JANUARY 2023
COVER STORY
Are you ready to prioritize your health goals? 10 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JANUARY 2023 1
Contents Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—
5 New year, better you: 5 achievable goals for your 2023 resolutions 7 Three Ways Women are Taking Control of Their Finances to Reenergize their Future 8 Be water wise in 2023 with smart home improvement ideas COVER STORY 10 Are you ready to prioritize your health goals?
12 Five Impactful Home Design Trends Coming in 2023 14 Four Things U.S. workers need to know when health worsens after COVID 16 Tips and trends for successful dating in 2023 17 Rural Leader Magazine 2023 40 under 40 Call for Nominations Now Open
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com
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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—
Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag
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New year, better you: 5 achievable goals for your 2023 resolutions
A new year is just around the corner, so it’s time to brainstorm resolutions and goals for 2023. If you’ve made resolutions in the past and haven’t stuck to them, you might be discouraged from even trying to make one for the coming year. It’s likely that the goals you picked weren’t attainable or sustainable for your life. Instead of making lofty promises that are unachievable, start with small, modest changes that you can accomplish and build upon in years to come. Not sure where to start? Check out these five achievable goals for 2023. 1. Learn or resume a hobby. If you don’t have a hobby or have let it go by the wayside, dedicate some time this year to doing something you enjoy. Hobbies aren’t just activities we do for fun. They can have huge mental and physical health benefits. According to VeryWell Mind, enjoyable activities can help you reduce stress, lower blood pressure and combat depression. You don’t have to engage in your hobbies every day to reap the benefits. One study showed that engaging in a physical leisure activity for 20 minutes a week helped people feel less fatigued. Whether you get back into knitting or playing guitar or pick up a new hobby like painting or ballroom dancing, you’re carving out time for yourself that can take your mind off the stresses of everyday life. 2. Move your body. This year, make it a goal to get your body moving. That doesn’t mean you have to exercise every day for hours at a time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activ-
ity each week. That may sound like a lot, but it breaks down to 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Take it slow if you’re new to working out or it’s been a while since you’ve exercised. You can even break up 30 minutes of daily activity into smaller chunks. For example, you can do 10 minutes of brisk walking or aerobic exercises three times a day or 15 minutes twice a day. By breaking up your movement goal into smaller chunks, you can naturally find breaks throughout your day to get moving. 3. Invest in your health. If you want to live a long healthy life, you need to invest in your health. Nicole Avena, PhD, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Author of Why Diets Fail says, “In addition to a healthy and balanced diet and getting an adequate amount of exercise, it’s important to cover all your bases like adding daily vitamins to your health regimen. Each person’s dietary needs will vary slightly. While most people can get enough from diet alone, others may need to take a supplement, and nowadays, there are many vitamin options for men and women of all ages.” To ensure that you receive essential nutrients, consider taking a daily multivitamin like vitafusion MultiVites which is an excellent source of 12 vitamins and minerals. Offering a selection of multivitamin gummies to support the consumer’s unique needs, vitafusion is America’s #1 adult gummy vitamin brand and the only gummy vitamin brand with a fusion of natural fruit flavors. To learn more, visit vitafusion. com. 4. Mindfulness. You’ve probably heard about GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JANUARY 2023 5
mindfulness, but do you know what it is and its benefits? Simply put, mindfulness is being aware and fully present in your body, mind and environment. According to the National Institutes of Health, practicing mindfulness can have several positive impacts on your health and well-being, including reducing anxiety and depression, lowering blood pressure and improving sleep. A popular way to practice mindfulness is meditation, but it’s not the only way. You can practice breathing or grounding exercises, go on a walk or take stock of how your body is feeling in the present moment. Mindfulness practices can be short or long, but to start, you can carve out five minutes a day in the morning or at night to get in touch with your awareness. 5. Improve your finances,. A common New Year’s resolution is to be better about saving and spending. According to the American Psychological Associ-
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ation (APA), 72% of adults report feeling stressed about money at least some of the time. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan for improving your financial well-being, there are simple ways to assess your finances and target areas for improvement. In January, track all your income and expenses. You can do this by using an expense sheet, or you can download an app to make things easier. Once you know where your money is coming from and where it’s going, you can identify areas where you could be spending less and saving more and set financial goals for the year. Small changes can add up quickly and turn into life-long habits. Using these five tips, you can start the year on the right foot and invest in yourself now and for years to come.—
Three Ways Women are Taking Control of Their Finances to Reenergize their Future
Facing an uncertain economy, rising inflation and a potential recession on the horizon, many are stressed about their own finances, and women are especially feeling financial pressure. According to a new study by Fidelity Investments, nearly half (47%) of women say their outlook on money and economic issues has worsened over the past year. With primary stressors including inflation (71%), the rising cost of essentials (65%), and not having enough saved for emergencies (58%), women are demanding more from their money and taking control of their finances to improve their immediate future, in three key areas: spending, saving and learning. 1. Continue evaluating spending. One of the first places to look when evaluating short-term finances is your spending. Many women are already scaling back on spending to make their money stretch further. Fidelity’s study found 53% of women cut back on nonessential activities and entertainment, while 39% cut back on travel and vacation expenses in the past 12 months. There’s never a better time than the present to evaluate your budget, income, and goals to see what changes you can make to make the most of your financial priorities. One quick way to cut back on costs is to review streaming services, monthly subscriptions and memberships and pause the ones you didn’t use much this year or didn’t enjoy using.
2. Saving for a rainy day fund. Because most women are concerned about not having enough saved for emergencies, it’s a great idea to start or add to an emergency fund. In fact, 30% of women are already planning to start or add to their emergency funds in the next 12 months. But it can be challenging to set aside money for emergencies, especially when money is already tight. When your budget doesn’t allow much wiggle room for emergency savings, you can focus on adding extra funds into an emergency fund. For example, take any money from cash gifts, cash back from credit cards or cashback services, and your tax refund and immediately deposit them into your emergency savings account. This will help you grow your fund while maintaining your current budget. 3. Boosting financial knowledge. Financial education can be a powerful tool to help you get the most out of your money and women are eager to learn how they can make their money work harder for them. More than a quarter of women surveyed want to learn more about managing debt and credit, 25% want to learn how to create and stick to a budget and 24% want to learn about savings. Many women also want to change their financial habits and mindsets to get more out of their money, especially younger women. One in four Gen Z women are interested in learning how to improve their GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JANUARY 2023 7
money mindset, such as learning how to overcome spending guilt, break bad habits or improve their overall relationship with money. Developing a strong financial foundation and practicing good financial hygiene are all ways to help make your money work harder for you. Even though women want to learn, there haven’t always been resources for women to learn about money. Women want financial basics, but they also want to learn about them in an open and honest environment, and they want to learn about the unique money challenges facing women. A learning community for women, by women. Reinforcing their ongoing commitment to helping women achieve financial success, Fidelity created Women Talk Money, a community made for women,
by women, to help normalize money talk in an honest and open environment. Through the community, Fidelity offers live events, workshops, newsletters and educational content on everything from financial basics like learning how to save and invest, to more in-depth concepts like the financial benefits of life insurance, to career guidance, such as negotiating a pay increase. Women Talk Money also covers women-specific topics like gender pay gaps and career breaks to help women navigate the unique financial challenges facing them. And the community recently launched on both Instagram and LinkedIn, to help reach more women and meet them where they are. To start demanding more from your money and controlling your financial future, visit Fidelity’s Women Talk Money hub.–
Be water wise in 2023 with smart home improvement ideas Everyone agrees that water is an important resource, and with the ongoing megadrought paired with increasing costs of water in many cities across the country, water consumption is increasingly top of mind. More people are questioning their daily water use and looking for strategic ways to save at home. Considering only about 1% of Earth’s water is available for human use, it’s important that everyone take steps to reduce their water use through smart home improvements. Here are three ways you can 8
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make a difference and save money: 1. Understand your water footprint. The first step is to understand how much water you’re using. Start by paying attention to your water bill. How much water are you using and how does that compare to months and years past? Some utilities even provide insight into your use compared to your neighbors’, which can be helpful in seeing if you’re above or below average.
Additionally, consider insightful upgrades like the Kohler H2Wise systems that provide key insight into how much water your home uses every day. Plus, this smart system provides 24/7 monitoring that sends real-time alerts to your phone if it detects changes in water pressure that signal potential water leakage or other plumbing problems, so you save wasted water, not to mention, prevent potential home damage. Each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water a day at home, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You can lower your water footprint by being aware of your water usage and making several strategic home improvements. 2. Look for labels. The average family spends more than $1,000 per year in water costs, but can save more than $380 annually from retrofitting with WaterSense labeled fixtures and ENERGY STAR certified appliances, according to the EPA. That means if you’re making home improvements, it’s important to look at the labels of products and choose wisely. The EPA has recently recognized Kohler Co. with a 2022 WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award for its continual efforts to innovate water-efficient plumbing products, promote water conservation and aid in the protection of this natural resource. This award is the company’s 8th Sustained Excellence recognition and its 13th year of recognition overall by the WaterSense program. By looking for this label and using these products, you can be part of a movement that’s making a big impact on water conservation. Since 2007, cumulative savings due to Kohler brands is over 437 billion
gallons of water, 9.26 million metric tons of avoided CO2 emissions and $7 billion in energy and water costs. 3. Make strategic upgrades. Many people are looking for ways to green their home with eco-friendly upgrades. Replacing old toilets and faucets with WaterSense options reduces water use and saves money, especially since these things are used on a daily basis. When it’s time to replace washing machines and dishwashers, remember to keep water conservation in mind as well when selecting updated appliances. Swapping out your showerhead is another option to help you gain control while saving money. Go a step further with the innovative Anthem digital control that has a sleek, minimalist display that lets you control your outlets, temperature and water flow. Optional built-in eco mode lets you conserve water by using just one outlet at a time, and the summary screen helps to promote mindful water usage. Finally, research if a tankless water heater might be right for your home. Rather than a holding tank, these units heat water on demand, therefore eliminating the long waits between when you turn on the water and when you actually get hot water flowing, which can equate to gallons of wasted water down the drain. The EPA states everyone can use at least 20% less water by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances. Pair this with being thoughtful about your water use every day and your entire family will help conserve this precious resource.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JANUARY 2023 9
COVER STORY
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Are you ready to prioritize your health goals? Help protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia. 2023 is the perfect time to establish new health goals to achieve. This is especially important for people aged 19-64 with certain underlying medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, COPD or chronic heart disease, who are at an increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia - a potentially serious bacterial lung disease. Those aged 65 or older are also at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia, so it’s important to stay up to date on pneumococcal vaccination. The importance of vaccination in your health journey. Actress, comedian, author and television personality Sherri Shepherd is working with Pfizer to help educate adults aged 19-64 with certain underlying medical conditions about their increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia and the importance of getting vaccinated to help prevent it. “I’ve been on a public journey with my health for several years now, and I try to prioritize the things that help keep my health goals in line, like long walks. Because I have diabetes, I am at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia,” said Shepherd, who has taken her shot at many things this year, including moving across the country and starting exciting new projects.
How to start your health journey. Shepherd credits the success of her health journey to focusing on mindfulness and prioritizing peace. She says the biggest things she can recommend to others starting their health journey include: * Getting consistent sleep * Drinking more water * Finding a way to move your body that works for you * Expressing gratitude * Trying meditation * Making sure you talk to a doctor or pharmacist about pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination Shepherd continued, “I know that vaccination is one of the best ways to help prevent pneumococcal pneumonia from getting in the way of taking my shot at living my best life.” Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. To learn more about the disease, risks, symptoms and more, visit KnowPneumonia.com. So, don’t wait for the clock to strike midnight this New Year’s Eve - ask a healthcare provider today about pneumococcal vaccination.—
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Five Impactful Home Design Trends Coming in 2023
Think your space is ready for a new look in the new year, but don’t know where to start? A Delta Faucet product designer shares her timeless kitchen and bathroom trends she’s seeing in real customers’ homes for a fresh look in 2023 that will last for years to come. “There are so many beautiful products on the market; homeowners should seek products that not only are beautiful, but also impactful,” says Maris Park Borris, Delta Faucet industrial designer. “Design should evoke emotion. Homeowners want to create new experiences in their spaces and are encouraged to do so now more than ever.” The top five home design trends for 2023 are leaning into the innovative, personal, unique and lasting. The country is no longer stuck at home, but we still see home as an extension of ourselves that represents who we are as people. To create your own new experiences in the home, here are five trend predictions for 2023 to start incorporating in your own space. 1. Embrace natural tones and materials. Natural and organic materials bring an airiness to a room while also being timeless and long-lasting. Rather than bold, bright colors, natural warm tones will be popping up more and more in the kitchen and bath12
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room. “Natural materials are acting as showcase materials - from concrete to stones, woods, porcelain, tile and crystal,” says Park Borris. “We are finding a lot of these natural materials are timeless in influencing mood and design.” 2. Create beautiful, gallery-like spaces. You love your things, so why not display them? 2023 will ring in luxe, gallery-like spaces. Think of a standalone tub as a statement piece or open shelving in a kitchen as a way to display your favorite items that normally would be hidden away. “And allow luxury to go beyond aesthetics and create comfort for all your senses,” says Park Borris. “In 2023, free yourself to make rooms experiential, not just functional.” 3. Make a statement (wall) A statement wall can completely shift the design of a room quite easily. A floral wall in the bathroom or a tropical print behind the sink can bring life and personality to the space. “Anything with patterns, either vintage-looking or modern, can shift design intent and complete a room,” says Park Borris. “I see a lot of mural wallpapers too - they can be quite transformative and can really seal a design.”
4. Make your space work harder. You may not be in a position to upgrade to a larger space, but 2023 trends will bring more options to utilize what you have. Don’t see a kitchen as just a kitchen; maybe adding a small desk in an unused corner makes it a work-from-home kitchen. “A lot of people are not looking for more space, per se, but looking for better-organized spaces that work harder with split functionality,” says Park Borris. “We’ve expected so much of our homes recently and that thought is not going away.” 5. Be authentic and break the rules. It’s your space
- it should be a reflection of you. Throw design rules out the window and create a truly authentic space you love. “I believe people will continue to make their spaces their own,” says Park Borris. “There aren’t as many rules of design as there used to be. I believe the things that evoke personal emotion will always be in style and our spaces will evolve as our styles do.” 2023 will bring in many trends in home design. Whether it’s natural materials or a pop of pattern with a statement wall, authenticity will be key.—
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Four Things U.S. workers need to know when health worsens after COVID
The American workforce has been hit hard by COVID-19 in the past few years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that by November 2022, there have been 97.6 million cases in the U.S. In addition, a recent report from Brookings found that about 16 million working-age Americans (those 18-65) currently have long COVID, when symptoms continue for weeks or months after the initial illness. Of these 16 million, about 2 million to 4 million are out of work - and for some, their absence from work has become indefinite. The most serious complications from this virus include kidney damage requiring dialysis, lung damage requiring supplemental oxygen, cardiac problems, blood clotting issues and strokes. Risk of hospitalization is found to increase notably for those ages 50 to 64. Over time, the Brookings study warns, this workforce impact could worsen. With the prevalence of long COVID, and its health effects, it’s more important than ever for U.S. workers to be prepared in the event of a disability that disrupts employment. Here are four things they need to know when facing an extended illness. 14
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No. 1: Even if you don’t have employer or private disability insurance, you have federal disability insurance. The Social Security Administration oversees the retirement program as well as the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. More than 159 million Americans have SSDI coverage as a result of their FICA payroll taxes. Benefits include Medicare coverage and additional monthly income for dependents under 18. No. 2: Your absence from work does not need to be permanent. If you anticipate or find yourself unable to work due to a medical condition, and it lasts (or is expected to last) at least 12 months - then you can apply for SSDI. If you are able to eventually return to work, then all the better. During the time of your medical illness, treatment and stabilization - whether that lasts 1-2 years, 3-4 years or longer you can always explore the opportunity of returning to work. The SSDI program has been available for decades now, providing vital support for individuals who experience cancer, stroke and other medical issues that require them to stop working for a period of time.
No. 3: You can receive free help to return to work, whenever you’re ready. One of the lesser known features of Social Security’s disability program is the Ticket to Work Program, which offers free assistance, support and services for anyone receiving SSDI benefits. Ticket to Work provides for disability beneficiaries to work with Social Security-authorized Employment Networks (EN) that assist in every aspect of returning to work - from skills assessment to job searching to interview preparation. No. 4: You are protected when you start back to work again, continuing to receive both SSDI and your earnings from work. “Ticket to Work allows beneficiaries to earn money and keep their SSDI monthly payments while they attempt to return to work,” said Diane Winiarski, Director of Allsup Employment Services. “And as a disability beneficiary, you are immediately eligible for this voluntary
program.” Its protections include Medicare coverage for up to 93 months and suspension of Continuing Disability Reviews by Social Security. This combination of benefits for American workers through the SSDI program, including monthly disability income and free services to help them return to work, has never been more relevant for the U.S. economy, Winiarski added. “In some ways, this coordination of monthly income and return-to-work help is perfectly positioned to help U.S. workers for a time like this, when people are experiencing longterm illness - and an unknown timeline for their recovery and return to work.” Learn more at allsup.help/workafterCOVID.—
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Tips and trends for successful dating in 2023 Are you currently dating or thinking about dating in the new year? You’re not alone, as global research from women-first dating and social networking app Bumble has found that 70% of those surveyed worldwide say they feel positive about the romance ahead.1 The survey also revealed how dating expectations have changed over the past year. “During the pandemic, people had to throw out their blueprint of who and how they date,” said Shan Boodram, Bumble’s Sex and Relationships Expert. “In 2023, I’m excited to see how the trends evolve as daters continue to lead their search for romantic connections with curiosity and acceptance.” When it comes to dating in 2023, Bumble suggests we should expect ... 1. Open casting: It’s time to do away with the tall, dark and handsome requirements. Unlike ‘typecasting,’ which narrows the search for our physical “type,” more than 1 in 3 (38%) respondents worldwide are now ‘open casting’ - i.e., dating beyond their type. 2. Love-life balance: There’s been a significant shift in how we think about and value work. Gone are the days when job titles and demanding workdays are seen as status symbols. More than half of respondents worldwide (52%) are actively creating more space for breaks and rest, and more than 1 in 10 (13%) will no longer date someone with a very demanding job. 3. Wanderlove: With many people now working remotely, this flexibility in location has also broadened who and where people date, with 1 in 3 (33%) 16
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global respondents saying that they are now more open to travel and relationships with people who are not in their current city. 4. Cash-candid dating: The rising cost of living has led to more honest and open conversations about money and dating, with 1 in 4 (28%) global respondents setting financial boundaries for their dating lives. This doesn’t mean that people are dating any less, but rather that they’re changing how they date, with a majority (57%) sharing that they are more interested in casual dates than something fancy or expensive. Below are some tried-and-true tips as you’re preparing to date ahead of the new year and into Dating Sunday, also known as the first Sunday in the year and typically the busiest day for the online dating industry. “Whether you’re new to online dating or a seasoned veteran and your profile just needs a refresh, these tips can help enhance your profile, all while representing your authentic self,” says Boodram. * Make your first photo stand out. The best images are recent and also show a slice of your life; if your dog is the center of your world, include a cute snap of you and the pup. Eye contact can also foster the feeling of connection and establish a sense of trust, so show off your smile, your eyes (without sunglasses), and your whole face (without a filter).
* Get specific about yourself. In your bio, try highlighting aspects of your life that make you stand out. If you like to cook, what’s your favorite dish to make? Give specific examples or anecdotes to set yourself apart from other daters, and use these details to create a more colorful narrative of what you’re like. * When connecting with others, “positivity” and “empathy” go a long way when dating. In fact, data shows that these two are the most important traits for Bumble members worldwide according to those who adopted the “Values and Traits” Interest Badge on the app in 2022.2 If you’re looking for love in the new year, download the Bumble app and take advantage of its many features, including Profile Prompts, Interest Badges and Profile Badges. The app recently launched a suite
of features to help its community connect in meaningful ways. With these new features, you can now recommend a profile to a friend directly within the app, or send a compliment on part of someone’s profile before kicking off a potential conversation. For more data-driven tips, expert advice, and resources to help guide your dating journey in 2023, visit https://bumble.com/the-buzz.— 1 Unless otherwise noted, research was conducted by Bumble using internal polling between Oct. 12Nov. 1, 2022, with a sample of 14,300 Bumble users around the world, including the United States. 2 Based on proprietary insights from the Bumble app.
Annually, Rural Leader Magazine recognizes 40 young leaders from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for exemplary leadership and achievement. Nominations will be accepted January 15-March 15. Nominees must be from a small community, be under 40 on September 1, and reside in Alabama, Florida, or Georgia. Nominees may self-nominate or be nominated by an individual, group, or organization. Honorees will be featured in the September 2023 Edition of Rural Leader Magazine with the top 4 on the cover. In lieu of a honors luncheon, this year's
award ceremony may be virtual. However, if circumstances allow, the Honors Celebration will convene in person at a location and time to be announced prior to September. Additional details are forthcoming. If you have any questions or concerns, please write drkuanitaemurphy@gmail.com. Check out the latest issue of Rural Leader Magazine at https://issuu.com/ruralleadermagazine. For more information visit www.RuralLeaderMag. com.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JANUARY 2023 17
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