Promethean Unveils Interactive Table at BETT 2012
London, UK (PRWEB) January 12, 2012
Global education technology company, Promethean, today unveils ActivTable for public preview at BETT 2012. The new technology shakes up the classroom environment by providing a dynamic and interactive learning experience. ActivTable inspires users to take an active role in their own learning and that of their friends by driving student engagement, participation and creativity.
The ActivTable is aimed towards primary school and special educational needs learners. At 46 inches, the screen provides one of the largest interactive surface areas on the market and allows up to six students to use it at any one time, with ample room for them to work together. The interactive nature of the ActivTable encourages inclusion and collaborative skills such as problem solving, group work, critical thinking and consensus decision making.
With web browser capabilities, individual tool libraries and support for numerous applications and activities, the ActivTable is simple to set up and intuitive to use. Teachers can also create tailor made activities in order to meet core curriculum learning objectives. The ActivTable integrates easily with Promethean and third party resources, content and solutions, including interactive whiteboards.
See the ActivTable in action http://www.youtube.com/user/PrometheanUSWeb/featured
Why it matters
London 2012 Outlines Scale of Plans to Get Games Ready with 200 Days to Go
(PRWEB) January 09, 2012
To mark 200 days-to-go, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today hosted the first Cabinet meeting of 2012 on the Olympic Park and outlined the scale of hosting the two biggest sporting events on the planet this summer.
Olympic Park to be handed over to LOCOG by ODA, as site hosts first Cabinet meeting of 2012
New Games-time names confirmed for Olympic Park and public called to plan your summer
Organisers launch online event guide so people across UK can join in local and national celebrations
With the Olympic Park to be officially handed over to LOCOG, Prime Minister David Cameron met British 2012 diving hopefuls in the Aquatics Centre today.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: As we kick off 2012, the year of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee, this is the perfect time for the Cabinet to come together and ensure we are doing absolutely everything we can to make the most of this unique opportunity to showcase all the great things the UK has to offer to the rest of the world. As Ministers visit Olympic venues, businesses, schools and organisations associated with 2012 right across the UK, I want the message to go out loud and clear, from tourism to business, sport to investment, we are determined to maximise the benefits of 2012 for the whole country.
Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee said: The handover of the Olympic Park sounds the starting pistol in the race to get the site and venues ready to host the two biggest sporting events on the planet. In just 200 days time, 200 countries more than the membership of the United Nations will be sending 15,000 athletes and 20,000 accredited media to London to create history. There is huge excitement ahead and we want the whole country to start planning their summer.
Dennis Hone, ODA Chief Executive, said: We are in fine form ahead of the Games, having built the venues and main infrastructure on time and within budget. We hand the Olympic Park to the Organising Committee fully confident that they will continue pressing ahead on their preparations so that London 2012 becomes a brilliant once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experience for everyone involved. As we move ahead into the final straight we will continue to work alongside the organising Committee in completing our remaining construction work.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has now completed the main structures on the Olympic Park and will officially hand the site over to LOCOG to begin transforming it into a fully-operational Olympic and Paralympic Park. The Olympic Park now becomes a live operational site with LOCOG ramping-up work to fit-out venues, and staging testing and licensing events. The huge logistics challenges ahead of the Games include:
A Stock Pickers Market Likely to Continue in 2012
Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) January 09, 2012
Wasatch Advisors Chairman and Chief Investment Officer Sam Stewart recently shared his fourth quarter 2011 insights on the economy, Europe and the stock markets.
Said Stewart about the economy, Generally, the market takes its marching orders from the economy. Lately, the economy has been issuing a wide variety of orders, some in conflict with others. Not surprisingly, the market has been acting confused. It has gone up or down depending on who is issuing what orders.
If we consider only orders issued by the U.S. economy, the news has been uniformly good since my last letter. For example in the last three months, the Citigroup Economic Surprise Index has risen from -50 to over +50 indicating that the U.S. economy has been performing much better than expected.
To illustrate the conflicting orders the market has been hearing: in contrast to the U.S., the same index for China has fallen from +20 to -20 since last quarter. Not only are global economies issuing confusing orders but politicians have also been a study in conflict. For example, U.S. politicians decided to have a big dustup over extending payroll tax cuts, a policy economists uniformly agree is a good idea. However, our political leaders enjoy arguing so much that they delayed agreeing upon this non-controversial item. It appears as though they argue just for the sake of arguing. Its not a pretty sight for taxpayers who are the ones actually footing the bill for this frivolous behavior.
While Chinas economy has been underperforming expectations, at least Chinese leaders arent arguing among themselves.
About investing in todays markets, Stewart said, At Wasatch, we look for high quality companies that we believe can thrive even during difficult times. Many people equate high quality companies with blue chip stocks. However, given our focus on smaller companies, most blue chip stocks are off limits to Wasatch. So we have to search for quality in companies that are not (yet) bellwethers of industry. It might be helpful to explain how we discern quality in a company. We look for smaller companies with great business models, growth prospects and strong balance sheets.
I continue to believe that our current restrained economic growth environment points to a stock pickers market for some time to come.
The full commentary is available at the Wasatch Funds website at this link.
About Wasatch Advisors
Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters, Home Heating Products Featured in HGTV Dream Home 2012
Peachtree City, GA (PRWEB) January 11, 2012
Rinnai Corporation, manufacturer of the No. 1 selling tankless water heater brand in North America, is pleased to announce that four of its comfort-enhancing, energy saving products are featured in the HGTV Dream Home 2012. Located at River Meadows Ranch in Midway, Utah, the first-ever riverfront HGTV Dream Home is a modern yet rustic ranch house nestled on the banks of the Provo River. On the interior of the HGTV Dream Home, three Rinnai
Stylish Flooring Trends for 2012
(PRWEB UK) 12 January 2012
The New Year is here and Carpetright are already excited as 2012 will be filled with new possibilities, opportunities and new flooring trends to keep an eye on. From living room laminate to bedroom carpet, the styles and looks needed to look at when buying new flooring this year include shaggy rugs and contemporary carpets.
Hot Styles This Season
One of the hottest flooring influences this year will be furniture design as these designs, styles and shapes inspire what we lay on our floor. Eco-Carnival is also a trend to look out for as bright botanical and earthy shades fuse indoors and outdoors to create a beautiful patterned look in the home.
Flooring Styles for Your Living Room
If looking to replace living room carpet it’s necessary to choose wisely as it will surely outlive 2012. Choosing a style is all down to the look/feel of the room, personal taste and the function of the room. If patterns and bold colours are not to personal taste then choose something that is plain and neutral. A plain carpet can always be brought to life by a bold shaggy rug.
Living room rugs are available in a wide variety of different designs and colours that can add something really different to your lounge. This option also removes the need for a whole new carpet.
Remember, a new contemporary rug is not just for the living room. A kitchen rug can really change the look and feel of a room by adding a touch of comfort and colour to kitchen floor vinyl, laminate and kitchen tiles. There is no need to worry about slipping either as good non-slip rug grip backing is available from most good carpet shops.
Flooring Styles for Your Hall
What better place to bring the outside in than the hallway? New trends and collections feature some fantastic laminate flooring and each range is hardwearing making them perfect for the hall or entrance. Other options include wood flooring and vinyl which are still going to be popular in 2012 but also look out for slate and terracotta flooring if you want to add some Tuscan style to the home.
Flooring Styles for Your Bedroom
Lots of people feel more confident about adding patterns and experimenting with styles in their bedroom. If this is the case then definitely choose bold flooring options including rugs and bright, bold patterned carpet. If bold stripes is a step too far then watch out for sculptured pattern designs coming back into fashion as they are a great way to add something different to flooring without committing to anything too wild.
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Fitness Game Changer Jennifer Nicole Lee Makes History Again with her 2nd Annual JNL Fusion World Conference Being Held This Jan 13-16th 2012 on South Beach Miami
Chicago, Illinois (PRWEB) January 10, 2012
Jennifer Nicole Lee’s amazing weight loss success story and award winning physique and body have been the “darling of the media” since 2004. But lately, another feather in JNL’s cap of extraordinary productions and products have been her exclusive high intensity athletically rich training method called JNL Fusion. JNL Fusion was recently named one of the worlds top fitness trends of 2012 because it has most of the major characteristics of what is predicted to be in demand in the New Year and beyond. The JNL Fusion Method has five major components of what top fitness experts and forecasters state are what the fitness consumer mostly values in a fitness training method. The top four most important characteristics that the best health and wellness industry leaders stated, that are also major components of the JNL Fusion method, are the following: an exercise program that increases the education of fitness professionals, an exercise method that aids in rapid yet long lasting weight loss, strength training using lighter weights or a personal own body weight, a practice that can be done in a small space, and lastly functional fitness, a kind of program that focuses on improving the ability to do every day activities.
The JNL Fusion Management team led by Jennifer Nicole Lee is adamant about educating its top elite Master Trainers. Each year, JNL hosts her Annual JNL Fusion World Conference in Miami, Florida, where hand selected applicants are chosen to attend and work with her one on one. She certifies only a handful of personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts each year, making sure that she recruits the top Master Trainers in the world. In 2012, JNL has confirmed she will be going on tour with the method, stopping at major cities to recruit and train future Master Trainers. Educating and keeping my master trainers motivated are my passions. Training and being inspired to me go hand in hand.
Trending elements in the fitness industry in 2012 have shown to be an exercise program that aids in fast yet safe and long lasting permanent weight loss, which JNL Fusion has a proven track record. I myself am a weight loss success story, and I have kept off the 80 lbs plus with my own JNL Fusion method. Records show a countless amount of people losing weight on this program. But JNL states its not only about losing weight, but gaining stamina, energy, endurance, and a new identity as an athlete. This is why the weight loss sticks, and JNL Fusion trainers and lovers of the method never gain their weight back.
JNL Fusion also focuses on another major trend in fitness for 2012, which is strength training using lighter weights or a personal own body weight. The equipment needed for the JNL Fusion method are a small pair of dumbbells, a cordless rope, or jump rope, a 30 second timer, and of course your own body. Your own body weight is what JNL Fusion focuses on when performing the signature trademark plyometric moves which super spikes your metabolism. With JNL Fusion, there is no need for big bulky equipment. Plus, many dont want to look like a bodybuilding, but have functional muscle.
Space is and always has been an issue for working out. With JNL Fusion, all that is needed is a small room, living room, bedroom, or small gym area. Realistically JNL Fusion can be done anywhere, anytime-at a park, in ones bedroom, on a balcony, on the beach, even in your hotel room when you travel. This is why it works, and also many of my European clients love it, since their flats, apartments and homes tend to be smaller in some areas.
Lastly, JNL Fusion is predicted to be a superior training method in 2012 and beyond due to it focusing on functional fitness. These kinds of programs focus on improving your ability to do activities that many encounter in everyday life, leveraging strength training to boost balance, coordination and power. JNL explains it this, stating Functional training is superior because many people dont Zumba or dance at work, at home or at school but they do lift heavy bags, bring in the groceries, carry their kids up stairs, or have to bent over to pick up items. This is why JNL Fusion will not only make you stronger while you work out, but for your everyday life to dos-thus making you a better mom, better dad, wife, husband, office workerplain and simple, JNL Fusion will make you perform better in your life as it makes you more efficient, effective and yes, Strong is the New Skinny as I always have said.
In the end, this weekend JNL will be hosting her 2nd Annual JNL Fusion World Conference where women will be coming in from every corner of the globe to become one of the first ever JNL Fusion Master Trainers. “What makes my trainers superior is that they are not just watching a DVD and getting into ripped shape. Yet, I instill in them my trademark coaching capabilities which are second to none, which actually can create long lasting results in their lives and also their clients lives. I don’t plan on being a flash in pan, but leaving a legacy with my JNL Fusion training method.”
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Vertbaudet Launches New Childrens Clothing & Maternity Wear 2012 Spring/Summer Collection
(PRWEB UK) 24 January 2012
Mums and Dads can forget about the deep, dark and dank days of winter and look ahead to the promise of a stylish Spring and Summer season with Vertbaudets newly launched 2012 Spring-Summer Collection. The latest catalogue of childrens fashion from the French-based designers offers a huge array of unique clothing ideas, featuring a modish mix of upcoming design trends that incorporate clever, fun and practical details to suit parents, little ones and not-so-little ones too! Even Mums-to-be can look forward to nine months of style and sophistication, thanks to the new Spring/Summer range of maternity wear, which features a selection of fabulous maternity dresses and outfits for all occasions.
Budding Designers
As a leading childrens clothing brand, Vertbaudet are no strangers to innovation and originality, which is why in 2011 they launched their own Budding Designers competition. Entrants were challenged to come up with new designs for a raincoat and matching boots, the results of which can now be viewed in the Spring/Summer 2012 fashion collection. The young winners were selected from all over Europe, with the winning designs including an array of bold floral, fruity and nautical themes.
And building on the success of last years guest designer 100DRINE, Vertbaudet have kept the guest designer spot open, this year inviting LZC Studio to create a collection of exclusive stunning and stylish offerings for the new Vertbaudet catalogue. LZC Studios designs are inspired by nature, featuring bold colours and delicate floral motif designs, incorporated into a range of lightweight Spring and Summer girls dresses, soft textiles, and quirkily cute bedroom furniture.
But LZC Studio isnt the only designer turning out new creations for the leading childrens clothing brand. Popular French designers Bensimon return to Vertbaudet for Spring/Summer 2012 with their collection of blouses, trousers and jersey dresses for girls. This year Bensimon draw heavily on the bright pinks and whites of summer florals, with their collection heavily accented with fuchsia, hot pink, candy pink, baby pink and cherry hues. The popular French designers have also included a selection of girls tennis shoes in an array of complementary pink hues.
Popular Collections Returning for 2012
The Spring Summer 2012 collection also sees the return of the popular I Can Dress Myself range, the Organic Collection, as well as the seasonally specific Garden Party Collection that boasts a selection of smart yet lightweight party wear to keep kids looking cool but feeling comfortable throughout those numerous spectacular summertime engagements.
The I Can Dress Myself collection is home to a wide variety of childrens clothing that has been designed, as Vertbaudet promises, with children in mind. Design features integrated throughout the collection include elasticated waists, big easy-grip buttons for little hands, pull-tabs on shoes, as well as colourful motifs that help kids to tell the difference between the back and front of a piece of clothing. These subtle but significant features are included to help inspire confidence in independent dressing and to make that morning routine much more fun! And whilst the range of practical but stylish tops, bottoms, jackets, dresses and shoes are designed to help little ones to dress independently, the fabulous and fun designs will leave boys and girls looking and feeling fantastic all season long.
The Organic Collection continues in the same caring vein, offering an array of baby clothing, childrens clothing and kids accessories. Pieces included in the collection are made from natural organic cotton that has been grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals. The Organic Collection features a number of fresh, bright and super-soft designs that help to protect young fragile skin, from super-soft mattress covers, newborn all-one-suits and cosy pram blankets, to cute bunny toys and soft and beautifully adorned pillowcases.
Maternity Wear
And Mums-to-be are never far from the innovative minds of the designers at Vertbaudet, with the latest Spring/Summer catalogue teeming with must-have items for that perfect maternity capsule wardrobe. The Vertbaudet maternity wear collections include cardigans, skirts and trousers that hug, skim and flatter in all the right places. Every piece is designed to look great and grow with Mums baby bump. The catalogue is home to a myriad of outfit solutions that will keep Mum looking chic and on-trend throughout her pregnancy, whatever mood and whatever occasion each day brings.
The new Spring/Summer 2012 collections are available to view and purchase online from Vertbaudet at http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk
About Vertbaudet
Vertbaudet is an award-winning worldwide leading childrens clothing and maternity wear brand, established over twenty years ago in France and operating in the UK since 1997. Vertbaudets prestigious home shopping network continues to expand throughout the globe, thanks to its reputation of innovation and excellence, and its commitment to creating clothes with children in mind.
Vertbaudet is part of the Redcats Group along with other leading brands including La Redoute and Daxon. The Redcats Group operates under the global PPR Group together with a number of high-profile luxury brands such as Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci.
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Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Hotel To Unveil Grand Redesign Of Its New Luxury Guestrooms To Select Meeting Planners at PCMA 2012 Meeting
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) January 25, 2012
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego will present the grand redesign of its guestrooms to select meeting planners attending the Professional Convention Management Associations (PCMA) 2012 Convening Leaders meeting in San Diego. Slated to begin in May 2012 and completed in fall 2013, the entire downtown San Diego hotel will be renovated, including meeting and public space, as well as food and beverage outlets and guestrooms.
New Guestrooms at the San Diego Luxury Hotel
The new guestrooms, suites and Grand Club Rooms will become intimate spaces offering a timeless urban feel with subtle nods to the maritime lifestyle at the heart of San Diego. Tailored details will include warm teak wood tones contrasting crisp white and color tones that change with the movement of the sun across the sky. All guest rooms will receive new carpeting, curtains, wall coverings, bed coverings, lampshades and wall art. New paint and wallpaper will give the bathrooms a fresh look as well. The guestroom corridors will also have fresh carpet and new wall coverings, and the hotels public areas will also be updated.
The new owner of Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, a subsidiary of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. purchased the 1,625-room property in March 2011 for $ 570 million. The original tower of the hotel opened in 1992, and the second tower was launched in 2003.
Upgraded Meeting Spaces, Same Great Services and Amenities
Meeting planners and attendees have our guarantee we will continue to provide exceptional, authentic hospitality as we transition this San Diego landmark, said John Schafer, vice president, managing director, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. The renovation will enhance the exceptional service and amenities that guests of the hotel have come to expect. We are very appreciative of our owners commitment to Hyatt and are thrilled to have a long term agreement to manage the hotel.
Manchester Grand Hyatt: A Vital Downtown San Diego Tourist Attraction
The renovation of the downtown, waterfront Hyatt coincides with several recent, positive actions that cumulatively will play a vital role in the future of San Diegos tourism industry, including the current $ 1 billion airport expansion and the planned $ 29.6 million North Embarcadero improvement project.
Host is excited about our growing role in San Diegos dynamic tourism industry, said Minaz Abji, executive vice president of asset management with Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. We are very optimistic about the regions continued success and pleased to be working with Hyatt in serving the area.
Having Host own and Hyatt operate one of San Diegos premier convention hotels is good for the city, noted San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. The success of these hospitality-industry icons speaks for itself. Both organizations have outstanding reputations and are important partners in the citywide effort to sustain and grow San Diegos vital tourism industry.
With this relationship, both Hyatt and Host continue to increase their presence in San Diego. Since 2010, Hyatt has added Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Andaz San Diego and Hyatt Summerfield Suites San Diego/Carlsbad to its roster of longtime San Diego properties: Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, Hyatt Regency La Jolla and Manchester Grand Hyatt. Hosts acquisition of Manchester Grand Hyatt brings the number of San Diego area hotel rooms it owns to over 4,600.
About Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego 2011
Located on the Gaslamp Quarters waterfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego overlooks San Diego Bay and many rooms offer spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean too. This urban resort defines San Diegos skyline and is comprised of two stylish towers, the 33-story Seaport Tower and the 40-story Harbor Tower, the latter of which is 497-feet tall, making it the tallest building on the west coast waterfront. Connecting the two towers is a four-story building that boasts a rooftop pool with a 25,000 square-foot deck. The stylish Hyatt includes 95 one-and-two-bedroom suites, Kin Spa with a full-service salon and an adults-only pool at adjacent Kin Oasis, tennis courts, bay-view pool and deck, a fitness center and several award-winning restaurants and lounges most all overlooking the bay. It is adjacent to Seaport Village, near Horton Plaza and convenient to San Diego International Airport, San Diego Zoo and Sea World. For more information, call (619) 232-1234 and visit http://www.ManchesterGrand.Hyatt.com. The hotels latest news, special offers and information on upcoming events is also found at http://www.facebook.com/manchestergrandhyattsd on twitter @ManchGrandHyatt.
About Host Hotels & Resorts
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is an S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company and is the largest lodging real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. The Company currently owns 105 properties in the United States and 16 properties internationally totaling approximately 65,000 rooms. The Company also holds non-controlling interests in a joint venture in Europe that owns 13 hotels with approximately 4,200 rooms and a joint venture in India that is developing seven hotels in three cities with approximately 1,800 rooms. Guided by a disciplined approach to capital allocation and aggressive asset management, the Company partners with premium brands such as Marriott
Floridas Top Rated Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Announces its 2012 Destin, Florida Golf Packages and Spring Deals
Destin, FL (PRWEB) January 25, 2012
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort today announced its special vacation deals and new features for this upcoming spring season. Great rates, accommodations and activities make Sandestin Florida Golf Resort synonymous with springtime fun.
For generations, Sandestin has been the destination of choice for families and couples wanting to enjoy the beautiful weather, sugar white sand beaches, golf, tennis, biking, spa and all of the other great things to do from the beach to the bay. Voted Best Resort by various publications, Sandestin has more than 2,400 acres of deluxe waterfront accommodations, recreational activities and scenic areas to enjoy.
For 2012, Sandestin makes it easy by offering flexibility and options for todays time-starved travelers. Guests have choices between four popular vacation deals:
Jazz Quartet EYOT Crowned the Winner of Cannes 2012 MIDEM OFF Competition
New York, NY (PRWEB) January 25, 2012
EYOT is the winner of the 2012 Cannes, France MIDEM Festival OFF Competition. Click here to see the MIDEM announcement.
Internationally acclaimed jazz quartet EYOT is a winner of the MIDEM OFF Competition in 2012, winner of the Umbria Jazz Balkanic Windows Competition in 2009, video and mp3 of the day on prominent jazz website “All About Jazz”, and has been featured at many international jazz festivals, including Nivill Jazz Fest in Serbia, World of Jazz in Dubai, DOKfest in Munich, Alarma Punk Jazz in Sofia, along with club gigs on regular basis (see a few notable performances below).
Within the chiaroscuro between east and west, good and evil, members of the band EYOT spin a web of hushed tones and howls with their new brand of eastern jazz. All About Jazz did a recent review of EYOT’s debut album here: AllAboutJazz Review
This is not our parents’ jazz. There are no smooth licks here. EYOT is full-to-the-hilt emotion, stemming from the troubled past of the band members’ childhoods and the real, pent-up emotions of a period in history many eastern Europeans would like to forget. From the soft solo piano stylings bandleader Dejan Ilijic ekes gently from the keys to Sladjan Milenovic’s hypnotic microtonal Bill Frisell-esque guitar atmospheres, and with the metamorphic rhythm section of Marko Stojiljkovic and Milos Vojvodic, this band of brilliant young musicians is “all-in” for every tune.
This is the music of ancient civilizations, of traditional moonshine, of dervishes and religious festivals. It is the music of blood running through the streets and of hatred. It is the music of love,
reconciliation, friendship and peace. It is the marriage of east and west, and the meeting of ancient and modern. The twisted steel of the musical arrangements in EYOT’s first record have earned them ebullient praise from critics, and their live shows cannot be missed. The intensity is palpable.
The haunts of John Coltrane and the spirit of Kurt Cobain permeate the now-Keith-Jarrett-like and then-free improvisatory sets of eccentric Serbian pianist Dejan Ilijic and his band EYOT. Their dynamic sets have earned them praise in their home country and around Europe, and audiences leave energized and enlightened.
Notable Performances:
2009 Umbria Jazz Balkanic Windows
2009 Nishvill Jazz Festival
2010 World of Jazz / Dubai Jazz Festival / UAE
2010 Jazz & Blues Festival Petrovac
2010 Nisomnia Rock Festival
2010 Jazz Festival Novi Sad
2010 Jazzir
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