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drummingRecently I had been looking for a hobby that I could start because I had the time and I wanted to try out something new. I was always interested in music and decided to learn how to play an instrument. As I was looking around for classes, I came across a top drum lessons studio in Melbourne.

Drums are not normally popular with women, but I find it cooler than the guitar or the piano. When I listen to music I always pay attention to the rhythm, therefore I made up my mind to learn this instead. As I read more about it, I found out that there are health benefits of drums lessons as well.

What is great about this instrument is that it can be learned by anyone, and does not require any special abilities or talents. You also would not need to learn how to read notes or any other theory. The fact that most traditional and primitive music revolves around drums shows that this is universally popular regardless of culture, age, race, and nationality. Young or old, male or female, drumming is there for everyone. You can enroll into drum lessons at any time as well.

Drumming Helps with Therapy

People whose brains are injured or impaired or those who suffer from arthritis and physical injuries benefit from drum therapy, as proven by research.

It Helps with Your Immune System

Playing the drums can help decrease your blood pressure and stress levels. Because of the physical movement involved, it allows you to vent out your frustration. How many times did you want to hit something when you are stressed? You can find the right outlet with this instrument. More than that, it can be meditative, when you focus on specific rhythms and combine it with deep breathing. Stress levels can also have a negative effect on your immune system because it can hinder the creation of killer cells. Therefore, reducing stress will boost your body’s ability to fight disease.

It is Good for Your Brain

Drumming helps the two sides of your brain to synchronize the two sides of your brain. This leads to harmonized brain waves, helping you become more conscious, insightful and even more creative. Moreover, alpha waves in the brain are increased while playing, helping your mind become calmer and achieve a meditative state.

There is an Emotional Advantage Too

If you are suffering from emotional trauma, including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), you might benefit from playing drums. It gives you an outlet to express or address your emotional issues. Even the sound vibrations stimulate your cells to release negative memories are stored in your cells. Music allows us to release our emotions, which can then help you rebuild your emotional health. Through the expression of what is deep down, you can also address these issues that you might have dug deep inside you for a long time.

You can Connect Better

There are also group drumming classes you can take part in, and doing so will help you connect with other people within a community. Some use this as a team building tool because individuals get to share a powerful experience. They learn to work as a team, listen to others and achieve common goals. No one is isolated, and communication and involvement can be improved within the group.

Not only do you end up connecting with others better, but it also works the same for yourself. You can become more in sync with yourselves, which is key to achieving a healthier mental and emotional state.

You can Focus on the Present Moment

The fact you have to coordinate several body parts mean that you are forced to focus on your every movement. Your mind does not get distracted by other thoughts, which helps you forget worries and stresses.

You can Express Yourself Creatively

Playing music is a great way to express yourself and moreover, enhance your creative side. Most people simply do not have an outlet for their thoughts and emotions and the drums might be the way for you to do it. Even if you never thought of yourself as a musician or an artist, you might suddenly discover this side of your personality.

It’s Fun

The best part of playing music is that you end up doing something fun. In fact, your brain ends up releasing endorphins that make you feel happy and euphoric. Moreover, group drumming multiplies the fun, much like in a jamming session. After all, if you are to do something in your free time, it should be something that is fun and enjoyable!

These are benefits that I did not expect from just playing the drums. It made me more determined to actually continue with the classes. I even decided to join some group drumming sessions to enjoy the benefits of making music together. Finally, not only did I learn something new and had a new hobby for the extra time I had, but I also improve my health at the same time.

weight lossAn unhealthy lifestyle over time has its way of showing in our figures. The problem is, most of us are so busy with work and other things that we sometimes fail to notice how badly we are eating and living. As it was with me, I knew the kilos were piling up but I didn’t really realize until a few dress sizes later how much I have really gained. But once I woke up to the reality that I needed to focus on my weight and diet, I became determined to do correct my bad habits.

Despite the numerous fad diets around, I was not convinced that they would really work and that they are even healthy. I did not want a short-term solution of crash dieting and losing kilos quickly but not being able to maintain the weight. I also did not believe in slaving away simply in the gym without pairing it with proper nutrition. I wanted to lose my extra kilos the best way possible, so I turned to the Internet to look for an experienced dietitian in Melbourne CBD area to be my partner in my journey to my target weight.

It was very important for me to find someone who was not just knowledgeable about diet and nutrition, but who will have a personalized approach and care. Finally, I found a great professional who offers a more comprehensive approach to improving my lifestyle. I was not, after all, under any time pressure to lose weight. I wanted a manageable reduction of weight, targeting between half to one kilo every week.

One of the key strengths of my dietitian was her holistic approach, paying attention to the psychological effects of food and weight. For many of us, food has become an escape from stress or other issues, making it difficult to change our diet. At the same time, our weight affects our sense of self, so focusing on the numbers showing up on that scale can be dangerous. Her approach is to transform your diet gradually, without sudden no-sugar diets or eating tasteless meals. Instead, this is achieved by gently substituting ingredients while meeting the nutritional needs of my body.

Finding a dietitian whose philosophy matches yours is vital to succeeding. I do not want to be forced or not be in complete agreement with the changes I was going to have to make in my life.

How was my experience working with a dietitian?

During my first appointment, I got to know my professional partner better, getting information on her background and experience. In return, she took the time to also interview me. This means beyond getting my statistics, she asked about my diet and fitness habits, and moreover, my goals and targets. She had many questions about my preferences, allergies and basically important information to understand what could be improved. What was most important was her trying to understand my philosophy on food and health. This was a very useful (though long) conversation that started good communication between us and put us on the same page. 

She also did a lecture on food and nutrition, explaining why I possibly was gaining weight. Though I was not into binge eating, it seems I have for a very long time eating more calories than my body actually needed. Understanding our body and its requirements is important in planning a diet. She explained how my eating plan was specialized for me so that my energy intake from all sources of protein, carbohydrates, and fat is balanced. I was still providing my body with what is necessary but at the same time, shedding a few unnecessary kilos. These lectures were very helpful for me to gain knowledge to help me make the right choices.

My eating plan was devised as well around ingredients that I like so that I could still enjoy my meals. This was partnered with developing knowledge and skills in portion control, reading labels, recipe ideas, exercise and even modifying existing recipes. In the planned 4-week weight loss program, I gained all the necessary knowledge to make better choices and continue my journey way beyond this time. All this achieved without depriving me of my favorite food!

After 4 weeks of monitoring and checking on my progress, I had finally started making my way to achieving my goal weight. Moreover, not only was I on the way to reversing that unhealthy lifestyle I had been living, but I was able to avoid being obese and the health conditions common to those who are overweight. Now I look and feel better, and at the same time, I was at the peak of my health. I never want going back to my old unhealthy self again as I look forward to living a disciplined and vigorous lifestyle.

chiropractor for bac painI am haunted by the idea of going to hospitals and I’d do anything just to avoid them. But recently, I was forced to have a check-up because of my persistent and bothersome back pain. Normally, I’d place back pain patches or rub cooling oil to soothe the discomfort and the soreness; however, this time around, a specialist’s advice and medication was needed, since none of them were enough to relieve the pain. 

At first, I was anxious to step inside the clinic knowing that my situation was not just the typical back strain. But thankfully, I was able to set an appointment with a friendly chiropractor in Dandenong, and so I was relaxed the whole time. 

Chiropractor are health professionals that address problems of the nervous and musculoskeletal system. They’re not your usual therapists, but they’re also not doctors. And in general, they provide prevention methods and treatments to back pain, headaches, disc bulging, and compressed spinal discs. 

The first thing on our agenda was the comprehensive physical examination, completely followed by a medical history evaluation. What I appreciated was that my specialist immediately gave me a personalized treatment plan, and to my surprise, a surgery was not necessary in the healing process. This is the beauty of going to a chiropractor - there is a big chance for you to recover without needles, medicines, and radiation. 

I was given a natural and drugless approach to align my spine once again. With a set of exercises that focused on range and motion and nutritional diet, there was a significant decrease of muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain in the buttocks. Thanks to chiropractic adjustments and decompression, the sensitive nerves were targeted. 

After a few sessions with my chiropractor, I realized that our tendency to overlook the simple muscle pains can cause the worsening of possible serious ailments. I made the right choice by seeking professional help and alternative treatments such as this to alleviate my health condition. 

Remedial MassageI always have my relaxing massage at a local massage clinic near our place. Sometimes I go there once or twice a month. Sometimes, if I am so stressed out, I can drop by anytime and have my relaxing massage. Elaine and her team at the Freedom Chinese Medicine clinic -freedomchinesemedicine.com have been so kind and helpful to really help me manage my stress. I always feel a lot better every time I spend a few hours under the caring and soothing hands of Elaine or any one of her staff. It is like getting recharged for the battle ahead the following day or the following week. If only it was possible to get massage every single night, I know my sleep will really be blissful.

Freedom Chine Medicine has only 2 kinds of massage – relaxation and remedial. Unlike other massage clinics which can have a dizzying number of massage styles like Shiatsu, Reflexology, and Swedish, just to name a few, Freedom only has 2. And I guess, I can say that this is one of the reasons why I chose it as my favourite massage clinic and not just because it is near my place in Ivanhoe.  The only difference in the varying styles of massage is the manner in which the massage is performed. Massage will always result in relaxation or, if there are sore or aching muscles, they will lead to a reduction in the soreness or the level of pain.

If you want to relax, then you get the relaxing massage. If you have a sore or aching muscle, then get the remedial massage. Plain and simple. The question you might be asking me now is does remedial massage work? And my short and quick answer to that is yes, it really works.

Remedial massage works in the same way as a relaxing massage. The only difference is that it is more specific to a particular part of the body – that part that needs a remedy. For example, if you have sore leg muscles, then the massage will be focused on reducing the soreness of the muscles. Relaxing massage will be more on the whole body. Remedial massage is on the specific part of the body that is sore or aching. It is very important to understand that the target of massage is the different groups of muscles. If the problem is in a bone then massage should not be performed. For example, if you suspect having a fracture, manipulating the muscles will put a strain on the bone further aggravating the bone injury. Muscles are connected to the bone so it would be wise to remember that.

Remedial massage works by relieving the tension in the different muscle groups of the affected body part. The pressure applied onto these muscles help stimulate the release of certain chemicals from the brain which can help ease the feeling of pain. These substances, known as endorphins, also help to make you feel a lot better. They also help promote improved blood supply to the affected part so that inflammatory cells and substances can be effectively removed. Additionally, improving the blood supply to the affected area will allow the different cells in the body to start repairing the injured tissues. Sore muscles are often an indication of tissue injury. Enhancing the delivery of blood to this part will help hasten the speed of tissue repair and recovery.

Personally, I had the chance of having remedial massage at Freedom Chinese Medicine for several times now. I spend most of my time in front of my desk in the office. Unfortunately, our office chairs are not ergonomically designed. So you can expect that I did develop low back pain after how many years of working behind the desk. That was when I decided to ask Elaine for their remedial massage. At first, it was quite painful having the muscles around my lower back manipulated. They were sore. And the manipulation actually seemed to worsen it. Elaine reassured me that it is natural for the massage to hurt a bit especially when applied to sore muscles. But it was something that I had to endure. As Elaine continued massaging my lower back, I guess I got accustomed to the pressure that it didn’t feel painful anymore. Elaine explained that it is the endorphins from my brain that is already kicking in. By the time my first remedial massage session was done, I felt some improvement in the degree of lower back pain. Sure, it did still hurt but not as much as prior to my massage. So I scheduled another session with Elaine and for the next 3-4 session, I knew I had rid myself of low back pain.

This is just one example of how remedial massage can work. Now, I am not saying that since it worked for me, it should work for you, too. What I am trying to say is that remedial massage is primarily intended for certain very specific problems. It is not treatment for any disease but it can nevertheless manage some of the symptoms that can make our daily lives like hell.

 

balayage
Gisele Bundchen. Cat Deeley. Penelope Cruz. Drew Barrymore. Alessandra Ambrosio. Jennifer Lopez. Jessica Biel. The list goes on and on. And if you think what these names have in common is that they are all celebrities in their own right, you are spot on. However to be more specific, they all sport that lovely lock of hair that has been beautifully styled using the art of balayage.

This kind of hairstyling is something that will make you want to forget about foils. Adding that perfect sun-kissed appearance to your crowning glory is now made more realistic and more natural. Thanks to the skillful hands and the crafty eyes of a balayage expert, you can now sport the same naturally vibrant looking hair that you once had when you were still growing up as a child. As it requires skills, it is always best to obtain it from a fully trained balayage hairstyling expert such as those working at the Rakis on Collins hair salon.

What makes balayage so interestingly famous nowadays, aside from the fact that many celebrity actresses, ramp models, and socialites use them, is that it is a very fashionable way to improve one’s appearance without necessarily appearing obnoxious. Compared to highlights and full hair color schemes often seen among Otakus, balayage capitalizes on the less is more doctrine. By providing just the right amounts of naturally colored highlights on the hair, it gives an overall appearance similar to hair that is shining under the warm radiant light of the sun. If you don’t know what this means, just try imagining yourself in the beach and take a look at other people’s hair. The reflection of the sun’s golden rays off the strands of their hair provides an effect that is what many refer to as sun-kissed. Now imagine having that effect wherever you are – in social gatherings, on dinner dates, or even in the office – and you can start to realize just how great you look in that balayage hairstyle.

The hairstyling affords versatility and ease of maintenance so you will be assured of not really having to spend so much time caring for it. Additionally, the naturally soft highlights afforded by the balayage hairstyling can be achieved in any type of hair. Curly, wavy or straight, long or short, there simply is no type of hair that balayage will not fit into. Some would prefer having a balayage hairstyle that appears tousled to show beautiful variations of color through the hair while other would prefer having a loose curly effect to their hair. Whatever kind of styling you may want, balayage, because of its subtle nature, can fit right into your hair’s intricate characteristics. However, many experts agree that individuals with longer, more flowing hair can superbly benefit from the gentle free-flowing nature of balayage hair highlighting.

Today, more and more people are going for the more subtle, more natural look. Nothing can be more beautiful than having hair that looks naturally soft. And since it is hand-painted onto your hair, it creates a strikingly marvelous pattern of unevenness that is best described as following the natural wave patterns of the hair. Compared to other hair highlighting techniques, balayage allows for the ultimate expression of your personality. It naturally enhances your physical assets, not detract from it. It is largely dependent on the tone of your skin to make sure that it will bring out the natural qualities of your facial features and your skin characteristics. It is for this reason that many experts recommend having balayage only from accredited hair salons that are staffed by hairstylists who have been duly trained and certified to provide balayage hair highlighting.  

Now imagine if you were to strut in your office with your newly styled hair, people will just admire you for your natural look. They will be mesmerized not at how your hair looks but rather how your other features and assets have stood out. What they fail to recognize is that all of these are only made possible by the subtleness and soft natural waves of color highlights from your hair. Like an image where lines draw the eye to the subject, your balayage styled hair automatically guides the eyes of other individuals towards your other facial features – your eyes, your eyebrows, your lips, and yes, even your nose. The soft wavy patterns of balayage make this all possible by drawing attention to what can be considered your best physical attributes.

However, this can only be achieved if you have a balayage expert styling your hair. When an expert styles you, sure you get the best hair colour that matches your personality. Thus, you become poised and more confident.

 

insomniaThe body needs at least eight hours of uninterrupted, comfortable, and restful sleep. At least this is what health experts recommend. And while different individuals may have varying opinions as to the number of hours that can be sufficiently called as enough sleep, everyone agrees that good quality sleep is often difficult to achieve if the right conditions are not present. This often requires well-controlled sleeping environment as well as the addition of beneficial sleeping aids.

The Need for Sleep

Sleep is needed by the body to facilitate the various cellular reparative and regeneration processes. Consider sleep as that time of day when your muscles are not contracting, your mind is not thinking of anything, your breathing gets more relaxed, and most of your body are able to rest as well. However, there are certain parts of the body that will be literally awake to keep all of your vital organs optimally functioning. Additionally, any oxidative stress that may have occurred during the day can be effectively managed and the tissues repaired ready for another day.

It’s not a Disease, It’s a Symptom

Insomnia is not a disease but rather a symptom of a problem. It is often described as the inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep or waking up too early or a combination of any of these. Some experts point to nutrient deficiencies as well as other chemical imbalances that may respond to vitamin and nutrient supplementation. Health shops in Melbourne VIC know this too well and as such they do provide a host of vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplementation that can help bring back the quality of sleep in peoples’ lives.

Melatonin

One of the most important hormones that affect your internal body clock, known as circadian rhythm, melatonin is a very peculiar hormone that has excellent antioxidant properties but is only active during the night. Once darkness sets, the pineal gland starts releasing melatonin into the blood and by 9 PM you will already be feeling sleepy. The effect only lasts in so long as there is still melatonin in your bloodstream, usually about 12 hours max. Just think of melatonin as the driving mechanism behind your internal clock, the one that tells your body when it is time to go to bed and when it is already full awake. Unfortunately, any disruptions in this cycle can greatly diminish the effectiveness of melatonin as well.

While there are natural methods to increase your melatonin levels or to reset your internal body clock, most modern individuals prefer the convenience of melatonin supplementation. An initial dose of 0.25 milligrams or 0.50 milligrams is often recommended in order to allow you to fall asleep faster and keep you asleep longer. Additionally, you will experience lesser restlessness during sleep and avoid daytime fatigue.

Magnesium

The mineral magnesium is primarily important in ensuring cell membrane integrity. Magnesium ions close the calcium channels on cells in order to reduce the generation and transmission of electrical nerve impulses from nerves to muscles and across the entire length of the muscle. Without this electrical stimulation, the muscles go into a relaxed state and the neurons go into a hypoactive state. In simpler terms, magnesium puts you to sleep by making sure your nerve cells and muscle cells are already resting.

Insomnia therefore, is believed to be a manifestation of magnesium deficiency. As such, one of the treatments will be increasing your diet of magnesium-rich foods such as almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and avocados. If you want to be more specific about your magnesium intake, it is often better to take a supplement. Now you have to understand that if you are going to take magnesium supplementation, you will have to balance this with Vitamin D, calcium, and Vitamin K2 supplementation.

Valerian

The herb Valerian has been known to exert its sedative effect by increasing the amounts of circulating gamma amino butyric acid, a neuropeptide that is responsible for inhibiting the generation and transmission of electrical impulses in neuronal structures. This leads to the induction of sleep pretty much like if you were to be sedated with an anaesthetic agent. Some experts believe that combining Valerian with hops can greatly improve its effectiveness as a sedative.

Vitamin D

A deficiency in Vitamin D have been associated with increased incidence of daytime sleepiness which can become a significant contributor to the presence of insomnia when it is already time to sleep at night. As such, experts believe that Vitamin D supplementation of about 8,000 IU per day in order to achieve a Vitamin D serum level of 40 ng/mL.

There are other vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements that are used for insomnia. However, these four supplements are excellent starters for you to achieve your much-needed sleep.

Health-related topics such as this are really helpful and worth-reading. Apart from this, being able to enrich your knowledge, you can apply them in real life. To interest you with more health and wellness articles, click here for more.

sensitive teeth 1Sensitive teeth is truly a discomfort and can even be very painful especially when triggered by hot, cold, sweet or even sour food and drinks. At times, brushing and flossing can also worsen the condition. The occurrence of sensitive teeth is brought about by a number of reasons. One factor is when the dentin is exposed as caused by the thinning of the layers of the teeth called enamel. The dentin is a protective layer of the tooth which contains ultra-tiny openings known as tubules. These openings are responsible in transporting sensation from the surface of the tooth going into the nerve endings. When your teeth is exposed to something hot or cold, these nerve endings are stimulated producing pain or sensitivity.

While the anatomy of the tooth is one primary cause of sensitive teeth, there are also secondary factors which are known to cause this problem. These are stated below:

• Gum injury as caused by aggressive brushing of the teeth exposes the roots of within the teeth.
• Progressive periodontal disease can cause sensitive teeth because the damaged tissues expose the root surfaces of the teeth.
• Constant clenching or grinding of the teeth may wear down the enamel of the teeth and will eventually expose the dentin.
• Progressive tooth wear and tear as caused by poor oral hygiene and fluoride administration causes dentin vulnerability.
• Cavities that are unattended.
• Frequent intake of acidic food and drinks lead to tooth erosion.
• In some cases, teeth whitening and gum surgery cause sensitive teeth due to the exposure of the roots.

At this point, let us determine ways on how to combat sensitive teeth. Practice teeth therapy by following these guidelines:

Use a toothpaste which is intended for sensitive teeth.

Toothpastes that are specially designed for sensitive teeth contain compounds which help block sensations from traveling via the external part of the tooth going into the nerve. Toothpastes for sensitive teeth contain calcium phosphates, fluoride, potassium salts and sometimes strontium salts which inhibit pain and sensitivity and at the same time protect the teeth from food and drinks which are either hot or cold, sweet or sour.

Pay a visit to your family dentist.

When sensitive teeth cannot be treated by toothpaste and other forms of remedy, it is necessary to see a dentist. There are different solutions carried in treating sensitive teeth depending on the dentist’s diagnosis and evaluation. Some techniques include, fluoride gel application, desensitizing agent administration, use of bonding agents and varnish application. Dentists have gone through years of medical studies therefore, they know how to treat tooth problems considering its anatomy and physiology.

To prevent the occurrence of sensitive teeth, here are some tips:

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Carefully brush your teeth and gum line with a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damage on the surface of the teeth and at the same time cause tenderness to the gum area.

Use fluoridated toothpaste.

Fluoride is the best chemical that prevents the formation of cavities. When it comes to sensitive teeth, it protects the teeth by hardening the enamel.

Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

Excellent oral hygiene means brushing your teeth three times a day or every after meals. Cleaning the areas inside your mouth include the gum lining, tongue and teeth. By practicing appropriate brushing and flossing methods, the growth of germs and bacteria is prevented, making the teeth cleaner and stronger. Acid residue and food deposits are completely taken out of the mouth.

Be watchful of what you eat.

Be cautious of everything that you eat from the breakfast meals to break time snacks. Lessen the amount of extremely acidic food and drinks such as carbonated drinks, limes and lemon juices. Take note that over consumption of these liquids can break down the enamel of the teeth which will gradually lead to dentin exposure. This aggravates the sensitivity of the teeth and pain will eventually surface.

Sensitive teeth can be totally eliminated or prevented when you do the above sensitive teeth 2mentioned advice. You may not want to ruin your day or any special event in your life just because of this sensitive teeth issue. Keep all these guidelines in mind and consult with the best dentist in Melbourne CBD for the most accurate intervention.

Why, regardless of all of your good motives, you simply can't appear to seize control over your wellbeing and wellness the manner in which you actually want to would you wonder? The solution to that particular issue are available within Albert Einstein, who advised us "you CAn't correct an issue using the same convinced that produced it "'s terms. Quite simply, you CAn't change actions that are previous without new data.

The Start of Medicine posted research that suggests ninety thousand Americans are "health illiterate", meaning we don't understand employ or how to translate health data reduce serious illness or enhance our health, or to manage. Information gathered previously recognized, "insufficient data whilst the number 1 real cause of death". Comprehending just how we act and that there's a trigger and influence relationship between what we all know, we require a type of adding this information to alter the actions that result in chronic illness. Based on a-7- 1996, year, Harvard Medical College research, roughly 70% of cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes. Moreover, problems and our illnesses are mainly a direct result food tension, atmosphere, perspective, feelings or values that preserve us in actions that result in disease. Which encourages the issue, are we actively choosing to become harmful, or do we simply not comprehend adequately the connection between what we believe, exactly how we act, just how we maintain ourselves properly and what we put in our anatomies or create ourselves ill?

In a global bursting with health information, particularly on the web, we're captured within the issue of having plentiful levels of information, with no framework by which we are able to comprehend and employ this information in ways that's right for our very own distinctive individual health needs. There's, however, great information - producing its way in to the mainstream of health care is definitely an integral type of health data and training providing you with a "entire image of health" viewpoint, enabling all of us to detect and produce our very own distinctive method of using cost of our health and wellbeing. Full Health Education, created in the last 28 years, in cooperation with nurses, Ma doctors and teachers, is definitely a method of understanding the trigger and impact options and our actions have on our state of health. Demystifying the five main elements that impact how ill or properly we become, Complete Health Education supplies a viewpoint on body and structure, bio chemistry, psycho-cultural, ecological and religious elements that allows for a geniune knowledge of what we need understand to solve persistent health issues or even to remain healthy.

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