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Oscar winners Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga star in the first trailer for Joker: Folie à Deux, one of the more intriguing films scheduled for release in 2024.

At CinemaCon, Warner Bros. released the teaser for Joker 2, one of the most anticipated films that theater owners were eager to see, and for good reason. The film is a follow-up to the $1 billion blockbuster that won Phoenix an Oscar, but it also deviates from the norm by being a musical.

However, director Todd Phillips pointed out that there are some similarities between it and the first, which also featured music as a major component.

When questioned if it was a musical, Phillips responded, “We never talked about it like that.” “I like to say it’s a movie where music is an essential element. To me that doesn’t veer to far from the first film.” In the first film, “Arthur has music in him. He has a grace to him.”

Prior to releasing the teaser, Phillips disclosed that, despite not having a movie to promote, he had planned to attend CinemaCon in 2020 only to express gratitude to theater owners.

“I did want to say thank you to you guys … about a month before the first Joker came out the narrative on the film really turned,” he added, adding that there were rumors the movie might incite violence. He expresses gratitude to the theater owners for their unwavering support of the movie.

Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, and Lady Gaga makes an appearance in a part reportedly modeled after Harley Quinn from comic books. The Folie à Deux title alludes to the medical word for a same or comparable mental disease that affects two or more persons, usually members of the same family. The pair are well-known for their poisonous romantic connection in the comics.

In 2019, the first Joker shocked everyone by collecting over $1 billion at the box office, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. In the movie, Phoenix played an aspiring comedian who spirals out of control after his mental health problems get out of control and takes on the Joker character. He ends up looking like a folk hero as he starts a riot in Gotham. The sequel, which reunites director Phillips with Gaga after the latter produced her music-focused A Star Is Born remake, is rumored to contain musical elements.

Phillips had been releasing teasers for the movie: an Instagram image from December 2022 featuring Phoenix in costume, and a first look at Lady Gaga alongside Phoenix on Valentine’s Day 2023.

Along with Scott Silver, Phillips wrote. The Joker sequel is a product of DC Studios executives James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Elseworlds brand, which permits tales created outside of the shared DC Universe. Under that umbrella are Matt Reeves’ Batman Part II film and the HBO Max Penguin series.

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Business

Updates for the 2024 Toyota Rush facelift are limited to the GR Sport model, with no major changes made to the other variations.

The Toyota Rush made its debut in 2017. This three-row MPV, which is already seven years old, has been updated, released in Indonesia, and has a number of feature improvements over its previous model.

2024 Toyota Rush facelift

Given that they currently sell the Rumion in India, it is unlikely that Toyota will launch the new Rush GR Sport there. Rebranded as the Rumion, it is a Maruti Ertiga. Toyota Rush is competitive with Ertiga, Honda BRV, and other models.

The five-speed manual version of the Toyota Rush GR Sport costs IDR 299,750,000 (about Rs 15.7 lakh), while the four-speed automatic version costs IDR 310,450,000 (about Rs 16.25 lakhs). White, Black Mica, Dark Red Mica Metallic, Silver Mica Metallic, Bronze Mica Metallic, and Deep Maroon Mica are the six colour options available.

The dimensions of the 2024 Toyota Rush are 4,435 mm in length, 1,695 mm in width, and 1,705 mm in height. It is a roomy MPV with significant exterior stylistic upgrades. These consist of a wider over fender, a larger skid plate, black protective lining on sill regions, and a new gloss black grille with false honeycomb inlays.

It notices a gloss black trim piece in between the tail lamps towards the back. Its external components also include roof rails, a shark fin antenna, 16-inch alloy wheels, and LED tail lamps. In addition, the interiors have been modified. Rather than the previous model’s black and beige colour scheme, the seven-seater capacious cabin now has black upholstery with the GR emblem embroidered on the headrests.

There are GR emblems on the floor mats and steering wheel, among other items. In addition, the 2024 Toyota Rush GR Sport features silver highlights on the steering wheel, transmission lever, and central console. For infotainment, it has a sizable 9-inch Display Audio unit with GR Sport opening graphics.

With the facelift, Toyota made significant improvements to the safety features, which now include six airbags overall, electronic stability control, sophisticated crash detection and prevention technology, seat belt reminders, speed alerts, child seat mounts, and ABS.

2024 Toyota Rush facelift – Engine Specifications

The engine specifications of the new 2024 Toyota Rush GR Sport stay the same despite some cosmetic alterations. It still gets its power from a 1.5-liter inline, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated 2 NR-VE petrol engine, which produces 136 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm and 105 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Power is sent to the back wheels using a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Given that they currently sell the Rumion in India, it is unlikely that Toyota will launch the new Rush GR Sport there. Rebranded as the Rumion, it is a Maruti Ertiga. Toyota Rush is competitive with Ertiga, Honda BRV, and other models.

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Business

With the introduction of the Punch EV, Tata Motors has had a fantastic start to the year in India. With full steam ahead, the company is prepared to introduce a number of new items to the Indian market this year. Earlier this year, in New Delhi, there was a 2024 Bharat Mobility Show where some of the future Tata cars in India were on display.

TATA ALTROZ RACER

The Racer Edition, dubbed the most sporty Altroz hatchback to date, is set to make its Indian market debut soon. It will be the first in the lineup of Altroz variants. The new 16-inch alloy wheels, the “Racer” logo on the front fenders, the dual-tone colour scheme with racing stripes, and the updated front grille will set the Tata Altroz Racer apart from the standard models. A larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, heads-up display, heated front seats, an electric sunroof, and a 360-degree camera are just a few of the segment-leading innovations that the cabin will offer. The 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine, which will be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and produce an incredible 118 horsepower and 170 Nm, is the powerplant’s main attraction, though.

TATA PUNCH FACELIFT

The first Punch facelift test mule was seen testing on Indian roads almost a couple of weeks ago.With the same headlamps, bumper, and bonnet as the Punch EV, the styling will be greatly influenced by it. There could be some changes made to the alloy wheel design. The dashboard, interior design, and upholstery will all be taken from the Punch EV. Like the Nexon ICE and Nexon EV arrangement, the Tata Punch facelift will have fewer features than its EV cousin. According to reports, the SUV’s 1.2L petrol engine will remain the same mechanically, with no modifications to its power or torque output.

TATA CURVV EV/ICE

It will go on sale in the upcoming months after being displayed in near-production form at the 2024 Bharat Mobility Show.Recent Tata SUVs like the Harrier, Nexon, and Punch EV will serve as inspiration for the stylistic elements, and the inside will be equipped with a number of cutting-edge technologies like front ventilated seats, an ADAS-equipped 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the EV vehicle will get its batteries from the Punch EV, the ICE version will use the Nexon’s petrol and diesel engines.

TATA HARRIER EV

At the 2024 Bharat Mobility Show in New Delhi, the Tata Harrier EV made its début, built on the brand’s acti.ev Gen 2 EV platform. With the exception of the EV badging and the new alloy wheel pattern, it shares the same design as the ICE version of the SUV. Massive touchscreen entertainment system with OTA updates and connected auto technology will be installed in the cabin. A 360-degree camera and a Level 2 ADAS suite are probably included as standard. With a single charge, the battery pack’s capacity may reach 60 kWh and provide more than 500 kilometres of driving range. The Harrier EV could be fitted by Tata Motors with cutting-edge features like vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-load (V2L).

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Business

On April 10, 2024, MG Motor India is scheduled to introduce the MG Hector Blackstorm edition. Following the Astor and Gloster Blackstorm editions, the Hector Blackstorm edition is the third edition.

A teaser photograph that only shows a few exterior characteristics has been issued by the corporation.

It will receive the previously announced exterior paint job of black with red accents everywhere. It will also include smoked taillights, black headlamp bezels, and a dark chrome grille. The picture also shows black ORVMs with red highlights and 18-inch alloy wheels that have been completely blacked out. The brake callipers are red.

An all-black dashboard design with red ambient lighting and accents is anticipated. The equipment list is expected to stay the same, and it will likely have black leather seats with red accents.

It will come equipped with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, large 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, six airbags, automated climate control, powered driver seat, and an advanced suite of driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

In terms of the drivetrain, it is anticipated that the Hector Blackstorm would come with two different engine choices. 143 horsepower, 250 Nm 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine and 170 horsepower, 0 Nm 2.0-liter multi-jet turbocharged diesel engine from Fiat. While the diesel engine comes with only a 6-speed manual gearbox, the petrol engine is available with both a 6-speed manual and a CVT gearbox.

The ex-showroom price range for the MG Hector is Rs 13.99 lakh to Rs 21.95 lakh. they anticipate that the MG Hector Blackstorm edition would fetch a premium of up to Rs 40,000 thanks to the addition of a new colour option and a few other cosmetic tweaks. The Mahindra XUV 700 from 2024 and the Tata Harrier Dark will be the rivals of the MG Hector Blackstorm.

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Business

The second version of the ground-breaking blade battery from Chinese automaker BYD and its battery business, FinDreams, is expected to debut later this year; an August launch is likely. Significant improvements are anticipated in the next blade battery version, most notably an increased energy density estimated to reach 190 Wh/kg.

When the first blade battery was released in 2020, it completely changed the electric vehicle (EV) market by using less expensive lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to attain power densities that were on par with those of nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries.

By placing individual cells inside the battery packs in a blade-like arrangement, this innovation was made possible and led to a 50% boost in space utilisation over the then-current LFP batteries.

Plans for the new battery were revealed by BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu at a recent financial report communication meeting. The second-generation blade battery, according to Chuanfu, will be more compact, lighter, and require less power per 100 kilometres while maintaining the same endurance.

The research claims that the second-generation blade battery’s increased energy density may allow all-electric cars to have a CLTC range of more than 1,000 kilometres, possibly matching the performance and range of solid-state and semi-solid-state batteries.

Assuming the second-generation blade battery meets the desired energy density of more than 190 Wh/kg, it will become the best LFP battery to date. The resistance of the blade battery to thermal runaway, as shown in the nail penetration test where conventional NCM batteries fire upon penetration while the blade battery remains intact, is one of BYD’s safety features.

Improvements in the second-generation blade battery are anticipated to optimise size, weight, and power consumption in addition to increasing energy density, which would increase the performance and range of electric vehicles. In the end, it is projected that these advancements will help make EVs more affordable, supporting BYD’s objective of providing new energy vehicles (NEVs) at costs less than those of conventional fuel-powered cars and strengthening its position as a market leader.

The second-generation blade battery was just revealed by BYD, indicating the company’s dedication to innovation and progress in the electric mobility space. The fifth-generation DM-i plug-in hybrid system is expected to have a combined range of almost 2,000 kilometres.

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Technology

Spotify is now incorporating AI into playlist construction, building on the success of its well-liked AI DJ tool. The business made AI playlists, a new feature that lets users create playlists based on written prompts, available in test on Monday.

Users in the United Kingdom and Australia will be able to access the function on their Android and iOS devices at first, and it will be improved in the coming months.

Spotify advises using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable users request a broader range of personalized playlists, such as “songs to serenade my cat” or “beats to battle a zombie apocalypse,” in addition to the more common playlist creation requests, such as those based on genre or time period. Prompts can allude to a wide range of topics, including locations, animals, hobbies, fictional characters from films, hues, and emoticons. The best playlists, according to the business, are made with suggestions that combine different genres, emotions, performers, and decades.

In order to tailor the playlists it creates with this function, Spotify also makes use of its knowledge of user preferences.

Users can utilize the AI to edit and improve the playlist after it has been created by giving it commands like “less upbeat” or “more pop,” for example. In addition, users can swipe left on any song to take it out of the playlist.

Large language models (LLMs) are the technological tool that Spotify claims it uses to interpret user intent. Then, Spotify responds to the request and generates an AI-generated playlist just for the user using its personalization engine, which makes use of the data it knows about the listener’s past and preferences.

The business leverages a variety of outside resources for its machine learning and AI projects.

At the time, Spotify said it would not comment on the discovery or provide an update on potential new features. But in December 2023, following the appearance of a TikTok video showcasing what a Spotify user referred to as “Spotify’s ChatGPT,” the business said that it was experimenting AI-driven playlist generation.

To access the function, navigate to the “Your Library” tab in the Spotify app by touching the plus symbol (+) located at the upper right corner of the screen. The AI Playlist is displayed as a new option in a pop-up menu that also includes the “Playlist” and “Blend” options.

Spotify provides prompt suggestions to help users get started if they are having trouble coming up with ideas. Some of the prompts include “explore a niche genre like Witch House,” “get pumped up with fun, upbeat, and positive songs,” “fill in the silence with background café music,” and “get focused at work with instrumental electronica,” among many others.

Tap the “Create” button to add an AI playlist to the library and save it.

The business points out that the AI is protected by boundaries, meaning it won’t react to provocative questions or ones that are tied to current affairs or particular companies.

For several months now, Spotify has been making investments in AI technologies to enhance its streaming offering. The business employed a combination of Sonantic and OpenAI technology to build an artificial version of Spotify’s head of cultural partnerships, Xavier “X” Jernigan, who introduces tailored song recommendations to the user, with the debut of AI DJ, which expanded globally last year. Spotify announced last year that it would be funding internal research to gain a deeper understanding of massive language models and the most recent advancements in AI.

Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, has hinted to investors about additional ways the technology could be used, such as podcast summaries, AI-generated audio advertisements, and more. For host-read advertisements, the business has also considered employing AI technology that mimics the voice of a podcast host.

Spotify introduced Niche Mixes, a tool that let users make personalized playlists with prompts, prior to AI playlists. However, Niche Mixes did not use AI technology and had a more constrained language understanding system.

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Lifestyle

Under the direction of experts from the Medical Research Council (MRC), the study found genetic polymorphisms in two genes that affect the risk of obesity in some of the most significant ways yet found.

According to experts, uncommon mutations in the APBA1 and BSN genes were among the first to be linked to obesity and show an increased risk only in maturity.

The MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit’s Professor Giles Yeo, one of the study’s authors, stated: “We have identified two genes with variants that have the most profound impact on obesity risk at a population level we’ve ever seen, but perhaps more importantly, that the variation in Bassoon is linked to adult-onset and not childhood obesity.”

“Thus these findings give us a new appreciation of the relationship between genetics, neurodevelopment and obesity.”

The researchers performed whole exome sequencing (a sort of DNA sequencing used to determine what may be causing symptoms or a disease) of body mass index (BMI) in over 500,000 individuals using data from the UK Biobank and other sources.

They discovered that there is a six-fold increase in the risk of obesity due to genetic variations in the BSN gene, also referred to as Bassoon.

Additionally, it was linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

One in 6,500 adults were discovered to be affected by the Bassoon gene variations, indicating that approximately 10,000 persons in the UK may be affected.

“These findings represent another example of the power of large-scale human population genetic studies to enhance our understanding of the biological basis of disease,” stated study author and MRC investigator Professor John Perry of the University of Cambridge.

“The genetic variants we identify in BSN highlight a new biological mechanism regulating appetite control and confer some of the largest effects on obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease observed to date.”

Heart disease and type 2 diabetes are two major diseases for which obesity is a major risk factor.

It’s unclear, though, just why some people are genetically predisposed to gaining weight.

In contrast to the obesity genes found in earlier research, variations in BSN and APBA1 do not correlate with childhood obesity.

Because of this, the researchers thought they might have discovered a novel biological explanation for obesity.

Drawing from extant literature and their in vitro investigations, the authors propose that age-related neurodegeneration may be influencing appetite regulation.

Using genetic data from individuals in Pakistan and Mexico, the researchers collaborated closely with AstraZeneca to reproduce their findings in pre-existing groups for the current study.

This is significant because it allows the researchers to extend their findings to individuals who are not of European descent.

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Business

To acquire batteries for its electric vehicles (EVs) on Indian roadways, Hyundai Motor and Kia will work with Indian battery manufacturer Exide Energy Solutions.

On Monday, the two Korean automakers said that they had inked a memorandum of understanding with the business to get lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a technology that is widely used in China.

As per the deal, Hyundai’s plants in India will get Exide Energy’s batteries, which will be installed in electric vehicles (EVs) intended for sale in that area.

In order to increase its overall production capacity to one million, Hyundai Motor recently purchased a General Motors facility in Maharashtra. Hyundai Motor currently operates a manufacturing site in Tamil Nadu, the southernmost region of India.

Recently, LFP batteries have gained attention as automakers race to produce more affordable electric vehicles. Lower cost but lower energy density are seen in LFP batteries compared to the highly effective nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries made in Korea.

A prominent supplier of lead-acid batteries with over 75 years of experience, Exide Industries is the parent company of Exide Energy Solutions, which was founded in 2022. By year’s end, it will begin making LFP batteries in large quantities.

According to Yang Heui-won, head of Hyundai Motor and Kia’s R&D division, “India is a key market for vehicle electrification due in part to the government’s carbon neutrality goals, which make securing cost competitiveness through localized battery production crucial,”

“Through this global partnership with Exide Energy Solutions, we will gain a competitive advantage by equipping Hyundai Motor and Kia’s future EV models in the Indian market with locally produced batteries.”

Hyundai Motor announced last year that it would develop 100 EV charging stations and a battery pack manufacturing plant in India over the course of the next ten years, investing about 200 billion rupees ($2.45 billion).

India possesses the third-largest automobile market globally, following China and the US. In recent years, Hyundai Motor has progressively increased its sales in India, now ranking second only to Maruti Suzuki.

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Business

On Tuesday, BMW unveiled the 2024 X5 and X6 SUVs. A multitude of upgraded engine options, including plug-in and mild hybrid configurations, are available in addition to the exterior and interior esthetic upgrades.

There will be four alternative powertrain trims available for the 2024 X5: a plug-in hybrid xDrive50e model, an entry-level V-8-powered M60i xDrive, and a base straight-six vehicle with rear- or all-wheel drive. There are only two trim levels available for the X6: the M-badged V-8 variant and the standard straight-six xDrive40i.

If you choose the standard engine, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine produces 398 lb-ft of torque and 375 horsepower, which is an increase of 40 horsepower and 66 lb-ft, respectively. A standard 48-volt mild hybrid system that uses a motor housed inside the eight-speed automatic transmission and a battery installed in the engine bay is partially responsible for that boost. BMW claims that the X5 and X6 with this engine can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds.

The same inline-six engine is used in the X5 xDrive50e, but it is mated to a new synchronous motor that can provide up to 194 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque by itself. When paired with the engine, the powertrain can provide up to 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. A floor-mounted lithium-ion battery also allows for a 40-mile electric-only range. With the extra thrust, 4.6 seconds is the stated 0-60 time.

The engine of the X5 and X6 M60i xDrive is the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo S68 V-8 that debuted in the X7 and Alpina XB7. It comes standard with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance, which translates into 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque—numbers that are identical to those of the S68-powered X7. If you’re concerned about acceleration, be aware that BMW claims a 4.2-second 0-60 time. For those who are interested, this engine will also be used in the next BMW XM.

Not only have the engines been modified for 2024. Numerous chassis enhancements are also available for the X5 and X6, such as an optional two-axle air suspension system and a freshly calibrated adaptive M suspension. All X5 and X6 vehicles have factory-installed 20-inch wheels, while those with V-8 engines come standard with four-wheel steering. There is also an assortment of wheels measuring 21 and 22 inches.

The most recent iteration of the BMW interior, available for the 2024 X5 and X6, features a digital gauge cluster and a large curved center display that are operated by iDrive 8, the company’s infotainment system. The company’s upgraded “Intelligent Personal Assistant” technology, which can identify natural speech for things like air conditioning adjustment, window functions, navigation, volume, and more, is reportedly included in this most recent version of iDrive from BMW.

The 2024 X5 and X6 will go on display by BMW in March at the Amelia Concours d’Elegance, and production is scheduled to start in April. Starting at $66,195, the base rear-drive X5 sDrive40i will cost $68,495 in the xDrive variant. The base price of the X5 xDrive50e plug-in is $73,495; the maximum price of the X5 M60i xDrive is $90,295. The cheapest X6, the xDrive40i, is priced from $74,895, while the X6 M60i xDrive starts at $94,595.

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Science

Australia-based rocket startup Gilmour Space intends to fly its orbital launch vehicle, Eris, in 2024. Prior to this year’s planned flight, the corporation tested every part of the rocket in the preceding months.

Gilmour said that small satellites can be launched into low-Earth orbit with their 35-ton Eris rocket.

The first launch of Eris is scheduled over the upcoming weeks. The Australian Space Agency has not yet granted the launch, known as TestFlight 1, final approval.

Australia’s First Authorized Orbital Spaceport was Established by Gilmour Space

On April 4, Gilmour Space launched Bowen orbiting Spaceport, Australia’s first authorized orbiting spaceport, in advance of its rocket launch. The spaceport, which is located in north Queensland, will be a crucial location for spacecraft arrivals and launches.

“Australia now has its own road to space. Thanks to the vision and support of our investors, partners, government, and local Juru people and community in this region,” stated Adam Gilmour, the CEO and co-founder of Gilmour Space. “We look forward to providing essential access to space to our global customers and their innovative space technologies from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in Australia.”

Launchpad Serving Gilmour Space’s International Clientele

As one of just three launch companies in the world, Gilmour Space claims to have a dedicated launch pad, guaranteeing a steady launch schedule after the rocket has safely entered orbit.

“It will be a launch pad for our global customers to deploy their satellite technologies, such as for communications, earth imagery, disaster resilience, water management, border protection and Defence,” explained Adam.

Assembled on-site, Gilmour Space’s three-stage rocket is ready for its first launch in the upcoming weeks. It is comparable to Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket in that it has the capacity to launch up to 305 kg (672 lbs) into low Earth orbit.

Potent Rocket engine of Gilmour Space

The first and second stages of Gilmour’s flagship hybrid rocket engine, Sirius, will propel the Eris rocket into orbit.

To power the first stage will be four Sirius hybrid rocket motors. Second stage power will come from a single Sirius rocket engine that runs on a combination of liquid oxidizer and a unique solid fuel. Fueled by liquid oxygen and rocket-grade kerosene, the third stage will be powered by the Phoenix rocket engine.

In November 2022, the business effectively concluded the Sirius hybrid rocket engine’s final qualification test-fire.

A record-breaking 115 kilonewtons, or 25,850 pounds of force, of stable and effective combustion were produced by the engine. According to the business, this rocket engine is the most potent ever created in Australia, and it successfully completed its job without ever failing.

Since it began operations in 2015, Gilmour Space has established itself as the premier supplier of launch vehicles and satellite platforms built in Australia that will reduce the cost of space access.

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