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Volume 5 Number 10
February 2008
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A
bit of history: Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950), the son of former slaves,
worked in Kentucky
coal mines as a youth. He enrolled in high school at age twenty, graduated
two years later, and subsequently earned a Ph.D. degree from Harvard. In his
studies, Dr. Woodson realized that the significant contributions of
African-Americans to the social, artistic, and economic fabric of America had
been marginalized – if not systematically ignored – in the
history books of his time.
Dr.
Woodson led numerous initiatives to correct this oversight. One such action
was the creation of Black History Week in 1926, to bring national attention
to the contributions of black men and black women to American history. The
second week of February was chosen because it included the birthdays of two
men – Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln – who had a major
influence on the course of African-American history. This observance later
became Black History Month.
Every
February, Black History Month provides an opportunity to understand,
appreciate, accept, and celebrate America’s
diversity, including the growing diversity of the U.S. workforce. NIOSH is
committed to exemplary occupational safety and health research that will
serve the needs of this changing demographic. Internally, diversity also
guides our vision of an inclusive research organization that embraces,
values, and respects all individuals.
By
increasing the diversity of our own workforce, and by recognizing and using
the skills and talents that different people bring to our common mission, we
will better accomplish our shared goal of safety and health at work for all
people through research and prevention.
I
am pleased that NIOSH has an ongoing Diversity Steering Committee. The
committee provides a vehicle through which, organizationally, opportunities
for a more diverse NIOSH can be suggested, formulated, and pursued. More
information about our mission, vision, and goals for internal diversity can
be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pgms/diversity.
As
our current generation of scientists enters retirement age, it is critically
important to nurture a new cadre of talented men and women who will reflect
the diversity of the U.S.
workforce as a whole. One of the ways in which NIOSH is attempting to do this
is through a longstanding cooperative agreement with Morehouse College,
one of the Nation's pre-eminent Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
For more than a decade, this agreement has enabled talented minority students
to work with NIOSH researchers on current projects. This program has
introduced students to occupational safety and health, stimulated their
interest in our field, and provided opportunities for mentoring. This exchange
of learning has benefited both students and their NIOSH mentors. We look
forward to establishing additional partnerships that will further enrich the
diversity of our field in the 21st Century.
Do you have additional insights
into the opportunities and challenges created for occupational safety and
health professionals by the growing diversity of today's workforce? Or
suggestions for ways in which NIOSH can further promote diversity within our
own organization? If so, please share them with us.
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President's
Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2009 Submitted
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The President's Budget Request for
Fiscal Year 2009 was submitted to Congress on February 4. The request
includes $326 million for NIOSH research. Details of the funding requested
for NIOSH in the President's Budget Request are available under "Occupational
Safety and Health" on the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Web page at http://www.cdc.gov/fmo/PDFs/FY07-09_Functional_Table.pdf
and in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) "Budget
in Brief" at http://www.hhs.gov/budget/09budget/2009BudgetInBrief.pdf
(pp. 28 and 32). Note: The level of requested funding shown in the HHS
"Budget in Brief" includes $55 million for NIOSH activity that
supports the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. The
$55 million is shown separately in the CDC budget.
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NIOSH Delivers
Research Report on Coal Mine Refuge Alternatives
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On January 23, NIOSH delivered the
"Research Report on Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal
Mines." The report responded to a provision in the Mine Improvement and
New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (the MINER Act) requiring NIOSH to conduct
research, including field tests, concerning the utility, practicality,
survivability, and cost of various refuge alternatives. Such alternatives are
intended to provide safe refuge to miners who are trapped underground,
awaiting rescue, after a mine explosion or roof collapse. The report is
available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2643.htm.
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Participate in
the NIOSH Emergency Preparedness
Response Office
Town Hall Meeting
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The
NIOSH Emergency Preparedness Response Office invites you to attend its
Research Portfolio Town Hall Meeting on:
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Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel and Resort
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
From 8:30AM – 5:00PM
(703) 418-1234
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NIOSH has developed strategic
goals to address important issues surrounding the health and safety of
emergency responders. The conference will provide an overview of the
Emergency Preparedness and Response portfolio and will solicit public
comments regarding priorities of the strategic goals. For more information on
these strategic goals, visit http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/epr/goals.html.
For information on conference registration, please visit our Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/epr/townhall.html.
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National
Academies Seeks Input for its Evaluation of the NIOSH Health Hazard
Evaluation
Program
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A committee of the National
Academies is soliciting input from NIOSH stakeholders about the relevance and
impact of NIOSH’s health hazard evaluation (HHE) program. The input is
part of the committee’s evaluation of the HHE program, which in turn is
one of several evaluations being conducted by the National Academies to
examine NIOSH programs with respect to their impact, relevance, and future
directions. If you are interested in providing input, we encourage you to do
so at the following National Academies Web site: http://www8.nationalacademies.org/survey/dels/nioshhhe.htm.
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Comments
Requested on WorkLife Initiative
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NIOSH is requesting public comment
(Docket Number NIOSH 132) on a new resource document intended to facilitate
the development of workplace programs, policies, and practices to sustain and
improve workforce health: The Essential Elements of Effective Workplace Programs and Policies for
Improving Worker Health and Wellbeing. The development
and dissemination of these Elements as a useful tool is a key effort of
the NIOSH WorkLife Initiative, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/worklife.
You may find instructions for submitting comments here, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/132.
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Workshops on
Self-Contained Self-Rescue Breathing Systems (SCSR)
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Workshops to solicit information
from self-contained self-rescue (SCSR) user groups and technology developers
will be held on February 12 in Wheeling, WV, and on March 11 in Denver, CO. Information obtained will be
considered in the development of redesign criteria for the next-generation
SCSR. Each one-day workshop will include discussion on lessons learned from
recent mine disasters, impact of the MINER Act and the S-MINER Act on SCSR
development, and development of a course of action. Registration for this
workshop is free, will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis, and
is required since space is limited. Additional information and registration
is available at http://www.nttc.edu/clients/niosh/workshopinfo.asp.
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Studies Show
Contingent Workers at Higher Risk, NIOSH Researchers Report
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U.S. and European
studies suggest that contingent workers such as part-time, temporary, or
contract workers are at higher risk for occupational injuries and illnesses
than workers in traditional employment situations, NIOSH researchers report.
Several possible reasons for the higher risk are suggested in the increasing
scientific evidence, and warrant further scientific investigation, the
researchers stated. The article, “Contingent Workers and Contingent
Health: Risks of a Modern Economy,” by Kristin J. Cummings, M.D.,
M.P.H., and Kathleen Kreiss, M.D., was published in the January 30 issue of
the Journal of the
American Medical Association. The report is available
on line at http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/299/4/448.
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NIOSH and the
American Industrial Hygiene Association Host TeleWeb
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Two NIOSH Scientists, Ziqing
Zhuang, Ph.D., and William Newcomb, will participate in American Industrial
Hygiene Association's (AIHA) Distance Learning Program by presenting
"The Value of Anthropometrics" and "How to Improve and Apply
Respirator Fit Testing" in a TeleWeb on Thursday, March 20, 2008, from
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM ET. The course will provide an overview of fit testing,
NIOSH respirator certification, discussion of a new respirator
fit test panel, and the results of testing using the new panel. Students
will be provided with tools to better able them to understand the value of
fit testing, categorize facial characteristics which can affect respirator
use, and identify applicable fit testing methodologies that can be applied within
their own organization. For more information visit the AIHA Web site at http://www.AIHA.org.
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Update from
the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)
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NIOSH's NPPTL Seeks
Public Comment on PAPR concept and Positive Pressure CC SCBA
Comments on a concept paper for powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR)
performance requirements, NIOSH Docket Number 008, will be accepted through
March 28, 2008. Details can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/resources/pressrel/letters/lttr-010308.html.
Comments are invited on any topic related to this concept paper.
NPPTL
is also reevaluating its limitations on and precaution for safe use of
positive-pressure closed-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus. Public
comment on this document, NIOSH Docket Number 123, will be accepted until
April 10, 2008. The full document can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/123.
Comments
submitted by e-mail or mail should be addressed to the “NIOSH Docket
Officer” and should specify the appropriate Docket Number and identify
the author(s), return address, and a phone number, in case clarification is
needed. Comments can be submitted by e-mail to niocindocket@xxxxxxx. If submitting
comments by e-mail, they may be provided as e-mail text or as a Word file
attachment. Printed comments can be sent to: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A.
Taft Laboratories, MS-C34, 4676
Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226.
Stakeholders’
Meeting on Personal Protective Technology
NIOSH's NPPTL will conduct a stakeholder meeting on March 6, 2008, in Pittsburgh, PA.
Discussion will include current and future research projects on personal
protective technology and an opportunity for discussion following the
presentations, including a poster session. More information, including the
agenda, is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/resources/pressrel/letters/lttr-012508.html.
Sample Standard Colors for Respirator Labeling
NIOSH's NPPTL has posted standard samples of colors specified for respirator
labeling, along with acceptable tolerances for each specified color. More
information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/resources/pressrel/letters/lttr-011708.html.
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MMWR:
Investigation of Progressive Inflammatory Neuropathy Among Swine
Slaughterhouse
Workers – Minnesota, 2007-2008
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An article in the January 31,
2008, issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report (MMWR) describes ongoing health-investigation
and outbreak-control measures taken to characterize neurological illnesses
among a group of swine slaughterhouse workers. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm57e131.pdf.
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Public
Comments Posted to NIOSH Docket
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Be sure to check out and comment
on the latest NIOSH Science Blog topics. Posted on January 22, 2008, Larry
Elliott, director of the NIOSH Office of Compensation Analysis and Support,
describes the history and methodology of the NIOSH dose reconstruction program.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb012208_dose.html.
A February 4, 2008, posting discusses body artists’ potential
work-related exposures to bloodborne pathogens. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/.
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 Commercial Partner for the E-Stop
Research by NIOSH, commercial fishermen, and the
commercial fishing industry has resulted in the development of a critical
safety device for commercial use. In November 2007, NIOSH entered into a
partnership with Emerald Marine Products, Seattle, WA, to develop the
“e-stop” – an emergency device that can be used to quickly
stop a deck winch if a fisherman becomes entangled or is about to become
entangled in the winch. The e-stop can be retrofitted onto any winch and has
been installed and tested on three fishing vessels in Washington
and Alaska.
Details about the e-stop are available from Emerald Marine at http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=162904F.
For additional information, please contact Jennifer Lincoln, NIOSH, at JLincoln@xxxxxxx
or Robert McKibbin, NIOSH, at RMcKibbin@xxxxxxx. Mention of a company
name does not imply commercial endorsement by NIOSH.
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 NORA Liaison
Committee recognizes outstanding research: Nominations due April 30, 2008
NIOSH invites you to nominate an outstanding research project for one of two
National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) awards to be presented at the
NORA Symposium on July 29, 2008, in Denver,
CO. The NORA Partnering Award
for Worker Health and Safety honors organizations that work together to
demonstrate teamwork, innovative thinking, and strong science in the interest
of worker health and safety. The NORA Innovative Research Award for Worker
Health and Safety recognizes researchers for pioneering and creative
occupational health and safety research in a NORA priority area. Candidates
may be affiliated with a university, industry, government agency, labor
union, or a private organization. Awards will be presented by the NORA
Liaison Committee. Nominations are due April 30, 2008. For more information,
including nomination guidelines, go to the NORA Web site http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora and
click on "Apply for NORA Awards."
NORA Liaison
Committee Meeting
NORA Liaison Committee meetings have afforded an opportunity for
representatives of organizations with a national scope (employers, unions,
professional associations and others) to learn about the progress of NORA and
identify possible partnerships with each other or NIOSH to advance NORA
priorities. With 21st century technologies, more organizations can
participate in these meetings without traveling to Washington, DC.
Please contact the NORA Coordinator (noracoordinator@xxxxxxx)
for more information if your organization is interested in the next meeting
on February 27.
Call for Posters
The NORA 2008 Symposium Call for Posters is open through March 7, 2008.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/symp08/callforposters.html
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AIHA Launches OEHS Library Central
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has launched a new digital
library for occupational and environmental health and safety professionals
called OEHS Library Central. This resource offers downloadable versions of
all AIHA print publications to subscribers and links to abstracting and
databases for more than 150 science and technical journals. Further
information is available at http://www.oehslibrary.org.
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“Got Everything Covered?” poster, DHHS (NIOSH)
Publication Number 2008-109, provides helpful tips on protecting workers from
the hazards of isocynate exposure during spray-on truck bedliner
applications. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2008-109.
NIOSH
has developed a series of post cards and posters containing health
information for reducing bloodborne pathogen exposure among body artists and
health care workers at correctional facilities.
Body Artists
“Let Art Be Your Legacy” post card, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication
Number 2007-137, provides information about Hepatitis B. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-137.
“Good
Clean Art” post card, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2007-138, provide
information on reducing cross-contamination. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-138/.
“Look
Sharp” post card, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2007-139, addresses
the handling and disposing of sharps. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-139.
Health Care Workers
at Correctional Facilities
“Read, Wear and Report” poster, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number
2007-156. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-156.
“Bloodborne
Pathogen Exposure” poster, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2007-157. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-157.
“Protect
Your Employees with an Exposure Control Plan” brochure, DHHS (NIOSH)
Publication Number 2007-158, provides information to medical service
administrators and supervisors about improving facility Exposure Control
Plans. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-158.
“Encourage
Your Workers to Report Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures” brochure, DHHS
(NIOSH) Publication Number 2007-159, provides information for encouraging the
reporting of worker bloodborne pathogen exposure in correctional facilities. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-159.
Health Hazard Evaluation
Manufacturing
Sector: Evaluation of heat-related illnesses
NIOSH responded to a confidential employee request at a glass bottle
manufacturer concerning heat-related illnesses among employees in the forming
department. Researchers found that employees were not exposed to excessive
heat at the time of the NIOSH investigation, but may be exposed to higher
heat levels during the summer months. HHE program researchers recommended
that facility managers develop and implement educational and surveillance
programs regarding hot work environments, and allow employees to take
unscheduled breaks if they feel ill due to the hot conditions. Researchers
also recommended that a preventative maintenance schedule be set up for
facility coolers. HHE program researchers recommended that employees alert
their supervisors if they begin to feel ill due to the heat, drink plenty of
fluids, and create a buddy system to watch for signs of heat-related
conditions in coworkers. The final report is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2003-0311-3052.pdf.
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Look for Us
The NIOSH Exhibit Booth will be at these upcoming conferences.
Construction
Safety Council – Booths 412 and 414
Rosemont, IL,
February 12 – 14, 2008
http://www.buildsafe.org/confnews/2008/conf_dx.html
Society
of Mining Engineers (SME) Annual Meeting and Exhibit – Booth 1535
Salt Lake City, UT, February 24 – 27, 2008
http://www.smenet.org/meetings/details/?meeting=2008%20SME%20Annual%20Meeting%20%26%20Exhibit
CONEXPO
CON/AGG 2008
March 11-15, 2008, Las Vegas,
NV
Visit the NIOSH Safety Zone to learn more about NIOSH research on ways to
protect workers from being struck by operating construction equipment and
personal protective technologies and equipment to prevent work-related
illness and injury. The NIOSH Safety Zone will have static demonstrations
covering equipment blind areas, proximity warning systems, internal traffic
control plans and asphalt fume reduction. Complimentary hearing tests will
also be available at the NIOSH Hearing Loss Prevention Unit, Tuesday - Friday
from 9:00AM – 12 Noon and from 1PM – 4PM, and on Saturday from
9AM – 3PM. NIOSH Researchers will also present their research at
several of the 2008 CONEXPO-CON/AGG Education Program Workshops. For more
information, contact Charlene Maloney at CMaloney@xxxxxxx.
Fire
Department Instructors Conference – Booth 248
Indianapolis, IN, April 9 – 12, 2008
http://fdic08.events.pennnet.com/fl//index.cfm
Call for Abstracts
“Safety 2008
Professional Development Conference and Exposition”
June 9 – 12, 2008, Las Vegas,
NV. Deadline is March 17, 2008.
Abstracts should be submitted to Stephanie Rennie-Sanchez at srennie-sanchez@xxxxxxxx.
“14th International Society
for Respiratory Protection”
September 14 – 18, 2008, Dublin,
Ireland.
Deadline is June 30, 2008. http://www.isrp.com/dublin/index.html.
Upcoming Conferences
“International
Roofing Expo 2008”
February 21 – 23, 2008, Las
Vegas, NV. http://www.theroofingexpo.com/Roofing07/public/Content.aspx?ID=6980&left=0&Nav=0
“Work, Stress,
and Health 2008: Health and Safe Work Through Research, Practice, and
Partnerships”
March 6 – 8, 2008, Washington,
DC. http://www.apa.org/pi/work/wsh.html.
“8th
Annual Safety Patient Handling and Movement Conference”
March 10 – 14, 2008, Orlando,
FL. http://www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/sphm.
“Semiconductor
Environmental, Safety and Health Association (SESHA) Annual Symposium and
Expo”
March 25 – 29, 2008, Portland,
OR. http://www.seshaonline.org/meetings/2008/index.php3.
“Fire
Department Instructors Conference 2008”
April 7 – 12, 2008, Indianapolis,
IN. http://fdic08.events.pennnet.com/fl//index.cfm.
“9th
Annual Transforming Fall Prevention Practices”
April 21 – 25, 2008, Clearwater,
FL. http://www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/sphm.
“American
Association of Occupational Health Nurses”
April 25 – May 2, 2008, Salt
Lake City, UT. http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/index.cfm.
“International
Association of Fire Chiefs 2008 International Hazardous Materials Response
Teams Conference”
May 29 – June 1, 2008, Hunt
Valley, MD. http://iafc.confex.com/iafc/haz08/cfp.cgi.
“2008 American
Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition”
May 31 – June 5, 2008, Minneapolis,
Minnesota. http://www.aiha.org/aihce08/.
“NSTI Nanotech
Annual Conference”
June 1 – 5, 2008, Boston,
MA. http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2008.
“2008 World
Safety Conference and Exposition”
June 2 – 6, 2008, Las Vegas,
NV. http://www.nfpa.org/wsce.
"American
Society of Safety Engineers “SAFETY 2008” Professional Development
Conference and Exposition"
June 9 – 12, 2008, Las Vegas,
NV. http://www.asse.org/speakerpage08.
“12th
US/North American Mine Ventilation Symposium”
June 11 – 18, 2008, Reno,
NV. http://www.unr.edu/ventsymp2008.
“International
Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Rescue International 2008”
August 14 – 16, 2008, Denver, CO. http://www.iafc.org.
“2008 National
Occupational Injury Research Symposium (NOIRS)”
October 21 – 23, 2008, Pittsburgh,
PA. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/noirs/2008.
“PCIH
2008”
November 8 – 11, 2008, Tampa,
FL.
http://www.aiha.org/pcih08/.
“8th Conference of the European Academy
of Occupational Health Psychology”
November 12 – 14, 2008, Valencia,
Spain.
http://www.ea-ohp.org.
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Respirator Fit Test Panel: A
selection of men and women who participate in the fit-testing of respirators.
The testing is intended to ensure that a respirator, fitted according to the
manufacturer's instructions and passing the manufacturer's prescribed user
seal check, will protect as expected and maintain a proper fit.
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NIOSH eNews on the Web:
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