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Painting Silence, Graham Clucas Jan 2002

Painting Silence, Graham Clucas

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

This research examines the history and theory o f silent' painting to discover why particular paintings were called silent, what the term was meant to signify, and how the quality of silence was discernible in the paintings it described. The imderstanding thus gauied is in tum the subject of further analysis through (documented) reflective practice, which recognises a broader context of contemporary theoretical and practical viewpoints. The purpose is to investigate, through practice, the characteristics and potentialities of silence. From the emergence of'silent' painting in America during the 1950s and 60s, the idea of silence is examined in terms of …

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Liminal Blankness : Mixing Race And Space In Monochrome's Psychic Surface, Angeline Dawn Morrison Jan 2002

Liminal Blankness : Mixing Race And Space In Monochrome's Psychic Surface, Angeline Dawn Morrison

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

Blank space in western Art History and visual culture is something that has tended to be either explained away, or ignored. Pictures that do not depict challenge the visual basis of the ego and its others, confronting what I call the `Phallic reader' (who sees according to the logic and rules of the Phallogocentric system he inhabits) and potentially disturbing his sense of the visible. The Phallic reader, the visible and the seeing ego's sense of how to see, meet in what I call the `psychic surface'. Deploying this notion of a `psychic surface' allows for readings which move on …

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Quantification Of Marine Megafaunal Distribution Patterns Using A Remotely Operated Vehicle, David Matthew Parry Jan 2002

Quantification Of Marine Megafaunal Distribution Patterns Using A Remotely Operated Vehicle, David Matthew Parry

Other Faculty of Science and Engineering Theses

This thesis documents the development and application of the Automated Benthic Image Scaling System (ABISS), a novel structured lighting array for calculating image scale, accounting for perspective, to allow quantitative non-destructive megafaunal sampling using observations from a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Megafauna are important components of marine soft sediment assemblages that influence the composition of the associated assemblage and the flux of energy across the sediment-water interface, by altering the physical and chemical characteristics of the sediment during bioturbation. However, megafaunal species are not sampled adequately using traditional techniques. Megafaunal abundance estimates derived from ROV observations were validated against those …

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The Role And Uses Of Market Research In Small And Medium Sized Exporting Companies, Jasmine Elizabeth Mary Williams Jan 2002

The Role And Uses Of Market Research In Small And Medium Sized Exporting Companies, Jasmine Elizabeth Mary Williams

Plymouth Business School Theses

Wise use of information leads to knowledge, and with that knowledge comes power (van der Vegt 1998). The importance of information to marketing success is well documented (Kohli and Jaworski 1990), and recent years have seen a burgeoning academic interest in the area of export market information and research (EMI/R) use (Diamantopoulos and Souchon 1999). This dissertation comprises the results of, and reflections on, an investigation into the EMIR activities of small and medium-sized industrial enterprises in the UK. A review of the literature uncovers the unique, informal and personal nature of these activities. The fieldwork takes a grounded approach, …

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Market Orientation, Competitive Strategy Type And Performance In Independent Retail Businesses : A Contingency Analysis In A Market Town Context, Philip Rhys Megicks Jan 2002

Market Orientation, Competitive Strategy Type And Performance In Independent Retail Businesses : A Contingency Analysis In A Market Town Context, Philip Rhys Megicks

Plymouth Business School Theses

In recent years there has been significant interest in the performance of independent retail businesses located in UK market towns as they face up to new patterns of competition and demand. However prior to this study there has been only a very limited understanding of the factors that contribute the success and failure of these individual small businesses. This thesis fills a gap in the literature relating to the performance of these small firms through empirical analysis and the application of management research methods in a contextual setting. Based upon a comprehensive review of relevant literature spanning the boundaries of …

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A Pre-Transfer Assessment Framework For International Technology Transfer, Stephen Hobbs Jan 2002

A Pre-Transfer Assessment Framework For International Technology Transfer, Stephen Hobbs

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The demands off managing in an international operating environment has changed considerably over the past 20 years due to developments in global markets. Multinational enterprises face fierce international competition and are now tasked not only with developing effective competitive capabilities but also with maximising the knowledge and expertise developed in one part of the organisation by transferring it to another. This work has investigated the position of multinational enterprises in the developing global market and through a broad and thorough review of current literature, identified a gap in the knowledge -a tool for helping the assessment of the transfer of …

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The Development Of A Novel Electro-Magnetic Force Microscope, James Frederick Charles Windmill Jan 2002

The Development Of A Novel Electro-Magnetic Force Microscope, James Frederick Charles Windmill

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

This thesis describes the development of a new type of Magnetic Force Microscope (MFM) probe based on a unique electromagnetic design. In addition the design, construction and testing of a new MFM system, complete in both hardware and software, is also described. The MFM allowed initial tests on prototypes of the new probe, and is to provide a base for future new probe integration. The microscope uses standard MFM micro-cantilever probes in static modes of imaging. A new computer hosted DSP control system, software, and its various interfaces with the MFM have been integrated into the system. The system has …

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Spread Spectrum-Based Video Watermarking Algorithms For Copyright Protection, Cristian Vasile Serdean Jan 2002

Spread Spectrum-Based Video Watermarking Algorithms For Copyright Protection, Cristian Vasile Serdean

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Digital technologies know an unprecedented expansion in the last years. The consumer can now benefit from hardware and software which was considered state-of-the-art several years ago. The advantages offered by the digital technologies are major but the same digital technology opens the door for unlimited piracy. Copying an analogue VCR tape was certainly possible and relatively easy, in spite of various forms of protection, but due to the analogue environment, the subsequent copies had an inherent loss in quality. This was a natural way of limiting the multiple copying of a video material. With digital technology, this barrier disappears, being …

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Linking Performance Requirements With Process Improvement Actions For Business Process Re-Design, Cita Lorraine Wood Jan 2002

Linking Performance Requirements With Process Improvement Actions For Business Process Re-Design, Cita Lorraine Wood

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

This thesis presents research that extends current knowledge in the area of business process re-design, with a specific focus on the 'Make Product' process within manufacturing organisations. Current business process re-design approaches offer only limited guidance on the specific changes that can be made to a process when re-designing it to achieve the desired performance improvements and often overlook any strategically derived performance requirements when re-designing the process. Case experience suggests that practitioners do not consider the performance requirements of their business processes when re-designing them and that the actions they take to achieve performance improvements are not selected with …

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Postive Consequences Of Illness, Samantha Claire Sodergren Jan 2002

Postive Consequences Of Illness, Samantha Claire Sodergren

School of Psychology Theses

This thesis identifies systematically the domains of positive consequences of illness and details the development of a measure of the positive consequences of illness- the Silver Lining Questionnaire (SLQ). Further aims of the thesis include the use of the SLQ as a predictor of health outcome and an investigation of the prevalence and correlates of positivity in illness. The first study questioned 55 people about their positive experiences of illness and uncovered 17 themes. In the second study a pilot questionnaire based on these themes was administered to the participants of the first study and an additional sample of cancer …

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The Development Of A Methodology For Creating An Earthen Building Inventory, Margaret Lyn Ford Jan 2002

The Development Of A Methodology For Creating An Earthen Building Inventory, Margaret Lyn Ford

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

This thesis addresses the issue of cataloguing traditional earthen architecture. It proposes a methodology that will permit the systematic collection and analysis of objective and quantifiable data relating to historic earthen, or cob, buildings in a parish in mid Devon. The brief given for this project requhes a multi-disciplinary approach to be taken, one that considers the topographical surroundings and the historic context of the buildings as well as the architectural characteristics. A triangular concept is expounded, with the three elements providing a sound basis for the development of an holistic methodology for creating an earthen building inventory. To comply …

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The Molecular Differentiation Of Renibacterium Salmoninarum Isolates, Sarah Margaret Alexander Jan 2002

The Molecular Differentiation Of Renibacterium Salmoninarum Isolates, Sarah Margaret Alexander

School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses

Studies were undertaken to examine the extent of molecular variation among isolates of the fish pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum. As many isolates as possible were gathered from diagnostic laboratories within the UK, and checked for viability and contamination. The isolates were derived mainly from infected rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon that were farmed in England, Scotland and Wales, subject to the requirements of statutory legislation. Incomplete histories were available for the sources of the isolates, which spanned a time scale of 36 years, from 1962-1998. Molecular variation between the isolates was examined using two strategies. Firstly, defined regions of the genome …

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Chromosomal Variation In Nucella Lapillus (L.) And Other Muricid Gastropods, Philip Lionel Pascoe Jan 2002

Chromosomal Variation In Nucella Lapillus (L.) And Other Muricid Gastropods, Philip Lionel Pascoe

School of Biological and Marine Sciences Theses

The Robertsonian polymorphism (numerical change in the chromosome complement by centric fusion or fission) in the dog-whelk (Nucella lapillus, Mollusca: Gastropoda) has been known and studied sporadically for almost 50 years. However, the possible causes, consequences and proposed correlations of this phenomenon remain enigmatic. Nucella lapillus (2n = 26 to 36), has undergone a marked reduction in chromosome number from its ancestral form; most other muricid species have a diploid chromosome number in the range 2n = 60- 70. Correlations have been proposed between chromosome number (or karyotype) and habitat (wave exposure), and also directly or indirectly with allozymes, shell …

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'Consuming Children' : A Sociological Analysis Of Children's Relationship With Contempory Consumer Culture, Julie Marianne Evans Jan 2002

'Consuming Children' : A Sociological Analysis Of Children's Relationship With Contempory Consumer Culture, Julie Marianne Evans

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

The aim of this thesis is to identify and understand children's relationships with the world of consumption. Through the children's own narratives a picture emerges of the mediating properties of consumer goods in their wider social and personal friendships. Living in what could be described as a materially divided society this project explores how children make sense of those inequalities and what their experiences are in understanding their own socio-economic position compared to others and how it impacts on their relationships to consumer culture. A particular concern is that such relationships may be more complicated than they seem on the …

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Non - Legitimate Illness, Embodied Experience And The Moral Career: The Case Of Me/Cfs, Tracey Collett Jan 2002

Non - Legitimate Illness, Embodied Experience And The Moral Career: The Case Of Me/Cfs, Tracey Collett

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

The condition known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an illness of unknown aetiology which affects over 150 000 persons in the UK. Whilst the cause of the condition is the subject of intense medical debate, the official view is that it is a form of atypical depression or somatisation disorder. This view is at odds with the views of many sufferers who claim that ME/CFS is a pathological disease that renders them severely incapacitated. Sufferers' maintain that, because their condition is regarded as a minor, psychological illness, its' severity is not recognised. Thus, rather than being …

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Factors Influencing Provision Of Pharmacist Discharge Prescription Transcription Services And Authorisation Requirements Of Pharmacist-Written Prescriptions, Gj Sewell, Rj Hobson Jan 2002

Factors Influencing Provision Of Pharmacist Discharge Prescription Transcription Services And Authorisation Requirements Of Pharmacist-Written Prescriptions, Gj Sewell, Rj Hobson

School of Health Professions

No abstract provided.

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Linking Performance Requirements With Process Improvement Actions For Business Process Re-Design, Cita Lorraine Wood Jan 2002

Linking Performance Requirements With Process Improvement Actions For Business Process Re-Design, Cita Lorraine Wood

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

This thesis presents research that extends current knowledge in the area of business process re-design, with a specific focus on the 'Make Product' process within manufacturing organisations. Current business process re-design approaches offer only limited guidance on the specific changes that can be made to a process when re-designing it to achieve the desired performance improvements and often overlook any strategically derived performance requirements when re-designing the process. Case experience suggests that practitioners do not consider the performance requirements of their business processes when re-designing them and that the actions they take to achieve performance improvements are not selected with …

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Precision Control Of A Sensorless Brushless Direct Current Motor System, Matthew John Knight Jan 2002

Precision Control Of A Sensorless Brushless Direct Current Motor System, Matthew John Knight

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Sensorless control strategies were first suggested well over a decade ago with the aim of reducing the size, weight and unit cost of electrically actuated servo systems. The resulting algorithms have been successfully applied to the induction and synchronous motor families in applications where control of armature speeds above approximately one hundred revolutions per minute is desired. However, sensorless position control remains problematic. This thesis provides an in depth investigation into sensorless motor control strategies for high precision motion control applications. Specifically, methods of achieving control of position and very low speed thresholds are investigated. The developed grey box identification …

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The Development Of A Novel Suspension Arm With 2-Dimensional Actuation, For Use In Advanced Hard Disk Drives, Chibesa Chilumbu Jan 2002

The Development Of A Novel Suspension Arm With 2-Dimensional Actuation, For Use In Advanced Hard Disk Drives, Chibesa Chilumbu

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

As magnetic computer disks are developed to ever-greater data storage densities, the accuracy required for head positioning is moving beyond the accuracy provided by present technology using single-stage voice-coil motors in hard disk drives. This thesis details work to develop a novel active suspension arm with 2-dimensional actuation for use in advanced hard disk drives. The arm developed is capable of high-bandwidth data tracking as well as precision head flying height control motion. High-bandwidth data tracking is facilitated by the use of piezoelectric stack actuator, positioned closer to the head. The suspension arm is also capable of motion in the …

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Integrated Luminometer For The Determination Of Trace Metals In Seawater Using Fluorescence, Phosphorescence And Chemiluminescence Detection, Pj Worsfold, Ep Achterberg, Ar Bowie, V Cannizzaro, S Charles, Jm Costa, F Dubois, R Pereiro, Vicente B San, A Sanz-Medel, R Vandeloise, Donckt E Vander, P Wollast, S Yunus Jan 2002

Integrated Luminometer For The Determination Of Trace Metals In Seawater Using Fluorescence, Phosphorescence And Chemiluminescence Detection, Pj Worsfold, Ep Achterberg, Ar Bowie, V Cannizzaro, S Charles, Jm Costa, F Dubois, R Pereiro, Vicente B San, A Sanz-Medel, R Vandeloise, Donckt E Vander, P Wollast, S Yunus

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

No abstract provided.

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Pharmacokinetics Of Doxorubicin And Cisplatin After Administration By Avitine/Omnipaque Gel Applied Directly To The Liver, Gj Sewell, M Priston, T Manoj, R Duncombe Jan 2002

Pharmacokinetics Of Doxorubicin And Cisplatin After Administration By Avitine/Omnipaque Gel Applied Directly To The Liver, Gj Sewell, M Priston, T Manoj, R Duncombe

School of Health Professions

No abstract provided.

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Uk Survey Of Discharge Prescriptions, Transcribing And Development Of The Hospital Pharmacist-Prescribing Role, Gj Sewell, Rj Hobson Jan 2002

Uk Survey Of Discharge Prescriptions, Transcribing And Development Of The Hospital Pharmacist-Prescribing Role, Gj Sewell, Rj Hobson

School of Health Professions

No abstract provided.

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Contrast Effects In Stereotype Formation And Change: The Role Of Comparative Context, Na Wyer, Ms Sadler, Cm Judd Jan 2002

Contrast Effects In Stereotype Formation And Change: The Role Of Comparative Context, Na Wyer, Ms Sadler, Cm Judd

School of Psychology

Two experiments investigated the way in which the presence of a comparative or inter-group context during stereotype formation affects stereotype change, induced by subsequent disconfirming information. Participants learned about a focal group, after learning about one of the two context groups. After reporting their stereotypes about both groups, participants learned additional information about the focal group. This information described new group members who either confirmed or disconfirmed the group stereotype. Consistent with previous research, participants formed more extreme stereotypes about the focal group on dimensions that distinguished it from the context group (i.e., a contrast effect). In response to the …

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Development Of Improved Head-Disk Spacing Measurement Methods For Magnetic Disk Drives, Xinqun Liu Jan 2002

Development Of Improved Head-Disk Spacing Measurement Methods For Magnetic Disk Drives, Xinqun Liu

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

A detailed review of existing flying height or head disk spacing testing techniques has been made, and in-depth analyses of the working principles of the currently popular optical interferometry flying height testing methods are presented with simulation results. A new dual-beam normal incidence polarisation inteferometry method is then proposed. One advantage of this dual-beam polarisation interferometry is that it can be used for both the direct spacing measurement (DSM) method and relative displacement measuring (RDM) method. The RDM method is a good way to measure the head-disk spacing and the slider pitch or roll when a real magnetic disk is …

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Identification Of An Mcm4 Homologue Expressed Specifically In The Sexual Stage Of Plasmodium Falciparum, J-L Li, Ls Cox Sep 2001

Identification Of An Mcm4 Homologue Expressed Specifically In The Sexual Stage Of Plasmodium Falciparum, J-L Li, Ls Cox

School of Biomedical Sciences

Mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins play an essential role in DNA replication initiation. We have isolated a novel gene encoding an MCM-like protein from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum using the vectorette technique. The gene has no introns and comprises an open reading frame encoding 1005 amino acid residues with a predicted Mr of 115 kDa. The encoded protein, termed PfMCM4, contains all conserved sequences in the MCM family and displays the highest homology to the Cdc54 (MCM4) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, PfMCM4 possesses five unique amino acid inserts with sizes ranging from seven to 75 residues. Southern blotting of …

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Primary Structure And Sexual Stage-Specific Expression Of A Lammer Protein Kinase Of Plasmodium Falciparum, J-L Li, Gat Targett, Da Baker Apr 2001

Primary Structure And Sexual Stage-Specific Expression Of A Lammer Protein Kinase Of Plasmodium Falciparum, J-L Li, Gat Targett, Da Baker

School of Biomedical Sciences

We have isolated a LAMMER-like gene from Plasmodium falciparum by vectorette technique. The gene consists of 3316 bp encoding a protein 881 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 106.7 kDa. The encoded protein, termed PfLAMMER, is composed of two distinct domains. The N-terminal domain is not related to any previously described protein kinases and has several interesting features including multiple consensus phosphorylation sites for a range of protein kinases, a number of RS/SR dipeptides, a large proportion of charged amino acids, two putative nuclear localisation signals and 14 copies of a tetramer DKYD repeats. The C-terminal domain …

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Management In The Financial Services : Emotional Labour And Gender, Sarah Watson Jan 2001

Management In The Financial Services : Emotional Labour And Gender, Sarah Watson

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

This thesis examines the development of management in financial services and its implications on managers' activities and socialisation. The thesis uses gender and emotional labour as the main themes for the discussion of management in the financial services. The thesis reports on two ethnographic case studies within two UK retail banks. Analyses are based on data derived from interviews, observations and documents. Both the literature and data suggest that management in the service sector centres around the management of organisational cultures. Managers must disseminate the organisational values in order to extract excellent customer service from the front-line staff. Managers themselves …

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Multivariate Calibration For Icp-Aes, Michael Lee Griffiths Jan 2001

Multivariate Calibration For Icp-Aes, Michael Lee Griffiths

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The analysis of metals is now a major application area for ICP-AES, however, the technique suffers from both spectral and non-spectral interferences. This thesis details the application of univariate and multivariate calibration methods for the prediction of Pt, Pd, and Rh in acid-digested and of Au, Ag and Pd in fusion-digested autocatalyst samples. Of all the univariate calibration methods investigated matrix matching proved the most accurate method with relative root mean square errors (RRMSEs) for Pt, Pd and Rh of 2.4, 3.7, and 2.4 % for a series of synihelic lest solutions, and 12.0, 2.4, and 8.0 % for autocatalyst …

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Determination Of Co And Mn In Marine Waters Using Flow Injection With Chemiluminescence Detection, Vincenzo Cannizzaro Jan 2001

Determination Of Co And Mn In Marine Waters Using Flow Injection With Chemiluminescence Detection, Vincenzo Cannizzaro

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

This thesis describes the design, optimisation and shipboard deployment of a flow injection - chemiluminescence (FI-CL) technique for the determination of cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) in seawater. Chapter One presents an overview of the marine environment and the biogeochemistry of Co and Mn. Current analytical methods for the determination of Co and Mn in natural waters are also reviewed. Chapter Two reports reagent clean-up techniques and the synthesis of an 8- hydroxyquinoline resin used for in-line matrix elimination and preconcentration. The resin is also characterised in terms of its chelating ability for the transition metals and the earth alkaline …

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Catchment Scale Monitoring And Modelling Of Phosphorus Using Flow Injection Analysis And An Export Coefficient Model, Grady Scott Hanrahan Jan 2001

Catchment Scale Monitoring And Modelling Of Phosphorus Using Flow Injection Analysis And An Export Coefficient Model, Grady Scott Hanrahan

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Acquiring high quality in situ analytical data with good temporal resolution is required for developing models of phosphorus transport and biogeochemical behaviour. Chapter One describes the behaviour of phosphorus in the aquatic environment, its sources, its role in the eutrophication process and legislation to control its release into aquatic systems. It also summarises analytical techniques for the determination of phosphorus in natural waters. An examination of the hypothesis that the export coefficient modelling approach can be used to predict phosphorus loading in the River Frome catchment, Dorset on an armual and seasonal (monthly) basis is presented in Chapter Two. The …

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