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Here are the 12 candidates running for Texas governor this primary election season
Mike Ward, Houston Chronicle
Feb. 8, 2018 Updated: Feb. 16, 2018 12:47 p.m.
The dome of the Texas State Capital is seen through trees in Austin, Texas. (AP File Photo)Eric Gay/STF
AUSTIN -- There are 12 of them in all, nine Democrats and three Republicans including incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, all wanting your vote in the upcoming March 6 primary elections.
Two others are Libertarians who want to be on the November general election ballot, but the Libertarian nominee will be selected by the party in April. Another candidate is running as an independent.
Quick quiz: Which of the candidates is a former cop? Which is the former Mr. Leather International? Who has the middle name Secede?
Look through the list. Make your choices. Contact them with questions.
Then go vote. (Click here to see when and where to vote in the Houston area, what's on the primary election ballot and other voting essentials.)
Need help vetting candidates before the March primary? The @HoustonChron asked candidates how they plan to transform Texas. Here's what they said: https://t.co/U8a3SF4mCI #primaries #Elections2018 pic.twitter.com/MbNsJoep9T
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) February 16, 2018
Gregory Wayne Abbott
Gov. Greg AbbottYi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle
Party: Republican Age: 52 Hometown: Austin
Bio: Born in Wichita Falls. Son of a homemaker and a stockbroker and insurance agent. Grew up in Longview, then Duncanville. Father died of a heart attack when he was a sophomore in high school. Was track star in his senior year and won every meet. Voted "Most Likely to Succeed." Degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin and law degree from Vanderbilt University. Paralyzed from the waist down when a tree fell on him in Houston in 1984 while he was jogging, when he was a 26-year-old lawyer. Served as a state district judge, a Texas Supreme Court justice. Elected attorney general in 2001. Elected governor in 2015.
Positions: Staunch constitutional and conservative. Pro-life. Supports property tax reform, tougher penalties for sex criminals and child predators, improvements in education, Second Amendment rights, strong border security and safe communities.
Campaign funds: $43.2 million, as of Jan. 31
Election HQ: Early voting starts Feb. 20. Here's the latest news
Voting essentials: When, where to vote and what's on the ballot
Endorsements: See who our Editorial Board supports for office
Get engaged: Discuss the latest Texas Politics on our Facebook page
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Web: Gregabbott.com Twitter: @GregAbbott_TX
Ask a question: TexansForAbbott on Facebook
Quote: "When you elected me Governor, I promised you a Texas that would create jobs and promote opportunity. I promised to cut taxes, improve education, build more roads, and take action to secure our border. With your help, we delivered on those promises and so much more. But we're just getting started. Together, we will keep Texas the most exceptional state in America."
James Jolly Clark
Party: Democrat Age: 77 Hometown: Austin
Bio: Austin businessman.
Positions: Supports tax relief
Campaign funds: No contributions listed through Jan. 31.
Web site: None.
Quote: NA
Cedric Davis Sr.
Party: Democrat Age: 50 Hometown: Balch Springs
Bio: Dallas native. Has been volunteering in community activities and politics since age 11. Father of five. Desert Storm vet. Has criminal justrice degree from Sam Houston State University. Former police chief of Wilmer-Hutchins ISD, and chief of security for asset-protection firm. First African-American mayor of Balch Springs, a small town outside Dallas. Works for Garland Independent School District. Ran unsuccessfully for Texas House seat in 2006.
Positions: Supports closing corporate tax loopholes to provide additional funding for schools and increasing the share of the Texas Lottery that goes to education from 27 to 30 percent, changes he says could bring in up to $2 billion more. Also supports criminal justice reforms to allow people to turn their lives around, expanding Medicare under the Affordable Care Act to serve more Texans, 20-year term limits on all elective offices, reforms to lower property taxes and changes in eminent domain laws to better protect private property.
Campaign funds: $2,000 as of Jan. 25.
Web site: MayorCedricDavis4TxGov.com Twitter: @Cedric4Texas
Ask a question: The Hon. Cedric Davis Sr. for Texas Governor
Quote: "I am running for for Governor because it is life long dream since age fourteen to do so, and secondly, to inspire a campaign without hate, a campaign is just another campaign if it does not inspire an inclusive movement, an inspired inclusive movement can ignite a revolution. So people of Texas no matter if you're black, white, brown, red, or blue it's our time to stand as one voice to ignite an inclusive Texas revolution to protect the peoples interest for generations to come."
Kathie Glass
Kathie GlassMelanie Feuk
Party: Libertarian Age: 63 Hometown: Houston
Bio: Native Georgian. Retired Houston lawyer. Ran unsuccessfully for governor as a Libertarian in 2010 and 2014, and unsuccessfully for the Texas Supreme Court last year. Thinks this will be the year she can draw together a coalition of disaffected Republicans and Democrats to win.
Positions: Wants to nullify unconstitutional federal acts to better protect Texans, restore fiscal sanity to government spending, better defend private property rights, restore Texas' sovereignty, opposes Common Score school curriculum and wants to end cronyism in state government by passing and enforcing stronger ethics laws. Supports constitutional carry of firearms without a license, cutting all types of taxes including property taxes and a moratorium on new toll roads.,
Campaign funds: None as of Dec. 31.
Web: KathieGlass.org Twitter:
Ask a question: Kathie Glass for Texas Governor on Facebook
Quote: "I am a Texan, patriot, wife, mother, lawyer, self-made woman, business owner . . . Washington is broken, and the two party system is corrupt — corrupted by cronyism and special interests. Neither will fix itself. And neither can be reformed from within."
Thor Harris
Thor HarrisTamir Kalifa/Freelance
Party: Unclear Age: 52 Hometown: Austin
Bio: LaPorte native. Percussionist, musician, painter and carpenter. Has listed his profession as 'multi-instrumentalist." His band is named "Thor and Friends" and he plays with the influential experimental rock band Swans. Supports tax breaks for solar, higher taxes for the petroleum industry, has had some choice words for Republican officeholders on his Twitter feed. Endorsed by Texas rock band Explosions in the Sky.
Positions: Supports restoring funding to Planned Parenthood, fixing Texas' broken foster care system, curbing the state's high maternal morality rate and improving funding for Texas; public school system. Wants to limit the influence of Big Money on political campaigns.
Campaign funds: None as of Jan. 31.
Web: None Twitter: @thorharris666
Ask a question: NA
Quote: "I don't actually want to be governor, but I don't want the guy who is governor to be governor."
Larry SECEDE Kilgore
Larry Secede KilgoreCourtesy
Party: Republican Age: 52 Hometown: Arlington
Bio: Amarillo native. Air Force veteran. Telecommunications contractor. Ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2008, and for governor in 2006 and 2014. Platform calls for Texas to secede from the United States. Also opposes abortion, wants government out of schooling for children, wants to close prisons, end Social Security and cut welfare.
Positions: Supports secession of Texas from the United States, pro-life, supports separating the state from public education, ending Social Security and shutting down prisons.
Web: SECEDEKilgore.com Twitter: @SECEDEKilgore
Ask a question: SECEDEKilgore on Facebook
Quote: According to his campaign website, Kilgore's "passion for secession is fueled by his enmity and heartbreak towards the evils of abortion, both excessive and unlawful taxation, and social security. His desire to free Texas ran so deep that in December of 2012 he legally changed his middle name to SECEDE and has been fervently advocating for secession ever since."
Barbara Krueger
Party: Republican Age: NA Hometown: Plano
Bio: From Eldorado. Former chemistry teacher at Westwood Hiogh School in Round Rock. Republican Party of Texas officials say they have no information on her. Her Facebook page says: "Soon to be the third female Gov. of the Lone Star State! STANDING FOR AMERICA IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS."
Positions: NA
Web: NA Twitter: NA
Ask a question: B Lynn J Krueger on Facebook
Quote: "People of God rise up! We can create a spiritual revolution in Texas! Let's make Texas the prototype for America! The radical Islamic extremist want to wipe us out! Let us stand for God's will & let our voices ring out! Let freedom ring! Let the Eagles sing!"
Joe Mumbach
Joe MumbachYi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle
Party: Democrat Age: 68 Hometown: Houston
Bio: Former Beaumont restaurant owner. Audio-video technician and business owner, Southern Star Satellite and Sound. Never run for public office before. Great granddaughter born Dec. 11, telling her to call him "Grandpa Governor."
Positions: Supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, reforming school finance to improve public education, fixing the state's broken faster care system, abolishing the death penalty, access for Texans to basic healthcare, a woman's right to chose an abortion, legalization of marijuana and criminal justice reforms that will lower the incarceration rate.
Campaign funds: $600 in contributions through Jan. 25.
Web: JoeForTexas.us Twitter: @RealJoeMumbach
Ask a question: Joe For Texas on Facebook
Quote: "We are the can-do people who built the first integrated circuit and the first domed stadium. We built and we own the energy business in the US; fossil fuels and renewables. We dug a 25-mile long ditch and built the largest inland port in the nation. We have the biggest medical center in the world. And we can do so much more if we get our mojo back. That takes leadership and we don't have it now. To be who we really are takes vision, commitment, and some courage. Courage like we saw in the response to Hurricane Harvey. People setting aside their differences and working together with bravery and passion.""
Adrian Ocegueda
Adrian OceguedaYi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle
Party: Democrat Age: 42 Hometown: Flower Mound
Bio: El Paso native. Princeton University and Southern Methodist University graduate. Father of two. Former city economic program analyst in El Paso and policy adviser to mayor. Principal of Dallas-based Lone Star Investment Advisers, a private equity firm.
Positions: Opposes bathroom bill, sanctuary cities, unlimited gun ownership and wants to establish a fidelity contract with constituents if elected. Supports improving the school finance system, making college more affordable, improving the transportation infrastructure, a variety of criminal justice reforms and improved transparency in government.
Campaign funds: About $200,000 in bank, most all of of it from a loan to himself.
Web: TexasReason.com Twitter: NA
Ask a question: Adrian Ocegueda on Facebook
Quote: "I am running for Governor to resolve structural problems that need to be addressed in our broader government and economic systems that we must pursue together. Solutions to structural issues require new leadership that will focus our legislature on attending to short and medium-term budgetary issues for education, transportation, healthcare, natural disaster response, etc.; as well as, on the larger structural issues, which will need to be examined and repaired to develop long-term solutions. Constituents are looking for candidates that recognize the structural limitations of our current systems. They know that our current systems are failing large cross sections of our population and they are eager for an honest discussion."
Jeffrey Payne
Jeffrey Payne Francisco Vera/Laredo Morning Times
Party: Democrat Age: 49 Hometown: Dallas
Bio: Louisiana native. Grew up in an orphanage. Moved to Texas from Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Openly gay. Owns a leather bar. Was named Mr. Leather International in 2009. Owns several successful businesses, and says he plans to put $2 million of his own money into the campaign. Says he is running even through the party declined to make him their standard-bearer earlier this year.
Positions: Supports pro-choice, increased funding for women's health, expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act for expanded access to healthcare, background checks for gun buyers, reforms in the margins tax to benefit small-business owners, and school finance reforms to improve funding to public education. Opposes the bathroom bill, school vouchers and the ban on sanctuary cities.
Campaign funds: Has raised
Web: Jeffrey4Texas.com Twitter: @Jeffrey4Texas
Ask a question: @Jeffrey4Texas on Facebook
Quote: "I am tired of politics as usual in Texas . . . We know it's an uphill battle ... in a deeply red state. But a lot of Texans are feeling like they've been left behind with the divisive politics in Texas now. I believe I can change that."
Guadalupe "Lupe" Valdez
Lupe ValdezYi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle
Bio: San Antonio native. Daughter of migrant farm workers, the youngest of seven children. Graduated from Bethany Nazarene College in Oklahoma. Served as Dallas County sheriff since 2005, and resigned to run for governor. Served in U.S. Army to rank of captain. Worked as a jailer, as an investigator for several federal agencies including the U.S. Customs Bureau where she led a smuggling-buster unit. Retired to become sheriff. Served as Dallas County sheriff since 2005, and resigned to run for governor.
Positions: Opposes ban on sanctuary cities, universal healthcare, raising minimum wage, abolition of the death penalty, LGBTQ equality initiatives, school finance reform, pay raise for teachers, improved water infrastructure, high-speed rail and public transit improvements.
Campaign funds: Raised $100,000 through January, including a $5,000 loan from herself, and had $40,000 in the bank.
Web: LupeValdez.com Twitter: @LupeValdez
Ask a question: LupeForTexas on Facebook
Proposed Amtrak route would connect Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta
San Antonio's big-time makeover of Sunken Garden Theater has some neighbors concerned
Quote: "Opportunity in Texas ought to be as big as this great state, but it is out of reach for far too many, that's why I'm running for Texas Governor. I'm a proud Texas Democrat. I believe good government can make people's lives better, and I intend to do just that."
Party: Libertarian Age: NA Hometown: Flower Mound
Bio: Tech entrepreneur "with history in Powersports, automotive and cryptocurrency spaces." Touts himself as the only "100 percent non-aggression pact complaint" candidate for Texas governor. "Unschools" his three children, letting them learn through free, undirected play and through life experiences.
Positions: Proposes to let Texans lead themselves, by doing away with local and state government. Wants to return individual rights, privacy and property rights to Texans. Promises not to take a paycheck if elected governor. Would pardon all non-violent offenders in Texas, and would sell the Governor's Mansion. Wants to legalize marijuana.
Campaign funds: None
Web: NotGovernor.com Twitter: @NotGovernor
Ask a question: Patrick Smith for Not Governor of Texas on Facebook
Quote: "Let me tell them that you are ready to lead yourself."
Mark Tippetts
Party: Libertarian Age: NA Hometown: Lago Vista
Bio: Graduated with a bachelor's of law degree and a masters in public administration from a university in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. During the past 30 years has established and operated several companies, including a hydroelectric plant in Belize and a law firm in Monterrey, Mexico. Ran unsuccessfully for Travis County judge in 2010. Member of the Lago Vista City Council.
Positions: Opposes President Trump's border wall, though he supports securing the border with Mexico with technology and by other means. Supports legalization of marijuana and the principles of Libertarianism, including stopping corporate welfare at the expense of Texas taxpayers.
Web: Mark4Gov.com Twitter:
Ask a question: Mark Tippetts for Texas Governor on Facebook
Quote: "As governor, I would seek to eliminate policies that favor large corporations over small businesses and bring true free market approaches to the Texas economy . . . I want to help break the two-party duopoly and grow the Libertarian Party. As a candidate for Governor of Texas, I think someone needs to be on the ballot that will oppose the embarrassing behavior of Donald Trump and his absurd attacks on immigrants and building of walls. I am bilingual and do a lot of business in Mexico. Making enemies with our neighbors and erecting walls between us is foolish."
Tom Wakely
Tom WakelyYi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle
Party: Democrat Age: 64 Hometown: San Antonio
Bio: San Antonio native. Vietnam-era Air Force veteran. Served as a minister in the Unitarian Universalist Church and once owned a wine bar and jazz club in Mexico. Now runs a hospice business. Self-described progressive populist who supported Democrat Bernie Sanders in last year's presidential campaign. Says he will be like "Bernie Sanders in a Panama hat." Ran unsuccessfully last year as a Democrat against incumbent U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, a Republican. Campaign site.
Positions: Running as a progressive Democrat. Supports a corporate income tax, universal health care, raising the minimum wage to $15, abolishing the death penalty, legalizing marijuana, public financing of elections to limit the clout of special interests, universal background checks on gun purchases, closure of all private prisons, net neutrality, rolling back costly college tuition prices, abortion rights, repeal of anti-union legislation and LGBTQ rights.
Campaign funds: Raised $1,186 through Jan. 31
Web: TexansForTom.com Twitter: @TexansForTom
Ask a question: Tom Wakely 4 Governor on Facebook
Quote:"I am running for Governor because the working men and women of Texas have been ignored way too long by both Democrats and Republicans. I am running to change the direction of the Democratic party. If we want to stop losing elections, we must stop putting forth candidates for office who run from the right, candidates like Andrew White who is running for governor and Mike Collier, who is running for Lt. Governor. Nor can we continue to run from the center. The triangulation strategy is no longer a viable strategy and as long as candidates like Lupe Valdez who run for office from the center, we will continue to lose elections. If we want to reach the 62 percent of non-voters and win elections, we must run from the left. We must put forth bold, progressive ideas."
Kory Watkins
Party: Libertarian Age: 34 Hometown: Lone Oak
Bio: Perhaps best known as an outspoken, Fedora-wearing proponent of an open carry law for firearms who showed up in public places carrying AK-47s and other long rifles. He was unable to get a state concealed handgun permit because of a theft conviction when he was 17. Ran unsuccessfully in 2014 for the Mansfield school board, and has served as a Republican precinct chair. Motto is "Love, freedom, innovation."
Positions: Supports legalization of marijuana, zero tolerance policy on police brutality, abolition of property taxes and more transparency in government. Says "taxation is theft."
Campaign funds: $960 in contributions through December.
Web: KoryWatkinsForTexas.com Twitter: @KoryForGovernor
Ask a question: Kory Watkins for Texas on Facebook
Quote: "I am running to crush this machine called the government . . . I believe property taxes should be eliminated and all other taxes need to be reduced as quickly as possible all the way down to zero. If a service is good enough, people will support it. Good ideas don't require force."
Robert Andrew White
Andrew WhiteMelissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle
Bio: Houston native. Son of the late former Gov. Mark White. Entrepreneur.
Positions: Supports teacher pay raise, school finance reform, property-tax reforms, abolition of the death penalty, repeal of sanctuary cities law, strong Second Amendment supporter and backs universal background checks for gun purchasers, opposes deporting DREAMERs, wants to repeal a $5 billion tax break for commercial property owners to increase funding for schools, supports cutting Texas' $800 million state allocation on border security.
Campaign funds: Raised $1.3 million through January, including a $1.04 million in loans from himself, and had $104,000 cash in the bank.
Web: AndrewWhite.com Twitter: @AndrewWhite
Ask a question: AndrewWhiteTexas on Facebook
Quote: "I'm a common sense Democrat. I'm running for governor to bring sanity and reason back to state government, so Texans can have hope again . . . It's easy to create division. It takes a leader to build consensus. Let's take a 4-year break from what divides us and come together as Texans to restore our state's leadership in jobs, education, and prosperity."
Grady Yarbrough
David Woo/AP
Party: Democrat Age: 81 Hometown: Flint
Bio: Born in Smith County. Grew up in Tyler. Father of three. Graduate of Texas College and Prairie View A&M University. Taught school in Chicago, Tyler and San Antonio, where he retired several years ago. Ran unsuccessfully for land commissioner in 1986 and 1990 as a Republican, as a Democrat for state treasurer in 1994, for U.S. Senate in 2012 and Texas Railroad Commission in 2016.
Positions: Supports increased funding for public schools, raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, construction of high-speed rail, limits on college tuition hikes, banning gun possession outside homes, increasing the fuel tax to repair crumbling highways and infrastructure, repealing the controversial Voter ID law and better training for police to deal with Texas' rapidly changing demographics. Also supports a ban on the "Pay to Play" system in Texas where large campaign donors hold sway over politicians. Opposes the bathroom bill and continued to tax breaks to large corporations. Instead he would use that money to better educate the workforce.
Campaign funds: Not shown as raising any money. Has spent $600 of his own money so far.
Web: Grady Yarbrough Twitter: NA
Ask a question: Grady Yarbrough on Facebook
Quote: "I am running for this office because I see many services that the people of Texas could receive, but are not. One of those services is health care. Texas did not participate in the Medicaid Health Expansion. Many Texans died within the State because of a lack of this service. I believe that I can lead a group of dedicated lawmakers to higher goals, and achievements, rather than the downward spiral that we find ourselves. Education, healthcare, and decent paying jobs would be my top priority.:
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Lock in a great price for Formosa 101 – rated 8.5 by recent guests!
Breakfast was good for a free breakfast. Place was very clean. showers had hot water and good water pressure. Elevator was nice. Staff was very friendly. For a hostel, it was ok. I didn't stay in the private rooms--was too expensive for what you get. Location is good. Night market close by. other things are close. Starbucks is close if you want a place to rest and use wifi. Staff offers free weekly walking tour, which is a very nice touch.
The staffs are amazing! There is someone at the desk 24/7. They were welcoming to all guests & willing to answer any questions you have.
This hostel is highly recommended. The staff are very helpful and will give you accurate response to your queries. They also speak English very well, thus, communication was not a problem. They always assist in almost everything...especially travel needs and directions. They even provided some amenities which were not part of the room inclusions. I would really go back to this hostel. The best place to meet young people from all around the world. Best for backpackers and solo travelers because you can also store and prepare your own food. Really exceptional! Thanks for the 24 hour free coffee and tea.....love it!!!!
Breakfast was basic but nice. I appreciated the sliced fresh fruits. The property was very close to Tong Hua Night Market, so we could easily walk there to find foods. The staff were very friendly.
The receptionists were friendly! They were so accommodating that even though I was disappointed with my room (the ad was a bit misleading), I decided to stay. I hope they can keep up the attitude and I would rate them 5 stars!
I really like the location. It so convenient for me. So I would recommend this hostel to all my friends.
Very friendly and helpful staff. Upon check out one staff member went outside and hailed a taxi on the street for me and helped with my heavy luggage. I also appreciated the free breakfast, and the common area to meet other guests. Also the free 24 hour tea, coffee and cooking facilities.
The staff were all friendly, and the atmosphere of the hostel was very chilled. The location is absolutely perfect for people who want to visit the Tonghua night market.
Very friendly staff. They were clearly willing to help make it a wonderful stay. Accommodations were very simple, but I only needed a bed for about 7 hours so it was perfect. They allowed me to store my bags in a locked storage room the next day.
Formosa 101 is located in Taipei and some guestrooms offer views of Taipei101. Free WiFi access is available and Tonghua Night Market is a 2-minute walk away.
The hostel is a 10-minute walk from Taipei101 Subway Station and a 7-minute walk from Liuzhangli MRT Station. It takes 15 minutes on foot to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
The rooms all provide air conditioning, privacy curtain and sockets near the bed. Each unit is accessed through key card.
Each room here will provide you with air conditioning. You may cook at the shared kitchen, social at the shared lounge, or have fun playing board games with friends. Laundry and tour suggestion service are available. American style buffet breakfast is served daily.
When would you like to stay at Formosa 101?
This twin room has a balcony, air conditioning and tumble dryer.
This dormitory has air conditioning.
This dormitory features air conditioning.
This double room has air conditioning. Room has no window.
This triple room has a balcony, air conditioning and 3 single beds.
This triple room features air conditioning, a double bed and a single bed.
This single room has air conditioning. Room has no window.
This twin room features a soundproofing and air conditioning. Room has no window.
This bed in dormitory has air conditioning and 2 bunk beds. Room has no window.
This dormitory has air conditioning, 2 single beds and a double bed.
This female dormitory has air conditioning.
This triple room has a single bed and 2 bunk beds.
This dormitory room features air conditioning and soundproofing.
House Rules Formosa 101 takes special requests – add in the next step!
Formosa 101 accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
Please note the credit card details will be requested for Nonrefundable bookings and bookings on Fridays and Saturdays if needed.
Guests are suggested to bring their own towels and toothbrush.
Double room has two single beds combined.
Really friendly staff and excellent value for money. The location was perfect!
No foot rugs in the toilet.
Due to no-window in the room , so high humidity.
staff were very kind and helpful, comfortable to stay.
So far, everything is fine..
The wifi was weak from both rooms I stayed in.
Only downside is that the common space is very small for a place of this size. Air conditioning worked well, but (I stayed in the hostel/dorm room) one night somebody turned it off and it was So Hot, I could only sleep a couple hours. It is an ok hostel.
Nice Hostel with very friendly staff in the center of Taipei. The room had a nice big window which is not usual in the city center. Unfortunately we missed the breakfest. The common space is nice and comfy. Showers had a nice pressure level.


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Why an Omicron wave may not be as severe as Delta
Dec 26, 2021, 06.19 AM IST
Though the Omicron coronavirus variant has spread rapidly around the world since it was first detected in South Africa, findings from several new studies suggest it may not be as deadly as the Delta variant, which drove the catastrophic second wave in India. However, vaccination, booster shots and wearing masks remain the key weapons in our arsenal against the new variant. A look at some new developments in research on Omicron
Omicron more contagious but infection likely milder
Three new studies in South Africa, Scotland and England have found that Omicron is causing milder infections than previous variants and is less likely to cause hospitalisation. That's good news given that the highly contagious nature of the variant is likely to lead to a surge in cases around the world.
Until now, the severity of illness from Omicron was unclear. But these new studies indicate that some biological features specific to the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 make it less dangerous than Delta. Coupled with immunity in the general population because of previous infections and vaccination, experts believe fewer patients will require hospitalisation in the next wave of cases. Though Omicron has been observed to evade antibodies from a previous infection, it may not be able to escape the powerful but slower immune responses that prevent serious disease.
The South African study reported a 70% lower chance of hospitalisation from Omicron compared with other variants, while the Scotland study found a two-thirds reduction in hospitalisation risk compared with Delta. The English study, however, only reported a 15%-20% reduction in hospitalisation and a 40%-45% reduction in the risk of hospitalisation for more than a day.
But the researchers cautioned that results of their studies were still preliminary and Omicron is still likely to cause a large number of hospitalisations, particularly among vulnerable groups and unvaccinated people, given how quickly it is spreading.
The best defence against Omicron is vaccination. Two doses plus a booster shot are likely to provide strong protection against infection and severe illness. But most countries are yet to fully vaccinate a majority of their populations and only a handful, including the US, UK and Australia, are administering booster shots to the general public. India is far better prepared to face an Omicron wave than it was against the Delta wave earlier this year. In April, during the peak of the Delta surge, just 1.9% of Indians were fully vaccinated and 7.1% partially vaccinated. As of December 23, 41% of Indians are fully vaccinated and another 19% has received at least one dose for a total 60% vaccination coverage.
Loss of taste, smell unlikely but symptoms show up early
Early data shows that Omicron is causing largely the same symptoms as previous variants. Though there are some differences, researchers are still unsure of their impact on the course of the illness.
In South Africa, for instance, those infected with Omicron tended to develop a scratchy or sore throat along with nasal congestion, a dry cough and muscle pain, especially low back pain. But these symptoms have also been reported in infections from Delta and the original coronavirus. One subtle difference is that Omicron is less likely to cause a loss of taste and smell. Data from Norway found that just 23% of Omicron patients reported a loss of taste and 12% a loss of smell.
A researcher in the US found that vaccinated people with Delta or the original coronavirus generally reported headaches, congestion, sinus pressure and pain, while unvaccinated people were more likely to report shortness of breath, coughing and other flu-like symptoms. It's likely to be the same with Omicron among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Omicron also appears to have a shorter incubation time. It can take as little as three days before an infected person develops symptoms, becomes contagious and tests positive compared with four to six days for Delta. Omicron likely has specific mutations that allow it to quickly invade cells.
Omicron wave shorter in South Africa
The discovery of Omicron in South Africa last month sent alarm bells ringing around the world, but officials and experts say its wave has already peaked, suggesting Omicron waves may not be long-lasting ones. Earlier in December, the country saw a sharp spike in cases and positivity rate but despite opting against severe lockdowns and other restrictions, the wave has begun to subside Though several countries imposed restrictions on travellers from southern Africa, many still reported Omicron cases within the community, suggesting the variant was already active, if undetected, in other parts of the world.
But South Africa's subsiding Omicron wave, in addition to a possible lower risk of severe illness and hospitalisation despite a lagging vaccination programme, holds promise for other countries experiencing Omicron outbreaks. The US and parts of Europe, where Omicron is making up a vast majority of new cases, have far greater vaccination coverage.
Data from South Africa suggests its Omicron wave is about two to three weeks ahead of the US, two weeks ahead of Norway and Denmark, and up to four weeks ahead of the UK.
Source: NYT, Economist, media reports

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Acasă » Unification and Harmonization of International Commercial Law. Interaction or Deharmonization?
Can clearly preferred methods of unification and harmonization be identified?
What are the benefits of achieving unification and harmonization by means of party autonomy and contract practice?
Is it necessary first to harmonize some aspects of private international law?
Which aspects of unification and harmonization should be formal, and which can remain informal?
How should formal and informal measures interact?
What conflicts are likely to arise, and what resolutions are available?
Should tensions be seen as inevitable, positive, and necessary?
Which of several international instruments are applicable, and what order of priority should apply?
Sixteen different nationalities are represented, allowing for fruitful discussion across all major legal systems. Prominent scholars and experienced practitioners offer deeply informed insights into how to navigate the complex field of international commercial law with its multiplicity of instruments, and how to resolve or neutralize the possible defects of various different means of unification and harmonization of international commercial law. These insights and proposals are sure to be welcomed by interested academics, practitioners, judges, arbitrators, and businessmen throughout the world at global, regional, and local levels.


Charter Bus Marrero offers first-class service at competitive rental prices. We provide a wide variety of Charter buses, coaches, shuttles, and minibus rentals. We have knowledgeable customer service team and professional drivers, ready to serve you anytime. Charter Bus Marrero can provide transportation for educational trips, sightseeing tours, family vacations, business meetings, and many more. For birthdays, reunions, graduation parties, and even anniversary celebrations, charter bus rentals in Marrero are also open for venue rentals.
We take pride in our well-maintained minibuses and charter bus rental Marrero. Our modern buses come in a variety of makes and models, and in seating capacities. Our Shuttle Buses and minibuses can fit up to 30 people. Meanwhile, our Charter Buses and Motor Coaches can each carry a maximum of 50 passengers. We also have 30 and 40-seater coach and Charter Bus Rentals. Check out our charter buses in Metairie, LA as well.
Airport Transportation – we can get your company to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Our charter buses and minibuses are not just for out-of-town trips, but also for airport transportation.
Wedding Transportation – if you want an assurance that every guest will be on the wedding venue on time, book charter buses as early as now. We will promptly pick up your guests from the hotel to the reception.
Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties – if clubs and casinos for a stag or doe party is not your thing, then you'll definitely love our party buses. We provide an intimate celebration with only your favorite people. We have well-equipped party amenities, minus the noise, smoke, and rowdy crowds you usually find in clubs.
Prom and Homecoming Dances – our charter buses and motor coaches are large enough to accommodate a whole class to the prom or homecoming. Our buses are the safest, comfortable, and most cost-effective transportation service for the students.
Birthdays – organize an out-of-town birthday celebration with the aid of our charter bus. You and your guests can travel together to and from the venue.
The nearest football and multi-use stadium in Marrero is located at Harvey and New Orleans. Our charter bus can easily transport you to any stadiums for an affordable rental price. Now you can cheer for your sports teams at your preferred stadium anytime.
Total rental rates for minibuses and charter buses depend on several factors. We charge customers depending on the type of bus they want to rent, the number of people who will riding along, the places to be visited, and for how long the bus is rented. You can request our price list by giving our customer service a call. Online access to our price list can also be done after filling out a short form. Our prices may also be subjected to the special discounts and group packages we offer. You can also book a charter bus rental in Mandeville, LA.
Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours – this company provides a fun and educational tour on the bayou. You can see alligators of all sizes in their natural habitat. There are also lots of wildlife to see, especially if it's not the winter season. You can choose to ride the small or large airboat, or go for the slow-boat tour.
New Orleans Airboat Tours – for an hour and a half tour, you'll learn so much about the gators and the bayou, how to protect and conserve the area and the wildlife, and also about the people's way of life. The tour guides are knowledgeable and fun hosts, making the trip educational but enjoyable.
Cajun Style Swamp Tours – even the kids will love the swamp tours. This is another excellent airboat tour around the bayou. Visitors get a chance to see alligators, turtles, boars, and lots of wildlife.


Would you like to meet some new moms & grand-moms, dads & grand-dads and their preschool children? Come to Mt. Olive for a weekly session of music and stories in the Music Room, 1st floor Education Building at Mt. Olive Lutheran. Each Thursday, the program starts at 10 a.m. and lasts for about 45 minutes. There is no registration and the program is always free!
Please invite your neighbors, family, and friends to bring their preschoolers too! Call Deacon Lynne Bolick Reed at 828-324-6198 if you have any questions. The address is 2780 N. Center St. in Viewmont next to Publix.


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Do sex offenders deserve the right to appeal?
Hannah Thomas 16/02/2011 12:14 pm
Supreme Court - Marie Claire UK Credit: Rex Features
Paedophiles and rapists have been given the right to appeal against having their name on the sex offenders' register for life. But do they still pose a threat to society?
It has been announced that criminals in England and Wales have won the right to appeal against having their names recorded on the sex offenders' register for life.
The proposals follow a decision made in the Supreme Court last year and rejected a Home Office challenge to rulings that the lifetime registration policybreaches the human rights of criminals.
Currently, anyone sentenced to at least 30 months in prison for a sexual offence is placed on the register for life without any right to review. They must inform the police of personal details, changes of address and journies abroad.
In response to the ruling, president of the court Lord Phillips said it was obvious that there must be some circumstances in which an appropriate tribunal could reliably conclude that the risk of an individual re-offending could be denounced.
In 2008, two sex offenders appealed to the high court, where three judges ruled that their indefinite registration with no right of review was 'incompatible' with their rights to privacy.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg assured public protection from paedophiles and rapists will not be weakened by letting them bid to have their names removed from the sex offenders' register, but that the government was obliged to act on the Supreme Court ruling.
'The last thing I want to see is people who have committed serious sexual offences disappear off the radar screen,' he said. 'We have some of the toughest and best checks and controls on sex offenders anywhere in the world and we are not going to let our guard down.'
Clegg continued: 'I am personally and staunchly opposed to anything which weakens public protection against people who have committed really serious – in some cases almost evil – sexual offences. We are not going to do that.'
Home Office officials are currently preparing new rules after failing to overturn the declaration that it's a breach of offenders' human rights to be put on the register for life with no review.
Should sex offenders' have the right to appeal? Does everyone deserve a second chance? Perhaps you fear the ruling will release predators who have no care for redemption? Post your comments now…
CLICK HERE FOR MORE BIG DEBATES
Sharenting: To share or not to share your kids on social media?
Emily Ratajkowski has made a living out of being seen – now she wants to be heard
Missing teenager rescued after using viral TikTok hand signal to passing driver
Best GHD straighteners as ranked by a beauty editor (oh and they're all up to 20% off)
Celebrity workouts: 18 PT-approved sweat sessions to make your next workout a good one
The best face serum: 30 formulas to help transform and treat your skin


American multinational hospitality company Hilton Hotel partnered with Hospitality Design Group and challenged 12 top design firms to a one-of-a-kind design competition: to create the ultimate luxury guest room in 24 hours. Toronto-based Chapi Chapo Design won the competition by intertwining styles from the 21st century and trends from the 1920's.
Using innovative modular technology, ADMARES built the winning guest room design for Hilton in an assembly factory and transported finished room to Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
The Hilton Box was built for the Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas on May 2-4, 2018 and located in booth #1883. Attendees had an opportunity to see the final concept firsthand and watch a behind-the-scenes video of the entire process.


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how-video-game-influencers-are-affecting-game-culture
How Video Game Influencers Are Affecting Game Culture
The games industry is extremely impactful in today's society as it is currently estimated to be worth around $138 billion. It is arguably one of the fastest-growing industries to date. With this in mind, video game influencers have a powerful online presence, with the top gamers collectively having hundreds of millions of followers across all social media platforms.
Social networks such as YouTube and Twitch offer live streaming gaming services, which garner lots of attention along with high user engagement. The most popular gaming influencers are known to attract millions of viewers for their gameplay videos, where gaming fans can enjoy live footage of their favourite gamers in action. The world of gaming does not stop at livestreaming. As gaming influencers are prominent in the gaming community, they attract a loyal fan base, where they can share their knowledge of different gaming niches and terminology with their followers. For this reason, gaming fans are always exposed to new and exciting content from the best gaming influencers.
As the gaming industry expands, so do the opportunities for businesses. Video game influencers take pride in demonstrating their devotion to the games industry through game reviews and testing, as well as through sponsored brand collaborations. Their strong following and dominance of social media sites makes them ideal for brands to conduct influencer marketing services. Although video game marketing may seem like a niche field, many non-gaming brands reach out to video game influencers with the objective of promoting their products. The collaboration between Adidas and the famous YouTube influencer, Ninja, is a prime example of how brands can benefit from video game influencers and target new audiences. This partnership saw the release of a new Adidas sneaker which incorporated Ninja's signature blue and yellow colours.
As gamers are so prevalent in every aspect of social media, more and more people are becoming hooked on games consoles from Xbox to PS4. We wanted to give you a deeper insight into the world of gaming, so here are the top YouTube gaming influencers to follow.
The Top Video Game Influencers to Follow
1. PewDiePie
Image sourced from SVG
Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, is easily the most famous game influencer in the world. He is considered a gaming pioneer after uploading his first videos to his YouTube channel in 2010. He initially posted video game commentaries of Call of Duty and Minecraft and has since received 108M subscribers. The videos on his channel have amassed over 20 billion views. He has also won a number of awards such as the 2019 Teen Choice Award for Choice Gamer and the 2015 Shorty Award for Best in Gaming.
PewDiePie is notorious for his gaming style, which consists of Let's Play videos, where he captures his video game footage as well as using a camera to film his onscreen commentaries. He is also recognised for his unusual sense of humour, which creates an exciting edge to his gameplay videos.
2. Ninja
Image sourced from ESPN
Tyler Blevins AKA Ninja is one of the many video game influencers who are shaping the gaming industry. With 16.6M followers, he is currently the most followed gamer on Twitch. He also has 24.2M YouTube subscribers. He got his career start after participating in esports competitions for video games such as Halo 3.
He catapulted to fame after playing Fortnite with rappers Drake and Travis Scott on stream. He won the Shorty Award for Twitch Streamer of the Year in 2019, as well as the Game Award for Content Creator of the Year in 2018. Ninja's fame has allowed him to make TV guest appearances on shows such as The Masked Singer and Family Feud.
3. iHasCupquake
Image sourced from Pinterest
Tiffany Herrera, more commonly known as Cupquake, is one of the most followed female gamers on social media with 6.9M YouTube subscribers. Her most popular content revolves around streaming videos of her playing Minecraft Oasis. She has received the impressive Guinness World Record for Most Popular Female Games Broadcaster on YouTube.
Cupquake is also known for uploading cosplay videos and also has her own website where she sells her merchandise.
4. KSI
Image sourced from Watford Observer
Olajide Williams 'JJ' Olatunji is a game influencer and internet personality. Better known as KSI, he initially rose to fame by uploading gaming videos of FIFA to his YouTube channel. He currently has 11.8M subscribers. He has since become a member of the group named Sidemen, which includes six other members of the YouTube community. Their content is heavily focused on challenges, sketches and video game commentary.
KSI has ventured into the entertainment industry, releasing hit singles such as 'Lamborghini', and also featuring artists in his music such as Lil Baby and Rick Ross. He has also dabbled in boxing – his fight with YouTube star Logan Paul received lots of media attention.
5. SSSniperWolf
Image sourced from Forbes
Alia Shelesh is one the most recognised female video game influencers. Her YouTube channel has 24.8M subscribers and she has over 3 billion total views on the platform. She is known for playing Fortnite. She not only posts her gaming videos, but also makes reaction videos to content from platforms such as TikTok.
She won the Kids' Choice Award for Favourite Gamer in 2020, which makes her one of the most powerful female YouTube influencers in the game (pun intended!).
Weekly Marketing News, 3rd December 2021
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Q: Как обрезать список на jquery Здравствуйте, есть массив списка

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Как можно через jquery обрезать количество пунктов списка "li" до 3х?

A:

var elements = $("ul li:lt(3)");
$('ul').html(elements);

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lt - отбирает все элементы с индексом меньше чем index среди уже отобранных элементов.
jQuery(':lt(index)')

index — Индекс элемента, начиная с нуля.

Еще вариант, отрезать через slice и потом результат впихнуть обратно в ul

var sliceCount = 3;
var els = $('ul li').slice(0, sliceCount);
$('ul').html(els);

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Самый простой вариант:

$('ul li:gt(2)').remove();

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gt - Фильтрует набор выбранных элементов, оставляя только те, индекс которых превышает n. Не забывайте, что индексирование начинается с 0.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Q: Regex to not match tab, carriage return and square brackets I need a regex to not match tab, carriage return and square brackets. (C#)

A: Try:
[^\][\t\r]

*

*[] - char class

*^ - negation of char class.

*\] - escape ] as ] is a meta char
inside a char class

*[ - need not escape [ as inside []
its not a meta char

*\t - tab

*\r - return carriage

A: should be:
[^\t\r\[\]]

or for the whole string:
^[^\t\r\[\]]*$

A: [\w]+

Will match any word character (alphanumeric & underscore).

A: #!/usr/bin/perl

use strict; use warnings;

my ($s) = @ARGV;

if ( $s =~ /^[^\r\t\[\]]*\z/ ) {
    print "$s contains no carriage returns, tabs or square brackets\n";
}


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Q: What to consider in Unit test coverage? I have a C# Entity Framework project with Data, Data Access and Service components. The Config admin has enabled code coverage(Sonarqube) that currently shows 0% coverage for Data and data access components.
1) Although the MSTest unit test code written for Service component's class method is doing something like --> Student s = new Student() (Student is a public class in Data component) I presume it won't be accounted for as a covered line for Data component?  I verified that even writing a dummy test to check if invoking the constructor in a new testmethod it still marking the logicless data class Student as not covered. Is this expected ?
2) The Entity framework data component has virtually no business logic as it only has fluent api configuration classes, repositories and unit of work classes that don't do any logic on their own and rely on base implementation. And it seems obvious to me that one can't unit test the Data Access component as well.
With the above said points, would I be correct to ask the config team to exclude Data and Access components from participating in code coverage metrics ?

A: I cannot speak for the technologies you mention, especially given you don't mention what language the code is written in. My experience is with Java, Objective-C and Swift.
In my experience, obtaining 80%+ code coverage is not too hard. Especially if you can apply a good mocking framework to assist with your test cases.
If your test coverage tool is telling you that you have 0% coverage despite the execution of a constructor, then I would suggest one of two things. Either the class involved is not being instrumented by the coverage tool and therefore is not tracking the executions, or the tool is not giving you good results.
The first problem can be solved by ensuring that all classes are being instrumented correctly. The second problem can be solved by ditching your coverage tool and getting a better one.
Ignoring classes is a false economy. It's like claiming you've finished vacuuming the house because you're excluding the rooms you didn't use this week. You haven't really finished and those rooms still need a vacuum.

A: The rule in TDD is "Test everything that could possibly break" Can a getter break? Generally not, so I don't bother to test it. Besides, the code I do test will certainly call the getter so it will be tested.

Junit test for POJO - > This link describes whether the POJO's to be tested or not !
Ground rule, everything to be tested in a code base. But there would be exceptions with POJO and auto generated code base.
In such scenarios, this depends with the team that accepts the reports. Using Exclude from Sonar link, we can exclude the modules.
1. I presume it won't be accounted for as a covered line for Data component?

Depends on the team that accounts the reports. How ever there are open libraries to check these. Pojo testing library
2. The Entity framework data component has virtually no business logic...

No point in unit testing where there is no business logic. In such cases, use the methods to skip from sonar.
PS: As it is not mentioned about the language that you use, made it generic for Java - sonar - maven environment.


Rye restaurant in the Country Club Plaza, celebrates the Midwestern foods that chefs Megan and Colby Garrelts grew up eating. Both of these chefs are proud to be from the Midwest and Rye gives them the opportunity to showcase dishes that they have enjoyed with several generations of their families. They pay homage to those heritage dishes that the Midwest is known for – succulent smoked pork chops, aged steaks, fried chicken, vegetables just off the stove, Parker House rolls, freshly-made seasonal pies, fruit cobblers, and specialty cakes to name a few. Their food at Rye takes traditional dishes and gives them a chef's point of view, while preserving the important heritage of the dish. Chefs Megan and Colby use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and products. The beverages served at Rye also have a local focus with a selection of spirits and beers from Missouri and Kansas. There is an assortment of classic cocktails as well as regionally-inspired beverages such as The Old Square. Rye is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, with brunch served on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner seven nights a week.


RALEIGH, N.C. – January 4, 2018 – INC Research/inVentiv Health (Nasdaq: INCR) today announced it has changed its brand identity to Syneos Health, Inc., effective January 4, 2018. More than 21,000 of the top minds in clinical and commercial development are now united under this singular brand, signifying the culmination of a thoughtful merger combining industry-leading Contract Research Organization (CRO) and Contract Commercial Organization (CCO) capabilities. Purpose-built for modern biopharmaceutical market realities, Syneos Health is the only fully integrated, end-to-end biopharmaceutical solutions organization.
The word Syneos (pronounced SIN-ee-ohs) communicates the value of synchronizing clinical and commercial capabilities to accelerate customer performance. Syneos Health solutions are fully integrated – sharing knowledge, data and insights – to deliver better processes and smarter practices to speed the delivery of biopharmaceutical therapies to market.
The name is also derived from "neo," signaling a new approach to problem-solving and a new biopharmaceutical solutions category for the healthcare workforce. The company logo communicates the seamless integration of multidisciplinary services, and the color palette is a vibrant orange spectrum, embodying the company's bold vision.
The company's highly integrated platform leverages a powerful combination of clinical and commercial solutions. For example, behavioral insights are leveraged to accelerate clinical trial recruitment, and therapeutic know-how infuses multi-channel commercial programs to better engage increasingly hard-to-reach stakeholders. All of these solutions are designed to improve the likelihood of launch success.
Syneos Health tapped its own industry-leading branding agency, Addison Whitney, to create the company's new identity. Addison Whitney creates brand identities for corporations, employer brands, consumer brands and biopharmaceutical therapies, including half of the top 200 medicines approved and launched in the last 10 years.
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the integration of our business with the business of inVentiv, and our operation of the combined business following the closing of the Merger; our ability to maintain or generate new business awards; our ability to increase our market share, grow our business and execute our growth strategies; our backlog not being indicative of future revenues and our ability to realize the anticipated future revenue reflected in our backlog; our ability to adequately price our contracts and not overrun cost estimates; general and international economic, political and other risks, including currency and stock market fluctuations and the uncertain economic environment; fluctuations in our financial results; reliance on key personnel; our customer or therapeutic area concentration; and the other risk factors set forth in our Form-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, and other SEC filings, copies of which are available free of charge on our website at investor.incresearch.com. INC Research assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.


Discussion in 'F1 2010 - The Game' started by Bram Hengeveld, Nov 2, 2010.
Or is it just me that can't reach it.
They are struggling at the moment .. sometimes you can get in the to main page, try and read a thread but then you get thrown out again.
Servers obviously not coping with demand.
Oops, looks like a patch for the forums is required !!!
they applied the patch on the forum .. now its broken!
Software... its never finished is it?
who has some experiance of employed programers B%$$£"&ting me.
RD crashed already with 900 visitors a few weeks back. After a big upgrade of the RAM we were able to get back online. CM has a hell of a lot more visitors so I am amazed it went so well for so long.
Patching it again? Offline for a few hours now. Wanted to read up on the latest DIRT 3 developments but no luck.


The first day of winter arrived with a roar here in Connecticut, dumping 14 inches of snow over two days. I'm not complaining though, I love cold weather and there's nothing more beautiful than a thick blanket of fresh white snow. I love the way it softens the landscape, and covers up the bare, brown ground.
During a slight lull in the snowstorm, my wife Marla and I went for a leisurely stroll around town. That's Marla standing at the end of the driveway with our snow-covered street in the background.
Our town is ordinarily a pretty quiet place (population: 2,200), but it's especially peaceful during a snowstorm. The only sound is snow crunching underfoot. Stop walking, and the only sound is the wind whistling through the bare trees.
Later that day, our son Chris went outside to romp around in the snow. He loves building stuff and it didn't take him long to create this masterpiece: a 9-foot-tall snowman.
I'm sure we'll have many more snowstorms over the next few months, as it's not unusual for us to have snow on the ground until April, but for now, we're enjoying the fact that it's going to be a very white Christmas.
Another Snow Day in Atlanta!
Glad you enjoy snow, too. It's one of the very best parts of living in New England. I live in Roxbury, in Litchfield County, but I grew up in Wallingford! In fact, my mom still lives there. Small world, huh?
Glad you're getting a white Christmas!It's a little warmer than that here…Tell Marla and the kids Hi form the sunny south.
It's nice to see someone who has the same outlook on snow as I do. I'm in CT to and think everything looks better with snow on it. Where in CT are you? I'm in Wallingford and I work in Killingworth.


Potential. It's a big word. Especially for leaders. One whose meaning we all know we have, yet are speculative about what it really represents for us. We know we can be better at what we do, but what exactly does that mean? Aren't some people already so far ahead of us, anyway? Maybe they were even born with more potential?
Robert Steven Kaplan, Harvard professor, business advisor and executive put his thoughts on paper to show us how to become better leaders, and that it is a skill that can be learned. His book is titled: What to Ask the Person in the Mirror: Critical Questions for Becoming a More Effective Leader and Reaching Your Potential. As the title implies, it's a guide for looking at yourself, assessing your skills and how you've used them, how they can change and improve. From vision, time management and feedback, to succession plans and alignment, the full scope of leadership issues are addressed in detail from Kaplan's own experience and research. He states: "I have found that almost without exception, successful leaders go through significant periods of time in which they feel confused, discouraged, and unsure of themselves and their decisions. They feel as if they should be somewhere else, doing something else. They wonder why other executives seem to have an easier time doing their jobs. They go through wrenching phases in which they grasp for answers and feel fundamentally alone. Even as they project an air of confidence, they harbor deep feelings of uncertainty and apprehension. So, if you're reading this and can identify, you're not alone. Grab a copy of this easy-to-read yet deeply insightful book about riding out your wrenching phase and coming out of it a better leader.
Our reader Dmitri left a comment this morning telling us that Amazon's editors chose The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid as their top pick for 2004. Here is the entire list: The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid by C. K.
I love running across other passionate business book readers. Riri Satria has some great reviews on his site rirsatria. com (here is the Google-translated link from Riri's native Indonesian to English).


Located close to Basel Badischer Bahnhof, this comfortable bed and breakfast is an ideal base for those wanting to explore Basel and its surrounds. Guests can also enjoy free Wi-Fi.
Equipped to ensure a comfortable stay, rooms at B&B La Vie en Rose have a shared garden, wireless internet access and slippers. There are also several rooms especially for families.
B&B La Vie en Rose's neighbourhood offers plenty of nightlife and guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining and bar options.
B&B La Vie en Rose is close to the area's sightseeing attractions, including the Pharmazie-Historisches Museum, Syngenta World Headquarters and University of Basel, which are a short walk away. Hoffmann La Roche Head Quarter, Basler Munster and Zoo Basel are a short drive away.


text:
Ms Net
Paris overtakes Berlin for tech start-ups with help of Macron
October 26, 2019 October 26, 2019 msnet1
About two years prior Symphony, the safe informing administration that became out of Goldman Sachs' inner correspondences channel, was searching for another base for its innovative work.
There was a general lack of architects in Silicon Valley, where the $1.4bn-esteemed beginning up has its home office in Palo Alto, the UK was buried in Brexit and Singapore demonstrated exorbitant.
So Symphony picked the Côte d'Azur, opening a base at the Sophia Antipolis cutting edge park close to Cannes.
David Gurle, Symphony's French CEO, said simple access to designing ability, charge credits, and the help of Emmanuel Macron's legislature had secured the arrangement. "Each legislature has a committed arrangement of measures to pull in speculation however in France it goes right to the president," he said.
Presently the inside is growing further. "At first we were going to stop at around 50 specialists yet, given the constructive result we found in France, we are going to keep employing and will develop to 100-120 individuals before the finish of 2020," said Mr Gurle.
France's business people have consistently felt that Mr Macron, a liberal previous investor, was a related soul. Soon after he was chosen, Mr Macron pledged to make France a "country of unicorns" (privately owned businesses esteemed at over $1bn).
More than two years on, the nation's tech environment gives off an impression of being profiting by measures including the rejecting of a riches charge on all advantages other than property, a level duty on profits and a simpler procedure to slow down organizations. The most significant change, as indicated by the French tech industry, was the production of an extraordinary tech visa, making it simpler for the division to import ability.
The most recent figures show that in the main portion of 2019, French new businesses raised a record €2.79bn, up 43 percent on the earlier year, and the size of their gathers pledges is expanding. France is behind the UK, which raised €5.30bn (+75 percent) however in front of Germany, which raised €2.47bn (+4 percent).
In the interim, business visionaries, for example, Antoine Martin and Alexis Bonillo, who sold their Zenly area sharing application to Snap for €300m, have moved toward becoming seed financial specialists to another yield of organizations.
There are currently 13 unicorns in France, as indicated by Dealroom.co, subsequent to financing adjusts this year supported the valuations of Doctolib (medicinal appointments), Meero (photography), and Ivalua (sourcing programming). In Europe, France is presently second just to the UK as far as potential future unicorns, characterized as organizations esteemed somewhere in the range of $250m and $1bn, said the information supplier.
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Suranga Chandratillake, general accomplice at investment firm Balderton Capital in London, says he's "entirely energized" about the French tech scene, where "the bearing of movement is truly encouraging." According to Balderton's French portfolio organizations, he says, "the enormous thing that has changed [is that] Macron has introduced a considerably more presence of mind approach . . . that's an extremely positive improvement."
In any case, he noticed that language stays an issue. "France is a magnificent spot yet it is French," he stated, contrasted and different challengers, for example, Stockholm and Berlin where the most widely used language is English
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Cédric O, France's 36-year-old computerized economy serve who is a nearby partner of Mr Macron, said that the administration's objective is two-overlap: to make Paris the main tech goal in Europe (it is focusing on 25 unicorns by 2025) and to raise Europe's down on the worldwide stage.
"We should move the French economy from a make up for lost time economy that was worked after the subsequent world war to an advancement economy," he said. "We need to have the option to cause worldwide innovation pioneers to rise up out of Europe in the coming a long time to contend with America and China. This is basic in the event that we need to keep our sway and our aggressiveness yet in addition make occupations."
The French tech visa is intended to address an ability bottleneck, said Mr O. "Brexit is obviously an open door for us yet we need to make Paris a really worldwide spot, to bring individuals from India, China, Africa and the US," he said.
In any case, not all administration activities have won commendation. In September, France divulged a rundown of 40 tech organizations it would give additional help and advancement, as potential successors to the organizations in the benchmark CAC 40 record.
One unmistakable financial speculator was disinterested: "Half of the organizations are OK, yet the other half are either a joke, heritage organizations, for example, BlaBlaCar and Deezer, or you can't comprehend what they're doing. On the off chance that this is extremely the rundown of our best organizations, at that point outsiders will take a gander at it and state 'I thought France was on the ascent? Not really.'"
Teenagers Enjoying 1950s Sons on TikTok to Increase TikTok Fans.
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (9)
University of Massachusetts Boston (2)
Brigham Young University (2)
Political Psychology (2)
Elian Gonzalez (2)
Political Transition (1)
Black women (1)
Alexander Shapiro (1)
Racial and ethnic tensions (1)
Psychological Pathways (1)
Havel (1)
Personnel Security (1)
People's Republic of China (1)
Citizen participation (1)
Civil engagement (1)
Family Structure (1)
Civic action (1)
Low-income communities (1)
Aggression (1)
International Bulletin of Political Psychology (9)
Comparative Civilizations Review (2)
New England Journal of Public Policy (1)
Trotter Review (1)
An Update On The Political Psychology Of Sex And Personnel Security, Editor Dec 2000
An Update On The Political Psychology Of Sex And Personnel Security, Editor
International Bulletin of Political Psychology
This article describes the positive and negative contributions of scientific psychology to the interface of sexual orientation and personnel security.
The Truth On Living In Truth, Editor Nov 2000
The Truth On Living In Truth, Editor
This article delineates a significant problem with Vaclav Havel's analysis of the power of the powerless through living in truth.
Trends. Psychological Pathways To Suicidal Terrorism, Editor Nov 2000
Trends. Psychological Pathways To Suicidal Terrorism, Editor
This article discusses psychological pathways to suicidal terrorism. This discussion includes aspects of both social cognition and social learning, as well as philosophical psychology.
Woman As Contender For The United States Presidency: A Look At The Movie, "The Contender", Editor Oct 2000
Woman As Contender For The United States Presidency: A Look At The Movie, "The Contender", Editor
This article explores whether the movie, "The Contender," supports the viability of a woman for the presidency of the United States.
Mass Media And Violence: Science As Ideology, Ideology As Science, Editor Sep 2000
Mass Media And Violence: Science As Ideology, Ideology As Science, Editor
This article critiques a commonly promulgated belief that mass media-conveyed violence induces commensurate behavioral violence in its recipients.
Trends. Politics And Psychology: The Effect Of Political Transition On Russian Families, Editor Aug 2000
Trends. Politics And Psychology: The Effect Of Political Transition On Russian Families, Editor
This article examines the work of Dr. Alexander Shapiro of Moscow, the Russian Federation, and a paper he presented at the 108th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association in Washington, DC. The paper discussed the effects of political transition on Russian family life.
Trends. Abuses Of Child Abuse: Suspecting The Usual Suspects In The World Of Elian Gonzalez, Editor Apr 2000
Trends. Abuses Of Child Abuse: Suspecting The Usual Suspects In The World Of Elian Gonzalez, Editor
This article discusses the concept of child abuse, and expert opinion about it, pertaining to the Elian Gonzalez case. Many different definitions of child abuse were applied to the situation (from differing perspectives) as authorities tried to decide if Gonzalez belonged in Miami, Florida with is "new family," or in Cuba with his father.
Pre-Columbian Contact With The Americas Across The Oceans: An Annotated Bibliography, Second Edition, Roger W. Wescott Apr 2000
Pre-Columbian Contact With The Americas Across The Oceans: An Annotated Bibliography, Second Edition, Roger W. Wescott
Comparative Civilizations Review
Mackey, Sandra: The Iranians: Persia, Islam And The Soul Of A Nation., Laina Farhat-Holzman Apr 2000
Mackey, Sandra: The Iranians: Persia, Islam And The Soul Of A Nation., Laina Farhat-Holzman
Globalization And Race Hierarchy In The United States, James Jennings Mar 2000
Globalization And Race Hierarchy In The United States, James Jennings
New England Journal of Public Policy
National economies have become irreversibly globalized while racial and ethnic divisions continue to be a reality in many societies. The author has set forth three different scenarios in an attempt to explain the link between globalization and racial and ethnic relations: (1) globalization limits national growth, thus contributing to increased racial and ethnic tensions; (2) globalization does not affect racial and ethnic relations either positively or negatively; and (3) globalization expands domestic economies, consequently helping to reduce racial and ethnic tensions within national borders. This article explores these scenarios and shows that globalization through immigration and movement of capital can ...
Trends. Political Psychologies And The Welfare Of Elian Gonzalez, Editor Jan 2000
Trends. Political Psychologies And The Welfare Of Elian Gonzalez, Editor
This article discusses issues surrounding the rescue of 6-year-old Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez.
The Professional Academic And Hubris: The Case Of Yongyi Song, Editor Jan 2000
The Professional Academic And Hubris: The Case Of Yongyi Song, Editor
This article describes a reification of academic activities in a world where there may be many kings. This reification is often employed as a vehicle to support human and civil rights initiatives. Unfortunately, this vehicle may mitigate against such rights.
Women Creating Social Capital And Social Change, Marilyn Gittell, Isolda Ortega-Bustamante, Tracey Steffy Jan 2000
Women Creating Social Capital And Social Change, Marilyn Gittell, Isolda Ortega-Bustamante, Tracey Steffy
Trotter Review
As Community Development Organizations (CDOs) are the primary vehicle for development in low-income neighborhoods, scholars have begun to examine them in terms of the degree to which they increase citizen participation, increase civic capacity, as well as stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods through the creation of social capital. According to Putnam, civic action requires the existence of social capital; he defines social capital as "norms, trust, and networks." As Gittell and Vidal note, there has been a "virtual industry of interest and action created around the implication of Putnam's findings for the development of low-income communities."
This article is an ...


text:
< previous month | show all MARCH | next month >
12 MARCH 2017 — sunday
Soap Box Open Reading, hosted by Jessica Wilson, five-minute limit, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, free/donations welcomed, sign up 1:45, reading 2:00 (310/822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org)
13 MARCH 2017 — monday
14 MARCH 2017 — tuesday
15 MARCH 2017 — wednesday
16 MARCH 2017 — thursday
The EP Foster Library features a poetry reading by Carol V. Davis at its weekly series hosted by Phil Taggart, Poet Laureate of Ventura County, open mic follows, share your own work, EP Foster Library in the Topping Room, 651 E. Main Street, Ventura, free and open to the public, 7:30-9:00 (805/648-2716, www.vencolibrary.org)
17 MARCH 2017 — friday
The Poetry Salon presents The Poetry of Social Justice Final Reading, featuring powerful, purposeful writing that addresses issues of the day, hosted by Kelly Grace Thomas, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, donation requested, 8:00 (310/822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org)
18 MARCH 2017 — saturday
"The Haunter Line: A Generative Workshop," led by Brendan Constantine, Dementia, explores meter, deep image, slant sonics, secret codes, redaction, strange, and the illusive qualities of poems, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, $50/$30 for members/$15 to audit, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 (310/822-3006, www.eventbrite.com/e/masters-mavericks-workshop-brendan-constantine-the-haunted-line-tickets-31463567377)
A reading by poet Alison Turner and fiction writer Lou Mathews, L.A. Breakdown, a novel, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, $10/$6 students/seniors, free to members, 8:00 (310/822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org)
The Arcade Poetry Series presents a reading by Christopher Buckley, Star Journal: Selected Poems, and Sara Borjas, "No, I wasn't always this ugly", hosted by Jackson Wheeler, Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C Street, Oxnard, $5/CAM members free, 6:00 (805/385-8158, www.carnegiem.org)
Lunch BB 30, a new monthly program bringing together writers of prose, poetry and creative non-fiction, hosted by Jon Hess, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, 4:30 (310/822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org)
The EP Foster Library features a poetry reading by Marcus Van at its weekly series hosted by Phil Taggart, Poet Laureate of Ventura County, open mic follows, share your own work, EP Foster Library in the Topping Room, 651 E. Main Street, Ventura, free and open to the public, 7:30-9:00 (805/648-2716, www.vencolibrary.org)
Poet, musician and clinical psychologist Rick Smith joins SoCal publisher and poet RD Armstrong for an evening of ars poetica, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, $10/$6 students/seniors, free to members, 8:00 (310/822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org)
Beyond Spanish: Poetry In Basque, Catalan, Galician, and Spanish, a multilingual reading with Josu Baque Ugarteburu and poet Mariano Zaro, sponsored by the Spanish Resource Center of the Consulate General of Spain, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, $10/$6 students/seniors, 8:00 (310,822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org)
The International Women's Writing Guild presents "California Dreaming," the third annual Regional Writing Conference, multiple sessions covering wide range of topics including "The Screenplay to Creation of New Fairy Tales," featuring producer and film writer Linda Bergman, storyteller Alyce Smith Cooper, poet Marj Hahne, Dorothy Randall Gray, Maureen Murdock, Bernadette Murphy, and Mel Ryane, register online, The International Women's Writing Guild, Antioch University Los Angeles, 400 Corporate Pointe, Culver City, $45-$150, 8:45 a.m.-6:30 (iwwg.wildapricot.org/events)
The Nebraska Girl monthly open reading, hosted by Wyatt Underwood, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, free, sign up 1:30, reading 2:00 (310/822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org)
Poetry at the Claremont Library presents a reading by Lorine Parks and Catherine Theis, The Fraud of Good Sleep, the series takes place every fourth Sunday, The Claremont Library, 208 N. Harvard Avenue, Los Angeles, free, 2:00 (909/621-4902, www.colapublib.org/libs/claremont)
The EP Foster Library features a poetry reading by Kali Bennett at its weekly series hosted by Phil Taggart, Poet Laureate of Ventura County, open mic follows, share your own work, EP Foster Library in the Topping Room, 651 E. Main Street, Ventura, free and open to the public, 7:30-9:00 (805/648-2716, www.vencolibrary.org)


text:
<?php

/**
 * PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
 *
 * <code>
 * Header/Footer Formatting Syntax taken from Office Open XML Part 4 - Markup Language Reference, page 1970:
 *
 * There are a number of formatting codes that can be written inline with the actual header / footer text, which
 * affect the formatting in the header or footer.
 *
 * Example: This example shows the text "Center Bold Header" on the first line (center section), and the date on
 * the second line (center section).
 * 		&CCenter &"-,Bold"Bold&"-,Regular"Header_x000A_&D
 *
 * General Rules:
 * There is no required order in which these codes must appear.
 *
 * The first occurrence of the following codes turns the formatting ON, the second occurrence turns it OFF again:
 * - strikethrough
 * - superscript
 * - subscript
 * Superscript and subscript cannot both be ON at same time. Whichever comes first wins and the other is ignored,
 * while the first is ON.
 * &L - code for "left section" (there are three header / footer locations, "left", "center", and "right"). When
 * two or more occurrences of this section marker exist, the contents from all markers are concatenated, in the
 * order of appearance, and placed into the left section.
 * &P - code for "current page #"
 * &N - code for "total pages"
 * &font size - code for "text font size", where font size is a font size in points.
 * &K - code for "text font color"
 * RGB Color is specified as RRGGBB
 * Theme Color is specifed as TTSNN where TT is the theme color Id, S is either "+" or "-" of the tint/shade
 * value, NN is the tint/shade value.
 * &S - code for "text strikethrough" on / off
 * &X - code for "text super script" on / off
 * &Y - code for "text subscript" on / off
 * &C - code for "center section". When two or more occurrences of this section marker exist, the contents
 * from all markers are concatenated, in the order of appearance, and placed into the center section.
 *
 * &D - code for "date"
 * &T - code for "time"
 * &G - code for "picture as background"
 * &U - code for "text single underline"
 * &E - code for "double underline"
 * &R - code for "right section". When two or more occurrences of this section marker exist, the contents
 * from all markers are concatenated, in the order of appearance, and placed into the right section.
 * &Z - code for "this workbook's file path"
 * &F - code for "this workbook's file name"
 * &A - code for "sheet tab name"
 * &+ - code for add to page #.
 * &- - code for subtract from page #.
 * &"font name,font type" - code for "text font name" and "text font type", where font name and font type
 * are strings specifying the name and type of the font, separated by a comma. When a hyphen appears in font
 * name, it means "none specified". Both of font name and font type can be localized values.
 * &"-,Bold" - code for "bold font style"
 * &B - also means "bold font style".
 * &"-,Regular" - code for "regular font style"
 * &"-,Italic" - code for "italic font style"
 * &I - also means "italic font style"
 * &"-,Bold Italic" code for "bold italic font style"
 * &O - code for "outline style"
 * &H - code for "shadow style"
 * </code>
 *
 * @category   PHPExcel
 * @package    PHPExcel_Worksheet
 * @copyright  Copyright (c) 2006 - 2014 PHPExcel (http://www.codeplex.com/PHPExcel)
 */
class PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
{
	/* Header/footer image location */
	const IMAGE_HEADER_LEFT							= 'LH';
	const IMAGE_HEADER_CENTER						= 'CH';
	const IMAGE_HEADER_RIGHT						= 'RH';
	const IMAGE_FOOTER_LEFT							= 'LF';
	const IMAGE_FOOTER_CENTER						= 'CF';
	const IMAGE_FOOTER_RIGHT						= 'RF';

	/**
	 * OddHeader
	 *
	 * @var string
	 */
	private $_oddHeader			= '';

	/**
	 * OddFooter
	 *
	 * @var string
	 */
	private $_oddFooter			= '';

	/**
	 * EvenHeader
	 *
	 * @var string
	 */
	private $_evenHeader		= '';

	/**
	 * EvenFooter
	 *
	 * @var string
	 */
	private $_evenFooter		= '';

	/**
	 * FirstHeader
	 *
	 * @var string
	 */
	private $_firstHeader		= '';

	/**
	 * FirstFooter
	 *
	 * @var string
	 */
	private $_firstFooter		= '';

	/**
	 * Different header for Odd/Even, defaults to false
	 *
	 * @var boolean
	 */
	private $_differentOddEven	= false;

	/**
	 * Different header for first page, defaults to false
	 *
	 * @var boolean
	 */
	private $_differentFirst	= false;

	/**
	 * Scale with document, defaults to true
	 *
	 * @var boolean
	 */
	private $_scaleWithDocument	= true;

	/**
	 * Align with margins, defaults to true
	 *
	 * @var boolean
	 */
	private $_alignWithMargins	= true;

	/**
	 * Header/footer images
	 *
	 * @var PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooterDrawing[]
	 */
	private $_headerFooterImages = array();

    /**
     * Create a new PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function __construct()
    {
    }

    /**
     * Get OddHeader
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getOddHeader() {
    	return $this->_oddHeader;
    }

    /**
     * Set OddHeader
     *
     * @param string $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setOddHeader($pValue) {
    	$this->_oddHeader = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get OddFooter
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getOddFooter() {
    	return $this->_oddFooter;
    }

    /**
     * Set OddFooter
     *
     * @param string $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setOddFooter($pValue) {
    	$this->_oddFooter = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get EvenHeader
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getEvenHeader() {
    	return $this->_evenHeader;
    }

    /**
     * Set EvenHeader
     *
     * @param string $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setEvenHeader($pValue) {
    	$this->_evenHeader = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get EvenFooter
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getEvenFooter() {
    	return $this->_evenFooter;
    }

    /**
     * Set EvenFooter
     *
     * @param string $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setEvenFooter($pValue) {
    	$this->_evenFooter = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get FirstHeader
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getFirstHeader() {
    	return $this->_firstHeader;
    }

    /**
     * Set FirstHeader
     *
     * @param string $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setFirstHeader($pValue) {
    	$this->_firstHeader = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get FirstFooter
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getFirstFooter() {
    	return $this->_firstFooter;
    }

    /**
     * Set FirstFooter
     *
     * @param string $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setFirstFooter($pValue) {
    	$this->_firstFooter = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get DifferentOddEven
     *
     * @return boolean
     */
    public function getDifferentOddEven() {
    	return $this->_differentOddEven;
    }

    /**
     * Set DifferentOddEven
     *
     * @param boolean $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setDifferentOddEven($pValue = false) {
    	$this->_differentOddEven = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get DifferentFirst
     *
     * @return boolean
     */
    public function getDifferentFirst() {
    	return $this->_differentFirst;
    }

    /**
     * Set DifferentFirst
     *
     * @param boolean $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setDifferentFirst($pValue = false) {
    	$this->_differentFirst = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get ScaleWithDocument
     *
     * @return boolean
     */
    public function getScaleWithDocument() {
    	return $this->_scaleWithDocument;
    }

    /**
     * Set ScaleWithDocument
     *
     * @param boolean $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setScaleWithDocument($pValue = true) {
    	$this->_scaleWithDocument = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get AlignWithMargins
     *
     * @return boolean
     */
    public function getAlignWithMargins() {
    	return $this->_alignWithMargins;
    }

    /**
     * Set AlignWithMargins
     *
     * @param boolean $pValue
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setAlignWithMargins($pValue = true) {
    	$this->_alignWithMargins = $pValue;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Add header/footer image
     *
     * @param PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooterDrawing $image
     * @param string $location
     * @throws PHPExcel_Exception
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function addImage(PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooterDrawing $image = null, $location = self::IMAGE_HEADER_LEFT) {
    	$this->_headerFooterImages[$location] = $image;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Remove header/footer image
     *
     * @param string $location
     * @throws PHPExcel_Exception
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function removeImage($location = self::IMAGE_HEADER_LEFT) {
    	if (isset($this->_headerFooterImages[$location])) {
    		unset($this->_headerFooterImages[$location]);
    	}
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Set header/footer images
     *
     * @param PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooterDrawing[] $images
     * @throws PHPExcel_Exception
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooter
     */
    public function setImages($images) {
    	if (!is_array($images)) {
    		throw new PHPExcel_Exception('Invalid parameter!');
    	}

    	$this->_headerFooterImages = $images;
    	return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Get header/footer images
     *
     * @return PHPExcel_Worksheet_HeaderFooterDrawing[]
     */
    public function getImages() {
    	// Sort array
    	$images = array();
    	if (isset($this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_HEADER_LEFT])) 	$images[self::IMAGE_HEADER_LEFT] = 		$this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_HEADER_LEFT];
    	if (isset($this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_HEADER_CENTER])) 	$images[self::IMAGE_HEADER_CENTER] = 	$this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_HEADER_CENTER];
    	if (isset($this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_HEADER_RIGHT])) 	$images[self::IMAGE_HEADER_RIGHT] = 	$this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_HEADER_RIGHT];
    	if (isset($this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_LEFT])) 	$images[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_LEFT] = 		$this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_LEFT];
    	if (isset($this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_CENTER])) 	$images[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_CENTER] = 	$this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_CENTER];
    	if (isset($this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_RIGHT])) 	$images[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_RIGHT] = 	$this->_headerFooterImages[self::IMAGE_FOOTER_RIGHT];
    	$this->_headerFooterImages = $images;

    	return $this->_headerFooterImages;
    }

	/**
	 * Implement PHP __clone to create a deep clone, not just a shallow copy.
	 */
	public function __clone() {
		$vars = get_object_vars($this);
		foreach ($vars as $key => $value) {
			if (is_object($value)) {
				$this->$key = clone $value;
			} else {
				$this->$key = $value;
			}
		}
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Oman Air's Passenger Surge Triggers $4M IT Investment Program
Oman Air Company is to invest $4.2 million over four years in major IT improvements at Muscat International Airport, following 22% growth in passengers travelling on the national airline last year.
In this regard, Habib Bhacker Habib, Head of Information Computing in Oman Air said that the investment programme agreed with SITA, the world's leading service provider of IT business solutions and communication services to the air transport industry, with over 55 years experience will cover all essential airport operations including check-in, flight boarding and baggage management, and will benefit all airlines using the gateway. The move also follows the creation of a new corporate identity for the national airline as it transforms itself into a world-class competitor. Last year Oman Air carried over 1,500,000 passengers to and from Muscat, informing that the four-year program will be fully operational in three months when it will meet all passenger check-in and boarding needs while ensuring complete passenger-bag reconciliation at all times for all airlines using the airport.
Head of Information Computing in Oman Air added saying that the Omani Aviation sector has undergone significant changes over the last few years at both the airport and airline level. SITA meets our needs today, but it also has the industry expertise to provide us with cutting-edge IT solutions that will enable us to continue to deliver to high standards going into the future and to maximise use of shared infrastructure. For example through the SITA Airport Hub initiative which allows all airlines based here to reduce costs through the shared-use of communications systems. AirportConnect he said supports today's applications better and for longer, since it reduces platform operating costs by integrating legacy and new more affordable hardware and software hence avoiding future expenditure previously needed to meet rapidly evolving technologies. SITA will both install and maintain AirportConnect Open, its latest generation IATA compliant common use passenger processing system that supports CUTE, dedicated, and web applications on the same common use workstations; SITA BagManager for baggage reconciliation; and PassengerHandler, a common software language facility designed for airline and handling agent staff to process passengers at the check-in counter more efficiently, he concluded.
Corporate Communications and Media of Oman Air said, being the sole service provider in Muscat International Airport, Oman aAir continuously monitor operations and seeks to upgrade facilities to ensure that the airport is equipped with the most up-to-date means of technology, to reduced operating costs, ensure greater flexibility and control, in addition to meeting the expectation of our customers using Muscat International Airport. SITA Solutions they explained support airport authorities, airlines, handling agents, freight companies as well as their airport tenants. It provides all the advantages of a shared environment with the flexibility and control of a dedicated platform. Designed specifically to meet the needs of the airport community,
AirportConnect is a comprehensive solution managed by SITA, consisting of network, hardware, software, and support services. This next generation solution succeeds in enhancing operational efficiency, resulting in airport staff benefiting from access to applications anywhere in the airport, including front and back office, and in turn passengers enjoying a simpler travel experience, with different check-in options and shorter check-in times. They added that these solutions are designed to help optimize resources by reducing flight delays, increasing passenger satisfaction and lowering baggage-handling costs. SITA's AirportConnect Open platform will operate on 30 workstations. The common use check-in platform will enable every desk to be connected to each airline's departure control system, helping to maximize the use of the airport's resources. The department finally confirmed the commitment of Oman Air towards strengthening the services at Muscat airport, as this project reflects the commitment of Oman air to ensure comfortable and safer environment for travelers. The introduction of AirportConnect to the aviation industry in the Sultanate comes at a critical time, since the industry in the region is witnessing significant developments and major expansion programmes, demanding greater focus on levels of service, security, and communication infrastructure.


Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku 森林浴) developed in Japan during the second half of the 20th Century. The practice consists in relatively short and easy hikes through forests. I've found forest bathing to be similar to the more famous custom of the Japanese bath: both are a medicine against the hardships of everyday life. This is an ongoing project: I'm bathing in the same forest across the four seasons. Certain subjects remain the same, albeit photographed from a slightly different point of view.