Shri Thanedar A chemist from modest origins creates a formidable analytical testing business
Source Cyanta Analytical Laboratories (http://www.cyanta.com)
Shri Thanedar's journey from a poor childhood in India to the helm of a group of chemistry-based companies is a classic American dream story. And with a recent custom synthesis acquisition and the formation of a new pharmaceutical services company, it's a continuing story as well.
Thanedar's flagship firm is Chemir Analytical Services, a suburban St. Louis provider of industrial problem-solving and analytical testing services. Combined, his companies are expected to have sales this year of $24 million; Thanedar is targeting $60 million in sales by 2009.
Growing up in Belgaum, India, some 300 miles south of what was then called Bombay, the idea of one day running a multi-million-dollar American enterprise was no doubt quite improbable to Thanedar. The oldest boy among nine siblings, his immediate concern was helping feed his family.
By 1974, at the surprisingly young age of 18, Thanedar had earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from a local college and was on his way to a full-time job at an atomic research center in Bombay. He earned an M.S. in chemistry while working as a health technician at the center and soon got to thinking about obtaining a Ph.D., and possibly working, outside the country.
He applied to the University of Akron, in Ohio, after learning about its strength in polymer chemistry and was admitted in 1979. "I was told it would be cold in Akron, so I brought along a sweater," Thanedar says. It was below zero when he landed in New York City that February.
By the fall of 1982, Thanedar had his Ph.D., but the U.S. was in recession and he couldn't find a job. At a regional American Chemical Society meeting, he met David Curtis, head of the University of Michigan's chemistry department, and took up Curtis' offer to come to Ann Arbor for a postdoc. In 1984, he completed the postdoc and was finally getting job offers.
As Thanedar recalls, he was tired of the cold, and his most southern job offer came from Petrolite in St. Louis. He moved there and began using his doctorate in Ziegler-Natta catalysis to synthesize long-chain aliphatics as additives for fuels, coatings, and other products.
Although Thanedar enjoyed the work, he says he became frustrated by his inability to make a real impact at the company. "A lot of the time, Ph.D. chemists get stereotyped into doing just technical work," he says.
With a newborn son and a wife finishing a medical school residency, it was a bad time for Thanedar to set out on his own. Instead, he decided to find a small company that he could join and perhaps someday own. "I opened the Yellow Pages," he says. "The manufacturing companies were all large, so I looked under analytical labs."
One of his calls was to St. Louis-based Industrial Testing Laboratories. Although owner Allen Siegal didn't have a spot for Thanedar, he recommended a nearby outfit, Chemir Laboratories, owned by Clara Craver, an expert in infrared spectroscopy. It turned out that Craver was looking to sell the business, but she had a problem. "Without her, the company was nothing," Thanedar says.
His solution was to apprentice himself at night and on weekends for $15 per hour. In October 1990, after a year as Craver's protégé, he bought the company for $75,000. Sales in his first year were $150,000. As Thanedar says, "We grew one customer, one chemist at a time."
He brought in other analytical equipment and expanded the range of problems that Chemir could solve. Typical customers came to include the contact lens solution maker whose product is causing an eye irritation, or the pen maker that wants to know how a competitor's ink dries so quickly, or the knee implant company faced with a product that is prematurely deteriorating.
In 1996, Thanedar bought a St. Paul, Minn., lab called Betec; three years later he acquired Siegal's
Credits for MR Shri Thanedar
winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 in the Central Midwest Region
national business award. The IndUS Business Journal 2006
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Glorious, Victorious Belgaum NCC Air Wing Boys
8 Kar Air Sqn makes hat-trick
Monday October 29 2007
Source: Express News Service
BELGAUM: First time in the history of All India Aero Modelling competition, cadets of 8 Kar Air Sqn NCC, Belgaum made hat-trick by winning gold medals in All India Vayu Sainik Camp 2007 held at Bangalore, recently.
Cadets Vishal S Diggewadi and Amit Sutar of GSS College who participated in the competition won the medal by constructing Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft model in 36 hours under the guidance of Arjun K Bilawar, Aero Modelling instructor Air Wing NCC, Belgaum.
Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur honoured the cadets with two laptops. Dy Air General NCC Karnataka and Goa region, Air Cmde P Rajesh Rao honoured the cadets with gold medals.
Group Commander of Belgaum region Col K M Nanda and Commanding Officer Wg Cdr R Kumar appraised the sheer hard work and dedication of the cadets as well instructor on the occasion.
Monday October 29 2007
Source: Express News Service
BELGAUM: First time in the history of All India Aero Modelling competition, cadets of 8 Kar Air Sqn NCC, Belgaum made hat-trick by winning gold medals in All India Vayu Sainik Camp 2007 held at Bangalore, recently.
Cadets Vishal S Diggewadi and Amit Sutar of GSS College who participated in the competition won the medal by constructing Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft model in 36 hours under the guidance of Arjun K Bilawar, Aero Modelling instructor Air Wing NCC, Belgaum.
Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur honoured the cadets with two laptops. Dy Air General NCC Karnataka and Goa region, Air Cmde P Rajesh Rao honoured the cadets with gold medals.
Group Commander of Belgaum region Col K M Nanda and Commanding Officer Wg Cdr R Kumar appraised the sheer hard work and dedication of the cadets as well instructor on the occasion.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Why not Suvarna Rath terminate at Belgaum
Belgaum to become ‘Tourism Hub’Saturday October 27 2007 15:06 IST
Belgaum is going to be a ‘Tourism Hub’, thanks to the Department of Tourism which has decided to make Belgaum as the centre point and organise tours to different tourist spots in and around Belgaum district.
According to C Somashekhar, director of Department of Tourism, the surrounding tourist spots like Badami, Pattadkallu, Bijapur, Dharwad, Hampi, Banavasi, Karwar and some other places would be covered making Belgaum as a centre point.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Somashekhar said the tourist spots surrounding Belgaum district would be developed and at the same time brochures highlighting the details of these spots would be published.
He said a Tourism Conclave would be established in Belgaum. A meeting of hoteliers, private tour operators, intellectuals and those who are interested in tourism activities would be convened in Belgaum in November to chalk out the detail programmes of Conclave, he informed.
Somashekhar said ‘Sadhan Keri’ (Dharwad) - the place where D R Bendre, the noted Kannada poet was born - would be developed with a cost of Rs 2 crore. He said the Tourism Department has chalked out a programme exclusively for SC/ST students to develop a love for tourism. From each district about 200 SC/ST students would be selected and would be taken to tourist spots located in south India, he said. The scheme involves at least Rs 4 crore and the scheme would be launched from December, he added.
Belgaum deputy commissioner M E Shivalingmurthy was present in the press meet.
Belgaum is going to be a ‘Tourism Hub’, thanks to the Department of Tourism which has decided to make Belgaum as the centre point and organise tours to different tourist spots in and around Belgaum district.
According to C Somashekhar, director of Department of Tourism, the surrounding tourist spots like Badami, Pattadkallu, Bijapur, Dharwad, Hampi, Banavasi, Karwar and some other places would be covered making Belgaum as a centre point.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Somashekhar said the tourist spots surrounding Belgaum district would be developed and at the same time brochures highlighting the details of these spots would be published.
He said a Tourism Conclave would be established in Belgaum. A meeting of hoteliers, private tour operators, intellectuals and those who are interested in tourism activities would be convened in Belgaum in November to chalk out the detail programmes of Conclave, he informed.
Somashekhar said ‘Sadhan Keri’ (Dharwad) - the place where D R Bendre, the noted Kannada poet was born - would be developed with a cost of Rs 2 crore. He said the Tourism Department has chalked out a programme exclusively for SC/ST students to develop a love for tourism. From each district about 200 SC/ST students would be selected and would be taken to tourist spots located in south India, he said. The scheme involves at least Rs 4 crore and the scheme would be launched from December, he added.
Belgaum deputy commissioner M E Shivalingmurthy was present in the press meet.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Belgaumites making stirdes in IT
Startup Vayavya unveils automated device driver generator
BENGALURU, India — Vayavya Labs is launching an automated device driver generator framework that the company claims will bring discipline through its formal language-based approach.
Device driver generation is error prone and hard to maintain since there is no standard process across diverse platforms. Vayavya said its DDGen generator framework addresses these problems while reducing development time and coding effort.
The beta version, now undergoing testing with two semiconductor manufacturers, supports PCI drivers and will eventually support USB and Ethernet. It currently supports Linux and TI BIOS operating systems.
"Device generation by tools has mainly been a research topic. Those who attempted it did so purely from a hardware (device) aspect or from a software point of view," said R.K. Patil, CEO and co-founder of Vayavya (Belgaum, India). Patil said some researchers focused on "how to capture the register and its programming part, and then went on generate various device access methods. But for some reason, no attempt to capture the software needs while generating the device access methods was made."
DDGen captures device specifications and programming models using a formal language approach, then extends the concept to capture the run-time environment specification. "The real benefit comes when we look at both these specifications and then use the tool to generate the code. The tools model an expert system [acting] on two inputs, makes certain decisions based on commonly observed patterns (code structures used in manually written drivers) and then outputs the driver code," Patil said.
Chief analyst Daya Nadamuni of Gary Smith EDA said "a proprietary language may be a stumbling block for rapid adoption because it involves a learning curve. If it is targeting primarily embedded software engineers, they are familiar with ANSI C. But if it is targeting SoC designers, they are more attuned to System C. Adoption rates may vary based on the familiarity with the approach and the language."
Nadamuni cited concerns about other products based on proprietary languages. Vayavya "may need to be System C compliant as well and I do not see any System C compliance" in DDGen, Nadamuni said. DDGen could be made compliant with System C as the tool matures, Patil said, adding that he sees a movement towards SystemVerilog and Spriit specifications which address the ESL market.
"The tool proposes formalization of certain activities in current SoC/ASIC and software development flows and the time needed to incorporate changes in design flows. We will adopt Spirit 1.2 specifications with extensions and enhancements, which should address some concerns arising from the proprietary language," he said.
The beta version DDGen is for driver generation only, but also targets embedded software engineers. Current SoC design cycles are software intensive, mainly for device functional verification. Board support packages and programming model definitions are generally carried out by hardware designers.
BENGALURU, India — Vayavya Labs is launching an automated device driver generator framework that the company claims will bring discipline through its formal language-based approach.
Device driver generation is error prone and hard to maintain since there is no standard process across diverse platforms. Vayavya said its DDGen generator framework addresses these problems while reducing development time and coding effort.
The beta version, now undergoing testing with two semiconductor manufacturers, supports PCI drivers and will eventually support USB and Ethernet. It currently supports Linux and TI BIOS operating systems.
"Device generation by tools has mainly been a research topic. Those who attempted it did so purely from a hardware (device) aspect or from a software point of view," said R.K. Patil, CEO and co-founder of Vayavya (Belgaum, India). Patil said some researchers focused on "how to capture the register and its programming part, and then went on generate various device access methods. But for some reason, no attempt to capture the software needs while generating the device access methods was made."
DDGen captures device specifications and programming models using a formal language approach, then extends the concept to capture the run-time environment specification. "The real benefit comes when we look at both these specifications and then use the tool to generate the code. The tools model an expert system [acting] on two inputs, makes certain decisions based on commonly observed patterns (code structures used in manually written drivers) and then outputs the driver code," Patil said.
Chief analyst Daya Nadamuni of Gary Smith EDA said "a proprietary language may be a stumbling block for rapid adoption because it involves a learning curve. If it is targeting primarily embedded software engineers, they are familiar with ANSI C. But if it is targeting SoC designers, they are more attuned to System C. Adoption rates may vary based on the familiarity with the approach and the language."
Nadamuni cited concerns about other products based on proprietary languages. Vayavya "may need to be System C compliant as well and I do not see any System C compliance" in DDGen, Nadamuni said. DDGen could be made compliant with System C as the tool matures, Patil said, adding that he sees a movement towards SystemVerilog and Spriit specifications which address the ESL market.
"The tool proposes formalization of certain activities in current SoC/ASIC and software development flows and the time needed to incorporate changes in design flows. We will adopt Spirit 1.2 specifications with extensions and enhancements, which should address some concerns arising from the proprietary language," he said.
The beta version DDGen is for driver generation only, but also targets embedded software engineers. Current SoC design cycles are software intensive, mainly for device functional verification. Board support packages and programming model definitions are generally carried out by hardware designers.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Students of KLESECT, Belgaum, devise “Sign Language Tutor”
The students of KLE Society’s College of Engineering & Technology, Belgaum, have once again made their institution and parents proud by winning the “Project of the Year” award in the 30th exhibition held in the city on August 17 and 18.
The project titled “Sign Language Tutor” was selected among 147 entries from 50 engineering colleges exhibited in the two-day State- level event organised by the Karnataka State Council of Science & Technology (KSCST). The Vice-Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University, H.P. Khincha, presented the award.
Four students — Neelesh Narvekar, Ashwin Chougule, Sandesh Shanbhag and Vijaylaxmi Ulvekar — of the Department of Electronics and Communications of KLESECT carried out the work under the able guidance of their teacher V. R. Bagali.
The objective was to develop a product that efficiently translated movement of fingers into sign language.
This project helps users to learn the sign language alphabets and clearly communicate with the hearing impaired and mute people.
This is for the fifth time the E&C department of KLESCET bagged the award, while Prof. Bagali receives it for the second time. The Principal S.C. Pilli and Head, Dept. of E & C, Hansaraj Guhilot, congratulated the students and staff for their success.
The exhibition was part of the “30th Series of Students Project Programme (SPP)” seminar-cum-exhibition organised by KLESCET. The SPP is the initiative of KSCST and being implemented to showcase the creative talent among engineering students and thereby encourage them to address issues concerning development and progress of the country through science and technology.
The programme also lays adequate stress on enriching collegiate education by way of finding solutions to real life problems, improve understanding and develop methodology of solving complex issues before the society.
The event was inaugurated by P.S. Subramanyam, Director of Aeronautical Development Agency, Ministry of Defence, Bangalore. M.K.Surappa, Secretary, KSCST, also participated.
The project titled “Sign Language Tutor” was selected among 147 entries from 50 engineering colleges exhibited in the two-day State- level event organised by the Karnataka State Council of Science & Technology (KSCST). The Vice-Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University, H.P. Khincha, presented the award.
Four students — Neelesh Narvekar, Ashwin Chougule, Sandesh Shanbhag and Vijaylaxmi Ulvekar — of the Department of Electronics and Communications of KLESECT carried out the work under the able guidance of their teacher V. R. Bagali.
The objective was to develop a product that efficiently translated movement of fingers into sign language.
This project helps users to learn the sign language alphabets and clearly communicate with the hearing impaired and mute people.
This is for the fifth time the E&C department of KLESCET bagged the award, while Prof. Bagali receives it for the second time. The Principal S.C. Pilli and Head, Dept. of E & C, Hansaraj Guhilot, congratulated the students and staff for their success.
The exhibition was part of the “30th Series of Students Project Programme (SPP)” seminar-cum-exhibition organised by KLESCET. The SPP is the initiative of KSCST and being implemented to showcase the creative talent among engineering students and thereby encourage them to address issues concerning development and progress of the country through science and technology.
The programme also lays adequate stress on enriching collegiate education by way of finding solutions to real life problems, improve understanding and develop methodology of solving complex issues before the society.
The event was inaugurated by P.S. Subramanyam, Director of Aeronautical Development Agency, Ministry of Defence, Bangalore. M.K.Surappa, Secretary, KSCST, also participated.
Belgaum power Project
Reliance to set up 800 MW power plant in Karnataka
The Karnataka government late Tuesday allowed the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) to build a 800 MW gas-based power plant in Bidar district at a cost of Rs.24 billion.
'The state high-level committee on investments, headed by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, approved the Reliance proposal to set up the power plant at an estimated cost of Rs.24 billion,' state Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu told reporters after the meeting.
The plant, to come up on 200 acres of land in at Humnabad, in Bidar, about 700 km from here, will be Reliance's first major investment foray in the state. The modalities, including the land acquisition process, are being worked out.
'Reliance has also expressed interest in setting up a 1,000 MW thermal power station in the state. To meet the growing energy requirements, we have decided to permit private firms to set up three thermal power projects of 1,000 MW each in Mysore, Belgaum and Gulbarga districts.
'Besides Reliance, six more firms -- Lanco group, Jindal Power, Orissa Power Corporation, Torrent Power and Nagarjuna Fertilisers & Chemicals have submitted competitive bids for these projects,' Naidu disclosed.
The committee also permitted the state-run Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) to build two thermal power projects of 1,000 MW and 1,500 MW in Raichur and Bellary districts of north Karnataka.
'KPCL, which operates the Raichur thermal power station (RTPS) and the Bellary thermal power station (BRPS), has been entrusted with the task of commissioning the two projects at a combined cost of Rs.105 billion,' Naidu pointed out.
Besides thermal projects, KPCL also operates four major hydel power stations and a wind power farm, with an installed capacity of close to 5,000 MW per annum.
The Karnataka government late Tuesday allowed the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) to build a 800 MW gas-based power plant in Bidar district at a cost of Rs.24 billion.
'The state high-level committee on investments, headed by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, approved the Reliance proposal to set up the power plant at an estimated cost of Rs.24 billion,' state Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu told reporters after the meeting.
The plant, to come up on 200 acres of land in at Humnabad, in Bidar, about 700 km from here, will be Reliance's first major investment foray in the state. The modalities, including the land acquisition process, are being worked out.
'Reliance has also expressed interest in setting up a 1,000 MW thermal power station in the state. To meet the growing energy requirements, we have decided to permit private firms to set up three thermal power projects of 1,000 MW each in Mysore, Belgaum and Gulbarga districts.
'Besides Reliance, six more firms -- Lanco group, Jindal Power, Orissa Power Corporation, Torrent Power and Nagarjuna Fertilisers & Chemicals have submitted competitive bids for these projects,' Naidu disclosed.
The committee also permitted the state-run Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) to build two thermal power projects of 1,000 MW and 1,500 MW in Raichur and Bellary districts of north Karnataka.
'KPCL, which operates the Raichur thermal power station (RTPS) and the Bellary thermal power station (BRPS), has been entrusted with the task of commissioning the two projects at a combined cost of Rs.105 billion,' Naidu pointed out.
Besides thermal projects, KPCL also operates four major hydel power stations and a wind power farm, with an installed capacity of close to 5,000 MW per annum.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Belgaum Airport major hurdle cleared
BELGAUM: Land acquisition, the major stumbling- block for developing Sambra airport, has been cleared as farmers have agreed to give up their farm lands following government’s tempting offers of Rs five lakh per acre.
Farmers have opposed the move for some time but the good offer of compensation coupled with the promise of giving one person per family of the affected job have broken their resolution.
In fact, it’s a bonanza for the farmers. Apart from compensation, separate sum would be paid for the trees lost, and for open wells and bore wells and temporary or permanent structures on the plots.
Revenue department will conduct the survey soon. The Civil Aviation Ministry had proposed expansion of the Belgaum airport adding 370 acres.
But providing land was the responsibility of the State Government.
Government had held several meetings with the Sambra farmers, but could not break the ice.
Their contention was that the lands which are being acquired by the government are well-irrigated and cost more than the compensation proposed.
The farmers who held a meeting with the district administration on Thursday had demanded Rs 8 to 12 lakh compensation per acre.
However, after discussions, most of the farmers agreed to hand over their land for Rs 5 lakh per acre. Apart from the compensation, a government job would be given to each family, loan will be given to undertake self employment, the district administration assured.
The graveyard located in the middle of the identified land would be shifted 4 km away from the airport.
Farmers have opposed the move for some time but the good offer of compensation coupled with the promise of giving one person per family of the affected job have broken their resolution.
In fact, it’s a bonanza for the farmers. Apart from compensation, separate sum would be paid for the trees lost, and for open wells and bore wells and temporary or permanent structures on the plots.
Revenue department will conduct the survey soon. The Civil Aviation Ministry had proposed expansion of the Belgaum airport adding 370 acres.
But providing land was the responsibility of the State Government.
Government had held several meetings with the Sambra farmers, but could not break the ice.
Their contention was that the lands which are being acquired by the government are well-irrigated and cost more than the compensation proposed.
The farmers who held a meeting with the district administration on Thursday had demanded Rs 8 to 12 lakh compensation per acre.
However, after discussions, most of the farmers agreed to hand over their land for Rs 5 lakh per acre. Apart from the compensation, a government job would be given to each family, loan will be given to undertake self employment, the district administration assured.
The graveyard located in the middle of the identified land would be shifted 4 km away from the airport.
Belgaums Pride Lt Genl Dilip Desai, director-general, Information systems Indian Army
Lieutenant General Dilip Desai, director-general, information systems of the Indian Army and a native of Uchgoan near here, has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in January by the President for his distinguished services.
A recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2000 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2005 he is the second generation officer in his family. His father, Lieutenant Colonel N U Desai, served in the Army from 1942 to 1972.
Lt Gen Desai completed his schooling from St Xavier's School, Kolhapur, and King George's School, Belgaum, prior to joining the National Defence Academy in 1963. He was commissioned into the 18th Cavalry of the Armoured Corps after graduating from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, in December 1968.
The officer is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Higher Command Course at the Army War College,Mhow, and National Defence College, New Delhi.
Lt Gen Desai has wide military experience encompassing command, staff and instructional assignments in over 38 years of service. During Operation Parakram (2001-2002) he commanded the battle-hardened 1st Armoured Division as part of an offensive strike corps.
He has to his credit a number of important staff assignments, mainly dealing with military operations. These include three tenures at the Military Operations Directorate, Army Headquarters where his last assignment was additional director general, military operations.
As General-Officer-Commanding, 1 Armoured Division, he was responsible for bringing his division to the highest pitch of battle readiness during the warlike situation prevailing during Operation Parakram. As additional director general military operations he was directly responsible for initiating measures and framing policies relating to enhancement of the Indian Army's combat facilities and operational readiness.
As director general, information systems, he guides and directs the efforts of the Indian Army aimed at widespread automation through the effective use of information technology and in preparing it for the emerging face of future battles which will be network-centric.
In his present assignment he has been instrumental in taking new policy initiatives in the sphere of information technology proliferation in the Indian Army covering integrated systems and training.
A recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2000 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2005 he is the second generation officer in his family. His father, Lieutenant Colonel N U Desai, served in the Army from 1942 to 1972.
Lt Gen Desai completed his schooling from St Xavier's School, Kolhapur, and King George's School, Belgaum, prior to joining the National Defence Academy in 1963. He was commissioned into the 18th Cavalry of the Armoured Corps after graduating from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, in December 1968.
The officer is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Higher Command Course at the Army War College,Mhow, and National Defence College, New Delhi.
Lt Gen Desai has wide military experience encompassing command, staff and instructional assignments in over 38 years of service. During Operation Parakram (2001-2002) he commanded the battle-hardened 1st Armoured Division as part of an offensive strike corps.
He has to his credit a number of important staff assignments, mainly dealing with military operations. These include three tenures at the Military Operations Directorate, Army Headquarters where his last assignment was additional director general, military operations.
As General-Officer-Commanding, 1 Armoured Division, he was responsible for bringing his division to the highest pitch of battle readiness during the warlike situation prevailing during Operation Parakram. As additional director general military operations he was directly responsible for initiating measures and framing policies relating to enhancement of the Indian Army's combat facilities and operational readiness.
As director general, information systems, he guides and directs the efforts of the Indian Army aimed at widespread automation through the effective use of information technology and in preparing it for the emerging face of future battles which will be network-centric.
In his present assignment he has been instrumental in taking new policy initiatives in the sphere of information technology proliferation in the Indian Army covering integrated systems and training.
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