CONSOLIDATED - Earthquake Thread
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xilangan
Reacher
Joined: Dec 06, 2007
Posts: 223
Location: french concession
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
May 13, 2008 - 10:04 PM |
 
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| andyfff wrote: |
Global warming can't cause an earthquake. Everybody knows that earthquakes happen because God is angry.
I am just waiting for the nut cases in the USA to come out and say that God did this to China because China is evil. The first amendment is a good thing, but sometimes I have to grit my teeth. I guess that is the whole point of the first amendment, to allow everybody to have their say, but still... |
two thumbs up for this post. thumbs down though for the so called "righteous." |
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Quack
Barker
Joined: Dec 20, 2005
Posts: 156
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May 13, 2008 - 10:17 PM |
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| xilangan wrote: |
| andyfff wrote: |
Global warming can't cause an earthquake. Everybody knows that earthquakes happen because God is angry.
I am just waiting for the nut cases in the USA to come out and say that God did this to China because China is evil. The first amendment is a good thing, but sometimes I have to grit my teeth. I guess that is the whole point of the first amendment, to allow everybody to have their say, but still... |
two thumbs up for this post. thumbs down though for the so called "righteous." |
If God wad doing the right, he should've killed the evil people in China, not instead of the innocent people. |
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monalisalee
Veejay
Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 2014
Location: Shanghai
Status: Online!
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May 13, 2008 - 10:24 PM |
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Jeez, another post biting the dust. What has this got to do with God?'There is no God. This is about people suffering, and losing their lives, "for God's sake". |
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johnboy88 |
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SXD
Lurker
Joined: May 31, 2006
Posts: 37
Status: Offline
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May 13, 2008 - 11:31 PM |
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| Post subject: Update from Chengdu |
This has been my first opportunity to get online since the Earthquake hit yesterday. All is fine with my family, but this event has really shaken up my wife, who briefly hid under the table of our condo with my new-born son, then ran out the building, down the street to fetch my older son Nathaniel at the Kindergarten; finally, wisely fleeing by taxi to a suburban area where grandma and grandpa live.
At the time, I was in Guanghan, at the Civil Aviation University, 40 km north of Chengdu and closer to the epicenter. It was a surreal and terrifying experience. I've been in a tornado and felt the helplessness when pitted against mother nature. But, you can hide from a tornado down in a basement.
There is really no escaping an Earthquake. I was just about to begin class on the 4th floor when we felt a shockwave rumble the building. We thought maybe a plane crashed or there was an explosion nearby. But then the building heaved. As we hustled down the hallways and down the stairs, the sensation was the same one you get when you take off in an airplane; with that sudden weightlessness and then the dip of the plane. Cement was flying and so was glass. Very fortunately, the building did not crumble down upon us. I can still envision one extremely hard hit and I thought the end was coming. The building rumbled so loud, it seemed to be coming down. In that instant, I spied the window of the 3rd floor staircase and made my plan. Then the rumble slowed. Everyone made it out safely.
All in all, we were extremely lucky.
More than 12,000 people, at last count and rising quickly, have died in the villages and towns Northwest of Chengdu. I have seen the destruction and in some cases it is complete destruction. Homes, hotels, hospitals, schools and apartment buildings have crumbled with people in them.
News is still trickling in and we still haven't seen the worst of it yet. Of this, I am sure because I have been up in those hills in Aba many, many times and I know that the construction up there could not withstand the hit we took in Guanghan; and we were 50km from the epicenter.
The country is helping as best it can. The Army is up there already and the local businesses in Chengdu have already started supplying aid. The Chinese people really pull together when these things happen. That is something one can see quite evidently.
Calm has pretty much been restored to Chengdu now and people have for the most part, made their way back to their homes. Some holdouts are still taking shelter where they can outside.
But now the problem is the rain. If you can picture a mountainside road, barely two lanes across and just enough to squeeze through a couple vehicles either way in the best of times. And then picture half the mountain tumbling down across it and burying it for hundreds of meters and about 15-20 feet high; then you can picture the monumental task facing emergency crews to get to the hard hit areas. You can only fit one excavator at a time on that narrow roadbelt, to start digging through the debris and there are dozens of huge rock-slides like that all the way up the winding road to Wenchuan, Aba from DuJiangYan.
Airlift is the best way to get in right now. The death toll in Chengdu has climbed from early low reports of 45 people, to now over 1,000. Mianyang; Sichuan's number 2 city has lost over 7,000; Deyang over 2,000. There are reports of an entire village just North of Wenchuan having diappeared. And no one has heard from the Panda base at Wolong yet. There are 130 Pandas out there and more in the wild. Let's hope they faired well.
I pity the crews out there working in this heavy rain tonight. The human toll; let alone the emotional toll on the aid workers and victims will certainly be staggering. |
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Chengdu, San Xing Dui, Jinsha, and the Shu Kingdom |
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sbergman
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 2350
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 12:09 AM |
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SXD, Thank you for the very informative post. I will pass it along to the many friends back home who want to know how things look from here. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. Many people here have expressed interest in making donations, etc. and are waiting to hear how to most effectively do that. |
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kappakai
Raver
Joined: Apr 04, 2005
Posts: 417
Status: Offline
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May 14, 2008 - 12:40 AM |
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there is a fund raising poker tournament this weekend. please PM me for details. |
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shanghaiceltic
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 8134
Location: Perth WA
Status: Offline
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May 14, 2008 - 05:40 AM |
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The BBC is reporting the death toll is now up to 30,000 |
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I have parrallel bars at home, one for gin and one for whiskey |
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kimball06now
Reacher
Joined: Feb 18, 2006
Posts: 358
Location: Shanghai
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May 14, 2008 - 06:32 AM |
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| DesertSpider wrote: |
| Anybody want to make bets that China will handle this disaster better than the U.S. handled Katrina ???? |
It's pretty difficult to hide 12000 reported deaths. reportedly 3X as many injured people, and entire towns flattened. Just don't tell that to Myanmar's government apparently in denial of many more victims of its recent cyclone. Somehow. Myanmar's government continues blocking aid to the tens of thousands of cyclone victims.
Obviously, most governments around the world learned many lessons from the inept local, state, and federal preparation and initial response to Katrina. No surprise with among the world's most open media or a level 4 hurricane with wind speeds of 230 kph / 140 mph battering what was a relatively large city visited by tourists from around the world.
To its credit, China's federal government learned from both Katrina. Myanmar's governmental denial of its recent cyclone, and past delayed responses to domestic natural disasters. Obviously, heightened global media attention to recent political events and the upcoming Olympics coming out party are playing no role. Then again, it would be pretty challenging to avoid discussing what many people in Beijing, Shanghai, and in much of Asia felt, what major international geological bodies detected, and what foreign media sources in Sichuan were already reporting.
My thoughts and sympathies extend to families and their relatives elsewhere impacted by the tragic events in both Myanmar and Sichuan. |
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skyline5k
Board Legend
Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 10033
Location: is behind you with a knife O_O
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May 14, 2008 - 07:22 AM |
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sbergman
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 2350
Status: Offline
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May 14, 2008 - 09:36 AM |
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jmg, I think you may be being a bit Western-centric. I think Beijing has learned from Beijing's own mistakes. Trying to cover up the SARS epidemic, most recently, which ended up causing more pain and panic in the region than probably would have occurred if they had been more open with information. |
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skyline5k
Board Legend
Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 10033
Location: is behind you with a knife O_O
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May 14, 2008 - 10:40 AM |
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Anyone feel any tremors last night here in Shanghai? Mrs. Skyline is convinced she felt something, though I was awake playing Civilization 4 at the time & didn't feel anything. Didn't feel anything on monday either. Maybe I'm earthquake proof!  |
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http://www.terascape.net |
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littlefox
Fire-eater
Joined: Nov 23, 2003
Posts: 2779
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 10:46 AM |
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| sbergman wrote: |
| SXD, Thank you for the very informative post. I will pass it along to the many friends back home who want to know how things look from here. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. Many people here have expressed interest in making donations, etc. and are waiting to hear how to most effectively do that. |
Looks like someone already posted the red cross contact and account info :p
You can also donate by simply sending a text message, users of China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom and China Netcom may send the number 1 or 2 to 1069999301 to donate RMB1.00 or RMB2.00 to China Redcross Aid Campaign.
I suggest everyone to donate cash now as the transportation is pretty much down in the epicentre and surrounding areas, some of the regions even the local volunteers couldn't get in.
If you donate stuff like cloth, blankets, food, water..etc, they probably won't make it to the people there until the transportation is back to normal. |
_________________
Ah, the ubiquitous idiots... |
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Cylon
PopStar
Joined: Mar 28, 2006
Posts: 1156
Location: Hongkou, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 11:09 AM |
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| Post subject: Donating to the Sichuan earthquake victims |
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mod5
Moderator
Joined: Oct 22, 2007
Posts: 178
Location: Behind the Wall
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 11:16 AM |
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oh_the_darkness
Fire-eater
Joined: Apr 17, 2008
Posts: 2528
Status: Offline
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May 14, 2008 - 11:24 AM |
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My brother is in Chengdu and he said that the riverside is packed with tents because people are too afraid to return to their homes. He's not working along with the rest of the city and people are just wandering the streets because they are not working, can't go home and many shops/restaurants/etc are closed.
He lives in a modern building and he said there is a huge crack along the side of it now and all the metal rods that support the balconies have popped.
When the quake hit he said the building he was in was swaying from side to side by about four feet and going up and down by about a foot. I was just on the phone to him just now and he said 'I really thought - This is it. This building's going down and I'm going to die. Buildings shouldn't move that much should they?'. |
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And you may ask yourself Am I right? ...am I wrong? And you may tell yourself My god!...what have I done? |
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sbergman
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 2350
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 11:34 AM |
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| Quote: |
When the ground beneath a building shakes, it makes the building sway as the energy of a quake’s waves moves through it. You might think that a skyscraper would be more dangerous than a smaller office building, but in fact, the opposite is often true. Here's why:
The taller a structure, the more flexible it is. The more flexible it is, the less energy is required to keep it from toppling or collapsing when the earth's shaking makes it sway. You can feel this same phenomenon while you're riding a bus or subway. It requires less effort to remain standing if you flex your body and flow with the bumps and jolts than if you stiffly try to defy them.
Because shorter buildings are stiffer than taller ones, a three-story apartment house is considered more vulnerable to earthquake damage than a 30-story skyscraper. When planning the seismic safety of a building, structural engineers must design the support elements of shorter buildings to withstand greater forces than those of taller buildings. |
from the Exploratorium's website. http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/damage/building.html
There's lots more good information there if you're interested.
--closet geek |
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stoneshichina
Lurker
Joined: Jan 16, 2008
Posts: 31
Status: Offline
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May 14, 2008 - 11:37 AM |
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i do,all of the world people draw together approach to try to overcome the problems of earthquake in sichuan province.one world, one heart! |
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kimball06now
Reacher
Joined: Feb 18, 2006
Posts: 358
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 12:09 PM |
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| sbergman wrote: |
| jmg, I think you may be being a bit Western-centric. I think Beijing has learned from Beijing's own mistakes. Trying to cover up the SARS epidemic, most recently, which ended up causing more pain and panic in the region than probably would have occurred if they had been more open with information. |
Or, it could reflect a basic misinterpretation of clear Asian and Chinese-specific references. "Myanmar's governmental denial of its recent cyclone, and past delayed responses to domestic natural disasters (see northern China earthquakes). Obviously, heightened global media attention to recent political events (see t¡bet, Sichuan prοtests) and the upcoming Olympics coming out party are playing no role."
Myanmar is not just an Asian, but a global exception. Of course China learned from its delayed responses to SARs and past earthquakes. However, governmental disaster response times and planning are known to have improved on a global scale since Katrina. That's not a Western-centric opinion, but we can agree to disagree. What's important is China's federal government actually appears to be acting to help people and not just talking the talk. |
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littlefox
Fire-eater
Joined: Nov 23, 2003
Posts: 2779
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 12:13 PM |
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| yu888 wrote: |
| Donate blood. That may be a good start. Wednesday there is a blood drive locally sponsored by the Shanghai Red Cross Blood Center and Shanghai United Family Hospitals. May 14 location is at the Shanghai Expo Center Gate#9 which is across the street from the Portman and Shanghai Center. for more info, call 5133-1968 |
the blood drive is also on
May 24&Jun 15- Thumb Plaza in Pudong, 199 Fangdian Lu
May 27- B1, New World Hongkong Plaza on 300 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Jun 21 - Dulwich College Shanghai in Pudong, 222 Lan An Lu |
_________________
Ah, the ubiquitous idiots... |
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miniya
Seeker
Joined: Aug 24, 2007
Posts: 45
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 12:30 PM |
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| Post subject: Re: Update from Chengdu |
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Cylon
PopStar
Joined: Mar 28, 2006
Posts: 1156
Location: Hongkou, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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May 14, 2008 - 12:42 PM |
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SXD
Lurker
Joined: May 31, 2006
Posts: 37
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 02:41 PM |
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| Post subject: update |
Today, I have returned home to my place inside Chengdu's 1st Ring Road. Most shops are open today for business. Even my Suzuki dealership was open today and lucky for that because my radiator was pooched. There is some panic-buying going on of staple goods (especially bottled water) and most of the chain stores and supermarket shelves are becoming bare in the "drinkables" sections. Traffic is snarled outside the 2nd Ring Road as those people who slept in their cars for the past 2 nights are now returning to their homes.
Whether rumor-mongering or not; the locals believe that throughout history, disease breaks out after a natural disaster of this magnitude. People fear for the safety of the water and for the unidentified strains of bacteria and/or viruses that may spread from such a disaster. I think that is a reasonable reaction and that some basic precautions should be taken by the people in the area.
An open feeling of grief and sadness is in the air. Normally happy-go-lucky Sichuanese have truly felt the weight of the human toll in the countryside nearby the city. Many Chengdu people send their kids to countryside schools, especially in the hard-hit city of DuJiangYan; a popular weekend getaway town for city dwellers due to its natural beauty and mountain scenery. Indeed it is one of Sichuan's 5 UNESCO World Natural Heritage designated sites; three of which were hit hard by the quake; including the Natural Panda Habitat and the country's number one tourist draw; Jiuzai Valley.
Many foreigners in Chengdu, as well as from within the rest of China and other countries have offered to assist in the rescue and aid effort. Even with my relatively inside connections in the area; having been involved in aid projects in Mao Xian county, just a few kilometres north of the epicenter; it is not feasible to allow foreign aid workers in on the ground at this time. The security situation, as we all know, must be controlled. China places a heavy emphasis on protecting foreign visitors; and yes, some may feel it is rather restrictive in nature; but that's the way it is. Local officials do not want to be held responsible for the safety of a group of foreigners in their area. For the Chinese, that is a heavy responsibility, believe it or not. Special preparations would have to be made to accommodate any foreign relief effort and because time is of the essence, it is best to let the Chinese get on with the task at hand.
They have indeed been quick to the scene. Given the terrain and the topography of the area; a faster response is all conjecture and hindsight. When there is an emergency; one huge advantage China has is man-power. And the rescue effort has thrown alot of man-power into the situation. That is why the best way for foreigners and foreign countries to assist is in monetary or hard-goods contributions. Once the area has been stabilized, there will be plenty of aid and relief opportunities for foreigners and foreign aid groups. There always has been in those relatively poor regions of Western Sichuan.
So, let's be patient and not be insulted or take offense. Chinese people do appreciate assistance given by foreigners. Of that, and from my 10 years of experience in this region, I have no doubt.
Anyone with a plan or requiring advice as to the best way they may contribute once the dust has settled, may feel free to contact me by PM. For now, I suggest donations to the major charities, such as the Red Cross. |
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Chengdu, San Xing Dui, Jinsha, and the Shu Kingdom |
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SPP
LoopKicker
Joined: Nov 08, 2006
Posts: 829
Status: Offline
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May 14, 2008 - 03:38 PM |
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Planet Earth is becoming more dangerous by minutes.
Thank God! Somehow, I am still alive. |
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sbergman
StreetBeater
Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 2350
Status: Offline
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May 14, 2008 - 04:03 PM |
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SXD - Thank you so much for your continued reports. |
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Swiss-James
Post Roaster
Joined: Jan 05, 2007
Posts: 4323
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
May 14, 2008 - 04:17 PM |
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SXD- fascinating to hear an on-the-spot report. Hope you and your loved ones stay safe |
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ISpy: Shanghai blog ||  |
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