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Articles 541 - 570 of 664

Full-Text Articles in Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering

An Analysis Of The Knowledge And Skill Levels Required To Effectively Support Analytical Cost Decisions In Source Selections, Anthony L. Smith Mar 2002

An Analysis Of The Knowledge And Skill Levels Required To Effectively Support Analytical Cost Decisions In Source Selections, Anthony L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

We analyze these three factors (education, experience, and training) in an effort to identify the knowledge and skills necessary for cost analysts to possess to be effective members of cost panel evaluation teams during source selections. This research effort assesses whether the cost panel members and senior Air Force acquisition military and civilian personnel associate the levels of education, experience, and training as being key factors in fulfilling cost analysts duties while supporting the selection of a source in the government procurement process. To accomplish this objective, a literature review, personal interviews, and questionnaires were utilized. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis …

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Beyond A-76: How To Achieve The Goals Without The Pain, Kurt A. Chelf Mar 2002

Beyond A-76: How To Achieve The Goals Without The Pain, Kurt A. Chelf

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense has determined that Outsourcing and Privatization is key to reducing operating costs and subsequently providing the fiscal dollars necessary to modernize the U.S. Armed Forces. In an effort to achieve this goal, the DoD has mandated that the Air Force study at least 5% of its manning positions for possible conversion to contract. This mandate effects over 200,000 positions throughout the department. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular, Number A-76, Performance Of Commercial Activities dictates the process used to study the appropriateness of these conversions. This thesis explores the usefulness and applicability of this process, …

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The Management Of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (Espcs), Ericka M. Dailey Mar 2002

The Management Of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (Espcs), Ericka M. Dailey

Theses and Dissertations

Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) originated to accomplish several objectives: (1) to meet energy efficiency goals mandated by executive orders and energy policies; (2) to improve federal government facilities using funds allocated for utility bills; and (3) to receive repayment of expenditures through energy savings reflected in reduced utility bills. In ESPC's, the contractor guarantees savings to the federal government agency. 10 CFR 436 limits the time necessary for payback. However, this regulation and others were written prior to the deregulation of utility companies. This theory is based on the underlying premise that the contractor payback is a direct result …

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Spectrum Management And The Global Positioning System: A Case Study In Interagency Coordination, John A. Enis Mar 2002

Spectrum Management And The Global Positioning System: A Case Study In Interagency Coordination, John A. Enis

Theses and Dissertations

At the 2000 World Radio Conference (WRC), a European initiative resulted in the approval of resolutions 605 and 606 (agenda item 1.15), which the United States opposed. These resolutions established provisional power flux density (PFD) limits on the L2 and L5 frequencies of the Global Positioning System. These limits will negatively affect the $1.2B GPS modernization. The United States will have to present its positions and rationale regarding the PFD limits to international meetings, including the 2003 World Radio Conference, to persuade the international community to adopt that U.S. view. Developing the U.S. view and conducting the supporting technical work …

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Analysis Of Air Force Contingency Contracting Training Needs, Peter S. Lasch Mar 2002

Analysis Of Air Force Contingency Contracting Training Needs, Peter S. Lasch

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the Air Force training needs of contingency contracting officers (CCOs). The study utilized the deductive approach to research. A survey instrument captured the data for the study. The survey captured input from CCOs with deployment experience and each of the Air Force components and MAJCOMs. Series 1 of the survey polls CCOs with deployment experience to determine the training CCOs require based on their personal experiences. Series 2 surveys the component and MAJCOM level supervisors to determine their perception of the training that should be required for CCOs. Comparing the two series will identify any differences in …

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An Evaluation Of Public And Private Sector Housing Alternatives For Military Families, Lawrence P. Kokocha Jr. Mar 2002

An Evaluation Of Public And Private Sector Housing Alternatives For Military Families, Lawrence P. Kokocha Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the three primary housing alternatives along with their associated benefits and costs for military members at Robins Air Force Base. Using a case study methodology, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from contract documents, cost records, statements and testimonies to Congress, literature, census data, and interviews with civil engineering, contracting, financial management and legal professionals. This data was analyzed to determine which housing alternative seems to provide the best benefits at the lowest costs for military members and the government. The results of the study indicated that private sector alternatives are less expensive than government provided housing. …

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The Quality Problem Solving Method And Its Effectiveness At Nortech Inc., Jeffrey Henderson Jan 2002

The Quality Problem Solving Method And Its Effectiveness At Nortech Inc., Jeffrey Henderson

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

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Flow Shop Scheduling Problem: A Computational Study, Amr Arisha, Paul Young, Mohie El Baradie Jan 2002

Flow Shop Scheduling Problem: A Computational Study, Amr Arisha, Paul Young, Mohie El Baradie

Conference papers

A computational study has been developed to obtain optimal / near optimal solution for the flow shop scheduling problem with make-span minimization as the primary criterion and the minimization of either the mean completion time, total waiting time or total idle time as the secondary criterion. The objective is to determine a sequence of operations in which to process ‘n’ jobs on ‘m’ machines in same order (flow shop environment) where skipping is allowed. The Simulation approach for deterministic and stochastic flow shop scheduling has been developed. It reads and manipulates data for 500 jobs on 500 machines. Different factorial …

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A Simulation Based Experiment For Comparing Amhs Performance In A Semiconductor Fabrication Facility, Gerald Mackulak, Paul Savory Jan 2002

A Simulation Based Experiment For Comparing Amhs Performance In A Semiconductor Fabrication Facility, Gerald Mackulak, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

As the cost and complexity of constructing a semiconductor fabrication facility increases, responsive tools are needed for designing and planning its operations. Discrete-event simulation paired with design of experiments is an effective combination. This article demonstrates how simulation in combination with design of experiments is used to compare the intrabay layout of two automated material handling systems. The difference in stocker robot utilization, number of vehicle moves per hour, and average delivery time for the two intrabay layouts will be compared using a fractional factorial experimental design. The study demonstrates that the distributed storage option is preferable for maximizing manufacturing …

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Job Shop Scheduling Problem: An Overview, Amr Arisha, Paul Young, Mohie El Baradie Jul 2001

Job Shop Scheduling Problem: An Overview, Amr Arisha, Paul Young, Mohie El Baradie

Conference papers

The Job-shop scheduling is one of the most important industrial activities, especially in manufacturing planning. The problem complexity has increased along with the increase in the complexity of operations and product-mix. To solve this problem, numerous approaches have been developed incorporating discrete event simulation methodology. The scope and the purpose of this paper is to present a survey which covers most of the solving techniques of Job Shop Scheduling (JSS) problem. A classification of these techniques has been proposed: Traditional Techniques and Advanced Techniques. The traditional techniques to solve JSS could not fully satisfy the global competition and rapidly changing …

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Award Term Incentive Contracting: An Investigation Of United States Air Force Strategic Purchasing, Rachael A. Harris Mar 2001

Award Term Incentive Contracting: An Investigation Of United States Air Force Strategic Purchasing, Rachael A. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored implementing a best commercial practice of establishing strategic purchasing relationships within the Department of Defense (DOD) procurement environment. The research was sparked by Air Force Material Command's (AFMC) instituting a commercial style acquisition strategy using an award term incentive on several programs. The award term incentive provides for extensions or reductions to the term of the contract based on contractors' level of performance. Forthcoming implementation of Air Force FAR supplement 5317.7X Incentive Term Extension, will likely increase the number of acquisitions using an award term incentive. Research findings indicate that management should consider expanding the AFMC award …

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The Effect Of External Safeguards On Human-Information System Trust In An Information Warfare Environment, Gregory S. Fields Mar 2001

The Effect Of External Safeguards On Human-Information System Trust In An Information Warfare Environment, Gregory S. Fields

Theses and Dissertations

This research looks at how human trust in an information system is influenced by external safeguards in an Information Warfare (1W) domain. Information systems are relied upon in command and control environments to provide fast and reliable information to the decision-makers. The degree of reliance placed in these systems by the decision-makers suggests a significant level of trust. Understanding this trust relationship and what effects it is the focus of this study. A model is proposed that predicts behavior associated with human trust in information systems. It is hypothesized that a decision-maker's belief in the effectiveness of external safeguards will …

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A Delphi Assessment Of The Digital Rosetta Stone Model, Don M. Kelley Mar 2001

A Delphi Assessment Of The Digital Rosetta Stone Model, Don M. Kelley

Theses and Dissertations

Information that is stored digitally can only be used if it can be retrieved and interpreted. if the methods to retrieve the information are lost, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to recreate them. The knowledge to interpret the bitstream is also at risk. The Digital Rosetta Stone (DRS) Model was developed as a framework for capturing and maintaining the methods necessary to retrieve and display digital information stored on obsolete media or using obsolete software. However, this conceptual model had not yet been assessed by the community of professionals for its practical efficacy. This thesis began the assessment …

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The Effects Of Budgetary Constraints, Multiple Strategy Selection, And Rationality On Equilibrium Attainment In An Information Warfare Simulation, Steven W. Tait Mar 2001

The Effects Of Budgetary Constraints, Multiple Strategy Selection, And Rationality On Equilibrium Attainment In An Information Warfare Simulation, Steven W. Tait

Theses and Dissertations

Information warfare (IW) has developed into a significant threat to the national security of the United States. Our critical infrastructures, linked together by information systems, are increasingly vulnerable to information attack. This study seeks to understand some of those factors which affect the ability of an individual to make accurate decisions in an IW environment. The study used game theory to analyze the behavior of decision-makers within an IW simulation. The IW game model is based on a set of games known as infinitely repeated games of incomplete information. It uses the Bayesian Nash equilibrium concept to determine the strategy …

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Relating Initial Budget To Program Growth With Rayleigh And Weibull Models, Eric J. Unger Mar 2001

Relating Initial Budget To Program Growth With Rayleigh And Weibull Models, Eric J. Unger

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research on completed defense R&D shows that contract expenditures can be fit well with a Rayleigh model. With fixed outlay rates, as prescribed by the OSD comptroller, the budget profile must have most of the funds in the early years to produce Rayleigh-distributed expenditures. R&D programs with more delayed funding profiles may also produce expenditures that a Rayleigh model fits through schedule slips and cost overruns. This research tests how well the initial funding profile produces Rayleigh-distributed expenditures that can be related to the program's final cost overrun and schedule slips. Based only on the initial budget profile, we …

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A Case Study Analysis Of The Overhead Rate Impact Model Used During The C-5 Maintenance Source Selection, William N. Ward Mar 2001

A Case Study Analysis Of The Overhead Rate Impact Model Used During The C-5 Maintenance Source Selection, William N. Ward

Theses and Dissertations

The Overhead Rate Impact (ORI) model was used during the C-5 Maintenance source selection to evaluate the impact the new workload would have on the existing overhead rates. The objectives of this research study were to evaluate the ORI model and to identify the lessons learned from this source selection. To accomplish these objectives, interviews were conducted with members of the source selection team who were on the Cost Integrated Product Team (IPT). The experts were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the ORI model and to make recommendation on how to improve the model. This study identified …

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An Analysis Of The Acquisition Process For Simplified Acquisition Of Base Engineering Requirements (Saber) Contracts And Its Potential Impact On Contractor Performance, Brian J. Heaps Mar 2001

An Analysis Of The Acquisition Process For Simplified Acquisition Of Base Engineering Requirements (Saber) Contracts And Its Potential Impact On Contractor Performance, Brian J. Heaps

Theses and Dissertations

The Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements (SABER) contract's main purpose is to expedite contract award of civil engineer requirements through the issuance of individual delivery orders. The contract contains a collection of detailed task specifications that include most types of real property maintenance, repair, and construction work. The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition's Operational Contracting Division (SAF/AQCO) identified a number of failed SABER contracts. The problem statement designed for this research effort was: There are a large number of SABER contractors that are failing during the performance period on their SABER contracts. SAF/AQCO is trying to …

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Gss Technology As A Moderator Of Influence And Perceived Expertise, Kevin V. Thompson Mar 2001

Gss Technology As A Moderator Of Influence And Perceived Expertise, Kevin V. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Group Support System (355) research has found this content and process anonymity influence problem solving groups. However, previous studies report mixed results on how OSS technology changes social influence processes and recognition of expertise which affect group performance. This thesis explored content and process anonymity's affect on influence and perceived expertise using three treatments to derive possible explanations for the mixed results found in previous GSS research. The study developed a theoretical model of influence, perceived expertise, and performance. Using structural equation modeling the study tested the relationships between expertise and participation rates, and overall group performance. An experiment was …

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A Process Theory Of Competency Rallying In Engineering Projects, Bernhard R. Katzy, Kevin Crowston Jan 2001

A Process Theory Of Competency Rallying In Engineering Projects, Bernhard R. Katzy, Kevin Crowston

School of Information Studies - Faculty Scholarship

Firms face an environment changing at an increasingly rapid pace. Market opportunities in particular can arise and disappear in a short time. Unfortunately, the speed with which organizations can adapt their strategies and competencies to meet these opportunities remains limited. We argue that firms can address these individual limitations by cooperating with others for access to market opportunities and needed competencies. In this paper, we present a process theory of how a network of firms can reliably engineering and deliver products in the face of rapid market changes. In this theory, the success of the network is predicated on 1) …

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Guidelines For Using Process Mapping To Aid Improvement Efforts, Paul Savory, John R. Olson Jan 2001

Guidelines For Using Process Mapping To Aid Improvement Efforts, Paul Savory, John R. Olson

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Process mapping is an easy-to-visualize method for people to analyze and agree on the most efficient routes for reengineering or improving a process. It aids in determining redundant tasks, uncovering hidden interactions between processes and people, and focusing on the processes that serve customers, improve quality, and generate income. This paper presents guidelines for using process mapping as an improvement tool. It is based on the authors’ experiences in aiding a variety of healthcare, service, and manufacturing companies.

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Combining Activity-Based Costing With The Simulation Of A Cellular Manufacturing System, Paul Savory, Robert Williams, Rodney Rassmuseun Jan 2001

Combining Activity-Based Costing With The Simulation Of A Cellular Manufacturing System, Paul Savory, Robert Williams, Rodney Rassmuseun

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

This paper presents an integrated simulation and activity-based management approach for determining the best sequencing scheme for processing a part family through a manufacturing cell. The integration is illustrated on a loop or U-shaped manufacturing cell and a part family consisting of four part types (A, B, C, and D). Production requirements for the cell demand that part batches be processed one type at a time. For example, all part A’s are processed until weekly demand is met, then part B’s, etc. The objective of this example is to determine the best part sequence (e.g., ABCD, DCBA or CABD). In …

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Combining Activity-Based Costing With The Simulation Of A Cellular Manufacturing System, Paul Savory, Robert Williams, Rodney Rassmuseun Jan 2001

Combining Activity-Based Costing With The Simulation Of A Cellular Manufacturing System, Paul Savory, Robert Williams, Rodney Rassmuseun

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Discrete-event simulation is one of the most effective techniques for analyzing a manufacturing system. Unfortunately, little attention is given to using simulation models to estimate the economic impact of a proposed system configuration. This paper defines how activity-based costing (ABC) concepts can be incorporated into a discrete-event simulation model. Special emphasis is on demonstrating how decision making can be aided by having the simulation create a detailed “Bill of Activity” describing costs associated with manufacturing a part. The integration of ABC and simulation is illustrated by evaluating the impact of a proposed manufacturing cell configuration. The additional costing information aids …

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A Web-Based Interface For Storing And Executing Simulation Models, Paul Savory Dec 2000

A Web-Based Interface For Storing And Executing Simulation Models, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The dominance of the Internet in the development of information and communication technology has made Web-based distributed solutions increasingly attractive. Apart from providing other services, the World Wide Web is being looked upon as an environment for hosting modeling and simulation applications. SIMAN is a simulation language that allows users to simulate discrete and continuous systems. In this research, a web-based interface or toolkit has been developed for storing and executing SIMAN simulation models over the Internet. This toolkit consists of a World Wide Web interface to SIMAN and a web-accessible database for storing user models. It provides users an …

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A Web-Based Interface For Storing And Executing Simulation Model, Ashu Guru, Paul Savory, Robert Williams Dec 2000

A Web-Based Interface For Storing And Executing Simulation Model, Ashu Guru, Paul Savory, Robert Williams

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The dominance of the Internet in the development ofinformation and communication technology has madeWeb-based distributed solutions increasingly attractive.Apart from providing other services, the World Wide Webis being looked upon as an environment for hostingmodeling and simulation applications. SIMAN is asimulation language that allows users to simulate discreteand continuous systems. In this research, a web-basedinterface or toolkit has been developed for storing andexecuting SIMAN simulation models over the Internet.This toolkit consists of a World Wide Web interface toSIMAN and a web-accessible database for storing usermodels. It provides users an easy-to-use environment fordeveloping text-based simulation models using the SIMANsimulation language. It also …

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Covalidation Of Dissimilarly Structured Models, Samuel A. Wright Dec 2000

Covalidation Of Dissimilarly Structured Models, Samuel A. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

A methodology is presented which allows comparison between models constructed under different modeling paradigms. Consider the following situation: Two models are constructed to study different aspects of the same system. One model simulates a fleet of aircraft moving a given combination of cargo and passengers from an onload point to an offload point. A second model is a linear programming model that optimizes the aircraft and route selection required for the same scenario. We develop a methodology to structure the comparison between large-scale models such as these. Models that compare favorably using this methodology are deemed covalid. Models that perform …

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Global Positioning System (Gps) Error Source Prediction, Marcus G. Ferguson Mar 2000

Global Positioning System (Gps) Error Source Prediction, Marcus G. Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations

With the initiation of the navigation accuracy prediction algorithm used to estimate the amount of GPS solution (location and time) error for receivers, the capability to accurately predict solution errors due to the major GPS error sources is growing. Although some sources of error within the GPS solution have been previously analyzed, modeled, and/or accounted for within various modeling efforts, a formal evaluation of the seven major error sources that distort GPS activity has not been officially conducted up until this point. This research offers a logical assessment of all the major GPS error sources and their definitive impact on …

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Locating Search And Rescue Stations In The Aegean And Western Mediterranean Regions Of Turkey, Melih M. Basdemir Mar 2000

Locating Search And Rescue Stations In The Aegean And Western Mediterranean Regions Of Turkey, Melih M. Basdemir

Theses and Dissertations

The service of present Search and Rescue (SAR) stations in the Aegean and the Western Mediterranean regions of Turkey are not sufficient to meet the demands of the Turkish Air Force. This research seeks to find the optimum location of new SAR stations. The number of SAR stations required to cover all areas of operation becomes a very decisive element in finding the optimal coverage of the operation area by these stations. The problem of finding the optimum SAR locations can he modeled as a maximal covering location problem (MCLP). Additional constraints are added to set standards on various issues …

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Multi-Objective Evaluation Of Target Sets In A Logistics Network, Paul D. Emslie Mar 2000

Multi-Objective Evaluation Of Target Sets In A Logistics Network, Paul D. Emslie

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the selection of target sets to disrupt an adversary's logistics network in a wartime environment. In the presence of many objectives--such as reducing maximum flow, lengthening routes, avoiding collateral damage, all at minimal risk to our pilots--the problem of determining the best target set is complex. Previous efforts have not adequately considered the value of the remaining network functionality after target destruction. In addition, current network targeting procedures optimize target sets with respect to only a single metric. This thesis uses a multi-objective decision analysis framework capturing actual targeting decision-maker values and preferences to evaluate and analyze …

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A Group Theoretic Tabu Search Approach To The Traveling Salesman Problem, Shane N. Hall Mar 2000

A Group Theoretic Tabu Search Approach To The Traveling Salesman Problem, Shane N. Hall

Theses and Dissertations

The traveling salesman problem (TSP) is a combinatorial optimization problem that is mathematically modeled as a binary integer program. The TSP is a very important problem for the operations research academician and practitioner. This research demonstrates a Group Theoretic Tabu Search (GTTS) Java algorithm for the TSP. The tabu search metaheuristic continuously finds near-optimal solutions to the TSP under various different implementations. Algebraic group theory offers a more formal mathematical setting to study the TSP providing a theoretical foundation for describing tabu search. Specifically, this thesis uses the Symmetric Group on n letters, S(n), which is the set of all …

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Modelling Information Assurance: A Value Focused Thinking Approach, Jonathan Todd Hamill Mar 2000

Modelling Information Assurance: A Value Focused Thinking Approach, Jonathan Todd Hamill

Theses and Dissertations

The information revolution has brought forth new and improved capabilities to rapidly disseminate and employ information in decision-making. These capabilities are critical to the civilian and military infrastructures of the United States, and act as force enhancers and enablers for the Armed Forces. These capabilities, however, often rely upon systems interconnected throughout the world, resulting in potentially increased vulnerability to attack. To add to this problem, elusive, threatening forces (national and transnational) originating from anywhere on the globe are likely to offer opponents less reliant on information technology an asymmetric advantage over information-reliant nations like the United States. To date, …

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