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Medina H, Farmer C. Current Challenges in Monitoring Low Contaminant Levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water Matrices in the Field. TOXICS 2024; 12:610. [PMID: 39195712 PMCID: PMC11358922 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12080610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States recently released the first-ever federal regulation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) for drinking water. While this represents an important landmark, it also brings about compliance challenges to the stakeholders in the drinking water industry as well as concerns to the general public. In this work, we address some of the most important challenges associated with measuring low concentrations of PFASs in drinking water in the field in real drinking water matrices. First, we review the "continuous monitoring for compliance" process laid out by the EPA and some of the associated hurdles. The process requires measuring, with some frequency, low concentrations (e.g., below 2 ppt or 2 ng/L) of targeted PFASs, in the presence of many other co-contaminants and in various conditions. Currently, this task can only (and it is expected to) be accomplished using specific protocols that rely on expensive, specialized, and laboratory-scale instrumentation, which adds time and increases cost. To potentially reduce the burden, portable, high-fidelity, low-cost, real-time PFAS sensors are desirable; however, the path to commercialization of some of the most promising technologies is confronted with many challenges, as well, and they are still at infant stages. Here, we provide insights related to those challenges based on results from ab initio and machine learning studies. These challenges are mainly due to the large amount and diversity of PFAS molecules and their multifunctional behaviors that depend strongly on the conditions of the media. The impetus of this work is to present relevant and timely insights to researchers and developers to accelerate the development of suitable PFAS monitoring systems. In addition, this work attempts to provide water system stakeholders, technicians, and even regulators guidelines to improve their strategies, which could ultimately translate in better services to the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Medina
- School of Engineering, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 24515, USA
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Mondal R, Chakraborty J, Dam P, Shaw S, Gangopadhyay D, Ertas YN, Mandal AK. Development of Aptamer-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as Probes in Point-of-Care Diagnostic Device for Rapid Detection of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Bombyx mori L. . ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:5740-5753. [PMID: 39110486 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
The sericulture industry suffers severe crop losses due to various silkworm diseases, necessitating the development of further technologies for rapid pathogen detection. Here, we report an all-in-one portable biosensor that combines conjugated gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with an aptamer-based lateral flow assay (LFA) platform for the real-time analysis of Mammaliicoccus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Our platform enables sample-to-answer naked eye detection within 5 min without any cross-reactivity with other representatives of the silkworm pathogenic bacterial group. This assay was based on the sandwich-type format using a bacteria-specific primary aptamer (Apt1) conjugated with 23 nm ± 1.27 nm Au NPs as a signal probe and another bacteria-specific secondary aptamer (Apt2)-coated nitrocellulose membrane as a capture probe. The hybridization between the signal probe and the capture probe in the presence of bacteria develops a red band in the test line, whose intensity is directly proportional to the bacterial concentration. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the visual limit of detection of the strip for Mammaliicoccus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. was 1.5 × 104 CFU/mL and 1.5 × 103 CFU/mL, respectively. Additionally, the performance of the LFA device was validated by using a colorimetric assay, and the results from the colorimetric assay are consistent with those obtained from the LFA. Our findings indicate that the developed point-of-care diagnostic device has significant potential for providing a cost-effective, scalable alternative for the rapid detection of silkworm pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rittick Mondal
- Department of Sericulture, Raiganj University, North Dinajpur, Raiganj, West Bengal 733134, India
| | - Joydeep Chakraborty
- Department of Microbiology, Raiganj University, North Dinajpur, Raiganj, West Bengal 733134, India
| | - Paulami Dam
- Department of Sericulture, Raiganj University, North Dinajpur, Raiganj, West Bengal 733134, India
| | - Shubhajit Shaw
- Department of Sericulture, Raiganj University, North Dinajpur, Raiganj, West Bengal 733134, India
| | - Debnirmalya Gangopadhyay
- Department of Sericulture, Raiganj University, North Dinajpur, Raiganj, West Bengal 733134, India
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
- ERNAM-Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
- Department of Technical Sciences, Western Caspian University, Baku AZ1001, Azerbaijan
| | - Amit Kumar Mandal
- Department of Sericulture, Raiganj University, North Dinajpur, Raiganj, West Bengal 733134, India
- Center for Nanotechnology Sciences (CeNS), Raiganj University, North Dinajpur, Raiganj, West Bengal 733134, India
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Li J, Li Z, Song Y, Zhang X, Xie H, Sheng S, Zou H. 3D/1D Fe 3O 4@TiO 2/TC-TiO 2/SiO 2 Magnetic Inorganic-Framework Molecularly Imprinted Fibers for Targeted Photodegradation. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:10568-10584. [PMID: 38800842 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
To achieve a selective degradation of pollutants in a water body, 3D/1D magnetic molecularly imprinted fibers Fe3O4@TiO2/TC-TiO2/SiO2 were fabricated by an electrospinning method. The molecularly imprinted layer was successfully prepared by a direct imprinting method using TiO2 as a functional monomer. Fe3O4 facilitates the catalyst recovery and light utilization. The as-prepared fibrous photocatalyst has a large specific surface area of 132.4 m2/g. The successful generation of imprinted sites was proven by various characterizations. The weak interaction between the inorganic functional monomer and tetracycline (TC) was determined to be van der Waals force and hydrogen bonds by the IGMH isosurface theory. The construction of the 3D/1D homojunction of molecularly imprinted materials is beneficial to charge transfer. The as-prepared photocatalyst exhibits a high selectivity coefficient α = 737.38 competing with RhB. The TC removal efficiency reached 100% within only 20 min. In addition, the possible degradation pathway and the degradation mechanism are reasonably proposed. This work not only provides an in-depth mechanism of the weak interaction between the inorganic molecularly imprinted functional monomer and pollutant molecules but also offers new thoughts on the fabrication of photocatalysts for the effective and selective treatment of pollutants in water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Zhongliang Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Yanhua Song
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Haijiao Xie
- Hangzhou Yanqu Information Technology Co., Ltd., No. 712 Wen'er West Road, Hangzhou 310003, PR China
| | - Shihou Sheng
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Haifeng Zou
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Qianjin Street 2699, Changchun 130012, PR China
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Ateia M, Wei H, Andreescu S. Sensors for Emerging Water Contaminants: Overcoming Roadblocks to Innovation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2636-2651. [PMID: 38302436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Ensuring water quality and safety requires the effective detection of emerging contaminants, which present significant risks to both human health and the environment. Field deployable low-cost sensors provide solutions to detect contaminants at their source and enable large-scale water quality monitoring and management. Unfortunately, the availability and utilization of such sensors remain limited. This Perspective examines current sensing technologies for detecting emerging contaminants and analyzes critical barriers, such as high costs, lack of reliability, difficulties in implementation in real-world settings, and lack of stakeholder involvement in sensor design. These technical and nontechnical barriers severely hinder progression from proof-of-concepts and negatively impact user experience factors such as ease-of-use and actionability using sensing data, ultimately affecting successful translation and widespread adoption of these technologies. We provide examples of specific sensing systems and explore key strategies to address the remaining scientific challenges that must be overcome to translate these technologies into the field such as improving sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, and performance in real-world water environments. Other critical aspects such as tailoring research to meet end-users' requirements, integrating cost considerations and consumer needs into the early prototype design, establishing standardized evaluation and validation protocols, fostering academia-industry collaborations, maximizing data value by establishing data sharing initiatives, and promoting workforce development are also discussed. The Perspective describes a set of guidelines for the development, translation, and implementation of water quality sensors to swiftly and accurately detect, analyze, track, and manage contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ateia
- Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005-1827, United States
| | - Haoran Wei
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 660 N. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Silvana Andreescu
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13676-5810, United States
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Ly NH, Barceló D, Vasseghian Y, Choo J, Joo SW. Sustainable bioremediation technologies for algal toxins and their ecological significance. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122878. [PMID: 37967713 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of algal toxins in water ecosystems poses a significant ecological and human health concern. These toxins, produced by various algal species, can lead to harmful algal blooms, and have far-reaching consequences on biodiversity, food chains, and water quality. This review explores the types and sources of algal toxins, their ecological impacts, and the associated human health risks. Additionally, the review delves into the potential of bioremediation strategies to mitigate the effects of algal toxins. It discusses the role of microorganisms, enzymes, and algal-bacterial interactions in toxin removal, along with engineering approaches such as advanced oxidation processes and adsorbent utilization. Microbes and enzymes have been studied for their environmentally friendly and biocompatible properties, which make them useful for controlling or removing harmful algae and their toxins. The challenges and limitations of bioremediation are examined, along with case studies highlighting successful toxin control efforts. Finally, the review outlines future prospects, emerging technologies, and the need for continued research to effectively address the complex issue of algal toxins and their ecological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyễn Hoàng Ly
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Damià Barceló
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 1826, Barcelona, 08034, Spain; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, 248007, India
| | - Yasser Vasseghian
- Department of Chemistry, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea; School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon; University Centre for Research & Development, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India; Department of Sustainable Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, 602105, India.
| | - Jaebum Choo
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang-Woo Joo
- Department of Chemistry, Soongsil University, Seoul, 06978, Republic of Korea.
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Sahu S, Kumar L, Das S, Gupta D, Anand R. Ultrasensitive detection of aromatic water pollutants through protein immobilization driven organic electrochemical transistors. Chem Sci 2024; 15:710-719. [PMID: 38179533 PMCID: PMC10762727 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03509c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Xenobiotic aromatic water pollutants pose an extreme threat to environmental sustainability. Due to the lack of detectable functional groups in these compounds and scarcity of selective bio-recognition scaffolds, easy-to-use sensing strategies capable of on-site detection remain unavailable. Herein, to address this lacune, we entail a strategy that combines biosensor scaffolds with organic electronics to create a compact device for environmental aromatic pollution monitoring. As proof of principle, a sensor module capable of rapid, economic, reliable, and ultrasensitive detection of phenol down to 2 ppb (0.02 μM) was designed wherein biosensing protein MopR was coupled with an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT). For effective interfacing of the sensing scaffold MopR, graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were optimized as a host immobilization matrix. The MopR-GO immobilized sensor module was subsequently substituted as the gate electrode with PEDOT:PSS serving as an organic semiconductor material. The resulting OECT sensor provided a favourable microenvironment for protein activity, maintaining high specificity. Exclusive phenol detection with minimal loss of sensitivity (<5% error) could be achieved in both complex pollutant mixtures and real environmental samples. This fabrication strategy that amalgamates biological biosensors with organic electronics harnesses the potential to achieve detection of a host of emerging pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhankar Sahu
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai Mumbai 400076 India
| | - Lokesh Kumar
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai Mumbai 400076 India
| | - Sumita Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai Mumbai 400076 India
| | - Dipti Gupta
- Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai Mumbai 400076 India
| | - Ruchi Anand
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai Mumbai 400076 India
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Wei D, Wang L, Poopal RK, Ren Z. IR-based device to acquire real-time online heart ECG signals of fish (Cyprinus carpio) to evaluate the water quality. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 337:122564. [PMID: 37717894 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Water quality monitoring is a challenging task due to continuous pollution. The rapid development of engineering technologies has paved the way for the development of efficient and convenient computer-based online continuous water-quality assessment techniques. Techniques based on biological-responses are gaining attention, worldwide. Different biosensors have been developed in recent years to monitor real-time biological responses to evaluate water-quality. The survival and function of various organs of the organism depends on the cardiac system. Alterations in the cardiac system could signify the occurrence/initiation of stress in the organism. We developed a real-time online cardiac function assessment system-OCFAS to acquire fish ECG-signals. We obtained P-wave, R-wave, T-wave, PR-intervals, QT-intervals and QRS-complex continuously, which did not affect the normal activities of carp. We exposed Cyprinus carpio to different concentrations (National Environmental Quality Standards) of ammonia for 48 h. Our OCFAS has precisely acquired the required ECG-signals. A real-time dataset reveals sensitivity to ammonia in carp ECG-indexes. Compared with the control group the P-wave, R-wave and T-wave were weaker in ammonia-treated groups. In contrast, the PR-intervals, QT-intervals and QRS-complex were prolonged in the ammonia-treatment groups. The self-organizing map signifies that the PR-intervals, the QRS-complex and the QT-intervals are consistent with environmental stress. Linear regression analysis also quantitatively signifies that the PR interval has the highest R2 value and the lowest SSE-value, followed by the QRS complex and the QT interval. A concentration-related effect was observed in the ammonia treated groups. The integrated biomarker response (IBRv2) index was used to determine the overall stress of ammonia on carp heart ECG-indexes. IBRv2 also supports the real-time response of carp to ammonia stress. Ammonia levels in the aquaculture and water environment require special attention to avoid its adverse effects on the health of aquatic biota. Our study emphasizes the importance of online real-time fish ECG for water-quality assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danxian Wei
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China; Jinan Central Hospital, No. 105, Jiefang Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250013, China
| | - Rama-Krishnan Poopal
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
| | - Zongming Ren
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China.
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Mann MM, Berger BW. A genetically-encoded biosensor for direct detection of perfluorooctanoic acid. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15186. [PMID: 37704644 PMCID: PMC10499884 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41953-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water at the low levels set by regulatory officials has been a major focus for sensor developing researchers. However, it is becoming more apparent that detection of these contaminants in soils, foods and consumer products is relevant and necessary at part per billion and even part per million levels. Here, a fluorescent biosensor for the rapid detection of PFOA was engineered based on human liver fatty acid binding protein (hLFABP). By conjugating circularly permuted green fluorescent protein (cp.GFP) to a split hLFABP construct, the biosensor was able to detect perfluorooctanoic acid PFOA in PBS as well as environmental water samples with LODs of 236 and 330 ppb respectively. Furthermore, E. coli cells cytosolically expressing the protein-based sensor were demonstrated to quickly detect PFOA, demonstrating feasibility of whole-cell sensing. Overall, this work demonstrates a platform technology utilizing a circularly permuted GFP and split hLFABP conjugate as a label-free optical biosensor for PFOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison M Mann
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 102 Engineers Way, Charlottesville, VA, 22901, USA
| | - Bryan W Berger
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 102 Engineers Way, Charlottesville, VA, 22901, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
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Recent development of microfluidic biosensors for the analysis of antibiotic residues. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Recent advances in the use of graphitic carbon nitride-based composites for the electrochemical detection of hazardous contaminants. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Sailor MJ. The Future of Engineered Living Sensors ─ I Hope It Is Not the Thing with Feathers. ACS Sens 2022; 7:2795-2796. [DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c02178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Zou ZP, Yang Y, Wang J, Zhou Y, Ye BC. Coupling split-lux cassette with a toggle switch in bacteria for ultrasensitive blood markers detection in feces and urine. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 214:114520. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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