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BMC Medical Research Methodology
Comparison of nuisance parameters in pediatric versus adult randomized trials: a meta-epidemiologic empirical evaluation
Ben Vandermeer1,
Ingeborg van der Tweel2,
Marijke C. Jansen-van der Weide3,
Stephanie S. Weinreich3,4,
Despina G. Contopoulos-Ioannidis5,6,
Dirk Bassler7,
Ricardo M. Fernandes8,9,
Lisa Askie10,
Haroon Saloojee11,
Paola Baiardi12,
Susan S. Ellenberg13 &
Johanna H. van der Lee3
BMC Medical Research Methodology volume 18, Article number: 7 (2018) Cite this article
We wished to compare the nuisance parameters of pediatric vs. adult randomized-trials (RCTs) and determine if the latter can be used in sample size computations of the former.
In this meta-epidemiologic empirical evaluation we examined meta-analyses from the Cochrane Database of Systematic-Reviews, with at least one pediatric-RCT and at least one adult-RCT. Within each meta-analysis of binary efficacy-outcomes, we calculated the pooled-control-group event-rate (CER) across separately all pediatric and adult-trials, using random-effect models and subsequently calculated the control-group event-rate risk-ratio (CER-RR) of the pooled-pediatric-CERs vs. adult-CERs. Within each meta-analysis with continuous outcomes we calculated the pooled-control-group effect standard deviation (CE-SD) across separately all pediatric and adult-trials and subsequently calculated the CE-SD-ratio of the pooled-pediatric-CE-SDs vs. adult-CE-SDs. We then calculated across all meta-analyses the pooled-CER-RRs and pooled-CE-SD-ratios (primary endpoints) and the pooled-magnitude of effect-sizes of CER-RRs and CE-SD-ratios using REMs. A ratio < 1 indicates that pediatric trials have smaller nuisance parameters than adult trials.
We analyzed 208 meta-analyses (135 for binary-outcomes, 73 for continuous-outcomes). For binary outcomes, pediatric-RCTs had on average 10% smaller CERs than adult-RCTs (summary-CE-RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.98). For mortality outcomes the summary-CE-RR was 0.48 (95% CIs: 0.31, 0.74). For continuous outcomes, pediatric-RCTs had on average 26% smaller CE-SDs than adult-RCTs (summary-CE-SD-ratio: 0.74).
Clinically relevant differences in nuisance parameters between pediatric and adult trials were detected. These differences have implications for design of future studies. Extrapolation of nuisance parameters for sample-sizes calculations from adult-trials to pediatric-trials should be cautiously done.
For sample size calculations for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), some parameters, like the treatment difference (effect size) between the experimental and control intervention have to be estimated. The investigators also have to estimate parameters that are not of direct interest, but are required for the computations. These parameters are often termed nuisance parameters, the most common of which are the control-group event rate (CER) for binary outcomes and the standard deviation (SD) for continuous outcomes.
Determining an appropriate sample size for an RCT has always been a challenge due to these nuisance parameters being unknown and needing to be estimated [1, 2]. Usually, they can only be estimated from previous studies on the same topic, but there is always a problem when the new study is the first trial on the topic. Consequences of erroneously estimated nuisance parameters are the under-estimation or over-estimation of the required sample size, which can then lead to underpowered studies that may fail to reach a definitive conclusion [3] in the former case, or to unnecessary higher study cost and longer recruitment periods in the latter case [4].
Investigators sometimes extrapolate evidence on nuisance parameters from randomized trials in adults for sample size calculations in pediatric trials [1, 5, 6]. However, differences in clinical effects between adults and children do exist as has been previously shown by systematic empirical evaluations of the comparative effectiveness and comparative safety of medical interventions between adults and children [7,8,9,10]. A systematic empirical evaluation of nuisance parameters in pediatric RCTs, as compared to adult RCTs has not been previously performed.
We performed a meta-epidemiologic empirical evaluation to investigate whether nuisance parameters differ between pediatric and adult trials on the same topics, for the same compared interventions and for the same clinical outcomes. We also studied whether there are differences in the nuisance parameters according to the types of outcomes: binary versus continuous efficacy outcomes and mortality versus non-mortality outcomes.
Selection of meta-analyses
We addressed the above questions by examining 106 systematic reviews from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) (Issue 1, 2007), that have been previously analyzed [9] in an empirical evaluation of the comparative effectiveness of medical interventions in children versus adults. These systematic reviews included 135 meta-analyses on diverse medical interventions with binary efficacy outcomes with at least one adult RCT and at least one pediatric RCT per meta-analysis. In this prior analysis, the following types of meta-analyses were excluded: those involving surgical, psychological, behavioral, social interventions, or evaluations of medical devices; those focusing exclusively on harms, without any primary efficacy outcome; meta-analyses with only continuous outcomes; meta-analyses for which it was not possible to discriminate between an experimental and control intervention; those without any quantitative data synthesis and those that did not cover both age groups and did not have any complementary systematic review focusing on the other age group. When a systematic review addressed different types of eligible comparisons of experimental versus control interventions, each comparison was considered for eligibility separately [9].
We further screened these 106 systematic reviews to identify additional eligible meta-analyses with continuous outcomes that had included at least one adult RCT and at least one pediatric RCT per meta-analysis. Furthermore, we screened 79 reviews previously excluded in the Contopoulos-Ioannidis et al. study since they did not contain binary efficacy primary outcomes. Four authors (BV, IT, MJW, and SW) extracted all continuous-outcome meta-analyses up to a maximum of five per review—if more than five continuous-outcome meta-analyses were reported we chose the five meta-analyses that had the maximum number of participants. We excluded meta-analyses that used a standardized mean difference as their method of pooling, since these standard deviations would be expected to be different (i.e. different scales for different trials). A total of 73 continuous-outcome meta-analyses (from both sources) were included in our continuous-outcome analysis (Fig. 1).
From each eligible meta-analysis with binary efficacy outcomes we extracted the following data from the included RCTs: a) compared interventions (experimental vs. control); b) event rate (events/total) in the control group; c) control group sample size and d) age group of study participants (adults versus children). From each eligible meta-analysis with continuous outcomes we extracted the following study level data: a) standard deviation of effect-size in the control group; b) control group sample size; c) mean of effect size in the control group and d) age group of study participants. For the identification of the experimental and control intervention when two active interventions were compared we used the interpretation of the authors of the Cochrane review. For the study age group categorization, we used the classification reported in the Cochrane review. If this was not described, we used age group classification rules previously applied by Contopoulos-Ioannidis et al. In brief, a study was characterized as "adult" if all included patients were >12 years and patients >20 years were also included; "pediatric" if all patients were <20 years and patients <12 years were also included.
Data synthesis
Binary efficacy outcomes
Pooling of CER- risk ratios (summary-CER-RRs): First, we calculated the CER by dividing the event rate in the control group by the total sample size in the control group for each individual study. Second, for each of these CERs we calculated its standard error using the normal scores method [11]. Third, separately for all pediatric and adult RCTs, we used a random effects model [12] within each meta-analysis to estimate a pooled-pediatric-CER and pooled-adult-CER respectively, its standard error and the heterogeneity statistic I-squared [13]. Fourth, for each meta-analysis, we computed the logarithm of the CER-RR of the pediatric CER to the adult CER with its associated standard error. Finally, we calculated the summary-CER-RR between pediatric and adult trials and their 95% confidence intervals across all meta-analyses by synthesizing the pooled logarithms of the CER-RRs within each meta-analysis again using the random effects model [14]. The logarithms were converted back to CER-RRs for presentation purposes. A CER-RR < 1 indicated that pediatric trials had smaller CERs than adult trials.
Exploratory analyses
Pooling of magnitude of absolute CER-RRs: Here our interest was in the magnitude of difference in estimated nuisance parameters, not the direction. The pooling of the CERs as described above takes into account also directional differences in CER-RRs between pediatric and adult studies—thus, a minimal estimated difference in that analysis would not reduce concerns about the comparability of nuisance parameters in any individual situation. Therefore, it was important to assess also the magnitude of the differences by performing a separate meta-analysis of the "absolute CER-RRs". The methodology was the same as above, except that before the final step of pooling the CER-RRs, we replaced any RR smaller than 1 with its reciprocal. This is mathematically equivalent to replacing the logarithm of the RR in the final meta-meta-analysis with its absolute value. This pooled estimate tells us how large (on average) the CER-RRs were, regardless of which group (pediatric or adult) had the larger CER. For example, CER-RRs of 1.25 and 0.80 will be transformed to absolute CER-RRs of 1.25 and 1.25 respectively.
The binary-outcome meta-analyses were sub-grouped by mortality and non-mortality outcomes. We computed a separate summary--CER-RR for each of these groups.
Continuous efficacy outcomes
Pooling of control group-effect-SD-ratios (CE-SD-ratios): First, we extracted the SD of the estimate in the control group of each pediatric and adult RCT. Second, we calculated the weighted average of the SDs for all pediatric (pooled-pediatric-CE-SD) and adult RCTs (pooled-adult-CE-SD), respectively, within each meta-analysis, by weighting with the square root of each study's sample size. Third, we computed the ratio [CE-SD-ratio] of the pediatric vs. adult control-group effect-SDs within each meta-analysis by dividing the weighted-average-pediatric SDs (pooled-pediatric-CE-SD) by the weighted-average-adult SDs (pooled-adult-CE-SD). Finally, we calculated the summary-CE-SD-ratio between pediatric and adult trials across all meta-analyses as the weighted average of the logarithms of these ratios. The summary log SD ratio was exponentiated to get the summary CE-SD-ratio. A CE-SD-ratio < 1 indicates that pediatric trials had smaller SDs than adult trials.
Descriptive analyses
For graphical comparison of the CE-SDs of adult vs. pediatric RCTs within each meta-analysis we divided the CE-SDs of each individual RCT by the maximum SD in that meta-analysis in order to get a standardized CE-SD for each adult and pediatric RCT that would allow comparisons of adult and pediatric CE-SDs within each meta-analysis and across meta-analyses.
Summary statistics and weighted averages were computed in SAS 9.3 (SAS institute Inc., Cary NC). Meta-analyses were performed using the metan module in Stata 11.2 (StataCorp, College Station TX). Graphs were produced using Review Manager, SPlus 8.2 (Tibco Software Inc.), and Microsoft Excel.
We examined 208 meta-analyses, 135 with binary primary efficacy outcome data and 73 with continuous outcome data, from a total of 185 systematic reviews. All meta-analyses comprised a total of 2110 RCTs; 1515 adult RCTs (1126 with binary and 389 with continuous outcomes) and 595 pediatric RCTs (355 with binary and 240 with continuous outcomes). Each study could have contributed data to more than one meta-analysis within each systematic review (e.g. for different meta-analyses with different compared interventions or outcomes).
Binary outcome analyses
Summary pooled-CER-RRs
The summary-pooled-CER-RR of pediatric CERs versus adult CERs across all 135 meta-analyses showed that pediatric RCTs had on average a 10% smaller CERs (summary-CER-RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.98). The individual CER-RRs within each meta-analysis are shown in Fig. 2 and their distribution thereof in Fig. 3. Overall, 13.3% of the examined meta-analyses had pediatric-CERs that were at least five-fold smaller than the adult-CERs; the opposite (adult RCTs with at least five-fold smaller CERs than pediatric RCTs) occurred in only 2.2% of cases. Moreover, in 60.7% of the meta-analyses, the pediatric-CERs were smaller than the adult-CERs.
Distribution across all meta-analyses of the CER-Risk Ratios of the logarithmically transformed pooled-pediatric-CERs vs. pooled-adult-CERs per meta-analysis
Distribution of CER-RR within each meta-analysis
I2 values were calculated for 172 of the 270 meta-analyses (135 each for pediatric and adult trials respectively); for the remaining meta-analyses, I2 was not defined as they included only single studies. The distribution of these I2 values within each meta-analysis is shown in Table 1. Since these meta-analyses do not mix pediatric and adult data, these results show high heterogeneity among studies even when the pediatric/adult factor was taken out of the analysis.
Table 1 Distribution of I2 values across meta-analyses
Subgroup analysis: Mortality and non-mortality outcomes
There were 21 meta-analyses with mortality outcomes and 114 meta-analyses with non-mortality outcomes. Among the 21 meta-analyses with mortality outcomes the summary-pooled CER-RRs of pediatric-CERs vs. adult-CERs was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.74). In 18 of these 21 meta-analyses the mortality CER in adult trials was larger than that in pediatric trials.
Among the 114 meta-analyses with non-mortality outcomes the summary-CER-RR of pediatric vs. adult trials was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.92, 1.09).
Pooling using magnitude (absolute CER-RR)
When we repeated the primary analysis using the "absolute-CER-RR" (Fig. 4) instead of the CER-RR the summary--absolute-CER-RR was 1.46 (95% CI; 1.37, 1.56). This indicates that CERs in pediatric trials are on average either 1.5 times larger or 1.5 times smaller than in adult trials.
Distribution of the absolute values of the CER-Risk Ratios of the logarithmically transformed pooled-pediatric-CERs vs. pooled-adult CERs per meta-analysis
Continuous outcome analyses
Summary-pooled-CE-SD-ratios
The weighted average (weighted on the log scale by the square root of the sample size) (summary-CE-SD-ratio) of the CE-SD-ratios of pediatric-CE-SDs vs adult-CE-SDs for the 73 meta-analyses with continuous efficacy outcomes was 0.74. This indicates that on average the pediatric RCTs CE-SDs were 26% smaller than their adult counterparts. The distribution of the CE-SD-ratios is shown in Fig. 5. In 27.1% of the meta-analyses the CE-SD-ratios between pediatric and adult RCTs differed by at least 2-folds in either direction. Furthermore, ignoring direction of difference, and looking only at the sizes, the weighted magnitude of CE-SD-ratio was 1.76, which means that, on average, the CE-SD in adult and pediatric RCTs differed by a factor of 1.76.
Summary of CE-SD ratios of pooled-pediatric-CE-SDs vs. pooled-adult-CE-SDs (within each meta-analysis)
The distribution of the standardized SDs of the effect sizes in the control groups of all adult and pediatric studies within each meta-analysis is shown in Fig. 6. The SDs of the effect sizes in the control groups of pediatric vs. adult trials varied greatly both within meta-analyses and between meta-analyses.
Standardized control-group-effect SDs (CE-SDs) of pediatric and adult trials within each meta-analysis for meta-analyses with continuous outcomes. Each horizontal bar represents one meta-analysis; white square = pediatric trial; black diamond = adult trial; max SD = the SD of the meta-analysis's study with the maximum effect-size CE-SD. Reading graph: Example: the first row shows that in this meta-analysis there were fifteen studies: fourteen adult studies and one pediatric study. The largest SD was an adult study. The other adult studies' CE-SDs ranged from 22% to 64% of the value of the largest, while the lone pediatric study had an SD that was 66% that of the adult study
The control-group event rate nuisance parameter in pediatric trials was on average 10% smaller than that in adult trials. In our secondary analyses, when we considered the magnitude of the control-group effect size rather than the direction of effect, pediatric trials had an average control-group event rate that was 1.5 times higher or 1.5 times smaller than that in adult RCTs. The reason for considering also the magnitude of effects, ignoring their direction thereof, is that an important issue to address is whether nuisance parameters in pediatric studies are likely to differ from those estimated from adult studies. We could have large differences in nuisance parameters (some over-estimating, some under-estimating) that average out to no difference. By analyzing magnitudes, we are pre-supposing a difference and trying to estimate how large that difference might be.
In over 60% of meta-analyses the control-group event rates in pediatric RCTs were smaller than those in adult trials and in 36% of the meta-analyses, relative differences in control-group event rates of at least 2-folds, in either direction, were identified. Specifically, for mortality outcomes, the control-group mortality rate in pediatric trials was on average 50% lower than that in adult trials.
Large variation was also seen between pediatric and adult trials when continuous efficacy outcomes were considered. The pediatric control-group SD was on average 26% smaller than that of adult trials and in 27% of the meta-analyses the relative difference in SDs between pediatric and adult trials was at least 2-fold in either direction. Moreover, when the magnitude of the control-group SD was considered, pediatric trial SDs were at least either 1.8 times larger or 1.8 times smaller than adult trial SDs.
Large differences were seen among many studies with regards to nuisance parameters. To demonstrate how erroneous estimation of nuisance parameters can affect sample size computation substantially, we will take two examples from the included meta-analyses in this study. In the review Antibiotics for the common cold and acute purulent rhinitis, for the primary meta-analysis of the persisting symptoms outcome, we had an estimated CER in the adult population of 0.48. If one wishes to conduct a pediatric trial on the same topic, with a type I error probability of 0.05, 80% power, and an assumption that a 30% reduction in number of patients with persisting symptoms would be required to demonstrate a clinically relevant antibiotic effect, the required sample size for the pediatric study would be 182 patients per arm. Under the assumption of a CER of 0.048, as was actually seen in the pediatric trials, the required sample size would be over 16 times larger at 2962. To give an example using a continuous outcome, we take the review Early emergency department treatment of acute asthma with systemic corticosteroids. For the outcome of final PEFR, we had observed a mean SD in the adult studies of 32 L/min. Suppose we plan to conduct a pediatric trial on the same topic, using a type I error probability of 0.05, a power of 80%, and a minimal clinical important difference threshold of 15 L/min. Using the adult estimated SD of 32 L/min, we could compute that we would require 643 patients in each of two groups. If we assume an SD estimate of 4.3 L/min, as was observed in the pediatric trials, we would only require a sample of 12 patients in each group, a sample size that is less than 2% of the originally computed sample size. It is clear from these examples that the erroneous estimations of these nuisance parameters can have important implications in the sample size computations, which can lead to either inappropriately powered studies that would not be able to answer the clinical question, or, on the other hand, to unnecessary waste of valuable clinical and financial resources. A third unwanted consequence might be that a proposed trial is not conducted because the erroneous estimate for the sample size is too large to be feasible.
We did observe a trend in both binary and continuous outcome data for pediatric RCTs to have smaller values of nuisance parameters (both CERs and CE-SDs) than their adult counterparts. Thus, when one does use these parameters from adult studies as surrogate for pediatric studies, the nuisance parameter is more likely to be overestimated than underestimated. This relationship has been well documented and graphed2. In the case of continuous data, an overestimation of the SD will always result in an overestimation of the sample size. The situation for binary data is more nuanced, as the sample size will depend upon the ratio of the CER and the treatment-group event rate (the closer the ratio is to 1, the larger the required sample size), so an underestimation of the CER could lead to either an under- or overestimated sample size. For example, if a pediatric population had an actual CER of 0.3 with a treatment-group event rate of 0.2, then underestimating the CER (say as 0.25) would result in a larger than required sample. However; if the treatment-group event rate was 0.4, then this underestimate of the CER would result in a sample that was too small.
The discrepancies in the nuisance parameters between pediatric and adult trials were more prominent with mortality outcomes. In 86% of meta-analyses with mortality outcomes, the mortality CER in adult trials was larger than that in pediatric trials. On average, the control-group mortality rates in adult trials were two times larger than in pediatric trials. Mortality seems to be an outcome where extrapolation of adult control-group event rates for the estimation of pediatric trial sample sizes may give inaccurate results.
We should acknowledge some study limitations. Traditional meta-analysis of standard deviations was not feasible in the analysis of continuous outcomes since the systematic reviews did not provide us enough information to ascertain variances around these nuisance parameters. Meta-analyses were done on a variety of outcomes, and thus the standard deviations were all reported in different units, and therefore not comparable across meta-analyses without standardization. In both the analyses of binary and continuous outcomes we observed considerable heterogeneity in nuisance parameters, not only between meta-analyses but also within them. We assumed that studies included within the same meta-analysis of a Cochrane review would have populations sufficiently similar to use them to impute nuisance parameters. However, extremely high between-study heterogeneity (I2 > 80%) was seen in more than half of the meta-analyses, which implies that even within studies of the same age-group (i.e. adult or pediatric) we cannot expect nuisance parameters to routinely be similar. This suggests that not only should we be wary of extrapolating nuisance parameters for pediatric studies from adult studies, but we should be almost equally wary of extrapolating them from other pediatric studies.
With these limitations in mind and given the results we have seen here, it would be interesting to do a further and more refined analysis as to which factors may lead to better concordance between the nuisance parameters of pediatric and adult studies. This would be a difficult endeavor, however, since these factors would likely be specific to a subject area, and not necessarily generalizable. Analysis would then have to be limited to those areas where there are enough studies to do it properly.
This study provides evidence to raise awareness among investigators planning to design trials in children, when available data on nuisance parameters are mostly from adult studies that significant differences between pediatric and adult trials do exist. Extrapolation from adult trials of nuisance parameters to guide sample size calculations for pediatric trials should be cautiously done. Inappropriate extrapolations of nuisance parameters from adult trials to pediatric trials can lead to erroneous sample size calculations. Significant over- or underestimation of the required pediatric sample sizes can occur particularly when the outcome is mortality. When there is doubt about the similarity between the population from which the estimates are derived and the prospective study population, either a blinded sample size review during the early phase of the new trial (internal pilot study [15]), a more flexible (sequential) design and analysis [1, 2], or use of a standardized effect size [16] should be considered to maximize trial efficiency.
CDSR:
Cochrane database of systematic reviews
CER:
Control-group event rate
CER-RR:
Control-group event rate risk ratio
CE-SD:
Control-group effect standard deviation
RCT:
Randomized control trial
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The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no. 261060 (Global Research in Paediatrics—GriP network of excellence). Marijke Jansen-van der Weide, Stephanie Weinreich, and Paola Baiardi received funding from the EU FP7. Additional funding was received by the Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (ARCHE) and StaR Child Health (www.starchildhealth.org). These funding bodies had no role in the design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of data for the study.
The datasets analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Ben Vandermeer
Department of Biostatistics, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands
Ingeborg van der Tweel
Pediatric Clinical Research Office, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Marijke C. Jansen-van der Weide
, Stephanie S. Weinreich
& Johanna H. van der Lee
Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Stephanie S. Weinreich
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
Despina G. Contopoulos-Ioannidis
Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Department of Neonatology, University Hospital, Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Dirk Bassler
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Ricardo M. Fernandes
Department of Pediatrics, Santa Maria Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Lisa Askie
Division of Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Haroon Saloojee
Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Pavia, Italy
Paola Baiardi
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Susan S. Ellenberg
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The individual contributions of each of the authors was as follows: Study Conception and Design: BV, IT, DB, RF, LA, HS, PB, SE, JL. Acquisition of Data: BV, IT, MJW, SW, DCI. Analysis and Interpretation of Data: BV, IT, DCI, RF, SE, JL. Drafting of Manuscript: BV. Critical Revision: BV, IT, MJW, SW, DCI, DB, RF, LA, HS, PB, SE, JL. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to Johanna H. van der Lee.
Vandermeer, B., van der Tweel, I., Jansen-van der Weide, M.C. et al. Comparison of nuisance parameters in pediatric versus adult randomized trials: a meta-epidemiologic empirical evaluation. BMC Med Res Methodol 18, 7 (2018) doi:10.1186/s12874-017-0456-8
Nuisance parameters
Sample size computations
Pediatric trials
Adult trials
Data analysis, statistics and modelling


I still recall seeing the trailer for this movie and being particularly excited about the concept: Three women of color with brilliant minds overcoming racism to use their brilliant minds to get a man in space at the NASA program. In addition to keeping our rivalry with Russia very clear, the movie Hidden Figures did something I was surprised with because it did a good job focusing on the work lives of the three women. Often, movies with strong women still put emphasis on their family and this movie did a nice job of showing their families in a pleasant way that helped us gain perspective on them as women. However, it was more in the background and their crowning achievements in their careers were celebrated in this movie. Kate was extremely good at math and worked in that department at NASA. She was a widow with three children and she was asked to check the equations of an all white male division of NASA. She had to overcome the adversity of the colors only coffee pot the men installed one day, and the biggest struggle she had to get her work done was the bathroom situation. The colored bathroom was almost a mile away in another building. This becomes a problem because she cannot effectively do her work, with the amount of time spent running to the bathroom.
Kevin Costner had a wonderful role as a mentor of sorts, I thought, being kind to Kate, the mathematician. But, unfortunately, I found out that his character was not part of a true story. He was a "white hero" invented by Hollywood and based on the texts I am read in college, it was particularly difficult to deal with the fact that they couldn't stay true to the history and create a white hero who knocks down the colored bathrooms sign, but in real life that didn't even happen. The adversity these three women faced as women of color is clear from the beginning with their car breaking down and the white male police officer demanding respect. Sadly, in a more passive aggressive way, the second brilliant woman is denied a promotion and it is clear the tension between the white and black women in this movie. The third women, who wants to be an engineer has to take courses at what is a segregated high school. So, to achieve her dream of becoming an engineer she must petition the courts to allow her to study at an all white school. Despite all the backlash and struggle, these three women were pioneers of math, computers, and engineering. I only wonder if they weren't held back so much if they could have achieved even greater things if their race was not in the way.


To provide a programme in keeping with the states of a child's development, conducive to developing the skills and the abilities to think, to learn, to create, and to communicate.
To establish a classroom environment where pupils can become actively involved with other people, and where children are grouped flexibly according to their needs, interests and requirements.
To create an environment where an integrated approach to learning will evolve from meaningful first-hand experiences gained either in the school or in the world outside the school.
To use a multiplicity of ways and means to integrate technology, art, and drama in the classrooms thus affording all students the opportunity to become critical thinkers, contributing citizens and well-rounded human beings.
To develop both academic and professional excellence and interdependence, as Christian educators, so as to be able to operate effectively as a team both within a school and within the system.
To provide educational leadership that will inspire confidence, openness and trust and which will encourage, support, and assist teachers in their professional and programme development.


German Shepherds are one of the most thoroughly bred dogs around today and for good reason—since they were first domesticated as a breed, German Shepherd enthusiasts have been working hard to breed the most desirable traits, while eliminating those traits that may be unwanted or inferior. As a result, today, there are different classes of German Shepherd that are ranked according to the traits that they possess. And, moreover, those with optimal lineage are often used as studs, to help carry on the genetic pallet that they've refined through optimal breeding.
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I whisper because some part of me wants you to whisper too.
Because I want you to tell me secrets.
Because our secrets are still the best parts of us.
I promise you to be by your side for This lifetime and the coming.
I love you and will always do.
I not only want to feel you spirituality but I want to hear your mouth speak these words. I want to hear you tell me I'm beautiful and I want to hear you say all of this is true. Love me, Lord knows I need you. I'm better with you. You showed me what love was in a different way. You're special to me and you should always love me. In flesh and soul. Be strong. I love you sweet man.


Complete address, phone and fax information for Plast Wood Srl. Also see map, employee and sales information, plus products and services offered.
Supplier and Manufacturer of PVC Transparent Sheet offered by Pathfinder Wood Plast, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.


The annual NASA Space Settlement Contest has opened for entries for 2015 and all students up to 12th grade (18 years old) from anywhere in the world are invited to participate. Designs, original research, essays, stories, models, artwork or any other orbital space settlement related materials may be submitted.
All contest participants will receive a certificate and an invitation to attend the National Space Society (NSS) 34rd annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada 20-24 May 2015.
Settlements may not be on a planet or moon — must be permanent, relatively self-sufficient homes, not temporary work camps. Settlers of this high frontier are expected to live inside large air-tight rotating structures holding hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people along with the animals, plants, and single celled organisms vital to comfort and survival.
The 2015 NASA Space Settlement Contest is open for submissions until 1st March 2015.
Individuals, small teams of two to five, and large teams of six or more persons are all eligible to enter.


text:
Das Khanat Buchara oder Khanat von Buchara () war ein 1506 gegründetes Khanat im heutigen Usbekistan, das aus dem Usbeken-Khanat hervorging und 1753/85 zum Emirat Buchara wurde.

Gründung
Mohammed Scheibani war 1488 bis 1500 als Herrscher des Usbeken-Khanats Vasall der Mogul-Khane, die ihm vorher bei seinen Feldzügen in Transoxanien geholfen hatten. Danach gewann er an Unabhängigkeit und zog gegen die timuridischen Nachfolgestaaten wie Samarqand und Buchara. Scheibanis Hauptgegner waren der Timuride Babur und der persische Schah Ismail. 1506 wurde aus dem Usbeken-Khanat das Khanat Buchara.

Konflikte mit Babur

Zum Zeitpunkt von Muhammad Scheibanis Tod 1510 unterstanden  die Gebiete der Usbeken verschiedenen Statthaltern, so dass Babur in seiner Autobiografie wiederholt von den "Sultanen der Usbeken" redet:
 In Samarkand saß Muhammad Temür, Scheibanis Sohn
 in Buchara Ubaidullah b. Mahmud, sein Neffe
 in Taschkent Suyunitsch, ein Onkel und das Heer unterstand Jani Beg, einem Vetter.
Die Khane einigten sich auf den Ältesten, Kütschküntschi (regierte 1510–1530), einen Onkel Muhammad Scheibanis als neuen Oberherrscher. Als tatkräftigste Fürsten erwiesen sich Ubaidullah und Jani Beg.

1511/12 rückte Babur mit persischer Hilfe nach Buchara und Samarkand vor. Er fand aber diesmal wegen des Fehlverhaltens der Perser keinen Rückhalt in der Bevölkerung, und außerdem verfügten die Usbeken nach wie vor über ein halbwegs intaktes Heer. Nach der Niederlage bei Gadschdiwan 1512 zog Babur nach Afghanistan ab und gründete 1526 das Mogulreich.

Diese persische Episode hatte ein Nachspiel: Da die Bevölkerung des Landes Choresm (mit den Städten Urgentsch und Chiwa) die Perser selbständig aus dem Land warf, regierte dort in Folge eine unabhängige Dynastie unter Ilbars (reg. 1512–25). Ilbars war zwar ein Scheibanide, aber aus einem anderen Zweig der Familie und seine Nachkommenschaft stand nicht mehr unbedingt im Bündnis mit dem Oberherrscher. Dadurch entstand das unabhängige Khanat Chiwa.

Ubaidullah und Abdullah
1533 bis 1539 herrschte Ubaidullah b. Mahmud, der Neffe Muhammad Scheibanis. Er
führte den Krieg mit dem Iran fort. Er war auch ein Amateurgelehrter und Dichter. Es gelang Ubaidullah jedoch nicht, Schah Tahmasp (reg. 1524–76) zu besiegen: seine fünf Offensiven in Chorassan waren letztlich erfolglos, z. B. verlor er im September 1528 die Schlacht von Turbet-i-Scheich Dscham, da die Iraner über Artillerie verfügten. Außerdem waren seine Befehlshaber im Gegensatz zu ihm an einer dauerhaften Besetzung Chorassans nicht interessiert: Ihnen reichte die Plünderung des Landes. Umgekehrt sah der Schah in den osmanischen Türken seinen Hauptfeind, und deswegen blieben diese Kriege trotz ihrer Verheerungen ergebnislos.

Als Kütschküntschis Sohn Abu Said (reg. 1530–33) starb, wurde Ubaidullah der neue Oberherrscher der Usbeken. Vom Scheibanidenfürsten Choresms besiegt, starb er aber 1539 und mit seinem Tod brachen 17 Jahre lang andauernde Machtkämpfe unter den diversen Usbekenfürsten aus. Erst mit den Regierungsantritten von Pir Muhammad (reg. 1556–1561), seinem Bruder und seinem Neffen Abdullah b. Iskandar (* 1533 / reg. 1556/83–1598) in Buchara und Samarkand ordneten sich die Fürsten wieder unter. Abdullah schaltete dann die rivalisierenden Familien schrittweise aus und eignete sich ihre Besitzungen an.

Die lange Regierungszeit von Abdullah (II.) galt als "gute alte Zeit" der Usbeken. Er förderte wie zuvor die Timuriden die höfische Miniaturmalerei und die Baukunst, so dass ihm die meisten Großbauten des Landes zugerechnet wurden und auch viele andere Annehmlichkeiten (Lehranstalten, Gärten usw.).

Um 1600 wurden die Usbeken allmählich sesshaft und siedelten sich in den Städten an. Abdullah war ein großer Bauherr, aber auch ein orthodoxer Muslim, der eine Zeit geistiger Stagnation einleitete, während sich die Derwischorden weiter ausbreiteten. Am Ende seiner Regierungszeit schwächten die Pest 1590/91 und verlorene Kriege 1595/98 das Land. Bei Letzterem verbündeten sich die Iraner mit dem bedrohten Fürsten von Choresm und entrissen Abdullah endgültig Chorassan, und auch die Kasachen nutzten ihre Chance und drangen bis Buchara vor.

Dschaniden

Mit dem Tod von Abdullahs Sohn und Vetter wechselte die Dynastie 1598/99 zu den aus dem Khanat Astrachan stammenden Dschaniden (1599–1785), die zur dschingisidischen Linie der Tuqay-Timüriden gehören. Der Astrachaner Prinz Yar Muhammed (ein Nachkomme Orda Khans) war nach der Eroberung der Stadt Astrachan durch Zar Iwan den Schrecklichen 1554 geflohen und hatte seinen Sohn mit der Tochter Iskanders (reg. 1561–1583) verheiratet. Die Söhne dieser Beziehung erbten mit dem Aussterben der Scheibaniden den Thron.

1599 besiegte Baki Khan (auch Baqi Muhammad, reg. 1599–1605) den erst wenige Tage regierenden Scheibaniden Pir Muhammad und beendete damit die scheibanidische Tradition in Buchara. Diese Übernahme der Macht durch die Dschaniden oder Tuqay-Timüriden war in der Folgezeit ein häufiges Thema in verschiedenen Geschichtswerken Zentralasiens (wie bei den mogulischen Hasan Bik oder Tahir Mohammed), aber auch russische Autoren (wie Joseph Senkowski 1824 und Wladimir Weliaminov-Zernov 1865) sowie weitere, auch westliche Autoren, wie Audrey Burton, beschäftigten sich damit.

Baki wurde der neue Khan und entsandte seinen Neffen Badi al-Zaman nach Badachschan, doch der wurde abtrünnig, so dass Baki eine Armee sandte und Badi tötete. Er zwang 1602/03 die iranischen Safawiden zum Rückzug aus Balch; damit endeten zunächst die persisch-usbekischen Auseinandersetzungen um Chorassan. Sein Bruder Wali Bik wurde zunächst Statthalter von Balch und später, nach dem Tod Bakis 1605, sein Nachfolger als Khan.

Imam Quli Khan (reg. 1610–1640/2) war ein fanatischer Anhänger der Orthodoxie und förderte vor allem den Bau von Moscheen und Medresen. Als er sein Augenlicht verlor, ernannte er seinen Bruder Nadir Muhammed (1640/2–1645, abgesetzt) zum Nachfolger und ging auf eine Wallfahrt nach Mekka, wobei er nur knapp einer prompten Verfolgung durch seinen Bruder entging. Der weltlich gesinnte Nadir Muhammed, vorher Statthalter von Balch, musste den Thron alsbald zugunsten seines Sohnes Abd al-Aziz (reg. 1645–1678) räumen, und zwar auf den Druck der Geistlichkeit hin. Er floh zum persischen Schah, welcher auch einen Vergleich zwischen ihm und seinem Sohn begünstigte, der einige Jahre hielt.

Unter Abd al-Aziz und seinem Bruder Subhan Quli Khan (*ca. 1624, reg. 1678/80–1702, ein Gelehrter) kam es zu einer letzten, bescheideneren Glanzzeit des Landes, wobei neben neuen Medresen auch das Chan-name, das usbekische Nationalepos (und Konkurrenzprodukt zum Schah-name) entstand. Subhan Quli Khan empfing auch Gesandtschaften aus Delhi und Istanbul, ein Zeichen noch vorhandener Bedeutung. Trotzdem wurden die Gegensätze zwischen der Feudalklasse, den Derwischorden und kriegslustigen Stammesgruppen in Grenznähe zu einem inneren Problem, während an den Syrdarja-Grenzen zu den Kasachen große Unruhe herrschte.

Um 1700 entglitt den Khanen, speziell Abu'l Faiz (Sohn von Subhan Quli, reg. 1707–1747), wegen inneren und äußeren Konflikten die Macht über das Ferghanatal. Ein (angeblicher?) Scheibanide namens Schah-Rukh nutzte die Gelegenheit und gründete 1710 das unabhängige Khanat Kokand, das bis 1876 bestand.
Ab 1710 verbündeten sich die Keneges und Kitai-Kiptschaken und riefen in Samarkand einen Gegenkhan aus. In den Folgejahren und insbesondere um 1723 flüchteten große Gruppen von Kasachen vor den Dschungaren nach Buchara und Samarkand. Sie verbündeten sich mit verschiedenen usbekischen Gruppierungen und belagerten bis 1729 mehrfach Buchara. Buchara und Samarkand waren 1730 stark verwüstet.
Die Bedrohung durch die Kasachen wurde geringer, als diesen 1727–30 Erfolge gegen die Dschungaren gelangen.

Im Juli/September 1740 rückten erneut die Perser unter Nader Schah (reg. 1736–1747) heran. Der Khan Abu'l Faiz wollte sich auf Rat des Mangitenclans unterwerfen, aber der Adel zwang ihn zum Krieg. Nadir Schah siegte mit Hilfe seiner überlegenen Artillerie und zog als Sieger in Buchara ein. Er verzichtete aber auf die Plünderung der Stadt, sie war ihm – er hatte zuvor 1740 Delhi geplündert – wohl nicht mehr reich genug. Abu'l Faiz musste sich nun als Vasall bekennen, ein Heiratsbündnis schließen und auf Balch verzichten.

Wirtschaft, Kultur, Militär in Buchara
Das Usbekenreich versuchte von dem bis 1600 noch ansteigenden Karawanenhandel über Herat (Chorassan) zu profitieren, was auch in gewissen Grenzen gelang. Man verzeichnete im 16. Jahrhundert eine Blütezeit der Wirtschaft, Baukunst, Dichtung und in eingeschränkten Maße auch der Malerei. Selbst im 17. Jahrhundert zeugten die Bauwerke Bucharas und Samarkands von immer noch vorhandenen ökonomischen Ressourcen. Genaue Aussagen über die wirtschaftliche Leistungsfähigkeit sind aber schwierig – es gibt auch die Auffassung, dass der Wohlstand des Landes vom 15. zum 16. Jahrhundert sank. Auf Dauer waren die Usbeken durch die persische Eroberung Chorassans zudem von dem sich entwickelnden Welthandel über die Meere abgeschnitten, das heißt, ökonomisch im Nachteil. Die inneren Konflikte, welche die Usbeken 1539–56 untereinander ausfochten, und die Kriege mit dem Iran, welche Chorassan schwer schädigten, werden die Wirtschaft ebenfalls in Mitleidenschaft gezogen haben.

Im 17. Jahrhundert waren die mittelasiatischen Khanate aber nicht nur ökonomisch benachteiligt, sondern auch kulturell von den übrigen Teilen der islamischen Welt isoliert. Das lag zum einen am Gegensatz der (sunnitischen) Usbeken zum benachbarten (schiitischen) Safawidenreich, zum anderen an einer gewissen kulturellen Ignoranz der einflussreichen Derwischorden. Lediglich Balch, in dem gewöhnlich die Thronfolger residierten, stellte einen Knotenpunkt dar, über den kultureller Austausch mit Indien stattfinden konnte.

Die eingeschränkten ökonomischen Möglichkeiten und die traditionelle Missachtung der Artillerie führten auch dazu, dass die Usbeken den Persern und Moguln gegenüber auf dem Schlachtfeld im Nachteil waren. Dass sie sich im 17. Jh. trotzdem behaupten konnten, lag an der traditionellen Beweglichkeit der Nomaden, die ihren Gegnern einen Abnutzungskrieg aufzwingen konnten. Das zeigte sich z. B. 1647 beim Angriff der Moguln auf Balch, als diese in die Thronfolgestreitigkeiten eingreifen wollten. Im 18. Jahrhundert stellten die Khanate dann keine Militärmacht mehr dar.

Um 1600 wurden die Usbeken langsam sesshaft. Sie siedelten sich in den Oasen und sogar in den Städten an, die bereits von älteren türkischen und von iranischen Bevölkerungsgruppen bewohnt waren.
Das Usbekenreich versuchte von dem bis 1600 noch ansteigenden Karawanenhandel über Herat (Chorassan) zu profitieren, was auch in gewissen Grenzen gelang. Man verzeichnete im 16. Jahrhundert eine Blütezeit der Wirtschaft, Baukunst, Dichtung und in eingeschränkten Maße auch der Malerei. Selbst im 17. Jahrhundert zeugten die Bauwerke Bucharas und Samarkands von immer noch vorhandenen ökonomischen Ressourcen. Genaue Aussagen über die wirtschaftliche Leistungsfähigkeit sind aber schwierig – es gibt auch die Auffassung, dass der Wohlstand des Landes vom 15. zum 16. Jahrhundert sank. Auf Dauer waren die Usbeken durch die persische Eroberung Chorassans zudem von dem sich entwickelnden Welthandel über die Meere abgeschnitten, das heißt, ökonomisch im Nachteil. Die inneren Konflikte, welche die Usbeken 1539–56 untereinander ausfochten, und die Kriege mit dem Iran, welche Chorassan schwer schädigten, werden die Wirtschaft ebenfalls in Mitleidenschaft gezogen haben.

Übergang zum Emirat

Etwa 1747 wurde Abu'l Faiz von seinem Regenten Muhammad Rahim Bi ermordet. Muhammad Rahim, Führer des Mangit-Clans und abhängig vom persischen Herrscher Nader Schah, bestieg 1753 selbst den Thron, führte anstelle "Khan" den neuen Titel "Emir" ein, und regierte bis 1758. Damit waren die Dschaniden entmachtet, und unter Abu'l Ghazi (reg. 1758–85, abgesetzt) regierte bereits der Mangit-Clan das Land, der einst mit den Usbeken ins Land gekommen war. Die Herrscher beriefen sich nun auf Islamische Prinzipien anstatt auf die dschingisidische Abstammung. Buchara war nun einer der wenigen Staaten in Zentralasien, die nicht von den Dschingisiden oder Timuriden regiert wurde.

Einer von Muhammad Rahims Verwandten, Ma'sum Schah Murad († 1799), wurde der Schwiegersohn Abu'l Ghazis und bestieg 1785 selbst den Thron, nachdem er die Dschaniden endgültig abgesetzt hatte und den offiziellen Übergang zum Emirat Buchara vollzog. Er stand den Derwischen nahe und wagte 1788 zum letzten Mal einen Angriff auf den Iran, wobei er Merw eroberte, die Murghab-Dämme zerstörte und die iranische Bevölkerung deportierte. Seine Dynastie hielt sich bis 1920.

Literatur
 Marion Linska, Andrea Handl und Gabriele Rasuly-Paleczek: Einführung in die Ethnologie Zentralasiens, Skriptum. Wien, 2003, abgerufen am 7. März 2020.
 Thomas Welsford: Four types of loyalty in early modern central Asia: the Tūqāy-Timūrid takeover of greater Mā Warā al-Nahr, 1598-1605. Brill-Verlag, Leiden 2013. Link zu Google Books, abgerufen am 28. März 2020.

Siehe auch
 Usbeken-Khanat
 Generalgouvernement Turkestan

Einzelnachweise

Buchara
Geschichte Usbekistans
Zentralasiatische Geschichte
Buchara
Buxoro

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Tagwatch dogs
Dispatch from the Trenches #1
July 22, 2014 / Carl
Count to ten when a plane goes down
This is an incredible story. It's not long and I urge you to read it. A great story and even better reminder to stop. Stop and think before you react. Information is not immediate. When something happens, it takes time to find what exactly has happened and the first information is not necessarily the best or even true.
On this day, I highlighted her workstation and hit the F6 key to reset. But my screen went temporarily black and then seemed to be starting again. I realized that I had mistakenly hit F7 and reset all the workstations in the embassy. This realization didn't bother me much, because no one except the Agriculture section secretary was usually on the computer system this early in the morning.
But then all hell broke lose.
A single keystroke can change the course of international events.
So today, in the face of a Malaysian Airline crash in the Ukraine—and with all the associated speculation of 24-hour news organizations and the Tweetosphere, my advice is to take a deep breath, count to ten, and know that there is a very good chance that truth in the matter will be forthcoming very soon. And let's hope that there is no stupid 23-year-old with his finger on an important keyboard in this information chain.
Let's Play – Watch Dogs
I enjoy watching guys play various games. I thoroughly enjoyed their video for Watch Dogs. When I learned they could stand on top of cars and not only drive them around, but jump them, was incredible.
This is something I've tried in various games through the years. And failed every time. I've tried in Halo, Saints Row, and Grand Theft Auto. None of it works. Each time the rider falls off, even when the passenger is in the bed of a truck or somewhere a person could be.
I'm happy to see this mechanic built into the game, or maybe it's a lack of mechanic to throw people from the moving vehicle. Either way, it excited me. Is it worth buying the game for that alone? Certainly not. But it would be hours of laughs.
Deconstructing Twitter
Does Twitter confound you? David Pogue has written an excellent primer explaining the gibberish squeezed into 140 characters.
This single example contains four examples of Twitter conventions:
• @SFGate. The @ symbol indicates a Twitter member's name. I'm @pogue, for example. This tweet also mentions Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors. His Twitter name is, of course, @elonmusk.
• RT @SFGate. RT stands for retweet. So Debbie here is repeating (that is, retweeting)somebody else's tweet—in this case, she's retweeting something @SFGate said. (SFGate is the online edition of the San Francisco Chronicle.)
People use RT as a courtesy; it's giving credit to the original author.
• sfg.l/1t4EIEd. That's a URL—a link to a Web page. URLs are super common in tweets, since one key use of Twitter is sharing things found on the Web. Here, if you clicked the link, you'd go to the SFGate article that's being quoted here.
• #Tesla. The # is a hashtag. It's a label for your tweet. Other people can search for these hashtags—or click them—to see more tweets on the same subject. If you click on #Tesla, you'll see a whole list of tweets, all pertaining to the Tesla company and its cars. (You can also go to Twitter.com and type the hashtag into the Search box.)
This has been the first Dispatch from the Trenches. Part of what will (hopefully) be an ongoing series of things I find interesting enough to share and comment on.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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EMBALMER (USA/OH)
Embalmer is an American death metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. They were formed in 1989 by Toby Wulff (bass/vocals), Roy Stewart (drums), Mark Davis (guitar) and Duane Morris (guitar). From 1991 to 1995 they released Into The Oven, Rotting Remains and There Was Blood Everywhere, with many lineup changes along the way. An unofficial release 'Taxidermist' was released in 1992 which was a Live Recording. In 1997 they released the compilation album There Was Blood Everywhere, and later on in the year going on hiatus, which lasted eight years. They came back in 2005, with the lineup of Rick Fleming (vocals), Jocko Jermann (guitar), Stewart, Davis, and newcomer Rob Lesniak (bass), and immediately started writing new material, finally after a year releasing their first full-length album, 13 Faces Of Death.
RELATED BANDS:
Decrepit
PAGE STATUS: Complete
Report a mistake OR Update data on this page >>
INTO THE OVEN 1991 DEMO
Xeroxed cover & pro printed cassettes. Three versions exist. First of three shown below
- Into The Oven
- Hearse Driver
- Shrunken Heads
- Formaldehyde
- Caskets Of Carnage
INTO THE OVEN 1991 DEMO TAPE:
Xeroxed red cover and dubbed tapes:
TAXIDERMIST LIVE 1992 DEMO
Xeroxed cover & regular tapes.
- Embalmination (live, unreleased)
- Caskets Of Carnage (live)
- Taxidermist (live, unreleased)
- Projectile Vomit (live, unreleased)
- Shrunken Heads (live)
- Hearse Driver (live)
- Projectile Vomit (unreleased studio track)
ROTTING REMAINS 1993 DEMO
Pro-Printed cover & cassettes, no lyrics. Nothing on back
- Rotten Body Fluids
- Bone Box
- Morbid Confessions
- The Cellar
ROTTING REMAINS 1993 DEMO TAPE:
DEMO FLYERS
PAGE LAST UPDATED: 1/5/2022 6:36:35 PM


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Q: Assigning value to arg with val object(arg) = object I am following this tutorial on GraphQL with Sangria. I am wondering about the following line
val JsObject(fields) = requestJSON

where requestJSON is an object of JsValue. This way of assigning fields is new to me and my question is, if you could name that pattern or provide me with a link to a tutorial regarding this structure.

A: The important thing to know is that val definitions support a Pattern on the left-hand side of the assignment, thus providing (subset of the functionality of) Pattern Matching.
So, your example is equivalent to:
val fields = requestJSON match {
  case JsObject(foo) => foo
}

See Scala Language Specification Section 4.1 Value Declarations and Definitions for details.
So, for example, if you have a list l and you want to assign the first element and the rest, you could write:
val x :: xs = l

Or, for the fairly common case where a method returns a tuple, you could write:
val (result1, result2) = foo()

A: It is the Extractor pattern, you can reach the same result implementing the unapply method on your arbitrary object (like shown in the example). When you create a case class the compiler produces an unapply method for you, so you can do:
case class Person(name : String, surname : String)
val person = Person("gianluca", "aguzzi")
val Person(name, surname) = person

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Home La liga Real Madrid 'concerned' by Dani Carvajal's World Cup form
Real Madrid 'concerned' by Dani Carvajal's World Cup form
It's fair to say that Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal did not have a great World Cup for Spain.
He played in only two of La Roja's four matches in Qatar, the defeat to Japan and the draw against Germany. In those matches, he put in poor performances which led to Luis Enrique opting for Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente against Morocco, which turned out to be Spain's final match.
Fichajes have stated that Real Madrid have been worried by Carvajal's national team form. The media outlet state that the club feel that his levels have dropped over the past couple of years, which has led to doubts about whether he is good enough to be a starter at the club.
As much, Fichajes also say that his Spain performances have led to the club looking at alternative players to Carvajal. One that has been touted is Sporting Club de Portugal's Pedro Porro, who Real Madrid are very keen on, and could make a move for at the end of the season.
READ ALSO: 'Talent' - Six quotes which prove Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli is going to be world class
Carvajals
Previous articleWATCH: Sevilla's Youssef En Nesyri gives Morocco a shock lead against Portugal
Next articleBayern explore early Nübel recall after Neuer's accident


To provide the highest quality of employment services for the Craven County School System.
To provide employment services that will meet or exceed all stakeholder's expectations through collaboration and innovation.
The Human Resource Services Department (HRS) of Craven County Schools performs numerous functions that affect not only our existing staff but also potential employees, from the initial hiring process up to and including retirement. The Human Resource Services Department is here to serve our employees, our schools, and the surrounding communities. We pride ourselves in being recruiters of local educators as well as reaching across the United States to employ the most capable individuals. The Craven County School System values its employees and is proud to provide an enriching and inviting work environment.
If you are interested in pursuing a career with Craven County Schools, please check out the Craven County Schools Job Board page.


text:
chevrolet-bel-air
research classic make-chevrolet
Sheet metal and trim renovations were in order for the 1964 Bel Air. Overall length was shortened to 109.9 in.
For 1963, the full-size Bel Air received a new facelift and the overall length increased to 210.4 in. The 235.5ci I-6 was replaced with a 230ci six-cylinder as standard equipment and increased output to 140 hp.
For 1962, new sheet metal except the door panels was changed contributing to what most collectors believe to be one of the cleanest and important Chevys of yester-year.
The 1961 Bel Air ushered in yet another generation and was all new. It offered new slimmer, cleaner lines without the excessive fins promising to be easier to park, garage, etc.
The 1959 Bel Air was all new, and Chevy spared no expense at making it look like nothing else on the road. This restyle initiated the fourth-generation Bel Airs.
Little changes were made for the 1960 Bel Air, like a more restrained front end, and double taillights replaced the cat's eyes from the previous year.
The 1958 Bel Air sported "curves where before there were lines." New to the Bel Air line was the well-appointed Impala models available as either a 2-door hardtop coupe or 2-door convertible.
"The Hot One is Even Hotter" boasted Chevrolet for the new Bel Air in 1956. A new Turbo Fire V8 was introduced and promised greater passing safety.
For 1954, the Bel Air stayed essentially the same, except for a revised grille and taillight, and a revised engine that had insert bearings and higher oil pressure. The revised engine saw a slight performance increase.
The 1953 Bel Air became its own line sporting several new models. It featured Fisher unisteel construction, high-compression engines, and new rear axle.
The 1952 Bel Air saw its lowest production numbers since its inception and could be due to an increase in price by by $82.
Relatively unchanged from the previous year, the 1951 Bel Air saw increased production numbers as America took grasp of it's handsome looks and plush interior.


text:
using System.Collections.Generic;

namespace TechnikPortfolio.TechRadar
{
    public class QuadrantData
    {
        private readonly Quadrant quadrant;
        private readonly List<Blip> items;

        public QuadrantData(Quadrant quadrant)
        {
            this.quadrant = quadrant;
            this.items = new List<Blip>();
        }

        public Quadrant Quadrant => this.quadrant;

        public ICollection<Blip> Items => this.items;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Please is this printer compatible with Windows 10? Thank you!
country620, there is an officejet 5742e listed on the Windows 10 compatability web site, and hp has drivers listed for 5740e all the way through 8.1, so I feel pretty sure there will be drivers available for Windows 10.


A portfolio strategy is a necessity for a life sciences company dealing with multiple inline and pipeline assets to ensure optimal positioning combined with effective resource allocation to drive results. Developing the right portfolio strategy is critical to ensure that company goals are achieved. Our streamlined approach allows R&D and Commercial groups to assess gaps in the current portfolio and develop potential options to address these gaps.
With tight R&D budgets and high failure rates in product development, prioritizing product portfolios is critical for any company. An objective process is required to assess, prioritize, and allocate resources across these R&D projects. A portfolio prioritization process/system based on key scientific and commercial metrics is needed to effectively prioritize products. An integrated strategy across R&D, Business Development and Commercial is often required to achieve portfolio goals.
One of the most important tools to help ensure successful product development and commercialization is a well-planned Target Value Profile (TVP). A successful TVP development requires an understanding of today's disease/treatment/market dynamics and as well as how these dynamics will change at the time of launch which is typically several years away. We leverage our proven TVP process to engage appropriate functional areas to effectively address clinical, regulatory and market needs. A key to successful TVP development is to begin early and ensure cross functional participation. This TVP combined with a clinical strategy allows companies to effectively plan and execute product development activities.
LCM strategies range from new indications to end of life cycle Rx to OTC switching strategies. The evidence supporting these strategies is typically generated through phase IIIb, phase IV, and research studies and the outcomes require regulatory approval prior to commercializing these opportunities. Multivariate strategies can be adopted depending on the life cycle stage of the product and the availability of resources. LCM strategies, if successful, can offer new solutions, create switching costs, and increase the lifetime value of the product. The following are the most common LCM strategies to create incremental value for the product.


text:
HomePolitics2023: Imo Won't Survive Your 2nd Tenure, PDP Blasts Uzodinma
2023: Imo Won't Survive Your 2nd Tenure, PDP Blasts Uzodinma
The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the state cannot survive Senator Hope Uzodinma's second term in office.
The opposition asserted that it would amount to reinforcing failure and extending the massive treasury looting and outrageous bloodshed in Imo if Governor Uzodinma, is not booted out of power at the polls in November 2023.
PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Collins Opurozor, which was obtained by The Eastern Updates, he stated that its finds it totally shameful and unacceptable that among the 36 states in the country, Imo State is presently at the lowest rung of the ladder as far as viability index is concerned.
The statement reads, 'Our Party is also greatly pained that in the 2022 'State of States Report' recently published by a reputable civic organization, BudgIT, Imo has been classified as the worst State in the Southeast in terms of fiscal performance, and it is also among the ten worst States in Nigeria.
Read Also: Uzodinma Unveils 5-Year Digital Economy Policy Document
'This was the same Imo that won laurels in fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability in 2019 when our Party was in power.
'We have it on BudgIT's authority that almost seventy percent of the over N600 billion that has accrued to Imo State under Senator Uzodinma has gone into recurrent expenditure. This is to the tune of well over N420 billion. Particularly, the government's spending priorities show that this staggering sum has only gone into maintaining lengthy convoys, flying private jets, drinking champagnes, financing propaganda machineries, sustaining idle appointees and also frittered away through a multiplicity of other irresponsible ways.
'What is more troubling is that BudgIT explicitly says the regime of Senator Uzodinma has raised the debt profile of Imo State by 121% just in twelve months, thereby increasing Imo's indebtedness to N210 billion. Yet, there is absolutely no single landmark project done to justify that such loans have been taken.
'Even when the corrupt regime has hijacked and pocketed a total of N127 billion that came to the local governments from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), there has not been a single trip of construction sand dropped in any local government area of the State.
'Instead, Senator Uzodinma has dispatched a team of his praise singers, led by a factional State Chairman of the APC, to the various local government areas to mock the people by telling them that, 'Our Governor sent us.'
'We came to hear your challenges and problems for onward presentation to the government in Owerri for solution.
'This is indisputable evidence that for three years, Senator Uzodinma neither understands anything about the challenges facing the various areas of the State, nor has he done anything to address the challenges.
Imo PDP therefore urges Imo people to remain patient and resolute, being aware that this very cruel regime which has wrought untold agonies on them will soon give way for good.
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Following the multimedia exhibition of Santiago Ribeiro's art in Times Square, the exhibition will now head to the 'International Surrealism Now' exhibition in Coimbra, Portugal, having also been featured in Paris at the "Osmosis-Kiraméki Transfigured!" event along with cultural icons and renowned artists.
Portuguese surrealist painter Santiago Ribeiro has been featured since July 2017 at the Thomson Reuters and Nasdaq OMX Group at Times Square in New York City, and will remain highlighted throughout 2018.
"As usual, every time, I do something different and innovative and the idea of exhibiting in Times Square, New York, shows how media and new technologies are a modern way to divulge our art." – he said. declared Ribeiro.
Born in Coimbra, Portugal, Ribeiro attended art classes at Escola Avelar Brotero and the Escola Superior de l'Education in Coimbra.
He has organized and participated in numerous individual and collective art exhibitions in Portugal and abroad. Ribeiro's work has been featured at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, in the Portuguese American Journal, in Digital Meets Culture, Pressenza fr, metroNews.ru , Pravda in Portuguese, The Herald News, Associated Press and many other publications.
Its sponsors include the Bissaya Barreto Foundation, Câmara de Coimbra and the North American MagicCraftsman studio.
His work is represented in several private collections as well as in the contemporary art collection of the Machado de Castro National Museum and at the Bissaya Barreto Foundation in Coimbra, Portugal.
He has devoted his life to painting and promoting 21st century surrealist art, through exhibitions around the world in Berlin, Moscow, Dallas, Los Angeles, Mississippi, Warsaw, Nantes, Paris, Florence, Madrid , Granada, Barcelona, Lisbon, Belgrade, Monte Noire, Romania, Japan, Taiwan and Brazil.
Ribeiro is also the mentor of the 'International Surrealism Now' exhibition project where the city of Coimbra will open its doors this year at the Edifício Chiado Museum and Coimbra House of Culture in Portugal in November.
The world's largest surrealist art exhibition of the 21st century with 107 surrealist artists from 45 countries and five continents will participate.
Countries that will be represented include: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam.


This all sounds fairly good on paper, right? Well let's figure out how it appears in practice. Within this review, we'll look at their drag and drop editor and see if it is any good for creating a web site, site or online store.
On The wide range of website building solutions, Weebly lives on the end that is comprehensive and provides everything you need to get started and grow your website. It's compared to options where you purchase, set up, and handle all the"pieces" of your site individually.
Utilizing Weebly is kind of like leasing and customizing an apartment in a nice development rather than getting and owning your own residence. You are still in charge of decoration, cleaning, and what living-wise — but you leave the construction, plumbing, security, and infrastructure into the house owner. That point is critical because there's typically a direct tradeoff between convenience and control.
Website Builders as a group compete with options like WordPress.org (that provides the totally free software to build a site that you own & control — visit my WordPress setup guide here) all the way to options like typing real HTML code into a text file. Make sense? Awesome, let us dive to the Weebly review.
One Other quick aside — a revelation — I get referral fees from all of the companies discussed in this informative article. My remarks & study are based on my experiences as either a paying customer or adviser to a paying client.
Working with text can also be a breeze in Weebly. You just click what you want to edit and type your words in the box. Some other solutions use"entrance masks" which are a bit more subjective and not necessarily easy to utilize.
So are there Any downsides? This depends. If you would like to have more freedom with your layouts, then you may feel frustrated by the rigid grid system. You ought to go to get Wix. This competition also has an automated solution (Wix ADI) that can build the website for you pretty much by itself. You may possibly shave off a few minutes of your website building time.
There are also two things we'd love to see. First is a global undo button. It is possible to undo everything you type in text boxes, but it would be nice to erase mistakes once you move or add elements. Second, Weebly doesn't have a general media database which keeps all of your pictures. You'll have to re-upload pictures for each and every element that requires them.
Let us get one thing out of the way first. if You are an innovative search engine optimization specialist who absolutely must rank #1 on search engines to get a really competitive key word, you might have a difficult time with Weebly. It's not impossible, but there are limits.
· Particular pages (categories and product pages) include a mandatory string to your URL. You get things like www.yoursite.com/store/p1/my-product/yellow. Not a massive issue unless your site is not in English. Same with the website posts, they'll have'/blog/' in the URL structure, which can't be changed.
As far as we Understand, really secure. The company takes safety very seriously. They promote strong passwords, and offer SSL encryption on all programs. The free tier will operate on https which offers an extra layer of security. Especially crucial for onsite personal data exchange (e.g. charge card or email address).
Regrettably, we wish Weebly provided more in the method of backup and restore systems. You have to take care of it manually by saving your site for a .zip file frequently. And there is no restore function if disaster strikes. Wix, for example, monitors new adjustments and allows you to jump back in time to a previous version of your website.
We have a Detailed post about Weebly's templates where you are able to read the key pros and cons. However, we want to give you a quick overview of the key features here.
We'd say yes, with a caveat. It's great to Sell physical and digital products for small and medium-sized shops, but not for huge ones. Although you can use the export and import function to manage large number of items, you might find Weebly lacking in features such as massive stores.
Ultimately, it's worth noting that even though You can create a shop using the Starter and Pro plan, updating to Business and higher makes more sense. You'll find the automated delivery and sales tax calculator, which is very useful for serious shop owners. What's more, you won't need to pay an additional transaction fee of 3 percent.
You bet! There are no less than 300 programs in Quite a few categories such as eCommerce, Communication, Marketing, Social, or Site Tools. Many are free, some are paid. Some are constructed by Weebly, some by third party developers. For the latter, there's always an (unlikely) chance that it may shut down one day. Also a pity the programs made by Weebly are quite limited.
However, one thing all of the programs have in Common is a super easy installation feature. Click and bam! All programs are tested and will work instantly on your site. We attempted some cool ones such as a way to add tables, event calendars, and info bars to display special info. Our only qualm is that the quality and amount of apps is a slightly inferior those from the Wix App Store.
Weebly supplies Hosting for all the sites that are built in their platform. That can be good or awful, however in Weebly's case, it's an expert. They have fast load speeds. Their websites are optimized to their own hosting. They treat safety against spam and hackers. With company plans, they even install and maintain SSL across your whole site. Here is my speed test.
Whenever You start any piece of software — no matter how intuitive — there's that moment where you think"okay, what do I do now?" That approach is called onboarding, and it is also incredibly hard to execute well.
The Software maker doesn't want to be annoying, but they also want to help. I love how Weebly assembles in strong onboarding and education not just via email trickle arrangement but also via small info buttons constructed with their own platform.
One Promoted benefit of utilizing a comprehensive site builder is that you won't need to write HTML or CSS code. You only have to drag and drop components. Everything you find in the builder is exactly what you get on the site.
It's Not always that simple. There is a whole lot of nuances to"drag and drop." The majority of us actually mean"I want to click and drag this component and move it into a general place where it will look great — you know, mechanically focused, etc." In other words, it is like playing tee-ball instead of baseball…or bowling with up gutter guards. You want to do something, but also have a bit of help.
For The most part, Weebly pulls off this. Their drag and drop actually works. And, for the control freaks among us, they provide access to some custom CSS module, so which you can edit the template to precisely your choosing.
With An all-inclusive platform, customer service can troubleshoot and correct any issue. This is a huge advantage of site builder platforms in general, but especially with Weebly since they have phone support.
The Significant advantage of creating your own site on your own host is that you don't need to depend on a platform's attribute set. If you go the stage route, it's key to be sure they have all the qualities you want and need.
Even Past the advanced requirements, Weebly also includes features like discussion, membership options, integrated marketing options, file uploads, etc.. They also have eCommerce options, which I will cover individually below.
If You go the comprehensive site builder route, Weebly's feature set should provide whatever you will need for typical personal/business sites (though as we'll see in the Cons section, you really do need to be especially aware of advanced options).
If You're starting a site and plan on selling a few things here and there or in case you have an offline presence (ie, pop-up shops) and you would like to sell on the internet, the Weebly offers a readymade alternative with tightly integrated ecommerce features which should just get better.
I've Been using site builders for 20 years because the Homestead.com days and have been closely paying attention to the industry for the previous five years. One overarching trend is that a firm's structure pushes product investment more than the marketing group or the product group.
Even In a fast paced market, a organization's structure and end goals will dictate how it acts and what investments it makes. As I outlined in my Wix vs. Weebly vs. Squarespacestructure can vary wildly among direct competitors.
Overall Pricing is quite competitive not only in contrast to other comprehensive site buildersbut also with purchasing your own hosting. Their Starter plan begins around $8/mo when paid up front. Plus they don't possess the typical caps of other website builders. The Pro plan adds solid features and stays under $12/mo.
Compared To constructing your own website in your server and notably with other site builders, Weebly's pricing is very aggressive. Price is not everything, but I really like how they structure it.
There's No way to add custom content types (except within a single page). If you're planning a massive site (like hundreds of webpages ), the articles within Weebly would require a private system to maintain it sorted and readily reachable.
The Last big drawback of Weebly is that moving to a different platform is not difficult. If you would like to move somewhere else, such as your own WordPress powered site, migrating your content and redirecting your URLs will be a challenging procedure.
Since Weebly enables for HTML editing, most advertising tools and features can be added to your website. However, since you still do not have 100% control over your website & host — it can be difficult and/or impossible to include advanced marketing tools like an EV SSL, customized email collection applications, custom analytics packages, custom social shares, specific Schemas and A/B testing computer software.
A bonus for Weebly is that their eCommerce performance. You can sell products from the Weebly website without switching platforms or doing some special developments. It fits in seamlessly and contains solid performance.
It is Great for websites which are mostly lead-generation, informational, etc but also wish to sell a few goods. It's also a fantastic match for anyone testing out products prior to moving to a long-term stage. It is not a long-term fit for sites that are eCommerce-first. For all those, an internet store you have with WordPress + WooCommerce or even a specialty eCommerce platform such as Shopify (inspection ) or Bigcommerce (review) would be a better match.
If You're looking to build a long-term articles or direct generation website, then I would consider WordPress.com (for articles ) or Wix (for overall drag & drop) instead of Weebly. Even if Weebly matches your needs now, they may not in the medium future.
When we first started testing Weebly many Years ago, it was only another site builder. That's completely changed. Weebly has evolved into an outstanding website building tool which is far better than most competitors. It's easy, uncluttered and simple to use — which is exactly what individuals with limited technical abilities need when it comes to creating their own online presence.
Obviously, it is not 100% perfect. We'd like To observe somewhat more templates, for instance. Getting an email address attached to your domain is also a bit pricey, as they urge G Suite, which costs $5 a month, per user. (Although there are workarounds, since you can see in the FAQ below).
But all in all, Weebly reaches the top of our list of site builders. Their ease of use together with cool tools like the iOS or Android app for editing your website on the go, or the number of add-ons available in the app center makes it powerful, and fun to use.


Thinking about starting a business in Waterloo, Iowa? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Waterloo.
Choosing a business that is right for you is very important. We recommend that you read Free Business Ideas.
For in-depth how-to guides on how to start specific businesses, browse our Good Businesses to Start section of our site. For example, you might be interested in our Starting a Paintball Facility guide or our Starting a Lumber Wholesale & Manufacturers Business guide.
Remember that you are starting a business in Waterloo. The business you want to start may already be well-represented in Waterloo. Study Waterloo demographics and do a competitive analysis as part of your startup planning process.
Waterloo has an active business community that includes small businesses, mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Waterloo demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Waterloo.
As a new Waterloo entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Waterloo for each business category. By looking at this chart, you can get a general sense for how much competition there is in the business niche that you are pursuing.
It's essential that you are forming a legal entity that operates independently from you. Doing so will shield you from personal liability for business debts and obligations.
When forming a company, you will decide among many company types, such as a corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership or other structure.
Incorporating is a very popular way to form a business. Of course, you have to decide which type of corporation to form and where to incorporate. If you are starting a business in Iowa, you don't necessarily have to incorporate in Iowa. In fact, you are allowed to incorporate in any state you would like to. For example, it's very popular to incorporate in Delaware, and incorporating in Nevada has become very trendy as well. Don't forget, though, that you will have to register as a foreign entity in all states that you do business in.
There are many nuances to forming a company. To learn the fundamentals of company formation, browse articles on our site, such as ESOP Formation. You may also want to seek the advice of an attorney. On a final note, since you will be starting a business in Waterloo, Iowa, our web page covering Incorporating in Iowa may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Iowa.
A business plan is essential in maximizing the prospects of your new company. Indeed, your business plan is your game plan for how you hope to grow your business. Failure to write a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
If writing a business plan is on your to-do list, be sure to read Business Plan Mistakes. A great resource for business planning assistance is the free counseling sessions provided by your local SCORE chapter in Iowa.
Mastering the art of selling is essential if you want your new Waterloo business to do well.
Writing Great Proposals is a good article to read, one of dozens in the Selling for Entrepreneurs section of our site.
The best business owners recognize that what they know now may not be enough to ensure their future success.
Given that you are starting a business in Waterloo, Iowa, you should get information on some of the many programs available at nearby Iowa universities, colleges and community colleges. You should also check if there are any Waterloo networking organizations.
Most new Waterloo businesses underestimate the number of challenges they will face.
This site is all about helping entrepreneurs in Waterloo and elsewhere to achieve real success. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Waterloo, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Waterloo.
Resources for Waterloo, Iowa Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Waterloo entrepreneurs.


text:
Central NY News
Christmas 2020: What's open, what's closed? Walmart, Target, banks, pharmacies, mail, trash, more
Updated: Dec. 27, 2020, 7:15 a.m. | Published: Dec. 24, 2020, 9:16 a.m.
Destiny USA
By Geoff Herbert | gherbert@syracuse.com
What is Christmas?
Christmas Day, December 25, has been a federal holiday in the U.S. since 1870. Christians celebrate Christmas as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, and modern celebrations include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, singing holiday songs, and Santa Claus delivering presents around the world. Christmas 2020 falls on Friday, Dec. 25.
Is Christmas Eve a federal holiday?
Yes — in 2020. President Donald Trump gave federal workers Christmas Eve off this year by executive order; certain offices will remain open Thursday and some employees must still work "for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need." However, it is not a federal holiday every year and it does not mean private companies have to give employees paid time off Thursday. Former President Franklin Roosevelt similarly gave a full day off on Christmas Eve, and Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton gave a half-day off when Christmas fell on a Friday.
Here's a look at what's open and closed for Christmas:
Are banks open on Christmas Eve? Are banks open on Christmas?
No, most banks are closed on Thursday and Friday.
Is stock market open on Christmas Eve? Is stock market open on Christmas Day?
Yes and no. Financial markets are open Thursday, but will close Friday.
Are government offices open on Christmas Eve? Are government offices open on Christmas Day?
City, county, state and federal offices will be closed Friday for Christmas. Many federal offices will be closed on Thursday, but local and state offices, including the City of Syracuse, will remain open on Christmas Eve Thursday.
Are post offices closed on Christmas? Is there mail delivery?
The U.S. Post offices are open on Christmas Eve and there will be mail delivery Thursday, but USPS offices will close Friday and there will be no mail delivery on Christmas Day.
Is parking free on Christmas?
Parking at all downtown Syracuse meters will be free on Friday.
Are restaurants and stores open? Will shopping malls be on regular hours?
Most restaurants and stores are open Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Some may operate on different holiday hours Thursday; Syracuse's Destiny USA mall will close at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and reopen Saturday at 8 a.m.
According to USA Today, national chain restaurants that are open on Christmas Friday include Burger King, Denny's, Dunkin', IHOP, McDonald's, Popeyes, Sonic Drive-In, Starbucks, TGI Fridays, and Waffle House. Locations may vary; call or visit websites to check for your local restaurants.
Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Circle K, Cumberland Farms, RaceTrac, Sheetz, Speedway and Wawa are also typically open on Christmas Day.
Is Walmart open on Christmas? Is Target open on Christmas? Is Wegmans open on Christmas?
No, no and no. Walmart, Target, Wegmans and most other major retailers and grocery stores are open on Christmas Eve Thursday, but will close on Christmas Day Friday.
Walmart stores will close at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, and reopen Saturday, Dec. 26, at regular hours.
Target stores close at 8 p.m. Thursday and reopen Saturday at regular hours.
Wegmans stores will close at 6 p.m. Thursday and reopen Saturday at 6 a.m.
Tops Friendly Markets will close at 7 p.m. Thursday and reopen Saturday at regular hours.
Price Chopper stores will close at 6 p.m. Thursday and reopen Saturday at regular hours.
Are pharmacies open?
Yes. Many pharmacies are closed on Christmas Day, but some CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and other chain locations will be open Friday on reduced hours. Check your local store.
Will there be trash collection on Christmas?
City of Syracuse trash pick up will be one day late on Christmas Day; Friday's trash will be picked up Saturday. Other municipal and private haulers may work on a different schedule.
Are libraries open on Christmas?
Onondaga County's Central Library and all city branches are open Christmas Eve, but will be closed Friday and Saturday for the Christmas holiday. Suburban branch hours vary; you can check your branch through the county website.
Are buses running on regular time?
Centro is running on a regular schedule Thursday, but Centro's Transit Hub, main offices and information call center will close at 3 p.m. Thursday. Centro buses will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule for Christmas Day on Friday, but will not operate the following services on Friday: Auburn – Syracuse (138), Connective Corridor (443), J-Lot Shuttle, Oswego – Syracuse (246), Syracuse University Campus Service. For information, call 442-3400 or visit Centro's website.
Family's artificial Christmas tree has been a holiday tradition for 106 years and counting
Postal Service, overwhelmed and understaffed, struggles to deliver by Christmas
Vintage holiday photo grab bag: Enjoy these images from CNY Christmas past
Standout Christmas light displays (photos)
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, even in a pandemic (Editorial)