text:
Q: When is it OK not to keep a testing/holdout set? I am performing data imputation on a large matrix [100000,34] of past measurements that contains missing values (rows are time-steps and columns are stations).
So far I've used several machine-learning techniques for the imputation and I want to compare between them.
I do it using 10-fold CV on the non-missing values (i.e., in each fold, additional 10% of the non-missing values are set as nan, and then I perform the imputation on the entire matrix and evaluate on the 10% I put aside). I also do repeated-holdout (Monte Carlo cross-validation) so I can sample different missing interval lengths for evaluation.
Eventually, I want to find the best performing algorithm FOR IMPUTATION and to impute my entire matrix. I am not using the imputed matrix or features for prediction at all (i.e, I don't have a target).
What bothers me is that I don't set aside a testing-set for the final evaluation of the chosen imputation model, and I'm not sure that this is the right workflow. In my intuition, it shouldn't matter much since my testing set is the real missing values in the matrix and my only goal is to choose the algorithm that will impute it best. Nevertheless, everywhere I read people highlight how important this stage is.
So, Is this stage critical to my application? I would appreciate some advice from experienced machine learners...
Thanks

A: This is not necessarily an answer, but it was too long for the comment section.
In a simple scenario one would like to impute features to predict a target. Which imputation method works best is indeed a question of experimentation, a hyperparameter if you will; to be found out using for example k-fold cross-validation. The final verdict on the whole procedure though would be gotten by applying the imputation, the model to predict the target in order to find out the final metric on the target. It would also answer the question if the imputation helped at all; maybe dropping observations is better.
If there is no target, i.e. the targets are the imputed values, then one can still hold out a test set and report the accuracy of the imputation method per feature by indeed masking some known values.
Depending on the workflow, it might be advisable to mark each value as imputed or not. The fact that the value was missing might be a signal of itself, more so than the imputed value. Some digging into the causes of the missing values could give more confidence in the imputation. A weather station not reporting in a hurricane might have a very specific meaning! Missing at random (MAR) and missing completely at random (MCAR) are some keywords to look for.
HTH

A: We build a prediction model using one or machine learning algorithms for future use. The historic data used to train the model, for those you know the outcome already. So what you want to know at the end of the day, is how your prediction models perform on future data. Your test set or validation set are these 'future data'.
In general, the larger your training set is in terms of cases/observations the less likely overfitting is to occur - the situation you want to investigate using a separate test or validation set. On the other hand, the more flexible a prediction model is the higher the risk over overfitting.
For training classifiers some theoretical results are available. Confidence intervals for the error rate has been derived for linear and quadratic discriminant analysis. See chapter 10 in the book Discriminant Analysis and Statistical Pattern Recognition by G.J. McLachlan (Wiley), 2004. These confidence intervals provide bounds for the performance on future test data. For more complex learning algorithms, such theoretical results do not yet exist (to my knowledge, that is).
For nonparametric classifiers, you can only assess future performance using validation data.

Specifically, you perform imputation of missing values. As stated, different missing value mechanisms can be the case:

*

*MCAR (Missing Completely At Random)

*MAR (Missing At Random)

*NMAR (Not Missing At Random)

MCAR means that the probability that a data point is missing (i.e. a '?' in your data matrix), the observed data you do have - they give no clue what so ever about the most likely value (range) of the missing data point. Strict independence between the missing data mechanism and the observed data variables is present.
MAR means that the (unknown) value of the missing data point itself does not influence in any way the probability that the data point has gone missing. However, one or more observed data values do statistically determine whether that particular data value is missing. Strict independence between the actual value of the missing data point and the probability that it is missing, that is the case with MAR.
NMAR means MAR, plus that the value of the absent value itself statistically influences the probability that it has gone missing.
Imputation of missing values can be successful using existing schemes (such as the EM-algorithm), when the missing data mechanism is MCAR or MAR. Nonetheless, many scientific studies have shown that missing value imputation by the EM-algorithm tends to yield imputed values closer to the (conditional) means of the distribution of the missing data than is the case in the true underlying distribution. Multiple imputation is one approach to overcome this problem - a real challenge when your data are not normally distributed.
Final conclusion and my advice is as follows. You model the missing data mechanism, perform imputation and build a predictive model afterwards. Hence, even more parameters are being fitted in your scheme than when just building a prediction model in 'one go'. More parameters combined with a complex scheme that models possible higher order relations between variables (namely the missing data mechanism) - these factors make validation by independent test sets even more necessary.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Think Costa Verde, think nature, sunshine and tropical bliss. However, until now there has been little opportunity to enjoy this on the beachfront of Sao Paulo. Enter Nau Royal; a beautiful design-focussed boutique property nestled between pristine beach and lush forest.
Home to just six individually decorated guestrooms and suites, Nau Royal has been carefully designed to make the most of its surroundings and capture maximum natural light - just one of the many factors making this property an eco-warriors haven. Rooms offer views over the garden, tropical forest or sea (extending to the archipelago of Alcatrazes on clear days) which can be enjoyed from your private balcony or verandah. Our favourite is the Al Mare suite, complete with ofuro (Japanese bath tub) on your private sea-view terrace.
Mouth-watering appetisers and ice-cold drinks are served in the Deck Bar, located in the beachfront garden just beside the pool. Stuffed crab shells, Peruvian ceviche and fresh local fish adorn the menu here but after sundowners, the hotel restaurant serves up a more substantial menu under the command of a chef with 15 years of experience of local flavours and creativity. If that isn't enough, three small gazebos dot the gardens, ready for your romantic private dinner.
Enjoy your well-served R&R by the pool, heated Jacuzzi and the hotel's L'Occitane spa - a deep massage among the drapes of a garden gazebo should not be missed. The immediate beach is a surfer's paradise while calmer waves are just a ten minute walk along the sand. A few minutes' drive will take you to Sertão do Cacau for your fill of waterfalls and hiking through the tropical forest.
Will is our 'Hotel Spa Nau Royal' expert and as a seasoned traveller has the inside track on the most memorable adventures.


text:
Chicago Slender Lawyers DiTommaso Home
Contact Will County, Illinois Libel Attorney DiTommaso
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Consumers who have been the victims of fraudulent or deceptive trade practices have rights under various state consumer protection laws. These laws allow consumers to recover damages for false or misleading statements made by merchants about their products, breaches of warranties that guarantee that a product will be of reasonably good quality, and other deceptive trade practices. Companies may fight back against consumer claims by accusing a consumer of disparaging a business or its product. This could include a lawsuit or counterclaim for commercial defamation or trade libel. While defamation can be a difficult cause of action to prove, a lawsuit can impose a substantial burden on a plaintiff. Our team of Chicago commercial defamation lawyers can advise you of your rights and help you defend your interests against such a claim.
Defamation generally refers to a public statement that falsely disparages another person or, in commercial cases, a business, resulting in damage to that person or business. The person making the statement must have "malice," meaning that the person knows or should know that the statement is false, and either intends the statement to cause harm or knows that harm is likely to result. Spoken defamatory statements are known as "slander," while written defamatory statements are called "libel."
A person or business claiming defamation must prove that the statement is false and that the defendant acted with malice. The claimant must also prove measurable damages, and show that they resulted directly from the defamatory statement.
Businesses may bring defamation claims against consumers for statements that allegedly disparage their business or their product. A claim may arise from something a consumer wrote in a review on the internet or otherwise made available to the public. Companies may use alleged defamation as a counterclaim in a lawsuit for consumer fraud or other consumer law violations. Because "truth is a defense to defamation," however, they may not find it worthwhile to do so.
Commercial Defamation
"Commercial defamation" refers to a defamatory statement made by an individual or business against another business or an owner or officer of a business. A claim for commercial defamation must prove that a person or business made a false statement with actual malice, and that damages resulted from that statement. Damages in a commercial defamation case can be difficult to establish, but may include damage to the company's reputation, lost business opportunities, and lost sales or other revenues. Defending against a commercial defamation claim often focuses on establishing the truth of the allegedly defamatory statement, or disputing the alleged damages.
Trade Libel
An allegedly defamatory statement against a company's product, rather than the company itself, is known as "trade libel" or "product disparagement." A trade libel claim must prove the same elements as a claim for commercial defamation, except that a claimant must show that the allegedly libelous statement caused damage to the product's reputation, its value or market share, or the company's revenue related to the product. A consumer can challenge such a claim, in part, by providing evidence of the statement's truth.
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Defamation of Character
False Light
First Amendment Considerations
Public vs. Private Figures
Matters of Public Concern

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


After a scary dip on Friday and a few days of volatility, the cryptocurrency market is steadily recovering.
This morning Bitcoin (BTC) surged to a peak of $16,930 and the total cryptocurrency market cap hit a high of 603 bln, after a steady past couple of days of growth. The market recovery comes in the wake of a major dip at the end of last week that was followed by several days of volatility.
Just last Friday Dec. 22, in the midst of pre-holiday bustle, the cryptocurrency market was awash in red.
Altcoins lost up to 40 percent, and Bitcoin was close behind, suffering a 30 percent drop and reaching as low as $11,833 a coin. In a single day, the total cryptocurrency market cap decreased by more than $200 bln.
Just days before on Dec. 17, Bitcoin reached a record high of $20,078 and leading up to the crash Bitcoin price had been hovering between $16-17,000.
What followed was several days of volatility. Just 24 hours after the frightening dip, the market saw a notable bounce back. The recovery, however, was not stable and was quickly followed by another dip leading into Christmas day.
Since then, however, Bitcoin has been gaining steadily and has fully recovered its pre-dip heights, trading at an average of just over $16,000 at press time.
Total market cap, which also spiked and then dipped again over the weekend, has been steadily growing since Monday. At press time total market cap also showed an almost full recovery, at $603 bln.
Many Bitcoin investors saw Friday's dip as the perfect chance to buy up more of the leading cryptocurrency at a "discounted" price.
Others pointed out that the overall market correction around the New Year is nothing new, and noted that corrections like the one on Friday are actually just what the market needs.


text:
import random
from spacerogue.thing import Ship, Space, Debris, Nebula
from spacerogue.items import Weapon, Item

class Player(Ship):
	def __init__(self):
		self.description = 'Your spaceship'
		self.pos = None
		self.map_scope = 'system'
		self.universe = None
		self.resources = {'rock': 0, 'metal': 0, 'dirt':
				0, 'gas': 0, 'gold': 0, 'hydrogen': 0, 'ammo':200}
		self.inv_capacity = 300
		self.inv_holding = 0
		self.inv_full = False
		self.weapons = [Weapon('railgun'), Weapon('laser'), Weapon('missile')]
		self.warp_mode = False
		self.destroyed = False
		self.current_weapon = 0
		self.health = 100
		self.inventory = [Item('artifact')]
		self.money = 0

	def show_money(self):
		'''Shows number of space dollar(s) player has'''
		return 'You have %s space dollar(s)' % self.money

	def near_shop(self):
		'''Tells if player is near trading station'''
		current_system = self.universe.get_system(self.pos[0])
		current_sector = current_system.get_sector(self.pos[1])
		thing = current_sector.pick_thing()
		return (thing.name.lower() == 'station' and thing.is_shop)

	def sell(self,res,amt):
		'''Sells amount of resource'''
		if (self.resources[res] - amt) < 0:
			return None
		else:
			self.resources[res] -= amt
			self.money += 10

	def buy(self,res,amt):
		'''Buys amount of resource'''
		if not self.inv_full:
			self.resources[res] += amt
			self.money -= 10

	def show_res(self):
		'''Shows resources, almost same as show_inv'''
		output = 'Your cargo hold contains:\n'
		for resource, amount in self.resources.items():
			output += '%s tons of %s\n' % (amount, resource)
		return output

	def add_item(self, name):
		'''Adds items with name to invnetory'''
		self.inventory.append(Item(name))

	def pick_up(self):
		'''Picks up items on thing in sector'''
		current_system = self.universe.get_system(self.pos[0])
		current_sector = current_system.get_sector(self.pos[1])
		thing = current_sector.pick_thing()
		to_pickup = thing.pick_item()
		thing.del_item(to_pickup.name)
		self.add_item(to_pickup.name)
		return 'Picked up %s' % to_pickup.name.lower()

	def reduce_ammo(self,amount):
		'''Uses amount ammo from ammo store'''
		a = self.resources['ammo']
		if (a-amount) <= 0:
			return False
		else:
			self.resources['ammo'] = (a-amount)
			return True

	def weapon_stats(self):
		'''Shows stats for each weapon'''
		output = ''
		for weapon in self.weapons:
			output += '%s\n' % weapon.show_stats()
		return output

	def warp_mode_toggle(self):
		'''Toggles warp drive'''
		self.warp_mode = not self.warp_mode
		if self.warp_mode:
			return 'Warp drive has been activated'
		else:
			return 'Warp drive has been deactivated'

	def weapon_cycle(self):
		'''Cycles current weapon'''
		num_wep = len(self.weapons)
		new_wep = self.current_weapon+1
		if new_wep >= num_wep:
			new_wep = 0
		self.current_weapon = new_wep
		return 'Switched to %s' % self.weapons[new_wep].name

	def attack(self):
		'''Attacks thing in sector, incurring damage'''
		current_system = self.universe.get_system(self.pos[0])
		current_sector = current_system.get_sector(self.pos[1])
		to_attack = current_sector.pick_thing()
		if to_attack.__class__ == Space:
			return 'You cannot attack empty space'
		elif to_attack.__class__ == Nebula:
			return 'You cannot attack a diffuse cloud of gas'
		cur_weapon = self.weapons[self.current_weapon]
		damage = cur_weapon.properties['damage']
		to_attack.incur_damage(damage)
		if not to_attack.destroyed:
			n = to_attack.name
			h = to_attack.health
			a = cur_weapon.properties['ammo usage']
			if self.reduce_ammo(a):
				output = 'Fired %s, using %s kg ammo\n' % (cur_weapon.name,a)
				output += 'Hit %s for %s hp damage\n' % (n.lower(), damage)
				output += '%s has %s hp remaining' % (n, h)
			else:
				return 'Not enough ammo!'
			return output
		elif to_attack.destroyed:
			return 'Destroyed %s' % to_attack.name.lower()

	def check_inv_stat(self):
		'''Returns inventory full/capacity string'''
		self.inv_holding = sum(self.resources.values())
		self.inv_full = (self.inv_holding >= self.inv_capacity)
		return 'Cargo hold: %s/%s tons\n' % (self.inv_holding, self.inv_capacity)

	def show_status(self):
		'''Returns status of ship'''
		output = self.check_inv_stat()
		if self.inv_full:
			output += 'CARGO HOLD IS FULL\n\n'
		output += 'You are in sector %s\n' % str(self.pos[1])
		output += '        in system %s\n\n' % str(self.pos[0])
		output += 'Hull is at %s hp\n\n' % self.health
		output += 'Ammo: %s kg\n\n' % self.resources['ammo']
		output += '%1.1f days since departure\n\n' % self.universe.time
		output += '%s space dollar(s)' % self.money
		return output

	def show_inv(self):
		'''Returns formatted string list of inventory stuff'''
		output = 'Your cargo hold contains:\n'
		for resource, amount in self.resources.items():
			output += '%s tons of %s\n' % (amount, resource)
		output += '\nItems:\n'
		for item in self.inventory:
			output += '%s\n' % item.name.title()
		return output

	def mine(self):
		'''Mines the objects in current sector'''
		if self.inv_full:
			return 'Cargo hold full, cannot mine'
		output = ''
		current_system = self.universe.get_system(self.pos[0])
		current_sector = current_system.get_sector(self.pos[1])
		to_mine = [
			t for t in current_sector.things if not isinstance(t, Player)]
		for thing in to_mine:
			for resource, amount in thing.resources.items():
				if amount != 0:
					if self.inv_holding+amount > self.inv_capacity:
						return 'Cannot mine, not enough cargo hold space'
					else:
						self.resources[resource] += amount
						thing.resources[resource] = 0
						output += 'Mined %s tons of %s from %s\n' % (amount,
																 resource, thing.name.lower())
		return output

	def warp(self, x, y):
		'''Warps based on string input'''
		current_system = self.universe.get_system(self.pos[0])
		uni_x = None
		uni_y = None
		try:
			uni_x = int(x)
			uni_y = int(y)
		except ValueError:
			return 'Invalid arguments'
		if 0 <= uni_x < self.universe.size and 0 <= uni_y < self.universe.size:
			new_system = self.universe.get_system((uni_x, uni_y))
			self.warp_to(current_system, new_system)
			return 'Warped to system %s' % str((uni_x, uni_y))
		else:
			return 'Invalid warp coordinates'

	def move(self, x, y):
		'''Moves to sector based on string input'''
		current_system = self.universe.get_system(self.pos[0])
		current_sector = current_system.get_sector(self.pos[1])
		sys_x = None
		sys_y = None
		try:
			sys_x = int(x)
			sys_y = int(y)
		except ValueError:
			return 'Invalid movement coordinates'
		if 0 <= sys_x < current_system.size and 0 <= sys_y < current_system.size:
			new_sector = current_system.get_sector((sys_x, sys_y))
			self.move_to(current_sector, new_sector)
			return 'Moved to sector %s' % str((sys_x, sys_y))
		else:
			return 'Coordinates are outside the system, use warp drive instead'

	def warp_dir(self, direction, str_amount):
		'''Moves player amount in dir, returns whether success'''
		amount = None
		try:
			amount = int(str_amount)
		except ValueError:
			return False
		current_system = self.universe.get_system(self.pos[0])
		new_system_pos = (None, None)
		if direction == 'up':
			new_system_pos = (self.pos[0][0], self.pos[0][1] - amount)
		elif direction == 'down':
			new_system_pos = (self.pos[0][0], self.pos[0][1] + amount)
		elif direction == 'left':
			new_system_pos = (self.pos[0][0] - amount, self.pos[0][1])
		elif direction == 'right':
			new_system_pos = (self.pos[0][0] + amount, self.pos[0][1])
		else:
			return 'Invalid direction, please try again'
		if self.universe.valid_pos(new_system_pos):
			new_system = self.universe.get_system(new_system_pos)
			self.warp_to(current_system, new_system)
		else:
			return False
		return True

	def move_dir(self, direction, str_amount):
		'''Moves player amount in dir, returns whether success'''
		amount = None
		try:
			amount = int(str_amount)
		except ValueError:
			return False
		current_system = self.universe.get_system(self.pos[0])
		current_sector = current_system.get_sector(self.pos[1])
		new_sector_pos = (None, None)
		if direction == 'up':
			new_sector_pos = (self.pos[1][0], self.pos[1][1] - amount)
		elif direction == 'down':
			new_sector_pos = (self.pos[1][0], self.pos[1][1] + amount)
		elif direction == 'left':
			new_sector_pos = (self.pos[1][0] - amount, self.pos[1][1])
		elif direction == 'right':
			new_sector_pos = (self.pos[1][0] + amount, self.pos[1][1])
		else:
			return 'Invalid direction, please try again'
		if current_system.valid_pos(new_sector_pos):
			new_sector = current_system.get_sector(new_sector_pos)
			self.move_to(current_sector, new_sector)
		else:
			return False
		return True

	def move_to(self, old_sector, new_sector):
		'''Moves player to new sector'''
		old_sector.del_thing(Player)
		new_sector.add_thing(self)
		self.pos = new_sector.pos

	def warp_to(self, old_system, new_system):
		'''Warps player to random sector in new system'''
		old_sector = old_system.get_sector(self.pos[1])
		old_sector.del_thing(Player)
		size = new_system.size
		get_rand = lambda x: random.randint(0, x - 1)
		universe_pos = new_system.pos
		system_pos = (get_rand(size), get_rand(size))
		new_pos = (universe_pos, system_pos)
		new_sector = new_system.get_sector(new_pos[1])
		new_sector.add_thing(self)
		self.pos = new_pos

	def place(self, universe):
		'''Picks random sector in random system and places player there'''
		self.universe = universe
		get_rand = lambda x: random.randint(0, x - 1)
		universe_x = get_rand(universe.size)
		universe_y = get_rand(universe.size)
		system_size = universe.get_system((0, 0)).size
		system_x = get_rand(system_size)
		system_y = get_rand(system_size)
		sector = universe.get_system(
			(universe_x, universe_y)).get_sector((system_x, system_y))
		self.pos = ((universe_x, universe_y), (system_x, system_y))
		sector.add_thing(self)

	def toggle_map(self):
		'''Toggles map scope'''
		if self.map_scope == 'system':
			self.map_scope = 'universe'
		else:
			self.map_scope = 'system'

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Ah, Ed Sheeran. That carrot topped genius. That small hobbit-like mastermind. That crooning pasty white boy.
Now our Brit favourite has his own documentary. Premiering at Berlinale, to woops and cheers and laughter, Songwriter sees Ed Sheeran at his most intimate. The film follows aspects of Sheeran's process as he develops the catchy beats for the commercial and critical hit Divide. Recorded across the world, Sheeran shares the screen with fellow musicians that help him shape his sound and songs.
Here's the thing about Songwriter: The documentary is rudimentary. It's a bog-standard hand-held adventure with shaky cam and out of focus moments inter-spliced with family footage. It's leaps us through time frames that are shoddily edited together There's this weird sub-intro (the first scene is about Sheeran writing Bieber's Love Yourself on a tour bus, post tour,) about Murray Cummings (the director) and Sheeran, showcasing how their relationship truly formed from cousins to documentary filmmakers. Other than that weirdness, the filming is pretty much standard, even bad at points.
Yet within it is a fascinating look at how someone can pull music from their mind, craft it with other talents, and produce ear-worms such as Shape of You or Castle on the Hill. The characters within the film including Benny Blanco, who is so afraid of flying that they take a boat to London from New York (which lends itself to surreal recording session,) Sheeran's composer brother Matt, and the man with the best moustache Foy Vance. It's in these collaborations that the film finds it's stride. Not only do you see how Sheeran can pull music from thin air, but you also dive into the process of shaping it, crafting it, and producing it. It's like watching Ed Sheeran give birth to a child and then a group of talented mothers come in to help raise it. It makes the film more fascinating as different people lend their skills to this ground-breaking album.
Songwriter is bog-standard documentary film-making that is sure to speak to thousands of Sheeran's fans. But underneath the surface is this brooding artistry from a man who took over the world with a simple guitar and his incredible singing. It's an intricate look at musicians where you can see exactly how they work and process with an appealing end note.
Whilst it may not be impeccable filmmaking, it's within this subject matter where it really finds it's voice.


The reduction in price of processing capacity and data storage is allowing us to generate datasets of unmatched size and complexity. This is especially true for the evolutionary sciences, where ever-increasing datasets are fuelled by the improvement of image analysis and sequencing technologies. We now face the challenge of finding the best approaches to manage this accumulation of data. For instance, is it preferable to favour quantity over quality? Will our processing capacity catch up with the pace at which data is being generated?


Hundreds of beautiful Chinese lanterns lit up the Royal Lazienki Museum in Warsaw, marking the beginning of the "Festival of Light", an annual event aimed at getting the residents of Warsaw, as well as plenty of tourists coming to the city acquainted with the Chinese culture.
The "Festival of Light" accompanied by the concerts of traditional Chinese music and Chinese lanterns began on Sunday late in the evening in the Royal Lazienki. The festival will last till August 30th and give the guests an opportunity to travel through 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
On Sunday evening the Chinese Garden in the Royal Lazienki Museum in Warsaw was illuminated by the glow of the colorful lanterns. The whole festival is aimed at bringing Chinese culture closer to the Polish people.
News about Poland as reported by English language media around the world.


Congratulations to Poeme, the Grand Prize winners of our Personalized Ordering System (POS) "Lunch Orders" contest! They cleverly use the POS to place their orders, then they upload customer-supplied artwork through William Arthur's Image Studio. This allows them absolute creative control as they typeset invitation suites. Designers themselves, owners Kristen Folzenlogen and Philip James use their own software to work on invitations that range from traditional to unexpected. The POS is easy to use and speeds up their proofing process.
Poeme paired letterpress invitations and reply cards with a Vera Wang kraft paper tag and baker's twine to create this suite using customer-supplied artwork uploaded through William Arthur's Image Studio.
Congratulations again, Poeme! To read more about Kristen, Phil and their business, click here.


text:
Rocket Tourism
How to Visit NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
Do you love NASA? Curious about the future of space exploration? Just an uber-nerd like me who wants to visit all of the space destinations possible? A visit to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has to be on your list!
As part of my trip to Space Camp, I had the chance to visit NASA Marshall. In addition to the visitor center, you can take a bus tour to see some of the workspaces where NASA employees are building the next generation of rockets and help astronauts aboard the ISS. If you want to visit NASA Marshall, here's what you need to know.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, U.S. Space & Rocket Center (which organizes bus tours to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) has temporarily suspended tours. You can see more information here, and we'll update this page once we have more info about tours resuming.
This post was originally written in February 2019, and was updated in November 2020.
Where is NASA Marshall?
Marshall Space Flight Center vs. the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
What Does NASA Do in Huntsville?
Can You Visit NASA Marshall?
How to Visit Marshall Space Flight Center
Visiting U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Booking Your NASA Marshall Tour
Tour Details & Logistics
What You'll See on a NASA Marshall Tour
Bonus: Behind the Scenes at MSFC & the HOSC
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is located in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville is in northern Alabama near the Tennessee border. To get to Huntsville from Birmingham, AL, it's a 90-minute drive. If you want to fly into another major city, it's a 2-hour drive from Nashville or a 3-hour drive from Atlanta to Huntsville.
✨Related: 9 Amazing Ways to Experience Space in Huntsville, Alabama
As you'll soon see, there are a lot of different organizations and acronyms involved with visiting NASA Marshall. Here's a quick breakdown of the definitions:
Marshall Space Flight Center – Also called MSFC or NASA Marshall, Marshal Space Flight Center is the primary NASA facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center – Also called the USSRC or erroneously "Space Camp" (which happens at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center), this is the public visitor center for Marshall Space Flight Center.
Huntsville Operations Support Center – Also called (the) HOSC, this is a second NASA facility located on the Marshall Space Flight Center grounds.
Redstone Arsenal – The Army Base on which Marshall Space Flight Center is located.
You already know what NASA and ISS stand for, right? Let's move on!
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is the primary NASA facility responsible for rocketry and spacecraft propulsion systems. From the first mission to develop a rocket to take astronauts to the Moon – the Saturn V – through today's Space Launch System (SLS), NASA Marshall is the place where these rockets are developed, tested, and assembled. MSFC isn't always responsible for building the orbital vehicles (such as the Space Shuttle or Orion Capsule), but they build the rockets that put them into orbit.
Photo credit: NASA Social
NASA Marshall is also home to the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC), which is responsible for payload operations aboard the International Space Stations. The HOSC works with astronauts aboard the ISS to make sure all of the experiments and other work is managed properly.
Yes, it's possible to visit NASA Marshall as part of a tour organized and operated by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (which is the official visitor center for Marshall Space Flight Center). However, you can't just drive your personal car to MSFC as it is located on Redstone Arsenal, an Army base, and escort and badges are required at all times for civilians on the base.
Note: NASA provides a resource about 'self-guided' tours of NASA Marshall (here), but this is only available to people who have a badge and access to Redstone Arsenal. Civilians cannot take a self-guided tour of MSFC.
If you're set on visiting MSFC, the only way to do so is by booking the tour at U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC). Here are the details.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is open 7 days per week, 365 days per year (with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Christmas Day, and New Year's Day). The best way to describe USSRC is as a fantastic science museum with interactive exhibits and galleries, a theater, and a planetarium, plus simulations and events. Some of the exhibits include the Saturn V Hall at the nearby Davidson Center for Space Exploration, the history of NASA Marshall and Wernher Von Braun, the outdoor Rocket Park and Shuttle Park, a lunar landscape, and several rides that simulate various space-like experiences (the "G-Force Accelerator" and "Moon Shot").
There's also a temporary exhibit about the Apollo program, Apollo: When we Went To The Moon, which is on display through December 2019 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
USSRC is home to Space Camp, too. If you're planning to attend Space Camp, you'll have plenty of time to visit the rest of the USSRC before and afterward.
Curious What Space Camp is Really Like? Check out our video & post!
Admission to the USSRC is $25 for adults, $17 for kids 5-17, and free for children under 5. There are additional add-ons for planetarium or theater shows.
To visit NASA Marshall, you'll need to book the bus tour when you buy admission to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. (You don't have to buy admission to the USSRC to visit Marshall, but why wouldn't you?!)
You can buy tour tickets in advance by phone or at the main ticket desk until 12:00 pm each day. There are limited seats on the tour each day, so if you're only visiting the USSRC, be sure to book your spot in advance.
Don't forget: bus tours of NASA Marshall are currently suspended due to the pandemic. Check here for more information.
The NASA Marshall Bus Tour happens once daily. The bus departs from the front of the USSRC at exactly 12:30 pm and lasts 2-2.5 hours. Tickets cost $20 per person (age 5+), children under five are free. To go on the tour, you'll need I.D. such as a driver's license or passport (for anyone 16 or older), plus you can't bring any large bags or food or drink.
The bus tour of Marshal Space Flight Center varies a little bit each time depending on your driver and tour guide, but there are some sights you can expect to see on every tour.
Building 4200 – MSFC's Central Laboratory and Office Building
The Central Laboratory and Office Building, more commonly called Building 4200, is a primary administrative building for MSFC. Outside you'll see the official NASA Marshall sign, as well as several rocket engines that you can walk around and learn about.
The Historic Test Stands
The Historic Test Stands and nearby bunker are where Wernher Von Braun and his team tested the earliest rocket engines in the NASA rocketry program. This test stand – and the bunker that was supposed to protect the engineers – seems quite small, which makes it all the more impressive that they predated the engines that took us to space and the moon!
The HOSC / ISS Payload Operations Center
One of the most interesting stops on the MSFC tour is at the HOSC – the Huntsville Operations Support Center. Also called the ISS Payload Operations Center, this is where you can watch NASA employees communicating directly with astronauts aboard the ISS as they do their science experiments each day. the HOSC helps astronauts manage their time and accomplish the goals of each mission.
Rocket Park
Photo credit: NASA/MSFC/Fred Deaton
Similar to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, there's a Rocket Park on the Marshal Space Flight Center grounds. In the Park, several fascinating rockets stand as tributes to the eras of rocket development at Marshall: a Hermes, an early U.S. adaptation of the V-2 wartime rocket that stands beside it; a Jupiter C, used to launch Explorer I; a Juno II, designed to launch early satellites and space probes; and a Saturn I, America's first dedicated space launcher.
On my trip, I had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA Marshall to see some of the other sights you won't normally see on a tour. I wanted to share these photos to give you a better sense of the work NASA does at MSFC. Here are some of the spots we saw where we were allowed to take photos.
SLS Rocket Support Center
One of the cool places my group visited was the new SLS Rocket Support Center. A bit like Mission Control, this is where the NASA teams and contractors will oversee SLS launch and operations. Here, we had a chance to meet with some of the NASA staff that will work in the room on launch day.
Dynamic Test Stand
Photo credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via Flickr
This is another historic test stand at MSFC that most people don't see: the Dynamic Test Stand where the Saturn V and Space Shuttles were tested. This Test Stand was originally used until it was replaced by the test stands at Stennis Space Center. Today, the Dynamic Test Stand is a relic to a former chapter of NASA history – and it's a pretty cool, massive artifact to see in person.
SLS Test Stand
The SLS Test Stand is a new structure at NASA Marshall, built specifically to test components for the SLS like the massive hydrogen tank. When my group visited, there were no components being tested, but NASA recently shared photos of the hydrogen tank being loaded in.
3-D Printing Lab
Learning about the 3D Lab – Photo credit: NASA Social
Another fascinating spot we spent time talking with NASA staff was in the 3-D printing lab. It's probably unsurprising that NASA is using the most advanced tech available to try and make the rockets of the future. In the 3-D printing lab, we saw some of the printed metal pieces that might eventually make their way to space!
Space Habitat Mockup & Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter
Part of the behinds-tour included a stop at an unnamed building where we saw some of the amazing projects NASA is working on for the future of space exploration. We had the chance to tour a space habitat mockup, but also to meet engineers creating VR simulations. These kinds of sims allow astronauts to perfect their skills before they go to space.
In the same building as the Space Hab and VR test space, we got to see one of the big components of SLS: the Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter. This is one of the largest pieces of SLS that wasn't built at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility. It will connect the core stage to the cryogenic propulsion system; it really is as big as it looks!
These are just some of the fascinating projects at MSFC that we got to see during our behind-the-scenes tour… There was so much more we saw that we weren't able to photograph or stop to see up close. Hopefully, all of this info and the photos will inspire you to take a trip too!
Have any other questions about visiting NASA Marshall? Email us!
Featured photo credit: NASA/MSFC
How to Plan a Trip to See a Rocket Launch
Vandenberg Launch Viewing: How to See a Rocket Launch in California
Where to See the Apollo Command Modules (Updated for 2023)


avec danko: The Mystery of our Origin.
The photo was captured near Jaffna College.
It was my last night at Jaffna College. I had been staying at Bunker Hall, on the outskirts of the College. It was the point where the College met the endless fields and sparse palm trees.
I stood on a street, which was perfectly placed between nature and nurtured reality.
It was quite a night. A full moon lit the area with natural light and my eyes wandered up to the stars.
I wondered whether my ancestors had been here before centuries ago. Was this where it all began? In the beginning, when our ancestors first discovered the Island.
Did they arrive, take this in and fall immediately in love with its very essence?
I know I had fallen in love.
On that dark street in Vaddukoddai Jaffna, I felt I had come home after so long.
Where my ancestry began and where it will end, it is an endless mystery. But, as I stood there feeling so small amidst the ancient history of this Island. I could not help but think – I must have been here before.
What does it mean to be 'Sinhalese'? Is not my identity an endless mystery like the very history of this Island? Is not the energy within me so complex that it is undeniably deeply entrenched with the brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers of the North?
Though I could not speak the ancient tongue of the North – perhaps fate had made me forget? For I felt when my eyes crossed with the elderly locals our hearts touched and I had felt at home. Home on our mother land.
But, when I returned to Colombo the possibility of transcending ethnic barriers seemed far off.
184 Sinhala Pilgrims, while trying to visit a local temple, had been allegedly mobbed by "Tamil Rights Activists" in South India near Trichy. It was all over the news and my extended family was talking about it. The story went that Sinhalese pilgrims weren't welcome in South India if they continued to mistreat Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Upon returning to my aunt's home she shared that the Sri Lankan Government was also advising against all travel to Tamil Nadu. That it wasn't safe for those of Sinhala ancestry out there.
I felt defeated. I had been planning to visit Pondicherry in a weeks time. This would ruin everything. My family had already been worried that I was thinking of going there. This would only add fuel to their worries. I was so disappointed with the activists. What had they achieved by attacking innocent Sinhala pilgrims? Would attacking pilgrims really address injustices in Sri Lanka?
In the midst of my contemplation, my aunt furiously continued, "Tamils are like animals".
My heart dropped. My disappointment was replaced with anger.
How could she make such a ridiculous statement? Wasn't such generalisations about ethnic groups the reason innocent Sinhala Pilgrims had been attacked in South India?
'Don't blame a whole jathi for the faults of a few' I rebuked.
But, to no avail. She continued, 'they've killed so many of our innocent people'.
Generalisation after generalisation. In broken Sinhala I tried to explain why her words upset me. My mind kept going back to the faces I'd seen in Jaffna. Her words were an offence to their smiles, their warmth.
I was talking to a wall. My Sinhalese wasn't enough to reason with her. I brought up a friend of hers that was Tamil. She brushed it off as if that person was only an exception to the rotten bunch.
"You're being racist" I finally burst out in English. And unable to take her presence anymore I retreated.
The animosity of people towards another because of their ethnicity is troubling. I have personally found that every individual is so unique. We have such complex identities and heritage. Ethnic groups are diversified by gender, class or birth place. These factors all have substantial affects on how one engages with the world, society. Yet, time after time, I find people easily generalising about people on the basis of their ethnic affiliations. And, I find there is something so very untruthful about it all. Is not every individual so much more than their ethnic labels?


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Fishing limit temporarily increased to eight at Spring Lake in Payson
Jan 14, 2022, 7:31 AM | Updated: Jan 17, 2022, 6:18 pm
FILE: Image of Spring Lake a community fishing pond in Payson, Utah. (Photo credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
(Photo credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
PAYSON, Utah — The daily fishing limit has been increased at Spring Lake ahead of scheduled repairs that require the lake to be drained.
Through March 18, 2022, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will allow anglers to catch and keep eight fish at the community fishing pond in Payson. The previous daily limit was two fish.
"We'd like anglers to be able to harvest these fish, so they aren't wasted," DWR Sportfish Coordinator Randy Oplinger said. "We hope people can get out and catch a lot of these fish before the pond is drained."
Available fish found at Spring Lake include rainbow trout, wiper, brook trout, tiger trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, and carp. There is currently no limit on the number of carp an angler can remove from Spring Lake.
Effective today, the daily fishing limit has increased to eight fish at Spring Lake in Payson. This change will allow anglers to catch and keep more fish before the city drains the lake to make necessary repairs. Learn more: https://t.co/AP3OvnAz3V pic.twitter.com/er8hVdeZUe
— UtahDWR (@UtahDWR) January 13, 2022
The DWR said that once the repairs are complete and the pond is refilled with water, it will be restocked with rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and wiper.
The increased fishing limit at Spring Lake will end on March 18, 2022.
Other reading:
Ice fishing: Utah's lesser-known winter sport
9.6 million fish added to Utah waters in fish stocking efforts
Utah DWR proposes changes to elk hunt permit process
Utah hunters are asked to have deer tested for chronic wasting disease


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Michael Whyte
"I'M JUST ANOTHER MAN ON A MISSION"
Born in 1996, Michael Whyte is a young up and coming artist in the Toronto music scene. Throughout his youth, Whyte was involved in numerous concert and jazz bands which toured the United States as well as Italy in 2014. At only 12 years old, his first composition 'Funk Out' was published by Clovertone Music as a big band arrangement. Since then, he has written, produced, and performed multiple critically acclaimed albums with his own projects including "Honeymoon Bay" and "We Will Kill Again". Whyte released his debut solo mixtape in 2017 entitled 'Hazel'.
In 2019, Whyte's debut EP entitled 'I'm Gone' was released, lead by the single 'Playground'.
Michael Whyte - Playground [Official Music Video]
Homesick (One Take Acoustic)
Michael Whyte - One More Light (Linkin Park Acoustic Cover)
Please fill out the above form, or e-mail me at michaelwhytemusic@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Thanks! I will get back to you as soon as I can.
© 2019 by Michael Kundakcioglu.


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(idea) by Tlachtga Sun Apr 22 2001 at 20:16:47
One of the better examples of John Lennon's tendency towards self-reference in his songs (see also "All you need is love").
He references "Strawberry Fields Forever," "I Am the Walrus," "Lady Madonna," "The Fool on the Hill," and "Fixing a Hole."
The line "the walrus was Paul" is said to be one of the three clues in the song that Paul is dead, as the walrus is said to be a sign of death in Greek culture. The other references are to the dovetail joint, which is said to be used in casket-making (However, I've seen dovetail joints in many other items. A dovetail joint is the strongest joint there is, not needing nails to hold it together, and I see it as more John's comment on the band falling apart), and to the "glass onion," said to be a coffin with a glass lid.
However, a glass onion is an old term for the astronomical concept of the earth-centered universe. The stars and planets were all fixed in crystle spheres surrounding the earth like the layers of an onion.
(idea) by heirdo Wed Jul 21 2010 at 22:46:05
"A View"
Well here's another place you can go:
Where everything flows
Looking through the bent backed tulips
To see how the other half lives...
Standing on the cast iron shore... yeah
Looking through a glass onion
I told you about the fool on the hill - I tell you man he livin' there still!
Well here's another place you can be, listen to me
Fixing a hole in the ocean
Trying to make a dove-tail joint
The mind is incomprehensibly powerful; in our collective unconscious, we solidify illusions - the nightly news.
People know about information that can be used to sell them more, and different products. Only.
My soapbox is flat and my voice is hoarse.
Our hummingbird hearts fade, eyes glaze and shoulders ache from idly buzzing wings. We ask "why?"
It is these fallacies... this life... it is the reason people go hungry, war is fought and love is not made.
Please take it (away) as you will.
The Beatles lyrics reprinted from memory.
The Beatles (The White Album) Paul is dead All you need is love Strawberry Fields Forever
dovetail joint I am the Walrus Paul McCartney Trent Reznor in a duet with Alanis Morissette
The Walrus was Paul Zwiebelwahrheit This Error is the Sign of Love Why Don't We Do It in the Road?
Hey, Mr. DJ, I Thought You Said We Had a Deal Dovetail Aja Brain damage
The Wall Fixing a Hole What's the New Mary Jane British Petroleum
Sie Liebt Dich Egg Man The Walrus and the Carpenter
When a health professional is not supportive of breastfeeding
Womens Flat Track Derby Association


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Home > Blog > School > Historic School
Historic School
Repost from WSFA 12 News
Pike Road Historic School hires new principal
Wednesday, June 28th 2017, 9:04 pm CDT Wednesday, June 28th 2017, 9:39 pm CDT
By Michael Shipma
In a letter to parents, the Pike Road Historic School announced Wednesday that it has hired a new principal.
The school's board of education unanimously decided that David Sikes will take over as the school's principal, effective July 5.
Sikes has over 16 years of experience in educational administration, and is known for establishing a middle school curriculum that allowed students to earn high school credits.
Sikes has served as principal at Lee High School, where he raised test scores for the first time in almost a decade. He also led the way for LHS to be the only public traditional school to receive grant money from A+ College Ready, which works to increase the number of students in AP courses.
Furthermore, his work in connecting with the community resulted in the creation of Automotive Technology and Information Technology Academies.
In the letter, the board said that Sikes believes that the school "is poised for greatness and that he has what it takes to lead our Patriots to success."
The administration's internal transfers also moved current elementary and secondary principal Angela Lang to the position of Director of Accreditation. Additionally, Dr. Craig Ross will be moved from Director of Learning and Operations to Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Operations, and Federal Programs.
Copyright 2017 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.


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radar/how-to-byor
GET READY TO PLOT YOUR COURSE
How to build your Radar
You can create your own radar in two stages:
Map out your 'blips' on a Google Sheet
Use our radar visualization tool to create a shareable version.
1. Create
To use the BYOR tool, you'll either need to create either a Google Sheet, or a hosted .csv file that's publicly available.
The name of your sheet or .csv file name will be used as the title of your radar. Enter the column headers, and put your content into each column.
Here's an example public Google sheet and a screenshot of the editable Google Sheet. This examples sheet is based on the blips from the most recent Radar — but because the BYOR tool doesn't account for blip positions, the end result may be different to the published Radar.
2. Link
If you're using Google Sheets, you can create either publicly available or private ones.
For those that are happy to share their radar with our community, you simply need to create a publicly available Google Sheet. Here's how to publish a Google Sheet.
In Google Sheets, go to "File", choose "Publish to the web..." and then click "Publish".
Close the "Publish to the web" dialog and copy the URL of your editable sheet from the browser. Don't worry, this does not share the editable version.
A URL similar to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18A7oDuavlh89rAmqcaXpqle8QLqIvlAkoEUxcObzuUM/edit will appear.
If you prefer to keep your radar private, you can still use our BYOR tool. When entering the Google Sheet URL, you'll be asked to authenticate our service.
You can also use the URL for a publicly available .csv file, for instance, one hosted on GitHub.
On our visualization tool page, simply paste your URL into the input field and click "Build my radar".
Build my Radar
My data is not loading.
Here's a list of things to check if your data is not loading into the radar visualization service.
Do you have an 'ad blocker' enabled in your browser? In some cases, these can interfere with the BYOR tool, so if you're having problems, it's worth checking.
Is your Google Sheet published? If you're using a private Sheet, do you have the rights to authenticate?
Does your Google Sheet or .csv file have the following column headers? 'name', 'ring', 'quadrant', 'isNew' and 'description'. Check the spelling and case, they are case sensitive, and check there is no whitespace before or after.
Does the 'quadrant' column contain four quadrant names? There need to be exactly four quadrants. Our radar contains the quadrants 'Tools', 'Platforms', 'Techniques' and 'Languages & frameworks', but you can rename these to anything you want, as long as there are four in total.
Check that you have consistent spelling for the data you're using in the 'ring' and 'quadrant' columns.
The service provides some basic error handling that might help you solve the problem and you may also find further clues in the console. Please feel free to send us any feedback here.
Is my data public?
Yes, if you choose to make it publicly available and published via Google Sheets. Anyone who has access to or discovers the public URL will be able to view the information that you enter into your radar. ThoughtWorks will collect data on how the service is being used, the URLs generated and may access any information you enter into your radar. We may use and publish aggregated and anonymised data from all the radars created using this service if we feel that it is interesting or could benefit the wider tech community. For full terms and conditions please read our privacy policy.
If you choose to use the private sheet option, only those with permission to access that sheet will be able to see your information.
I don't want to share my radar with the tech community, can I host my own radar?
Yes, the visualization service is open source (AGPL-licensed) so you can fork our repository or download a copy and host your own radar that's private. You can find the project repository here.
How will the service develop? Will you be adding more features?
It's currently in beta and provides just enough functionality to serve its purpose. We hope that it's useful to you and the wider tech community. If it proves popular and there's enough demand, we may introduce new features and additional services. Please tell us how you're using it and send us feedback here.
Is this open source?
Yes, ThoughtWorks is passionate about open source software and this is just one of our many open source projects. You can find the project repository here.
Like many of ThoughtWorks' best ideas, this service was inspired by work with one of our clients. Fotina Koutropoulos (PO/PM, BA), Emma Kitchener (Designer) and Fernando Freire (Developer) ran a session they called the platform agility radar and built the tool to visualize the output. Before this, both Bruno Trecenti and Brett Dargan had open sourced radar visualization tools. We are indebted to them for their work.


Keneally RJ. Keneally R.J. Keneally, Ryan J.Anesthesia for Orthopedic Surgery. In: Freeman BS, Berger JS. Freeman B.S., Berger J.S. Eds. Brian S. Freeman, and Jeffrey S. Berger.eds. Anesthesiology Core Review: Part Two Advanced Exam New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; . http://accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=1750&sectionid=117323693. Accessed April 19, 2019.
Keneally RJ. Keneally R.J. Keneally, Ryan J.. "Anesthesia for Orthopedic Surgery." Anesthesiology Core Review: Part Two Advanced Exam Freeman BS, Berger JS. Freeman B.S., Berger J.S. Eds. Brian S. Freeman, and Jeffrey S. Berger. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, , http://accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=1750&sectionid=117323693.
Long bone fractures predispose patients to the embolization of contents of the medullary region of bones. Fat emboli are nearly universal after pelvic or femur fractures but the incidence of fat emboli syndrome (FES) is 3%–4% with 10%–20% mortality. The embolic load increases as the space the medulla is drilled or around the time of the application of cement into the medullary canal. Earlier repair of fractures lowers the risk for FES. FES is manifested by hypoxia, mental status changes, and petechiae. The petechiae are present on the conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and/or in the cervical and axillary regions. Transesophageal echocardiography can detect echogenic material which may be fat emboli but the clinical presentation of FES is delayed and thought to be the result of an inflammatory response. FES presents between several hours to 72 hours after the initial fracture. The symptoms can last up to a week and the treatment is supportive care and monitoring for progression to disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction.
Methylmethacrylate (bone cement) is sometime used to secure hardware to bones. The use of methylmethacrylate causes intramedullary hypertension and causes the embolization of the contents of the marrow including entrained air. Methylmethacrylate can directly cause hypotension while the embolized medullary contents can cause an inflammatory response which leads to pulmonary hypertension with resulting ventilation to perfusion mismatches and right heart strain. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to an implantation syndrome.
Tourniquet usage is common during orthopedic surgeries to decrease blood loss and provide a bloodless surgical field. Tourniquets cause localized pain and distal ischemia. Tourniquet pain increases over time and becomes clinically significant between 45 and 90 minutes after application. Frequently double tourniquets are used. Initially one tourniquet is inflated but when tourniquet pain becomes clinically evident the second is inflated and the first deflated to try to mitigate the pain. Tourniquet pain causes a sympathetic surge and may be confused with other causes of tachycardia and hypertension. When a tourniquet is released the blood in the affected extremity returns to the central circulation. Returning blood may be acidotic, hypothermic, and hyperkalemic. The bolus of blood from the affected extremity to the heart can cause an acute dysrhythmia that may necessitate the use of intravenous calcium and/or sodium bicarbonate, hyperventilation, and electrical cardioversion or defibrillation. The release of a tourniquet may also cause hypotension through either a rapid decrease in systemic vascular resistance or as a result of direct myocardial depression or both. Patients with sickle cell disease are at risk for vaso-occlusive crises with the use of tourniquets.


If your current Confined Space ticket is about to expire, Confined Space Refresher Training Course will extend your Confined Space Certificate for up to two more years.
METI's Confined Space Refresher Training delivers instruction and training on confined space entry and monitoring for those who hold a current Confined Space certification. As you learned in Confined Space Training, many work sites, whether within processing, manufacturing, construction or oil and gas, require working in an enclosed or partially enclosed space that was not designed for prolonged human occupancy, has limited entrance or egress and/or contains hazards that occur because of its construction, location or contents or because of the work performed in it; confined spaces. Confined spaces can pose many hazards. Toxic gases, lower explosive limits, or physical hazards may exist in the confined space. Refresh your knowledge of the industry standards to confined space entry, including atmospheric testing, permitting and monitoring.
Your Confined Space Refresher Ticket is provided on completion of this course. Whether you are looking for a Confined Space Refresher Ticket, a Confined Space Refresher Certificate or completion of a Confined Space Refresher course, this is the correct course. Upon completion of this Confined Space Refresher program, you will receive a wallet-size Confined Space Refresher Ticket or Confined Space Refresher Certificate (call it what you will), that will show prospective employers that you have the credentials.
Prospective employers may require confirmation of your Confined Space Refresher Certificate. We keep your records on file permanently. Feel free to have your prospective employer contact M.E.T.I. to confirm your Confined Space Refresher Certificate. Group Pricing for your Confined Space Refresher Course is available. Please contact us at (902) 539-9766, or send us an email at training@metiatlantic.com for more information. Click here to view more of METI's Safety Training, Courses & Services.
Current certification in Confined Space.


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Pan Am Railways Scanner Frequencies
Pan Am Railways Scanner Frequencies in Connecticut
railroad class: Class II Regional Railroad
There is currently 1 Pan Am Railways radio scanner frequency from Connecticut in our database.
161.4 Waterbury Branch - General operations
View all Pan Am Railways entries
View all railroads in Connecticut
Pan Am Railways Information
Pan Am Railways, Inc. (PAR), known before March 2006 as Guilford Rail System, is an American holding company that owns and operates Class II regional railroads covering northern New England from Mattawamkeag, Maine, to Rotterdam Junction, New York. The primary subsidiaries of Pan Am Railways are Boston and Maine Corporation, Maine Central Railroad Company, Portland Terminal Company, and Springfield Terminal Railway Company. Pan Am Railways is headquartered in Iron Horse Park in North Billerica, Massachusetts.


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<?php

namespace greevex\gss\lib;
/**
 * @author greevex
 * @date: 10/1/14 6:10 PM
 */

class ifParser
{
    protected static $instance;

    public static function getInstance()
    {
        return self::$instance;
    }

    public static function dropInstance()
    {
        self::$instance = null;
    }

    public static function hasInstance()
    {
        return isset(self::$instance);
    }

    const TYPE = 'if';
    const CAN_WAIT = true;

    private $ifData = [
        'type' => self::TYPE,
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                        case 'VARIABLE':
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                        case 'STRING_QUOTED':
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                            $call['arguments'][] = $lineToken;
                            break;
                        default:
                            return error::throwNewException("Unexpected {$lineToken['type']}", $lineToken['line'], $lineToken['pos']);
                            break;
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                if(empty($call)) {
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Week 6, 1st place Gary Nelson with a 3.8 lb 20 inch rainbow. 2nd place Jeff Gould with a 2.4 lb 18 inch rainbow. Both from Wellington NV. Week 7, 1st place Jeff Gould with a 7.13 lb 26 inch rainbow. 2nd place Rick Halert from Coleville CA. Week 8, 1st place Joe Magoni with a 4.10 lb 21 inch rainbow. 2nd place Tom Blotter with a 2.10 lb 19 inch rainbow. No tagged fish have been brought in for the last few weeks. The derby continues until April 14th. For more information contact the Topaz Lodge.


The power of prints is an amazing thing especially for the men! I love when brands/designers make multiple pieces and garments in the same print; it gives a very diversified feel. Everyone may not be able to wear a pair of printed pants or shorts, however they may be able to pull off a printed top. Make sure you all visit Publish Brand to purchase these cool items! Prices for the garments below range from $36.00-$94.00. I hope you enjoy!


text:
Jessica Rose Is Just One of The Boys
Independent artist Jessica Rose is blazing her own path in country music. On any given night you can find the talented artist performing in downtown Nashville.
Jessica Rose who is originally from Staten Island, NY first started singing in her school choir. After seeing other artists perform on stage and connect with their audience, Jessica Rose was inspired to follow in their footsteps. The talented singer/songwriter names country music superstar Carrie Underwood as one of her biggest inspirations.
"I would definitely say Carrie Underwood is my all time favorite. I think she's so talented, she's definitely my number one inspiration. Of course Miranda Lambert is right there too. Also Jennifer Nettles has been a big influence because I just love her personality which comes out in her shows. You can just tell she's really great average joe type of person and I appreciate that when you can see that in artists and everything," said Jessica Rose.
Jessica Rose is currently working on new music. The talented singer songwriter will not only be releasing a new single and Music Video in the next month but she will also be releasing a new EP in the spring. Jessica Rose's latest single called "One of The Boys" is doing great on radio stations like The BlackSheep Network. The song is meant to reflect the male dominated music scene in Nashville which Jessica Rose has been able to break through and be a part of.
"'One of The Boys' is a song that I wrote with two of my guy friends here in Nashville. All of the guys are kind of like the front runners, and playing on Broadway in Nashville there's really no female soloist except me. Usually females perform as part of a duo and I really just felt like I became one of the boys in downtown Nashville." said Jessica Rose
"I really just wanted to let them them know that I can hang with the guys….Basically that girls are just as good as guys, kind of like the Elle king and Dierks Bentley performance [on the CMAs] that's the message that I wanted to send…" continued Jessica Rose.
Jessica Rose plays a lot of show all around Nashville. The talented singer/songwriter played at a CMA awards after party with Collin Raye. Jessica Rose and Morgan Alexander who she plays with at times both performed before Raye took the stage. For Jessica Rose it was an honor to be able to meet an artist who has had such an influence on country music.
"The after party was awesome. I had a blast performing. Me and my friend Morgan Alexander performed, I did some songs on my own, and he did some songs on his own. Collin Raye was the headliner, he's had 16 number 1 hits. He's an older country artist, but he's had so many amazing songs. It was really cool to hang out with him and hangout with different people who have had so many influences on country music. It was really great," said Jessica Rose.
To find out where Jessica Rose will be playing next you can visit her website (http://www.RealJessicaRose.com/), Follow her on Instagram (@jessicarosemusic) and Twitter (@JessicaKartalis, and like her Facebook page (Jessica Rose).


text:
Deliverance or disaster?
A motorcycling 40-year-old is poised to roar to power in today's Greek election. Will socialist victory spell catastrophe for Europe's most fragile economy or haul it from the despair of austerity, asks Matthew Campbell
Matthew Campbell
January 25 2015, 11:07am, The Sunday Times
Austerity has seen police attacked during demonstrations (Yannis Behrakis/Reuters)
With a full head of black hair and a white shirt open at the neck, Alexis Tsipras, the leftist firebrand and leader of Syriza, a party of former student communists, looks more like a rock star than a politician and is a striking departure from the old caste of Greek leader.
This wiry 40-year-old is expected to win today's election in the birthplace of democracy, a result to inspire populist movements all over Europe.
A motorbike enthusiast who has named one of his children after Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the Argentine guerrilla leader, Tsipras has promised to tear up the €240bn "bailout" deal with the EU that has kept the debt-burdened country afloat. This would free Greece from more austerity medicine. But it could also lead…


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Contact Lens King offers a wide selection of the most popular contact lenses in dailies, monthlies, and longer. Find popular brands like Acuvue Oasys, Purevision, Focus Dailies, Acuvue Advance, Proclear, Biomedics, O2 Optix, and Focus Night and Day in whatever your prescription may be. Order now and enjoy low, affordable prices, get free shipping on all contact lens purchases shipped within the continental United States.


A multi-use facility with a gross floor space of 230,000㎡ located in the central business district of Beijing. Finally completed, this mega project started in 2013 with a comprehensive list including façade, exterior, and interior lighting design. The architectural structures built along the highway is treated with façade lighting with uplifting graphics and animation. The lighting design aims to create an entertaining space for people to interact.


No more fumbling with clasps! From the magnetic clasp, five bands of mesh are intertwined to form this fluid bracelet. Comfortable to wear and a match for everything in your wardrobe, you'll want one in each color!


Your visit to campus will be an important part of your decision to apply for admission to St. Bonaventure and to become a St. Bonaventure student. The personal tour with a St. Bonaventure student and conversation with a counselor are the best way to learn about academics, student life and the application process.
Schedule your appointment Monday through Friday, year-round. This type of visit is especially appropriate for high school students who want to take a more personal look at campus and have their own specific questions answered. SPECIAL NOTE: Spring Break is March 2-10. We welcome prospective students on days our office is open. Please be aware, however, classes are not in session and faculty appointments will not be available.
It is important to schedule your appointment at least two days prior to your preferred date in order to get the most out of your visit. You may make an appointment online for a day on our campus or call (716) 375-2400 with any questions.
We've also provided a convenient link to local accommodations and maps.


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Traction 22CV video authenticity. No it is not the real car! - CITROËNVIE !CITROËNVIE !
Traction 22CV video authenticity. No it is not the real car!
Have you come across video clips posted online like this one showing footage of Citroën's "Super Traction Avant" the 8 cylinder 22CV?
Sorry to tell you but no 22CV have been known to survive. Citroën produced at least nine 22CV's. Perhaps as many as 20 by expert accounts. Roadster, coupe, sedan and familalle versions were all displayed at the 1934 Paris Salon. Publicity and sales material were produced but the car never went into production. However at the time Citroën was filing for bankruptcy due in good measure to the development cost of the Traction Avant and Michelin was taking over control of the company. Extravagance had to cease and two reported crashes of 22CV's did not endear management to take it any further.
All 22CV's were ordered by Pierre Boulanger (Citroën's Managing Director at the time) to be dismantled or converted into 11CV Tractions. Conversion meant: removal of specific 22cv nose and V8 engine and fitting of 11 (4 cylinder) engine and nose. They were then sold to employees of the factory or friends of the developers. The luxurious interior and other specific 22 details remained with the car. Three cars were retained by the Bureau d'Etudes as test beds for the Bibax driveshaft dampers of the 15-6 until early 1937, but were almost certainly scrapped.
The replica was made from 1985-89, and is powered by a Ford side-valve V8 mated to a Renault 16 gearbox. The engine choice was both practical and reasonably authentic as only 2 of the 22CV prototypes are thought to have had Citroën developed V8 engines. The balance (that were running at least) had Ford 8 cylinder power plants.
Dr. de Boer started with a post-war 11 Normale body shell. The "bulge" trunk lid was removed and a flush external tire boot-lid mounted. Up front a 15-6 hood with louvers was modified to single "22" style vents on each side. The front fenders were widened by about 2 inches and integral front headlamps were created using the lenses from a pre-war Chenard et Walcker. About the only visual clue to Dr. de Boer's creation not looking like the original 22CV is that the little grills below each headlight do not actually have the correct number of vertical slats. To his credit the car was made to look well worn; like a barn find that was just dusted off and fluids changed to go back on the road. It has an uncanny "long lost charm" about it.
Dr. de Boer's 22CV replica was on display at the 75th Anniversary of the Traction Avant meet in Arras, France back in 2009.
We must admit it's pretty cool to see a running CV22 and can't help but wonder what it could have become had Citroën the cash and resources at the time to refine it a bit further.
22CV, Traction V8, Super Traction, Pierre Boulanger, Fabien Sabates, Herve Laronde, Bouwe de Boer, Ford V8, Chenard et Walcker.


text:
Samuel Gittle
Mr. Gittle was born and raised in Queens, New York. He attended college at Washington University in Saint Louis, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Classics and Political Science, and was a member of the Classics Honorary Society and the Eta Sigma Phi Classics Honorary Society. During his time at college, Mr. Gittle worked at the Worldwide Security Services division of JP Morgan Chase as well as at Wayne Hummer Investments in Chicago, Illinois. Thereafter, Mr. Gittle attended Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. During his time in law school, Mr. Gittle interned at the Office of the Attorney General in Manhattan, New York, and at a prominent civil litigation firm in Savannah, Georgia.
Mr. Gittle was admitted to practice law in the State of Florida in 2012 and in the State of New York in 2016. Mr. Gittle is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Prior to joining EPGD Attorneys at Law, Mr. Gittle worked at a firm in Miami, Florida focusing on contract disputes, real estate, and general commercial litigation.
Washington University in Saint Louis, Bachelor of Arts in Classics and Political Science 2007
Emory University School of Law, J.D. 2012
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 2013
Successfully defended business owner against intentional tort claim (Trespass) brought by a corporate tenant.
Obtained six-figure judgment at trial against corporate tenant for rents and damages.
Successfully defended elderly couple against ejectment action.
Obtained several Certificates of Title and Writ of Possessions for Third-Party Purchaser in contested foreclosure actions.
On a Personal Note:
Sam is an avid foodie and enjoys partaking in fantasy football leagues.
Eric P. Gros-Dubois, Esq.
Oscar Gomez, Esq.
Elizabeth Fernandez, Esq.
Samuel Gittle, Esq.
Alberto "Papo" Manrara, Esq.
Yasemin Sunbul, Esq.
Stephanie Avitan, Esq.
Silvino Edward Diaz, Esq.
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Gabriella R. Ledbetter, Esq.
Carlos Andres Mora
Jessica Fernandez
Bryan Barrientos
Aviv Asoulin
Madelyn Peterson
Daniella Gonzalez
Kathrine Karimi
Loune-Djenia Askew
Rashad Ismail
Kimberly Terralavoro
Isabella Codinach
Sandra Muñiz
Deirdre Nero, Esq.
Patrick Grozinger


known La Campana Mediterranean Restaurant in Boksburg.Set in tranquil gardens it boasts a variety of facilities to accommodate all conferences and functions from 6 delegates to 130.
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La Campana's Toscana Lapa which comfortably seats up to 130 guests, is ideal for product launches, conferences, year-end corporate functions, birthdays and weddings. Expert care is taken with the theme decor for these special events.
Our 3 Star accommodation options includes, executive luxury suites,executive double rooms,standard twin hotel rooms, all rooms are en-suite, very comfortable and are fully serviced.


text:
Eucalyptus oligantha, commonly known as the broad-leaved box, is a species of tree that is native to the Kimberley region of Western Australia and parts of the Northern Territory. It has rough, fibrous or flaky greyish bark, broadly egg-shaped to almost round adult leaves that are lost in the dry season, flower buds in groups of three or seven, creamy yellow to whitish flowers and cup-shaped to more or less cylindrical, bell-shaped or conical fruit.

Description
Eucalyptus oligantha is a tree that typically grows to a height of  and forms a lignotuber. It has rough, fibrous, flaky or scaly greyish bark on the trunk and branches. Young plants and coppice regrowth have egg-shaped to more or less round leaves  long,  wide and petiolate. Adult leaves are broadly egg-shaped to more or less round and are usually lost in the dry season. They are usually the same shade of green on both sides,  long and  wide on a petiole  long. The flower buds are mostly arranged on the end of branchlets on a thin, branched peduncle in groups of three or seven. The peduncle is  long, the individual buds on pedicels  long. Mature buds are oval to pear-shaped,  long and  wide with a usually conical operculum. Flowering has been recorded in March, July and September and the flowers are creamy yellow to whitish. The fruit is a woody, cup-shaped to more or less cylindrical, bell-shaped or conical capsule  long and  wide with the valves either level with the rim or strongly protruding.

Taxonomy and naming
Eucalyptus oligantha was first formally described in 1843 by Johannes Conrad Schauer in Walpers' Repertorium Botanices Systematicae. The specific epithet (oligantha) is from the ancient Greek oligos meaning "few" and -anthus meaning "-flowered".

Distribution and habitat
Broad-leaved box grows on flats and slopes, often near watercourses in forest and woodland in the Kimberley region between Wyndham and Derby with a few scattered populations in the Northern Territory, including some of its offshore islands.

Conservation status
This eucalypt is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.

See also
List of Eucalyptus species

References

Eucalypts of Western Australia
Flora of the Northern Territory
Trees of Australia
oligantha
Myrtales of Australia
Plants described in 1843
Taxa named by Johannes Conrad Schauer

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


In February 2018 BEVA Volunteers were sent to the Gambian Horse and Donkey Trust to help provide veterinary care and education. The volunteers tell us how they got on.
The UK registered equine charity is managed by Heather Armstrong and runs two stationary veterinary outposts in the small former British colony just north of the equator. The organisation has the vision to reduce rural poverty by increasing productivity of working animals in in the country. Donkeys and horses play an essential role in transportation of goods for the Gambians, and by providing education and veterinary care the charity provide important support to local communities, improving not only the welfare of the animals but of their owners too.
On Saturdays volunteer students - "the Animal Advocates" - regularly visit the clinic and get training on various veterinary or husbandry subjects – and then go back to their villages and schools to spread their knowledge. Heather believes passionately in education in order to improve animal welfare and the student's enthusiasm and passion was very evident when they performed dramas for us to show what they had learnt about harnessing or wound care and how equines were sentient beings that deserved respect.