Archive for June, 2008
June 30th, 2008
Runners with high arches are at increased risk for suffering stress fractures, small cracks in the bones of their feet and lower legs; and those with low arches are at increased risk for knee cap pain.
When you run at six miles per hour, your foot hits the ground with a force greater than three times body weight. The faster you run, the harder your heel strikes the ground. This force can break bones, damage joints and tear muscles. The human body is designed so you never land flatfooted when you run. You land on the outside bottom of your heal and roll inward toward the big toe. This helps to distribute the force of your foot strike throughout your foot and leg and protect you from injury. The further you roll inward, the greater the protection against this force. However, when you roll in too much, your lower leg twists inward excessively, causing your kneecap to rub against the long femur bone behind it and cause pain. This is called Runner’s Knee.
If you have pain behind the knee cap during running or walking, ask your podiatrist to look at your feet. If your arches appear to be flat, you usually will have a normal arch, but you roll inward so far that your arch touches the ground. Your treatment is to place special inserts, called orthotics, in your running shoes and to do special exercise that strengthen your vastus medialis muscle that pulls your knee cap inward.
If you develop pain in the medial side of your lower leg or your feet, your podiatrist will probably order a bone scan to check for stress fractures, small cracks in the bones of your feet. If you have stress fractures and high arched feet, you will need specially padded running shoes and have to learn to try to hit the ground with less force when you run.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com
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June 30th, 2008
How many people do you think ponder the meaning in life and if it has any meaning? Do you think you are alone when wondering why things don’t make sense? With all the death and dying in the world what is the purpose of life? You are not alone as all of us have been made by God and even though we have distinct personalities we are in fact the same. We all have the same needs, wants and searching for the same thing in life; happiness.
Sometimes happiness seems out of reach. You struggle and struggle and you can seem to keep afloat. Like swimming in a toilet bowl you go a round and a round and a round until you’re finally flushed.
All the articles that I have ever read about what people wanted most out of life surprised me. I expected it to say, cars, houses, fame, money, and prestige. This is not what it said. What it said is that most want peace, love, and joy. I guess thats why Zig Ziglar the worlds greatest motivator said that money can buy you a house but it won’t buy you a home. In fact I have read that some who become instant millionaires are the most loneliest people in the world. They either become so arrogant and no one can stand to be around them. Some find out who there friends really are.
So what to you do to find the things that are important in life? Start with relationships. How is your relationship with your husband or significant other? If its not everything its cracked up to be maybe you need to make it better or move on. What about family members? Are they a great support to you or do they just bring you down? How about your children? How long has it been since you spent some quality time with them no matter how old they are? Quality time not just a trip to the movies. One important relationship that is about all is God. What is your relationship with Him?
I heard at a seminar once that those who attend church make almost fifteen percent more income then non-church goers. In fact most report an over all happiness and zest for life. No their lives were no where near perfect. They have had death, illness, accidents and other things have happen to them. However the difference is being a Christian gives you a different attitude or outlook with each situation faced with. God has promised that everything will eventually work out for good. Romans 8:28. However this promise is for Christians only. It goes on to say for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
So yes you are going to struggle with different things in your life. You are going to wonder at times is it all worth it and if there is any real purpose for anything in life. The answer is God. He is the creator of all things and in him is life and without him there is no life.
Christine Bettridge has loved writing since childhood. She has written Plays, poetry and many articles. Her latest e-book End Time Secrets recently released by Cypress Street Publishing has caused an order craze in the religious world. It can be ordered and downloaded right now through the publishers website at End Time Secrets and she also is the editor of the article directory, Above All Content Visit her blog at: The Bible Sound Blog
June 29th, 2008
An incentive is a way to pay back the effort to meet the goals you set. It is a promise in the form of gift, given to motivate people to sell, or to encourage people to buy your products or services. In the business sector, both an employee and customer can receive incentives, which may come in the form of money or free goods.
Rewards for employees can be given if they sell certain hard-to-sell or expensive products, or if they meet certain sales quotas. Those for clients, on the other hand, can be given if clients buy certain products, pay a large amount of cash to purchase your products or services, or refer potential customers to you.
Whether you are giving rewards for employees or clients, you have to be creative with your incentive, or rewards, program. You have to balance earning money with allowing other people to earn their rewards. In other words, you must still profit from the returns, but you awards must be special.
What possible incentives could you give?
Although rewards can come in the form of money or goods, most people would prefer to receive the latter. Now why is this so?
First, we have to take a look at the different types of non-cash rewards. Some companies give reward cards. Others choose to give travel certificates, or, at least, an all-expenses-paid “night on the town.” Still others give gift certificates or company merchandise.
What makes these non-cash incentives so attractive? It’s the fact that they can be shared with friends and family, and can be shown off and bragged about. You will hear employees boasting about the latest computer they got because they made a great sale.
You will hear clients showing off their new vacuum cleaner, won through a point system after thousands of dollars spent with their credit cards. But have you ever heard anyone bragging about the money they got, or the check they won?
In the end, the best rewards are those which can be used anywhere, are tailored to the recipient’s tastes and needs, have no expiration date, and can be chosen amongst a collection of incentives.
If your program fails to bring you profit, then there might be something wrong with either the conditions you set, or the incentive itself.
First, ask yourself if the goals you set were actually attainable. Although some rewards may be attractive, employees and clients can actually be turned off if asked to do something beyond their reach, or outside their call of duty. Take care to tip the balance towards motivation without compromising your profit.
Second, ask yourself if your incentive is truly special. The success of your program rests on how meaningful your reward is. If you are not sure about how valuable your incentive is, give your clients and employees a list of rewards, and give them the freedom to choose which reward they would like to receive.
An incentive program is a way to not only keep your clients happy, but keep your employees happily working for you as well. So draw up a great incentive program and work hard to make sure that it happens. In the end, it’s you who will be smiling while you rake the profits in.
And that is the greatest incentive for you.
James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of
IncentiveHub.com and writes expert
articles about incentives.
June 28th, 2008
There has been a serious obsession for laptops recently. In fact demand is so enormous that taiwanese manufactures are betting on part shortages already. Laptops have just been an amazing business to watch. There has been no drop in shipments. The technology is progressing in all directions simultaneously too.
More brands are appreciating that gaming laptops is becoming large enough niche to address. With prices falling and new technology being launched rather rapidly it means that buyers are getting increased value. In my opinion laptops are actually good for gaming. Performance is far advanced than ever before. What stuck me the most is how thin and stylish some gaming laptops are becoming compared to the past. Ok so there remains a difference in speed no matter how great gaming laptops have become but that should always remain. Everyone always desires to extract silly amounts of power from small packages so I would predict thats where gaming laptops are destined.
Numerous small system builders offer custom built laptops to niche segments. On occasions, with larger companies the reliability of the core components is not that great. You can usually save cash on specs you don’t want by specing the laptop to your needs. Prebuilt laptop computers are manufactured for people who have similar needs and that is probably not you right? A custom made notebooks fixes. I think one also gets superior customer service when buying a custom notebooks. I really think this is a major point that goes in favour for buying a laptop thats made to .
I think anumber of geeks are anticipating the next line of notebooks. Small internet laptops are the new idea to get mass market popularity. Clearly this will be something big in rising nations. I think consumers would like to see larger laptops that weigh a ton less than the current technology. If we overlook processing speed I’m sure we would see those types of laptops today. Gauging from what is going on it seems like we will start seeing ultra light gaming laptops. New notebooks are seen every year and I’m certain the next few months already holds a lot of promise for us enthusiasts.
Additionally scope out out these cheap gaming laptops.
June 28th, 2008
If there were no legal system, no lawyers and no courts, divorce would still be difficult and it would still take time to go through it. Divorce is at least a major crossroad in your life, maybe even a full-blown life crisis.
So, here you are, you and your spouse, going through your personal life changes, when the State comes along and says, “Excuse me! You can’t go through this without us. Your divorce has to be conducted on our field and under our rules . . . and you can’t even hope to understand our rules. Oh, by the way, this divorce system we’re going to put you through has no tools for helping you solve problems or negotiate with your spouse. In fact, our system is based on conflict and it is specially designed to cause trouble and greatly increase your expense. Please pay your filing fees on the way in.”
Our system of justice is known as an “adversary system.” This is the nature of the beast. It began hundreds of years ago in the middle ages with “trial by combat,” where people with a disagreement would fight it out and whoever survived was “right.” Today, physical contact is no longer a recognized legal technique, but things are still set up as a fight. The parties are regarded as adversaries, enemies in combat. When a divorce is conducted in our legal system, the spouses and their attorneys are expected to struggle against one another and try to “win” the case, to “beat” the opposition.
The rules control the way your attorney works with you. Your attorney is required to be “adversarial,” that is, aggressive and combative. The adversary system and the way lawyers work in it is a major cause of conflict, trouble and the high cost of divorce. You want to have as little as possible to do with the legal system. It is designed to work against you.
In spite of the way things seem, lawyers are not always villains and not always to blame for stirring up conflict. But even for lawyers who mean well, the tools they use and the system they work in will usually increase conflict. Law schools do not require courses in communication or negotiation. Rather, they stress manipulation of rules of law, aggressive and defensive strategy, how to take any side of any case and make the most of it, how to argue, and how to get the most financial advantage in every situation.
Professional standards of practice dictate how a lawyer will conduct your case. For example, professional ethics forbid your lawyer to communicate directly with your spouse–the adversary. It is expected, instead, that your spouse will be represented by an attorney and your lawyer can only communicate through your spouse’s lawyer.
This means that your attorney can’t “talk sense” to your spouse, or explain to your spouse how you see things, or even help you talk to each other. It means your attorney will always have a one-sided view of your case and can never achieve an understanding any greater than your own.
If you retain a lawyer, he will definitely take your case into the contested cycle of the legal system because that’s the only thing he can do. He has to. There are no other formal tools a lawyer can use.
The primary tools the lawyer uses are pre-trial motions and discovery. An attorney can take you and your spouse into court to get temporary orders for support, custody, visitation or keeping the peace. An attorney can use formal discovery to get documents and information under oath.
So, if you and your spouse can work out your own temporary arrangements and share all information openly, you’ll have no need for those incredibly expensive legal tools. You can keep your case out of lawyers’ offices and out of court.
But, if either spouse retains an attorney, that attorney will invariably write formal letters, file legal papers, make motions, and do discovery. These actions will surely cause the other spouse to get an attorney, too. Now, instead of two people who don’t communicate well, you have four people who do not communicate well. The case is now contested and the cost and conflict level will go way up. Attorneys tend to ask for more than they expect to get; it’s considered “good” practice. Your spouse’s lawyer will oppose your lawyer’s exaggerated demands by offering less than they are willing to give and by attacking you and your case at the weakest points.
Now you’re off to a good, hot start and soon you’ll have a hotly contested case, lots of cost, and a couple of very upset spouses. Fees in contested cases can run from tens of thousands of dollars each all the way up to everything.
Summary: Except in high-conflict cases, the legal system has little to offer. The things an attorney can do for you are expensive, upsetting, and tend to increase conflict rather than reduce it.
If you don’t want to (or have to) use the legal system, go around it–work out your arrangements outside the legal system and, if necessary, get limited assistance, in the form of information and advice, from attorneys who do not represent the spouses.
Take heart; I tell you exactly how to do this in my articles, Divorce Roadmap: The Route Around the Legal System and Divorce–How You Can Beat the System.
Copyright 2005 Ed Sherman
Ed Sherman is a family law attorney, divorce expert, and founder of Nolo Press. He started the self-help law movement in 1971 when he published the first edition of How to Do Your Own Divorce, and founded the paralegal industry in 1973. With more than a million books sold, Ed has saved the public billions of dollars in legal fees while making divorce go more smoothly and easily for millions of readers. You can order his books from http://www.nolodivorce.com or by calling (800) 464-5502.
June 27th, 2008
“Do every day or two something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it, so that when the hour of dire need draws nigh, it may find you not unnerved and untrained to stand the test.” William James, Habit
Good and bad habits are tiny daily choices that accumulate. Each choice is a small wire that is woven together with hundreds of other little choices. Eventually these wires form a strong cable. Like a child that grows a tiny amount each day, our tiny choices accumulate without much notice. By the time we realize we have either a good or a bad habit, the habit has us. Most of our daily choices are made automatically without even thinking about them. To change our habits, we first need to be aware of them. Then we need to work backward from the habit to the daily practices that form it. To change the habit, we need to change those practices.
Procrastination is a good example. Putting things off until tomorrow is a popular labor saving device. However, as actor and comedian, W.C. Fields, once said, “there comes a time that you must take the bull by the tail and face the situation.” Failing to face tough situations usually makes them worse. But it’s a habit. The more often we procrastinate, the more natural it is to do the next time. The opposite is also true. If we practice doing those things that we most want to delay first, we find that it wasn’t so bad after all. And everything else that follows is all that much easier.
Our discipline and habits spring from our passion and commitment. I find that when I have the least amount of self-discipline and have the greatest trouble forming a success habit, it’s often because my heart isn’t in it. So to motivate myself, I need to find ways to increase my passion.
For years I told myself how much I hated jogging early in the morning. I would clench my teeth and go for a short run because I knew it was good for me. I complained so much about jogging that my colleagues once bought me a tee shirt complete with handy “Running Excuses” printed on it. Then I started to concentrate on all the benefits of jogging. I paid attention to the smells, sounds, and sights around me. I focused on how invigorated I felt in the shower afterward and how much more energy I had throughout the day. I talked about how much better I felt from the work out. I read articles on the benefits of aerobic exercise. I slowly extended my running distance.
Eventually I came to love jogging. When I broke my collarbone in a skiing accident (I discovered the painful truth of the most dangerous statement on the ski hill “Just follow me, Dad”), I went jogging with my shoulder bouncing painfully in an upper body brace. I either bumped my head too hard in the fall on the ski hill or the habit has me.
Passion is a key leadership element. In a Fortune article on “America’s Most Admired Companies,” Thomas A. Stewart gives direction that applies to every leader in any social, family, or organization role. His advice also highlights a key reason these leaders are so successful. “There is one more item in our list of Things Leaders Must Do, and it’s just what your broker says Investors Must Not Do: fall in love. There are CEOs who slash and CEOs who fix and CEOs who safeguard and CEO’s who build. The great ones do all these things too, but first of all they love. Passion, commitment, ferocity - the traits of lovers are in these leaders.”
Excerpted from Jim’s fourth bestseller, Growing the Distance: Timeless Principles for Personal, Career, and Family Success. View the book’s unique format and content, Introduction and Chapter One, and feedback showing why nearly 100,000 copies are now in print at http://www.growingthedistance.com. Jim’s new companion book to Growing the Distance is The Leader’s Digest: Timeless Principles for Team and Organization Success. Jim Clemmer is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, workshop/retreat leader, and management team developer on leadership, change, customer focus, culture, teams, and personal growth. His web site is http://www.clemmer.net/articles.
June 24th, 2008
Attention, General Motors! The concept Camaro now making the rounds of U.S. auto shows is a real winner. Keep showing the car, but start making plans to get it built…now! Make no changes to the concept; in other words: keep the boardroom geeks away from the project. Yes, GM is looking at bringing back a venerable nameplate - the Chevrolet Camaro. If all goes as planned, a 2009 model Camaro is a strong possibility. Read on for additional interesting tidbits.
Back in the late 1960s, General Motors responded - albeit a little late - to the wildly successful 1964 1/2 launch of the Ford Mustang. A whole new breed of cars were on the market - pony cars - thanks to the Mustang and GM’s release of the Chevrolet Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird. Indeed, Chrysler and American Motors jumped in too with the Dodge Charger, Plymouth Road Runner, and AMC Javelin competing successfully in a popular automobile segment.
Consumer tastes have changed over the years and the Camaro did not keep up them. Better put, it was GM who did not keep up with the Camaro and it, along with the Firebird, were retired after the 2002 model year. 35 years of Camaro/Firebird history came to a bitter end.
Fortunately for Camaro lovers, it may once again be the hated Mustang that rescues the Camaro. As in the 1960s, GM is witnessing Ford’s big success with its retro looking Mustang and GM wants a piece of the action. Unlike GM, Ford never retired the Mustang name and, instead, gave it a complete makeover that has galvanized sales.
The Camaro making the rounds of the U.S. auto shows is a real beauty. Taking its styling cues from the ‘69 Camaro, the proposed ‘09 Camaro is expected to feature a 6.0L V8 engine paired with a 6 speed manual transmission. The wheels are 21″ at the front and 22″ at the back, but smaller wheels are likely to be the production standard. In addition, the Camaro’s interior will hearken back to the original model’s interior and include its famed twin instrument pod.
With a base V6 available, the standard Camaro may retail for just under $20,000, a highly competitive price for an awesome looking two door coupe. Now, if the powers that be within GM can be persuaded to build the car based on the concept, the Camaro will certainly give the Mustang a run for the money and keep the all new (retro) Dodge Challenger from swiping away Camaro loyalists.
Oh, to dream about big things…the Camaro is one car that enthusiasts want to go from concept to completion and soon! GM, are you hearing us?
Copyright 2006 - For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.
June 24th, 2008
Stationary Exercise Bikes - Still A Top Choice For Overall Fitness
In all the craze over new fangled fitness equipment, the exercise bike often gets overlooked. Stationary exercise bikes have been around for many years, which can lead some people to think they are outdated or not as effective as newer types of equipment. But for many people, exercise bikes provide a fun, consistent, reasonable means of exercising, improving cardio functions, and losing weight.
Stationary exercise bikes provide all the benefits of riding a bicycle. They provide good cardio workouts, have much less impact on knees, hips and other joints than walking or running, and can be used at any time it’s convenient. Most stationary bikes have manual or computerized controls to allow you to adjust resistance and speed. Many also come with heart monitors and cardio workouts already programmed in. There is a huge selection of price and style, and stationary bikes tend to be the most affordable cardio exercise machine.
Plus, with a stationary bike, you don’t have to worry about traffic, dogs, or bad weather. You can exercise in the convenience of your own home and even watch television or read a book while you bike. Try doing that on the bike path at the park!
Types of Stationary Bikes
Standard, upright stationary bikes come in single or dual action models. Dual action bikes have handles or levers to work the upper body and have been shown to provide more effective cardio workouts, burn more calories, and also improve overall body tone more efficiently than single action bikes. Dual action bikes work well for those with hip or leg injuries who need to exercise but also need to go easy on their legs. The dual action allows the arms to work harder to operate the machine, thus requiring less work from the legs.
A recumbent bicycle, sometimes called a “bent,” is a type of stationary bike that is more laid back…literally. It places the body in a semi or fully reclining position, taking pressure off the back area. Some people feel the position is difficult to adapt to at first, but many who choose recumbent bikes say they are very easy and comfortable to ride. They usually come with a larger seat, which often means you will stay on the machine longer or not have discomfort later.
Because of the reclining position, a recumbent bike works the abdominal muscles more and also creates more hamstring action. The lower center of gravity makes for better balance as well. Doctors feel they are better for those with back problems or with cerebral palsy and related diseases. The recumbent bikes also bring your feet more closely in line with your heart, keeping blood pressure low and providing for a safer overall workout.
Popular Models & Prices
Most stationary bikes come with ways to assess your speed and distance. Economy models have a tachometer/odometer combination and a design that utilizes a flywheel to provide resistance. These models are not programmable and provide the least effective workout, but are at under $200 can be an inexpensive way for a beginner or someone on a tight budget to get some exercise. They can be purchased at many department stores.
Standard models usually come with more features such as a programmable consul that calculates heart rate or allows you to pick a heart rate and then adjust the resistance accordingly. These bikes may use flywheels, fan blades, or magnetic resistance, depending on the quality. Magnetic resistance is usually the best method as it operates more smoothly and is quieter. These models can range from $200 up to $1500 and provide the broadest range of selection for the average person. Some popular models include Tunturi F520 (recumbent), Vision Fitness R2000, and several models from Schwinn, the popular bike manufacturer.
More expensive stationary bikes often use magnetic resistance and typically need to be plugged in to an outlet. They come with all the bells and whistles, including extended warranties, more varied programming features, and comfort options such as built in fans. They typically cost over $1500. Lifecycle 5500HR and 5500RHR (recumbent) are popular choices among those who are serious about their workout or have a healthy budget.
Other popular manufacturers of exercise bikes include Nordic Track, Reebok, Weslo, Keys, Fitness Quest, and Edge.
Compared To Other Equipment
All types of stationary bikes provide a low impact workout that many feel is an advantage over treadmill exercise. The force on the knees, ankles, feet and other body parts that occurs with walking or running can cause swelling or discomfort in the joints. It can irritate old injuries or sometimes even produce new problems. A stationary bike provides non-weight bearing exercise that reduces impact on these areas.
In the health and fitness industries, and among customers, there is an extensive debate over which machines burn more calories and give a better cardio workout. There is evidence on both sides of the issue, but many people agree that a stationary bike should have dual action to optimize weight loss and heart health. The pumping of the arms has a significant impact of the effectiveness of any workout, and a treadmill is less effective as well if you hold onto the hand supports rather than letting your arms swing or pumping them in rhythm to your motion.
Elliptical trainers are another exercise option that provides a low impact workout, but many feel they do not provide the same cardio benefits. Rowing machines are boring, more difficult to use, and can be hard on the back. Other equipment has disadvantages as well, making stationary bikes a good choice for overall effectiveness and satisfaction. Consumer buying shows that exercise bikes continue to rank as a top choice for exercise and fitness training.
In the ever expanding world of health and fitness equipment, there have been some true advances as well as a bunch of gimmicks. A stationary bike is an old standard that has been a proven exercise tool for years, and that continues to improve and adapt through new technology. The overall effectiveness, ease of use and variety of designs and prices makes a stationary exercise bike an excellent choice for beginners and advanced enthusiasts alike.
About the Author:
C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Best-Home-Gyms.com, providing consumer
information on the best discount home gyms. Read our
elliptical
trainer reviews, exercise bike and
treadmill reviews
for great ideas on equipping your gym.
Copyright 2005 Best-Home-Gyms.com
Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the
author’s byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.
Continue Reading June 23rd, 2008
Great unique gift ideas for that perfect 21st birthday present are a symbol of credit of an obtained goal in life. Not only ethnic but societal as well. 21st birthday is a milestone birthday celebrated extensively in the 21st century, and is measured to be one of the most important days in a person’s life. 18 is legal by law but 21 is considered a legal adult. Searching for a 21st birthday present is easy when you know what to look for. A life truth.
June 21st, 2008
Property Index have a range of properties for sale in Spain, from villas to apartments.
Although PropertyIndex.com is seen as a fairly young enterprise, starting their business only in March of 2007, they have swiftly gained in reputation. In actuality they are a extraordinarily unassuming enterprise specialised in offering experienced guidance to everyone who is expecting to let real property in the most popular regions of the world. What they assure you of is to offer you assistance to spot squarely what’s looked for quick and, further, unproblematically. Estate can easily be found no matter where currently, unquestionably the fanciest area being realty for sale in Spain. It should really be easy to write up the good real estate available for sale in Spain, the argument for looking into land here is a combination of the houses and apartments available and the possibility of living amongst this enthusiastic and high-spirited people.
This is one of the most fashionable regions of the world currently, and in view of the scenic beauty and the wonderful climate surrounding you all the time, how could you go wrong… Estate in Spain is rich in history, this realm of the world has been and still is home to more than a few cultures. Some 25 or 30 years ago you’d find just a dribble of Englishmen who are looking for real estate in Spain. Just ask everyone who has chosen to move to Spain and they’ll tell you the same. Many people would are tagging it a mere vogue and others are tagging it a practically an infatuation! Patrons who are keen on transferring to this area may extend from yuppie couples keen on some new challenge in life to retired people looking to put their feet up.
Note, however, that you may encounter some troubles when buying real estate in a foreign market; expectably there’ll be a million procedures to bear in mind when planning, popping in or buying and completing. If you only miss one minor action this could definitely escalate insurmountable troubles plus, of course, preeminently, a financial trouncing. Obviously, as is to be anticipated with this fashionable location, real estate may be pretty high priced in this place and that is simply caused by the broad demand. Yet, real estate buyers are certainly spoilt in terms of choice in such a region blessed by sun soaked topography. It’s actually got the whole thing a patron could feasibly covet and lots more.
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