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The concordance of signals based on irregular incremental lines in the human tooth cementum with documented pregnancies: Results from a systematic approach. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267336. [PMID: 36084086 PMCID: PMC9462792 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective
There is evidence from previous studies that pregnancies and diseases are recorded in the tooth cementum. This study aims to assess the degree of concordance between signals based on irregular incremental lines (ILs) and reported pregnancies.
Material and methods
23 recent and 24 archaeological human teeth with known birth history were included in this investigation. 129 histological sections of tooth roots were assessed for irregularities in appearance and width using a standardized protocol. Similarity of observed irregularities at the section level allowed us to define signals at the tooth level. The sensitivity of signals to detect pregnancies was determined and related to the signal prevalence.
Results
Pregnancy signals were frequently visually observed. However, applying a standardized process we could only reach signal sensitivities to identify pregnancies up to 20 percentage points above chance level.
Conclusions
Based on a standardized and reproducible method it could be confirmed that some pregnancies leave visible signals in the tooth cementum. The results show the potential of the tooth cementum to support reconstruction of life courses in paleopathology. However, it seems that not all pregnancies affect the cementogenesis in such a way that irregular ILs are identifiable. Further research is needed to better understand which type of pregnancies and other conditions are recorded in the tooth cementum.
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Viciano J, López-Lázaro S, Tanga C. Post-Mortem Dental Profile as a Powerful Tool in Animal Forensic Investigations—A Review. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162038. [PMID: 36009628 PMCID: PMC9404435 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Veterinary forensics is becoming more important in our society as a result of the growing demand for investigations related to crimes against animals or investigations of criminal deaths caused by animals. A veterinarian may participate as an expert witness or may be required to give forensic assistance, by providing knowledge of the specialty to establish a complete picture of the involvement of an animal and allowing the Courts to reach a verdict. By applying diverse dental profiling techniques, not only can species, sex, age-at-death, and body size of an animal be estimated, but also data about their geographical origin (provenance) and the post-mortem interval. This review concentrates on the dental techniques that use the characteristics of teeth as a means of identification of freshly deceased and skeletonised animals. Furthermore, this highlights the information that can be extracted about the animal from the post-mortem dental profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Viciano
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, ‘G. d’Annunzio’ University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Correspondence: (J.V.); (S.L.-L.); (C.T.)
| | - Sandra López-Lázaro
- Departamento de Antropología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 6850331, Chile
- Forensic Dentistry Lab, Centro de Investigación en Odontología Legal y Forense–CIO–, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
- Correspondence: (J.V.); (S.L.-L.); (C.T.)
| | - Carmen Tanga
- Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.V.); (S.L.-L.); (C.T.)
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Clark CT, Horstmann L, Misarti N. Evaluating tooth strontium and barium as indicators of weaning age in Pacific walruses. Methods Ecol Evol 2020; 11:1626-1638. [PMID: 33381293 PMCID: PMC7756818 DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lactation length and weaning age provide important information about maternal investment, which can reflect the health and nutritional status of the mother, as well as broader reproductive strategies in mammals. Calcium-normalized strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba) concentrations in the growth layers of mammalian teeth differ for nursing animals and those consuming non-milk foods, thus can be used to estimate age-at-weaning. To date, this approach has been used only for terrestrial animals, and almost exclusively for primates.The goal of this study was to determine whether Sr and Ba concentrations in the cementum of Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens teeth can be used to estimate weaning age. Teeth from 107 walruses were analysed using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and calcium-normalized 88Sr and 137Ba concentrations were quantified.For most walruses, both Sr and Ba concentrations exhibited rapid changes in early life. Ba concentrations matched closely with expected patterns in the published literature, rapidly declining from high to low concentrations (typically from ~10 ppm to ~5 ppm). In contrast, Sr exhibited a pattern opposite to that presented in studies of terrestrial mammals, appearing nearly identical to Ba (typically declining from ~400 ppm to ~200 ppm). To explain these findings, we present conceptual models of the factors generating weaning signals in Sr and Ba for terrestrial mammals, as well as a new, hypothetical model for walruses. Both a visual and mathematical approach to weaning age estimation indicated a median weaning age of walruses at the end of the second year of life (in the second dark layer of the tooth cementum), with many walruses estimated to have weaned in their third year of life, and a smaller group weaning in their fourth or fifth year. This is later than expected, given a published estimate of walrus weaning at 18-24 months.These results do not conclusively support the use of tooth Sr and Ba for estimating weaning age in walruses, and further research is warranted to better understand the drivers of the observed patterns of Ba and Sr accumulation in walrus teeth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey T. Clark
- Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and OceanUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem StudiesUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Lara Horstmann
- College of Fisheries and Ocean SciencesUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAKUSA
| | - Nicole Misarti
- Water and Environmental Research CenterUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAKUSA
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Veiberg V, Nilsen EB, Rolandsen CM, Heim M, Andersen R, Holmstrøm F, Meisingset EL, Solberg EJ. The accuracy and precision of age determination by dental cementum annuli in four northern cervids. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-01431-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIndividual age is an important element in models of population demographics, but the limitations of the methods used for age determination are not always clear. We used known-age data from moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), semi-domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) and Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) to evaluate the accuracy and repeatability of age estimated by cementum annuli analysis of longitudinally sectioned permanent incisors. Four observers with varying experience performed blind duplicate age estimation of 37 specimens from each cervid. The relationship between known age and estimated age was linear, except for Svalbard reindeer where a quadratic model gave a slightly better fit. After correcting for observer ID and animal ID, there was a slightly declining probability to assess the correct age with increasing age for moose, red deer and Svalbard reindeer. Across cervids and observers, estimated age equalled known age in 69% of all readings, while 95% age ± 1 year. Predicted probability of correct age assessment for experienced observers was 93% for red deer, 89% for Svalbard reindeer, 84% for moose and 73% for semi-domestic reindeer. Regardless of observer experience and cervid, there was a high agreement between repeated assessments of a given animal’s tooth sections. The accuracy varied between cervids but was generally higher for observers with former ageing experience with a given cervid. We conclude that the accuracy of estimated age using longitudinally sectioned incisors is generally high, and even more so if performed by observers with former ageing experience of a given species. To ensure consistency over time, a reference material from known-age individuals for each species analysed should be available for calibration and training of observers.
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Mani-Caplazi G, Hotz G, Wittwer-Backofen U, Vach W. Measuring incremental line width and appearance in the tooth cementum of recent and archaeological human teeth to identify irregularities: First insights using a standardized protocol. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2019; 27:24-37. [PMID: 31550620 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Irregular incremental lines (ILs) in the tooth cementum were previously associated with pregnancy and certain diseases. This study aims to identify irregular ILs and assess their patterns and reproducibility. MATERIALS 24 recent and 32 archaeological teeth from the nineteenth century with known birth history. METHODS Histological sections of tooth roots were microscopically assessed. The width and appearance of 16,605 ILs were measured according to a standardized protocol. RESULTS Irregular appearing ILs were present in earlier deposited ILs, which correspond to younger years in life. Irregular appearances decreased as the IL number increased, whereas irregular width was spread evenly across all ILs. Within-section reproducibility was relatively high for irregular appearance (intra class correlation close to 0.70 in recent and archaeological teeth) and irregular width (intra class correlation: recent: 0.49; archaeological: 0.58), whereas the across-section reproducibility was moderate. CONCLUSIONS Irregular width and appearance in ILs were identified successfully with within-section reproducibility. The moderate reproducibility across sections needs to be addressed in further studies by more systematic sampling of sections. SIGNIFICANCE The proposed protocol identifies irregularities in a reproducible manner and may suggest that irregular ILs could be used in paleopathology to identify pregnancies and diseases. LIMITATIONS The correlation between the identified irregular ILs and known pregnancies has not been assessed as part of this study. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH The identified irregular ILs need to be validated by correlating them with known life history data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Mani-Caplazi
- Integrative Prehistory and Archaeological Science, University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Gerhard Hotz
- Integrative Prehistory and Archaeological Science, University of Basel, Switzerland; Natural History Museum of Basel, Anthropological Collection, Switzerland
| | | | - Werner Vach
- Integrative Prehistory and Archaeological Science, University of Basel, Switzerland; Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
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Tochigi K, Aoki Y, Maruyama T, Yamazaki K, Kozakai C, Naganuma T, Inagaki A, Masaki T, Koike S. Does hard mast production affect patterns of cementum annuli formation in premolar teeth of Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus)? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211561. [PMID: 30716134 PMCID: PMC6361433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cementum annuli widths in mammals are is influenced by the nutrition of mammals. Reproductive stress has been is suggested to reduce the width of lead to narrower cementum annuli widths in female Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus); however, food availability in autumn strongly impacts bear nutrition and likely impacts cementum widths as well. This study aimed to test how cementum annuli widths and the formation of false annuli were influenced by hard mast production. We established two hypotheses: (1) cementum annuli widths become narrower in poor mast years owing to inadequate nutritional conditions and (2) false annuli occur more frequently in poor mast years. We used teeth samples from male bears to avoid reproductive influences and separated width data into "adult" and "subadult" groups. We calculated the proportional width index (PWI) and used linear mixed models to estimate the masting effects on PWI. Generalized linear mixed models estimated the masting effects on false annuli frequency. True annuli widths and false annuli formation showed no significant relationship with mast production in adults. In subadults, poor mast production weak negative influence on false annuli formation. These new data resolve previous questions, allowing us to deduce that cementum annuli widths are a reliable index of reproductive success in female bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kahoko Tochigi
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukino Aoki
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Maruyama
- Tochigi Prefectural Forestry Research Center, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Kozakai
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomoko Naganuma
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akino Inagaki
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Masaki
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
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Tochigi K, Tamatani H, Kozakai C, Inagaki A, Naganuma T, Myojo H, Yamazaki K, Koike S. Reproductive Histories of Asian Black Bears Can be Determined by Cementum Annuli Width. MAMMAL STUDY 2018. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2018-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kahoko Tochigi
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Hiroo Tamatani
- Department of Bear Management, Picchio Wildlife Research Center, Hoshino Karuizawamachi, Kitasaku-gu
| | - Chinatsu Kozakai
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 2-1-18 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8518, Ja
| | - Akino Inagaki
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Tomoko Naganuma
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Myojo
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Koji Yamazaki
- Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
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Refining Aging Criteria for Northern Sea Otters in Washington State. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.3996/052017-jfwm-040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Measurement of skull ossification patterns is a standard method for aging various mammalian species and has been used to age sea otters Enhydra lutris from Russia, California, and Alaska. Cementum annuli counts have also been verified as an accurate aging method for sea otters in Alaska. In this study, we compared cementum annuli count results and skull ossification patterns as methods for aging the northern sea otter, E. l. kenyoni, in Washington State. We found significant agreement between the two methods, suggesting that either method could be used to age sea otters in Washington. We found that ossification of the squamosal–jugal suture at the ventral glenoid fossa can be used to differentiate male subadults from adults. To assist field biologists or others without access to cementum annuli or skull ossification analysis techniques, we analyzed a suite of morphologic, physiologic, and developmental characteristics to assess whether a set of these more easily accessible parameters could also predict age class. We identified tooth condition score, evidence of reproductive activity in females, and tooth eruption pattern as the most useful criteria for classifying sea otters in Washington. We created a simple decision tree based on characteristics accessible in the field or at necropsy, which can be used to reliably predict age class of Washington sea otters as determined by cementum annuli. These techniques offer field biologists and marine mammal stranding networks a replicable, cost-conscious methodology to gather useful biological information from sea otters.
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Allen ML, Kohn B, Roberts N, Crimmins S, Van Deelen TR. Benefits and drawbacks of determining reproductive histories for black bears (Ursus americanus) from cementum annuli techniques. CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recruitment is difficult to estimate but is essential for determining population trend. Recruitment in bears can be estimated from patterns in width of cementum annuli that indicate years with cubs. We evaluated reproductive history estimates from cementum annuli of 19 101 black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) collected over 20 years to determine the benefits and drawbacks of this technique for management agencies. The technique only worked to estimate reproductive histories for 25% of submitted samples, and 49% of samples with estimates contained uncertain litters. Whether uncertain litters were counted or not caused significant variation in estimates of age at first litter, number of litters per female, and interbirth intervals. Hence, naive treatment of uncertain litters may bias analyses. A data set we optimized to reduce bias showed that litters per female ranged from 0 to 12, mean interbirth interval was 2.07 years, and both increased as females aged. Large samples of teeth collected from harvested bears over multiple decades potentially provides a wealth of information on reproductive parameters at a minimal cost compared with intensive field studies, but until uncertain litters are understood mechanistically and can be better quantified, reproductive estimates from this technique should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian L. Allen
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 107 Sutliff Avenue, Rhinelander, WI 54501, USA
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Bruce Kohn
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 107 Sutliff Avenue, Rhinelander, WI 54501, USA
| | - Nathan Roberts
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 107 Sutliff Avenue, Rhinelander, WI 54501, USA
| | - Shawn Crimmins
- College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481, USA
| | - Timothy R. Van Deelen
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Evidence of adoption, monozygotic twinning, and low inbreeding rates in a large genetic pedigree of polar bears. Polar Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-015-1871-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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11
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Van Horn RC, Zug B, Appleton RD, Velez-Liendo X, Paisley S, LaCombe C. Photos provide information on age, but not kinship, of Andean bear. PeerJ 2015. [PMID: 26213647 PMCID: PMC4512767 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Using photos of captive Andean bears of known age and pedigree, and photos of wild Andean bear cubs <6 months old, we evaluated the degree to which visual information may be used to estimate bears' ages and assess their kinship. We demonstrate that the ages of Andean bear cubs ≤6 months old may be estimated from their size relative to their mothers with an average error of <0.01 ± 13.2 days (SD; n = 14), and that ages of adults ≥10 years old may be estimated from the proportion of their nose that is pink with an average error of <0.01 ± 3.5 years (n = 41). We also show that similarity among the bears' natural markings, as perceived by humans, is not associated with pedigree kinship among the bears (R (2) < 0.001, N = 1,043, p = 0.499). Thus, researchers may use photos of wild Andean bears to estimate the ages of young cubs and older adults, but not to infer their kinship. Given that camera trap photos are one of the most readily available sources of information on large cryptic mammals, we suggest that similar methods be tested for use in other poorly understood species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell C Van Horn
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global , San Diego, CA , USA
| | - Becky Zug
- Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison , WI , USA
| | - Robyn D Appleton
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia , BC , Canada ; Spectacled Bear Conservation Society , Squamish, BC , Canada
| | - Ximena Velez-Liendo
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Genética, Universidad Mayor de San Simon , Cochabamba , Bolivia
| | - Susanna Paisley
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent , Canterbury, Kent , UK
| | - Corrin LaCombe
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global , San Diego, CA , USA
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Medill S, Derocher AE, Stirling I, Lunn N. Reconstructing the reproductive history of female polar bears using cementum patterns of premolar teeth. Polar Biol 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-009-0689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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