Full Leg Control of a Quadruped Robot Using Linear Visual Servoing with a Stereo Omnidirectional Camera
Yukinari Inoue* and Noriaki Maru**
*Noritsu Kouki Co. Ltd., 579-1 Umehara, Wakayama, Japan
**Systems Engineering, Wakayama University, Sakaedani 930, Wakayama, Japan
-  P. K. Allen, B. Yoshimi, and A. Timucenko, “Real-time visual servoing,” Proceedings of the 1991 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Robotics Automation, pp. 851-856, 1991.
-  A. J. Koivo and N. Houshangi, “Real-time vision feedback for sevoing robotic manipulator with self-tuning controller,” IEEE Trans. Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Vol.21, No.1, pp. 134-142, 1991.
-  L. E. Weiss, A. C. Sanderson and C. P. Neuman, “Dynamic sensorbased control of robots with visual feedback,” IEEE Trans. Robotics and Automation, Vol.RA-3, No.5, pp. 404-417,1987.
-  K. Hasimoto, T. Ebine and H. Kimura, “Visual servoing with Hand-Eye manipulator – Optical Control Approach,” IEEE Trans. Robotics and Automation, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 766-774,1996.
-  K. Hosoda and M. Asada, “Adaptive Visual Servoing Controller with Feedforward Compensator without Knowledge of True Jacobian,” Journal of the Robotics Society of Japan, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 159-165, 1996 (in Japanese).
-  T. Mitsuda, N. Maru, K. Fujikawa, and F. Miyazaki, “Linear Approximation of the Inverse Kinematics by using a Binocular Visual space,” Journal of the Robotics Society of Japan, Vol.14, No.8, pp. 1145-1151, 1996 (in Japanese).
-  T. Mitsuda, N. Maru, and F. Miyazaki, “Binocular visual servoing based on linear time-invariant mapping,” Advanced Robotics, Vol.11, No.5, pp. 429-443, 1997.
-  Y. Inoue and N. Maru, “Leg Positioning Control of the Quadruped Robot by Linear Visual Servoing,” Proc. of IEEE Int’l Conf. on Intelligent Robots and Systems IROS, 2004 (CD-ROM).
This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationa License.


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Image courtesy of: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net
There is no registration required for this program. Just come on down.
A Crafty Kids program will take place at the Derby Public Library for children ages 4-11. It’s creative fun for everyone with an opportunity to complete several spring-themed craft projects. All materials will be supplied and there is no fee to attend.

domain: artistic


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Auction the Night Away
Going once, going twice, sold. You’ll hear a lot of that at the annual Armstrong City Limits Auction at Sixty Five Hundred from 7 p.m. to midnight on Nov. 13. Live and silent auctions will take place, to the music from the live entertainment for the evening, the Jordan Khan Band.
The auction benefits John S. Armstrong Elementary School by aiding salaries, technology needs, facilities improvement, and the new Spanish program.
Tickets for the Auction Party are $150 a person and can be purchased on the event website. To make a donation, click here.

domain: news


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Tissue Engineering: A New Era in Dentistry
Asim W., Fatima A. A., Sara I., M.A. Fareed
FMH C M&D
Tissue Engineering is the application of the principles and methods of engineering and the life sciences toward the
fundamental understanding of structure / function relationships in normal and pathological mammalian tissues and the
development of biological substitutes to restore, maintain, or improve functions. Stem cells capable of self-renewal are
isolated via ultrafiltration or centrifugation of the source tissue, seeded on to a scaffold, and combined in a bioreactor along
with growth factors. The cell culture is grown till the tissue or organ required has been formed; the successfully regenerated
structure is then implanted into the body.
Dental stem cells
A scaffold is an artificial
structure capable of supporting
3-D Tissue Formation.
1. Natural or Synthetic Polymers,
commonly Polyglycolic Acid or
2. Allow cell movement, growth
factor delivery, nutrient
3. Often biodegradable.
Stem cells are undifferentiated
totipotent, pluripotent or
1) Dental mesenchymal cells:
a) Dental pulp SCs
b) Periodontal ligament SCs
c) Dental follicle SCs
d) Human exfoliated deciduous
2) Dental epithelial SCs
Growth Factors are regulatory
substances that stimulate cell
growth, proliferation and
differentiation. Current growth
factor release technologies:
1. Fibrin Glue
4.INFUSE® Bone Graft
A bioreactor is an engineered
or manufactured device that
supports a biologically active
Although prosthetic implants already exist to replace lost dental structures, it is expected the implant failure rate will increase
dramatically with an increase in high-risk operations and the entry of improperly trained surgeons into the field. Additionally,
the success rate of using dental materials to repair teeth in which the pulp has been exposed is very low, limiting the clinician
to either pulpotomy or extraction as the only viable treatment options.
Ethical issues arise concerning the source of cells (patient’s own vs. donated cells) and the type (adult-donor vs. fetal cells). In
addition, on what basis will it be decided who receives these new tissue therapies?
Tissue engineering is applied to nearly all types of tissues related to the oral cavity, including bone, cartilage, skin and oral
mucosa, dentin and dental pulp, and salivary glands. According to many researchers, test-tube teeth may become completely
. Biomaterials, Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering” by A.E. Bishop and L.D.K Buttery
 Y.H. Huang at al, “Dental Stem Cells & Tooth Banking for Regenerative Medicine”, 2010.
. Liu et al, “Design & Development of Three Dimensional Scaffolds”, 2007.
. F-M Chen et al, “New Insights into & Novel Applications of Release Technology for Periodontal Reconstructive Therapies ”, 2010
. Earthman et al, “Reconstructive Materials & Bone Tissue Engineering in Implant Dentistry”, 2006.
. “Regenerative Medicine of Skin, Hair, Dental Tissues and Cornea”
. Kaigler et al, “Tissue Engineering’s Impact on Dentistry”, 2001

domain: biology


MACHINING, EQUIPMENT & TESTING FACILITIES
Whether it be for a specialised one off concept to a high volume production run, Aero Plastics and Structures have the technology and amenities to design and manufacture a broad range of components to an infinite standard on a repetitive basis.
Apart from developing and building some of our own equipment and tooling ‘in house’, Aero Plastics and Structures have the capability to accurately machine all types of materials for a select range of aircraft parts.
We can also manufacture specialist tooling for aircraft servicing and maintenance.
In – House Testing Facilities
Aero Plastics and Structures possess the expertise and technology to carry out several testing procedures in-house.
All instruments are calibrated and tested to the required standards to ensure accurate results every time.
Some of the testing procedures we undertake are:
- Material Hardness Testing – Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys, steel and some plastics
- Pendulum Impact Testing – Up to 4J
- Climbing Drum Test – Adhesion Test for Bonded Panels and Sandwich Panels etc


- Policies and Procedure Announcements
- Cowlitz County Language Access Plan for Superior, District, and Juvenile Courts
Cowlitz County Language Access Plan for Superior, District, and Juvenile Courts
By Michelle Honey 425 Downloads
|File Size:||629.85 KB|
|Created User:||Michelle Honey|
|Last Updated Date:||03-10-2020|
New Policy regarding the payment of attorney fees in guardianship cases. Effective March 29, 2016.
Restatement of the Court's Policy on acceptance of electronic, AKA "E-Signatures" for court filings.
Official policy regarding public records requests to the Court per General Rule 31.1
Cowlitz County Local Civil Rule 88(d) has not been regularly enforced in the past. Starting May 1, 2015, it will. Memo on policy from Judge Evans.
Trial Readiness Notices to ALL PARTIES including Guardians on Trial Setting Notices


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BET Awards 2021 had a lot to live up to. The struggling award show has seen ratings go down over the years, and with their first post-covid show expectations where high for them to deliver something spectacular. A handful of moments from last night went viral, from Lil Nas X to Cardi B. But one kiss that took place after the show has everyone talking, Megan Thee Stallion and Yung Miami shared a steamy tongue swap at a post show event that might have marked the official return of hot girl summer.
The Red Carpet had its fair share of highlights. Megan Thee Stallion (who won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Collaboration, Viewer’s Choice Award and Video of the Year) wore Jean Paul Gaultier with an insanely high thigh slit. Chloe Bailey of Chloe x Halle continues to distinguish herself from her younger sister in a fishnet Valentino outfit. She and younger sister Halle Bailey were nominated for Album of the Year, Best Group, the BET Her Award and Video of the Year. Lil Nas X wore an Andrea Grossi piece that featured a large dress with a subtle blue and white pattern.
Lil Nas X also wowed the crowd later in the evening with a performance reminiscent of award show glory days. The queer rapper paid homage to Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time” music video during his Egyptian inspired performance of hit song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” At the end of the nostalgic performance Nas passionately kissed one of his male backup dancers, which won him a standing ovation from some members of the audience, including “Pose” star Mj Rodriguez.
Nas was not the only one swapping spit that evening. At a City Girls after party hosted by QC and Cîroc, Megan The Stallion and Yung Miami celebrated the wild night with a passionate kiss of their own. You can see the two rap stars cuddled close and sharing a laugh before suddenly engaging in a kiss in front of the cheering crowd. The two smile and laugh immediately afterwards.


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A man cave is a personal sanctuary where you can indulge your hobbies and guilty pleasures with freedom. It provides personal space for much needed me-time especially if you have a big family and busy days. The best thing about it is that you have complet
No to find a lint roller. Take a sticky roll lint remover, add some raised craft foam shapes and you have a great new way to stamp out some art! You can peel off the outer layers and make a different one - Endless possibilities!
Infant & Toddler Fun: Balls, Bells, a Basket, and a Box


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A rare breed, the Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced “show-low-eets-queent-lee”) is a highly intelligent, calm, and compact dog. Also known as the Xolo and the Mexican Hairless, this breed is loyal and loving.
While their baldness, admittedly, isn’t for everyone, the Xoloitzcuintli Club of America says Aztec tribes revered them for their healing properties. The Nahuas, a Latin American indigenous group, believed the Xolo guided souls through the underworld. After hundreds of years by their pet parents’ sides, the Xoloitzcuintli is now recognized as the official dog of Mexico.
Caring for a Xoloitzcuintli
Xoloitzcuintles tend to be healthy dogs. They live a long life of 13–18 years and are happy to spend it with their family, both human and canine.
According to the breed club, Xolos come in three sizes:
The Toy Xoloitzcuintli, which stands 10–14 inches tall
The Miniature Xoloitzcuintli, which is 14–18 inches tall
The Standard Xoloitzcuintli, at 18–23 inches tall
No matter their size, Xolos have a very distinctive look that developed naturally over the centuries. They have big ears, a long muzzle, and almond-shaped eyes, but what’s most eye-catching is their coat (or lack thereof). These hairless dogs from Mexico are mostly naked, but some can have coarse hair on the top of their head, on their feet, and on the tip of their tail.
Xoloitzcuintli Health Issues
Xolos are a very healthy breed that, thanks to their natural development, aren’t prone to many of the health conditions a lot of domestic dogs have. While the breed club recommends hip, cardiac, patella (kneecap), and ophthalmology tests for your Xolo dog, common conditions affecting these body parts aren’t super prevalent in the breed.
Adolescent Xolos are prone to acne on their lips and muzzle. Dogs with acne will have red bumps, pimples, or blackheads on their skin that can become scarred, especially if the dog scratches at them. To help keep your Mexican hairless dog’s skin clear, Xolos need regular baths with special shampoo.
You’ll also need to help them keep their face clean and dry, especially after eating, drinking, or rooting in the dirt. Consider using a special pet wipe to help.
Due to being hairless, Xolos are also prone to having sensitive skin. Care should be taken to ensure they are not exposed to chemicals, sun, or extreme changes in temperature. Consider a doggy sunscreen or a pet-friendly moisturizer to keep their skin healthy.
Xolos are prone to a few orthopedic conditions, such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxations. Hip dysplasia is an abnormal development of the hip joint, while patellar luxations are caused by laxity in the tendons of the kneecap that cause the bones to slide off each other.
These are both conditions that occur during development and, depending on severity, may or may not cause symptoms in your pup. Lameness or limping, a bunny-hopping gait, and trouble with stairs are common symptoms in affected dogs. Your vet will treat your Xolo with anti-inflammatory medications and joint supplements, and surgery is recommended in severe cases.
According to the breed club, Xolo dogs love to eat. This means that, if you don’t stick to scheduled, measured-out meals, their appetite easily leads to obesity. Obesity in dogs can cause all sorts of additional health problems, including:
What To Feed a Xoloitzcuintli
Mexican hairless dogs need to eat a dog food that meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutritional guidelines. Xoloitzcuintli puppies should eat a puppy-specific food until they’re 1 year old, when they can transition to adult food.
How To Feed a Xoloitzcuintli
Xolo puppies should eat at least three times a day on a regular feeding schedule. Start feeding them twice a day once they reach adulthood. If your Xolo is eating too fast, reduce the gobbling with a slow feeder bowl.
How Much Should You Feed a Xoloitzcuintli?
How many calories your dog gets depends on their health, current weight, and lifestyle. Because there are three different Xoloitzcuintli sizes, the range these pups can eat varies a lot.
Use your dog food packaging to find basic guidance on how much food your Xolo dog needs. Talking to your vet will give you a better estimate, as they can take into account your specific dog’s health history.
Nutritional Tips for the Xoloitzcuintli
As long as your Xolo is eating a well-balanced dog food, they shouldn’t need supplements. That said, your vet might prescribe supplements on an as-needed basis if your pup’s health requires them.
Behavior and Training Tips for the Xoloitzcuintli
Xolo dogs are known for their smarts and loyalty, making them a good fit for new pet parents and experienced families alike. They need about 20 minutes of exercise every day, whether that’s a long walk, neighborhood jog, or afternoon hike.
“Xolos need daily exercise and enjoy long walks and some brief opportunities to run,” says Paola Cuevas, MVZ. “Daily mental and physical stimulation helps prevent the development of destructive or aberrant behaviors.”
Xoloitzcuintli Personality and Temperament
As a working dog, Xolos are often reserved and wary of strangers, the breed club says. But while they’ll never shower strangers with affection, they form strong bonds with their pet parents. They are also playful and can be great friends to kids who know how to properly interact with pets. But remember: Interactions between children and dogs always need to be supervised.
These dogs also have a high prey drive and might dart after squirrels, rabbits, and other small animals. Introduce this dog to a cat slowly and carefully, so they understand kitties aren’t something to chase. Always keep your Xolo on a leash or inside a fenced yard when they’re outside.
Xolos are small, but their bark is big. They’ll often use their loud voice to alert their family to passersby, but they won’t bark for no reason.
“Xolos will for sure let you know if anyone is near your door,” Cuevas says. “Like most dogs, Xolos like to watch their home. And if they are not properly desensitized and used to visitors, they might get anxious about newcomers.”
As with all dogs, Xoloitzcuintles respond best to positive reinforcement training where they are rewarded for good behavior. Though they’re smart and can quickly pick up on cues, the breed club says this breed requires consistent training.
It’s also important to socialize your Xolo puppy so they don’t grow up suspicious of new people.
Fun Activities for the Xoloitzcuintli
Xoloitzcuintli Grooming Guide
Because they lack a full coat, Xolos don’t require the grooming routine many other dog breeds have. However, their skin needs regular attention.
As a hairless dog, Xolos need regular bathing. Between baths, you’ll need to:
Wipe them down with a washcloth to keep their skin clean.
Keep their skin hydrated with dog-friendly lotions and creams.
Because acne is common for Xolos, you may need topical or oral medications to treat their skin. Chat with your veterinarian to see how you can help reduce your dog’s acne.
Considerations for Pet Parents
A Xolo is happy being by your side, whether you’re in an apartment or a house—as long as they get daily exercise, that is. Keep these hairless dogs on a leash when you’re out on your run or walk. Their high prey drive means they will run after smaller neighborhood animals.
While Xolos love the people they’re close to, it can take a long time for them to warm up to strangers. You must socialize your Xoloitzcuintli puppy early and often to help with their natural wariness.
Featured Image: Adboe/Masarik
Are Xolo dogs good pets?
Yes, well-trained and socialized Xolos are great pets! They are a good fit in active families where they can get at least 20 minutes of exercise every day.
How much do Xolo dogs cost?
Xolos can cost $2,000–$4,000. The Xoloitzcuintli Club of America has a directory of vetted ethical breeders you can use to find a puppy.
Are Mexican Hairless dogs hypoallergenic?
While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, Xolos can be a good fit for some people with allergies. But before you bring home a Xoloitzcuintli puppy, spend time with the breed to see how your allergies react.
How do you pronounce Xoloitzcuintli?
Xoloitzcuintli is pronounced “show-low-eets-queent-lee.” The common abbreviation for their name, Xolo, is pronounced “show-low.”
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domain: pet


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Altered interictal saccadic reaction time in migraine: a cross-sectional study.
Chandna A., Chandrasekharan DP., Ramesh AV., Carpenter RHS.
AIMS: The underlying mechanisms of migraine remain poorly understood, partly because we lack objective methods for quantitative analysis of neurological function. To address this issue, we measured interictal saccadic latency in migraineurs and controls. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we compared interictal saccadic latency distributions of 12,800 saccades in 32 migraineurs with 32 age- and sex-matched controls. RESULTS: The variability of migraineurs' reaction time distributions was significantly smaller (σ = 1.01 vs. 1.13; p < 0.05) compared with controls. In addition, a smaller proportion of migraineurs generated 'early' saccades (31% vs. 56%: p < 0.05). Sensitivity/specificity analysis demonstrated the potential benefit of this technique to diagnostic discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: The migraineur's brain behaves significantly differently from that of a control during the interictal period. By analysing whole distributions, rather than just means, data can be related directly to current neurophysiological models: specifically, the observed decrease in variability suggests a functional deficit in the noradrenergic systems influencing the cerebral cortex. From a clinical perspective, this novel method of characterising neurological function in migraine is more rapid, practicable, inexpensive, objective and quantitative than previous methods such as evoked potentials and transcranial magnetic stimulation, and has the potential both to improve current diagnostic discrimination and to help guide future research into the underlying neural mechanisms.

domain: psychology


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Citing cold weather in Florida and low linepack, Florida Gas Transmission issued an Overage Alert Day notice Thursday for customers in its market area with 20% tolerance for negative daily imbalances.
Columbia Gulf said it can accept up to 300,000 Dth/d in receipt nominations at Egan Hub in South Louisiana effective Saturday.
Transco is accepting requests through March 23 for up to 15,000 Dth/d of firm Part 284 transportation service on its South Virginia Lateral from Station 165 to Emporia. The capacity will become available Aug. 1. Call Cindy Hungate at (713) 215-4603 or Bill Sansom at -3367 for more information.
Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news report
may not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in any
form, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.


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Arsenal and the Emirates have signed a ‘bumper’ deal worth £150 million deal which allows the airline to extend their current shirt sponsorship deal for another five years and maintain naming rights of the stadium until 2028.
Sure this sounds amazing straight off the bat, but how does the deal fair compared to the rest of footballing top dogs? Manchester United signed a seven-year shirt sponsor-only deal with American car company Chevrolet – worth around £51 million per year, starting next season. Whereas Manchester City recently agreed a £400m deal under a new sponsorship arrangement with Etihad Airways that saw them rename the stadium, training facilities and remain on their shirts, however the deal is viewed as a fraud because the Airline is run by the Abu Dhabi government and City owner Sheikh Mansour is royalty.
In 2011, Barcelona signed a shirt sponsorship deal worth 30 million euros (£24 million) per year with Qatar Foundation, and Liverpool an £80 million, four-year shirt sponsorship contract with Standard Chartered in September 2009.
Without the stadium naming rights the deal would have been incredibly lucrative, but as the Emirates stadium is part of the deal it doesn’t quite stack against the numerous other bumper deals. Their initial deal with the airline in 2004 was valued at £90m over 15 years. Around £48m of that was for shirt sponsorship, with the naming rights worth only £2.8m a year.
But anyway to think positively there will be £30m injected into the club each year by the Emirates, and Gazidis insists (not for the first time) that the Gunners will reinvest the funds into the squad. He said:
The deal is all about football. It is all about giving us the resources in what we believe is a responsible and well managed way, to be able to invest in what we put onto the pitch for our fans.
- Emery: It’s On Ozil To Get Back Into The Arsenal Team
- [Team News] Arsenal v BATE – Boost As Aaron Ramsey Returns To Full Training
- Reports: Arsenal Have Three Candidates For New Top Job – But Monchi Is The Favourite
We have been able to talk to Emirates about the payment terms and bring some of them forwards, so that we will have additional money in this financial year which will be able to invest in the summer.
Those decisions on investment are made by our manager, and he has done an outstanding job of managing the resources of the club over time, and we expect that to continue, but he will have more resources available.
But will any of these funds actually come to light for Wenger to utilize? Arsenal have been continually held back by the Stadium’s debt so surely they will use a decent chunk of the deal to pay back some of the mortgage. But now Arsenal are inching closer and closer to building a formidable team that is young, has an English influence and is full of quality but it lacks a few ingredients.
With the January transfer window fast approaching there isn’t need for a massive overhaul anymore, just at least two additions. One at left back and another striker. But there is also the resigning of Theo Walcott that is a priority. So use these funds and prove to us that Arsenal FC is indeed about football and not just about making money.

domain: finance


Last Updated on Friday, 26 January, 2024 at 11:31 am by Andre Camilleri
The OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg, presented the country’s vision for its 2024 Chairpersonship at the inaugural session of the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday.
“The trust bestowed upon us by all participating States during these challenging times is a responsibility we embrace with profound commitment, humility, and pride – fully mindful of the critical juncture at which we assume this role,” said Chair-in-Office Borg.
Under the motto ‘Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Security’, Chair-in-Office Borg emphasized Malta’s commitment to upholding the principles and commitments outlined in the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris, stressing that these are not optional but shared obligations agreed upon by all the participating States of the OSCE, a statement issued on the OSCE’s website reads.
The first priority outlined by the Maltese Chairpersonship is its unequivocal commitment to addressing Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, the statement read.
“Borg condemned the intensified attacks witnessed earlier in the month and in recent days, and underlined that the protection of all civilians must be of paramount importance. He called for Russia’s immediate withdrawal from the entire territory of Ukraine. He called on participating States to do everything possible to break the chain of violence, anguish, and suffering, not only in this war but in conflicts around the world,” the OSCE website’s statement read.
“I join the Secretary General in her call for the release of the three illegally detained staff members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission” emphasised Minister Borg.
“The OSCE has a pivotal role to play in Ukraine. We commend the important work of the Support Programme for Ukraine and pledge our support for even more engagement,” added Minister Borg as he announced his plans to visit Kyiv to reiterate the steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Borg outlined Malta’s commitment to facilitating dialogue towards finding durable and sustainable political solutions to other conflicts across the OSCE region, particularly in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, the OSCE’s statement continued. The Chair-in-Office also pledged support for the OSCE’s field operations in Eastern Europe, South Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, “by sustaining their engagement with host authorities in line with OSCE principles and commitments and supporting their work in the field to strengthen national capacities and capabilities.”
Safeguarding the OSCE’s functionality and finding solutions for its leadership is another key priority, it was said. “We count on the collaboration of all participating States to demonstrate the necessary political will to give this Organization the foundations it needs for a secure and resilient future,” Borg said.
The Chair-in-Office emphasized Malta’s readiness to serve as a bridge between Skopje and Helsinki, “reinforcing the pillars of the Organization and upholding its principles and commitments.” Minister Borg called on all participating States to demonstrate the necessary political will to reach a consensus on a Unified Budget and ensuring predictable leadership beyond 4 September 2024, the OSCE website’s statement reads.
“Malta’s Chairpersonship aims to build on North Macedonia’s success in keeping the over one billion people in the OSCE region at the centre of this Organization’s initiatives. Malta’s goal is to adopt an inclusive approach by mainstreaming gender and increasing the meaningful engagement of youth in discussions,” the statement read.
Borg underlined that Malta’s “parallel Chairpersonship of the OSCE and elected membership of the UN Security Council provides a unique opportunity to identify constructive synergies between these multilateral institutions dedicated to promoting peace and security.”
Against this backdrop, Malta aims to focus on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and to renew the OSCE’s initiatives against cyber threats, transnational challenges and ensuring compliance with arms control commitments, the statement on the OSCE’s website read.
“Recognizing the interconnectedness of security, economic prosperity, and the environment, Malta will emphasize bridging digital divides, promoting access to digital technologies, and co-operating on climate resilience, combatting corruption and food security,” it continues.
“The Chair-in-Office called on participating States to uphold human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law, especially in the important election year ahead,” the website also said. The Chair-in-Office added that “at a time when media freedom is more under threat than ever before, Malta’s Chairpersonship will push forward initiatives on media literacy and the safety of journalists, particularly female journalists, both online and offline”. Furthermore, Malta will actively engage in combating violence against women and trafficking in human beings, a statement on the website reads.
In his concluding remarks, Borg affirmed that Malta “will leave no stone unturned in strengthening the resilience of this Organization and our people, in pursuit of a secure and peaceful future.”


I have a confession to make. I didn’t spend an extreme amount of time thinking about the topic of this letter. I didn’t put my blood, sweat and tears into remembering personal stories to integrate to resonate with you. Why? The answer is simple: November is easy for me.
No, I don’t mean the weather, workloads or busy weekends. With those things in mind the month can appear even more stressful than others: the seasons are transitioning, holiday get togethers are planned and people are scrambling to get things done before the new year. But to many, including me, Thanksgiving at the end of the month along with all it means, sets the tone.
One of my favorite quotes has always been, “Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart” by Lucius Annaeus Seneca, and there doesn’t seem a more appropriate time to share it than this month. We celebrate something that is literally telling us to “give thanks.” It’s a nice, and necessary, reminder to slow down and think about all we have instead of all we hope for. Striving for new things and adventures is powerful and important, but pauses to remember all we have is significant too.
Reverend April Kain-Breese describes it perfectly in Unity of Appleton’s article this month: “Every moment spent in gratitude is a good moment, so if you are having some ‘bad moments,’ take a gratitude break.”
I’m especially grateful for the knowledge and insight our authors offer the community, and our relationships with readers. Thank you for joining us!


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Laughter for a Woman's Soul features uplifting thoughts from dynamic authors and speakers such as Patsy Clairmont, Barbara Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh and many more! Leather bound with NIV Scripture.
Laughter is the best medicine, so here's a big dose of fun from the Women of Faith. No one can resist laughing out loud at the crazy stories that fill this brightly designed gift book in a cool new format. Let these funny tales bring you lots of laughter and joy in God's own awesome sense of humor.

domain: literature


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Neon Yellow Crochet Unitard
Stand out in this figure-enhancing unitard. Featuring a neon yellow crochet material with a high neck and long sleeves. Team this with ankle boots and some statement sunnies to give your look a cool vibe.
Neon hues can vary in appearance in imagery, video and in person
Length approx 90cm/35 (Based on a sample size UK 8)
Model wears size UK 8/ EU 36/ AUS 8/ US 4
Model Height – 5ft 7

domain: design


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Hi guys! I cannot believe that it’s June already. Where did the last 5 months go? 2017 needs to slow down a little. Anyway, I’m here to share my most anticipated summer book releases. It’s still not officially summer here in Germany but we’re already having sunny (freaking hot) days. Sorry but I’m not a fan of summer season even though I came from a tropical country.
One of the highlights of my reading experience this year is to finally read the works of “The Queen of Crime”, Agatha Christie. I read “And Then There Were None” and some books from her Miss Marple series and I got hooked instantly. As a newbie, I am not so familiar with her other works especially the underrated ones that’s why I am so happy to know about this new app called Mr Quin. Mr Quin app brings Agatha Christie’s short story collection, “The Mysterious Mr Quin”, to life. This app introduces us to a whole new experience of solving one […]


text: All Staff and Students/Parents may answer the required questions and submit their responses along with the health status of every individual. Unlimited approval paths allow completed forms to move seamlessly to nurses and administrators as prescribed in your re-opening plan. Green and Red color-coding highlight all submitted forms. Data may be pushed into other district databases. Email notifications and scheduling are included. SMS option is available at additional cost.

domain: medical


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NORMAL A yearlong effort by the W.D. Boyce Council of Boy Scouts of America will help Habitat for Humanity of McLean County pay for one-fifth of a house for a needy family.
"It's enormous," said Bruce Williams, executive director of Habitat. "It shows how much can be done for an organization when there's a combined effort to do something like."
Scouts in 14 Central Illinois counties collected 3.5 million cans for recycling, valued at $50,000, and divided the money among seven Habitat for Humanity organizations.
Habitat of McLean County will receive $12,811.22 and DeWitt County Habitat will receive $1,096.80.
Williams said McLean County's share will be divided among the nine houses the agency will finish this year. Habitat sells houses to qualifying low- to moderate-income families who help build them.
Three of the houses along Vernon Avenue between Hester Street and Fell Avenue will be blessed during a 1 p.m. ceremony Saturday. Williams said the families will be able to move in the first of the year. Three other houses at the site will be ready for occupancy in late spring, he said.
Williams expected maybe $1,000 when he heard the scouts were collecting cans to benefit Habitat.
"I just about fell out of my chair when I heard how much they collected," he said. "Think about how many cans it would take to raise over $12,000."
Brewers Distributors and ALCAN donated $16,000 toward patches, banners, posters and other promotional items. Morris Tick Recycling and Mitsubishi Motors North America recycled more than 2,300 pounds of aluminum for the effort.
"It's a perfect example of a way other age groups can help families in need," Williams said. Volunteers who help build Habitat homes have to be at least 16.

domain: sociology


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Large volcanic stones, cascading pools and naturalistic planting form a crisp contemporary garden carved into a hillside in Luxembourg
Volcanic stones, cascading pools and naturalistic planting.
DESIGNER PROFILE Peter Berg and his business partner, Susanne Förster, founded their landscape design company, Gartenlandschaft in Sinzig, Germany, in 2000. They have since won many awards in Germany and neighbouring countries for their naturalistic, modern schemes. Peter is also the author of several books on garden design.
WHO OWNS THE GARDEN AND WHAT WAS THE BRIEF?
The hillside garden belongs to an architect and his wife, whose new-build house is adjacent to a vineyard, near the Moselle River. Our brief was to terrace the garden using stone, so that it complemented and offered views over the surrounding countryside. The couple also wanted a pond for their koi carp and a space to connect with nature.
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DESIGN?
This scheme was inspired by the beautiful vineyards and landscape of the region. We also had to work with the terrain – the house is built on a steep hill that drops down twenty feet from the back to the front. I have always admired Japanese gardens, and one of our team is from Kyoto, so many of our landscapes are influenced by Japanese design and the Eastern philosophy of creating peace and harmony through nature. Here, we have used large volcanic rocks as stepping stones through the space; it is a Japanese idea that features in many of my designs.
HOW HAVE YOU BLENDED THE GARDEN INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE?
The planting here is designed to create harmony between the garden and landscape. Using a range of shrubs and perennials of different sizes, we have tried to blend one with the other without blocking the view from the deck. The plants are in many shades of green, which match the vines and trees just beyond the boundaries, and also the greenish-blue tone of the river, which can be seen in the distance. However, in autumn, everything changes, with many of the shrubs and trees turning fiery shades of red and yellow and reflecting the vines, which are putting on a colourful show at this time of year. I have also created a special palette of blue and white flowering plants to echo the colours of the sky.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE WATER FEATURE?
We set one pool in the decking area that was deep enough for the koi carp, and built two others at different levels to form a small cascade, adding a dynamic element to the design. The pool walls are faced with schist stone and topped with coping that is wide enough to sit on, providing a great vantage point for admiring the fish.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR CREATING NATURALISTIC GARDENS?
I like to fuse modern architectural styling, seen here in the geometricshaped deck and water feature, with natural materials, such as the rugged granite and natural wood. I then weave deciduous trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials around these elements to soften the edges and create a landscape that mirrors nature. In addition, I use plants for bees and wildlife habitats, such as ferns, different types of salvia and thyme, while the grasses, including Pennisetum and Miscanthus, also provide food and shelter for wildlife.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO USE NATURAL STONE IN A GARDEN?
To create a modern rock garden, I would include stones of different sizes. Very large rocks can be used as retaining walls in hilly gardens like this, helping to keep the soil in place. We have also laid large flat stones to make an informal stairway from the front to the back of the garden, and smaller ones to create rocky outcrops in the planted areas. I visit the quarry to choose the exact stones I want, and make a plan beforehand so that I know precisely what I am looking for and the function each stone will play in the design.


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September 2, 2014
by Allison Waldman, posted Jan 9th 2009 12:06PM
You think the recession hasn't hit the TV industry yet? Here's some proof it has: the stars of How I Met Your Mother received pay raises...but not the kind of big money you've heard about in years gone by. The ensemble of five, Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan renegotiated with the producers (20th Century Fox TV) to boost their salaries to $90,000-$120,000 per episode. That's still a lot of money in today's economic strife, but compared to Two and a Half Men's Charlie Sheen's $825,000 per ep, it's downright modest.
TV Squad Hot Topics
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- 'America's Next Top Model' Recap: Party String and a Cold Shower Spell Trouble
- 'Teen Wolf' Recap: What Will Scott Become?
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domain: entertainment


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Hair, Production Office & Make-up Departments explores the role of three important people on the set. The Head (Key) Hair Styles is not only responsible for cutting and styling hair but also wigs and coloring.
The Production Coordinator handles many things. He is responsible for all logistical aspects of the film - travel permits, paperwork, office work, script distribution, call sheets and schedules. Generally work with the Production Manager.
The Head (or Key) Make-Up Artist handles the dispensing of make-up to all actors on the set.


BILLINGS – Before Motley Crue even hit the stage Sunday night, the sold-out crowd at MetraPark’s Rimrock Auto Arena saw a strangulation and a guillotine chop off Alice Cooper’s head after he was subdued by a demon nurse.
Cooper whipped stage props from his rock theater as he ran around stage wearing his trademark straightjacket and python. The crowd of leather-clad bikers, women in short dresses and high heels and the
Alice Cooper‘s “School’s Out” takes on Journey‘s “Stone in Love” in the second round of our Greatest Summer Song battle. Who gets your vote?
Ultimate Classic Rock began this competition with 32 of classic rock’s best summertime songs. The field is already down to 16, and will be cut in half again and again each of the next four weeks by your
SOURCE – LOUDWIRE
Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com / Robert Cianfione, Getty Images
Shock rockers of the world unite! Here’s a battle specifically for you, as Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper pair up in this Devil Horn region first round matchup in the battle to find the greatest live act in hard rock and metal.
As fans who have seen Rob Zombie know, he puts on a treat


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- Zimbabwe's Award-winning Pop Diva Cindy Munyavi Set to Release New Album
- Pro Gain Eyeing iTunes
- Demi Lovato Claps Back at Criticism Over Vulgar Prank
- What You Need to Know About the Feud Between Rappers Drake and Pusha-T
- Chavura’s manager OG ProFate outlines exorbitant booking charges. Brags about his VW GT1. Insults Martse and Waxy Kay
Lilongwe’s Crossroads Hotel was the place to be last Friday as Reggae-dancehall musician Sangie released her debut album “Painless” with performances from Patience Namadingo as well as Lulu.
Here are some of the photos from the show:


Bellaire council delays Newcastle vote
Published 7:00 pm, Monday, August 4, 2008
The Bellaire City Council postponed awarding a $4.06 million contract for rebuilding Newcastle Drive, with three council members voicing concerns about different issues with the project.
Bellaire City Manager Bernie Satterwhite had recommended that the Newcastle reconstruction project be awarded to JFT Construction, Inc., the company that recently finished rebuilding Avenue B. The company submitted the lowest of 9 bids on the project, Satterwhite said.
The postponement came last week, during an unusually contentious meeting of the Bellaire council.
The council held two back-to-back and lengthy meetings on the city budet and capital improvements Monday and Tuesday.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Cindy Siegel ruled that Councilmen Jim Avioli Sr. and Pat McLaughlan were “out of order” on separate instances, after they raised questions that she felt were not directly related to rebuilding the street.
Many residents of the Southdale neighborhood on the city’s southeast side had earlier expressed opposition to the project, saying that a slightly wider street could lead to higher speeds and a reduction of green space.
After hearing those concerns earlier this year, the council agreed to adjust the width of the popular hike-and-bike trail near the Nature Discovery Center and Russ Pitman park to preserve green space.
Still, McLaughlan announced he intended to vote against the project because of neighborhood opposition.
The city is using funds from the Metropolitan Transit Authority to rebuild the street south of Bellaire Boulevard to Cypress Ditch.
“Government shouldn’t be spending $4 million doing something the people in the neighborhood really don’t want,” McLaughlan said.
But Siegel said that rebuilding Newcastle would help all Bellaire residents, by improving drainage in the area. Better drainage is “a top priority” for the city, Siegel said.
Councilman Jim Avioli Sr. expressed concerns about fees in the project for “oversight” during the construction project. Siegel first ruled that Avioli was “out of order” for not limiting his comments to the Newcastle project.
Later, she told McLaughlan that he, too, was “out of order” when he began discussing the city’s future plans for street and drainage improvements along Baldwin Avenue.
Meanwhile, Councilman Will Hickman questioned whether “alternative materials” such as asphalt, a rubberized overlay or crushed granite should be used to rebuild the 5-foot wide asphalt trail on the western side of the street.
The $4.06 million JFT bid called for rebuilding Newcastle with concrete, curb-and-gutter construction, and for replacing the existing trail with concrete.
Hickman wanted to determine whether the city could use an additional $400,000 in Metro mobility funds for resurfacing the trail.
Because of uncertainty about the use of Metro funds, however, Hickman suggested the council postpone action on the contract.
The motion to postpone a decision initially appeared to fail, after Avioli and McLaughlan abstained from the first vote. Then, McLaughlan announced that he wanted to vote to postpone the contract.
Siegel recognized McLaughlan’s vote to postpone.
The council’s decision on the contract was indefinitely postponed, until city staff can determine whether Metro funds can be used for rebuilding the hike-and-bike trail with alternative surfaces.


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The route to adulthood is a journey. For many young people, this journey is difficult, filled with seemingly overwhelming obstacles. They may make mistakes, lose sight of their destination and leave behind their hope for a bright future. Their families can become overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do. Tidewater Youth Services Commission is here to help.
The Commission is a regional public agency, created in 1977 in an effort to coordinate needed services for the juvenile population, thus avoiding a duplication of services in the region. In close partnership with the Juvenile Courts and Departments of Social Services throughout Hampton Roads, the Commission offers a full continuum of community-based therapeutic services that provide advocacy and assistance to youth and their families as they struggle through the awkward and sometimes troubling transition to adulthood. We invite you to explore this website to learn more about our efforts to help at-risk and court-involved youth grow into productive members of the community.


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We determined whether spinal manipulation could prevent and/or reverse the decrease and increase in paraspinal muscle spindle responsiveness caused respectively by lengthening and shortening histories of the lumbar muscles. Single unit spindle activity from multifidus and longissimus muscles was recorded in the L6 dorsal root in anesthetized cats. Muscle history was created and spinal manipulation delivered (thrust amplitude: 1.0mm, duration: 100ms) using a feedback-controlled motor attached to the L6 spinous process. Muscle spindle discharge to a fixed vertebral position (static test) and to vertebral movement (dynamic test) was evaluated following the lengthening and shortening histories. For the static test, changes in muscle spindle responsiveness were significantly less when spinal manipulation followed muscle history (p<0.01), but not when spinal manipulation preceded it (p>0.05). For the dynamic test, spinal manipulation did not significantly affect the history-induced change in muscle spindle responsiveness. Spinal manipulation may partially reverse the effects of muscle history on muscle spindle signaling of vertebral position.
Muscle spindle; proprioception; spinal manipulation; lumbar spine; paraspinal muscle; thixotropy; muscle history; chiropractic; Fuseau musculaire; proprioception; manipulation vertébrale; colonne lombaire; muscle paravertébral; thixotropie; antécédent musculaire; chiropratique
In the lumbar spine, muscle spindle responsiveness is affected by the duration and direction of a lumbar vertebra’s positional history. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between changes in the magnitude of a lumbar vertebra’s positional history and the responsiveness of lumbar muscle spindles to a subsequent vertebral position and subsequent vertebral movement. Neural activity from multifidus and longissimus muscle spindle afferents in deeply anesthetized cats was recorded while creating positional histories of the L6 vertebra. History was induced using a displacement-controlled feedback motor. It held the L6 vertebra for 4 seconds at an intermediate position (hold-intermediate at 0mm) and at 7 positions from 0.07 to 1.55mm more ventralward and dorsalward which lengthened (hold-long) and shortened (hold-short) the lumbar muscles. Following the conditioning hold positions, L6 was returned to the intermediate position. Muscle spindle discharge at this position and during a lengthening movement was compared between hold-intermediate and hold-short conditionings and between hold-intermediate and hold-short conditionings. We found that regardless of conditioning magnitude, the 7 shortening magnitudes similarly increased muscle spindle responsiveness to both vertebral position and movement. In contrast, the 7 lengthening magnitudes produced a graded decrease in responsiveness to both position and movement. The decrease to position became maximal following conditioning magnitudes of ~0.75 mm. The decrease to movement did not reach a maximum even with conditioning magnitudes of ~1.55 mm. The data suggest that the fidelity of proprioceptive information from muscle spindles in the low back is influenced by small changes in the previous length history of lumbar muscles.
lumbar spine; muscle spindle; proprioception; thixotropy; multifidus; longissimus
Increasing our knowledge regarding intrafusal fiber distribution and physiology of paraspinal proprioceptors may provide key insights regarding proprioceptive deficits in trunk control associated with low back pain and lead to more effective clinical intervention. The use of vertebral movement as a means to reliably stretch paraspinal muscles would greatly facilitate physiological study of paraspinal muscle proprioceptors where muscle tendon isolation is either very difficult or impossible. The effects of succinylcholine (SCh) on 194 muscle spindle afferents from lumbar longissimus or multifidus muscles in response to computer-controlled, ramp and hold movements of the L6 vertebra were investigated in anesthetized cats. Paraspinal muscles were stretched by moving the L6 vertebra 1.5 to1.7mm in the dorsal-ventral direction. Initial frequency (IF), dynamic difference (DD), their changes (Δ) following SCh injection (100-400μg ·kg−1), and post-SCh dynamic difference (SChDD) were measured. Muscle spindle intrafusal fiber terminations were classified as primary or secondary fibers as well as bag1 (b1c), bag2 (b2c), b1b2c, or chain (c) fibers. Intrafusal fiber subpopulations were distinguished using logarithmic transformation of SChDD and ΔIF distributions as established by previous investigators. Increases in DD indicate strength of b1c influence while increases in IF indicate strength of b2c influence. Out of 194 afferents, 46.9% of afferents terminated on b2c fibers, 46.4% on b1b2c fibers, 1% on b1c fibers and 5.7% terminated on c fibers. Based on these intrafusal fiber subpopulation distributions, controlled vertebral movement can effectively substitute for direct tendon stretch and allow further investigation of paraspinal proprioceptors in this anatomically complex body region.
Muscle Spindle; Neurophysiology; Paraspinal Muscles; Trunk; Lumbar Spine; Succinylcholine
Optimal motor control of the spine depends on proprioceptive input as a prerequisite for co-ordination and the stability of the spine. Muscle spindles are known to play an important role in proprioception. Animal experiments suggest that an increase in sympathetic outflow can depress muscle spindle sensitivity. As the muscle spindle may be influenced by sympathetic modulation, we hypothesized that a state of high sympathetic activity as during mental stress would affect the proprioceptive output from the muscle spindles in the back muscles leading to alterations in proprioception and position sense acuity. The aim was to investigate the effect of mental stress, in this study the response to an electrical shock stressor, on position sense acuity in the rotational axis of the lumbar spine.
Passive and active position sense acuity in the rotational plane of the lumbar spine was investigated in the presence and absence of an electrical shock stressor in 14 healthy participants. An electrical shock-threat stressor lasting for approximately 12 minutes was used as imposed stressor to build up a strong anticipatory arousal: The participants were told that they were going to receive 8 painful electrical shocks however the participants never received the shocks. To quantify the level of physiological arousal and the level of sympathetic outflow continuous beat-to-beat changes in heart rate (beats*min-1) and systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (mmHg) were measured. To quantify position sense acuity absolute error (AE) expressed in degrees was measured. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements (subjects as random factor and treatments as fixed factors) was used to compare the different treatments.
Significant increases were observed in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate during the stress sessions indicating elevated sympathetic activity (15, 14 and 10%, respectively). Despite pronounced changes in the sympathetic activity and subjective experiences of stress no changes were found in position sense acuity in the rotational plane of the lumbar spine in the presence of the electrical shock stressor compared to the control period.
The present findings indicate that position sense acuity in the rotational plane of the spine was unaffected by the electrical shock stressor.
Impaired muscle function and lumbar proprioception have been observed in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) but those have not been studied in LSS patients with age-matched controls. We assessed lumbar movement perception and paraspinal and biceps brachii (BB) muscle responses during sudden upper limb loading in age-matched healthy subjects and patients with LSS.
The study included 30 patients selected for an operation due to LSS and 30 age-matched controls without chronic back pain. The paraspinal and BB muscle responses for upper limb loading during unexpected and expected conditions were measured by surface EMG. The ability to sense lumbar rotation was assessed in a previously validated motorized trunk rotation unit in a seated position. Pain, disability and depression scores were recorded.
Patients had poorer lumbar perception (mean difference 2.3 ± 0.6°, P < 0.001) and longer paraspinal muscle response latencies [mean difference 4.6 ± 0.6 ms (P = 0.033)] than age-matched healthy controls. Anticipation increased paraspinal and BB muscle activation prior to the load perturbation (P < 0.001) but less in LSS patients than in controls [9 vs. 30 %, P = 0.016 (paraspinals); 68 vs. 118 %, P = 0.047 (BB)].
The observed impairments in lumbar proprioception and activation of paraspinal and upper limb muscles indicate an extensive loss of both sensory and motor functions in LSS. The main new finding was decreased anticipatory muscle activation during expected upper limb loading reflecting involvement of central movement control mechanisms.
Lumbar proprioception; Paraspinal reflexes; Feed-forward control; Low back pain; Lumbar spinal stenosis
The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and image processing software to determine the functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) (the area of muscle isolated from fat) of the lumbar paraspinal muscles. The measurement of the morphology of the lumbar paraspinal muscles has become the focus of several recent investigations into the aetiology of low back pain. However, the reliability and validity of determining the FCSA of the lumbar paraspinal muscles using MR imaging are yet to be reported. T2 axial MR scans at the L1-S1 spinal levels of six subjects were obtained using identical MR systems and scanning parameters. Lean paraspinal muscle, vertebral body bone and intermuscular fat were manually segmented using image analysis software to assign a grey scale range to the MR signal intensity emitted by each tissue type. The resultant grey scale range for muscle was used to determine FCSA measurements for each of the paraspinal muscles, psoas, quadratus lumborum, erector spinae and lumbar multifidus on each scan slice. As various biological, instrument and measurement factors can affect MR signal intensity, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the error associated in calculating FCSA for paraspinal muscle using a discrete grey scale range. Cross-sectional area and FCSA measurements were repeated three times and reliability indices for the FCSA measurements were obtained, showing excellent reliability, intra class correlation coefficient (mean=0.97, range 0.90–0.99) and %SEM (mean=2.6%, range 0.7–4.8%). In addition, the error associated with miscalculation of the grey scale range for the MR signal intensity of muscle was calculated and found to be low with an error of 20 grey scale units at the upper end of the muscle’s grey scale range resulting in a very small error in the measured muscle FCSA. The method presented in this paper has a variety of practical applications in areas such as evidence-based rehabilitation, biomechanical modelling and the determination of segmental inertial parameters.
Lumbar spine; Magnetic resonance imaging; Cross sectional area; Low back pain; Muscle morphology
Isolated lumbar paraspinal muscle fatigue causes lower extremity and postural control deficits.
To describe the change in body position during gait after fatiguing lumbar extension exercises in persons with recurrent episodes of low back pain compared with healthy controls.
Motion analysis laboratory.
Patients or Other Participants:
Twenty-five recreationally active participants with a history of recurrent episodes of low back pain, matched by sex, height, and mass with 25 healthy controls.
We measured 3-dimensional lower extremity and trunk kinematics before and after fatiguing isometric lumbar paraspinal exercise.
Main Outcome Measure(s):
Measurements were taken while participants jogged on a custom-built treadmill surrounded by a 10-camera motion analysis system.
Group-by-time interactions were observed for lumbar lordosis and trunk angles (P < .05). A reduced lumbar spine extension angle was noted, reflecting a loss of lordosis and an increase in trunk flexion angle, indicating increased forward trunk lean, in healthy controls after fatiguing lumbar extension exercise. In contrast, persons with a history of recurrent low back pain exhibited a slight increase in spine extension, indicating a slightly more lordotic position of the lumbar spine, and a decrease in trunk flexion angles after fatiguing exercise. Regardless of group, participants experienced, on average, greater peak hip extension after lumbar paraspinal fatigue.
Small differences in response may represent a necessary adaptation used by persons with recurrent low back pain to preserve gait function by stabilizing the spine and preventing inappropriate trunk and lumbar spine positioning.
gait analysis; spine
Individuals experiencing low back pain often present clinically with intervertebral joint dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether relative changes in stiffness at a single spinal joint alters neural responsiveness of lumbar muscle spindles to either vertebral movement or position.
Muscle spindle discharge was recorded in response to 1mm L6 ramp and hold movements (0.5mm/s) in the same animal for lumbar laminectomy-only (n=23), laminectomy & L5/6 facet screw (n=19), laminectomy & L5/6 facetectomy (n=5) conditions. Mean instantaneous frequency (MIF) was calculated for the ramp-up, hold, ramp-down and post-ramp phases during each joint condition.
Mean MIFs were not significantly different between the laminectomy-only and the other two types of joint dysfunction for the ramp-up, hold, ramp-down, or post-ramp phases.
Stiffness changes caused by single facet joint dysfunction failed to alter spindle responses during slow 1mm ramp and hold movements of the L6 vertebra.
stiffness; joint; muscle spindle; chiropractic; rigidité; articulation; fuseau musculaire; chiropratique
Paraspinal muscle damage is inevitable during conventional posterior lumbar fusion surgery. Minimal invasive surgery is postulated to result in less muscle damage and better outcome. The aim of this study was to monitor metabolic changes of the paraspinal muscle and to evaluate paraspinal muscle damage during surgery using microdialysis (MD). The basic interstitial metabolisms of the paraspinal muscle and the deltoid muscle were monitored using the MD technique in eight patients, who underwent posterior lumbar fusion surgery (six male and two female, median age 57.7 years, range 37–74) and eight healthy individuals for different positions (five male and three female, age 24.1 ± 0.8 years). Concentrations of glucose, glycerol, and lactate pyruvate ratio (L/P) in both tissues were compared. In the healthy group, the glucose and glycerol concentrations and L/P were unchanged in the paraspinal muscle when the body position changed from prone to supine. The glucose concentration and L/P were stable in the paraspinal muscle during the surgery. Glycerol concentrations increased significantly to 243.0 ± 144.1 μM in the paraspinal muscle and 118.9 ± 79.8 μM in the deltoid muscle in the surgery group. Mean glycerol concentration difference (GCD) between the paraspinal muscle and the deltoid tissue was 124.1 μM (P = 0.003, with 95% confidence interval 83.4–164.9 μM). The key metabolism of paraspinal muscle can be monitored by MD during the conventional posterior lumbar fusion surgery. The glycerol concentration in the paraspinal muscle is markedly increased compared with the deltoid muscle during the surgery. It is proposed that GCD can be used to evaluate surgery related paraspinal muscle damage. Changing body position did not affect the paraspinal muscle metabolism in the healthy subjects.
Glucose; Lactate pyruvate ratio; Glycerol; Paraspinal muscle; Microdialysis
[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of trumpet and
marching euphonium performance posture on the trunk and lower limb musculoskeletal system.
[Subjects] The subjects were 10 female university students. [Methods] Subjects maintained
a resting position, a trumpet performance posture, and a marching euphonium performance
posture. The angles and muscle activities of the trunk and lower limbs were then measured.
[Results] The anterior tilt angle of the trunk decreased significantly in the trumpet and
marching euphonium performance postures compared with the resting standing position, as
well as in the marching euphonium performance posture compared with the trumpet
performance posture. The muscle activity of the cervical paraspinal muscles, upper fibers
of the trapezius, and lumbar paraspinal muscles increased significantly in the marching
euphonium performance posture compared with the resting standing position, as well as in
the marching euphonium performance posture compared with the trumpet performance posture.
[Conclusion] The results suggest that the performance position for trumpet and the
marching euphonium performance increases the load on the cervical and thoracic
musculoskeletal system, which increases with greater instrument weight. However, the same
instrument performance postures had no affect on the musculoskeletal system of the lower
Posture; Trunk; Lower limb
To evaluate the value of spinal and paraspinal anatomic markers in both the diagnosis of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTVs) and identification of vertebral levels on lumbar MRI.
Materials and Methods
Lumbar MRI from 1049 adult patients were studied. By comparing with the whole-spine localizer, the diagnostic errors in numbering vertebral segments on lumbar MRI were evaluated. The morphology of S1-2 disc, L5 and S1 body, and lumbar spinous processes (SPs) were evaluated by using sagittal MRI. The positions of right renal artery (RRA), superior mesenteric artery, aortic bifurcation (AB) and conus medullaris (CM) were described.
The diagnostic error for evaluation of vertebral segmentation on lumbar MRI alone was 14.1%. In lumbarization, all patients revealed a well-formed S1-2 disc with squared S1 body. A rhombus-shaped L5 body in sacralization and a rectangular-shaped S1 body in lumbarization were found. The L3 had the longest SP. The most common sites of spinal and paraspinal structures were: RRA at L1 body (53.6%) and L1-2 disc (34.1%), superior mesenteric artery at L1 body (55.1%) and T12-L1 disc (31.6%), and AB at L4 body (71.1%). CM had variable locations, changing from the T12-L1 disc to L2 body. They were located at higher sacralization and lower lumbarization.
The spinal morphologic features and locations of the spinal and paraspinal structures on lumbar MRI are not completely reliable for the diagnosis of LSTVs and identification on the vertebral levels.
Spine; Lumbosacral vertebrae; Transitional vertebrae; MRI
This study examined a set of patients who were symptomatic for low back pain and who had significant lumbar hypolordosis as assessed by visual evaluation of magnetic resonance images to investigate the frequency of comorbid paraspinal muscle spasms as determined via history or physical examination.
A retrospective chart review was performed on 50 patients who had significant hypolordosis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Cobb angle <20°) to determine whether they were positive for paraspinal muscle spasms by either history or physical examination.
Of the 50 patients with significant hypolordosis on MRI, 66% (33) had a history of paraspinal muscle spasms, 76% (38) had a positive physical examination for palpation of paraspinal muscle spasms, and 48% (24) were positive for both history and physical examination.
This retrospective study suggests that most symptomatic patients with significant hypolordosis on lumbar MRI have a positive history or physical examination for paraspinal muscle spasm. Thus, MRI finding of significant hypolordosis (Cobb angle <20°) could potentially be a valuable tool in addition to medical history and physical examination in aiding clinicians in diagnosing paraspinal muscle spasms in symptomatic patients and in helping them to formulate appropriate and effective treatments.
Lordosis; Spinal curvatures; Spinal diseases; Magnetic resonance imaging; Spasm
The alignment and mobility of the cervical spine is influenced by factors related to the vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, ligaments, facet joints, and muscles. Few reports have described the role played by the paraspinal muscles in cervical spine mobility. In this study, we investigate the relationship between fatty degeneration of the paraspinal muscles and cervical motion as assessed with kinetic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI). One hundred eighty-eight symptomatic patients underwent cervical kMRI in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. We quantified cervical paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration and measured angular variation and translational motion at each cervical level, and the global Cobb angle. Cervical paraspinal muscle fatty degeneration demonstrated a pattern in which C3 and C7 had significantly more fatty infiltration than C4, C5, and C6. Additionally, when the normal group was compared with the fatty degeneration group with respect to angular variation, translational motion, and Cobb angle, no significant differences were found except in angular variation at the C3–C4 level. In conclusion, we found a significantly larger quantity of fatty degeneration in the paraspinal muscles at C3 and C7 than the middle cervical levels. Also, we demonstrate that fatty degeneration does not significantly affect cervical lordotic alignment or mobility characteristics.
kinematic magnetic resonance imaging; cervical spine; cervical paraspinal muscle; cervical lordosis; fatty degeneration; fatty infiltration; multifidus muscle
The purpose of this study is to provide a controlled trial looking at the risk of paraspinal hematoma formation following extensive paraspinal muscle electromyography.
54 subjects ages 55-80 underwent MRI of the lumbar spine before or shortly after electromyography using the paraspinal mapping technique. A neuroradiologist, blinded to the temporal relationship between the EMG and MRI, reviewed the MRIs to look for hematomas in or around the paraspinal muscles.
Two MRIs demonstrated definite paraspinal hematomas, while 10 were found to have possible hematomas. All hematomas were < 15 mm, and none were close to any neural structures. There was no relationship between MRI evidence of hematoma and either the timing of the EMG or the use of aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Paraspinal electromyography can be considered safe in the general population and those taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Electromyography; Paraspinal muscles; Hematoma; Paraspinal mapping; Complications
The neutral position of the spine is the posture most commonly sustained throughout daily activities. Previous investigations of the spine focused mainly on maximal exertions in various symmetric and asymmetric postures. This report proposes a new synergetic approach for analysis of the spine in neutral postures and evaluates its performance. The model consists of passive components, the osteoligamentous spine, and active components, the spinal muscles. The muscle architecture includes 60 muscles inserting onto both the rib cage and lumbar vertebral bodies. The passive spine is simulated by a finite element model, while kinematic constraints and optimization are used for resolution of a redundant muscle recruitment problem. Although the passive spine alone exhibits little resistance to a vertical load, its load-bearing capacity in neutral posture is significantly enhanced by the muscles, i.e., the passive spine and its muscles must be considered as a synergetic system. The proposed method is used to investigate the response of the spine when the T1 vertebra displaces 40 mm anteriorly and 20 mm posteriorly from its initial position. The sacrum is fixed at all times and the T1 displacements are achieved by the action of muscles. The results suggest that relatively small muscle activations are sufficient to stabilize the spine in neutral posture under the body weight. The results also indicate that muscles attaching onto the rib cage are important for control of the overall spinal posture and maintenance of equilibrium. The muscles inserting onto the lumbar vertebrae are found mainly to enhance the stability of the spine. The proposed method also predicts forces and moments carried by the passive system. Flexion moments ranging from 8000 Nmm to 15,000 Nmm, corresponding to decreases in lordosis of 6° and 7.5° respectively, are found to be carried by the passive spine at the thoracolumbar junction when the T1 vertebra is 40 mm anterior to its initial position.
Key words Synergy; Passive spine; Muscles; Equilibrium; Stability
To describe neurophysiological changes over time in persons with and without spinal complaints, and to assess whether paraspinal denervation predicts change in stenosis on MRI and clinical course.
Prospective, controlled, masked trial.
University spine program.
Persons aged 55–80, screened for polyneuropathy and determined on clinical examination to have spinal stenosis, mechanical low back pain, or no spinal symptoms.
Subjects underwent comprehensive codified history and physical examination, ambulation testing, masked electrodiagnostic testing including paraspinal mapping, and MRI; repeated at >18 months. This publication presents detailed technical information and additional analyses not reported previously.
Main Outcome Measurements
Change in electrodiagnostic findings. Among persons with clinical stenosis, relationship of change in paraspinal mapping scores to MRI findings and clinical changes.
Of 149 initial subjects, 83 (79.3% of eligible subjects) repeated testing at 20 +/− 2 s.d.) months. No significant change in limb muscle spontaneous activity or motor unit pathology was noted in any group. In 23 persons with initial diagnosis of stenosis, paraspinal mapping EMG related to change in diagnosis over time (ANOVA F=3.77, p=0.037), but not to most initial MRI measurements or to change in spinal canal diameter.
Clinical spinal stenosis is neurophysiologically stable in most persons. Paraspinal EMG changes reflect large changes in clinical course, but neither neurophysiological nor clinical changes relate to change in spinal geometry over 20 months.
Spinal Stenosis; Back pain; Electrodiagnosis; Erector spinae; Disk Degeneration; Radiculopathy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The original description of the paraspinal posterior approach to the lumbar spine was for spinal fusion, especially regarding lumbosacral spondylolisthesis treatment. In spite of the technical details described by Wiltse, exact location of the area where the sacrospinalis muscle has to be split remains somewhat unclear. The goal of this study was to provide topographic landmarks to facilitate this surgical approach. Thirty cadavers were dissected in order to precisely describe the anatomy of the trans-muscular paraspinal approach. The level of the natural cleavage plane between the multifidus and the longissimus part of the sacrospinalis muscle was noted and measurements were done between this level and the midline at the level of the spinous process of L4. A natural cleavage plane between the multifidus and the longissimus part of the sacrospinalis muscle was present in all cases. There was a fibrous separation between the two muscular parts in 55 out of 60 cases. The mean distance between the level of the cleavage plane and the midline was 4 cm (2.4–5.5 cm). In all cases, small arteries and veins were present, precisely at the level of the cleavage plane. We found it possible to easily localize the anatomical cleavage plane between the multifidus part and the longissimus part of the sacrospinalis muscle. First the superficial muscular fascia is opened near the midline, exposing the posterior aspect of the sacrospinalis muscle. Then, the location of the muscular cleft can be found by identifying the perforating vessels leaving the anatomical inter-muscular space.
Paraspinal approach; Lumbar spine; Lumbosacral spondylolisthesis; Sacrospinalis muscle; Minimally invasive approach
The lumbar facet joint capsule (FJC) is innervated with mechanically sensitive neurons and is thought to contribute to proprioception and pain. Biomechanical investigations of the FJC have commonly used human cadaveric spines, while combined biomechanical and neurophysiological studies have typically used non-human animal models. The purpose of this study was develop mathematical relationships describing vertebral kinematics and facet joint capsule strain in cat and human lumbar spine specimens during physiological spinal motions in order to facilitate future efforts at understanding the mechanosensory role of the FJC.
Cat lumbar spine specimens were tested during extension, flexion and lateral bending. Joint kinematics and FJC principal strain were measured optically. FJC strain-intervertebral angle (IVA) regression relationships were established for the three most caudal lumbar joints using cat (current study) and human (prior study) data. FJC strain-IVA relationships were utilized to estimate cat and human spine kinematics that corresponded to published sensory neuron response thresholds for low threshold mechanoreceptors (5% and 10%).
Significant linear relationships between IVA and strain were observed for both human and cat during motions that produced tension in the FJCs (p<0.01). During motions that produced tension in the FJCs, the models predicted that FJC strain magnitudes corresponding to published sensory neuron response thresholds would be produced by IVA magnitudes within the physiological range of lumbar motion.
Data from the current study support the proprioceptive role of lumbar spine FJC and low threshold mechanoreceptive afferents, and can be utilized in interpreting combined neurophysiological and biomechanical studies of cat lumbar spines.
Lordosis is the bending of the lumbar spine that gives the vertebral column of humans its characteristic ventrally convex curvature. Infants develop lordosis around the time when they acquire bipedal locomotion. Even macaques develop a lordosis when they are trained to walk bipedally. The aim of this study was to investigate why humans and some animals develop a lumbar lordosis while learning to walk bipedally.
We developed a musculoskeletal model of the lumbar spine, that includes an asymmetric, dorsally shifted location of the spinal column in the body, realistic moment arms, and physiological cross-sectional areas (PCSA) of the muscles as well as realistic force-length and force-velocity relationships. The model was used to analyze the stability of an upright body posture. According to our results, lordosis reduces the local joint torques necessary for an equilibrium of the vertebral column during an erect posture. At the same time lordosis increases the demands on the global muscles to provide stability.
We conclude that the development of a spinal lordosis is a compromise between the stability requirements of an erect posture and the necessity of torque equilibria at each spinal segment.
muscle physiology; lordosis; evolution; spine; stability; biomechanics; motor control Submitted to: Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling
Static trunk flexion working postures and disturbed trunk muscle reflexes are related to increased risk of low-back pain. Animal studies conclude that these factors may be related; passive tissue strain in spinal ligaments causes subsequent short-term changes in reflex. Although studies have documented changes in the myoelectric onset angle of flexion-relaxation following prolonged static flexion and cyclic flexion we could find no published evidence related to the human reflex response of the trunk extensor muscles following a period of static flexion-relaxation loading.
Eighteen subjects maintained static lumbar flexion for 15 min. Paraspinal muscle reflexes were elicited both before and after the flexion-relaxation protocol using pseudorandom stochastic force disturbances while recording EMG. Reflex gain was computed from the peak value of the impulse response function relating input force perturbation to EMG response using time-domain deconvolution analyses.
Reflexes showed a trend toward increased gain after the period of flexion-relaxation (P < 0.055) and were increased with trunk extension exertion (P < 0.021). Significant gender differences in reflex gain were observed (P < 0.01).
Occupational activities requiring extended periods of trunk flexion contribute to changes in reflex behavior of the paraspinal muscles. Results suggest potential mechanisms by which flexed posture work may contribute to low-back pain. Significant gender differences indicate risk analyses should consider personal factors when considering neuromuscular behavior.
Low-back; Reflex; Flexion-relaxation
Mechanical characteristics of high velocity low amplitude spinal manipulations (HVLA-SM) can be variable. Sustained changes in peripheral neuronal signaling due to altered load transmission to a sensory receptor’s local mechanical environment are often considered a mechanism contributing to the therapeutic effects of spinal manipulation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an HVLA-SM’s thrust amplitude or duration altered neural responsiveness of lumbar muscle spindles to either vertebral movement or position.
Anesthetized cats (n=112) received L6 HVLA-SMs delivered to the spinous process. Cats were divided into 6 cohorts depending upon the peak thrust force (25%, 55%, 85% body weight) or thrust displacement (1, 2, 3mm) they received. Cats in each cohort received 8 thrust durations (0–250ms). Afferent discharge from 112 spindles was recorded in response to ramp and hold vertebral movement before and after the manipulation. Changes in mean instantaneous frequency (MIF) during the baseline period preceding the ramps (ΔMIFresting), during ramp movements (ΔMIFmovement), and with the vertebra held in the new position (ΔMIFposition) were compared.
Thrust duration had a small but statistically significant effect on ΔMIFresting at all six thrust amplitudes compared to control (0ms thrust duration). The lowest amplitude thrust displacement (1mm) increased ΔMIFresting at all thrust durations. For all the other thrust displacements and forces, the direction of change in ΔMIFresting was not consistent and the pattern of change was not systematically related to thrust duration. Regardless of thrust force, displacement, or duration, ΔMIFmovement and ΔMIFposition were not significantly different from control.
Relatively low amplitude thrust displacements applied during an HVLA-SM produced sustained increases in the resting discharge of paraspinal muscle spindles regardless of the duration over which the thrust was applied. However, regardless of the HVLA-SM’s thrust amplitude or duration, the responsiveness of paraspinal muscle spindles to vertebral movement and to a new vertebral position was not affected.
spinal manipulation; dose; neurophysiology; paraspinal muscles; muscle spindle; Spine; Chiropractic
Proprioceptive afferents from muscle spindles encode information about peripheral joint movements for the central nervous system (CNS). The sensitivity of muscle spindle is nonlinearly dependent on the activation of gamma (γ) motoneurons in the spinal cord that receives inputs from the motor cortex. How fusimotor control of spindle sensitivity affects proprioceptive coding of joint position is not clear. Furthermore, what information is carried in the fusimotor signal from the motor cortex to the muscle spindle is largely unknown. In this study, we addressed the issue of communication between the central and peripheral sensorimotor systems using a computational approach based on the virtual arm (VA) model. In simulation experiments within the operational range of joint movements, the gamma static commands (γs) to the spindles of both mono-articular and bi-articular muscles were hypothesized (1) to remain constant, (2) to be modulated with joint angles linearly, and (3) to be modulated with joint angles nonlinearly. Simulation results revealed a nonlinear landscape of Ia afferent with respect to both γs activation and joint angle. Among the three hypotheses, the constant and linear strategies did not yield Ia responses that matched the experimental data, and therefore, were rejected as plausible strategies of spindle sensitivity control. However, if γs commands were quadratically modulated with joint angles, a robust linear relation between Ia afferents and joint angles could be obtained in both mono-articular and bi-articular muscles. With the quadratic strategy of spindle sensitivity control, γs commands may serve as the CNS outputs that inform the periphery of central coding of joint angles. The results suggest that the information of joint angles may be communicated between the CNS and muscles via the descending γs efferent and Ia afferent signals.
muscle spindle; γs control; spindle sensitivity; Ia afferents; joint angle; central and peripheral coding
Repeated measures experimental study of the effect of flexion-relaxation, recovery, and gender on paraspinal reflex dynamics.
To determine the effect of prolonged flexion-relaxation and recovery time on reflex behavior in human subjects.
Summary of Background Data.
Prolonged spinal flexion has been shown to disturb the paraspinal reflex activity in both animals and human beings. Laxity in passive tissues of the spine from flexion strain may contribute to desensitization of mechanoreceptors. Animal studies indicate that recovery of reflexes may take up to several hours. Little is known about human paraspinal reflex behavior following flexion tasks or the recovery of reflex behavior following the flexion tasks.
A total of 25 subjects performed static flexionrelaxation tasks. Paraspinal muscle reflexes were recorded before and immediately after flexion-relaxation and after a recovery period. Reflexes were quantified from systems identification analyses of electromyographic response in relation to pseudorandom force disturbances applied to the trunk.
Trunk angle measured during flexion-relaxation postures was significantly higher following static flexion-relaxation tasks (P < 0.001), indicating creep deformation of passive supporting structures in the trunk. Reflex response was diminished following flexion-relaxation (P < 0.029) and failed to recover to baseline levels during 16 minutes of recovery.
Reduced reflex may indicate that the spine is less stable following prolonged flexion-relaxation and, therefore, susceptible to injury. The absence of recovery in reflex after a substantial time indicates that increased low back pain risk from flexion-relaxation may persist after the end of the flexion task.
flexion-relaxation; reflex; low back; spine; electromyogram; stability
Previous studies have shown that monoamines may modulate operation of spinal neuronal networks by depressing or facilitating responses of the involved neurons. Recently, activation of interneurons mediating reciprocal inhibition from muscle spindle (Ia) afferents and nonreciprocal inhibition from muscle spindle and tendon organ (Ia/Ib) afferents in the cat was found to be facilitated by noradrenaline (NA). However, which subclass membrane receptors are involved in mediating this facilitation was not established; the aim of the present experiments was to investigate this. Individual Ia- and Ia/Ib-inhibitory interneurons were identified in the cat lumbar spinal cord, and NA agonists were applied close to these neurons by ionophoresis. The agonists included the α1-receptor agonist phenylephrine, the α2-receptor agonists clonidine and tizanidine, and the β-receptor agonist isoproterenol. Effects were measured by comparing changes in the number of extracellularly recorded spike potentials evoked by electrical stimulation of muscle nerves and changes in the latency of these potentials before, during, and after application of the tested compounds. Results show that the facilitatory effect of phenylephrine is as strong as that of NA, whereas the facilitatory effect of isoproterenol is weaker. Clonidine depressed activity of both Ia- and Ia/Ib-inhibitory interneurons, whereas tizanidine had no effect. These findings lead to the conclusion that beneficial antispastic effects of clonidine and tizanidine in humans are unlikely to be associated with an enhancement of the actions of Ia- and Ia/Ib-inhibitory interneurons, and the findings also support previous proposals that these compounds exert their antispastic actions via effects on other neuronal populations.
spinal cord; spinal reflexes; cat; group I afferents; spasticity; noradrenaline; clonidine; tizanidine; phenylephrine; isoproterenol
Axial myopathy is a rare neuromuscular disease that is characterized by paraspinal muscle atrophy and abnormal posture, most notably camptocormia (also known as bent spine). The genetic cause of familial axial myopathy is unknown. Described here are the clinical features and cause of late-onset predominant axial myopathy and encephalopathy. A 73-year-old woman presented with a 10-year history of severe paraspinal muscle atrophy and cerebellar ataxia. Her 84-year-old sister also developed late-onset paraspinal muscle atrophy and generalized seizures with encephalopathy. Computed tomography showed severe atrophy and fatty degeneration of their paraspinal muscles. Their mother and maternal aunt also developed bent spines. The existence of many ragged-red fibers and cytochrome c oxidase-negative fibers in the biceps brachii muscle of the proband indicated a mitochondrial abnormality. No significant abnormalities were observed in the respiratory chain enzyme activities; however, the activities of complexes I and IV were relatively low compared with the activities of other complexes. Sequence analysis of the mitochondrial DNA from the muscle revealed a novel heteroplasmic mutation (m.602C>T) in the mitochondrial tRNAPhe gene. This familial case of late-onset predominant axial myopathy and encephalopathy may represent a new clinical phenotype of a mitochondrial disease.
Mitochondrial disease; Predominant axial myopathy; Encephalopathy; Late-onset; Familial case


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Google Wave is the brainchild of Lars and Jens Rasmussen, whose Where 2 Tech software became Google Maps. The brothers recently embarked upon a new path, asking themselves three difficult questions:
1. "Why do we have to live with divides between different types of communication — email versus chat, or conversations versus documents?"
They question duality - the fundamental belief that things are separate. There is a subject which observes and an object which is observed. Objects are separate things; email is email and chat is chat. But duality is false, a delusion.
"The fundamental delusion of humanity is that I am here and you are out there," wrote Yasutani Roshi.
Every sentient being knows intuitively that all are one. Every one of us feels a drive to be "part of something greater," to unite with a "soul mate," to break through our delusion of duality. "Collaboration" and "integration" are among the most common buzzwords in the Web 2.0 economy. People know, without knowing they know, that there are no "divides between different types of communication." Google Wave starts from that assumption instead of the other, outdated one.
2. "Could a single communications model span all or most of the systems in use on the web today, in one smooth continuum? How simple could we make it?"
Their prototype effort remains to be seen. It is described as "equal parts conversation and document, where people can communicate and work together…
"In Google Wave you create a wave and add people to it. Everyone on your wave can use richly formatted text, photos, gadgets and even feeds from other sources on the web. They can insert a reply or edit the wave directly. It's concurrent rich-text editing, where you see on your screen nearly instantly what your fellow collaborators are typing in your wave... You can also use ‘playback' to rewind the wave and see how it evolved."
It sounds as if Google Wave eliminates many of time's constraints. Things happen simultaneously instead of sequentially. You can go back into the past and watch creation unfold frame by frame. You "can see what someone's typing before he hits enter" and actually read his mind in the act of thinking.
That's all pretty disturbing, when you think about it.
3. What if we tried designing a communications system that took advantage of computers' current abilities, rather than imitating non-electronic forms?"
Then you would have something that no one has seen before, and they would not know what to do with it. We have Web pages because people know what to do with pages from using books. When Google Wave is introduced it will cause enormous confusion. Confusion is good because it spawns change, and change is nature itself.
"Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the Universe loves nothing so much as to change the things which are, and to make new things." - Marcus Aurelius
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