On the hot day of 17 november 2006, my class and 3D had a geography field trip at Labrador Park. It was supposedly to clear our understanding of concepts and to link what was observed in the field to what was learnt in the classroom.
When we arrived, our first stop was at the Aerial Tower. It was built mainly to offer a prime view of the cliff side vegetation coupled with a panoramic view of the sea. On our way down, i was able to observe closely the features of the forest. Lianas were "creeping" on the trees. I was also able to see the continuous canopy, which blocked out quite a bit of sunlight, thats why it was quite dark while i was walking down. Mesh netting were being put to conserve the soil and i was also able to catch glimpses of decomposing leaves. At the lower layer of the forest, i realised that it was made up of moss algae and different kinds of ferns, like the bird's nest fern and the dragon scale fern. When we finally reached concrete ground, i was astounded when i saw the height of these trees and how high 40-50m looked like. There the class were made to sketch out how a tropical rainforest would look like.
Our next stop was at the jetty to get a good view of the wave-cut platform. We were also once again made to sketch out what it looked like. We then went down to the beach to measure the wave period that break at the beach using a stopwatch. The result was about 17 per minute. There we also saw a notch that was formed at the bottom of the cliff due to erosion.
We then moved over to the Promenade where seawalls were being used as theit coastal protection. Seawalls are retaining walls built on and parallel to the coast to protect it from wave erosion. We also counted the wave period there and the result was about 13 per minute, 4 less than when we calcualted in the jetty.
Our final stop was at the Dragon's Teeth Gate. There I was able to see how rocks would look like after going through oxidation, that would cause a change in the colour of the rocks. There was also biological weathering as plants were growing on the top of the cliff as the roots of the plant would grow into joints or cracks in the rocks.
This trip did not actually mean much to me at first, however i found it very useful when i realised how much i have learnt unknowingly. I feel that this is a very good way of learning as it is easier and more interesting as we are able to experience what we have learnt in our textbook first hand. Also because of how interesting it was, i was able to bear with the heat of the blazing sun. I look forward to more fieldtrips like that. It makes learning a whole lot easier.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Eric
On a blazing sunny afternoon, our geography teacher, Ms Chee, invited us, the Queenstown geographers to a 'hot' date at Labrador Park. At first, i thought it would turned out to be a boring and no value-added trip as geography, in my opinion should be a dull and dead subject. During the trip, my understanding on geography started to change as we went past the Aerial Tower, the Jetty, the Promenade and the Dragon Teeth Gate.
At the first station, the Aerial Tower, we were exposed to the tropical rainforest. As we walked down the stairs from the top of the tower to the bottom, i saw some protecting features used to protect the rainforest. For example, concretes and netting equipments were used to protect the soil from eroding. Points from the notes are confirmed to be true as i have witnessed the downward pointing drip tip and the broad surface of the leave, found in my natural vegetation's notes. At the bottom of the rainforest, there were the buttress roots used to anchor the trees firmly on the ground. We were also made to sketch the structure of the rainforest. Through this activity, it allowed me to have a better understanding of the five distinct structures. Namely the Emergent, the Canopy, the understorey, the shrub and the ground layers.
Next, we moved on to the Jetty. At the Jetty, we were to carry out a simple activity to recap on the chapter on coastal studies. We were made to count the wave period, which is the numbers of breaking waves per minute. The results that we had were between 13-15 which is a spilling wave. We also discovered an erosional feature that is formed when eroded by waves. The feature was a notch. Through the help of the notes, i know that further erosion of the notch will result in a cave, then a cliff found nearly perpendicular to a wave-cut platform. We were also asked to sketch out the coastline of the beach which further more helped me to know more about headland and bay.
As we were on our way to our next stop, the Promenade, we saw a lot of protecting features that were used to protect the coast from eroding away. One of the main features we saw was the seawall. Seawalls were used to protect the coast from strong waves which were commonly experienced near the coast of the Labrador Park. There are also many other protecting features such as breakwaters and groynes. At the Promenade, we were asked to carry out the same activity at the Jetty which was to count the wave period. The results that we found were the same at the Jetty. In other words, both places experienced the same waves.
Lastly, when we were at the Dragon Teeth Gate, weathering was put to use here as we learnt how it can shape different types of rocks. One type of the rocks we saw was weathered by oxidation. We knew because it had turned red which means iron which presenced in the rock chemically reacted with the oxygen found in the air.
My conclusion for this trip is that, despite the fact that the sun was a test to us, we still managed to complete the trip and used three of the geography subjects, Natural Vegtation, Coastal Studies and Weathering. I believed that from that day onwards, i will not despise geography field trip anymore and i will definitely appreciate it.
At the first station, the Aerial Tower, we were exposed to the tropical rainforest. As we walked down the stairs from the top of the tower to the bottom, i saw some protecting features used to protect the rainforest. For example, concretes and netting equipments were used to protect the soil from eroding. Points from the notes are confirmed to be true as i have witnessed the downward pointing drip tip and the broad surface of the leave, found in my natural vegetation's notes. At the bottom of the rainforest, there were the buttress roots used to anchor the trees firmly on the ground. We were also made to sketch the structure of the rainforest. Through this activity, it allowed me to have a better understanding of the five distinct structures. Namely the Emergent, the Canopy, the understorey, the shrub and the ground layers.
Next, we moved on to the Jetty. At the Jetty, we were to carry out a simple activity to recap on the chapter on coastal studies. We were made to count the wave period, which is the numbers of breaking waves per minute. The results that we had were between 13-15 which is a spilling wave. We also discovered an erosional feature that is formed when eroded by waves. The feature was a notch. Through the help of the notes, i know that further erosion of the notch will result in a cave, then a cliff found nearly perpendicular to a wave-cut platform. We were also asked to sketch out the coastline of the beach which further more helped me to know more about headland and bay.
As we were on our way to our next stop, the Promenade, we saw a lot of protecting features that were used to protect the coast from eroding away. One of the main features we saw was the seawall. Seawalls were used to protect the coast from strong waves which were commonly experienced near the coast of the Labrador Park. There are also many other protecting features such as breakwaters and groynes. At the Promenade, we were asked to carry out the same activity at the Jetty which was to count the wave period. The results that we found were the same at the Jetty. In other words, both places experienced the same waves.
Lastly, when we were at the Dragon Teeth Gate, weathering was put to use here as we learnt how it can shape different types of rocks. One type of the rocks we saw was weathered by oxidation. We knew because it had turned red which means iron which presenced in the rock chemically reacted with the oxygen found in the air.
My conclusion for this trip is that, despite the fact that the sun was a test to us, we still managed to complete the trip and used three of the geography subjects, Natural Vegtation, Coastal Studies and Weathering. I believed that from that day onwards, i will not despise geography field trip anymore and i will definitely appreciate it.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
RICO (~.~)
Okay, so on a wild sunny day we've all decided to go on a trip to the Labrador Park to further our knowledge of plants and vegetation through practical work.
First of all destinations was the Aerial Tower, from where we started right from the top slowly descending to the ground level. We were made to do sketches of features seen during the Aerial Tower walk. We observed the characteristics of the trees and leaves as well, such as the the big buttress roots which clinged onto the sides of the wall.
Err.. then after the long walk we headed straight to the jetty. From there we had a live view of how a wave-cut platform looked like, rather from those assignments and notes. We were also asked to count the number of waves within 1 minute. This was to measure wave periods using only a stopwatch and your mouth. The seawalls were also seen firsthanded, rocks made along the shore to counter the abrasion effects from the waves and to prevent further erosion.
And finally, just before the depature of Labrador park, we made way to the Dragon Teeth Gate to witness the effects of Oxidation, the lines of weaknesses and the color change of the rock. It was a wonderful sight and we even managed to take a group picture around the rock.
In conclusion, the trip made 3 hours of study worthy for all of us rather than spending it in a classroom reading lines of black and sheets of white. I enjoyed the trip despite the troublesome fact of walking under the hot sun and I'm looking forward to another trip.
First of all destinations was the Aerial Tower, from where we started right from the top slowly descending to the ground level. We were made to do sketches of features seen during the Aerial Tower walk. We observed the characteristics of the trees and leaves as well, such as the the big buttress roots which clinged onto the sides of the wall.
Err.. then after the long walk we headed straight to the jetty. From there we had a live view of how a wave-cut platform looked like, rather from those assignments and notes. We were also asked to count the number of waves within 1 minute. This was to measure wave periods using only a stopwatch and your mouth. The seawalls were also seen firsthanded, rocks made along the shore to counter the abrasion effects from the waves and to prevent further erosion.
And finally, just before the depature of Labrador park, we made way to the Dragon Teeth Gate to witness the effects of Oxidation, the lines of weaknesses and the color change of the rock. It was a wonderful sight and we even managed to take a group picture around the rock.
In conclusion, the trip made 3 hours of study worthy for all of us rather than spending it in a classroom reading lines of black and sheets of white. I enjoyed the trip despite the troublesome fact of walking under the hot sun and I'm looking forward to another trip.
JACKIE ^^
The fieldtrip to the Labrador Nature Reserve was a fun-learning experience.
From the Aerial Tower to the Jetty to the Promenade and lastly the Dragon Teeth Gate.
We were exposed to facts we learnt in class,topics like Natural Vegetation,Weathering and Coastal Studies.
Walking down the stairs of the Aerial Tower,we get to experience the Tropical Rainforest in an equatorial climate.
Features like the five distinct layers-
the emergent,canopy,understorey,shrub,ground layers and trees which are 40-50m tall.
Leaves which are thick and leathery,smooth and waxy with downward pointing drip tips.
Smooth,thin barks and also shallow roots and buttress roots.
Unfortuantely,the forest is a secondary forest.
At the jetty,we get to experience the low tide.
We were taught how to calculate the wave period with a stopwatch and to observe the swash with white foams.
Features like the notch,wave-cut platorm,cliff.
Having a better understanding for the swash,backwash and the difference between constructive and destructive waves.
As we proceed further down to the Promenade,we also learnt about the protecting of the coast. Seawalls were built to reduce the effect of the strong waves which in turn help to prevent further erosion.
Last but not least,at the Dragon Gate teeth,we were told that the type of rock found there was granite and it would be broken down into smaller pieces due to oxidation.
We were made to observe the lines of weakness found on the rock,which would thus hasten the rate of weathering of the rock.
Also,we experienced the sea breeze which kept us comfortable despite the hot weather.
In conclusion,i feel that the trip to the Labrador Nature Reserve is worthwhile beacuse i know i have learnt quite abit.
Looking forward to further fieldtrips planned.
From the Aerial Tower to the Jetty to the Promenade and lastly the Dragon Teeth Gate.
We were exposed to facts we learnt in class,topics like Natural Vegetation,Weathering and Coastal Studies.
Walking down the stairs of the Aerial Tower,we get to experience the Tropical Rainforest in an equatorial climate.
Features like the five distinct layers-
the emergent,canopy,understorey,shrub,ground layers and trees which are 40-50m tall.
Leaves which are thick and leathery,smooth and waxy with downward pointing drip tips.
Smooth,thin barks and also shallow roots and buttress roots.
Unfortuantely,the forest is a secondary forest.
At the jetty,we get to experience the low tide.
We were taught how to calculate the wave period with a stopwatch and to observe the swash with white foams.
Features like the notch,wave-cut platorm,cliff.
Having a better understanding for the swash,backwash and the difference between constructive and destructive waves.
As we proceed further down to the Promenade,we also learnt about the protecting of the coast. Seawalls were built to reduce the effect of the strong waves which in turn help to prevent further erosion.
Last but not least,at the Dragon Gate teeth,we were told that the type of rock found there was granite and it would be broken down into smaller pieces due to oxidation.
We were made to observe the lines of weakness found on the rock,which would thus hasten the rate of weathering of the rock.
Also,we experienced the sea breeze which kept us comfortable despite the hot weather.
In conclusion,i feel that the trip to the Labrador Nature Reserve is worthwhile beacuse i know i have learnt quite abit.
Looking forward to further fieldtrips planned.
Bethany
Labrador Park was an ideal excursion to open our eyes and broaden our views on what we’ve been studying in black and white for the past few months. It was personally very enjoyable as we got to see with our own eyes the features e.g Rainforest, Sea Walls, Weathered rock. We were also able to study the characteristics of each feature we observed.
The first location at the Aerial Tower, was the Rainforest itself. I noticed the distinct layers of the Rainforest, namely the Emergent, Canopy, Understorey, Shrub and Ground Layer. I also observed the leaves had a down ward pointing drip-tip. Upon touching the leaves, I realized they were smooth and waxy, like what we studied in the notes, which allows rain water to flow off the leaf easily. This gave me first hand experience. I also noticed that environmentalist working at the reserve used curvy plastic (what’re they called?) to hold the soil firm to prevent soil erosion from occurring easily, the sloping forest floor contributed to it.
Moving on, we stood along a bridge above a wave-cut platform and a cliff, and were asked to draw a sketch of it. Not only do we study and know facts about it, but we were able to see it for ourselves. The cliff was covered in slight vegetation and the wave-cut platform had medium sized boulders aligned along the shore. I also noticed the swash, back wash and the white foam the waves brought in. It was pretty peaceful, calming and enjoyable to be there.
After that, we visited the Promenade. There we observed one of the methods we studied, used to protect coastal erosion. The Sea Wall. It was built along side the railing that separated the people and the water. Since the amount of water there is much more, the larger the fetch and then the stronger the wave power. The sea wall was built to repel the oncoming strong waves from eroding the shore too fast, by allowing the direct force of the waves onto the Sea wall itself. I thought it was interesting.
Lastly, we came to the Dragon Teeth Gate. There we were able to observe rock weathering taking place. More specifically, oxidation. The reddish-brown colour on the surface of the rock told us that iron oxide was present.. thus bringing along the colour upon weathering. There was also plants growing above the rock, which referred us to Biological Weathering, where this time plants were involved.
Lastly, we also read a small portion of the History of the Dragon Teeth Gate and its origin and meaning. Although, I really cannot remember any of it. Just that a certain man named William Farquar was one of the pioneers. I really enjoyed my time there as it opened my eyes to the beauty of it all, rather than just reading, studying and memorizing about it from sheets of paper. Thank you Ms Chee for the excursion (:
The first location at the Aerial Tower, was the Rainforest itself. I noticed the distinct layers of the Rainforest, namely the Emergent, Canopy, Understorey, Shrub and Ground Layer. I also observed the leaves had a down ward pointing drip-tip. Upon touching the leaves, I realized they were smooth and waxy, like what we studied in the notes, which allows rain water to flow off the leaf easily. This gave me first hand experience. I also noticed that environmentalist working at the reserve used curvy plastic (what’re they called?) to hold the soil firm to prevent soil erosion from occurring easily, the sloping forest floor contributed to it.
Moving on, we stood along a bridge above a wave-cut platform and a cliff, and were asked to draw a sketch of it. Not only do we study and know facts about it, but we were able to see it for ourselves. The cliff was covered in slight vegetation and the wave-cut platform had medium sized boulders aligned along the shore. I also noticed the swash, back wash and the white foam the waves brought in. It was pretty peaceful, calming and enjoyable to be there.
After that, we visited the Promenade. There we observed one of the methods we studied, used to protect coastal erosion. The Sea Wall. It was built along side the railing that separated the people and the water. Since the amount of water there is much more, the larger the fetch and then the stronger the wave power. The sea wall was built to repel the oncoming strong waves from eroding the shore too fast, by allowing the direct force of the waves onto the Sea wall itself. I thought it was interesting.
Lastly, we came to the Dragon Teeth Gate. There we were able to observe rock weathering taking place. More specifically, oxidation. The reddish-brown colour on the surface of the rock told us that iron oxide was present.. thus bringing along the colour upon weathering. There was also plants growing above the rock, which referred us to Biological Weathering, where this time plants were involved.
Lastly, we also read a small portion of the History of the Dragon Teeth Gate and its origin and meaning. Although, I really cannot remember any of it. Just that a certain man named William Farquar was one of the pioneers. I really enjoyed my time there as it opened my eyes to the beauty of it all, rather than just reading, studying and memorizing about it from sheets of paper. Thank you Ms Chee for the excursion (:
Group 4: History of Labrador Park
Labrador Park is an oasis of tranquility and natural wonder. The park offers a picturesque view of the sea. It is located along the Labrador Villa Road off Pasir Panjang Road.
Labrador was originally gazette as a nature reserve under the old Nature Reserves Ordinance. More recently, the 10ha coastal secondary vegetation and the rocky shore have been gazette as a Nature Reserve since 1 January 2002. The size of the park is 6.8ha.
Besides its rich biodiversity, the park played a significant role in the history of Singapore during World War II. Remnants of the past like the war relics, tunnels and a fort enable visitors to have an interactive experience of the military of the British rule during the era. These war relics are now surrounded by natural forest.
The rock is believed to have helped Cheng Ho navigate waters around Singapore
A rock that China's most feted explorer, Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng he), might have used while navigating through Singapore's waters will be re-created to mark the 600th anniversary of his first voyage.
Popularly called Long Ya Men or Dragon's Tooth Gate because of its shape, the landmark, just off what is Labrador Park today, helped steer ships through Keppel Harbour until the British destroyed it in the mid-19th century to widen the channel.
In July, a replica of Long Ya Men at Labrador Park, off Pasir Panjang Road, will be put up by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National Parks Board.
Signboard telling Cheng Ho's story will also be put up at the park.
The 6m-high reconstructed rock, made of stone similar to the original, will take the place of the Berlayar Beacon, which was put up wafter World War II, and will remain a permanent feature at the park.
The removal of the beacon for the reconstruction of Long Ya Men will not affect safety as there are other aids to navigation in the area, said an MPA spokesman.
The re-creation of the Long Ya Men is a part of the three-month-long celebration here, beginning in July, of Cheng Ho's journeys.
"Singapore's port is very well known but there is nothing to showcase our maritime achievements, both to the locals as well as tourists," said STB's assistant director for culture and heritage, Ms Goh Kershing. "Cheng Ho's anniversary gave us an opportunity to highlight this heritage."
The Maritime Museum on Sentosa, which used to serve this role, was closed in 2002. The admiral's records of his epic travels show that Singpaore has always been one of the greatest ports in the world, said the secretary of the Friends of Admiral Zheng He Society, Mr Chung Chee Kit. The society, started in 2003 by fans of the ancient navigator, has about 40 members. The Ming dynasty eunuch explorer's maiden voyage lasted about two years and took him to Vietnam, Jave, Malacca, Sri Lanka and India. "I'm glad we are celebrating his anniversary in a big way", Mr Chung said.
Cheng Ho, who is reported to have died not long after his last voyage (believed to be to Thailand and Malacca), made seven voyages between 1405 and 1433 venturing as far as the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and even Africa -- decaded before Spaniard Christopher Columbus went in search of a sea route to Asia.
He travelled with up to 300 junks and 27,000 men at a time. Although there is no record of Cheng Ho setting foot on Singapore's shores, a dotted line in his navigational map, believed to be one of the routes he took, passes through Pedra Branca, an island east of Singapore, and the Long Ya Men. Very few artefacts of his expeditions are left as they were destroyed when China adopted an isolationist policy.
Ms Stella Kon, author of the famed play about a Peranakan matriach, Emily of Emerald Hill, was so stirred by the purge that she wrote a play called "Dragon's Tooth Gate" in 1985 about the anger felt by one of Cheng Ho's associates at the incident. She said of the re-created monument: "It is wonderful that the explorer is finally recognised.”
Labrador was originally gazette as a nature reserve under the old Nature Reserves Ordinance. More recently, the 10ha coastal secondary vegetation and the rocky shore have been gazette as a Nature Reserve since 1 January 2002. The size of the park is 6.8ha.
Besides its rich biodiversity, the park played a significant role in the history of Singapore during World War II. Remnants of the past like the war relics, tunnels and a fort enable visitors to have an interactive experience of the military of the British rule during the era. These war relics are now surrounded by natural forest.
The rock is believed to have helped Cheng Ho navigate waters around Singapore
A rock that China's most feted explorer, Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng he), might have used while navigating through Singapore's waters will be re-created to mark the 600th anniversary of his first voyage.
Popularly called Long Ya Men or Dragon's Tooth Gate because of its shape, the landmark, just off what is Labrador Park today, helped steer ships through Keppel Harbour until the British destroyed it in the mid-19th century to widen the channel.
In July, a replica of Long Ya Men at Labrador Park, off Pasir Panjang Road, will be put up by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National Parks Board.
Signboard telling Cheng Ho's story will also be put up at the park.
The 6m-high reconstructed rock, made of stone similar to the original, will take the place of the Berlayar Beacon, which was put up wafter World War II, and will remain a permanent feature at the park.
The removal of the beacon for the reconstruction of Long Ya Men will not affect safety as there are other aids to navigation in the area, said an MPA spokesman.
The re-creation of the Long Ya Men is a part of the three-month-long celebration here, beginning in July, of Cheng Ho's journeys.
"Singapore's port is very well known but there is nothing to showcase our maritime achievements, both to the locals as well as tourists," said STB's assistant director for culture and heritage, Ms Goh Kershing. "Cheng Ho's anniversary gave us an opportunity to highlight this heritage."
The Maritime Museum on Sentosa, which used to serve this role, was closed in 2002. The admiral's records of his epic travels show that Singpaore has always been one of the greatest ports in the world, said the secretary of the Friends of Admiral Zheng He Society, Mr Chung Chee Kit. The society, started in 2003 by fans of the ancient navigator, has about 40 members. The Ming dynasty eunuch explorer's maiden voyage lasted about two years and took him to Vietnam, Jave, Malacca, Sri Lanka and India. "I'm glad we are celebrating his anniversary in a big way", Mr Chung said.
Cheng Ho, who is reported to have died not long after his last voyage (believed to be to Thailand and Malacca), made seven voyages between 1405 and 1433 venturing as far as the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf and even Africa -- decaded before Spaniard Christopher Columbus went in search of a sea route to Asia.
He travelled with up to 300 junks and 27,000 men at a time. Although there is no record of Cheng Ho setting foot on Singapore's shores, a dotted line in his navigational map, believed to be one of the routes he took, passes through Pedra Branca, an island east of Singapore, and the Long Ya Men. Very few artefacts of his expeditions are left as they were destroyed when China adopted an isolationist policy.
Ms Stella Kon, author of the famed play about a Peranakan matriach, Emily of Emerald Hill, was so stirred by the purge that she wrote a play called "Dragon's Tooth Gate" in 1985 about the anger felt by one of Cheng Ho's associates at the incident. She said of the re-created monument: "It is wonderful that the explorer is finally recognised.”
Monday, December 4, 2006
Eddie
During the field trip, I witness how geography can form our natural environment. Being at the nature reserve also allowed me to review the reserve and it’s history. Finally, going for the field trip also gives me a chance to review my chapters on Natural Vegetation, Coastal Studies and Weathering and allow me to better understand the chapters.
At the first station, Aerial Tower, we were able to see how does a tropical rainforest looks like in real life instead of the diagrams that we see in the textbooks.
The second station, Rocky Beach, we were able to see how waves shape our coast. during the time we reach the beach, it was the low tide period and we were able to see a notch in the cliff which was formed due to erosion done by the waves.
Along the third station, The Promenade, we were able to see how the coasts are protected against wave erosion. Seawalls are built along the coast where there is strong swash to prevent the materials along the coast to be carried away by the strong swash.
Finally at the fourth station, Dragon Teeth Gate, we were able to see how weathering can shape rocks and change their appearance like oxidation which turns the rocks, containing iron, reddish brown. Also we are able to see that chemical weathering is more dominant in tropical regions as there are little presence of physical weathering. All in all, this field trip made me realize that geography is all around us.
At the first station, Aerial Tower, we were able to see how does a tropical rainforest looks like in real life instead of the diagrams that we see in the textbooks.
The second station, Rocky Beach, we were able to see how waves shape our coast. during the time we reach the beach, it was the low tide period and we were able to see a notch in the cliff which was formed due to erosion done by the waves.
Along the third station, The Promenade, we were able to see how the coasts are protected against wave erosion. Seawalls are built along the coast where there is strong swash to prevent the materials along the coast to be carried away by the strong swash.
Finally at the fourth station, Dragon Teeth Gate, we were able to see how weathering can shape rocks and change their appearance like oxidation which turns the rocks, containing iron, reddish brown. Also we are able to see that chemical weathering is more dominant in tropical regions as there are little presence of physical weathering. All in all, this field trip made me realize that geography is all around us.
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