Top Ten Tips to Help Your Food Shop Last Longer

With the cost of living crisis worsening, and food prices rising at incredibly fast rates, it comes as no surprise that many households are cutting back on their food shops, trying to save money on their groceries or seeking ways to make sure their shop lasts longer.

Cutting down on food waste is a major aim for households – especially concerning fresh produce which can rot or go off quickly, even sometimes before its use-by date.

This article will outline ten tips that can help to make your regular food shop go further and prolong the shelf life of your fresh food.

1. Freeze Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds typically have a shelf life of three to six months. They should be stored as mentioned on their packets – in cool, dark spaces.

While dark cupboards are appropriate for storing nuts and seeds if they are to be consumed within their use-by period, storing them in the fridge can actually help them to stay fresher for longer.

If six months isn’t enough time to consume them, then they can be frozen. This can help to extend the shelf life of nuts and seeds to a year.

Most nuts and seeds have a shelf life of three to six months. In order to extend their lifespan they are best stored in cool, dark spaces; although the back of the cupboard is suitable, storing them in the fridge can help them to stay fresher for longer. If you find that six months is not enough time to nibble your way through your nuts, then you’ll be pleased to hear that they can be frozen – which extends their shelf life to one year. 

2. Freeze Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs usually contain more flavour than dried herbs, but it can be difficult to consume them by their use-by date. It is thus important to remember that you can in fact freeze fresh herbs.

This involves mixing them together in olive oil into ice cube trays and then freezing them. You can then use the ice cube sized portions as and when you require them. Water can be used alternatively instead of olive oil too for fresh garlic and ginger.

3. Ice Your Bread

Bread can get stale quickly, especially when it is not stored correctly in an airtight bag or container. If bread has become stale, you can use and ice cube and run it over the loaf of bed. You must then put the bread into the oven for around 10 minutes.

Doing so will bring moisture back into bread and it can then be consumed within that day.

4. Add Salt to Opened Milk

Cows milk can typically be consumed from anywhere between four to 10 days if stored correctly in the fridge. This time frame however can be stretched by adding a pinch of salt to the milk immediately after opening it.

This works as salt is a preservative and can deter bacteria from growing. Make sure to give the milk a shake straight after and place it back into the fridge.

5. Store Milk in the Coolest Part of the Fridge

Contrary to popular belief, and the ease of doing so, milk should not actually be stored in the fridge door. This is because the fridge door is the warmest part of the fridge as it is the furthest area away from the cooling system.

Instead, store milk towards the back of the fridge on the top or middle shelves for the maximum coolness to lengthen its shelf life.

6. Look After Fresh Herbs As You Would With Flowers

It is important to look after fresh herbs carefully so that their shelf life can be maximised. For instance, a good tip is to add water to a jar and place the fresh herbs inside with a plastic bag over the top. This process works as the water can help to keep the fresh herbs fresh with the bag acting as a barrier against any excess moisture.

Another way of doing so could be to store fresh herbs in an airtight glass container with a damp paper towel inside. Both methods can help to make your fresh herbs last up to three weeks.

7. Store Hard Cheese in Parchment Paper

Instead of using plastic packaging such as clingfilm, you should wrap hard cheese in parchment or baking paper. This is because these materials will allow for the cheese to avoid drying out, as well as prevent any additional moisture and mould.

8. Wash Fruit and Vegetables in Vinegar

A vinegar solution of a 1:3 ratio of vinegar to water can be used to disinfect fruit and vegetables. They should be placed into the vinegar solution and sit there for 15 minutes. The fresh produce should then be rinsed and thoroughly dried before being stored away.

The vinegar solution is effective as it removes any bacteria from the fresh produce that may break down the food quicker and it can thus help the produce to last for up to two weeks.

9. Store Bananas Separately From Other Fruit

Bananas produce a high concentration of a gas known as ethylene when they are ready to ripen. Other fruits that produce a high concentration include melons, pears, apples and pears.

These fruits, especially bananas, should be stored away from other fruits so that the other fruits can ripen naturally and thus last longer.

10. Store Berries Away With a Paper Towel

Once dried, berries should be stored in an airtight glass container with a dry paper towel inside. This is because the dry paper towel absorbs excess moisture to prevent mould from growing.

The dry paper towel should be changed every other day to allow for maximum freshness and this can help to extend the shelf life of the berries further.

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The Best Tech For Your Home Office

Ultimately when working from home and keeping a home office you need to make sure that you keep a clean, organised desk. It is as essential as having the proper tech at your fingertips. Fortunately, you can achieve both these things at the same time by making an investment in wireless gear.

A great wireless mouse, keyboard and pair of headphones can significantly reduce the amount of clutter on your desk. However it can also make it simpler to change locations once it’s time to get back to the office. If you’re ready to clear your workspace of those annoying cables and free up your computer’s precious USB ports, here’s some of the best work-from-home tech we’ve tested.

Apple AirPods Pro

Invest in a great pair of noise-cancelling earphones that’ll work well for cancelling out distractions during your video conference calls. Apple’s AirPods Pro are a top pick – they might be pricey however they last ages and deliver top-quality audio, whether that’s at work or away from your home office.

Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 2-In-1 Windows Laptop 

This is one of our favourite Windows laptops. The Ryzen 5 processor and its 16 GB of RAM offer up plenty of power for the usual everyday tasks. Better still, the excellent 14-inch IPS screen is paired with a 360-degree hinge that gives you the ability to convert it into tablet mode and interact with the touchscreen (with your finger or the stylus included). If you would like more power, go for the Ryzen 7-powered model.

Logitech MX Master 3

A good mouse is a must-have for any serious workstation or for anyone who loves playing keno online real money games. Trackpads are all well and good however when you have to do a lot of text editing, clicking around, or any kind of click-and-drag, a mouse just does it better. The mouse that rules all mice is the Logitech MX Master 3S, which made a couple of improvements on the prior spot holder, the MX Master 3.

Whether you’re at your desk utilising a mousepad, on your couch utilising your leg or armrest, or in the kitchen utilising a marble countertop, this mouse will keep working thanks to its Darkfield sensor. With this latest version, you also get a bit more sensitivity, which is adjustable up to 8 000 DPI, so faster mouse movements are at your fingertips.

Portable Dual & Triple Screen Laptop Monitor – TRIO

There was a period not that long ago when laptops were so cumbersome and carrying them was not convenient. However today, with the development of silicon technology, laptops have become thinner than ever.

In fact, not only can you travel with your laptop but also with its accessories such as a portable monitor. One such accessory is TRIO, which stands for a triple monitor system for your laptop. This innovative product features up to three screens which will offer you efficient multitasking together with boosting your productivity.

If you are a stock trader, gamer, coder, entrepreneur, student, or even a working professional, this portable dual-screen laptop monitor is the answer to impeccable multitasking.

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3 Lifestyle Tips For Hard Workers

Whether you work in a restaurant kitchen, are a long-haul truck driver, or regularly put in long hours at the office, being a hard worker is not easy! You are an asset to whomever you work for because not everyone works as hard as you do, but sometimes you can get taken advantage of because of your hard-working nature. If you’re always thinking of ways to work more and constantly putting in overtime, read on. Here are 3 helpful lifestyle tips for hard workers.

Take Time Off

Even those who love their jobs and have a strong work ethic need to take time off at least once a year or so if possible. To avoid burnout, you need a little time away from your job to do the things you love and spend time with your family. If you aren’t able to get paid time off, save up some money so that you are able to take the vacation (or staycation) that you need.

Additionally, if anything happens to you you need to be comfortable taking time off to heal. For example, if you are injured in a truck accident you may be inclined to go back to work right away and work through your pain, but that is not the smart thing to do. Sick pay is available at most jobs for a reason, so be sure to use it at the times you really need it and get your body back to 100% before returning to your regular work schedule.

Take Breaks

Many hard workers find it difficult to take breaks because they know there is a lot that needs to be done and they’d rather just work through their breaks in order to meet their deadlines. For others, they may find that taking a break slows them down or makes them tired. Either way, it is important for both your mind and your body to take breaks when you can. This simple practice will actually end up improving your work in the long run.

Stand Up For Yourself

Sometimes when people are very hard workers, their employers take notice of this and ask then to take on even more duties because they know that they will get the job done right. Unfortunately, because of this you can easily get taken advantage of.

To avoid this, make sure to always stand up for yourself and only take on the duties that you know you can handle. You should also ask for extra compensation if you are asked to take on a significant amount of more work!

Having a strong work ethic is a great quality to have. Just try to stand your ground and give yourself breaks when you need to and you will be just fine!

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What Is Business Intelligence Software?

Business intelligence software can be complicated, but we are here to help! Keep reading to learn more about business intelligence software and how it can benefit your company.

Defining Business Intelligence Software

Have you ever searched “what is business intelligence software?” Business intelligence software is a category of software that helps organizations analyze business data and make better business decisions. The purpose of business intelligence software is to allow businesses to see the big picture by compiling data from all aspects of the company into one place so that trends and patterns can be identified. Business intelligence software typically includes features such as data mining, reporting, and analytics.

Data mining is the process of extracting valuable information from large data sets. Business intelligence software can use data mining techniques to identify patterns and trends in data. This information can then be used to make better business decisions. Reporting allows businesses to create and view reports that contain data from multiple sources. This can help businesses get a better understanding of their data and see how it is affecting their business. Analytics is the process of analyzing data to find trends and patterns. Business intelligence software can use analytics to help businesses understand what is happening in their business and make better decisions based on that information.

The Benefits of Using Business Intelligence Software

There are many benefits of using business intelligence software, including the following:

  • Increased efficiency. By analyzing data, businesses can identify inefficiencies in their operations and fix them quickly. This can lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs.
  • Better decision-making. With accurate and timely data, businesses can make better decisions based on factual information rather than intuition or guesswork. This can lead to improved outcomes for the business.
  • Improved customer service. Businesses that use business intelligence software can track customer behavior and preferences over time. This allows them to provide better service and products that meet the needs of their customers.
  • Greater competitiveness. Businesses that have access to detailed data about their industry and their competitors are at a competitive advantage. They can use this information to make strategic decisions about pricing, marketing, and product development that give them a leg up on the competition.

Installing and Using Business Intelligence Software

Business intelligence software helps organizations analyze data and track business performance. There are a number of different business intelligence software options available, so it is important to select the one that best meets the needs of your organization.

Before you can install business intelligence software, you first need to determine what data you want to analyze. Collecting this data can be done manually or through an automated process. Once you have the data, you need to create a database in which to store it. This database will be used by the business intelligence software to generate reports and graphs about your business performance.

After you have created the database, you can then begin installing the business intelligence software. The installation process will vary depending on the type of software you are using but typically involves installing a server application and client applications on workstations throughout your organization. After the software is installed, you will need to configure it according to your specific needs. This includes specifying which data should be analyzed and designing reports and graphs that meet your organization’s needs.

Once the business intelligence software is configured, users can start generating reports and analyzing business performance. Reports can be generated on-demand or they can be scheduled to run automatically at regular intervals. By tracking business performance over time, organizations can identify trends and make better decisions about how to improve their businesses

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WordPress Accessibility: How to Address Compliance Issues – accessiBe WordPress

If you’re running a WordPress website, you need to be aware of the accessibility compliance issues. While WordPress is generally accessible, some areas need to be addressed to ensure full compliance. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common issues regarding accessibility for those with disabilities and how to address them. We’ll also provide tips for making your website more accessible for everyone, like using accessiBe WordPress.

What is accessibility compliance, and why is it important?

Accessibility compliance refers to the legal requirements that businesses must adhere to to make their websites accessible for people with disabilities. These requirements are set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are enforced by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

There are many reasons why accessibility compliance is important. First and foremost, it is the right thing to do. People with disabilities should have equal access to information and services online, just like everyone else. Additionally, complying with the ADA can help you avoid expensive lawsuits. In recent years, there has been a surge in accessibility-related lawsuits against businesses, resulting in large settlements. Finally, making your website accessible can help you reach a larger audience. People with disabilities are one of the fastest-growing segments of the population and they have considerable spending power.

What are the most common WordPress accessibility issues?

One of the most common accessibility issues with WordPress websites is that they are not fully optimized for screen readers. This can be a major problem for the blind or have low vision, as they may not be able to access the content on your website. There are a few ways you can address this issue:

  • Ensure that all your content is available in an accessible format, such as plain text or HTML.

  • Install a plugin that will help optimize your website for screen readers.

  • Use clear and concise language in all your content.

Another common accessibility issue is that some WordPress themes are not fully responsive. This can be a problem for mobile devices or have difficulty using a mouse. There are a few ways you can address this issue:

  • Install a plugin that will help make your website more responsive.

  • Choose a fully responsive WordPress theme.

  • Use clear and concise language in all your content.

Finally, some WordPress plugins can cause accessibility issues. This is usually because they are not properly coded. There are a few ways you can address this issue:

  • Install a plugin that will help check for accessibility issues.

  • Choose plugins that have been specifically designed for accessibility.

  • Use clear and concise language in all your content.

Other FAQs about WordPress accessibility

Q: Do I need to worry about accessibility if my website is not WordPress?

A: No, you do not need to worry about accessibility if your website is not WordPress. However, it is still a good idea to make your website as accessible as possible.

Q: What happens if I don’t comply with the ADA?

A: If you don’t comply with the ADA, you may be subject to a lawsuit. Additionally, you may be required to pay damages and attorneys’ fees.

 

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Understanding the Need for Website Accessibility – accessibility overlay

It is such a common sight now that we don’t think twice when we see a ramp into a building, or a disabled toilet. It is a legal requirement, in many countries, to make sure disabled people have the same access to public spaces as everyone else. And the world has, rightfully so, adapted. But disabled people have the right to much more. It is not just when accessing a public building that they may need some extra consideration or support. When using the internet, just as a ramp helps a disabled person enter a building, an accessibility overlay can help them access websites.

Why do those with a disability need help online?

Not all disabilities involve the use of ramps and the issues that people can face online are many. For example, people may have visual or hearing impairments, they may have cognitive struggles, or a physical reason why they can’t use a mouse. These are just a few of the ways that a disabled person may need help to gain access online.

What can be done to make a change?

Although adjustments need to be made to a site to make it accessible, it is important that we do so. But it doesn’t have to be as big a task as you may think. Take the examples mentioned above. A person with a visual impairment would likely need either the option to use a larger font size on any text, or to have the text read to them. They may need any images described to them. A person with a hearing impairment may benefit from subtitles being added to any videos. Someone who has a cognitive disability may feel more comfortable with shorter paragraphs and simpler, easy to understand language, in addition to more tabs to break up the website by subject. Someone who cannot physically hold, or control, a mouse, might be able to fully access a website if the entire thing can be viewed with the use of a keyboard.

To try and make all these changes alone might seem like too big a job for you to take on at the moment. But this is an important subject and shouldn’t be delayed. To help you and those who are disabled, the answer is an accessibility overlay. It will get your website accessible quickly and efficiently without the cost and loss of time to you. So don’t delay in using accessibility overlay on your website.

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Website Accessibility Benefits Everyone – accessiBe

There are companies out there, companies like accessiBe, that are taking on the challenge of making the internet accessible for everyone. They are helping people around the world make sure that disabled people don’t feel left out or left behind as the internet continues to grow. Because sadly, this has been the experience of some. Many disabled internet users have been left angry, frustrated or upset by the lack of support offered by some companies. 

What is being done?

Fortunately, the issue is being addressed. Many governments have made laws to ensure that websites are accessible to the disabled. Over the last few years, the number of lawsuits that have been brought forward regarding this issue is continuing to grow. Companies have ruined or damaged their reputations by not making their websites accessible. 

Also, as mentioned above, there are companies that are helping to make big strides in this area. This is with the use of a website accessibility overlay. This means that you can add software to your website that will then scan code to find any potential problems for a disabled person. It will the automatically correct those potential problems and there you have it – an accessible website. This has taken so much of the work out of it for companies and made it much easier, cost effective, and fast, to get an accessible website. 

What are the benefits of an accessible website?

Some of the benefits are obvious. You will be making sure disabled people have equal rights on your website, as everyone else does too. This also results in peace of mind for you, knowing that you have done the right thing. Although that isn’t the only benefit for you and your company. 

As mentioned above, you will avoid breaking the law and a possible costly, reputation damaging lawsuit that follows. But even aside from all of this, you will be giving your website the potential for many more visitors. Did you know there are approximately 1.3 billion disabled people in the world? Think what that could mean for you and your business to give 1.3 billion more people the opportunity to look at your site. And yet another benefit to your site is that it isn’t only governments that want you to be accessible. Search engines also approve of accessible websites and will rank you higher for making sure you are.

There are also benefits to your existing website visitors or anyone new as your site will be simpler and easier to understand and follow.

Summary

Website accessibility benefits everyone and there is no excuse for not getting your website fully accessible now. So, what are you waiting for?

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Why are CFDs so risky for new traders in Singapore?

Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are a popular investment tool in Singapore, but they can be very risky for new traders. This article will explore the risks involved in CFD trading and why it’s essential to do your research before investing.

What are CFDs?

They are derivative products that allow investors to trade on the price movements of various assets, such as stocks, indices and currencies. They offer a high degree of liquidity and flexibility and can be used to speculate on markets’ movements or hedge against risk. Why are CFDs risky?

CFDs are a high-risk investment and can be especially risky for inexperienced traders. Here are some of the risks involved in CFD trading:

CFDs are a leveraged product.

It means that traders can control a large contract size with a relatively small amount of money. This leverage can work both ways, though, magnifying profits as well as losses.

Lower margins

The margin required to trade CFDs is usually much lower than traditional investments such as stocks and shares. It makes it easier for traders to enter into trades without committing a lot of capital upfront. However, it also means that losses can be incurred more quickly.

Price

The prices of CFDs are based on underlying assets such as stocks, commodities or currencies. These assets can be very volatile, meaning that the prices of CFDs can rush up and down. It makes it difficult for traders to predict where the prices will go, resulting in losses if they are not careful.

No physical delivery

CFDs are a derivative product, which means no physical delivery of the underlying asset. It can be a disadvantage if the trader wants to take delivery of the asset, for example, if they are trading gold CFDs and want to take delivery of gold bullion.

Counterparty risk

CFDs are traded on margin, which means that the trader only has to put up a small amount of money to open a position. When the market moves against them, they may be required to post additional funds to keep their positions open. If they cannot do this, the broker may close their positions and lose their investment.

Limited order types

CFD brokers usually offer a limited number of order types, making it difficult for traders to execute their trades in the way they want. It can lead to frustration and poor trading decisions.

No protection against losses

Unlike traditional investments, there is no protection against losses when trading CFDs. It means that if the trader loses money, they lose all of it. There is no option to claim back any losses from the broker.

High fees

CFD brokers usually charge high fees for trading CFDs. It can eat into profits and be a disadvantage for traders who are not making a lot of money.

Liquid markets

CFDs are traded on margin, which means that the trader only has to put up a small amount of money to open a position. When the market moves against them, they may be required to post additional funds to keep their positions open. If they cannot do this, the broker may close their positions and lose their investment.

No regulation

CFDs are not regulated in Singapore, meaning there is no guarantee that the broker will honour their trades or that the trader will get their money back if the broker goes bankrupt. It can be a considerable risk for traders unfamiliar with how CFDs work.

No Dividends

CFDs do not entitle the trader to any dividends from the underlying asset. It can be a disadvantage for investors looking for income from their investments.

Gamification

Many CFD brokers offer trading platforms that are designed to look like games. It can make trading feel more like gambling than investing, leading to poor trading decisions.

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Is Your Business Attractive to the Outside World?

Having a business that proves attractive to the world is a thing all owners should strive for.

That said how would you rate your company when it comes to attracting business?

If you are doing all that is necessary to field a good business, the hope is everything falls into place for you.

So, what steps should you be taking if not already doing so to field a more attractive business?

Customer Service Can Never Be Overlooked

One of the big mistakes too many owners overlook is providing top-notch service.

With that thought in mind, is there more you can and should be doing when it comes to the level of service you offer?

By showing your customers how much they mean to you, you’ll stand a better chance of keeping the majority of them.

Make sure if you have employees that they too go out of their way to keep customers happy.

Given many consumers have many options when it comes to their shopping; you want to be their choice.

Also look to your use of technology.

Keep in mind that many consumers use a lot of tech in their daily lives. As such, odds are many of these people will expect you to do the same.

While some businesses manage to get by with little tech, most find it nothing short of essential.

So, this means you want to be sure your employees have all the tech they need to get their jobs done.

From being productive in the office to when they are out on the road, supply your team with whatever tech they need.

Speaking of needs, imagine for a moment if your business was not very good at managing money. Could you expect to be in business for very long?

Not only do your customers want a prosperous business to deal with, investors look to this in a company too.

So, you’re not going to attract too much interest in your business from investors or buyers if finances are a mess.

Do your best to not only keep adding revenue, but to think about what your business looks like should you opt to sell.

There can be one or myriad of reasons why you look to sell your business at some point.

That said you want an attractive business to put out in front of potential buyers.

You also want to know how to value a startup, namely yours should you decide to sell.

By knowing the true value of your company before you put it on the market, you’ll be in a much better spot. That is to get what you want for it.

Finally, you want to be sure your company’s reputation and your own for that matter are as good as they can be.

Whether you stay with your current business for years or move on, your reputation must stand out. That is stand out for all the right reasons.

In looking at how others may view your business, will you be happy with what you see?

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Top 10 Tips For Being An ADA Friendly Company – accessiBe

Running a company can be a difficult task, no matter what industry you’re in. There are many things to take into consideration when building your company from the ground up, and this will only become more difficult once you’ve been given the responsibility of hiring employees or opening up a new branch of your business. However, there are ways to make your website more accessible to people with disabilities by using available tools on the web, such as accessiBe.

1) Be proactive – The lawsuits are just starting to come in because of changes made by the Department Of Justice regulations which went into effect March 15th, 2012. Don’t get caught off guard, and never assume that the changes made to your website will be enough. Have a plan in place so you can update your site quickly should you find that there are areas for improvement.

2) Determine what measures need to be taken – The next step after assessing whether or not your company is ADA compliant is determining which changes need to be made to improve your site. You can get the assistance of someone familiar with disabilities, but you want to make sure they’re not part of the problem (ie; Not using flash elements).

3) Get some help – If you don’t have the skills or staff necessary to address these issues, it might be time to hire an experienced web development company. Make sure you vet companies carefully, so they’re not just throwing out buzzwords about making websites more accessible.

4) Know that it will take time – You can’t go into this with the idea that everything will be fixed by the time your site goes live. This is an ongoing process and can lead to additional costs down the road if you have a large company with many branches.

5) Not everyone will be reached – Just like any other market, there are some people that will never purchase from your site, and this is especially true when it comes to disabilities. You may never see an increase in sales of certain products, but at least you’ll know that you’ve done the best you can to meet your requirements under the ADA.

6) Avoid using marketing – While it may be tempting to use buzzwords like ” Accessible Website Design ” and other phrases, this is not the best way to go about it. Using terms that are too fancy only confuses customers when they’re searching for companies online.

7) The future – As time goes on, you’ll start to see more changes to the ADA regulations, which will affect your business. These are typically not large scale, but you want to make sure that everyone is up-to-date with these changes so they can adjust accordingly.

8) Stay current – There are many organizations and events that help to keep people informed of the latest news. For example, National Disability Rights Network has several seminars that can be beneficial to businesses and is a great way for you to network with other companies in your area.

9) Resources online – There’s an abundance of information on this topic available online. From the ADA website to other sources, there’s plenty of information for you to read and sort through so you can find the solution that works best for your company.

10) The bottom line – You’ll always come across opposition when you do something to better your business, and in this case, this means finding a web design company that understands the needs of its customers. Keep an open mind and remember that there’s always more than one solution to any problem or issue.

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