Popular Misconceptions about ChatGPT, and the Truth About Them...

As ChatGPT gains popularity, misconceptions about this AI-powered conversational agent abound. As a reporter, it's important to set the record straight on some of the most common misunderstandings surrounding this tool. Let's take a closer look at three of them.

-  Firstly, many people assume that ChatGPT is a human-like chatbot. While it's true that ChatGPT simulates human-like conversation, it's important to clarify that this is an artificial intelligence system, not a real person. Its responses are based on patterns learned from vast amounts of text data, and it doesn't possess emotions or consciousness like a human would.

-  Secondly, there's a belief that ChatGPT always provides accurate and reliable responses. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Although ChatGPT is impressive at generating responses, it's a machine learning model, meaning its responses can be influenced by the quality and bias of the data it was trained on. Additionally, there may be cases where it generates inappropriate or offensive responses.

-  Lastly, some people think that ChatGPT is a problem-solving superhero, capable of solving any issue thrown its way. While ChatGPT is an incredibly useful tool, it's not a replacement for human expertise, creativity, and intuition. There are certain types of problems that require human intelligence to solve, and ChatGPT may not be able to provide meaningful solutions in these cases.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for generating responses and providing insights. However, it's essential to understand its limitations. By having a realistic understanding of ChatGPT's capabilities, users can take full advantage of its strengths while avoiding potential pitfalls. As a reporter, it's crucial to separate fact from fiction and ensure that readers have the most accurate information available.

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Twitter Founder and Current 'Block' CEO Jack Dorsey Loses a HALF BILLION Dollors In a Just ONE Day...

Block Inc, a payments company owned by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has experienced a significant decline in value following the release of a report by Hindenburg report . The report alleged that the company ignored widespread fraud, and as a result, Dorsey's personal fortune has been negatively impacted. On Thursday, his net worth dropped by $526 million, marking his worst single-day decline since May. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dorsey's current net worth stands at $4.4 billion after an 11% drop in value.

The Hindenburg report claimed that Block had inflated user metrics and predicted a 65% to 75% downside risk "on a purely fundamental basis." However, Block has denied the allegations and plans to pursue legal action against the short-seller. The company's stock fell as much as 22% on Thursday before eventually closing down 15%.

Dorsey, whose personal fortune is largely invested in Block, holds an estimated stake in the firm worth $3 billion, according to the Bloomberg wealth index. His position in Elon Musk's social media company is valued at $388 million.

Block Inc is reportedly looking in to taking legal actions against Hindenburg, which implies they can disprove some of their claims. Keep in mind that just threatening legal action requires nothing and may just be an attempt to stop some of the damage.

Hindenburg Research is known for its controversial reports...

Which often result in the decline of targeted companies' stock prices. Earlier this year, the firm released an investigation into Gautam Adani and his empire, causing his companies' stocks to plummet and erasing tens of billions of dollars from his net worth.

Similarly, in September 2020, Hindenburg targeted electric carmaker Nikola Corp., which led to a significant drop in its stock price and a fraud conviction against its founder Trevor Milton in October.

While Dorsey is unlikely to face a similar downfall, the temporary pain caused by the recent decline in value is undoubtedly being felt.
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Alex Benningram
TechNews.CITY / New York Newsroom

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Google's Response To OpenAI and ChatGPT is Coming, And They've Named It...

The increasing number of users of ChatGPT made it necessary for other tech giants, such as Google, to develop their very own conversational AI tools in order to maintain their position as leaders in the AI race, and keep their investors interested.

We now have the first details on the product Google refers to as "Bard" and will offer in the near future.

It's Official - Google Bard Does Exist...

In a post on the company's official blog, Google's CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that the Language Model for Dialogue Applications, abbreviated as LaMDA, from which Bard is derived is a more lightweight version than the original.

This is done to ensure that it does not demand a significant amount of computational power in order to allow for a greater number of people to use it. Pichai also claims that work on Bard started quite some time ago, and that the company is now making the application available to "trusted testers" so that they can evaluate it.

As Google describes it, Bard is an experimental conversational AI tool that, similar to Google Search, may be used to obtain information on a wide variety of subjects. The distinction is that rather than just providing a list of article links, more nuanced answers are anticipated. This is extremely similar to the way in which Microsoft intends to include ChatGPT into Bing.

The Bard AI tool will pull material from the internet and then, by utilizing the LaMDA powers, it will give 'new, high-quality responses.' They may also include explanatory articles on more complicated subjects. "Bard can be an outlet for creativity and a launchpad for curiosity," said Google executive Sundar Pichai. "It can help you explain new discoveries from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to a 9-year-old, or learn more about the best strikers in football right now, and then get drills to build your skills."

Much is still unknown...

Google also hints that it will offer AI-powered features in Search (most likely by integrating Bard into Search), which would enable access to information about the question in a format that is easy to comprehend and will also contain multiple points of view. In the blog post, there is a screenshot that demonstrates how the artificial intelligence responds to the question "which is easier to learn, a guitar or piano?" by providing thorough information of its own before listing articles.

We don't know very lot about Bard at this point, and we are waiting for Google to provide us with accurate details. In the following weeks, it is anticipated that it will reach a greater number of people, and until that happens, Google will use feedback from both the outside and inside to make sure that Bard is a safe and high-quality product.

It is yet unknown how effectively it will compete with ChatGPT and how the availability component will operate. A commercial version of ChatGPT with additional functionality is also available in addition to the free version.


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Author: Alex Benningram
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Text To MUSIC? Google Creates AI Bot That Writes Music Based on Text Descriptions...

Google's AI technology has the potential to compose original music. The release of OpenAI's ChatGPT to the public last year sparked widespread interest in AI's capabilities; the tool has proven its great potential in content creation when given only brief instructions. Google's AI chief recently stated that his company had similar tools to Meta's, and Meta's AI head confirmed this when asked about ChatGPT.

A musical composition bot

Now, Google seems to be developing a robot that uses AI to compose "original" songs in response to written and aural cues. Business Insider reports that the bot could take into account different musical styles and even compose music from a hummed or whistled theme. The name "MusicLM" has been given to this potential future app.

Google's AI bot was detailed in a research report published on January 26. The paper referred to MusicLM as a "model generating high-fidelity music from text descriptions" that "generates music at 24 kHz that remains consistent over several minutes."

Google, for instance, provides an example of a musically-inspired prompt with elaborate textual detail: "The game's main theme song. It has a catchy electric guitar riff and a quick tempo. The tunes are catchy and simple to memorize, but they also feature some unusual elements, like sudden cymbal crashes or drum rolls."

It was suggested in another prompt that - "A rising synth plays an arpeggio with lots of reverb. Pads, a deep bass line, and gentle drumming provide the accompaniment. The synthesized tones in this tune make for a relaxing and exciting listen. Two songs at a festival might be used to set the stage for it." You may listen to the demos on Google's GitHub.

Google's artificial intelligence music maker doesn't appear to be coming out for public use anytime soon. Before such tools can be released in their full glory, there are a lot of problems that need to be addressed, including the ethics of such AI and the harm to human artistry.

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Author: Don Kennedy
Austin Newsdesk 

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Sony & Honda Team Up and Target TESLA with an Electric Vehicle of Their Own...

 

We're learning more about the concept behind Sony and Honda forming an alliance to launch a new Electric Vehicle, called "Mobility".

The focus: Entertaining those inside the vehicle, while the car handles the driving...

Cars will soon feel like hanging out in a room on wheels, as automated driving will remove the need for a driver to be focused on the road, as well as the need for passengers to not distract the driver. 

As a child, you may have had a parent raise their voice once or twice with a lecture about how "important it is not to distract the driver" as you and a sibling or friend forgot you were in the back seat of a car and began to get a little too rowdy "so sit still, we'll be there soon" the adult would end with.

But soon, rowdy kids in the back seat of car will transition from a potential danger to everyone on the road, to nothing more than 'annoying' to the adults who have to share a vehicle with them.  Parents will demand the family "sit still, we'll be there soon" but can now skip the lecture about distracting the driver - they'll be annoyed that the kids are making it hard to watch their movie or something.

Sony and Honda have made it clear they imagine a very similar future...

We learned this week they are considering integrating the Playstation 5 into its upcoming EVs, which are due to be released under their new joint venture.

The president of Sony Honda Mobility, Izumi Kawanishi, says that Sony’s strength in the entertainment and gaming industry is something the company plans to use to its advantage.

"Sony has content, services and entertainment technologies that move people ...this is our strength against Tesla" said Kawanishi.

When could we seen these on the road? Well, the project is open about the very early phase they are currently in, saying they "will have to evolve considerably" until the ideas become a functional vehicle ready for the public roads.

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Author: Takashi Iccho
Tokyo Newsroom | TechNewsCITY

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Apple’s Reasoning Behind their Decisions on USB-C Charging Ports and Privacy Issues...

 

Apple is currently at the center of two things in tech that are facing some changes: privacy rights that have shaken the digital ad market, and Europe’s move toward a standard charging method for devices.

From WSJ’s Tech Live conference, Apple executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak answer questions on these topics.


Video courtesy of the Wall Street Journal

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Beyond Hard Drives: The New Ways We're Storing MASSIVE Amounts Of Data...

We’re storing more data than ever before - but as the hard disk drives we rely on are reach their physical limits, new innovation is taking their place. 

Take a look at how scientists are working on methods to increase capacity and find new ways to house our data, as we examine these new methods and see how they all compare.

Video Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal

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Your Life is Saved in Your Smartphone - Are you Doing Enough to Secure it?

Smart phones are an important part of our lives. We use them to stay connected with friends and family, to get work done, and to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends. As such, it is important to take steps to protect our phones from hackers and other cyber-attacks.

Here are a few simple steps that you can take to keep your phone safe and secure:

1) Use a strong password that is not easy to guess.

2) Install a reputable security app such as Norton or McAfee.

3) Only download apps from official app stores, such as Google Play or the App Store.

4) Be careful when clicking on links or opening attachments in emails.

5) Regularly back up your data so that if your phone is ever lost or stolen, you will still have your information safe and secure.

By following these simple steps, you can help to keep your phone safe from hackers and other online threats.

Why Do You Need to Secure Your Smart Phone?

Smartphones contain a wealth of personal information, from contacts and emails to bank details and passwords. As such, it is important to take steps to secure them from hackers and thieves.

One way to do this is to password protect your phone. This will make it more difficult for anyone else to access your data.

Another important step is to only download apps from reputable sources. Malicious apps can steal your data or even install spyware on your phone.

Finally, it is important to back up your data regularly. This will ensure that if your phone is ever lost or stolen, you will not lose all your information.

What Are the Risks of Not Securing Your Smart Phone?

Smart phones are like mini-computers and are just as vulnerable to cyber attacks as desktop or laptop computers. In fact, a smart phone may be even more vulnerable because it is carried around with you everywhere you go.

That's why it's so important to take the necessary steps to secure your phone and protect your data. Follow these simple steps to keep your phone safe and secure:

1. Install a good security app and make sure it is always up-to-date.

2. Set a strong password and don't use the same password for all your accounts.

3. Don't install apps from unknown sources.

4. Be careful what information you share online.

5. Regularly back up your data.

How to Set a Secure Passcode for Your Smart Phone:

Now that we know how easy it is to set a secure passcode for our smart phone, let's do it!

Your passcode is your first line of defense against hackers and thieves, so it's important to make sure it is strong and unique. You can set a passcode on your mobile device by going to the App list, tapping Settings, tapping Lock Screen, and setting your password.

Make sure your password is a combination of letters and numbers, and that it is at least six characters long. And don't use the same password for all of your accounts - that's just asking for trouble!

How to Encrypt Your Smart Phone

Smart phone security is more important than you think. In fact, your personal data may be at risk if you don't take steps to protect it.

One way to safeguard your data is to encrypt your phone. This can be done on Android devices by going to Settings > Security > Encrypt Device. Another way to encrypt your Android device is to go to Settings, then tap "Security" or "Security & location." Select "encryption & credentials" and/or "encrypt phone."

Encrypting your Android device will help keep sensitive data and photos private. So if you're not already doing so, be sure to encrypt your phone today!

How to Use Two Factor Authentication for Your Smart Phone

Your smart phone is a valuable piece of equipment, and it's important to keep it safe and secure. One way to do that is by using two-factor authentication. This security feature requires you to enter your account password and a verification code that is sent to your phone.

You can turn on two-factor authentication on your phone by going to Settings > Accounts > Google, and signing in. Or, on macOS, go to System Preferences > iCloud, sign in, click Account Details > Security > Turn on Two-Factor Authentication. With 2-Step Verification, you can add an extra layer of security to your account in case your password is stolen.

Pro Tips for Keeping Your Smart Phone Secure

Here are a few pro tips for keeping your smartphone secure:

First, to avoid giving out personal information, be sure to disable location services and Bluetooth when you're not using them. Also, make sure to use a strong password, pin or pattern to lock your phone.

Second, be careful about the apps you download. Only download apps from reputable sources, and be wary of apps that require too much access to your data.

Lastly, back up your data regularly. This way, if your phone is ever lost or stolen, you'll still have all your information backed up and safe.

Things to remember...

Just as you protect your computer with antivirus software and your house with a security system, you need to protect your phone with security measures. Why? Because your phone has a lot of personal information on it—information that could be used to steal your identity or access your bank accounts.

Here are a few tips to help keep your phone safe:

1. Install a security app.

2. Use a strong password.

3. Set up remote wipe in case your phone is lost or stolen.

4. Don't store sensitive information on your phone.

5. Be careful what you download and install.

6. Keep your OS and apps up-to-date.

7. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks.

8. Use a privacy screen protector..

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Author: Preston Summers
Tech News CITY // Austin Newsroom

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Owners of EMPTY LAND are EARNING MORE than Many AirBNB Hosts, with Zero Time or Effort - All Because of THIS New Startup...

There's a rapidly growing community of polite people looking to get outside for camping, glamping, and RV stays during their travels - on private land.

It's called Hipcamp, and anyone with a property that allows visitors to connect with nature can be a Hipcamp Host! Whether you have an acre of primitive property near the Sierra Nevada, a hobby farm on the coast, a rural yard with a spot for a campervan, or a slice of desert on the route to Joshua Tree, odds are our community can’t wait to come!

The platform is EXPLODING, and among those who took notice have been rapper Jay-Z and actor Will Smith, who invested in the companies last fundraising round.

But when a new concept is hot, you don't need to invest to make a profit - you just need to participate, it'll cost you $0 and could earn you thousands.

In the first 8 months of after its introduction, numerous Hipcamp Hosts earned as much as $9,000, $11,000, $18,000 and even $21,000!

It's Sharing your place with our community of Hipcampers is a terrific way to connect people with nature while earning some extra income.

To encourage more people to open their land to hosting, those who sign up with code 'CampBonus' or click here to get a $100 bonus the first night they host guests on their property!

Hosts are provided with a $1,000,000 insurance coverage - at no additional cost...

A significant benefit of Hipcamp is the reassurance that you will be cared for. The Hipcamp Insurance Policy covers hosts against general liability claims of up to $1 million per incident.

It's free to list your property, they take only a 10% percent cut...

With Hipcamp, you may add as many listings and sites as you’d like so you can always make more by hosting more! This might range from $35 for a basic camping with little to no amenities to $300 group sites with exclusive lake access. 

There are simple plots of land, farms and ranches, vacation properties, and everything else. Regardless of what you have, as long as it isn't in the middle of the city surrounded by buildings - it is worthwhile to see if you're sitting on a profitable business without knowing it.

This couple went to see the Grand Canyon, and stayed on a host's land right outside of it!

3 Simple Steps:

1) You set the dates you want.

Hipcamp allows the blocking of any days you want to exclude from your hosting schedule.

2) Guests book their visit.

Based on the availability you provided, Hipcampers book their arrival / departure dates.

3) You get paid every week.

Set up direct deposit easily, and you will begin collecting weekly money.

Remember to use code 'CampBonus' when you sign up (or click here) you'll get a $100 bonus when your first guest stays a night!

It's being called 'the AirBNB of the outdoors' as it taps in to a whole world tent camping, RV travelers, and adventurers who would rather stay in cabins or treehouses.

Vacation cabins that sat empty much of the year have become an additional income source for their owners.

Let's do the math...

Someone with open land can let people bring tents, and camp there for 165 days out of the year - at $55/night that totals $9,075 - and that's without sharing your land for the other 200 days out of the year! 

Someone with a vacation cabin can fill it on days they won't be there - at $155/night and only sharing it 100 days totals $15,500 - and they can still enjoy the cabin to themselves the other 265 days of the year! 

Visitors will be instructed to follow our guest guidelines, and a system is in place to identify and remove those who do not...

During the checkout process, each Hipcamper acknowledges having read the rules and guidelines, plus you  can also establish specific guidelines for anyone staying on your property. Any user marked for minor infractions will be contacted by Hipcamp administration and given a warning and explanation of the situation. Serious violations will result in an immediate suspension from the platform.

Hipcamp's key principle is "Leave it Better," and all community members are encouraged to uphold this objective by adhering to the 'Leave No Trace' standard when cleaning up.

So far this hasn't been an issue - Hipcamp reports that Hosts frequently compliment Hipcampers' appreciation for their property!

Interested in giving hosting a shot? 

Visit Hipcamp for more info, and check out what some of the other hosts are offering. Remember to sign up using code 'CampBonus' for the EXTRA $100 when your first guest spends their first night!

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Author: Garrett Kaine
Silicon Valley Newsroom
Tech News CITY

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Replacing Hard Drives With... GLASS!? Microsoft Proves The Shocking Ability for Glass to hold MASSIVE Amounts of Data...

Microsoft's Project Silica is an effort to demonstrate that the company is capable of storing data for an extended period of time utilizing glass as the storage medium. Glass is the medium of the future for the storage of long-term data.

The Superman film from 1978 was etched onto a piece of glass through a collaborative effort between Microsoft and Warner Bros., which involved the use of lasers. This was done with the intention of demonstrating that the technology could be applied in environments other than the laboratory.

Video courtesy of CNET

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China is Creating DNA Records for EVERY American - Using a Combination of Hacking, and Buying US Businesses To Get It...

This is story everyone should be aware of, yet few have heard.

Initially reported over a year ago, verified by both the NY Times and 60 Minutes, this isn't something anyone is still wondering "is it true?" - it is. 

But even those who became aware of it as a result of those initial reports are likley unaware of all of the disturbing details we've learned since then.

Chinese firms are gathering genetic data from around the world, part of an effort by the Chinese government and corporations to develop the world’s largest bio-database.

These are the claims made in an alarming declassified official American intelligence report...

In the report, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center asserted that the United States must improve the security of vital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and other technology relevant to the so-called bioeconomy.

Michael Orlando, the interim director of the counterintelligence center, a division of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, stated that China and other countries are attempting to dominate these technologies by using both legal and unlawful tactics to gain American know-how.

China and other nations have long targeted the American private sector in an effort to steal American technology and intellectual property.

Other countries, such as Russia, continue to pose a threat, but China's economic power makes it the greatest threat, according to officials.

China believes that dominating these fields will provide it with an economic advantage, and American companies are also spending extensively in these areas. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have the potential to transform numerous facets of society, including military operations. Quantum computing would enable nations to break the most secure encryption now in use, and semiconductors are essential not only for computers but also for many consumer goods.

Officials are now now emphasizing the convergence of technology, genetic, and biological research as a competitive and espionage-prone field. Edward You, the national counterintelligence officer for new and disruptive technologies, stated that the Chinese government was gathering worldwide medical, health, and genetic data. The nation that has the best database of knowledge will have an advantage in discovering remedies for future pandemics, he stated, and China is already in the lead.

Among the most extreme theories on why China would want this data: Bioweapons that target specific DNA sequences common among US citizens, and rare among Chinese...

In recent years, the FBI and the counterintelligence center have increased their wide warnings to corporations and institutions regarding Chinese attempts to steal American technology. Some of these overtures have been met with skepticism, especially by colleges that fear the U.S. government may be attempting to restrict the number of Chinese students studying at American universities.

While the U.S. government can review many Chinese purchases of American firms, other Chinese investments are more difficult to monitor. Mr. Orlando stated that an American corporation collaborating with a Chinese company should take precautions to safeguard its data.

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Alex Benningram
TechNews.CITY / New York Newsroom

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What Artificial Intelligence Discovered After Studying How Kids With Autism from Around The World Communicate…

Northwestern University and Hong Kong researchers collaborated on a study to provide insight on the causes and diagnostics of this condition. This method employs machine learning to identify Cantonese and English-like speech patterns in autistic youngsters. Researchers may now be able to distinguish between genetic and environmental influences on the communication skills of autistic persons, allowing them to better understand the disorder's causes and develop novel therapies. Recently, the astounding results were also published in the journal PLOS One.

The research group successfully developed a supervised machine learning method to identify speech variations associated with autism. The training dataset consists of recordings of young children with and without autism narrating in English and Cantonese their interpretations of the events recounted in the wordless children's picture book "Frog, Where Are You?"

Observations indicate that children with autism frequently speak more slowly than typically developing children. Tone, intonation, and rhythm are other distinguishing characteristics of their speech. It is extremely difficult to consistently and objectively explain "prosodic" distinctions, and decades have passed since their origins were established.

Given the structural differences between English and Cantonese, the researchers anticipated that any commonalities identified in the speech patterns of autistic children across both languages were likely related to genetics...

In addition, the researchers saw a spectrum of variance that indicated more malleable parts of speech that could be used as intervention targets. Researchers made significant progress by employing machine learning to identify the speech patterns most symptomatic of autism. Prior to this, they were limited by the bias of the English language in autism research and the subjectivity of humans when it came to categorizing speech discrepancies between individuals with and without autism.

The research led to the identification of speech characteristics, with rhythm emerging as the most crucial in terms of its ability to properly predict an autism diagnosis. The experts have high hopes that this research will increase our understanding of autism. In addition, they believe AI has the potential to facilitate autism diagnosis by reducing the burden on medical professionals and streamlining the process. Additionally, the study seeks to identify and grasp the function of certain genes and brain processing systems associated with an inherited susceptibility to autism. 

Their ultimate goal is to better comprehend the factors that contribute to the speech differences of autistic individuals. The team will study if processing differences in the brain contribute to previously identified behavioral speech patterns and their underlying neural genetics. They are quite keen to explore this new terrain further.

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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