Posted by admin on May 27th, 2008 — Posted in Way Out
From beaches to the alps, France has a little of something for everyone. In this article, we take a look at Paris and the beach city of Nice.
Paris
It is hard to know where to start when discussing Paris. Take a boat down the Seine River and you will pass Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and so many other notable spots it is easy to get overwhelmed. The city is simply that dramatic.
Long considered the most glamorous city in Europe, Paris has a little of everything. For the romantic, one can visit the haunts of famous writers, historical sites of just about every nature and the Moulin Rouge.
On the other hand, art lovers can spend weeks visiting the 100 plus museums in the city with, of course, the Louvre being the crown jewel. Personally, I found the Rodin Museum just as interesting, particularly since there was a much smaller crowd.
Perhaps the best way to experience Paris is just to wander around. Yes, take a few days to visit the notable tourist traps…err, destinations. Once you get tired of standing in crowds, walk out of your hotel and just keep on going. You will find little neighborhoods with eccentric characteristics to make you smile. As you plod along, real cafes and gathering places will become apparent. Make sure you visit them as the locals in these neighborhoods are very friendly and funny.
Nice
Nice is a small beach city just to the east of Cannes in the south of France. It is an odd mix of old world charm and beach culture. In and of itself, there is nothing particular about Nice when compared to Cannes with the exception of the prices. They are significantly cheaper and you get pretty much the same thing.
One extremely positive thing about Nice is the launching factor. Nice is close to everything and a natural launching point to go practically anywhere in the general region. You can hop on a train to the east and be in Monaco in 15 minutes. You can take a 20 minute minivan trip inland to learn how to make cheese and soap. Thankfully, this isn’t the same location.
France is a diverse country with a rich history. It can be easy to overdose on the volume of things to see, but you can’t do much worse than just walking out your door and exploring. Remember, those boots were made for walking.
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about France Travel and Adventure Travel.
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Posted by admin on May 27th, 2008 — Posted in Hall Of Gender Issues
The holiday season can wreak havoc on any woman, but those
of us with health concerns need to be extra careful this
time of year. With holiday parties, offices full of junk
food, traditional foods and well-meaning friends and family
pressuring us to let our diets go for the holidays. Don’t
forget the emotional stress of gifts, parties and family
gatherings. As cold weather hits our bodies often crave more
calories and more carbohydrates. Shorter days can lead to
more munching to maintain energy levels and brighten moods.
Add in the scheduling crunch so many of us experience this
time of year and this time of year can be hard on your
health.
Here are some pointers that can help you survive the season
without losing the battle:
* Plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of healthy foods
on hand. Slip carrot sticks, protein bars, nuts, cheese or
other healthy choices into your purse before you leave the
house. Carrying good snacks with you can help you withstand
the urge to binge on mall foods while shopping or giving in
to the candy that seems to sprout in every office this time
of year.
* Choose wisely when you snack. Gravitate towards the veggie
trays and nut dishes rather than the cookies. Choose a
splash of cranberry juice in water, lemon in water, or a
diet soda instead of sugary drinks. One good chocolate,
savored, can curb your desire to binge on other sweets.
Chocolate is also absorbed more slowly than simpler carbs
because it has more fat in it.
* Plan your indulgences. If you MUST have Aunt Sydney’s
latkes or Grandma’s eggnog then plan for it. Don’t blow your
eating plan on lesser treats. Hold out for the good stuff. A
few indulgences can help you stave off a binge.
* Say no! Not every invitation or request must be accepted.
You have a right to a sane and happy holiday season. If that
means graciously turning down an invitation or saying no to
a volunteer opportunity, then that is what you need to do.
Your health MUST come first or you are no good to anyone
else.
* Stick to your healthy habits as much as possible. Schedule
in time to meditate, exercise, or attend a yoga class. When
you are happy and healthy you will do much more to spread
the holiday spirit than you ever could if you were crabby
and exhausted.
***
You may reuse this article without charge as long as it is
unchanged and the following information is included.
Julie Holland, author of “Alternative PCOS Solutions” is a
life coach who helps professional women cope with the
effects of chronic illness. She writes the weekly
e-newsletter “PCOS Success.” You can learn more at:
http://www.pcoscoach.com.
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Posted by admin on May 27th, 2008 — Posted in Lifestyle Hall
Adding muscle seems to be a mystery to most, yet if you pick up a copy of any fitness or bodybuilding magazine and you’ll almost always see a headline like this: “Gain 15 Pounds of Muscle in 6 Weeks.”
If it were so easy you’d have millions of muscle-heads running around. Even though building muscle tissue can be a challenge, I’m going to outline some very specific principles that can pack on the muscle faster than you can throw away that copy of “Muscle and Fiction”!
Before we get started though I want to clarify a few points. The ridiculous claims made by most fitness and bodybuilding magazines are only there to get you to buy that issue - nothing more! If you are serious about strength training you need to be reading books and NOT cheesy fitness magazines
Ok… here we go.
In order to add muscle tissue you must force the body to add it. Your body won’t just add a pound of muscle just because you followed a 3-set workout that you read about in Muscle + Fitness. You need to give the body a reason to make improvements - in this case add muscle tissue.
You have to provide what I call a “stimulus”. This can be done in many ways and I’ll address a few in just a moment. Basically, you need to force the body to add muscle by subjecting it to levels of stress it is not used to. Some methods are more obvious than others but all can work. Here are a few examples of how this can be done effectively.
First, the basic and common methods: Increase weight or resistance Perform more repetitions Perform more sets Move the resistance slower Rest less between sets and exercises
Now for the more advanced methods: Pre-exhaust (perform an isolation exercise first and immediately continue with no rest on a compound movement. ex. chest flye and then chest press) Static holds (hold the resistance in the hardest position of the range of motion. ex. the top position during a leg extension) Partial reps in weak range (perform a portion of the rep where you are weakest. ex. the top half of a rep of leg extensions) Strip-set (after a warm-up set, perform 3 sets back to back with no rest while starting with the heaviest weight possible and each time strip off some weight to allow you to continue) 1 reps (perform one full rep and then on the second rep only perform half the normal range of motion and then return to starting position to begin the next rep. ex. one full rep of lat pulldowns, pull second rep all the way down, resist weight back up but only half way and then pull back down)
These are just a few examples of methods of increasing intensity to ensure progress. The key point to remember is that whatever you do it must be progressive in order for it to elicit a physical change. This is even more critical for those looking to add muscle size.
Although this article is geared towards individuals who are interested in gaining muscle size, the principles can also be used for individuals who want to build strength, increase metabolism, or tighten and tone muscles.
Here are some general recommendations for different goals…
If your goal is to tighten and tone muscles: Focus on increasing reps, decreasing rest, and changing exercises frequently Train each muscle group twice per week Perform fewer sets of many different exercises (1-2 sets per exercise)
If your goal is to increase strength and power: Focus on increasing weight Train each muscle group once every 7-10 days Perform multiple sets of each exercise (2-5 sets per exercise)
If your goal is to increase muscle size: Focus on shocking muscles by changing variables frequently (exercises, set and rep schemes, rest time, etc) Train each muscle group on a variable schedule (experiment by training a muscle group 3 times a week and then once every ten days) Perform multiple sets for a while and the perform single sets for a week or two
Some final reminders:
The recommendations above are general and of course would need to be adapted and adjusted for your personal goals and experience. For those of you who are advanced and may be thinking there’s no way you can build strength by training once every 10 days I challenge you to try it for at least 4 weeks, or those of you who think that you need to stick to the same basic movements like bench to build size I challenge you to try shocking the muscles by changing the exercises you perform each week for 4 weeks, and those of you with little experience I hope that you’ll throw away the fitness magazines and learn what really works.
There are some great books on these subjects and for those of you who are serious about strength training I personally recommend you check out the books “APEX” and “No Turning Back” by Brian Johnston. You can find them online at www.iart.com
If you have any questions about the techniques described in this article please feel free to contact me. You can email me at jesse@achieve-fitness.com
I wish you the best!
About the Author
Jesse Cannone is a certified personal trainer, nutritionist, and best-selling fitness author. Sign up to receive his free email course, Muscle Building Tips which is full of powerful tips and techniques for maximizing strength and size. http://www.seriousstrengthtraining.com
support@seriousstrengthtraining.com
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Posted by admin on May 27th, 2008 — Posted in Way Out
Mountain bikers don’t just like ordinary vacations - they want to take mountain bike holidays, where they can get out and try out trails that they don’t often get the opportunity to try out. They also enjoy mountain bike holidays because they get to experience cultures, challenges, and scenery that simply isn’t common place to their lives. It’s no wonder that touring companies have started offering mountain bike holidays in almost every imaginable destination in the world!
Even bike manufacturers are getting in on the action. Trek has Trek Travel, which specializes in - you guessed it - mountain bike vacations and tours. Fisher Bikes has also started offering tour packages - with Gary Fisher as your friendly guide! Other manufacturers are sure to follow in the very near future - because there is a definite market for mountain bike holidays!
Travel agents are another good source for finding mountain bike vacation packages, but they usually don’t offer what touring companies - which are not the same as travel agencies - can offer. Touring companies typically offer guided tours, but many offer self-guided tours as well. Depending on where you want to go, and what your level of experience is, a self-guided tour may be more enjoyable than a guided tour. However, if you are inexperienced, or if you are going to a foreign country, you should strongly consider a guided tour.
The tour guides are usually well trained, and they know the places that they will be leading you like the back of their hands. You won’t have to worry about getting lost or not finding the most challenging trails for your skill level - the guide has all of that information. These guides typically know what is acceptable, and what is unacceptable, in the areas that they often ride in, in terms of dealing with the locals - especially in foreign countries. These guides are also well equipped to deal with emergencies - whether it is a bike breakdown or an injury.
Self guided tours, on the other hand, are exactly what they sound like - self guided. The touring company makes all of the arrangements for you to get to the destination where you will ride - but no guide accompanies you. You are not guided on the trails in most cases either. This means that you need to have the necessary experience to deal with any situations that may arise, such as injuries or breakdowns, and you need to be able to read a map well. You may also need to do some investigating to determine where you may and may not ride - especially in a foreign country! Beginner mountain bikers typically do not have the necessary experience, and need to stick to guided tours for the time being.
If you have never been on a tour of any type, it is a good idea to know what you are getting into before booking the tour. Some tours consist of only you, your guide, and other members of your party - such as your friends or family members. Other tours consist of you, the guide, and other people who have signed up for the tour - strangers. It is important to know what the arrangement is before booking the tour.
You also need to know what is expected of you on the tour. Most tours provide the bikes, and they are usually top of the line bikes. Some companies will allow you to bring your own bike, but in most cases, you will be responsible for your own bike. Your food may or may not be provided as part of the package. Again, it is vital that you find out all this information before booking the tour.
For your next vacation, you should definitely contact some of the touring companies about mountain bike holidays to see if there is a trip that interests you. Vacations are about more than just sightseeing - adventure is the key to a fabulous vacation that you will never forget!
Mountain bike holidays - Mt-bikes.com provides you with information on mountain bike reviews, trek mountain bikes, giant mountain bikes, mountain bike holidays and specialized mountain bikes. http://www.mt-bikes.com/
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Posted by admin on May 26th, 2008 — Posted in Promoting Stuff
Public relations is how a business conveys information to the public to build good will, credibility, name recognition and prestige. PR activities include:
Press releases, articles and newsletters;
Company-sponsored events and activities;
Speaking engagements and interviews, and
Trade shows and conventions.
Web site PR is all about news, and top companies rely on the Web to spread it. As newspapers shrink in size and circulation, on-line news outlets multiply. Though often overlooked, Web site PR is surprisingly easy, affordable and effective, as long as you follow a few simple rules.
The first step is to make sure your company Web site is media-friendly. Journalists begin research by cruising a target company’s site. They look for PR contacts, basic company facts, corporate position statements, financial information and images to download for the story. With that in mind, a powerhouse PR site will have:
Easy navigation;
Clear, concise and jargon-free content;
Current news and archived press releases;
A “Media Room” with photos of key executives, personal contact information and newsworthy charts and graphics;
Financial data, and
A consistent and compelling overall message.
Follow these guidelines and all visitors - not just journalists - will develop a clear and favorable impression of your company.
After giving your site a PR tune-up, tell the world what you are all about. Companies can submit news stories directly to on-line wire services, where industry news sites, blogs and message boards regularly pick them up. Stories on “hot” topics can rapidly circulate among blogs, providing the company with highly effective - and free - viral marketing. If direct submission is not practical, the company can work through an on-line PR firm that specializes in article placement.
PR submissions come in many flavors, such as technical white papers, press releases, customer success stories and opinion-editorial pieces. Each type requires a different emphasis and style; properly crafted submissions quickly will grab the attention of editors and readers. Above all, articles must have real informative value; otherwise, they get lost in the shuffle. For example, EzineArticles, a popular submission site, receives nearly 9,000 articles per month! Despite the proliferation of news, analysts see nothing but growth for Web site PR; in fact developing technologies such as “podcasting” open up whole new vistas of opportunity.
Companies that fancy themselves sharp Web marketers because they do effective search marketing and pay-per-click campaigns often miss the public-relations boat. PR does not replace on-line advertising, but compliments it. Article placement can enhance optimization, and PR reaches targeted market segments with information-rich content. This means when a qualified prospect spots your ad or scans Google results, they will recognize your name - and click.
Aaron Wittersheim is president of Whoast Inc., a suburban Chicago search marketing firm. For more information, visit http://www.whoast.com.
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Posted by admin on May 25th, 2008 — Posted in Internet Gambling, Wagering, Betting
The incommodity of physically going to a gambler’s den should be reason enough not to go there if it’s not inescapable. Traffic accidents, the incommodity, and gazillions of things to take care of don’t seem worth the nuisance for that possibility of wagering at gambler’s den, even so should you happen to be the sort of guy who is consummately fascinated by gambling then going virtual is surely the self-evident solution.
In fact you do not need to leave house to try online roulette or related games because you’ll do everything from your bedroom assuming you have a functional personal computer and an internet access account. On the other hand, don’t start off yet because there’s a good number of tenets that you must fully understand in regards to online roulette or related games, in particular should you be unseasoned in this space. All right relax those hormones of yours to think through the following information. Here is our terse guide that expounds what to keep in mind if you are singling out a trust-worthy online roulette or related games web site.
The first thing that a keen Web high roller should definitely look for is an online roulette or related games website of the type that is prepared to guarantee the best winning odds. Establish for certain that the online roulette or related games website is inspected by a trust-worthy accounting company in order to check their specific online wagers pay-outs in a documented manner. This is very constructive to ascertain the lettuce you plan on betting during your planned bout will warrant it.
You must always take care to make certain the virtual casino gambling website has a license, such as by looking for the govt. approbation as corroborated on the casino webpage. If you are unable to locate any govt. approbation on that targeted virtual casino gambling website, don’t ever attempt any gaming halls at that place.
Beyond, further big advice would be to test the odds at first in lesser amounts instead of forking out big dollars right off. Check out the security measures of the virtual casino gambling system rather than triggering any grave menace- in particular money loss… My last most powerful prompt in regards to online casino. It is bound to be this– to bear in mind always that gambling should be chiefly about fun and amusement and not so much about making a buck. Casino betting is certainly no profession, but, instead, a hobby that should let you feel exultant and living pleasing. Not playing online home casino yet? Sign up here!
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Posted by admin on May 25th, 2008 — Posted in Credit Rating + Cash Flow, Finance Matters, Loan Resources
Be sure to use the dutch minikrediet comparison tool at gsm minikrediet to compare rates. You must however, be able to satisfy the payday loan provider that you will have enough cash available to cover the advance repayment they will look at how much you can afford to pay back on an individual basis between 177 euro. The charge you need to observe is how much you pay back on the amount you borrow - this is a fixed sum dependent on the individual provider. This is where a online minikrediet comes in, offering a suitable sum of money to help you get by. A gsm minikrediet is a way to solve a short-term cash issue for amounts like 163 euro.
If you apply for an minikrediet for 81 euro you will usually have to fill out an online form and attach copies of your documentation in an email, or by fax.
However, for lengthier journeys you are better to use a method of transport that specialises in long distances such as a train or plane, fast minikrediet are certainly a short-term special. For many it simply can’t arrive soon enough as we attempt to juggle bills and expenses, as well as trying to have a little fun in life. However, this does vary with some providers charging 28 interest and so on. A lot of us count down the days until payday? Unexpected costs can hit even those who keep a tight grip on their finances if something goes wrong in the home, a family member needs support or you receive a larger than expected bill you might require cash to help you get by until your next wage slip.
It’s easy to compare 10 minute minikrediet with us and hopefully you’ll soon have the cash you need to get by without worrying how far away your next payday may be.
In the majority of instances for every 319 euro you borrow you have to pay back 409 euro, meaning 15 interest. As with all gsm minikrediet it is best to take a complete search of the market before you apply for a minikrediet for aount 340 euro so you can compare interest rates and make sure you are getting the best deal for your needs. The premise behind 10 minute minikrediet is simple whatever you need 453 euro for, you can take out a loan (usually ranging from 57 euro but sometimes up to 1,000 depending on the provider) that is repayable on your next payday, whether it is 26 minutes away or less.
However, it is not necessary to use the loan for this purpose and effectively the cash can be used at your discretion as long as it is paid back with interest during the short loan term.
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Posted by admin on May 25th, 2008 — Posted in Fiction, Non-Fiction
This is one of the few dedicated books that provide a complete
inside picture of the makings of a great car manufacturing
company, in this case - the BMW. A keen auto journalist, David
portrays the complete canvass of the brand called BMW, the
unceasing effort undertaken to make its cars distinctive, the
clear focus of its brand identity with the affluent, its
inseparable link of design to marketing as well as the
disastrous consequences of the Rover deal acquisition. The book
makes for compelling reading as the author gives all the inner
details of the finer aspects of the car components and
structure, the behind-the-scene corporate maneuvering, the ups
and downs in the owner’s family, the heavy cost incurred due to
the wrong decision on Rover deal acquisition and the poor
response received to redesigning attempts. What makes the book
interesting is that it never gets too technical to be boring but
combines all the interesting details about the engineering and
marketing philosophy of BMW along with the tumultuous history of
the company.
In all a racy book worth reading not only for auto journalists,
car manufacturers, and professionals, but even owners of the
proud car, and any lay person wanting to know the complex road
that the company traversed to produce its brand of highly
exclusive and renowned cars.
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Posted by admin on May 24th, 2008 — Posted in Uncategorized
Sometimes when I read some questions posted by people on dating on forums, I find curious phenomena. They all discuss their problems, their questions and everything about dating from others, but they don’t ask their dating partner about what should be done. I wonder that it is like this - a child is crying and the mother posts on the net that my child is crying, what should I do? Why not ask the child? Similarly most of the issues of dating can be easily sorted out if we ask our partner. Let us find out more.
Are you confident about your dating partner? Are you confident about your relationship and your partner? If you are sure about your choice of dating partner than most of the problems can be solved. Whatever may be the issue, ask him/her. Sometimes people get baffled with straight queries, but once they realize that you are very honest and open about your dating relationship, they will love it.
Why fear in dating? People fear that a small wrong step can spoil the dating and they will have to begin searching again. This is not true. Fear kills your natural behavior. Fear will make you very guarded in your dating. Please stop fearing. Sky will not fall. Be natural and worry not. If you are good and your dating partner likes you, everything will end Ok.
Dating and communication - Good communication is the key to success. Talk and listen as much as possible. Don’t hide feelings. Express them. Don’t hide fears, talk about them. Don’t hide desires; express them and you will get real satisfaction.
The author, C.D.Mohatta writes for screen savers and desktop wallpapers at http://www.screene.com/ on topics like nature, spirituality, motivation, love, holidays, animals, etc. He also writes fun quizzes and fun tests at http://www.funquizcards.com/ on topics like love, personality, dating, relationships, friendship, movies, tv, music, business, etc. The author also writes articles, advice and ideas on love, dating, marriage, relationships, break-ups, at http://www.yourromanceguide.com/
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Posted by admin on May 24th, 2008 — Posted in Food + Cooking
One of the great joys of wine is to be able to select a bottle from your own cellar,
perhaps one that you’ve been storing for some years, draw the cork and enjoy it
with friends. You can marvel at the changes brought on by maturity and, as a bonus,
you can brag about the price you paid and congratulate yourself on picking up such
a bargain!
However, wine is an ever-changing thing and how it is stored will directly affect how
quickly and how well it ages!
Storing wine is very simple …
It requires a constant temperature, humidity, darkness, stillness and a well-
ventilated and clean environment.
• Insulation
The first essential is to create a storage environment that provides the basics of
stable temperature, no light and no vibration.
In general terms 4? (100mm) of polystyrene is the equivalent to 3 ft (1 meter) of
ground. So if you’re trying to decide between an above ground construction and an
underground cavern, you must be prepared to dig deep for the latter.
Your cupboard, indoor space or your outdoor construction must be well shaded,
well insulated and with the minimum of air movement in and out.
• Temperature
The objective is to provide stored wines with a constant temperature of between
50F and 59F (10C - 15C).
Seasonal changes in temperature will not harm your wine, although fluctuations
greater than one degree a week should be avoided.
Wines subjected to temperatures over 77F (25C) are in grave danger of rapid
deterioration.
Wines stored in less than ideal conditions will age at speeds quite different to those
envisaged by winemakers when they offer suggested storage times. A hygro
thermometer will provide you with accurate information as to both the temperature
and humidity ranges within your cellar.
A well-constructed above ground cellar or a well dug underground cellar will require
the minimum of additional temperature control although your climate or the
position of your cellar may necessitate the use of a cooling device that will provide
complete temperature stability.
Another alternative is a temperature controlled wine cabinet. Some of these can hold
up to 800 bottles but be aware that some manufacturers’ suggested bottle capacity
can be misleading and the racks may be smaller than you require. Champagne
bottles are larger than riesling bottles!
Regard assembled wine as your best cooling block. A high density of wine bottles
will reduce wine temperature fluctuations.
Consider keeping your long-term wines in a professional storage facility if your
cellar cannot conform to the optimum temperature ranges.
• Humidity
A dry atmosphere is an enemy of the natural cork seal. A natural cork is compressed
and forced into the bottle as a 100% natural seal.
Low humidity combined with a defective cork results in the wine moving out of the
bottle (increasing ullage) and air naturally moving into the bottle.
Moderate humidity is important to keep the cork in good resilient condition and
prevent it shrinking. Screw capped bottles do not require humidity.
Excessive humidity will not harm the wine but can cause the labels to go moldy. The
ideal humidity for your cellar is 70%, however anywhere between 50-80% is
acceptable.
• Darkness
Light will prematurely age a bottle of wine. Clear bottles are most susceptible to this
problem, but ultraviolet light will penetrate even dark colored glass.
Ultraviolet light will damage wine by causing the degradation of the otherwise stable
organic compounds, especially the tannins found in wine. These organic compounds
contribute to the aroma, flavor and structure of the wine. Without them your wine
would be flat and thin.
So exposure to ultraviolet light results in unfavorable and irreversible changes in
your wine.
Extra care should be given to sparkling wines as they are more sensitive to light
than other wines.
• Lay it down!
Store your wine bottles horizontally so the wine is in contact with the cork. This will
keep the cork wet. If the cork dries out and shrinks it will let air get to your wine.
Store it with the label facing up. This will help in three ways:
You can easily see what the wine is. You don’t have to disturb the bottle to see what
you’ve got in your cellar.
The sediment will form on the opposite side to the label and make it easier to see.
The label is less likely to be damaged. If you’re storing wine as an investment, a
damaged label will reduce the value.
Chris Miley is the creator of the very popular book “How To Build And Start Your
Own Wine Cellar” which includes complete instructions for building your own
basement wine cellar plus many other ideas for wine storage areas in your home,
from a cupboard under the stairs to a temperature controlled wine cabinet. Go to
http://www.winecellarsecrets.com to find out more about building your own wine
cellar
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