TOPIC:

Worse before better?,Saturday 7-Aug-1999 19:28:50,202.161.13.7
writes,I'd like to know why is it expected that you sometimes get
worse before you get better when sleeping inclined? Thanks. Joan
,Joan,

Re: Worse before better?,Sunday 8-Aug-1999 02:47:26,212.1.128.61
writes,Worse before better is certainly not the case with the vast
majority of people involved with this study and you can see some of the
reports here on this magnificent message board which confirm this.
There is an initial adjustment period within the first month. This can
cause backache and a stiff neck. Also muscles may tighten and ache as
if you have been working out.
When a person with a neurological condition like multiple sclerosis or
spinal cord injury is experiencing an increase in pain the person
could perceive that an initial worsening is occurring. However if a
nerve pathway is to become functional it has to carry bad messages as
well as good messages to and from the brain. For example: Personally I
experienced pain in two areas of my mouth and a visit to the dentist
confirmed that there were two cavities below the gum line which had
been there for several years. I asked why I had not experienced pain
before from them and he replied that the nerves in the teeth often
cease to function and this is why people with severely damaged teeth
experience little to no discomfort. He also pointed out that when we
age our taste and smell senses can become less effective due to the
same degenerative processes.
During the pilot study some people found that food began to taste
better than before they began the study. For some this meant an
increase in eating habits and lead to an inevitable weight increase.
If we are truly seeing the reversal of neurological conditions one
should expect some pain before a gain. It might be worth considering
that one could go back through MS by way of a reverse of its onset
which could mean experiencing both positive and negative symptoms
which have not been experienced for several years.
The pilot study showed this to be the case and many people experienced
increased pain and /or spasm tingling pins and needles
hypersensitivity burning and even visual disturbances prior to
regaining either a function or an increase in sensitivity. "This
was also the case with complete spinal cord injury which to all
accounts should not be possible. Four months appears to be the time it
takes for nerves to begin to respond in SCI's and CP MS. I see no
reason why ALS should not follow this pattern.
Unexpected weight gain.
Several of us including myself found that we gained around fourteen
pounds over several years but with a big difference to normal weight
gain our clothes fitted better and even became loose which meant we
had increased in weight but decreased in size. The only reasonable
answer is that the extra weight must have been an increase in fluid
bone and muscle density. This appears to be backed up by experiences
while swimming and one complete recovery by a lady with osteoporosis of
the spine.
Another consideration is that people seldom complain about feeling well
and usually realise on reflection that something has improved. However
if an increase in pain comes along then all focus is usually on the
pain which should pass within a short period.
Some people sleeping on an incline during the pilot study experienced
relapses but there were notable differences by way of a reduction of
severity and duration. It was also noted that previous relapses
resulted in a net loss whereas inclined relapses showed no net loss of
either function or sensitivity.
We are winning this battle! But please send in those vital reports the
war has only just begun!
Andrew

Thank You For Your Contribution,Saturday 14-Aug-1999
06:05:34,212.159.141.180 writes,In January we began this incredible
journey me with the knowledge that we would succeed. All of you began
with a hopefully informed and yet uncertain step into the unknown.
I have never asked the people on this study for a financial
contribution and would not as I am sure that some people would shout
that financial gain is my only real consideration. I am indeed already
the richest person on this planet! I remember lying in bed when I was a
teenager and asking 'If there is a God then please hear that all I
want from life is a wife who loves our two healthy children and me. My
request was answered with interest and I have found complete happiness
and contentment a feeling that no matter what happens we have each
other. This feeling of inner warmth has given me the strength to battle
on with this important discovery.
Today Saturday 14 August 1999 the postman arrived and I found a cheque
with the enclosed letter.
Dear Andrew
This is a contribution to The Gravity Research Project. I want to
commend you for your dedication and pursuit of validation for your
work.
I signed on to add my observations because I firmly believe there are
many facets to science that can add to our health and general benefit.
And I also believe that there are many avenues to knowledge that do not
reside in the "accredited" areas that one might traditionally
think.
I would suggest that your study would fall into the latter category and
is no less valid than work by the medical profession.
Best wishes and keep up the good work.
Name omitted.

These few words mean more to me than you will ever know and the
contribution you enclosed will help me to continue way beyond its face
value. Your generous and selfless act as do all of the reports I
receive signals to me that my work is valued by those who have joined
our study and for this I am eternally in debt to you all.
Although there are no costs for everyone involved with this study
other than running a computer and paying for the Internet Connection
the financial burden this research inflicts on my family is always
there to keep me on my toes. Unfortunately if we are to convince the
allopathic medical world we will need to enlist some professional help
with this study and I doubt there will be anyone willing to give up his
or her time for free. I need help to compile the results in a way that
the evidence cannot be ignored. I have asked Peter Cardy Chairman of
the UK MS Society to provide me with professional assistance and
guidance. Peter assured me that he would visit our message board and
will be in touch. I have also left a message on his voicemail asking
him to allow me to meet with the MS Society.
John Simkins of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre MSRC has
indicated that now that he has retired he will find more time to help
with the study. John compiled the report from the pilot study.
If you could all help me to enlist the support of any such organisation
be it media a charity a government a company or an organisation or
individual it would greatly aid us all in the long term. The best way
to do this is to write to people and ask them to visit the message
board and to contact me at afletc...@gravity.com
I am unable to count the amount of times that someone has said that
they will help so don't let up. "If at first you don't succeed
try and try again". I hope each day that when I download my mail from
the Internet there will be an offer of assistance or even interest from
a professional body who has the resources to see this through to a
conclusion.
FAQ
I have been asked to provide people with a file containing frequently
asked questions and answers. The message board would provide most of
the data as it continues to bloom. Unfortunately I do not have enough
hours in the day to provide this service which needs to be continually
updated and wander if someone out there would like the job. The zero
pay sucks the hours are flexible but the rewards will be found within
the letters you receive and the friends you will find.
The FAQ report should be posted on our message board each time it is
updated asking Cheryl to replace the previous one with the new one.
Each question and answer should be edited so that it is concise and to
the point and be included in the FAQ in alphabetical order relating to
the keywords of the question.
If you feel you would like to help and wouldn't mind editing
punctuation etc please contact me.
The Gravity of Life:
This is the title I have chosen for my first book which has already
been reviewed by a lady with a B.A.Hons in English. She believes that
it is a best seller. If there are any publishers out there who might be
interested in helping me to publish my book please contact me. If I
could get this book to print it would I am sure solve many of our
problems with achieving recognition.
,Andrew K Fletcher,Grav...@currantbun.com

Glad to hear you are doing so well!,Saturday 14-Aug-1999
20:47:09,152.163.207.81 writes,After reading your posting I was so
glad to hear that the inclined bed works for people other than MS
folks! I can tell you that after 6 months my MS seems to be gone. I
hope it never comes back. I look forward to visiting the neurologist
next time so he can see how much difference there is. It would seem
that your symptoms should be obvious to everyone who examines you!
Congratuations on your recovery!! ,Terri,tharri8...@aol.com

Re: Glad to hear you are doing so well!,Friday 19-Nov-1999
15:44:31,212.140.157.126 writes,Hi Terri
Thanks for your reply things keep getting better all the time.
It is wonderful to learn of your recovery congratulation lets hope it
doesn't return.
Reason for long delay my pc picked up a bug.
John

Spinal injury,Saturday 14-Aug-1999 07:03:47,195.8.84.175 writes,EFFECT
OF RAISED BED ON SPINAL CORD INJURY
In 1990 I had two slipped discs and had a lamenectomy but ended up
unable to walk. I was lucky enough to get a bed at ROOKWOOD Hospital
a place that I cannot thank or speak highly enough of they gave me
back the will to live.
After two years all the slow progress stopped as I had been told to
expect. I had no feeling from the hips down and no movement of the
legs at all luckily my arms were o.k so transfers to the wheelchair
were more of a throw which usually ended with my coccis hitting the
wheel but as there was no feeling it did'nt bother me too much.
After a few months came the most horrendous phantom pains like a knife
attached to the mains that struck anywhere in the legs or feet for
this I was on strong painkillers or if it was too bad injections.
About two years ago a cutting from a paper was sent to me it was
about Andrew Fletchers raised bed I rang Andrew and he explained his
theory and told me how to raise the bed the bed was raised eight
inches that day when I saw the bed it looked impossible not to end up
on the floor at the foot however that night was wonderful the phantom
pains stopped and I had a full nights sleep slowly things started to
improve such as instead of having to grab my sock or trouser leg to
lift my legs onto the bed I could lean back and swing them up muscles
in my thighs started to twitch turning over in bed was possible
without having to grab the side of the bed and pull myself over not
having to pull my legs over by hand so many improvements that creep
up and are not noticed until days later.
Pains started again and I thought here we go again but it was soon
obvious that it was nerve regeneration pains as although they felt
like the previous pains these stayed in the same place anything from
six to twenty four hours but then the next time it was further down
the leg now I am glad to say those pains have gone the last ones were
in the toes. The present pains are in the feet again but generated
from the nerve that runs under the buttocks now the feeling has come
back to that area it makes sitting in the wheelchair most
uncomfortable but that is the next problem to get over but I will.
Now what I would like to say is if you have a problem try it stick
with it and most of all have faith in it it has worked for me and
when I walk again first I will thank Andrew and secondly I will let
everyone that reads this web page know.
John Cann honicombe ,John Cann,honico...@clara.net

Just getting started,Monday 30-Aug-1999 09:00:26,216.189.45.104
writes,I Just started on 8/27 had my bed raised by using two cinder
blocks under the frame at the head of my bed this works good and very
stable. I have ms for 9 years and am in a wheelchair I have swollen
feet and ankles and also have a thyroid condition. I have no change yet
and hope to see improvement soon. ,Nancy,purpl...@cetlink.net

Re: Just getting started,Monday 30-Aug-1999 23:56:33,212.1.128.62
writes,Welcome on board Nancy and everyone who has recently joined.
Be patient as I am sure you will see some improvements soon.
The study is still open to everyone who wants to join and costs
nothing. I will not refuse to help anyone who asks for the information.
The study is not a totally free study as payment is expected in the
form of a few words when changes are noticed either bad or good.
That's the only cost to everyone who sends for the information and I
will ensure that I will endeavour to provide this information for as
long as it takes to prove that our bodies require gravity to run
through our bodies fluids from head to toe twenty four hours a day
instead of being interrupted by incorrect sitting and sleeping posture.
Hang in there everyone
Kind regards
Andrew

Dear Mr Cardy
Thank you for responding to the people who took time to write to you
many of whom I am sure would be trying this therapy and participating
in this important study.
I will forward your letter to the people on my mailing list and hope
that this will satisfy their need to understand the MS Societies
position on the inclined bed therapy.
You say that neither you nor the MS Society are opposed to this therapy
yet you have done nothing to see whether it works or not and I find
this hard to accept given the fact that the pilot study reported by
John Simkins stated in 1997 that this should be investigated further.
If you doubt the validity of my work then challenge it and conduct an
independent study or help me to compile the statistics from this one.
Incidentally the study that is running and proving highly effective is
proof that it is not impossible to conduct a study and also proof that
studies do not have to cost millions of pounds.
Your comments that it is practically impossible to conduct a trial of
something that is thought to work with a whole range of unrelated
conditions raises some important considerations. For instance did you
know that most drugs used in veterinary practice are exactly the same
as those used for us? Or that many medicines are used to treat multiple
conditions and that many conditions are treated with multiple drugs.
Also you say unrelated conditions in your letter. This strikes to the
very heart of my success because I say that these conditions all have
a common denominator which I believe relates to the circulation of
bodily fluids and posture in relation to the effects of evaporation and
gravity on said circulation. I would be delighted to show you my
working models which show irrefutable evidence for gravity driven
circulation or you could ask Ruth Carlisle's opinion of the validity
of the demonstration which she witnessed at the MS Society in Effie
Road.
Several physiotherapists and no less than five neurologists-one of whom
now sleeps inclined have shown a great deal of interest and
understanding in the scientific logic behind the inclined bed.
Your comments of "If something starts to suggest convincingly that
there is a specific effect for MS then we may be able to do something
leaves me somewhat confused. Do you not see the reports on the message
board did you not read John Simkins report or are you saying that you
are now prepared to have someone examine the data from the study? Or
are you saying that all of the evidence we have already collated is of
little interest to the MS Society. Please clarify.
Please don't make the mistake of thinking that the messages on the
message board tell the whole picture. If everyone posted their reports
on the message board the MS Society would have to act! The study is
currently showing evidence of long term progressive MS Reversal! "as
anticipated by pilot study results."
I ask you again to assist with this study and to put aside any personal
feelings about either me or my work.
Sincerely
Andrew K Fletcher
,Andrew,Grav...@currantbun.com

The Mutliple Sclerosis Society Of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
27th August 1999
Dear Andrew
Thank you for letting me know about your web-site and for the
suggestion that we might meet.
I would not want to drag you to all the way to London for a meeting
without some clear purpose and at the moment I cannot see what it
would be. I have read all of the material on your web-site and it does
not seem to add more to what you had previously circulated. We are not
likely to support a trial for several reasons. The first is that you
are proposing an intervention that is not specific to MS or any other
condition and without some clear rationale for why it might work for
MS it would be impossible to conduct a meaningful trial. Secondly
given the rather hostile approach you have taken to the Society in
communications with me and with the media it would be difficult to
envisage working together satisfactorily. Thirdly you seem to be
selling beds and it is nearly impossible to conduct dispassionate work
with someone who has a vested interest of that kind.
I have no reason to doubt your assertion that some people with MS feel
better as a result of sleeping in a new position but the evidence
even from the statistics you provided is very thin and
questionable-and as you know people with MS benefit from all sorts
of interventions even placebo.
I wander whether your theory about transport of fluids in the body is
barking up the right tree and whether there might be a much more
obvious mechanical explanation?
With every good wish.
Yours sincerely
Peter Cardy
Chief Executive
CC: Dr Lorna Layward David Harrison
Ref: H:Fletcher-27.8.99.doc
25 Effie Road London SW6 1EE
Tel 0171 610 7171 FAX 0171 736 9861
MS National Help line: Free phone 0808 800 8000
Email: i...@mssociety.org.uk Web-site: www.mssociety.org.uk
Chairman: Sara Phillips Hon Treasurer: Maurine Dickson Medical
Advisor: Professor Alan Thompson
Registered Charity 207495

MS Society response to request for practical assistance with this
study.,Saturday 4-Sep-1999 11:32:44,212.1.154.123 writes,I called
Peter cardy and asked if he could locate someone who would be
interested in helping us to compile the results of this study in a way
that would be OK for the medical profession. I also told him that I
would somehow raise the money to pay for professional help and assured
Peter that there would be no cost to the MS Society. In order to gain
some professional interest I invited him to visit our message board to
hear what a few people are saying about their experiences so far.
His reply came as no surprise to me and to be honest I thought that he
would have a carefully structured excuse for not wanting to help people
with multiple sclerosis. After all we are talking about a couple of six
inch blocks under the bed and for the life of me I can't see why
anyone would not give it a try.
Perhaps you might want to send The Chief Executive of the MS Society a
letter via snail mail and or email and ask him why he and his
associates are turning a blind eye to such a simple but very effective
therapy against multiple sclerosis and many other medical conditions.
The last paragraph in his letter brought a smile to my face and in the
light of the overwhelming evidence we are compiling with this study it
will not be long before Cardy and his like are forced to give up their
fat cat thrones.
Cardy and I will meet in the very near future and he won't like it
one bit! of this I am certain.
Fighting tooth and nail for people with multiple sclerosis.
Andrew K Fletcher

New to the Study,Tuesday 7-Sep-1999 17:36:44,206.214.102.75 writes,Hi
Everyone!
I just started 2 weeks ago on 8/23. I have RRMS and was diagnosed
about 4 years ago. I have trouble walking and use a cane when going
outdoors. I also have lots of other symptoms. I think there are some
little changes in some of my symptoms but I don't know if it's
real or not. At this point I know for sure that my left leg got a
little better. It's weak drags when walking and shakes when I bend
my knees (for example I do that to turn on the bathtub water). So now
when I bend my knees my left leg doesn't shake! I hope this therapy
works for me because I really want to do more things for my family (I
have a husband and 2 little children.) ,LL,

4 ½ months later,Thursday 9-Sep-1999 11:45:02,161.184.49.7 writes,I
HAVE BEEN SLEEPING INCLINED 4 ½ MONTHS. I HAVE HAD RRMS FOR ABOUT 16
YEARS.I AM 40 YEARS OLD. THE IMPROVEMENTS I HAVE NOTICED ARE SO VERY
SLIGHT. IT IS NOT UNTILL I RE-READ MY REPORTS TO ANDREW THAT I SEE
WHERE I HAVE COME FROM. MY SYMPTOMS ARE MOSTLY SENSORY ie. PAIN IN MY
LEGS AND NUMBNESS AND TIMGLING IN MY HANDS. I ASLO HAVE (L) OPTIC
NEURITIS. I DO GET FATIGUED YET CAN STILL WORK PART-TIME AND GO
SHOPPING FOR A DAY. I DO PAY FOR IT IF I HAVE OVERWORKED MYSELF.I HAVE
NOTICED I AM TAKING LESS ANALGESICS AND SLEEPING BETTER.I PLAN ON
FINISHING THE STUDY AND WILL PROBABLY SLEEP INCLINED FROM THEN ON.I
APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE TO THIS MESSAGE BOARD. IT INCOURAGES ME
TO CONTINUE SLEEPING "TILTED".
BYE FOR NOW LAURA ,Laura,

Sleeping on the Side,Sunday 19-Sep-1999 00:14:40,206.214.102.55
writes,Is it ok to sleep on the side all night long? Will it slow down
or stop the recovery? I have to sleep on my side because every time I
lay on my back either one of my legs would start jerking (Periodic
Limb Movement Syndrome). I think this problem has increased since I
started sleeping inclined. I also still get them during the day and
the jerkiness seem stronger than I've ever seen before. I hope I'm
not getting worse. (I have RRMS and was diagnosed 4 years ago but may
have had MS for quite a while prior to that.) ,LL,

Re: Sleeping on the Side,Sunday 19-Sep-1999 15:39:49,212.159.142.49
writes,Sleeping on ones side marginally increases the angle of the
spine and may therefore be more productive than sleeping on ones back.
If possible try sleeping on alternate sides.
Your increased involuntary movement indicates that the nervous system
is responding and you shouldn't experience this for more than a
couple of weeks as a person who has relapsing remitting MS.
Just hang in there and see this study through to its conclusion.
Kind regards
Andrew

Sleeping on the Side,Sunday 19-Sep-1999 00:14:40,206.214.102.55
writes,Is it ok to sleep on the side all night long? Will it slow down
or stop the recovery? I have to sleep on my side because every time I
lay on my back either one of my legs would start jerking (Periodic
Limb Movement Syndrome). I think this problem has increased since I
started sleeping inclined. I also still get them during the day and
the jerkiness seem stronger than I've ever seen before. I hope I'm
not getting worse. (I have RRMS and was diagnosed 4 years ago but may
have had MS for quite a while prior to that.) ,LL,

Re: Sleeping on the Side,Sunday 19-Sep-1999 15:39:49,212.159.142.49
writes,Sleeping on ones side marginally increases the angle of the
spine and may therefore be more productive than sleeping on ones back.
If possible try sleeping on alternate sides.
Your increased involuntary movement indicates that the nervous system
is responding and you shouldn't experience this for more than a
couple of weeks as a person who has relapsing remitting MS.
Just hang in there and see this study through to its conclusion.
Kind regards
Andrew

progress,Sunday 17-Oct-1999 14:34:29,62.6.112.147 writes,it started at
the left hip worked down the left leg and up to the right hip. Toe
nails are back to normal on the left foot and improving on the right.
There is a lot more movement in both legs but no strength in the ankles
at all yet. If it was not for the raised bed there would still be no
feeling at all as I was told in my spinal injury unit that after two
years there would be no more improvement which was right until I raised
my bed two years ago ,,
progress record,Monday 4-Oct-1999 22:56:12,203.59.24.251 writes,Hello
everyone! I've been doing the inclined bed since January 99.I was
diagnosed with Ms in 94 with slowly progressing type.I am confined to a
wheelchair now.Personally I think like most of us than I had it for
much longer before diagnoses. Getting to the point I think I'm
getting some results.First of all my time on a treadmill is longer &
I'm walking with a greater ease than before the stationery bike is
much easier to do as well.This two I'm using to keep my muscules
"alive".I think for people who can't walk without some help of a
stick crutches walking frame or a whelchair treadmill & stationery
bike is a great idea (from the experience point of view)it is also
greatidea with the inclined bed to restore some muscle control &
function because everything needs a bit of help. Otherwise I'm
feeling up & down somethimes feel like I can do anything already other
times I'm really weak & tired.My optic neurities also seems to be
nearly gone one day really bad the next. Overall I think I'm getting
better very slowly (two steps forward one step back-as longest finally
is not the opposite )& I LOVE sleeping this way. I have a small
daughter which I put her bed in an angle as well because she had this
allergic cough very very bad one.First few nights (like a good mother
would do)I was moving from the cupboard with all the syrups to her bed
considering giving her antihistamine or not -the cough was so bad)&
after two nights it just stoped & she hasn't cough since. Isn't
this encouraging? I hope for more good news soon.
,Marzena,mon...@iinet.net.au

Re: Multiple Sclerosis,Thursday 21-Oct-1999 16:05:56,209.30.166.151
writes,Oct 20 1999 Jean Marie
Andrew I have to say many thanks to you. Sleeping is so enjoyable
now. I have ms dx'd in 1983. I have been in a wheelchair since
1985. I started the inclined bed on May 10 1999. The reason I started
is that I was tired of getting up 2 3 4 times a night to use the
bathroom. The first night I slept right through not needing to use
the bathroom. That was an unbelievable event! These are some of the
changes that have occurred since using the inclined bed: 1.-Now I
get up maybe 1 time a night. 2.-I used to wake up during the night
with my joints aching-they don't ache anymore 3.-I sleep much
deeper now and if something wakes me up I can go right back to
sleep. 4.-I am not so stiff upon rising. My muscles were always so
tight it took awhile to be able to move comfortably. 5.-When I
first stand up from the side of my bed I feel a little burst of
energy upon rising that makes it easier for me to stand (this is
only in the last 2 months). 6.-I am starting to be able to roll over
without such tremendous effort. 7.-I have better control over my
bladder. 8.-The spasticity in my legs seems to be decreasing.
9.-My legs are becoming stronger. They don't give out on me as
quickly as they used to. 10.-My metabolism seems different I don't
crave food all the time.I have lost weight. All these positive
things make me glad that I waited to see results. I can't wait to
see what next month brings! Thank you again Andrew and God bless you
and your work. Jean Marie ,Jean Marie,Nesar...@bellatlantic.net

Inclined sleeping,Friday 22-Oct-1999 16:32:24,216.13.40.112 writes,My
mother is a sufferer of MS. She is now in an electric wheelchair
almost full time. She sleeps badly and gets up several times during
the night to urinate and has had several falls doing so and even
broken her leg and a finger. Please send me more information on this
"inclined sleeping" Her attitude is very poor as are her spirits
and she does not believe in non-standard medicine although not has been
done for her to date. She also has severe osteo-arthritis which causes
her a lot of pain.
Thanks!
Nora ,NORA,fagenn...@hotmail.com

Re: Inclined sleeping,Friday 29-Oct-1999 22:49:05,35.9.49.55
writes,Nora Your mom will love this. because getting up in the night
to urinate is in the past for me. I use to get up 2-5 times per night
and since sleeping inclined (the first night) I haven't gotten up
during the night. We just put large bricks under the head of the bed.
Raise it up 6 inches. Could use wood or blocks or bricks anything to
lift the head of the bed up 6 inches. NO more No less. After getting
use to the bed I love it and won't sleep flat anymore. My drop foot
has gotten a little better I use to use a cane and now I don't. I
feel more rested and energetic than I did a few months ago. Good Luck
to you give it a try. Connie ,,fairm...@pilot.msu.edu

Re: Inclined sleeping,Saturday 30-Oct-1999 22:07:02,205.188.197.26
writes,Nora
I empathize with your mom's MS problems. The inclined bed is hardly
"medicine" - conventional or not. However it could seriously
improve her life if she is willing to give it a try! Print out some of
the comments on the message board for her to read if she does not
access to a computer.
I can't believe anyone with this condition would rather give up and
try something that couldn't possible hurt them and might even give
them their old life back again! Raising the head of the bed up 6
inches is such a simple thing to do. It seems so ridiculously simple
that you couldn't imagine it could actually DO something so
significant FOR you - but it really does!
I hope she will give it a try - you won't need to be so concerned
about her at night because she won't need to be up so much!!
,Terri,tesa6...@aol.com
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