding, it's a damned sight more important that Steve Williams confronts whatever demons he's dealing with that have pushed him to this point in his life.
I hope to God he does.
Until next time...
(If you have comments or questions, I can be reached by
e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.org)


HELSINKI (Reuters) - Mobile phone maker Nokia plans to raise 750 million euros ($972 million) from bonds convertible into shares, seeking a cheap way to help finance its fight to claw back market share lost to Apple and Samsung.
Once the world’s biggest mobile phone maker, the Finnish firm has fallen far behind Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy phones in the lucrative smartphone market, and is pinning its hopes for recovery on new models that go on sale next month.
With its cash reserves falling and its credit ratings cut to junk over the past year, analysts have said Nokia needs to show a turnaround in the next several months if it is to survive.
Its shares fell 5.09 percent to 2.05 euros on Tuesday as investors worried the eventual conversion of the bonds into stocks would reduce earnings per share. The bonds may be converted into a maximum 287.2 million shares, or 7.74 percent of current shares.
But analysts said the choice of convertible bonds - which normally pay lower interest rates than ordinary bonds while offering investors the chance to profit when they are converted into shares - was a smart one.
“It is a rather cheap way to get extra financing,” said Evli analyst Mikko Ervasti. “They need buffers (and) their 2014 bond also requires financing.”
Nokia’s net cash fell to 3.6 billion euros in September from 4.2 billion in June. It also finished the third quarter with 3.8 billion euros in interest-bearing liabilities, with 1.75 billion in bonds and loans maturing in 2014.
Additionally, the company owns half of network equipment venture Nokia Siemens Networks, which finished the quarter with 1.4 billion euros in liabilities.
The convertible bonds will be due in 2017 and pay a coupon of 5.00 percent. The initial price for conversion into ordinary shares was set at 2.6116 euros, 28 percent above the average price of Nokia shares between the launch and pricing.
Nokia’s fortunes hinge on its top-of-the-range Lumia 820 and 920 models, which run on Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 8 software. The phones, which come in vivid colours and have high-resolution cameras, will hit the stores in November.
On Tuesday, the group unveiled the lower price Lumia 510, which is an update of the Lumia 610 but does not use the newest version of Windows software. The 510 has a larger screen and will be sold for around $199, excluding taxes and subsidies.
ING analysts welcomed the convertible bonds plan as reducing uncertainty around Nokia’s short-term debt maturities and bolstering its capital.
“It also shows that the company is taking the question marks around its credit quality seriously and is willing to take the steps necessary to improve this,” they said in a research note.
Trading in the bonds are due to start around October 26.
BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citi and Deutsche are the joint bookrunners.
($1 = 0.7714 euros)
Additional reporting by Jussi Rosendahl and Tarmo Virki in Helsinki, and Josie Cox in London; Editing by Mark Potter and Hans-Juergen Peters


The Northern Agricultural Ministry has pointed out that, Agricultural farms, Agricultural seed production Centre and quarters along with 2,072.103 acre lands at 29 locations are under the control of the Sri Lankan Army. The Ministry has handed over the details of these properties to the NPC CM, C.V.Wigneswaran.
29 locations in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitheevu and Mannar districts have been occupied by the Army and still under the control of it.
12 places in Kilinochchi District, 07 on Mullaitheevu District, 06 in Vavuniya District and 04 places in Mannar District are occupied like this, the Ministry had indicated.
Commenting on this the Northern Minister of Agriculture said that, all the particulars have been provided to the CM and he will take further action to release these lands.The Ministry has forwarded the request for this he said.


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Joe Biden's wife on Monday let slip that her husband had his pick of being Barack Obama's running mate or the secretary of state nominee.
Jill Biden's comment came during an appearance with her husband on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," taped at Washington's Kennedy Center. "Joe had the choice to be secretary of state or vice president," she said. Her husband turned to his wife with his finger to his lips and a "Shhhh!" sending the audience into laughter. "OK, he did," Jill Biden said in her defense.
The vice president-elect blushed, grimaced and gave his wife a hug while the audience laughed. Jill Biden said she told him vice president would be better for the family. "If you're secretary of state, you'll be away, we'll never see you," she said.
After the exchange aired, Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander denied Jill Biden's account. "To be clear, President-elect Obama offered Vice President-elect Biden one job only -- to be his running mate," she said. "And the vice president-elect was thrilled to accept the offer."
The statement doesn't rule out that Obama and Biden discussed the possibility of the other post.
The celebrity-filled show also included the premiere of "America's Song," performed by Faith Hill, Seal, Bono, Mary J. Blige, Will.i.am and David Foster. It is available for free download on Winfrey's website -- oprah.com -- for 24 hours.
WARREN'S ADDRESS SPARKS A PROTEST
In what could be a preview of what he will say at Obama's inauguration, conservative pastor Rick Warren spoke to a packed house for the annual King Day service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Monday.
"Tomorrow when I pray the invocation for my friend, Dr. King and a whole host of witnesses will be shouting," Warren said. "Martin Luther King was a mighty tool in the hand of God. But God isn't through. Justice is a journey and we're getting further and further along."
Obama's decision to give Warren a role in the inauguration sparked protests from the gay community and the National Organization for Women. Warren helped rally support in California to outlaw same-sex marriage. And Warren's appearance at the King holiday service also was not without controversy.
About 100 protesters gathered across the street, and there was an outburst from at least one critic before Warren addressed the audience. The protesters outside hoisted signs declaring: "We still have a dream. Equality."
Farris defended The King Center's choice of Warren as keynote speaker, saying he embodies many of the ideals espoused by King.
MORE OBAMA SUPPORT IN MCcain country?
"I voted for John McCain and still would," said Tim Driskill, in a declaration that still speaks for many in Oklahoma.
Not a single county in Oklahoma stirred from the orderly march behind McCain. Statewide, two out of three voters supported McCain -- the highest rate in the nation.
But that largely monolithic, conservative Oklahoma is harder to find now. While there are countless Tim Driskills -- and hardly anyone doubts that McCain would easily win in a redo --there are also new fractures as some voters have shifted toward accepting Obama's victory.
In interviews in the week leading up to the inauguration, many people said a tolerant spirit toward his presidency has been hastened, paradoxically, by some of the same groups that voted mostly Republican. Those include active or former military personnel, and people who identify themselves as evangelical Christians -- two groups with traditions of respecting hierarchical order and strong leadership.
"Oklahomans understand and respect the elections process," said Chris Benge, a Republican from Tulsa who serves as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. "Once the president has been determined, the vast majority of people are willing to get behind him."

domain: news


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Get ready for the EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts. This annual festival takes place on the grounds of Walt Disney World®, just a few minutes away from your Casiola Vacation Home. “Combining performing, culinary and visual arts with entertainment for all ages, the EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts began January 14, 2022, and continues through February 21, 2022. There’s so much more to discover, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know before you go.
How much does the EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts cost?
EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts brings together art, food, and entertainment from around the world. You can watch live performances in the park, enjoy tasteful food at the World Showcase booths and even participate in workshops to create your own masterpieces. The festival is included in your regular park admission, don’t forget to pick up your Disney Festival of the Arts Passport upon entering EPCOT®.
Please note that the entrance fee does not include food at EPCOT®. Tasting at each booth will cost between $5 and $9 and drinks between $4 and $10. There are a ton of free things to do at the Festival of the Arts, including meet-and-greets with artists, an interactive art area, and a family play zone for the kids.
What’s new at the Festival of the Arts 2022?
The latest attraction that visitors to the EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts 2022 can enjoy is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This 4D ride premiered on October 1st and takes you on an adventurous culinary journey with chef Remy through the kitchen, dining rooms, and walls of the famous Paris restaurant of Gusteau.
Be dazzled by Harmonious, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney parks. Harmonious is a brilliant centerpiece to The World’s Most Magical Celebration, the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort®. End your night at the Festival of the Arts with this magnificent show of stunning fireworks and discover how Disney music and stories have the power to bring people together on the Showcase Lagoon, an innovative combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers in a 360-degree view.
We are thrilled to welcome back these talented performers from DISNEY ON BROADWAY. Sit back, relax and sing along to the amazing songs from Disney’s legendary musicals.
What’s on the menu?
The Disney chefs’ menus are always fantastic, and new dishes are offered every year around EPCOT’s World Showcase. Please note that Walt Disney World® tickets do not include food and most items sell for about $10. Here are 10 of our favorite food options to try at the Festival of the Arts.
The world has become a virtual stage. Festival Markets focus on artists who infuse their unique style to a variety of creativity, such as photography and paper sculpture.
Learn new techniques, visit galleries and watch great talents unleash their imagination. Take part in the creative process, choose colors and other elements, create a new work of art, and watch it come to life before your eyes. Visit America Garden Theatre and learn from an animation artist how to draw a Disney character.
The Joy of Art
Discover carefully selected works by established and young artists. Here you will find interesting artworks inspired by the entertainment industry. The ‘World Showcase’ features festival souvenirs and gifts as well as unique picture opportunities with famous artworks from around the world.
Disney on Broadway
Take the time to enjoy one of EPCOT’s best shows, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of DISNEY ON BROADWAY‘s favorite songs. Listen to the magical melodies of Disney’s legendary musicals. Every 2 weeks, DISNEY ON BROADWAY presents different pairs of artists performing the famous and moving songs they helped create.
How to book your Walt Disney World® vacation
If you are planning to explore Walt Disney World®, visit our ticket website for discount tickets. Casiola vacation homes will help you save time and money on your next vacation. Book a wonderful vacation home near the Disney gates to get the most from your trip.

domain: artistic


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a bookclique pick by Jessica Flaxman
Did you love The Grand Budapest Hotel, with its quirky characters and old world charm? Do you like stories about small physical spaces made large by imagination and the resilient characters inhabiting them? Do you think it’s interesting to watch an aristocrat come down in the world while also moving up in a spiritual, if not a literal, sense? Are you a fan of Russian history? If you answered yes to any of the above, then Amor Towles’ captivating A Gentleman in Moscow will be one of your favorite books this year. With lavish details and good pacing, this novel is a balm for whatever ails you. Count Alexander Rostov, the eponymous gentleman, is a relic from another time, a wealthy man about town who cherishes the finer things in life and feels no shame in his privilege. He enjoys his food and his drink, appreciates arts and literature, pays attention to what others wear and how he dresses, and makes and keeps friends easily. From young girls wanting to know about what it’s really like to be a princess, to actresses wanting to know what it’s like to be a Count’s lover, this gentleman draws people to him like a magnet—despite the fact that he has essentially been sentenced to life in prison. Perhaps that’s because his prison is Moscow’s Metropol Hotel, where he once lived in spacious quarters, but now must make due with a gilded cage on the top floor. On the face of things, the good Count is locked away for writing a poem in 1913 that the new government takes issue with. But Rostov’s real crime is being a relic of czarist Russia. During his “trial” in 1922, it is clear that the interrogating officer finds it offensive that Rostov doesn’t do anything purposeful with his life, but instead spends his days “Dining, discussing. Reading, reflecting. The usual rigmarole.” This list of un-workmanlike diversions displeases the Party, which sentences him to live out his life in the opulent hotel that was his temporary home. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is the narrator’s wise and witty voice when he shares his observations about the imprisoned aristocrat’s experience. We watch as Count Rostov sorts his belongings in an effort to choose the few things that will fit in his new and much smaller lodgings in the hotel: “We come to hold our dearest possessions more closely than we hold our friends. We carry them from place to place, often at considerable expense and inconvenience; we dust and polish their surfaces and reprimand children for playing too roughly in their vicinity – all the while, allowing memories to invest them with greater and greater importance.” The Count then slips his deceased sister’s scissors into his pocket – a useful object that has both aesthetic and symbolic value for him. The book doesn’t ignore Russian history exactly; the narrator provides footnotes explaining events and people of historical significance from time to time, and the people who come and go from the hotel bring stories with them from the outside, where communism marches on. But overall, the book offers an insight into what it might feel like to be a bug in amber or a fixture in a museum while time, political movements, and social norms move forward. In an age where Fear of Missing Out is a motivator for many, this book clearly shows that being set aside and forgotten can bring its own blessings. Count Rostov creates an alternate and arguably safer world within the walls of the Hotel Metropole, a world that will draw you in and fill you with delight.

domain: library


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Modifications in ankle dorsiflexor activation by applying a torque perturbation during walking in persons post-stroke: a case series
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation volume 11, Article number: 98 (2014)
Results obtained in a previous study (Gait Posture 34:358–363, 2011) have shown that, in non-disabled participants, a specific increase in ankle dorsiflexor (Tibialis anterior [TA]) activation can be induced by walking with a torque perturbation that plantarflexes the ankle during the swing phase. After perturbation removal, the increased TA activation persisted temporarily and was associated with a more dorsiflexed ankle during swing. The objective of the present case-series study was to verify if these results can be reproduced in persons post-stroke.
Six participants who sustained a stroke walked on a treadmill before, during and after exposure to a torque perturbation applied at the ankle by a robotized ankle-foot orthosis. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, ankle and knee kinematics, and the electromyographic activity of TA and Soleus were recorded. Mean amplitude of the TA burst located around toe off and peak ankle dorsiflexion angle during swing were compared across the 3 walking periods for each participant.
At the end of the walking period with the perturbation, TA mean amplitude was significantly increased in 4 of the 6 participants. Among these 4 participants, modifications in TA activation persisted after perturbation removal in 3 of them, and led to a statistically significant increase in peak dorsiflexion during swing.
This approach may be helpful to evaluate the residual adaptive capacity in the ankle dorsiflexors after a stroke and guide decision-making for the selection of optimal rehabilitation interventions. Future work will investigate the clinical impact of a multiple-session gait training based on this approach in persons presenting a reduced ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of walking.
After a central nervous system lesion (CNS), adaptation of the walking pattern to meet varied environmental demands, such as walking on a sandy beach or in snow, becomes more difficult. The neural control of walking involves complex interactions between different levels of commands. Central commands, from voluntary and automatic drive, predict the muscle activation pattern needed to perform the movement before its execution (feedforward control), while peripheral sensory inputs are involved in correction during movement execution (feedback control) and also in providing error feedback to prepare the next movement. The CNS is constantly adjusting locomotor commands to the environmental constraints. A contribution of the cerebellum and of the corticospinal tract[3, 4] in locomotor adaptation have been proposed in the literature.
Over the last 20 years, paradigms consisting of walking in an experimentally controlled perturbing environment have been developed to evaluate this locomotor adaptive capacity[5–20]. A perturbation that induces a movement error during walking triggers a recalibration of central commands to adapt the muscle activation pattern to its presence. After perturbation removal, this recalibration persists temporarily and can lead to changes in lower limb kinematics (e.g.[10, 11, 13–15, 17, 19]). The perturbations used in these studies can be separated into 2 types: one that primarily affects a single lower limb (e.g. adding a weight on the leg or resisting a movement with a robotic device); and another that uses the walking surface to perturb interlimb coordination (e.g. split-belt treadmill).
A few recent studies have demonstrated that persons post-stroke are still able to adapt spatiotemporal gait parameters, such as step length, double support or single-limb support time to the presence of a perturbation during walking[21–24]. Adaptation of these parameters likely results from coordinated modifications in the activation of several muscle groups. To date, no experimental protocols have evaluated the residual adaptive capacity of a specific muscle group within a single limb while walking in a perturbing environment. This approach may be helpful to guide decision-making for the selection of optimal rehabilitation interventions in situations where the walking deficit is more localized.
A robotized ankle-foot orthosis that uses a hybrid drive system (electrohydraulic) was developed in our laboratory to apply phase-specific torque perturbations at the ankle joint during walking. The effects of walking with a perturbation that targets the ankle joint during the swing phase on the locomotor pattern of non-disabled subjects were quantified in a previous study. The purpose of the present case series was to evaluate ankle dorsiflexor residual adaptive capacity when persons post-stroke are exposed to a similar perturbation. Based on the results obtained in non-disabled subjects, we hypothesized that walking with a perturbation that plantarflexes the ankle during the swing phase would induce an increase in tibialis anterior (TA) activation in these subjects. We also hypothesized that such modifications would carry over after perturbation removal and lead to an increase in ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of walking. Preliminary results were published in abstract form.
Six individuals (S1 – S6) were recruited from the community to participate to the present experiment (Table 1). Inclusion criteria were as follows: participants had sustained a stroke more than 6 months prior to the study (chronic lesion), were discharged from rehabilitation, and were able to walk overground for at least 10 meters independently (i.e. without human assistance). Subjects were excluded if they had unstable health conditions or cardiovascular, pulmonary and/or cognitive deficits that could affect performance during the experiment. To reduce potential skin abrasions from the orthosis, persons having no light touch sensation on the foot and around the ankle were also excluded.
For the Evaluation of ankle dorsiflexor adaptive capacity (see below), the test paradigm consisted of walking on a treadmill before, during and after exposure to a specific perturbation applied at the ankle. Before testing, each subject underwent a Clinical examination performed by a physical therapist to characterize ankle motor impairments. This protocol was approved by the Quebec City Physical Rehabilitation Institute human research review board and all subjects provided written informed consent prior to their entry in the study.
The Clinical examination documented the presence of motor impairments affecting the paretic ankle joint, such as dorsiflexor paresis, plantarflexor hypertonicity, or contractures[27, 28]. Maximal passive ankle dorsiflexion was measured with a manual goniometer, with the participant laying supine with knee and hip joints at 0 degrees of flexion. Plantarflexor contractures were considered as present if passive dorsiflexion was less than or equal to 10 degrees. Plantarflexor hypertonicity was evaluated with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS;), which assesses ankle resistance to a velocity dependent stretch reflex using a 5-point nominal scale (ranging from 0 = “No increase in muscle tone” to 4 = “Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension”). Voluntary dorsiflexor strength was assessed using Daniels and Worthingham’s manual muscle testing grades (MMT;), ranging from 5 = “Completes full range and holds against maximal resistance” to 0 = “No palpable contraction”.
Evaluation of ankle dorsiflexor adaptive capacity
Participants walked with an electrohydraulic ankle-foot orthosis (EHO;) on a treadmill at comfortable speed (range: 1.5-2.5 km/h) for 3 periods (duration ranging between 1 and 3 minutes): before, during and after walking with a perturbation. The CONTROL walking period was used to characterize individual baseline walking patterns (approximately 50 strides). It was followed by the PERTURBATION walking period, during which a torque perturbation was applied at the paretic ankle on every stride of walking. Participants were asked to: “Resist the force and try to walk normally”. The number of strides with a stable perturbation application was approximately 50. Modifications induced by walking with the perturbation were studied during this period. The POST walking period was used to document aftereffects following perturbation removal (approximately 50 strides). Participants walked continuously with the robotized orthosis during the 3 walking periods, looking at a target located 3.5 m straight ahead. When no perturbation was applied, the EHO actively compensated for friction and energy loss across the hydraulic circuit in order to minimize its effects on the subject's natural walking pattern (“active torque cancellation mode”;). For security reasons, participants wore a harness attached to a ceiling-mounted suspension system (no weight support was provided) and lightly held the front handlebar of the treadmill. No walking aids (cane or ankle-foot orthosis) were used during the experiment. They were not informed of the exact time of transitions between walking periods to avoid anticipatory adjustments prior to these transitions.
The perturbation was applied using a custom-designed EHO that uses a hybrid drive system combining the advantages of pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric systems (Figure 1;). The EHO is characterized by lightweight actuators (pneumatic cylinders), a simplified force control algorithm (electric motor with PID controller), high power, and a short time constant (energy transfer by hydraulic fluid). The hybrid system is composed of an electric motor coupled to a hydraulic closed-loop system. The electric motor actuates a master cylinder (remote from the subject) that then transfers the mechanical power through hoses to a slave cylinder attached to a custom-designed aluminum ankle-foot orthosis worn by the participant. To optimize performance, pneumatic cylinders and hoses are filled with water instead of air to minimize compressibility and to improve system performance at higher frequencies.
The EHO enables the application of selected torque perturbations at the ankle joint at targeted moments of the gait cycle by rapidly switching from torque cancellation to torque generation. The torque generation mode is controlled in real time using: 1) a force signal from a load cell (Transducer Techniques Inc.) located at the lower extremity of the slave cylinder; 2) ankle angular position signals from an optical encoder (US Digital Inc.) located on the joint of the orthosis; and 3) signals from a footswitch placed under the heel as an indication of initial foot contact with the ground. More details can be found in Noël et al..
In the present study, the perturbation consisted in applying a parabolic shape torque in the plantarflexion direction during the swing phase of walking, where the ankle has to move towards dorsiflexion in order to clear the toes off the ground. The exact timing and duration of the perturbation were adjusted for each participant on the basis of the ankle movements recorded during the baseline walking period. The perturbation was applied during the first half of swing phase (initial to mid-swing) to avoid disturbances in the preparation of foot contact with the ground. Perturbation onset was set approximately 50 ms after the initiation of swing phase (toe off) and the duration of the perturbation was fixed between 150 and 250 ms.
The following mathematical equation was used:
In this equation, u = t/T where t = the onset time, and T = the total duration of the torque perturbation (seconds). K corresponds to the targeted peak amplitude (Nm). K was adjusted on an individual basis such that the smallest torque that induced a visible plantarflexion deviation in ankle trajectory was used.
Spatiotemporal gait parameters, ankle and knee kinematics and EMG data were recorded during this evaluation. Custom-made footswitches placed under the heel and big toe of both shoes were used to characterize spatiotemporal gait parameters. EMG activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) and Soleus (SOL) muscles of the paretic lower limb was recorded using disposable surface electrodes (KENDALL MEDI-TRACE 200, Covidien, Mansfield, USA) and a custom-made EMG amplifier. Electrodes were placed according to the Surface ElectroMyoGraphy for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles (SENIAM) recommendations. EMG signals were band-pass filtered (10–800 Hz) prior to acquisition, and then digitally filtered (zero-lag Butterworth 4th order filter; band-pass 10–450 Hz) before rectification. Knee and ankle angular displacements were measured with an electrogoniometer (Biometrics Ltd., Ladysmith, USA), and an optical encoder placed on the EHO (US Digital Inc., Washington, USA), respectively. Force applied by the slave cylinder was measured using a load cell (Transducer techniques, Temecula, USA). All signals were digitized at 1000 Hz.
Custom-made software written in MATLAB (The MathWorks Inc., Natick, USA) was used for data analysis. Data recorded during the Evaluation of ankle dorsiflexor adaptive capacity were separated into individual strides based on footswitch signals, time-normalized to 100% for each stride, and then divided into 50 bins of equal width (2% of the gait cycle). Mean amplitude for each of these bins was reported for ankle and knee kinematics, torque, and EMG data.
To characterize the adaptive capacity of ankle dorsiflexors, TA mean amplitude of the burst located around toe off was calculated. A visual inspection of the mean TA activation profile in the presence of the perturbation enabled the identification of the TA burst location (around toe off) normally considered to be a concentric EMG activity burst involved in the dorsiflexion movement during swing. SOL mean amplitude was also measured in this zone to document potential coactivation when walking with the perturbation. Torque applied at the ankle was obtained by multiplying the linear force measured with the load cell by the length of the effective orthosis lever arm. For each subject, the torque measured at baseline was subtracted from the torque recorded during the PERTURBATION walking period. Amplitude and position of peak added torque were then identified.
To evaluate ankle dorsiflexor adaptive capacity, the following 3 epochs were defined:
“Baseline”: mean of the last 5 strides of the CONTROL period;
“Adapted state”: mean of the last 5 strides of the PERTURBATION period;
“Aftereffects”: mean of the first 5 strides of the POST period;
For each participant, one-Way ANOVAs were first used to determine if walking with the perturbation was having an overall effect on TA mean amplitude and maximal dorsiflexion during swing (intra-subject comparisons). T-tests were then used with Bonferroni correction to identify which epochs were different from baseline. Level of significance was set at 0.05.
Ankle motor impairments in persons post-stroke
As demonstrated by the clinical assessment, persons post-stroke recruited in this study had varying levels of ankle motor impairments (Table 2).
Movement error induced by applying a perturbation at the paretic ankle during walking
Applying the perturbation at the ankle induced a deviation towards plantarflexion in the swing phase of walking, as demonstrated for one participant (S4) in Figure 2B. In this subject, a peak torque perturbation of 4.7 ± 0.6 Nm, located at 82.2 ± 2.2% of the gait cycle (Figure 2A) produced an ankle deviation of 6.9 ± 3.5 degrees at 83.6 ± 2.0% of the gait cycle (Figure 2B).
As mentioned under Methods, the amplitude and position of the torque perturbation were adjusted on an individual basis due to the inter-subject differences in the baseline walking pattern. Perturbation characteristics are presented in Table 3. As the goal of the experiment was to walk with a stable torque perturbation for 50 strides (actual 53.2 ± 8.6 strides), and considering that it took between 0 and 38 strides to adjust peak torque amplitude, participants walked for a varying number of strides while being actually perturbed (range: 50–111 strides).
Ankle dorsiflexor adaptive capacity to a perturbation during walking in persons post-stroke
In non-disabled persons, a previous study has shown that walking with this perturbation produced an increase in TA activation around toe off. Similar results occurred in 4 of 6 participants post-stroke. In these participants, a significant increase in TA mean amplitude in the swing phase, ranging from 21.0% to 288.6% (% of baseline; S1: p < 0.001; S3: p = 0.011; S4: p < 0.001; and S6: p < 0.001), was observed at the end of the PERTURBATION walking period (Figure 3A and B). This effect was not present in S2 or S5, however. In S2, the baseline TA activation during swing was so low that the usual stance-to-swing transition burst was undistinguishable from background noise, and changes in TA activation during swing were thus difficult to interpret. In S5, walking with the perturbation did not have a statistically significant impact on TA mean amplitude in the specific zone of the gait cycle (p = 0.222).Walking with the perturbation did not induce concomitant activation of the antagonist muscle (SOL) during the swing phase in 5 of the 6 participants (Figure 3C and D; S1: p = 0.393; S2: p = 0.056; S3: p = 0.064; S4: p = 0.685; S6: p = 0.432). In the other participant (S5), SOL mean amplitude increased significantly from 28.8 ± 0.8 μV at baseline to 35.7 ± 1.0 μV in adapted state, corresponding to an increase of 24.0% (p = 0.001).
Among the 4 participants showing an increased TA activation during the PERTURBATION period, these effects carried over after perturbation removal in 3 of them. Persisting increases in TA mean amplitude in the first strides after removing the perturbation ranged between 24.0% and 251.5% (% of baseline; Figure 3). These aftereffects were significantly different from baseline (S1: p < 0.001; S4: p = 0.013; S6: p = 0.007). The relationship between changes in TA activation obtained during and after exposure to the perturbation can be observed in Figure 4. This relationship was nearly linear, as demonstrated by a coefficient of determination value (R2) of 0.9976. It indicates that more than 99% of the variance in the modifications in TA amplitude observed after perturbation removal may be explained by the modifications observed with the perturbation.
As mentioned above, the number of strides taken with the perturbation varied across participants (between 50 and 111 strides). However, no relationship was found between exposure duration and aftereffects magnitude (data not shown).These aftereffects in TA activation led to modifications in ankle angular displacement. Significant increases of 6.6° (p < 0.001), 4.2° (p < 0.001), and 1.9° (p = 0.006) in maximal dorsiflexion during the swing phase when compared to baseline can be observed after removing the perturbation, in S1, S4, and S6, respectively (Figure 5).
The purpose of the present case series was to evaluate ankle dorsiflexor residual adaptive capacity in persons who had sustained a stroke by having them walk on a treadmill with an electrohydraulic ankle-foot-orthosis that applied a torque perturbation at the ankle joint in the swing phase of the gait cycle.
Walking with the EHO
It was first necessary to investigate the feasibility of using the EHO to apply a perturbation at the ankle during the swing phase of walking in persons post-stroke. Despite the presence of ankle motor impairments associated with their lesions, participants were able to clear the ground and to walk safely with the EHO. When questioned about their reactions to walking with the EHO, participants reported mild discomfort due to the added mass and the limitation in medio-lateral ankle movements. The aluminum structure was optimized to combine low weight properties with the capacity to sustain sufficient torques. The total mass of the EHO without the shoe is 1.70 kg. This weight seems reasonable considering that adding a unilateral weight of 1.82 kg or less does not result in a significant change in walking speed or alter oxygen consumption in non-disabled persons. The results of the present study show that persons post-stroke can safely walk with the EHO.
Adaptive capacity to a perturbation during walking in persons post-stroke
The present study evaluated the dorsiflexor adaptive capacity in 6 persons post-stroke by walking with a perturbation that plantarflexed the ankle during the swing phase. Similar to the results obtained in non-disabled individuals, walking with this specific perturbation led to an increased TA activation in 4 of 6 participants, indicating that these individuals still had the capacity to adapt dorsiflexor activation to changes in environmental demands. Furthermore, the modification in TA activation carried over after perturbation removal in 3 of these 4 participants. These results are consistent with a central recalibration of the motor commands (feedforward mechanisms;).
The absence of aftereffects in S3 suggests that modifications in TA activation observed in the presence of the perturbation did not involve a central recalibration of the motor commands. For this particular subject, the increased TA activation in the adapted state may therefore have been due to modifications in the sensory afferent pattern resulting from the action of the perturbation on the lower limb while walking. By moving the ankle towards plantarflexion during the swing phase, the perturbation may have modified spindle afferent discharge as a result of a different muscle elongation/shortening pattern during walking. Moreover, skin afferent discharge may also have been modified in the presence of the perturbation. When the perturbation was applied, the shoe pushed on the dorsal surface of the foot to move the ankle towards plantarflexion. Considering that feedback mechanisms are involved in the neural control of locomotion[1, 36], this modified sensory afferent pattern likely participated to the reshaping of TA muscle activation during walking.
Targeted modifications in TA activation were not obtained in all participants, however. In the remaining 2 participants, no significant increase was observed in TA activation during swing. While S2 did not modify activations of any of the recorded muscles to counteract the effects of the perturbation, S5 increased SOL activation during swing. The resulting TA-SOL coactivation around the ankle joint may have been used to minimize the effects of the perturbation on his walking pattern. The central nervous system is known to adapt the mechanical impedance (stiffness) of the joint by modulating coactivation of antagonist muscle groups during perturbed reaching movements[37–40]. A similar strategy may be adopted in the lower limb when post-stroke persons are walking in a perturbing environment.
Other features of the adaptive capacity in the presence of a perturbation after a stroke have been previously studied[21, 22, 24, 41]. Indeed, Reisman et al.[21, 22] have demonstrated that persons post-stroke are able to adapt their step length and double support time of the paretic limb to different belt speed relationships (split-belt locomotion). Moreover, modifications in walking symmetry were obtained in a recent study following adaptation to a perturbation that resisted lower limb forward movement with a system of pulleys and weights. These results suggest that, after a cerebral lesion, the impaired CNS is still capable of adapting spatiotemporal gait parameters to a perturbing environment. However, modifications of these inter-limb coordination parameters may involve compensations rather than actual adaptation in some participants. Contrary to these studies, the approach presented here enables the assessment of residual adaptive capacity in a targeted muscle of a single limb during the swing phase, thereby limiting possible contralateral limb compensations. That being said, we are aware that it is very likely that inducing modifications in a muscle group during walking may have consequences on the dynamic control of the whole limb and therefore also affect other muscle groups.
The impact of ankle motor impairments on dorsiflexor adaptive capacity
Results of the present work also showed that chronic motor impairments affecting the paretic ankle joint are not good predictors of a lack of adaptive capacity in TA muscle activation when walking with the perturbation, as demonstrated by S1 who presented the most pronounced ankle motor impairments of all participants. In this specific participant, clinical measurements indicated a severe plantarflexor hypertonicity with a marked contracture (ankle passive dorsiflexion did not reach the neutral position), as well as an inability to produce a voluntary dorsiflexion movement. Despite the severity of his ankle motor impairments, S1 demonstrated a very good dorsiflexor adaptive capacity when walking with the perturbation. The lack of correlation between impairments and adaptive plasticity during split-belt locomotion in stroke patients was also reported in Reisman et al.. Further work with larger sample sizes is needed to examine the relationship between specific motor impairments or walking deficits and adaptive capacity.
Several authors have suggested that walking in a perturbing environment could be helpful in the rehabilitation of persons with walking limitations following CNS lesions (e.g.[19, 21, 22, 24, 42–46]). The premise is that amplifying a walking deficit produces a larger movement error that in turn may trigger a recalibration in central commands to ultimately correct it. As an example, a few protocols voluntarily heighten the asymmetrical locomotor pattern of persons post-stroke by walking with different belt speed relationships (split-belt locomotion;[21, 22]). Aftereffects resulting from the adaptation to this perturbing environment then improved walking symmetry.
The demonstration that inducing a plantarflexion deviation during walking triggers a central recalibration of the motor commands that leads to an increase in ankle dorsiflexion after perturbation removal supports the potential of such an approach to improve walking limitations. This innovative approach of inducing “angular” movement error, enables the targeting of a specific joint and/or phase-specific motor impairment during walking, such as foot drop (see below) that cannot be addressed with systems like split-belt treadmills.
To date, only a few studies have documented the long-term effects of gait training based on walking in a perturbing environment to improve specific walking disabilities resulting from a cerebral lesion[44, 47]. More specifically, multiple sessions of walking with a weight attached on the paretic leg have been reported to lead to improvements in functional ambulation of persons post-stroke, particularly in locomotor activities requiring knee and hip flexion, such as stair climbing. Furthermore, a better step length symmetry of a person post-stroke was reported after split-belt treadmill training.
Considering that an increase of 5 degrees in dorsiflexion range of movement is usually considered as clinically significant, some may argue that statistically significant increases in ankle dorsiflexion obtained in the present study (6.6, 4.2 and 1.9 degrees) might not have a clinical impact on locomotion. However, these effects were induced by a single session of walking with the perturbation (duration ranging between 1 and 3 minutes). It is reasonable to hypothesize that persons presenting a reduced ankle dorsiflexion during the swing phase of walking (“foot drop”) may benefit from gait training (multiple sessions) based on this approach. The potential clinical impact of an increased dorsiflexion during the swing phase of walking is likely related to an increase in toe clearance that in turn will facilitate forward body progression and reduce the risk of tripping or falling.
Before testing a locomotor training program based on walking with this specific perturbation on persons post-stroke, it is important to address whether the modifications in TA activation transfer to overground walking. To our knowledge, only one study has documented the transfer of aftereffects induced by a perturbation during treadmill walking to overground walking in persons post-stroke. In that study, a partial transfer of the aftereffects induced by walking on a split-belt treadmill to overground walking occurred in non-disabled and post-stroke subjects, suggesting that some aspects of the neural control of overground walking are shared with split-belt treadmill walking. The authors suggest that the transfer would be larger if more characteristics were common to both environmental contexts. Further work is needed to document the transfer of the aftereffects resulting from adaptation to a perturbation such as that used in the present study to overground walking.
The demonstration of the potential of this approach to evaluate the residual adaptive capacity in the ankle dorsiflexors after a stroke in only six subjects could be considered a study limitation. As demonstrated, however, the evaluation of the adaptive capacity must be made on an individual basis using intra-subject comparative analysis. This therefore greatly reduces the number of subjects needed for a case-series study, like this one.
Sensory impairments were not documented in details in the present study. Only participants with no light touch sensation on the foot or around the ankle were excluded to avoid pressure sores. Considering the contribution of sensory inputs to the control of walking[1, 36], it is possible that they would correlate better with adaptive capacity. While results presented in the literature vary with regard to the role of sensory impairments in motor adaptation (see[21, 49]), we suggest that sensory impairments should nevertheless be considered in future studies. Current methods to test proprioceptive deficits at the lower limb are often based on simple tests such as identifying the direction of passive movement of the big toe. As it is reasonable to believe that adaptation while walking with a perturbation may be influenced by the capacity to detect errors in lower limb joint position, further work is needed to first develop a valid and reliable proprioception measurement tool for person with motor deficits and then to investigate the relationship between proprioceptive deficits and adaptive capacity.
While no major limitations were found in using the EHO to apply perturbations at the ankle of persons post-stroke during treadmill walking, the need to use customized shoes restricted somewhat our subject selection. Indeed, persons having no light touch sensation on the foot and around the ankle had to be excluded to avoid potential skin damage when the EHO was worn. An improvement would be to modify the design of the EHO to allow personal shoes to be used.
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The authors would like to thank F. Comeau, D. Tardif and C. Mercier for their technical contribution during data collection, as well as F. Pelletier and the physical therapists (Stroke Unit) of the Quebec Rehabilitation Institute (IRDPQ) for their valuable assistance in participant recruitment. AKB’s doctoral studies were supported by the Multidisciplinary Team in Locomotor Rehabilitation (Canadian Institutes of Health Research Team Grant - RMF79027) and by the Centre for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration (CIRRIS). This work was supported by Multidisciplinary Team in Locomotor Rehabilitation (Canadian Institutes of Health Research Team Grant) and the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
AKB participated in the design of the study, was responsible for data collection, carried out the data analysis, performed the statistical analysis, and drafted the manuscript. MN was responsible for the software modifications and control of the robotized orthosis during data acquisition, participated in data collection, and helped to draft the manuscript. CLR contributed to the design of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. SN contributed to the design of the study and revised the manuscript. LJB conceived the study, participated in its design, coordination and analysis, and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Blanchette, A.K., Noël, M., Richards, C.L. et al. Modifications in ankle dorsiflexor activation by applying a torque perturbation during walking in persons post-stroke: a case series. J NeuroEngineering Rehabil 11, 98 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-11-98

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ANTIGONISH, NS, June 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) accompanied by the local MLA for Antigonish, the Honourable Randy Delorey, Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for Gaelic Affairs, participated in a community event at H.M. MacDonald Elementary School to encourage children to enjoy outdoor activities safely this coming winter.
"IBC is proud to support injury-prevention efforts – from being safe on the road to wearing a helmet," said Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Atlantic, IBC. "We are big believers in helping make sure kids, like those in attendance today, have the right equipment to reduce their chance of injury."
IBC's donation to the Safety in the Snow (SITS) program, which encourages the students of H.M. MacDonald School and their families in the surrounding community to safely participate in recreational winter activities, will help supply snowshoes and helmets.
"S.I.T.S. is a great initiative supported by IBC. I know many teachers, parents, and caregivers can find it difficult to keep children active throughout the winter," said MLA for Antigonish, the Honourable Randy Delorey, Minister of Environment & Minister Responsible for Gaelic Affairs. "With this generous donation from IBC, students at HM MacDonald Elementary will have the ability to get outside during the winter, be active, and stay safe."
"New provincial safety guidelines highly recommend helmets for sledding, which is in the alternative environment strand of the physical education program," said Lavonah Madden, a physical education teacher at H.M. MacDonald School. "Children require proper safety training for this popular winter activity, and with the support of IBC, we are now able to provide this piece of safety equipment for students and the greater community."
Winters in Atlantic Canada can be tough, as evidenced by this past winter. But at the same time, these snowy months provide outdoor opportunities for children and families. When children have the proper equipment, they can safely enjoy outdoor fun throughout the long winter months.
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A Southwest Airways jet sits at a gate at Orlando Worldwide Airport in Orlando, Florida, U.S., October 11, 2021.
Joe Skipper | Reuters
A federal choose in Texas denied Southwest Airlines pilots union’s request to quickly block a vaccine mandate for workers, which is a requirement underneath new authorities guidelines.
Dallas-based Southwest Airways should require workers to be absolutely vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19 by Dec. 8 until they obtain a spiritual or medical exemption, in keeping with guidelines for federal contractors that the Biden administration issued final month.
The Southwest Airways Pilots Affiliation, which represents some 9,000 aviators, sought a short lived restraining order in opposition to the mandate. The union had argued that the mandate, in addition to different Covid-related firm insurance policies, wanted to be negotiated with the union.
“Requiring Southwest staff to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 will likewise enhance the security of air transportation, effectivity of Southwest’s operations, and additional the [collective bargaining agreement’s] aim of secure and cheap working situations for pilots,” U.S. District Choose Barbara Lynn wrote in her Tuesday ruling, denying the union’s restraining order request and dismissing the case.
The labor union mentioned it’s upset within the ruling and “we’re presently contemplating subsequent steps.”
It wasn’t the one dispute over airways’ vaccine mandates. United Airways is preventing a lawsuit in U.S. District Courtroom in Fort Price introduced by six staff who alleged they have been unfairly denied exemptions to the mandate. The choose quickly blocked United’s plan to place workers with exemptions on unpaid go away.

domain: law


text:
Rogers, M. A* Member first chmber of commerce, Denver R.H. News. Jan. 9, 1884 p,8 c.3 Organizer, bar convention, Deaver R.M. News. kug. 11, 1981 p.4 c.4 Mentioned, Patterson letter, Denver R.U. News. Avg. 31, 1973 p.4 c.4 Warrant ordered drawn. Denver R.M.'Fews. Aug. 9, 1973 p.4 c.3 Deaver, leaves for Fairplay, Colo. R-1% News, Aug. 2. 1873 p.4 c.1
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Tesla Inc. has been cutting prices this year to bolster sales of its aging EVs, but that has also likely reduced its industry-leading profit margins. That volume-over-profit approach will be the major focus of its first-quarter earnings report Wednesday.
The EV maker likely sold 161,630 vehicles in the U.S. in the January-March period, according to Cox Automotive, which represents a 25 percent increase compared with a year earlier but far below CEO Elon Musk’s 50 percent global growth target.
Tesla doesn’t break out U.S. sales but reported global deliveries of 422,875 for the first quarter, a 4.3 percent increase compared with the previous quarter. That increase suggests that price cuts were necessary to maintain growth amid rising EV competition.
At the same time, Tesla is expected to report auto gross margin of 23 percent after the market close Wednesday, according to a Visible Alpha survey of market analysts. A year earlier, Tesla reported a 33 percent gross margin, Reuters said.
The profit reduction was expected after price cuts of up to 20 percent on some versions of Tesla’s best-selling Model Y crossover in the U.S. Tesla has also cut prices in Asia, Europe and the Middle East to bolster sales this year.
In January, Tesla CFO Zachary Kirkhorn estimated that gross margin would not fall below 20 percent, which is still very healthy by industry standards. Tesla’s stock price this year was up by more than 70 percent as of Monday’s close.
Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives, who is bullish on Tesla, said in a Twitter post Sunday that the main focus of investors going into earnings is “the margin structure of the business model.”
“Auto gross margins north of 20 percent is the key,” he said.
Tesla already beat global sales expectations with first-quarter deliveries, Ives said, proving that the price cuts were a smart move by the automaker to defend its EV share.
Morgan Stanley said in a research note Monday that it expects “a decent” first-quarter report from Tesla but warned that maintaining a minimum 20 percent gross margin could be challenging if additional price reductions are necessary for growth.
“Our working assumption is that Tesla will continue its price cut campaign,” said Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas. He said the firm has heard from investors who forecast a range of gross margins from 17 percent to above 24 percent in the first quarter, including items such as software sales and lower lithium prices that could boost profitability.


Avid Announces Flexible Licensing and Deployment Options for Artist Suite Video Creative Solutions
LAS VEGAS, NV, 4/5/2014
NAB (Booth #SU902) Avid® (OTC: AVID) today announced new updates for the Avid Artist Suite video creative solutions, focused on helping media organizations and creative professionals acquire, use, and deploy Media Composer® video editing software in more powerful, efficient, and profitable ways. The company introduced Media Composer | Cloud, bringing cloud-enabled editing capabilities to video editors. This offering, combined with flexible purchase and licensing options, provides customers with greater choice over where, when, and how they deploy Avid’s industry-leading video editing solutions.
The Media Composer family is part of the Avid Artist Suite, a new grouping of products comprised of the company’s industry-standard creative tools, including solutions for video editing, graphics creation, music creation, music notation, audio post, and live sound.
“To succeed in today’s rapidly evolving industry, creative professionals and media organizations need greater workflow flexibility and more choice over how to deploy their solutions,” stated Chris Gahagan, senior vice president of Products and Technology at Avid. “With Media Composer | Cloud and the new subscription and floating licensing options, professionals can collaborate everywhere and enjoy unprecedented choice over how, when, and where they deploy and scale their solutions. This is a key part of our Avid Everywhere vision.”
New Artist Suite announcements for pro video include:
- Media Composer | Cloud—Media Composer | Cloud (formerly Interplay® Sphere) extends real-time production everywhere, giving Media Composer editors the choice to connect remotely and access, edit, and collaborate with others as if they were on premises. This enables editors and assistants to shape stories collaboratively and remotely in the cloud, and enables production companies shooting on location to accelerate dailies tasks and get a head start on editing, thereby keeping production moving forward, regardless of proximity challenges.
- Media Composer | Software subscription licensing—With new monthly and annual Media Composer subscription options (available in Q2), Avid has significantly lowered the cost of entry to the industry’s most trusted editing tool. Customers can now gain access to the latest Media Composer toolset, support, and upgrades on a low-cost monthly or annual basis, or own the software outright for $1,299 USD and get one year of Avid support and upgrades, with additional upgrades available thereafter through annual support plan renewal.
- Media Composer | Software floating licensing—For large-scale media enterprises, post-production houses, and educational institutions, Avid now offers floating licensing for Media Composer (available in Q2), making it possible to purchase a “pack” of shared licenses to deploy facility-wide using a single system ID. The floating license server software can be installed on a Windows-based computer at the facility, with the server software accessible from any Mac- or Windows-based computer, enabling multiple editors to use Media Composer on any number of workstations when licenses are available (not actively in use).Administrators can also permit users to “check out” licenses for systems, such as a laptop, taken off premises, setting a license expiration date to coincide with the end of the project.
Availability and Pricing
Media Composer | Cloud is currently available and pricing starts at $35,000 USD. The Media Composer | Software subscription and floating licensing will be available in Q2 2014. Pricing for Media Composer | Software starts at $1,299 USD; Media Composer | Software subscription licensing starts at $50/month; and
Media Composer | Software floating license starts at $1,799. All models now include software upgrades and support. To continue receiving upgrades and support after the first year, perpetual licenses must be renewed annually for $299.
Avid delivers the most open and efficient media platform, connecting content creation with collaboration, asset protection, distribution, and consumption. Avid’s preeminent customer community uses Avid’s comprehensive tools and workflow solutions to create, distribute and monetize the most watched, loved and listened to media in the world—from prestigious and award-winning feature films to popular television shows, news programs and televised sporting events, and celebrated music recordings and live concerts. With the most flexible deployment and pricing options, Avid’s industry-leading solutions include Media Composer®, Pro Tools®, Avid NEXIS®, MediaCentral®, iNEWS®, AirSpeed®, Sibelius®, Avid VENUE™, FastServe®, and Maestro™. For more information about Avid solutions and services, visit www.avid.com, connect with Avid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, or subscribe to Avid Blogs.
©2024 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Avid, the Avid logo, Avid NEXIS, FastServe, AirSpeed, iNEWS, Maestro, MediaCentral, Media Composer, Pro Tools, Avid VENUE, and Sibelius are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice.


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Minneapolis Fed releases two new Community Affairs reports
Published April 1, 2010 | April 2010 issue
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has added two new titles to its Community Affairs report series. In the first of the new reports, Minnesota's Earned Income Credit Program: Utilization by Current and Former Welfare Households and the Impact of Policy Parameters, Minneapolis Fed Community Affairs Economist Donald P. Hirasuna and University of Minnesota Professor of Applied Economics Thomas F. Stinson examine the utilization of a state earned income credit by current and former welfare recipients. The authors use two measures to analyze utilization: receipt of the earned income credit among all current and former welfare recipients and receipt among only those eligible for the credit. They also examine how receipt varies by demographic group, household earnings, and other factors. A version of the report originally appeared in the June 2009 National Tax Journal.
In the second report, Gaining a Better Understanding of the Costs of Homeownership Programs: A Case Study and Recommendations for Minnesota's Home Ownership Center, Minneapolis Fed Vice President Richard M. Todd and Bethel University Professor of Business Leo T. Gabriel share results of their analysis of the Minnesota Home Ownership Center's program costs. The authors examine the total costs of the Center's three primary programs—homeownership classes, pre-purchase homebuyer counseling, and foreclosure counseling—and offer recommendations for improving cost accounting to promote program efficiency. (The authors' analysis of the Center's foreclosure counseling services is the subject of the article "Minnesota Home Ownership Center case study illuminates costs of foreclosure counseling" in this issue.)
Both of the new reports are available at https://www.minneapolisfed.org/community/community-development-papers.


The Importance of Cable Management
As audiovisual integrators and technicians, one of our most important responsibilities is addressing cable management, especially when it involves fixing a poorly implemented initial installation. We’ve all experienced the horror of arriving at a client’s business only to discover a rat’s nest of cables, cords, coax, and wiring connected to a poorly designed or maintained server network. We are then forced to immediately address these concerns and offer guidance on how and why the network should be improved to mitigate heat-related server performance issues and lost productivity.
Correcting this tangle of cables can be time-consuming upfront, but it will save precious resources and money over the long term. When we discuss cable management solutions with a client, whether it’s a new installation or update to an existing network, we focus on the equipment that will deliver the best access to maintain and modernize the system, adequate cooling to ensure optimum performance and meet the company’s efficiency objectives. Any downtime a client experiences directly translates to lost revenue and needs to be the top priority to address.
Cable Rack Management Solutions
According to PACRAD, the top five cable management solutions are horizontal racks, vertical racks, cable hangers and trays, data patch panels and fiber optic patch panels. Each one has a place and purpose within the server room or user platform. Our job as a professional AV integrator is to show our clients how this equipment will benefit their operations and save money over time.
Horizonal and Vertical Racks
Horizontal racks are ideal for organizing cables in a server room at the time of the initial installation. While there is an initial investment with lacing bars when opting for horizontal racks, the end result is a neat and professional looking data center which is much more conducive to subsequent maintenance and troubleshooting.
On the other hand, using vertical racks maximize airflow at network stations. Vertical racks also tend to take up less space leaving more room for future network expansion.
For more information about which type of rack is best suited for your system, take a look at Using a Horizontal vs. a Vertical Rack PDU. According to the article’s author, “knowing how to optimize your rack space is a matter of understanding trade-offs and being able to balance your actual requirements with the configuration of your cabinet.”
Note that both horizontal and vertical lacing management allow for bundling using Velcro strips instead of zip ties, which tend to pinch and compress cables. Velcro strips can also be reused or repositioned as needed unlike zip ties. We employ industry best practices of signal separation in racks when bundling cables and make sure to allow sufficient service loop length.
Cable Hangers and Trays
Cable hangers are used to organize cabling within racks. These cable hangers can be mounted either on the ceiling or floor and are excellent for organizing long cable runs.
According to the cabletrays.org website, “Per the National Electrical Code, a cable tray system is ‘a unit or assembly of units or sections and associated fittings forming a rigid structural system used to securely fasten or support cables and raceways.’” There are two popular types of trays: perforated trays and solid trays. Perforated trays provide superior air ventilation. Solid cable trays offer superior protection. For more information on cable tray use, check out Understanding Cable Trays by David Herres.
Data patch panels consist of a board with multiple ports to connect network wiring. Using data patch panels is a great solution to label and consolidate cabling to ensure a tidy installation. According to the Firefold’s website, “Troubleshooting problems are [sic] simplified with patch panels since they provide a single location for all input jacks. They’re frequently used in industries that require extensive sound equipment because they work well for connecting a variety of devices…By centralizing cables in one place, patch panels make it easy for network administrators to move, add or change complex network architectures.”
Fiber optic patch panels, also known as termination units, are similar to data patch panels, but are designed specifically for fiber optic cables, according to PACRAD. These panels can accommodate connectors and patch cables. Integrators can easily connect cable fibers through cross connection, test and connect with other network equipment.
Rack Organization Matters
In The Art of AV Equipment Rack Design, Mike Tomei, an AV design and management consultant based in central New York and owner of Tomei AV Consulting wrote, “Paying attention to some basic rack design concepts early in the project’s timeline can prevent a handful of issues you’ll have to address in the future… Incorporate a couple internal rack shelves to secure all of your small items like twisted pair transmitters/receivers, distribution amplifiers, scalers, converters, power supplies, etc.” Labeling cables and wires accurately and thoroughly is a must as well as preserving easy access to the rear of all equipment within the rack for troubleshooting and maintenance purposes.
Promoting Cable and Wire Management
Effective cable and wire management benefits our clients in several ways. To this end, Cable Management for Server Racks presented by Middle Atlantic Products offers an important tip:
“Installation of cabling systems during building construction or renovation is significantly less expensive and less disruptive than after the building is occupied. The small cost associated with running extra wires for future expansion will save money down the road.”
Power use effectiveness (PUE) is affected by cable management in regard to data center airflow. Many clients simply do not realize that if cable management is improved, cooling unit fan speeds can be reduced and temperature controls increased. By selecting the proper equipment and organizing it to optimize airflow, there is an improvement in the ease of access thereby saving our clients valuable time and money.
Disorganized racks make it difficult for our technicians to follow the cable flow and test, install and remove or repair equipment. When you take into account installation and labor costs, a haphazard installation can easily double the cost to the client. It simply makes sense to invest in a structured, well-organized cable system from the start.


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Renaissance New Orleans Arts Hotel has comfort down to a fine art. Set in the heart of the Arts District and just blocks from the French Quarter, our elegant NOLA hotel boasts elegant touches that seamlessly meld old-world splendor and contemporary convenience. This former warehouse built in the early 20th century now houses luxurious rooms and suites with marble bathrooms, LCD TVs, high-speed...
Owner? Claim The Menu
The Renaissance New Orleans Arts Hotel to something truly special. Our home is a former warehouse, dating from the early 20th century; we've strived to preserve a sense of old-world splendor in our surroundings, while simultaneously infusing a thoroughly contemporary sense of convenience.
This Marriott specialty hotel lives up to its name with a near obsessive patronage of the arts. The lobby itself feels like a gallery, and in fact has attached to its side a mini-gallery showcasing the work of local favorite Arthur Roger. Streams of natural light flood the lobby by day, while blue lights warm it at night. Works by Ida Kohlmyer, Allison Stewart, Francis X. Pavy and Mitchell...
Art lovers looking to stay close to downtown should check out this circa-1910 warehouse-turned-hotel, where huge windows now make for great views from comfortable, spacious, well-designed rooms furnished with a minimalist bent. Rene Bistrot, the hotel's restaurant, is upscale and cosmopolitan, with an open kitchen and rotating art displays.
Excellent Hotel and Service from entrance to exit! Highly suggest staying here.
Everything was great. Hotel was exceedingly clean. Service in all aspects was prompt. Good quiet alternative to rowdier French Quarter hotels if you don't need to be woken up by pulled fire alarms, running through halls, shouting at all hours, etc.
Gym area was well taken care of, an employee employee even switched out my used towel for a clean one mid-workout. One disappointment was that the...
Largest Hotels;Top 100 Best Values Around The World
This New Orleans hotel is in a renovated 1910 warehouse, surrounded by galleries. The hotel is within 5 blocks of Riverwalk Marketplace and the Ernest N Morial Convention Center.
Know Before You Go: With a spacious oyster bar, a separate chef's table and comfortable lounge area, there's no shortage of options for solo diners and larger groups alike.
The Extras: For an amazing New Orleans meal, try the adjoining La Cote Brasserie or walk a block and dine at Emeril's.

domain: travel


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Less than 300 climbers globally have ever climbed the Seven Summits of the World, making Irish Seven Summits one of the most Extreme clubs in mountaineering or indeed in any adventure undertaking worldwide. Extreme athlete Paul Devaney, along with the Irish Seven Summits have set themselves a mission to climb the Seven Summits. This began with Kilimanjaro and upon their completion will have reached the target of 7 mountains on 7 continents in 7 years.
Inspired by a trek to Everest Base Camp in 2005, Paul Devaney from Longford assembled a team of classmates from his Aeronautical Engineering class at University of Limerick to take on Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Thus the seeds were sown for an epic mission to translate ideas into action and conquer the Seven Summits – the highest mountain on all 7 continents under the new banner of ‘Irish Seven Summits’.
Paul has partnered with Liam’s Lodge and all funds raised from his expeditions will be helping us make positive life impacts for sick children in Ireland’s first National Respite Centre for genetic and rare disorders.

domain: geography