Serpentine Hollow

[Esam Rosado]

Thehologram is a hollow telegram with a terse message. We want to turn this message inside out, by using the hologram to communicate not the presence of the body of power, but its vacancy, its absence, its fragile abdication from the world.

Sub-diaphragmatic gas is present on the right above the liver, indicating pneumoperitoneum secondary to hollow-viscus perforation. This is favored to be located at the descending colon where there is a lumbar rib directed into the retroperitoneum.

Ribs are present throughout the lumbar spine bilaterally, which are slightly more developed on the right than the left. The most caudal rib on the left is directed anteriorly into the abdomen. On the right at this level, the rib has an abnormal articulation with the right iliac crest and sclerosis at the interface, indicating pseudoarthrosis. A pseudarthrosis is also present on the left between the ribs 4th and 5th cephalad from the last rib-bearing segment. A transitional-type vertebra is present at the lumbosacral junction, with bilateral spatulated transverse processes that articulate with the sacrum (Castellvi type 2b). This transitional segment also demonstrates non-union of the lamina (spina bifida occulta).

Serpentine syndrome (also known as costolumbar hypersegmentalism) represents a spectrum of related disorders characterized by abnormal number of ribs with or without additional lumbar-type vertebrae. This is thought to occur secondary to maternal snake bite between gestational weeks 6-9, with transplacental spread of certain venomous toxins (from the Elapidae family of snakes) which alter somatic segmentation development 2. Most often, individuals solely have six lumbar-type vertebrae and 13 pairs of ribs, and such variation is usually merely thought as variation of normal. Lumbar ribs occurring at L1 are probably the most well-known example. In extreme cases, individuals can have 20 or more pair of ribs, elongated abdominal cavities and an unusual ability of undulative locomotion. With increasing numbers of ribs, the accurate numbering of vertebrae can be difficult, and it is not uncommon for patients with lumbar pathology to require whole spine imaging for accurate assessment.

Serpentine syndrome was first described separately by I. Kant and T. Auchmeitoes (the former 1956 in the Teutonic Journal of Pediatrics and the later in 1958 in the Greek Journal of Spinal Diseases). Unfortunately, these publications remained unrecognized in the English literature and in 1974 Australian neurologist S. Irwin published a further case report and coined the term serpentine syndrome.

In a cruel twist of fate Irwin himself is believed to have had Type A2 (homonumeric) serpentine syndrome and in 1983, during an equestrian fall, his right 16th rib punctured his cecum (costocaecal penetration) and he subsequently died of peritonitis.

Speaking of serpentine, I had the rattlesnake scare of my life this trip. Peter, who was descending ahead of me, stopped and pointed in the direction of a trail marker. I came flying down the fire road, shifted my weight to make the turn when out of the grass I heard the high buzzing rattle of the snake. It was coiled right at the trailhead! My heart leapt out of my chest and thudded the trail.

Henry Coe is also a great place to encounter non-poisonous critters. A garter snake slithered into the grass and turtles slid into a pond as we rode past. The bats came out at dusk at Pacheco Camp and the frogs chorused until dawn.

I even met a very rare breed, the unipacker. This unusual creature one-wheeled into camp as I was packing up. Corbin the mountain unicyclist sported handmade uni-panniers, home-welded parts, and so much stoke as he prepared to tackle the Arizona Trail this spring.

Transit: The Hunting Hollow entrance to Henry Coe State Park is 11 miles uphill from Gilroy, which is served by Caltrain and Amtrak bus. Check your time schedules carefully, as the Caltrain runs to Gilroy only on weekdays and not on weekends. Amtrak buses run more frequently seven days a week. Carpooling is also an option.

Camping: Self-serve backcountry camping passes are available at the Hunting Hollow entrance for $5/person. Pacheco Camp near Pacheco Falls has picnic tables, running water, and most surprising of all, a shower hooked up to the hose. In spite of the amenities, definitely filter your water and pack out your trash from this backcountry camp.

My experience with a bivy sack (by Outdoor Research) and a silnylon tarp allowed reasonable comfort in rain (Point Reyes), snow (winter camping in Yosemite at Dewey Point) and summer (Carson Pass along the PCT). Not too much weight saving, but reliably versatile. I could cook without worries of gassing myself with CO2. jim

Beautiful watercolor, Ginger, and as always such gem read. Rattlesnakes! I thought I left them in Texas ? The photographs are lovely! Is that a wild version of bleeding hearts! Living vicariously through you!!

Described by the Danish architect as "both transparent and opaque, both solid box and blob", this year's Serpentine Gallery Pavilion is designed as a simple wall that has been distorted into a more freeform shape.

Viewed side-on, the pavilion is rectangular. But when seen from the front or at an angle, its curving silhouette is revealed. It also changes from opaque to see-through, depending on the viewing angle.

"I think we tried to make a structure, that in an effortless way, combines a lot of differences," he continued. "So it's a wall that becomes a hall inside, it's a gate to the Serpentine Gallery, but it also creates a space for events."

The hollow blocks are gradually shifted forwards and backwards to create two layers of undulating surfaces, which divide to create curved entrances at both ends of the pavilion, as well as the cavernous centre.

"We were actually working on a shelving system with these extruded fibreglass elements," he explained. "Essentially the pavilion is a hybrid between a building and a piece of furniture, so the wall is a giant shelf that you pull apart to create this interior space."

"Utzon had this idea that you could create any imaginable form with carefully designed, mass-produced elements, almost like creating difference out of repetition, and it's essentially that spirit we've tried to bring here," he added.

But this year, for the first time, the pavilion is joined by four Summer Houses, designed by Nigerian architect Kunl Adeyemi, Berlin studio Barkow Leibinger, Paris-based architect Yona Friedman and British architect Asif Khan.

BIG is known for forward-thinking concepts and exciting ideas, but has only a handful of completed projects so far. Its most high-profile projects include Google's new California headquarters and a tetrahedron-shaped apartment tower in New York.

Last year's pavilion was a colourful chrysalis of translucent plastic created by Spanish duo SelgasCano. Previous Serpentine pavilion designers have included Peter Zumthor, Jean Nouvel, SANAA, Herzog & de Meuron and Sou Fujimoto.

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Inspiration Point is a lovely place to begin a hike in the Tennessee Hollow Watershed. Discover Andy Goldsworthy's Spire sculpture among the native plant habitat that's also great for birding.

There is a small parking lot available.

The southlands are home to serpentine grasslands, the most endangered plant community in the world. They're examples of prairie grass, unique for their ability to grow in serpentine soil, characterized by being nutrient-poor and rich in heavy metals toxic to many species.

Over the years, trees grew over the area and impeded grass growth. The park has now removed most trees to encourage the return of endangered species like Presidio Clarkia, a wildflower that grows in serpentine grasslands exclusively in the Bay Area.

Welcome to Wednesday Wishes. This week fabulous frocks at Leighton House, photographs from Julia Margaret Cameron and Francesca Woodman at the National Portrait Gallery, more photos this time of women leaving Ukraine by Polly Braden at the Foundling Museum, the London Original Print Fair will tempt you to spend money and the Springtime with the Railway Girls to read along the way.

Tidbits of London cultural news. The next two Fourth Plinth occupants have been chosen They are Lady in Blue by Tschabalala Self which is a woman in a blue dress striding confidently forward and Untitled by Andra Ursula, which is a hollow glass horse and rider. Over in Docklands one of my favourite current exhibitions Fashion City at Museum of London Docklands has been extended until the autumn.

The Compton is one of my favourite local cultural days out. Nestled on the lee of the Hogsback here you will find the Watts Gallery, the Compton Memorial chapel and the Watts\u2019 family house Limnerslease all wrapped round an excellent cafe and some seriously good walking. An altogether perfect day out. Why am I telling you this now? Because on Monday I popped down to the gallery to see their new exhibition Edo Pop which puts on show a collection of Japanese prints from the era that the Watts were working. The prints are highly detailed and show that Edo/Tokyo was a bustling metropolis at the the time and beginning to embrace new fangled things such as trains. Absolutely fascinating. Print making continues in Japan today and Hiroko Imada has created a blossom inspired installation to hang in the sculpture gallery.

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