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About Dr. Vidya Ramkumar
Dr. Vidya Ramkumar has spent the last decade working in developing service delivery models using technology to bridge gaps in audiology services in the underserved regions of South India.
She was recently awarded the Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance Clinical and public health fellowship (2020) at the intermediate level to pursue translational research in tele-practice applications in audiology and speech-language pathology services in collaboration with the public sector services in Tamil Nadu. She is also a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Professional Research fellowship awardee (2014). Her PhD was in the area of tele-audiological application in rural newborn hearing screening programs in South India.
She received the NIH sponsored “New investigator award” at the 3rd International Conference on Internet and Audiology, KY, USA in 2017.
She is a life member of Telemedicine Society of India, Indian Speech and Hearing Association and actively participates in the meetings of these societies.
CURRENT POSITION
[DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Intermediate fellow i n Clinical and Public Health Research] [Sep 2020]
[Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (DU), Chennai]
[Associate Professor] [March 2017- ]
[Department of Speech. Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (DU), Chennai]
PREVIOUS POSITIONS
[Senior Lecturer] [ Dec 2012- Feb 2017]
[Department of Speech. Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai]
[Lecturer] [ 2008-2012]
[Department of Speech. Language and Hearing Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai]
EDUCATION
DBT/India Alliance Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellowship in Clinical and Public Health [2020-2025], Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai
PhD in Audiology and Speech, Language pathology [2016], Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai
[Dissertation: “Efficacy of a tele-audiological diagnostic follow-up model In a community based hearing screening program f or infants and young children”]
Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Professional Research fellowship USIEF [Jan to Aug 2014]
Masters in Audiology and Speech, Language Pathology, M.A.S.L.P [2006-2008], Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Hearing Handicap, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nasik, Maharashtra
[Dissertation: “Impact of tinnitus on individuals with and without sensorineural hearing loss using I CF framework”]
Bachelors in Audiology and Speech, Language Pathology, B.A.S.L.P [2002-2006], Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai
PROJECTS
[“Effectiveness of a comprehensive Tele – Practice model for identification and rehabilitation of children with hearing and speech language disorders in rural communities”]
[Principal Investigator] [ DBT/India Alliance Wellcome Trust Grant] [2020-2025]
[Identification of middle ear disorder in a community setting- A Tele medicine approach.
[Principal Investigator] [ Equipment funding by Medtronic Pvt. Ltd. Shruti-i-Hear] [2016]
[School entry level tele-hearing screening in a primary school in south India– a pilot study]
[Principal investigator] [ Equipment loaned by Neurosoft] [ 2015-2016].
[E- technology f or Management of Projects f or persons With communication disorders in Rural areas]
[Team member] [ Awarded by: Spark the rise contest, Mahindra & Co] [ 2012-2013]
[h ttp://www.sparktherise.com/projectdetail.php?pid=5754]
[“Newborn hearing screening using tele-audiology- a quasi experimental study”]
[Co-investigator] [ Funded by: Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi] [ 2011-13]
[http://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2011/09000/Plugging_into_technology_brings_hearing_care_to.5.aspx]
[Prevention of noise pollution and control]
[Coordinator] [ Funded by: State commissioner’s office for the Differently Abled] [2010]
RELATED EXPERIENCE
1. Teaching
Under graduate teaching
● Introduction to Audiology
● Amplification and technology f or persons with Hearing Impairment
● Pediatric Audiology
● Management of persons with Hearing Impairment
Post graduate teaching
● Neurophysiology of hearing
● Hearing sciences
● Auditory perception
● Psychophysics
● Research methodology and statistics
● Technology and Instrumentation in Audiology
● Rehabilitation audiology
2. Clinical
1. Tinnitus evaluation and management
2. Pediatric diagnostic testing
3. Pediatric aural rehabilitation
4. Pediatric hearing aid selection and fitting
5. Electrophysiological testing
2. Continuing education programs attended
1. WHO courses on SARS COV-2 Hygiene and sanitisation procedures [2020]
2. SAMARTH workshop on qualitative research [2019]
3. Grant and manuscript writing [2016, 17]
4. Research methodology refresher program [ 2015]
5. Economic principles of health care intervention, Indian Society of Health Administration, Bangalore, India [ 2013]
6. CITI-INDIA workshop on “Ethics in Research”, SRU, Chennai [ 2013]
7. Mentorship program, British Council Library and Sri Ramachandra University [ 2012]
8. Short course in public health planning organized by Indian Institute of Public health and London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene [ 2011]
9. CITI-India program for ethics in research (online course) [ 2011-12]
10. Faculty development program [ 2011]
11. CEP on “Schemes and benefits of State and Central Government” by Ms. Sheeba, Audiologist from SRTC and Mr. Bishnoy, Audiologist, NIEPMD.[2011]
12. CEP on “Music perception” by Dr. Nina Kraus, Researcher, NWU, USA [ 2010]
13. Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, [ 2009]
14. Dr. N. R Chaudhary memorial award for the best poster in Audiology “A profile of attributes of tinnitus among individuals with tinnitus” ISHACON 38, Ahmedabad, India, 2006
PUBLICATIONS
ARTICLES
1. Varsha Shankar., Vidya Ramkumar ., Shuba Kumar(2022).Understanding the implementation of tele-practice in speech and language services for children and adults using a mixed methods approach.https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17622.1
2. Joshi, D. B., Ramkumar, V., & Anand, S. (2021). Outcomes of Training Nurses Engaged in a Public Sector Newborn Hearing Screening Program in South India. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 1-9.
2. Ravi, P., Ramkumar, V. , Rajendran, A., Saravanam, P. K., Balasubramaniyan, S., & Nagarajan, R. (2020). Tele-audiological surveillance of middle ear status among individuals with cleft lip and/or palate in rural South India. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 31(3), 185–194. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.18085
3. Ramkumar V, Nagarajan R, Shankarnarayan VC, Kumaravelu S, Hall JW. Implementation and evaluation of a rural community-based pediatric hearing screening program integrating in-person and tele-diagnostic auditory brainstem response (ABR). BMC health services research. 2019 Dec;19(1):1.
4. Ramkumar, V., Rajendran, A., Nagarajan, R., Balasubramaniyan, S., & Suresh, D. K. (2018). Identification and management of middle ear disorders in a rural cleft care program: A tele-medicine approach. American journal of audiology, 27(3S), 455-461.
5. Raman, N., Nagarajan, R., Venkatesh, L., Monica, D.S., Ramkumar, V. , et al, 2018. School-based language screening among primary school children using telepractice: A feasibility study from India. I nt. J. Speech. Lang. Pathol., 00(00), p.1–10.(in press)
6. Ramkumar, V. , John, K.R., Selvakumar, K., Vanaja, C.S., Nagarajan, R., et al, 2018. Cost and outcome of a
community-based paediatric hearing screening programme in rural India with application of tele-audiology for follow- up diagnostic hearing assessment Cost and outcome of a community-based paediatric hearing screening programme in rur. Int. J. Audiol., 57(6), p.407-414
7. Ramkumar, V. , Vanaja, C.S., Hall, J.W., Selvakumar, K., Nagarajan, R., 2018. Validation of DPOAE screening conducted by village health workers in a rural community with real-time click evoked tele-auditory brainstem response. Int. J. Audiol., 57(5), p.370–375.
8. Ramkumar, V. A review of neonatal hearing screening practices in India. Journal of Hearing Science, 2017,7(1), 9–15.
9. Monica, S. D., Ramkumar, V (Corresponding author), Krumm, M., Raman, N., Nagarajan, R., & Venkatesh, L. School entry level tele-hearing screening in at own in South India – Lessons learnt. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology 2017; 92, 130–135.
10. Kumaravelu, S., & Ramkumar, V. (Corresponding author) . Telemedicine in a tertiary care hospital in South India- a thirteen year review. Journal of t he International Society f or Telemedicine and eHealth, 2016; 4(e29),1–6.
11. Ramkumar V, Selvakumar K, Vanaja CS, Hall JW, Nagarajan R, Neethi J. Parents ’ perceptions of tele-audiological testing in a rural hearing screening program in South India. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;89:60–6.
12. Rajendran, Akilan, Ramkumar, Vidya (Corresponding author), Nagarajan, Roopa (2014). Perception of ‘mothers of beneficiaries’ regarding a rural community based hearing screening service. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 78 (12), 2083-2088
13. Ramkumar, Vidya, Nagarajan, Roopa, Kumaravelu, Selvakumar, Hall, W James (2014). Providing Tele ABR In Rural India Brief Description Of The Tele audiology Program, ASHA Perspectives SIG 18, 30-36.
14. Narayansamy, Meivizhi , Ramkumar, Vidya (corresponding author) , Nagarajan, Roopa (2014). Knowledge and Beliefs about Ear and Hearing Health Among Mothers of Young Children in a Rural Community in South India, Disability, CBR and Inclusive development Journal, 25 (4), 119-135.
15. Vidya R., James W Hall., Roopa., N, Vanaja.,C.S and Selvakumar., K (2013) .Tele-ABR using a satellite connection in a mobile van for newborn hearing testing, J Telemed Telecare, 19:233-237.
16. Vidya, R., Swetha, S. (2011). Validity and reliability of a Tamil translation of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Journal of Indian Speech and Hearing Association, 25 (2), 122-127.
17. Vidya, R., Rangasayee, R. (2010). Studying tinnitus in the framework of I CF. International Journal of Audiology,49 (9), 645-650.
18. Karthu, S., Vidya, R. (Corresponding author), Roopa, N., Mathew, A. (2007). A profile of the attributes of tinnitus among individuals with tinnitus. Journal of Indian Speech and Hearing Association, 12, 21-22
BOOK CHAPTER
1. [Tele-audiology in Asia], [ 2020]
In: Advances in Hearing Sciences Vol.2] [ Vidya Ramkumar]
[Editor: Stavros Hatzpoulos, Ciorba, Mark Krumm]
2. [An Update: Use of OAEs in Telehealth (Teleaudiology) Applications], [ 2015]
In: Guest editorial in Otoemission.org ] [ Mark Krumm, Vidya Ramkumar]
[Editor: Stavros Hatzpoulos]
3. [“Electrophysiological measures such as LLR and ALR in testing pediatric population”], [ 2011]
[In: Comprehensive handbook of pediatric Audiology] [ Hall, W. J., Anuradha, B., Vidya, R., Neha, C]
[Editors: Richard C. Seewald, Anne Marie Tharpe] [ Publisher: Plural Publishers, San Diego, USA]
MEDIA/INTERVIEWS
1. [“Listen-up! Raising a hearing-impaired baby”], [ 2015]
[In: The swaddle] [ Interviewer: Kamala Thyagarajan, Interviewee: Vidya R]
2. “Tinnitus: terror in your ears”], [ 2013]
[In: Reader’s digest, ] [ Interviewer: Kamala Thyagarajan, Interveiwee: Vidya R]
[Publisher: Living Media India limited, India]
3. [“Plugging into technology brings hearing care to developing nations”], [ 2011]
[In: Hearing Journal, 64(9):21,22,24,26,28,] [ Interviewer: Nemes, Judith, Interviewee: Vidya R]
WORKSHOPS ORGANISED/LEAD RESOURCE PERSON
Scientific Chair - EMPOWER 2022
RCI workshop...Co-Organised workshop on Neonatal hearing screening training for nurses in government urban primary health centres for obstetrics and gynecology in July 2018
Organising Chairperson for the Workshop on Tinnitus evaluation and management conducted in October 2017
Organising secretary for Grant writing workshops conducted between September 2016- September 2017 with Dr. Caven Mcloughlin as the resource person
Organising secretary for the Workshop on tele-health in audiology and speech language pathology, Aug 2015
Organising secretary for the Grant and publication writing workshop, September 2015
SCIENTIFIC PAPERS PRESENTED
Telepractice implementation readiness and planning assessment in public-sector using mixed methods, XXXV World Congress of Audiology, 2022
Telepractice Implementation Readiness and Planning Assessment, Plenary: Trends in Teleaudiology, ISHACON 2022 Virtual Conference, 2022
Tele-practice implementation readiness and planning assessments in public-sector using qualitative methods, Telemedicon,Lucknow,2021
Tele-Audiology around the world, Tele practice in Audiology: Need of the Hour,2021
Experiences with tele-diagnostic audiology, Tele practice in Audiology: Need of the Hour,2021
Relevance of tele-practice in Post Covid-Era, Tele practice in Audiology: Need of the Hour,2021
Tele-practice guidelines and legal aspects, Tele practice in Audiology: Need of the Hour,2021
Sensitive Personal Data and Health- Responsibilities and Liabilities by Ms. N. S. Nappinnai, Advocate, Supreme Court, SRMC,2021
Science communication: Impact beyond publication, India Alliance,2021
Equitable Implementation in Action, UNC Jordan School of Family Welfare,2020
Research costing as a tool for enabling sustainable research environment, India Alliance,2020
Profile of the average expense incurred by parents of children with cochlear implant, CIGICON, 2020
Development of standard protocol for early identification of middle ear diseases in children with cleft lip and palate at a tertiary care hospital, INDOCLEFTCON, 2020
Management of Middle ear diseases among Individuals with Cleft lip and palate in a rural community project screened with video otoscopy, INDOCLEFTCON, Varanasi, 2019
Implementation and Evaluation of A Community-based Hearing Screening Program Integrated with In-person and Tele-diagnostic hearing assessment, International Conference: Evidence in Global Disability and Health, Hyderabad, 2018
Identification & management of middle ear disorders in a rural community- A tele-medicine approach, Telemedicon, Pune , 2017
Validation of DPOAE screening conducted by Village Health Workers using diagnostic tele-Auditory Brainstem Response as gold standard, Internet and Audiology, KY, USA, 2017
School entry level tele-hearing screening in a town in south India- lessons learnt , Internet and Audiology, KY, USA , 2017
Identification & management of middle ear disorders in a rural community- A tele-medicine approach, Internet and Audiology, KY, USA, in 2017
Towards assessing feasibility of conducting tele-screening of speech, language and hearing among children in a primary school- An exploratory study, 48th ISHACON, Mumbai, India, 2016
Utility of a mobile phone based tinnitus retraining therapy m-TRT, 48th ISHACON, Mumbai, India , 2016
The EMPOWER app for management of rural community based speech and hearing projects, 48th ISHACON, Mumbai, India, 2016
Training village health workers to conduct OAE screening in rural villages in Tamil Nadu, Sound hearing 2030, New Delhi, India, 2015
Development and implementation of E-technology for Management of projects for persons with communication disorders in rural areas, Sound hearing 2030, New Delhi, India, 2015
Tele-auditory brainstem response for diagnostic testing in a community based hearing screening program, Sound Hearing 2030, New Delhi, India, 2015
Hearing assessment using tele-technology for children with and without disability in a school environment, Telemedicon, Bhopal, India, 2014
Implementation of E-technology f or Management of persons with communication disorders in rural areas, Telemedicon, Bhopal, India, 2014
Identification of infant hearing loss using tele-auditory brainstem response in a community based infant hearing screening program in rural India, American Academy of Audiology, Florida, USA, 2014
Community based newborn hearing testing using tele-technology, Telemedicon, Coimbatore, India, 2012
Speech evoked FFR in violinist and non-musicians : a comparative study, ISHACON 44, Hyderabad, India, 2012
Application of Tele-technology in Audiology, Telemedicon, Mumbai, India, 2011
Use of multifrequency and multicomponent tympanometry in the audiological profiling of families with history of Otosclerosis - an exploratory study, ISHACON 43, Kolkata, India, 2011
Immittance audiometry in individuals with cleft lip and palate, ISCLPCA, Chennai, India, 2011
Study of impact of tinnitus in the framework of ICF, ISHACON 42,Bangalore, India, 2010
Management of post-cochlear implant tinnitus, 7th CIGICON, Hyderabad, India, 2009
Objectivization of tinnitus using Auditory Evoked Potentials as an adjunct to Behavioral tinnitus evaluation: a preliminary study, ISHACON 40, Mangalore, India, 2008
A profile of trends in evaluation and management of tinnitus by ENT professionals, ISHACON 39, Calicut, India, 2007
A profile of the attributes of tinnitus among individuals with tinnitus, ISHACON 38, Ahmedabad, India, 2006
Efficacy of tinnitus retraining therapy and educative counseling in the management of tinnitus, ISHACON 37, Indore, India, 2005
INVITED TALKS/WORKSHOPS
EMPOWER 2022 - Hearing care: Status, Gaps, Needs , IIT Madras Research Park, Chennai, 2022
ICCAP conference 2022
RMK Engineering -AICTE - ATAL Faculty Development Program on Innovation in Telemedicine in Rural India enabled by advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Medical Devices and Internet of Things”- To deliver a talk on Rural Tele-practice in speech-language and hearing sciences, 2021
Contributed to two case studies in tele-practice for Audiology and speech language pathology,2021 https://www.iso.org/standard/75962.html
Lecture in commemoration of the US Women's History Month by US consulate on “Girls Want t o Explore STEM”. Represented as Fulbright Research Fellow,2021
2021 UNC Institute on Implementation Science Virtual Series,2021
Presentation on tele-practice in Audiology speech language pathology (ASLP), RMK Engineering,2020
Childhood communication disorders and inclusive education, Adyar Theosophical society, Chennai, September 2020
Telepractice in speech, language and hearing sciences in rural areas, Inner Wheel Rotary program 2020
Webinar ISHA 2020
Integration of tele-technology for diagnostic confirmation of ear and hearing status in rural communities, International Symposium There: Digital Technologies-Health and Wellbeing, Manipal, 2019
Alternate Models of Service Delivery in Regions with Limited Resources: Emerging Strategies , American Speech and Hearing Association, Boston, USA, 2018
Tele-audiology practice, Continuing Education Program of Sri Ramachandra Speech and Hearing Alumni Association, 2018
Tele-audiology and speech, language pathology, 49th ISHACON, Kolkata, India, 2017
Use of mobile satellite connectivity: Sri Ramachandra University experience, NIMCARE World Health Summit, New Delhi, 2017
Tele-audiology and speech, language pathology, TN-TSI State conference, Vellore, 2017
Telemedicine for Ear and Hearing care TN-TSI State conference, MGR university, Chennai, 2017
Nuts And bolts of tele-practice in audiology and speech language pathology”, Workshop on tele-rehabilitation, Maharashtra Chapter of Indian Speech and Hearing Association, Mumbai, India , 2016
Tele-audiology –global and my experiences”, at the Workshop on tele-rehabilitation, Maharashtra Chapter of Indian Speech and Hearing Association, Mumbai, India, 2016
Bias in research, Research methodology refresher program, SRU, 2015
Workshop on Mendeley, at the Research methodology refresher program, SRU, 2015
Reaching the unreached for hearing health care, Gerald H. Read Distinguished lecture, Gerald H. Read centre and Division of Diversity, Kent State University, Ohio, USA, 2014
Parent child relationships- perspectives from India Cultural influences on Parent child interaction, Gerald H Read Centre, Kent State University, Ohio, 2014,
Scope of tele-practice in Speech disorder, National seminar on tele-practice in the area of communication disorders, Mysore, India, 2013
Scope of tele-practice in Audiology, ISHACON 45, Chennai, India, 2013
E-technology for Management of projects for persons with communication disorders in rural areas, “I behind the We”, Mahindra and Mahindra, Mumbai, India, 2012
Tele-Audiology in India, a community based Newborn hearing screening program using Tele-technology, American Academy of Audiology, Boston, USA, 2012
Tele-Audiology: Material, Method and Application, Plenary session on Tele-audiology, ISHACON 44,Hyderabad, India, 2012
Hear it Wise: noise conservation program, National Workshop on noise and hearing conservation, Bangalore, India, 2011
EXTRA CURRICULAR:
1. Participated in teacher’s day event “Fashion and Talent show” organized by Student Council [ 2018]
2. Beach cleaning activity as a part of Eco club [ 2018]
3. Wall painting Event organized with Environment Foundation of India [ 2017]
4. NSS Program officer Unit 3, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai [ 2017-
5. Participated in Duathalon organized by Sri Ramachandra University [ 2016]
6. NSS coordinator for Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences [ 2015-
7. Organized talk on solar energy as part of eco-club in October [ 2015]
8. Participated in World environment day walk in March [ 2015]
9. Conducted tree planting with student volunteers at Corporation park in Iyyapanthangal in February [ 2015]
10. Tree walk at Kotturpuram tree park in January [ 2015]
11. Initiated tree planting with students in Chennai [ 2010 &2011]
12. Organized a talk on waste management with student volunteers in March [ 2015]
13. Organized “Hearing Express” as a part of “Speech and Hearing awareness” week [ 2011]
14. Organized stall for “Speech and Hearing” at Science Exhibition, Chennai [ 2011]
15. Participated in “Beach cleaning”, and “Awareness walk f or speech and hearing disorders” [ 2011]
16. Master of Ceremony- NMRE (2009), Voice update (2009, 2010), Alumni Day [ 2011]
17. Secretary of Sri Ramachandra Speech and Hearing Alumni Association (SRSHAA) [ 2009-10,2010-11]
LANGUAGES
[Tamil – native language]
[English – speak fluently and read/write with high proficiency]
[Hindi – speak, read, and write with basic competence]
MEMBERSHIPS
1. [ Rehabilitation Council of India]
2. [ Indian Speech and Hearing Association]
3. [ Telemedicine Society of India]
4. [ Tamil Nadu chapter of Indian Speech and Hearing Association]
5. [ Sri Ramachandra Speech and Hearing Alumni Association]
Awards
Awards
Gold medal for highest impact factor publication in a peer-reviewed indexed journal in the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, SRIHER, Chennai, India, 2019.
Asian Indian Caucus of American Speech and Hearing Association’s (ASHA) “International Clinician Recognition Award” ASHA, USA, 2018.
New Investigator Travel Award funded through NIH, USA towards travel for 3rd International conference on Internet and Audiology, NIH, Internet and Audiology, USA, 2017.
Identification & management of middle ear disorders in a rural community- A tele-medicine approach, Telemedicon, Pune, 2017.
Utility of mobile phone based video otoscopy in a community based program for individuals with cleft lip and palate, INDOCLEFTCON, Chandigarh, 2016.
Best paper Award for “ Training village health workers to conduct OAE screening in rural villages in Tamil Nadu” Sound Hearing 2030, New Delhi, India, 2015.
Best paper Award for “Development and implementation of E-technology for Management of projects for persons with communication disorders in rural areas” Sound Hearing 2030, New Delhi, India, 2015.
Second prize for “Tele-auditory brainstem response for diagnostic testing in a community based hearing screening program”] at Sound Hearing 2030 Sound Hearing 2030, New Delhi, India, 2015.
Best paper award for “Hearing assessment using tele-technology for children with and without disability in a school environment”, Telemedicon, Bhopal, India, 2014.
Best paper award for “Implementation of E-technology for Management of persons with communication disorders in rural areas” Telemedicon, Bhopal, India, 2014.
Best Paper Award for “E-Technology For Management Of Projects For Persons With Communication Disorders In Rural Areas” Telemedicon, Coimbatore, India, 2012.
Dr. Dayalan Samuel award for best paper in audiology “Use of multifrequency-multicomponent tympanometry in the audiological profiling of Indian families with history of otosclerosis- an exploratory study” 43rd ISHACON, Kolkata, India, 2011.
Third prize for best poster in Audiology “Outcome of a new born hearing screening program – a retrospective study” ISAM, Bhubaneshwar, India, 2010.
Dr. N. R Chaudhary memorial award for the best poster in Audiology “A profile of attributes of tinnitus among individuals with tinnitus” ISHACON 38, Ahmedabad, India, 2006.
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