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Understanding the Impact of Covid-19 on Ethnic Minority Students: a Case Study of Open University Level 1 Computing Modules
As reported in [1] âOf the disparities that exist within higher education, the gap between the likelihood of White students and students from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds getting a first- or upper-second-class degree is among the starkestâ. In the Open University (OU) for example, a recent research [2] found students from ethnic minorities to be at least 20% less likely to achieve excellent grades and to spend 4-12% more of study time to achieve the same performance as white students. Moreover, with the advent of COVID-19, a growing body of research suggested that students from these groups of the population, suffer disproportionally from the impacts of the pandemic [3], which inevitably impacts on their study experiences. However, recent research in the OU found that some COVID-19 arrangements such as the change of examination mode and change in work-life patterns have impacted students from ethnic minority backgrounds differently. In this paper we present findings from a project aiming to understand the impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority studentsâ study experiences and performance. By means of a combination of qualitative and quantitative data analytics we first analysed the study performance and the patterns of progression, then by conducting focus groups with the teaching staff we assessed the impact of COVID-19 on the lived experiences of the students.
[1] Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Student Attainment at UK Universities (2022). Available at: https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk.
[2] Nguyen Q., Rienties B. Richardson J.T.E. (2020) Learning analytics to uncover inequality in behavioural engagement and academic attainment in a distance learning setting, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 45:4, 594-606.
[3] Arday, J. and Jones, C. (2022) âSame storm, different boats: The impact of covid-19 on black students and academic staff in UK and US higher education,â Higher Education. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-022-00939-0
AktivitÀtstracker im Alltag: Charakteristika von Motivation und User Diversity zur ErklÀrung individueller Nutzungstrajektorien
Die fortlaufend stĂ€rkere Durchdringung unseres Alltags mit digitalen Technologien wird besonders deutlich durch tragbare GerĂ€te wie Smartphones, auf die jederzeit zugegriffen werden kann. Noch einen Schritt weiter gehen körpernah getragene, vernetzte Self-Tracking-Systeme wie AktivitĂ€tstracker, welche kontinuierlich Bewegungsdaten und physiologische Parameter erfassen, algorithmisch aufbereiten und an die Nutzer*innen als quantifiziertes Feedback, oft zur Verhaltensmodifikation, zurĂŒckmelden. Diese spezifische Form der Interaktion zwischen Mensch und Technologie â körpernah, kontinuierlich, quantifiziert, vernetzt und persuasiv â ist fĂŒr die Ingenieurpsychologie besonders relevant, da sie eine sehr enge Verbindung von Körper und Technik erfordert und spezifische Herausforderungen fĂŒr die StĂ€rkung der Selbstbestimmung ihrer Nutzer*innen bereithĂ€lt. Einerseits dienen AktivitĂ€tstracker der erleichterten Selbstreflexion durch Sichtbarmachung von ZusammenhĂ€ngen, die zuvor verborgen blieben, wie etwa zwischen sportlicher AktivitĂ€t und Ruheherzfrequenz. Andererseits sollen AktivitĂ€tstracker die Motivation fĂŒr körperliche VerhaltensĂ€nderungen steigern. Die Nutzung von AktivitĂ€tstrackern bewegt sich also potenziell in einem Spannungsfeld zwischen der Steigerung von Selbstbestimmung durch erweitertes Wissen sowie Aufzeigen von Handlungsoptionen und der EinschrĂ€nkung der Selbstbestimmung durch persuasive Strategien zur Motivationssteigerung. Dieses Spannungsfeld bedingt neue AnsĂ€tze zur Beziehungsgestaltung zwischen Mensch und Trackingsystem.
In der empirischen Forschung zur Nutzung von AktivitĂ€tstrackern wird hĂ€ufig darauf hingewiesen, dass ein GroĂteil der Nutzenden nach wenigen Wochen oder Monaten den kontinuierlichen Gebrauch beendet. Dieser Befund deutet daraufhin, dass Barrieren existieren, die die Langzeitnutzung unwahrscheinlicher machen. Des Weiteren wird immer wieder ĂŒber negative Effekte der Trackernutzung berichtet, beispielsweise Stress. Allerdings ist auch bekannt, dass zahlreiche andere Personen ihr Trackingsystem ĂŒber Jahre hinweg intensiv und erfolgreich gebrauchen. Es lĂ€sst sich also in Bezug auf die Nutzungstrajektorien eine bedeutsame Varianz feststellen, die es zu erklĂ€ren gilt, um Self-Tracking-Anwendungen fĂŒr diverse Nutzende gewinnbringend zu gestalten. Um diesem Vorhaben gerecht zu werden, ist es unabdingbar zu verstehen, welche individuellen Differenzen in der Gruppe der Nutzer*innen die Interaktion mit dem AktivitĂ€tstracker, insbesondere in Bezug auf motivationale Aspekte, prĂ€gen. Dieser Herausforderung stellt sich die vorliegende Dissertation und greift dazu auf etablierte Theorien und Konzepte der Persönlichkeits- und Sozialpsychologie zurĂŒck.
Da der theoriegeleitete Einbezug von Personenmerkmalen in die ingenieurpsychologische Forschung noch wenig vorangetrieben war, bestand zu Beginn des Promotionsvorhabens die Notwendigkeit, ein Konstrukt zu konzeptualisieren, welches zum einen auf einem stabilen psychologischen Theoriefundament steht und zum anderen spezifisch auf den Kontext der Mensch-Technik-Interaktion zugeschnitten ist. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Dissertation wurde aus diesem Grund an der Herleitung der interaktionsbezogenen TechnikaffinitĂ€t (ATI) als kontextspezifische Variante der Denkfreude und ihrer Messbarmachung gearbei-tet. Insgesamt umfassten die Datenerhebungen zur Bestimmung der GĂŒtekriterien der ATI-Skala fĂŒnf DatensĂ€tze mit ĂŒber 1500 Teilnehmenden. Das Resultat der Skalenentwicklung ist ein unidimensionales, ökonomisches, reliables und valides Erhebungsinstrument der interaktionsbezogenen TechnikaffinitĂ€t (Artikel 1). Als relativ stabiles Persönlichkeitsmerkmal, das die Motivation zur Auseinandersetzung mit Technik grundlegend beeinflusst, wurde ATI in die folgenden Studien zur Interaktion zwischen Mensch und AktivitĂ€tstracker miteinbezogen.
Um die alltĂ€gliche, individuelle Mensch-Tracker-Interaktion umfassend zu verstehen und erklĂ€ren zu können, wie es zu den unterschiedlichen NutzungsverlĂ€ufen kommt, mĂŒssen verschiedene Phasen der Nutzung untersucht werden. ZunĂ€chst ist zu klĂ€ren, welche Motivatoren Menschen eigentlich dazu veranlassen, mit der Trackernutzung zu beginnen. Weiterhin ist die Nutzungsphase selbst zu beleuchten, um zu beschreiben, wie sich die oben beschriebene, spezifische Form der Trackerinteraktion auf die Nutzungserfahrung und anhaltende Motivation auswirkt und wie sich negative Nutzungskonsequenzen bemerkbar machen. SchlieĂlich sind zum VerstĂ€ndnis der Nutzungstrajektorien die GrĂŒnde fĂŒr den Abbruch zu berĂŒcksichtigen, sodass auch die Phase nach der Nutzung relevant ist. Da sich diese Dissertation dezidiert damit beschĂ€ftigt, wie sich die Interaktion mit AktivitĂ€tstrackern im Alltag gestaltet, ist die Untersuchung der Nutzung in Stichproben von tatsĂ€chlichen bzw. ehemaligen AktivitĂ€tstracker-Nutzer*innen angezeigt. Aus diesem Grund wurden zwei Online-Erhebungen durchgefĂŒhrt, um ebendiese Stichproben zu erreichen.
Das Ziel der ersten Studie (N = 210) war die quantitative Analyse von Nutzungsmotivationen sowie unintendierten, negativen Effekten der Trackernutzung im Alltagsgebrauch. Es zeigte sich, dass das Tracken sowohl zum Selbstzweck (intrinsische Motivation) als auch zur Erreichung eines externen Ziels (extrinsische Motivation) durchgefĂŒhrt wird und diese Motivationstypen oft gleichzeitig auftreten. DarĂŒber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass negative Effekte in Form von Motivationsverlusten in Bezug auf die Trackernutzung und die körperliche AktivitĂ€t eine Rolle im Alltag vieler Nutzer*innen spielen. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit des Auftretens dieser Effekte wird teilweise von Personenmerkmalen wie ATI und der Nutzungsmotivation bestimmt (Artikel 2). Die zweite Studie nahm ehemalige Nutzer*innen (N = 159) in den Blick und fokussierte auf die Erfassung der GrĂŒnde fĂŒr den Nutzungsabbruch sowie die StabilitĂ€t der Abbruchentscheidung. Die Ergebnisse machten deutlich, dass zahlreiche Nutzungsbarrieren fĂŒr die Entscheidung, den Tracker abzulegen, ausschlaggebend sind. AuĂerdem sind die Abbruchentscheidungen oft nicht permanent, was auf eine episodische Trackernutzung hindeutet (Artikel 3). SchlieĂlich wurden wiederum Personenmerkmale und auĂerdem Interaktionscharakteristika in Betracht gezogen, um die groĂe Varianz hinsichtlich AbbruchgrĂŒnden und -permanenz zu erklĂ€ren. Die Analysen offenbarten unter anderem, dass eine episodische Nutzung (d. h. nicht endgĂŒltige Beendigung) wahrscheinlicher ist, wenn sich die Nutzungsmotivation durch einen hohen Grad an Selbstbestimmung auszeichnet (Artikel 4).
AbschlieĂend betonen die Befunde der Dissertation die zentrale Rolle der wahrgenommenen Selbstbestimmung im Kontext der Mensch-Tracker-Interaktion und geben Anlass fĂŒr Designrichtlinien, die die Beziehung zwischen Trackingsystem und Nutzer*in mit all ihren gegenseitigen AbhĂ€ngigkeiten und individuellen Merkmalen berĂŒcksichtigen, um so die Selbstbestimmung zu erhalten oder sogar durch vertieftes Selbstwissen zu stĂ€rken.The ongoing permeation of our daily life with digital technologies is particularly evident in wearable devices such as smartphones, which can be accessed at any time. Wearable, connected self-tracking systems such as activity trackers go even a step further. They continuously record movement data and physiological parameters, process them algorithmically and provide quantified feedback to the user, often for behavioral modification. This specific form of interaction between humans and technology â close to the body, continuous, quantified, connected, and persuasive â is particularly relevant for engineering psychology, as it requires a very close connection between body and technology and poses specific challenges for strengthening the self-determination of its users. That is, on the one hand, activity trackers serve to facilitate self-reflection by revealing relationships which were previously hidden, such as the relationship between physical activity and resting heart rate. On the other hand, activity trackers are intended to enhance motivation for physical behavioral changes. The use of activity trackers thus potentially moves in a field of tension between the increase of self-determination through expanded knowledge as well as the identification of behavioral options and the restriction of self-determination through persuasive strategies to increase motivation. This tension requires new approaches to the design of relationships between people and tracking systems.
Empirical research on activity tracker usage often highlights that a large proportion of users stop continuous use after a few weeks or months. This finding suggests the existence of barriers that make long-term use less likely. Furthermore, negative effects of tracker use, such as stress, are repeatedly reported. However, it is also known that many other users have enjoyed intensive and successful use of their tracking system for many years. Thus, a significant variance in usage trajectories can be observed, which needs to be explained in order to make self-tracking applications beneficial for diverse users. To meet this goal, it is essential to understand which individual differences in the group of users shape the interaction with their activity tracker, especially with respect to motivational aspects. This dissertation addresses this challenge by drawing on established theories and concepts of personality and social psychology.
At the beginning of the dissertation project, the theory-based inclusion of personal characteristics in engineering psychology had not yet been sufficiently advanced. Thus, there was a need to conceptualize a construct which, on the one hand, stands on a stable psychological theoretical foundation and, on the other hand, is specifically tailored to the context of human-technology interaction. For this reason, the conceptualization of affinity for technology interaction (ATI) as a context-specific variant of need for cognition and its measurability took place within the context of the dissertation. In total, the data collection to determine the quality criteria of the ATI scale comprised five data sets with over 1500 participants. The result of the scale development is a unidimensional, economical, reliable, and valid survey instrument of ATI (Article 1). As a relatively stable personality trait that fundamentally influences motivation to engage with technology, ATI was included in subsequent studies of human-activity tracker interaction.
In order to comprehensively understand the everyday, individual human-tracker interaction and to be able to explain how the various usage patterns occur, different phases of usage must be examined. First, it must be clarified which motivators actually cause a person to start using a tracker. Furthermore, the usage phase itself must be examined to describe how the specific form of tracker interaction described above affects the usage experience and ongoing motivation, and how negative usage consequences become apparent. Finally, to understand usage trajectories, the reasons for discontinuation need to be considered, hence the post-usage phase is also relevant. Since this dissertation decidedly focuses on the interaction with activity trackers in everyday life, the investigation of actual or former activity tracker users is indicated. For this reason, two online surveys were conducted to assess these actual (former) users.
The aim of the first study (N = 210) was to quantitatively analyze motivations for usage as well as unintended, negative effects of tracker usage in daily use. It was shown that tracking is performed both for an end in itself (intrinsic motivation) and to achieve an external goal (extrinsic motivation), and that these motivation types often occur simultaneously. Furthermore, it was shown that negative effects in terms of motivation losses with respect to tracker use as well as physical activity play a role in many users' daily lives. The likelihood of these effects occurring is partly determined by personal characteristics such as ATI and motivation for usage (Article 2). The second study examined former users (N = 159) and focused on the reasons for discontinuing use and the stability of abandonment. The results indicated that numerous barriers to use are decisive for the decision to discontinue tracking. In addition, abandonment decisions are often not permanent, suggesting episodic tracker use (Article 3). Finally, person and interaction characteristics were considered to explain the large variance in abandonment reasons and permanence. The analyses revealed, among other things, that episodic use (i.e., not definitive termination) is more likely when the motivation for usage is characterized by a high degree of self-determination (Article 4).
In conclusion, the findings of the dissertation emphasize the central role of perceived self-determination in the context of human-tracker interaction and give rise to design guidelines that take into account the relationship between the tracking system and the user with all its interdependencies and individual characteristics in order to preserve or even strengthen self-determination through deeper self-knowledge
A Comprehensive Review of Data-Driven Co-Speech Gesture Generation
Gestures that accompany speech are an essential part of natural and efficient
embodied human communication. The automatic generation of such co-speech
gestures is a long-standing problem in computer animation and is considered an
enabling technology in film, games, virtual social spaces, and for interaction
with social robots. The problem is made challenging by the idiosyncratic and
non-periodic nature of human co-speech gesture motion, and by the great
diversity of communicative functions that gestures encompass. Gesture
generation has seen surging interest recently, owing to the emergence of more
and larger datasets of human gesture motion, combined with strides in
deep-learning-based generative models, that benefit from the growing
availability of data. This review article summarizes co-speech gesture
generation research, with a particular focus on deep generative models. First,
we articulate the theory describing human gesticulation and how it complements
speech. Next, we briefly discuss rule-based and classical statistical gesture
synthesis, before delving into deep learning approaches. We employ the choice
of input modalities as an organizing principle, examining systems that generate
gestures from audio, text, and non-linguistic input. We also chronicle the
evolution of the related training data sets in terms of size, diversity, motion
quality, and collection method. Finally, we identify key research challenges in
gesture generation, including data availability and quality; producing
human-like motion; grounding the gesture in the co-occurring speech in
interaction with other speakers, and in the environment; performing gesture
evaluation; and integration of gesture synthesis into applications. We
highlight recent approaches to tackling the various key challenges, as well as
the limitations of these approaches, and point toward areas of future
development.Comment: Accepted for EUROGRAPHICS 202
How audio-visual stimuli in automated asynchronous video interviews affect applicant reactions: social presence, fairness and organisational attractiveness
Over the past decade, the use of asynchronous video interviews (AVIs) has increased exponentially, largely spurred by ongoing technological progress and shifts to remote work. Although prior research shows interview design can influence applicant reactions, the effect of video interview design factors on interviewee reactions remains unclear. The present study determines the influence of AVI stimulus format (text-based vs. audio-visual questions) on applicant perceptions of social presence, fairness and organisational attractiveness. To this end, a between-subjects posttest-only experimental design was used in two separate samples (South African sample, N = 58; USA sample, N = 169, Combined samples, N = 227). Participants were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. Participants completed a mock interview on a commercially available AVI platform and then answered a questionnaire measuring perceptions of social presence, fairness, and organisational attractiveness. Bootstrapped independent sample t-tests and serial mediation were used to test the hypotheses. Within Sample 1, applicant perceptions of social presence, fairness and organisational attractiveness were higher for the audio-visual and text-based AVIs, thereby supporting the proposition that audio-visual stimuli lead to higher perceptions of social presence, fairness and organisational attractiveness. Conversely, Sample 2's findings were non-significant (p > .05). While there were mixed results, the findings of this study provide preliminary evidence which suggests that within the South African context, audio-visual stimuli can be used in AVIs. Organisations in the American context should pay close attention to the effects of AVI stimulus format on applicant reactions as the findings from the American sample were not conclusive. Future research should investigate applicant reactions to different forms of AVI stimulus during a multi-stage selection proces
Consumer Neuroscience e Brand Relationship: misurare lâassociazione implicita tra il SĂ© del consumatore e il brand.
Il presente elaborato si focalizza sulla connessione tra Consumer Neuroscience e Brand Relationship con un focus specifico sul SĂ© del consumatore, analizzato attraverso uno strumento di misurazione indiretta del comportamento. Lâobiettivo Ăš stato quello di contribuire alla validazione e allâutilizzo nel contesto italiano di un SC-IAT per lo studio dellâassociazione tra SĂ© e brand, interpretandone i risultati tramite unâanalisi di matrice neuroscientifica su stimoli brand-related. Il vantaggio di questo strumento, rispetto allo IAT tradizionale, Ăš quello di poter âfotografareâ unâistantanea sulla relazione senza la necessitĂ di utilizzare una dimensione comparativa. Misurando direttamente la forza dellâassociazione tra il concetto del brand e quello del SĂ©. Per farlo, lâautore Ăš passato attraverso fasi distinte che hanno prima indagato gli aspetti puramente psicometrici dello strumento, per dedicarsi successivamente a un test neuroscientifico. I risultati hanno evidenziato delle buone performance del SC-IAT, cosĂŹ pensato, suggerendo approfondimenti futuri e applicazioni a brand dalla differente architettura. Inoltre, lâanalisi neurofisiologica ha evidenziato come lo strumento possa risultare efficace nel fornire unâinterpretazione aggiuntiva agli indicatori neurofisiologici testati durante la visualizzazione di uno stimolo relativo al brand
Predicting and preventing relapse of depression in primary care: a mixed methods study
BackgroundMost people with depression are managed in primary care. Relapse (reemergence of depression symptoms after improvement) is common and contributes to the burden and morbidity associated with depression. There is a lack of evidence-based approaches for risk-stratifying people according to risk of relapse and for preventing relapse in primary care.MethodsIn this mixed methods study, I initially reviewed studies looking to predict relapse of depression across all settings. I then attempted to derive and validate a prognostic model to predict relapse within 6-8 months in a primary care setting, using multilevel logistic regression analysis on individual participant data from seven studies (n=1244). Concurrently, a qualitative workstream, using thematic analysis, explored the perspectives of general practitioners (GPs) and people with lived experience of depression around relapse risk and prevention in practice.ResultsThe systematic review identified eleven models; none could currently be implemented in a primary care setting. The prognostic model developed in this study had inadequate predictive performance on internal validation (Cstatistic 0.60; calibration slope 0.81). I carried out twenty-two semi-structured interviews with GPs and twenty-three with people with lived experience of depression. People with lived experience of depression and GPs reflected that a discussion around relapse would be useful but was not routinely offered. Both participant groups felt there would be benefits to relapse prevention for depression being embedded within primary care.ConclusionsWe are currently unable to accurately predict an individualâs risk ofdepression relapse. The longer-term care of people with depression ingeneral practice could be improved by enabling continuity of care, increased consistency and clarity around follow-up arrangements, and focussed discussions around relapse risk and prevention. Scalable, brief relapse prevention interventions are needed, which would require policy change and additional resource. We need to better understand existing interventions and barriers to implementation in practice
Relativity in social cognition: basic processes and novel applications of social comparisons
A key challenge for social psychology is to identify unifying principles that account for the complex dynamics of social behaviour. We propose psychological relativity and its core mechanism of comparison as one such unifying principle. Social cognition is relative in that it is shaped by comparative thinking. If comparative thinking is indeed a central mechanism in social psychology, then it should be affected by, and affect itself, a wide variety of phenomena. To support our proposal, we review recent evidence investigating basic processes underlying and novel applications of social comparisons. Specifically, we clarify determinants of assimilation and contrast, evaluative consequences of comparing similarities vs. differences, attitudinal effects of spatial relativity, and how spatial arrangements determine perceived similarity, one of the antecedents of social comparisons. We then move to behavioural relativity effects on motivation and self-regulation, as well as imitation behaviour. Finally, we address relativity within the more applied areas of morality and political psychology. The reviewed research thereby illustrates how unifying principles of social cognition may be instrumental in answering old questions and discovering new phenomena and explanations
The transformation of televised judicial authority in the past twenty years: A Lithuanian experience
This research examines the transformation of judicial authority in Lithuania over the past twenty years. While mainstream interest in the role of the judiciary in changing conditions is growing, only a few studies are challenging the prevalent ignorance about the lawâs reactions and responses to the challenges in transitioning democracies. This study fills a gap in knowledge about the role of culture in legal transformations in transitioning democracies by answering the question of whether the newly developing concept of judicial authority in Lithuania is influenced or affected by media and television judging programmes.
In response to the call to explore the cultural formation of law (Sharp, Leiboff, 2015), this research builds on the methodological framework of adapted ethnography (Sharp, 2015) and draws on postcolonial studies and theatrical jurisprudence (Leiboff, 2019) in the analysis. As a method of doing cultural legal studies, the research design enabled the contextually embedded interrogation of the informantsâ responses and reactions to a montage of two Lithuanian programmes, Court and Culture Court, and subsequent interviews or focus group discussions. The analysis draws on two focus group discussions and eight individual interviews with 17 judges of the first instance courts and two television creators, all situated in Lithuania.
The analysis of the referential realm draws attention to the challenges of the ideal of a dispassionate judge in the Lithuanian context. As a sense of justice developed within the legal consciousness, the importance of and obstacles to critical reflection were revealed in the analysis of the critical realm.
Based on participantsâ responses, a combination of theatrical and Soviet postcolonial perspectives focusing on the role of culture in rethinking judicial roles helped uncover the main challenges posed by tensions between political allegiance and the rule of law, along with issues such as privacy, trust, judicial image, and impartiality. These challenges highlight the need to address the development of a sense of justice in legal consciousness through critical reflection on Lithuanian cultural heritage. The thesis reveals how bodily responsiveness does not preclude the formation of caring judicial authority, whereas lawâs violence is largely attributed to the denial of the body in a democracy in flux.
This thesis, therefore, provides a unique lens for critical reflection on the legal consciousness of the legal profession in a democracy in flux. This new perspective allows a better understanding of how legal consciousness is shaped by history and culture, as well as how these factors shape the law and its application in a rapidly changing world. By interrogating the effects of popular culture on the newly emerging concept of judicial authority in post-Soviet society, this study opens up a new area for research
Metaverse. Old urban issues in new virtual cities
Recent years have seen the arise of some early attempts to build virtual cities,
utopias or affective dystopias in an embodied Internet, which in some respects appear to
be the ultimate expression of the neoliberal city paradigma (even if virtual). Although
there is an extensive disciplinary literature on the relationship between planning and
virtual or augmented reality linked mainly to the gaming industry, this often avoids design
and value issues. The observation of some of these early experiences - Decentraland,
Minecraft, Liberland Metaverse, to name a few - poses important questions and problems
that are gradually becoming inescapable for designers and urban planners, and allows
us to make some partial considerations on the risks and potentialities of these early virtual
cities
2023- The Twenty-seventh Annual Symposium of Student Scholars
The full program book from the Twenty-seventh Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 18-21, 2023. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/sssprograms/1027/thumbnail.jp
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