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Roller Grill Trending Up
By CSD Staff | January 16, 2019
Convenience store retailers continue to modify and adapt their roller grill offerings to accommodate an increasingly diversified audience.
By Scott McKinney, Contributing Editor
Foodservice growth led strong in-store sales in the convenience channel, according to U.S. convenience store owners surveyed recently by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS).
In terms of foodservice, 68% of retailers said sales increased last year and there was continued sales growth of better-for-you items. It's an upward trend destined to continue.
"C-stores are increasing and improving their offerings, and consumers are taking note," said Ann Golladay, senior project director at Datassential, a firm that conducts food industry market research.
WIDER VARIETY
When it comes to roller grill offerings, consumer interest is taking a wider turn beyond staples like hot dogs, brats and Taquitos, to include all-day meal and snacking options such as a variety of egg rolls, new RollerBite choices, traditional tamales and ethnic sausages.
Some experts agree that there's an opportunity to grow Asian food sales in the c-store channel, including within the roller grill space.
Datassential's TrendSpotting Trend Report on convenience stores, released in December 2018, polled 750 consumers on a variety of foodservice topics and what they would prefer to see at their local convenience chain. Among those who responded, some said they preferred foods from c-stores that can be easily consumed in a car while driving.
One respondent in the survey answered, "I want more interesting grab-and-go items that I can quickly pick up. It would be nice to see more ethnic foods offered."
Freshness can help guarantee that roller grill can be a significant purchase motivator, Golladay said. Previous Datassential data indicates that other motivators for consumers choosing roller grill purchases include high-quality ingredients, wider selection and combo deals.
Rising consumer interest is also present in the condiments section of U.S. c-stores. "Think of Sriracha's explosion over the last 10 years," Golladay said. "The staple condiments are still key," she cautioned, with ketchup seeing slight growth, mustard staying flat, and barbecue sauce dropping in consumer interest, but specialty condiments like garlic aioli, wasabi and Sriracha are experiencing an uptick in popularity.
TASTERS' CHOICE
Of course, valued-added options are a key driver for strong roller grill sales.
"Customers continue to look for strong value when making food purchase decisions," said Robin Murphy, 7-Eleven product director for fresh food. According to Murphy, customers only spend an average of 23 seconds in front of the roller grill, so they are making those decisions fast.
"We know that speed of service is also key," Murphy added.
In terms of customer taste, Murphy said that customers are looking for spicier options, on the roller grill and elsewhere in the store.
"On the roller grill, products with Mexican or other Latin American influences are showing the greatest growth," Murphy said.
Roller grill customers are some of 7-Eleven's most loyal shoppers, and they visit frequently to enjoy offerings such as the Big Bite hot dog, Go-Go Taquito, egg roll or limited-time specialty sausage. 7-Eleven's growing customer base of Millennials and Gen Zers are driving a demand for chicken products on the roller grill, Murphy said.
Murphy noted that most 7-Eleven stores have two roller grills at the front sales counter, adjacent to the hot foods case, which offers pizza, chicken tenders and wings. There's a free condiment bar, which has always been a customer favorite and a driver of sales. The condiment bar offers choices including chili, melted or shredded cheese, Pico de Gallo, onions, relish, sliced pickles, jalapeños, and regional favorites such as sauerkraut, sport peppers and more.
Industry observers point to Tyson's gourmet chicken sausage links, Gouda chicken sausage, and new RollerBite flavors as examples of innovation in the segment.
Richard George, professor emeritus of food marketing at the Saint Joseph's University's Erivan K. Haub School of Business, considers roller grills as an underutilized foodservice feature for c-stores that fail to realize the business potential they afford.
"When people walk in the store, they're thinking, 'I'm a little hungry, what do I want?'" George said.
Roller grill regulars, such as construction workers, want something quick, easy and filling, so hot dogs hit the spot for them, but there are untapped components of the market—including better-for-you items, which patrons can grab when they're on the go, he said.
"Roller grills have been around for a long time, and I think this is a chance to introduce new segments of the market to the grill," George said. "People are looking for freshness, so why not include freshly-made in-store options, like fruit wraps, oatmeal wraps or low-carb wraps for the Atkins or keto crowd."
He said still, 64% of roller grill customers purchase grilled items for a portable snack.
FRONT TO BACK
There have been a lot of enhancements to roller grill equipment for both back-of-house and front-of-house service.
Arguably, coffee manufacturers began the shift towards self-service machines, and roller grill manufacturers followed suit. Now convenience store coffee is returning to barista-style, push-button machines behind the counter, while self-service roller grills are becoming more advanced.
Moreover, there has been an expansion of larger roller grill islands among a select number of retailers, with more adding grills that can accommodate both protein and non-protein offerings.
In addition to expanded and dedicated roller grills, more operators are improving signage to promote offerings.
New QuikTrip locations have up to 10 roller grills on a dedicated island to accommodate more choices for its customers.
QuikTrip, which owns and operates more than 700 c-stores in nearly a dozen states, sticks with proven foodservice concepts, including roller grill.
"QuikTrip is more focused on a value-driven approach than trends. We pay attention to trends but tend to stick with proven high-volume items," said Mike Thornbrugh, manager of public and government affairs at QuikTrip. "Our grills have their own aisles and retail other complementary items around the offer. We try to offer eight to 10 different roller grill items, and we complement them with around eight to 10 choices of fresh condiments."
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Share this Story: COVID-19: Vancity cuts credit-card interest for those facing financial difficulty
COVID-19: Vancity cuts credit-card interest for those facing financial difficulty
The Vancouver financial co-op says it will temporarily not charge any interest on credit cards belonging to members affected by the financial crisis.
Tiffany Crawford
Apr 09, 2020 • April 9, 2020 • 1 minute read
Vancity will temporarily not charge credit card interest for members affected by the financial crisis caused by the pandemic. Photo by RICHARD LAM /Vancouver Sun
Vancity says it's temporarily cutting credit-card interest rates to zero and deferring minimum payments for those facing financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vancouver-based financial co-operative issued a statement Wednesday morning saying personal and business credit-card-holders who need to defer a payment due to the impacts of the pandemic will be offered payment deferrals of up to six months at a zero-per-cent interest rate.
COVID-19: Vancity cuts credit-card interest for those facing financial difficulty Back to video
Eligible cardholders affected by COVID-19 can call Vancity to request the relief program.
Vancity said it has been working on a case-by-case basis with affected businesses and individual cardholders to offer solutions, such as lower credit-card interest rates and tailored payment plans.
It's also deferring loans, such as mortgages, for up to six months, and waiving a number of fees for its members, including e-transfers and ATMs.
Vancity's announcement follows similar action by six major banks in Canada, which all said they would reduce interest rates on credit cards for those affected by the pandemic — though none reduced interest on credit cards to zero.
The Bank of Montreal said Saturday it will temporarily reduce credit-card interest rates to 10.99 per cent for personal and small-business customers receiving payment deferrals due to the outbreak. The Bank of Nova Scotia announced the same change Friday.
They joined The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, which announced similar measures.
TD Bank said it will cut credit-card interest rates by 50 per cent for customers experiencing hardship, and Royal Bank said it will reduce the charges by the same amount for clients receiving minimum payment deferrals.
National Bank will reduce annual interest rates to 10.9 per cent for clients receiving three-month payment deferrals, it said.
ticrawford@postmedia.com
— With files from Reuters
Is there more to this story? We'd like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


MY DIET/FITNESS UPDATES BELOW!! Get my seven tips to a flat stomach in seven days! Plus, find out other exercise tips and diet tricks. Subscribe for videos e HOW TO GET A FLAT STOMACH IN 7 DAYS + TUMMY HACKS, EXERCISE & WHAT I ATE IN A DAY! Hello Everyone! In today's video I show you what I did to get a flatter st 10 Best Ways to Lose Belly Fat in 7 Days Bottle Gourd & Lemon Juice – For a flat tummy, daily have a glass of bottle gourd juice for breakfast.To get more effective results, mix 2 tbsp of lemon juice and a pinch of pepper and black salt.Bottle gourd is an extremely popular vegetable for losing belly fat and for weight loss.It's a low Getting a flat belly in seven days requires dedication to exercise and observing what you eat and drink. But you will see results if you're committed to eating a healthy diet and working out every day. The daily routine doesn't leave us at any time to hit the gym! Sport your cantikiest self this party season with 5 simple steps to lose belly fat in 7 days. How to lose weight in 7 days? Give this diet plan a try and see the difference on your own. After all, being a women you want to be fit and show off that much .
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I saw this frenetic little beast scuttling around in a tiny part of my garden. I recognised it immediately as a shrew, but one much smaller than I have seen before: about 50 mm for head and body. That, with its colouration and relatively large tail, identified it as a Eurasian pygmy shrew (Somex minutus). It is the smallest mammal native to Britain, weighing about 4 g. It rushed about in the same area for long enough for me to get a camera and take some photographs. Owing to its rapid movement, this was very frustrating: from about 100 shots, a few were blurred by its movement and in some more it had left the field of view altogether by the time that the autofocus had done its stuff. I was helped by the bright sunny day (contrary to rumour, we do have these in Scotland), which helped with depth of focus and exposure time. In most of the rest of the photos it had buried its snout in detritus, and all that I captured was a furball with (perhaps) a scrap of tail. Of the few half-decent ones remaining, these four were the best.
I was amazed by its feet: they look more like hands with long delicate fingers. These enable it to climb a vertical stone wall, but my attempted photos of this were hopeless.
With its tiny size and its extremely active habits (it is aggressively territorial), it needs frequent food, and will eat more than its own weight in a day.
This entry was written by whyevolutionistrue and posted on November 2, 2017 at 8:00 am and filed under birds, mammals, photography. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.	Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
Proof that even viscious little beasts can be cute.
Ah, sadly our cat brings the odd shrew in.
But they never bring a mangled or half a Shrew in ,do they?
Cats don't like the way they taste.
Some species of shrews are venomous. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.
Of course Scotland has sunny days. How else could you maintain the 2000 per square foot midge population?
July 15 1972 was the last sunny day in Scotland.
Very nice "candid shots" of the shrew. Although 4 out of 100 must be frustrating, the net shots are impressively clear – you even got a nearly full face! I wonder if an action/sports option would have worked at shrew speed (the kind that take 4-10 shorts in quick succession so you get consecutive pictures of the d*g catching the frisbee). Thanks for sharing.
10 (keepers) out of 100 shots is a damned fine rate for most photography!
Congrat, Richard! It's far from obvious to get photos of shrews on the loose. Actually it's rare to merely see them! I studied shrews all my (professional) life, and I don't have any photo… I'm planning to try it someday but yet it's just a wish.
When I was working at an arboretum in upstate NY I found a bottle with 6 shrew skeletons in it. I can only imagine that one got in and could not get out and the others got in to dine on those stuck inside.
Two most enjoyable contributions! Thank you.
I have never seen a live shrew. That would be pretty amazing.


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November 3, 2020 12:02PM ET
South Carolina Amphitheater to Be Renamed in Honor of Sharon Jones
"It's great to have a place where people will hit the stage and think of her," says Daptone's Gabe Roth of North Augusta venue soon to be known as Sharon Jones Amphitheater
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After a unanimous vote on Monday, a venue in the South Carolina town where Sharon Jones spent her early years will be renamed for her.
Marianna Massey/Getty Images
And when all the votes were counted, Sharon Jones won in a landslide.
On Monday night, the city council of North Augusta, South Carolina, voted unanimously to name a new outdoor amphitheater in town after Jones, the late-blooming R&B and soul singer who died in 2016 of pancreatic cancer. The venue, currently known as the Riverside Village Amphitheater, will soon be rechristened the Sharon Jones Amphitheater. "This is so cool," says Gabe Roth, who helped bring Jones out of obscurity when he signed her to his Daptone label in the Nineties and paired her with their house band, the Dap-Kings, for a series of acclaimed albums. "No one was able to lift the room like she could. It's great to have a place where people will hit the stage and think of her. She would have been thrilled."
Members of Jones' family attended Monday's council hearing, which resulted in a 6-0 vote in favor of Resolution 2020-52. "She would be flabbergasted right now," says Jones' sister Willia Stringer. "We didn't live far from there. My father used to walk down with us down to the river. Back then, there was nothing there but trees and the river."
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Although Jones spent most of her life in the New York area, she was born across the river in Augusta, Georgia, and lived with her family in North Augusta, South Carolina, for the first few years of her life. Yet she would regularly return to North Augusta to see family and chill out. "She could be herself here," says Stringer. "She would come back and go fishing. She found that relaxation here."
In her late years, Jones brought a house in town for her mother. "She had a lot of love for Augusta," says Roth. "When we got to play down there, she was so proud. She'd bring everybody out. It always felt like a homecoming."
The idea for renaming the venue, which sits on the Savannah River, began with Augusta Chronicle columnist and veteran journalist Don Rhodes, who befriended Jones over the years. Rhodes began talking up the idea in his column and to the town's current mayor, Robert Pettit, who admits he wasn't familiar with Jones' work. "I kept harping on him," says Rhodes. "In North Augusta, there's no public park or building named after a black citizen, and I said it was the right thing to do. And who else should be it named for? There's nobody else from North Augusta who had that kind of worldwide fame."
Pettit agreed: "She didn't have a big hit, but she was certainly well known, and we talked about it enough times so that people were aware of her and the idea."
The small city, which has a population of approximately 23,000, has changed radically since Jones' early days. Stringer recalls the racial prejudice the family encountered before they left for the North: "We had to go through the back door to get something to eat at some places."
Adds Rhodes, "Sharon would tell me these stories about experiencing discrimination when she was growing up. She was born in a linen storage closet of the black wing of the hospital since they hadn't have a room for her mother. She would tell me about white people siccing dogs on her and throwing rocks at her just because they could. But her life had a coming-around, full-circle thing to it. She saw how much the area has changed."
In October, a new collection of rare Jones covers, Just Dropped In (to See What Condition My Rendition Was In), was released on Daptone; it includes her versions of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," Prince's "Take Me with U," Fontella Bass' "Rescue Me," and, naturally, the Kenny Rogers and the First Edition hit "Just Dropped In (to See What Condition My Condition Was In)." Roth says a good deal of unreleased Jones material remains in the vaults, both studio and live recordings, but the process of sifting through it remains painful.
"It's hard to work on it," Roth admits. "Even this collection, it was hard. You hear the outtakes and you hear messing around and talking in the studio, and it makes you long for those days."
Current plans call for a dedication ceremony for the venue in March, complete with a day of live music, but as Pettit says, that schedule could change: "COVID," he says, "remains the big guy in the room."
In This Article: amphitheater,	Daptone Records,	Georgia,	North Augusta,	Renaming,	Sharon Jones


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A handful of discussions with our first new clients of 2018 have led me to thinking a lot about branding, and how it evolves with the different design trends that spring up. Although every business is unique and warrants a unique brand identity to go with it, there will always be common threads and design choices that make waves through the industry. As a team focused on aligning our work with each clients' individual business goals, we like to zone in on the unique qualities of each brand that we work with. That being said, it's also important that we consider the industry as a whole and take what's marketable into consideration while doing it. Today I'd like to discuss a few industry trends that are on the horizon for 2018, and how understanding these trends can help you provide the most value to your clients.
A handful of discussions with our first new clients of 2018 have led me to thinking a lot about branding, and how it evolves with the different design trends that spring up. Although every business is unique and warrants a unique brand identity to go with it, there will always be common threads and design choices that make waves through the industry.
As a team focused on aligning our work with each clients' individual business goals, we like to zone in on the unique qualities of each brand that we work with. That being said, it's also important that we consider the industry as a whole and take what's marketable into consideration while doing it. Today I'd like to discuss a few industry trends that are on the horizon for 2018, and how understanding these trends can help you provide the most value to your clients.
We've written before about how successful branding starts at the beginning. The why behind a brand can create a powerful connection with its audience—one that aesthetics without purpose cannot.
In an increasingly visual world, a successful brand identity cannot be built on a product alone; it needs to share a message and the story behind the brand. Why should someone prefer it over a competitor with equally pleasing aesthetics? It comes back to the why behind a business, and the role of branding is to reinforce that story visually.
We're frequently encountering brands who are placing a higher priority on digital design as opposed to print. This is a real opportunity for designers to adapt their offerings to align with their clients' needs in an increasingly digital landscape.
In years past, a stationery system would come hand-in-hand with a brand identity, and while print collateral certainly isn't dead, there's no doubt that social media design is making its way to the forefront. From profile images, to cover photos, to templates for Instagram stories, I encourage you to explore tailoring your packages according to what suits your clients' immediate needs.
While this likely isn't news to many, when it comes to cost-effective alternatives to building a custom website, Squarespace is top of the list. User-friendly, and reasonably customizable with the help of a skilled developer, it would be beneficial to add Squarespace to your list of potential platforms.
The reality is that not every client needs the features and user experience that a custom WordPress website provides. In these cases, such as a landing page, portfolio, or even a basic e-commerce site, Squarespace can serve as a solid solution for your client.
Building on our first point, an important theme of the moment is consumers looking beyond aesthetics for a deeper meaning behind a brand. This includes questioning the validity of products built solely on aesthetics (we've all experienced them). A quality product with great design to match has the potential to make waves, but a brand based on aesthetics alone simply won't stand the test of time.
For a brand desiring longevity, it needs to consider quality first and foremost, and offer up a unique experience for customers to connect with. Aesthetics and marketing alone won't sustain a brand for the long haul.
I'm a big proponent of following rules, especially those at the foundation of graphic design. But breaking and bending best practices is something that I'm starting to notice, and find myself drawn to more often. I think it's a combination of challenging the styles that can feel overused and exhausted, and drawing influence from designers of the past that took a more carefree and liberal approach to their work, like Ettore Sottsass.
The Los Angeles restaurant, Sqirl, does this exceptionally well with a design-focused experience that draws inspiration from Japanese design, and The Memphis Group. The result is a very "back to basics" feel that I really appreciate.
This one ultimately depends on the client, but while we typically have brands coming to us for a simplified and subdued aesthetic, I'm noticing a much bigger embrace of bright color palettes.
We've been exploring shades of purple a lot more (which could be influenced by Pantone's 2018 color of the year), along with other jewel tones like emerald and saffron. This resurgence of primary colors definitely excites me, and while I don't think minimal design is going anywhere, I do think that more clients will seek punchier color palettes to contrast that simplicity.
What trends have you noticed this year based on your clients' requests, and how do you plan to address them (if at all) in your work?
Informative article. Love your color ideas! Thank you!!


Hội An Vietnam is famous around the world for its stunning display of Chinese silk lanterns. The ancient town in Hội An offers visitors a chance to experience the colorful ambiance of the Vietnam of old. The narrow streets light up every night, illuminating the traditional shop houses of the river-side port town. Whether you are looking for a romantic evening stroll along the river, or want to take in some of Vietnam's history, the warm glow of Hội An's lanterns will provide an experience that will stay with you for years to come.
The first time that I visited Hội An was about four years ago. My wife (still girlfriend at the time) and I were on a extended trip across the the long coast of Vietnam on 125cc motor scooters. By the time we had reached Hội An, we had been in Vietnam for a few weeks, our butts were sore, we were tired and dusty, and we were nearly as worn out as our Chinese motorbikes, which were literally starting to fall apart.
After visiting countless towns along the coast of rural Vietnam, I remember getting to Hội An and being totally disgusted by the sheer number of tourists. Wherever we looked, it seemed like there was nothing in Hội An besides wine bars, pizza restaurants, and drunken backpackers.
At the time, I have to admit, I was pretty put off by Hội An. Even still, some of the charm of Vietnam's ancient port city must have rubbed off on me, because when I had the chance to go back, I found myself really wanting to give it another try, from a fresh perspective.
I am so glad that I did. Hội An truly is a charmer! Even as you approach the "Ancient Town" strings of handmade silk lanterns, shining down in every color imaginable, hang across the narrow shophouse-lined streets.
All of the old merchant houses and warehouses have been refurbished and converted into up-scale dining and wine bars, but it is apparent that great care has been taken to retain the original heritage and rustic appeal of the old port city.
The cracking paint and plaster of the buildings almost gives the feeling of a rustic village in Tuscany. It really is hard not to love the romantic old-world charm of Hội An Ancient Town, even despite the constant crowds of tourist buses dropping off endless legions of camera-snapping zombies.
The best time to see the Ancient Town is just before sunset. It is at this time that you can watch the lights dim over the river and see the transformation as the silk lanterns begin to shine over the narrow streets.
Old women paddle to the shore on small wooden boats to sell floating candles to mesmerized tourists along the banks, who make wishes and float the shimmering lights down the stream. It really is a magical experience to watch Hội An fall into the spell of the night.
My wife and I were lucky enough to get a table at one of the many rooftop restaurants along the river, where we could enjoy the nightly metamorphosis over a glass of wine and some Vietnamese noodles (yes I know, I have become one of the camera-snapping tourists myself, and I'm fine with it).
Traversing a small tributary of the river on the west side of the northern shore is the Japanese Covered Bridge. Originally built in the 16th century by Japanese merchants, it is still fully functional, and probably looks exactly as it has for centuries.
Crossing over the narrow covered bridge you will find beautiful tree-lined streets filled with tea and coffee shops, antique dealers and art galleries. Vietnam is a great place to find good quality original oil paintings. Skilled artists portray both traditional and contemporary themes on canvas, and are not cheap, but still a bargain by most standards.
I have run into many travelers in Vietnam who mention that they want to go to Hội An for its beaches. Yes, it is true that there are beaches in Hội An, and there is definitely a lot of tourist infrastructure such as bars and restaurants being built up along the beaches. I would not however call this a tropical paradise.
The beaches here are piled with sand bags to keep the sand from washing away, and the water and sky both tend to be a mysteriously murky gray color. There are a some nice beaches in Vietnam, especially to the South, in places like Mui Ne, Qui Nhon, and Phu Quoc, My advice is to enjoy Hội An for the culture, food, and amazingly friendly people. If you want a tropical beach vacation, I recommend Thailand, Indonesia, or the Philippines. That being said, I have gone to the beach on Hội An, and I went swimming in the ocean. The water was warm and the white sand feels nice between your toes as you walk along the shore.
Walking through the streets of Hội An is like walking back in time. Rows of old shops and warehouses, lit with the warm glow from the traditional silk lanterns, lead down to the riverfront, once an important port city for commerce, Hội An is now filled with wonderful trendy restaurants and bars where travelers can while away the hours over glasses of wine, cold beer, and Vietnamese food.


The AWK125-A comes in the standard Blue, Black and Red colors with the addition of Yellow. Having a 125cc semi-auto engine with reverse gear, this go kart can be used in a great deal of situations. It features a 3 speed transmission with reverse and has electric ignition. The torque output is 6.5N.m with 5000-5500r/min along with a 55.11inch wheelbase.
Having hydraulic discs installed in the front and in the back provide with great safety assurance. Moreover it has Dual Double Swing Arm in the front and double shock absorber in the back to absorb the worst of the shocks. Its carton dimensions are just 66.54×45.28×23.23, so you don't have to worry about excessive shipping charges. So whether you want it for yourself or for your kids, get it today.


If you are reading this, I am so sorry. What you are going through or have gone through is beyond description. While right now you may feel that your life will never feel happy again, I want to assure you that there is, in fact, light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.
My husband and I made the heartbreaking decision to give our second baby girl, Caroline, back to God in January, 2004. Multiple ultrasounds, MRIs and blood tests had confirmed an encephalocele. Basically, there was a hole in my baby's head, and her brain couldn't develop appropriately. As hard as it was to make this choice, it was harder trying to find a way to explain it to our then four-year-old daughter, Madeline. To this day, I don't know exactly how we did it, but the words came and Madeline understood that sometimes a baby is born a baby and comes home to live with the family, but sometimes a baby is born an angel and doesn't come home; instead, she goes straight to heaven to live with God.
In the days following our decision, I was empty. I couldn't talk to anyone, I didn't want to talk to anyone. I would see other women with babies and make immediate judgements they didn't deserve a healthy baby if I couldn't have one. Weeks went by and I rarely left the house. The thought of having to explain to people who may not have known that I was no longer pregnant was impossible to bear. I can't explain the full impact of the devastation, but I know you understand what I mean. I wanted this baby so much. Just the year before, I had had an ectopic pregnancy and thought that was as bad as it could get. I was so wrong. Caroline was not just planned. I prayed for her, dreamed of her, and loved her before I knew her.
Twelve weeks after we let Caroline go, a very stubborn but wonderful friend parked outside my door and refused to leave until I came out. She literally dragged me to a meeting at our church, a place I had avoided for months because A) I had the expected Catholic guilt about the decision I made, and B) quite frankly, I was angry at God for making me make that decision.
This meeting turned into a 12-week program that guides women into recognizing their gifts and encouraging them to share them. This program saved my life. I felt so lifted and encouraged and loved by the other women in this group, none of whom were just like me or had gone through the same experiences I had, but all of whom loved me anyway.
These women who started out of strangers, held my hand as I reentered society. They listened open-heartedly when I talked about her. They didn't squirm or look pitifully at me. They said my Caroline's name out loud. I can't tell you how much that means— that simple validation of my baby. How odd it seemed that the people who were closest to me couldn't do that, talk about Caroline and say her name, yet these people I just met could, would, and did.
Eventually, I could get through the morning without crying. Then a whole day. Then a week. I still think of my baby every hour of every day, but I can do so now with less sorrow and more confidence. There are moments when I feel her loss as if it had just happened, but I know those moments will pass.
But then there are all those people who feel its their business to ask "Are you going to try again?" I know that they are hopeful for me because they want me to be happy, and people are uncomfortable about this kind of thing. But I am not ready to face that kind of heartbreak just to make other people feel better. Maybe someday we will add to our family. Maybe we will try again to have a baby of our own —or maybe we will adopt. But maybe we won't.
I realize now that I am blessed beyond all the bad things that have happened to me. My husband is an amazing friend and father. My daughter is pure sunshine. My friends and family enrich my life in so many ways that I don't notice that something might be missing. I found that focusing on sharing what I have, rather than mourning what I have not, is a much better way to honor Caroline. I still cry, but I laugh more. I still feel pain, but I feel joy more. The bottom line is, I feel that right now, almost two years after Caroline died, I am okay.


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The brainstem and reticular formation
Filed under Neurology
13 The brainstem and reticular formation
Clinical cases for thought
Case 13.1
A 16-year-old male presents with blurred vision following a concussion that he received in a motorcycle accident 1 month previous. He reports that he has no headaches, and no loss of sensation or strength in his hands, arms, or feet. During slow pursuit testing his eyes become slightly disconjugated. His saccades also overshoot during the fast return phase.
• 13.1.1 What are the neurological mechanisms that control eye movement and how can they produce blurred vision?
A 65-year-old male presents with his wife who is concerned about her husband's facial appearance. She claims that he does not look the same and has less facial expression than he used to. She has been noticing this for the last few weeks. On testing it is discovered that he cannot move the right side of his forehead or hold his right eye closed to gentle pressure.
• 13.2.1 Discuss the difference between upper and lower motor neuron lesions in general.
• 13.2.2 Discuss the different clinical signs when differentiating between an upper and a lower motor neuron lesion involving the facial nerve.
• 13.2.3 Discuss six differential diagnostic considerations for this gentleman.
A 47-year-old female presents with the chief complaint of dizziness upon standing quickly.
• 13.3.1 Discuss five differential diagnostic considerations for this woman.
• 13.3.2 Discuss the physiological and neurological mechanisms and pathways involved in the control of blood pressure during quick posture changes.
There is probably no more complicated area to study anatomically than the brainstem. Understanding the anatomy in a three-dimensional perspective is crucial for the application of clinical neurology. The reticular formation receives little attention in traditional neurology textbooks. It is an area that spans all levels of the brainstem, from the thalamus to the spinal cord, and is responsible for integrating information from the brain and periphery and linking sensory, motor, and autonomic nuclei of the brainstem. The reticular formation therefore mediates complex reflexes and functions such as eye movements, posture, feeding, breathing, homeostasis, arousal, sleep, control of vasomotor tone and cardiac output, and pain. The cranial nerves are very important as clinical windows into the functional state of various levels of the brainstem. The brainstem is also responsible for the control of vital functions like heart rate and respiration. This area, although complicated, promises access to a great amount of clinical information to those who spend the necessary investments of time and energy to thoroughly grasp the structure and functional relationships that compose the brainstem.
Anatomy of the brainstem
The brainstem is composed of the following anatomical areas (Figs 13.1, 13.2, and 13.3):
1. Midbrain or mesencephalon is contained between the cerebrum and the pons in an area which measures approximately 2.5 cm long;
2. Pons is contained between the midbrain and the medulla;
3. Medulla oblongata extends from the base of the pons to the first pair of cervical nerves. Caudally, the medulla is continuous with the medulla spinalis or the spinal cord.
Figure 13.1 An anterior view of the anatomical structures of the brainstem.
Figure 13.2 A posterior view of the anatomical structures of the brainstem.
Figure 13.3 A lateral view of the anatomical structures of the brainstem.
We will approach the description of the brainstem by outlining the structures observed at various levels in cross-sectional dissections.
Quick facts 13.1
Input from primary afferents and their collaterals results in the following
1. Monosynaptic reflex involving the alpha motor neurons
2. Inhibition of antagonist
3. Excitation of synergists
4. Inhibition of contralateral homologues
5. Excitation of antagonist of contralateral homologues
6. Excitation of IML neurons
7. Excitation of granular layer of the cerebellum, which leads to increased contralateral cortical integration via excitation of contralateral thalamus.
Mesencephalon
The structures of the mesencephalon can be observed in a cross-section of midbrain at the superior colliculus and the inferior colliculus (Figs 13.4 and 13.5).
Figure 13.4 A cross-sectional view of the mesencephalon at the superior colliculus.
(from Standring 2008 Gray's Anatomy 40th edn. Edinburgh, Elsevier, with permission)
Figure 13.5 A cross-sectional view of the mesencephalon at the inferior colliculus.
What is the extrapyramidal system?
The extrapyramidal system is used to denote all areas and tracts of the brain and brainstem involved with motor control that are not part of the direct pyramidal or corticospinal projection system. The extrapyramidal system includes:
1. The basal ganglia
2. The reticular formation of the brainstem
3. Vestibular nuclei
4. The red nucleus
Periaqueductal grey area
The periaqueductal grey area is an area of neuron cell bodies that surrounds the cerebral aqueduct. It is continuous with the grey substance of the third ventricle.
The tectum comprises the 'roof' or dorsal portion of the midbrain and contains the corpora quadrigemina, which includes the superior and inferior colliculi and all the substances that lie dorsal to the cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain area of the neuraxis. The superior colliculi are involved with visual reflexes, and project to the lateral geniculate bodies of the thalamus. The inferior colliculi are involved with reflexes associated with sound, and project to the medial geniculate bodies of the thalamus.
Tegmentum
The tegmentum consists of the bulk of the matter of the brainstem and comprises the area ventral to the cerebral aqueduct and fourth ventricle. It contains the bulk of the brainstem nuclei and the reticular formation of the midbrain, pons, and medulla.
The substantia nigra is a broad layer of pigmented neurons that separates the basis from the tegmentum. It extends from the upper surface of the pons to the hypothalamus. It projects to and receives projections from the neostriatum, thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, superior colliculi, and the reticular system of the brainstem. The neuron of this region utilise dopamine as a neurotransmitter.
Oculomotor nuclei
The oculomotor nuclei are the motor nuclei of the superior rectus, inferior rectus, and medial rectus muscles of the eye.
These bilateral structures are ovoid groups of nuclei composed of two different cell types, the magnocellular and parvocellular groups of neurons. The magnocellular neurons are large, multipolar cells located in the caudal area of the red nuclear mass. These neurons receive bilateral projections both from sensorimotor cortical areas via the corticorubral tracts and from collaterals via the corticospinal tracts. The cortical projections and their target neurons in the red nucleus are somatotopically organised. Axon projections from the magnocellular neurons form the rubrospinal tracts, which cross in the brainstem and project in a somatotopically organised fashion, mainly to the interneurons of the intermediate grey areas of the spinal cord. Some rubrospinal fibres terminate directly on ventral horn motor neurons as well. Some axons that form the rubrospinal tracts terminate on neurons in the pontomedullary reticular formation and the motor nuclei of various cranial nerves, forming the rubroreticular system and the rubrobulbar tracts, respectively (Brown 1974). Reciprocal, bilateral projections to the superior colliculi are also present and form the rubrotectal tracts (Fig. 13.6). The rubrospinal and corticospinal tracts form the lateral motor system of the spinal cord. The medial motor system is composed of the reticulospinal and vestibulospinal tracts.
Figure 13.6 Afferent and efferent projections of the red nucleus.
The parvocellular neurons of the red nucleus are small pyramidal- and spherical-shaped neurons, mostly located in the rostral areas of the red nuclear mass. These neurons receive projections from the dentate nucleus of the contralateral cerebellum, and from the ipsilateral globus pallidus pars externa, substantia nigra, and subthalamic nuclei. These neurons project to the ipsilateral thalamus (Fig. 13.6).
Medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF)
This structure is a highly myelinated axon tract that descends from the interstitial nucleus of Cajal in the lateral wall of the third ventricle through the midbrain, pons, and medulla to the spinal cord where it becomes continuous with the anterior intersegmental fasciculus. The MLF acts as a major communications conduit between all of the cranial nerve nuclei and all related structures including the reticular formations of the mesencephalon, pons, and medulla. The medial vestibulospinal tract axons project with the MLF to the spinal cord (Brodal et al. 1962). Other axons from the vestibular nuclei ascend in the MLF to more rostral structures including the extraocular cranial nuclei. The MLF is the first fibre tract in the developing embryo to become myelinated and probably acts as a major pathway providing stimulus to developing neurons in the early stages of embryonic development.
Medial lemnisci
The medial lemniscus is a bundle of axons that forms a triangular structure medial to the spinothalamic tract. The bundles are formed from axons of the contralateral dorsal column nuclei, the nucleus gracilis and cuneatus, which have decussated and formed the internal arcuate fibres which become continuous with the medial lemnisci. The fibres are joined by axons of the trigeminal sensory nucleus to project to the ipsilateral thalamus. Axons from the dorsal column nuclei terminate on neurons in the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus, whereas axons from the trigeminal sensory nucleus terminate on neurons in the ventral posterior medial nucleus of the thalamus (Guyton & Hall 1996).
This semilunar structure, also referred to as the basis, is located anterior to the substantia nigra and is composed of the corticospinal, corticonuclear, and corticopontine fibre tracts. The corticospinal fibres terminate on the ventral horn neurons of the contralateral spinal cord. The corticonuclear fibres terminate mainly on contralateral cranial nerve nuclei throughout the brainstem. The corticopontine fibres are composed of projections from the frontal and temporal cortical areas and terminate on the interneurons of the nuclei pontis. These nuclei then project mostly to the contralateral cerebellum.
The structures of the pons can be observed through a cross-section at the level of the trigeminal nerves (Fig. 13.7), just superior to the cerebral peduncles.
Figure 13.7 A cross-sectional view of the pons at the level of the trigeminal nerves.
Superior cerebellar peduncle
Wallenberg's syndrome
This syndrome of symptoms can occur with damage or dysfunction to the posterior lateral medullary region from ischaemia or ablative stroke:
1. Ipsilateral Horner's syndrome
2. Contralateral loss of pain and temperature
3. Ipsilateral facial numbness
4. Nausea, vertigo, vomiting, and nystagmus
5. Ipsilateral cerebellar signs
6. Difficulty swallowing + hiccups
This structure, which is also referred to as the brachium conjunctivum, proceeds from the upper white substance of the cerebellar hemisphere to the tegmentum where it completely decussates at the level of the inferior colliculus. It is composed of:
1. Dentatorubral and dentatothalamic fibres, both of which terminate contralaterally in the red nucleus and the thalamus, respectively;
2. Fibres of the ventral or anterior spinocerebellar tract projecting to the cerebellum from the spinal cord; and
3. Fibres of the uncinate fasciculus that contains fibres from the fastigial nucleus that will terminate in the lateral vestibular nucleus (Chusid 1982).
Anterior (ventral) spinocerebellar tract
These tracts form bilateral structures that ascend in the spinal cord in the ventral lateral fasciculi. They terminate in the vermis and intermediate zones of the ipsilateral cerebellum. These tracts relay information to the cerebellum about what information or commands have arrived at the ventral horn cells. These pathways are part of the efference copy mechanism of the cerebellar motor system.
Lateral lemnisci
This tract carries fibres from the contralateral dorsal cochlear nucleus to the inferior colliculus.
Middle cerebellar peduncle
These bilateral structures, which are also referred to as the brachium ponti, are the largest of the cerebellar peduncles. They carry fibres from the pontine nuclei to the contralateral neocerebellum. They are a component of the corticopontocerebellar pathways.
Reticular formation
The reticular formation of the pons is continuous with the reticular formations of the medulla and the mesencephalon. This area receives input from virtually all areas of the neuraxis and projects widely throughout the neuraxis. (See below for more detail.)
Medial and trigeminal lemnisci
These structures were discussed earlier; see above.
Fourth ventricle
This cavity is bounded by the pons and medulla ventrally and by the cerebellum dorsally. It is continuous with the cerebral aqueduct above and the central canal of the medulla below and has a capacity for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of about 20 ml. The floor of the fourth ventricle, which is also referred to as the rhomboid fossa, is formed by the dorsal surfaces of the pons and medulla. The fourth ventricle acts as a component of the CSF system (Chusid 1982).
Structures of the medulla can be viewed by cross-sections at:
1. Inferior olivary nuclei;
2. The lemniscal decussation; and
3. The pyramidal decussation.
Structures found at a cross-section at the inferior olive (fig. 13.8)
Choroid plexus of 4th
This structure is also referred to as the tela choroidea of the fourth ventricle and is composed of a layer of pia matter that has become highly vascularised. The choroid plexus produces CSF.
Figure 13.8 A cross-sectional view of the medulla at the level of the inferior olive.
Inferior cerebellar peduncle
These bilateral structures, which are also referred to as the restiform bodies, ascend laterally from the walls of the fourth ventricles to enter the cerebellum between the superior and middle cerebellar peduncles. They carry fibres of the following tracts:
1. Olivocerebellar tract, which arises from neurons of the contralateral superior olivary nucleus and projects to the cerebellar hemispheres and vermis;
2. Dorsal spinocerebellar tract, which arises from neurons in the area of Clark's column of the spinal cord to project to the interpositus nuclear region and the palaeocerebellar cortex;
3. Dorsal external arcuate fibres from the nuclei gracilis and cuneatus;
4. Ventral external arcuate fibres from the lateral reticular nuclei of the medulla; and
5. Vestibulocerebellar tract, which arises from the vestibular nuclei and projects to the flocculonodular lobe of the cerebellum.
Cuneate nucleus
These structures are located bilaterally, lateral and superior to the nuclei gracilis. They are composed of neurons that receive proprioceptive information from the arms and shoulders. Axons from these nuclei project via the internal arcuate fibres where they decussate to form the medial lemnisci projecting ultimately to the contralateral thalamus.
Accessory cuneate nucleus
These structures receive axons from muscle spindles and joint receptors transmitting unconscious proprioception from the arms and shoulders to the ipsilateral cerebellum. The axons from these nuclear cells form the cuneocerebellar tracts via the external arcuate fibres.
Lateral spinothalamic tract
Nucleus tractus solitarius
The single most important component of the autonomic nervous system from a manipulatory point of view is the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS, or solitary nucleus). The NTS receives afferent inputs from the viscera in addition to somatic and limbic structures and very heavy projections from the vestibular system. It mediates supraspinal visceral reflexes and contains a map of the viscera including the gastrointestinal system, cardiorespiratory system, and taste sensation.
These tracts are located medial and anterior to the ventral spinocerebellar tracts in the ventral lateral fasciculus of the spinal cord. They are formed by axons projecting from neurons located in the contralateral dorsal horn area. These neurons project their axons via the anterior white commissure to the opposite lateral spinothalamic tract where they terminate on the ipsilateral thalamus to the tract in which they ascend.
Inferior olivary nucleus
These bilateral groups of nuclei are located within the olive of the medulla. They receive projections from the cortex, from other brainstem nuclei, from the ipsilateral parvocellular red nucleus, and from the ipsilateral spinal cord. These neurons project axons, referred to as climbing fibres, via the inferior cerebellar peduncles to all areas of the cerebellar cortex. These structures are part of a group of projections and nuclei referred to as the inferior olivary nuclear complex, which forms a complicated loop from the cerebellar cortex to the dentate nucleus to the contralateral red nucleus to the inferior olivary nucleus and back to the contralateral cerebellar cortex (Fig. 13.9)
Figure 13.9 The functional loop of the inferior olivary complex.
Dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMN)
These nuclei are located bilaterally, dorsal and lateral to the hypoglossal nuclei. These nuclei supply the preganglionic parasympathetic axons of the vagus and spinal accessory nerves.
Solitary tract nucleus
These nuclei are also referred to as the nuclei of the tractus solitarius (NTS). These nuclei are located ventrolaterally to the motor nuclei of the vagus nerve and run the full length of the medulla. All cranial visceral afferent nerves project to the NTS. The rostral portion of the NTS, which is referred to as the gustatory nucleus, receives projections from the special visceral afferent nerves (CN VII, CN IX, CN X) for taste. The caudal portion of the NTS, which is referred to as the cardiorespiratory nucleus, receives projections from the general visceral afferent fibres of CN IX and CN X.
Nucleus ambiguus
These bilateral nuclei are located ventromedially to the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and run longitudinally throughout the medulla. The neurons of these nuclei supply the branchial motor output of the glossopharyngeal (CN IX), the vagus (CN X), and the spinal accessory (CN XI) nerves.
These nerves exit the rostral medulla ventrolaterally from the pontomedullary junction as several rootlets between the inferior olive and the inferior cerebellar peduncle. The nerves exit the skull via the jugular foramen. The nerves supply the preganglionic parasympathetic output to all structures below the neck including the heart, lungs, pancreas, liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract, and the branchial motor supply to the pharyngeal muscles and the muscles of the larynx.
These bilateral structures are found on the ventral surface of the medulla from the pontomedullary junction to the pyramidal decussation. They are formed by the axons of the motor output neurons of the cortex that largely involve the pyramidal neurons. These axons will form the corticospinal tracts of the spinal cord.
Hypoglossal nerve
These nerves exit the medulla ventromedially between the pyramids and inferior olivary nuclei. The hypoglossal nerve exits the skull via the hypoglossal canal and supplies the motor axons to the tongue.
Hypoglossal nucleus
These nuclei are located bilaterally near the ventral lateral portion of the central canal in the lower half of the medulla.
Structures found in a cross-section at the lemniscal decussation (fig. 13.10)
Fasciculus gracilis
These bilateral tracts run dorsally in the medulla medial to the cuneate fasciculi. They are formed by the axons of the dorsal root ganglion cells that detect proprioception and touch in the lower limbs and trunk, usually below the T6 level. The axons enter the spinal cord via the dorsal root and ascend ipsilaterally in the fasciculus gracilis to the gracile nucleus.
Figure 13.10 A cross-sectional view of the medulla at the level of the lemniscal decussation.
Gracile nucleus
These bilateral nuclei are located caudally and medially to the cuneate nuclei. These nuclei receive the axons of the fasciculus gracilis, which have arisen from the dorsal root ganglion cells detecting proprioception and touch in the lower limbs and trunk. The neurons project their axons via the internal arcuate fibres where they decussate and terminate in the contralateral ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus.
Fasciculus cuneatus
These bilateral structures are located dorsally in the medulla, lateral to the fasciculus gracilis. They are formed by the axons of the dorsal root ganglion cells that detect proprioception and touch in the upper limbs and trunk, usually above the T6 level. The axons enter the spinal cord via the dorsal root and ascend ipsilaterally in the fasciculus cuneatus to the cuneate nucleus. These fibres transmit information related to two-point discrimination, vibration sense, unconscious and conscious proprioception, as well as joint position sense.
This structures was discussed earlier; see above.
Decussation of lemnisci
Axons from the nucleus cuneatus and nucleus gracilis form the internal arcuate fibres that cross in the decussation and continue from there as the medial lemniscus.
This structure was discussed earlier; see above.
Medial lemniscus
Spinothalamic tract
Posterior and anterior spinocerebellar tracts
Structures found at a cross-section through pyramidal decussation (fig. 13.11)
Fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus
Figure 13.11 A cross-sectional view of the medulla through pyramidal decussation.
Lateral corticospinal tract
Anterior corticospinal tracts
These bilateral tracts are contained in the pyramids of the medulla until the decussation of the pyramids where they do not decussate but continue ipsilaterally in the ventral medial portion of the ventral fasciculus of the spinal cord. These tracts relay motor information to the muscles of the trunk, spine, and proximal limbs.
Anterior and posterior spinocerebellar tracts
The reticular formation (RF)
The reticular formation receives little attention in traditional neurology textbooks. It is an area that spans all levels of the brainstem, from the thalamus to the spinal cord, and is responsible for integrating information from the brain and periphery and linking sensory, motor, and autonomic nuclei of the brainstem. The reticular formation therefore mediates complex reflexes and functions such as eye movements, posture, feeding, breathing, homeostasis, arousal, sleep, control of vasomotor tone and cardiac output, and pain. The reticular formation is composed of continuous groups of neurons interconnected via polysynaptic pathways that can be both crossed and uncrossed in nature. The RF receives projections from virtually all sensory modalities and projects to all areas of the neuraxis including direct projections to the cortex (Webster 1978).
The parabrachial nucleus
The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) is an important structure that integrates sensory input from the reticular formation and projects that information to relay and intralaminar nuclei in the thalamus. This nucleus is also involved in the reticular activation system that maintains consciousness. The PBN maintains reciprocal connections with the following systems:
• Vestibular system and midline cerebellum
• Cortical and subcortical visceral and limbic centres, including amygdala
• Somatic nuclei
The cerebellopontine angle
The cerebellopontine angle forms a triangle between the lateral aspect of the pons, the cerebellum, and the inner third of the petrous ridge of the temporal bone.
Cranial nerve (CN) V (motor) is at the rostral border while CN IX is at the caudal border. CN VI ascends at its medial edge, and CN VII and VIII traverse it before entering the internal auditory meatus.
Afferent projections to the RF include:
• Spinoreticular tracts;
• Spinothalamic tracts;
• Medial lemniscus;
• All cranial nerve nuclei;
• Cerebelloreticular tracts;
• Thalamoreticular tracts;
• Hypothalamoreticular tracts;
• Subthalamoreticular tracts;
• Corticoreticular tracts from frontal and parietal cortex; and
• Limboreticular projections.
Efferent projections from the RF include:
• Reticulobulbar tracts;
• Reticulospinal tracts;
• Projections to autonomic nuclei and intermediolateral (IML) column;
• Reticulocerebellar tracts;
• Reticulostriatal tracts;
• Reticulorubral tracts;
• Direct projections to the thalamus and cortex; and
• Direct projections to other areas of the reticular system.
Anatomy of the reticular formation
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Neuronal integration and movement
The cortex
The spinal cord and peripheral nerves
Approaches to patient management
Neurology of sensory and receptor systems
Biochemistry and physiology of receptor activation
The basal ganglia
Functional Neurology for Practitioners of Manual Medicine


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Total Badgers
Wisconsin football: Evaluating Badgers' top defense players
The No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers will return from their bye week rested as they prepare to take on a winless Nebraska Cornhuskers program led by Scott Frost next Saturday night inside Camp Randall Stadium.
In this season's first two games, Wisconsin's defense looked stout against Western Kentucky and New Mexico, but the last two games have showed a unit still young in experience.
BYU fooled Wisconsin for a trick play touchdown pass and gashed the unit for two key 40-yard runs in the 24–21 upset inside Camp Randall a couple of weekends ago. Against Iowa the next week, the Hawkeyes successfully utilized tight ends T.J. Hockenson (125 yards on three receptions) and Noah Fant (two touchdown catches) while racking up 404 total yards.
The numbers, as with the offense, show a team that has been solid and made plays at times, but also can improve:
Scoring defense: 14.5 points per game
Total defense: 307.8 yards per game
Rush defense: 135.0 yards per game
Passing yards allowed: 178.2 yards per game
Third-down defense: 19-of-39 (38.8 percent)
We'll see who steps up in six days vs. Nebraska, but through four games, here's who stood out on defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard's unit.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
On arguably one of the top inside linebacking groups in the nation, the former walk-on possesses the speed and downhill ability to get into the backfield early and disrupt plays. The redshirt senior ranks second on the team in tackles (22) and leads the defense in tackles for loss (4.5).
On Iowa's first drive of the second half, the Hawkeyes marched down the field thanks to a huge 45-yard connection from Nate Stanley to Hockenson to set up a 1st-and-Goal from the Wisconsin 6-yard line. The defense held Iowa to just a field goal, thanks in part to Connelly's third-down tackle for loss on running back Ivory Kelly-Martin.
The redshirt freshman won the starting safety job opposite redshirt senior D'Cota Dixon and has shown in flashes his potential as a ballhawk-like playmaker. He recorded his first career interception against New Mexico on a key drive with the Lobos driving in Wisconsin territory, and he is currently third on the team in tackles (20) and leads the unit in pass break-ups (four).
We'll touch more on the secondary later, but the safety positions seem in solid hands as long as Dixon and Nelson stay healthy.
D'Cota Dixon
He admitted he made the wrong call on BYU's wide receiver option pass that resulted in a long touchdown, but the redshirt senior statistically has had a very solid final year. He leads the team in tackles (24) and like Connelly, T.J. Edwards, and Olive Sagapolu, is a leader of this defensive unit.
I know we're talking defense, but he also caused and recovered a fumble on special teams thanks to his … uh … posterior, so kudos to that.
T.J. Edwards
Second on the team in tackles for loss (3.5) and fourth in tackles overall (19), the redshirt senior and team captain came down with a key interception late in the fourth quarter in Wisconsin's win against Iowa. He, like Connelly, is also tied for second on the team behind Andrew Van Ginkel in quarterback hurries (two).
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Let's talk about: The defense as a whole
It did feel like a tale of two defenses through the first four games, and working through this list compared to the offensive standouts, the number of players popping out on this unit seemed less.
However, this is still a growing set of players. On the defensive line, there are three redshirt freshmen in the two-deep at end while Sagapolu anchors the middle (for that matter, with Bryson Williams, four freshmen— true or redshirt—find themselves on the first- or second-team depth chart).
At outside linebacker, Van Ginkel has popped out, but his injury against BYU stunted potential pass-rush opportunities against the Cougars, and he was utilized in certain situations against Iowa. Wisconsin only has three sacks on the season (though it has accumulated 11 quarterback hurries overall), so how the pass rush evolves will be key in these final eight regular-season games.
It appeared Faion Hicks had a rough game against Iowa, but the cornerbacks are still young with Hicks and Deron Harrell (both redshirt freshmen) starting last week in Iowa City with Madison Cone and Caesar Williams (both sophomores) playing often as well.
Despite losing 42–28 to Purdue at Memorial Stadium yesterday afternoon, the Huskers' offense gained 582 yards of offense and over seven yards per play against the Boilermakers.
It should be a big test for Wisconsin's defense as it continues to form its identity in facing a dual-threat quarterback in true freshman Adrian Martinez and playmakers like Devine Ozigbo, J.D. Spielman, and Stanley Morgan, Jr.
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Mariska van der Zee is a Dutch model that has been in editorials for Harper's Bazaar Netherlands, Marie Claire and Madame Figaro.
Mariska van der Zee is signed with Munich Models Munich, Modelwerk Hamburg, Blow Models Barcelona, Why Not Model Management Milan and Marilyn Agency Paris. Her mother agency is Paparazzi Model Management in Amsterdam.
In 2013 Mariska van der Zee walked the spring shows for Balenciaga and Olympia Le-Tan. She modeled for an editorial in the July edition of IO Donna. She modeled for an editorial in an August edition of La Repubblica Delle Donne. She modeled for an editorial in the September edition of Rodeo. She modeled for an editorial in the September edition of Glamour France, which was called Fashion Review. She modeled for an editorial in the September edition of La Repubblica Delle Donne.
In 2014 she walked the fall show for Acne Studios. She modeled for an editorial in the spring edition of Qvest Magazine, which was called Mariska. She modeled for an editorial in the February edition of Marie Claire Italy, which was called New Generation. She modeled for an editorial in the March edition of Madame Figaro. She modeled for an editorial in the April edition of La Repubblica Delle Donne. She modeled for an editorial in the May edition of D Magazine, which was called A Perfect Weekend. She modeled for an editorial in the July edition of La Repubblica Delle Donne. She modeled for an editorial in the August edition of Madame Figaro France. She modeled for an editorial in the August edition of Grazia France. She modeled for an editorial in the September edition of Grazia France. She modeled for an editorial in the November edition of Harper's Bazaar Netherlands, which was called Femme Finale.
In 2015 she modeled a lookbook for Filippa K.


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Young blood can reignite Yankees-Sox rivalry, but don't expect the same rivalry of old
The AL East is no longer a two-headed monster
By Ryan Chichester Apr 27, 2017, 1:00pm EDT
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This opening series between the Yankees and Red Sox is arguably the most hyped battle between these epic rivals in recent memory.
An injection of promising new blood for both clubs has fans hopeful that the rivalry is back, despite the absence of David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez, both of whom were famously hated by opposing fanbases.
It's true, the Yanks and Red Sox have the young talent and money to be perennial contenders in the coming years, and it would be fantastic to see them go at it like they did back in 2003 (the following year does not exist). Rivalries are obviously at their peak when both teams are a legitimate threat to each other, which has been the case for most of the 21st century.
However, we need to remember what made up that unforgettable rivalry, and it will take an awful lot to have the stars align and produce something like that again.
There was more to the old Yanks/Sox battles that made every game must-see TV, even for casual fans. Aside from both teams being trendy World Series picks, they each had loud personalities that hyped the rivalry and brought blood to a boil. There were also countless storylines like the Alex Rodriguez trade and the battle for Jose Contreras that spread the rivalry from the stands to the front offices. Guys like Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens (even role players like Karim Garcia) kept the rivalry cooking on the field as well. It was everywhere.
Personalities may emerge as time goes on and these new groups play each other a few times. For now, both teams are heavy in youth and are more focused on putting their teams into contention than hating each other. For now, the fans can take care of that part.
There is also the fact that this is not a top-heavy division anymore. The Yanks and Red Sox constantly beat up on each other back in the 2003 days, and didn't necessarily need to gear up for other heated battles within their division. The question was always whether it would be New York or Boston to take the division. There are other threats now.
Look at this past weekend as an example. The Red Sox and Orioles have been having heated matchups ever since the O's climbed back to relevancy in recent years. This weekend their new rivalry reached new heights with the incident involving Manny Machado and Dustin Pedroia. The O's are currently in first place and very much a force in the division. The Yankees and Red Sox have both had tough bouts with the Blue Jays in recent years as well, who should rebound despite a tough start to this season.
I'm not saying to dilute your excitement about a rivalry that has more history and memories than any other in sports. I just wouldn't expect to see a replica of what it was 15 years ago. That doesn't mean it can't be entertaining.
The old rivalry had so much lure because of more than just talented rosters. A lot of other aspects went right to make that happen. Certain aspects that can never be replicated again, or at least not for a long time. It is hard for fans to hate players on these teams because of how young they are. What is there to base the hatred on besides the logo on the uniform? Perhaps after constant Aaron Judge lasers off the Green Monster, Red Sox fans will hate him immensely. We'll have to wait on that.
Maybe an incident occurs in a future series that sparks another fire. For now, let's just enjoy both teams being competitive again and rejuvenating an awesome rivalry. It will definitely be special, just maybe not the same.


Historian and writer Jon Meacham shared this thought during his speech at the Southeastern Council of Foundations' annual meeting on November 8, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. He talked about the work that needs to be done in a political climate where lines are drawn and little compromise seems possible. This approach speaks to the heart of collective impact — the focus of the panel I participated in during the event.
It was an incredible experience to walk past leaders of foundations in the south and hear informal discussions about how they believe their communities were ready to come together to discuss topics like equity — specifically, race equity. In the panel on collective impact, leaders wanted to better understand how this framework could move their communities from conversations to action.
At the panel, leaders heard about its effects firsthand when Alamance Achieves, a partnership in the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network, shared how keeping results focused on children and cradle-to-career outcomes creates a collaborative environment and allows the community to overcome challenges. Robert Albright of the Collective Impact Forum reminded the room that the ideas behind collective impact are not new. Before StriveTogether started refining this approach, communities had collaborated to improve results. I reminded the room that indeed collective impact has spread across the country because it is proven to be effective.
Collective impact is effective because, at its core, it is designed to unite stakeholders around an intended result to improve outcomes for children. Mental models are challenged when leaders are asked to consider what keeps them from working with other leaders and organizations, and then to think about how working with nontraditional partners can shift the results in their communities. One tool StriveTogether considers essential to the work is a results at the center chart, which shows partnerships who needs to be at the table. This chart is a living document that changes based on the needs of the children in the community, not the preference of one leader or organization.
The work of StriveTogether and the Cradle to Career Network succeeds because of its inclusive approach. Everyone in collective impact and results work should have a voice. We ask partnerships to be willing to fail in their work and learn from what went wrong. When we ask what could have been done differently, the answer often reflects who was not involved. In difficult conversations, we should remember that bringing together multiple stakeholders is crucial in not missing solutions along the way. To improve outcomes for kids, a collective cannot be based on what we want but must be focused on what the community needs.
Robert Harris is senior manager of coaching for StriveTogether. He manages StriveTogether's engagement strategies, such as the partner portal, as well as providing coaching and strategic assistance to cradle-to-career partnerships.


text:
Daugavpils/Griva är en flygplats i Lettland.   Den ligger i kommunen Daugavpils novads, i den sydöstra delen av landet,  km sydost om huvudstaden Riga. Daugavpils/Griva ligger  meter över havet.

Terrängen runt Daugavpils/Griva är huvudsakligen platt. Daugavpils/Griva ligger nere i en dal. Den högsta punkten i närheten är  meter över havet,  km väster om Daugavpils/Griva. Runt Daugavpils/Griva är det tätbefolkat, med  invånare per kvadratkilometer. Närmaste större samhälle är Daugavpils,  km öster om Daugavpils/Griva. Runt Daugavpils/Griva är det i huvudsak tätbebyggt.

Årsmedeltemperaturen i trakten är  °C. Den varmaste månaden är juli, då medeltemperaturen är  °C, och den kallaste är februari, med  °C.

Referenser

Flygplatser i Lettland

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This paper describes the development of an equivalent circuit model of on-wafer interconnects for high-speed CMOS integrated circuits. By strategically cascading two- blocks together, the lumped model can characterize the distributed effects. Besides, the elaborately proposed model characterizes the frequency-variant characteristics with frequency-independent components. Thus, the model can be easily plugged into commercial computer-aided design tools. By adopting a newly invented optimization algorithm, namely, particle swarm optimization (PSO), the model parameters are extracted and formulated as empirical expressions. Therein, with each set of the geometrical parameters, the interconnect behaviors can be accurately predicted. The accuracy of the model is validated by comparisons with the on-wafer measurements up to 30 GHz. Moreover, the scalability of the proposed model is also discussed.
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Detroit Health Care for the Homeless, Inc. incorporated in 1986 to improve the health of our most vulnerable population. In 2003, DHCH expanded its mission to include all of those who are uninsured, or who live in areas where there are not enough doctors available.
Since then, DHCH has done business as Advantage Health Centers and now operates a network of medical and dental clinics.
As a federally qualified health center (FQHC) agency, Advantage is governed by a consumer-majority, volunteer Board of Directors. Advantage is a 501(c) (3) non-profit agency.
Advantage Health Centers is dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare and support services to Metro Detroit's community and those experiencing homelessness regardless of source of payment.
Welcome to Advantage Health Centers! We are committed to being your partner in healthcare.
The following services are available directly at one of the five (5) AHC sites, or by referral to a participating partner.
In 1982, Dr. John Waller, Ph.D., Detroit Public Health Director, had a vision for better community health. He founded Detroit Care for the Homeless, and began providing care for the underserved in Metro Detroit.
In 1986, Detroit Health Care for the Homeless was incorporated and operated as such until 2004, when it began doing business as Advantage Health Centers.
Since, Advantage has both grown and expanded its reach and service provisions. With five health centers located through Detroit and Warren, AHC provides quality medical, dental and behaviors health to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
It also operates the Children's Dental Center, one of the largest pediatric dental practice in Michigan. In partnership with DMC-Tenet, AHC trains family physician medicine residents at the Thea Bowman Community Health Center.
Change continues to shape AHC as we adjust to meet growing community needs. While maintaining the integrity of our historical platform, the best is yet to come.


text:
New more efficient solar cells patented in Spain
source: http://technology4life.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/new-more-efficient-solar-cells-patented-in-spain/
(Photo: 3d-photonic-crystal).
A team of researchers at the Spanish High Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) has patented a new type of solar cells whose efficiency is up to 30% higher than conventional solar cells. Their photonic crystal is composed of a nanostructured surface which increases the transmission of light inside the device.
CSIC researcher and project leader, Pablo Aitor Postigo, who works at the Institute of Microelectronics of Madrid (IMM-CSIC), points out the advantages of these cells: "They are more efficient in harnessing the sun's rays. Current systems can only take advantage of 30% of solar energy to convert it into electricity. Our solar cells will enhance the effectiveness of these systems by up to 30%. "
The techniques used by these scientists to produce the crystal can be applied industrially. The large-scale manufacture of these new solar cells would have the same cost as conventional ones. In addition, they require less semiconductor material to get the same amount of energy.
Postigo has worked together with several researchers from the Institute of Microelectronics of Madrid (CSIC) and the Solar Energy Institute and the University of Pavia in Italy.
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Endocannabinoids are naturally released in the body when the cannabinoid receptor (CB1) is activated. This is due to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a vital system in the human body. Cannabinoids are found in the cannabis sativa plant and they are proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect. In this current paper, both endogenous cannabinoids and cannabinoids are examined to see the effect it has on murine bone marrow-derived from dendritic cells (DC's). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a major psychoactive component found in marijuana, is also studied to see if it has an effect on DC's.
The physiological functions of cannabinoids expressed on immune cells are still unclear. The function of endocannabinoids produced by leukocytes in the regulation of immune response is also unclear. In a previous study, it was discovered that endocannabinoids, anandamide, and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (chemicals found in cannabis), as well as CB1 and CB2 receptors, were found on human DCs. It can then be said that endocannabinoids have an antiproliferative effect on down-regulating the immune system's response to disease.
THC administration in mice has seen the DC's being depleted in the spleen. The data from this study has illustrated that DCs are more sensitive to THC-induced apoptosis when paired with other immune cells. Overall, more studies are needed to discover all of the mechanisms that THC has in regards to cell death.
Also, DCs only have a small proportion of the splenocytes and this means that it is unclear if this will actually improve immune response. Such studies are necessary to understand the consequences of THC-induced depletion of DCs on the immune response.