IAPSO's Commission on Mean Sea Level and Tides, and the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level, co-sponsored the Workshop, "Understanding Sea-Level Rise and Variability," held in Paris, France, in June, 2006. The Workshop was organized by the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) and hosted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. 163 scientists from 29 countries attended the workshop bringing together all relevant scientific expertise with a view towards identifying the uncertainties associated with past and future sea level rise and variability, as well as the research and observational activities needed for narrowing these uncertainties. The WCRP issued a summary report of the workshop.
The IAPSO Standard Seawater Service continued its operations under an agreement between IAPSO and Ocean Science International, Ltd. (OSIL).
IAPSO continued its joint activities with ICSU's Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research (SCOR). A new Working Group on Deep Ocean Exchange with the Shelf was organized, and was approved by SCOR as SCOR/IAPSO Working Group WG129. They will hold a working group meeting in conjunction with IUGG2007. Activities of other working groups continued. IAPSO/SCOR Working Group WG121, "Ocean Mixing," and SCOR/IAPSO WG127, "Thermodynamics and Equation of State of Seawater," will also hold meetings during 2007. The IAPSO Executive Committee reviewed proposals for other new Working Groups.
Several of IAPSO's activities underpin the climate projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the fourth report of which was issued in 2007. IAPSO's support of work on sea level is an obvious contribution. Without the activities of the Standard Seawater Service, IPCC would be unable to infer changes in precipitation over the oceans. The outcomes of Working Groups on Ocean Mixing and on the Equation of State of Seawater are likely to influence the climate models used in IPCC's 5th assessment due in 2014.
Planning continued for symposia to be held at the IUGG2007 General Assembly in July 2007. Final summaries were prepared on proposed symposia content, and convenors were identified. The symposia were listed on the IUGG2007 Web page and a proposed schedule was prepared. A call for papers was distributed to oceanographers worldwide.
Additional revisions were prepared to the IAPSO Statutes and By-Laws incorporating comments and suggestions received by representatives of the Adhering Bodies at the IAPSO business meeting in Cairns, Australia, in 2005. The revisions were transmitted to the IAPSO representatives of the Adhering Bodies for final approval, and formal adoption will be an agenda item at IAPSO's 2007 business meeting.
A call for nominations for the IAPSO Executive Committee was sent out to the Adhering Bodies. Some emphasis was placed on obtaining additional participation from developing countries, and nominations for new members include nominations received from Adhering Bodies in Turkey, Chile, South Africa, and Argentina. The Nominations Committee will prepare a formal slate of candidates for the election to be held in 2007.
A general call for nominations was sent out for the Prince Albert I Medal. The Awards Committee was identifying a recipient of the medal to be awarded during IUGG2007.
The IAPSO Secretariat continued maintenance of the Web page, and handled general correspondence.
During 2005, IAPSO's main activity was the Joint IAG/IAPSO/IABO Assembly in Cairns, Australia. IAPSO participated in 17 symposia including 7 IAPSO only, 7 Joint IAPSO/IABO, and 3 Joint IAG/IAPSO symposia. The Joint Assembly drew a total of 724 delegates from 62 Countries. IAPSO presented a best student poster award and the Eugene LaFond Medal for oceanography in a developing country, as well as the biannual Prince Albert I Medal for career achievements in oceanography.
In addition to two IAPSO Executive Committee meetings, IAPSO held a general business meeting of representatives from adhering bodies during the Joint Assembly in Cairns. That was a productive meeting providing input/discussion from the adhering bodies. While proposed changes to the IAPSO Statutes and By-Laws had been given tentative approval by a majority of members, two additional issues were raised for consideration. A decision was made to hold general business meetings at all IAPSO Assemblies or Joint Assemblies held during interim periods between IUGG General Assemblies.
Initial planning was carried out for the IAPSO Scientific Program at the IUGG2007 General Assembly, including input from IAG, IAMAS, and UCCS. IAPSO was represented by its President and Past-President at the IUGG Scientific Program Committee meeting in Perugia, Italy, in September. That planning continued into early 2007 via email, and input was added where appropriate to other IUGG Associations.
Work of the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) and the associated IAPSO Commission on Mean Sea Level and Tides continued during 2005. A report on the complete activities of PSMSL was received. One significant activity was the planning, in cooperation with other organizations, of the upcoming WCRP Workshop, "Understanding Sea Level Rise and Variability," scheduled to be held during the summer 2006 in Paris, France. IAPSO is serving as a co-sponsor of the workshop.
Interaction between IAPSO and ICSU's Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) continued. IAPSO had introduced a proposal for a new working group, and that was approved by SCOR as Working Group WG127 on Thermodynamics and Equation of State of Seawater. This work is expected to provide important input into modeling of the global ocean and, ultimately, climate change modeling. The IAPSO President, or his alternate, serves as an ex-officio member of the SCOR Executive Committee.
In other ICSU related actions, IAPSO participated with SCOPE on a proposal to ICSU for PACKMEDS which was funded.
In administrative actions, the IAPSO Executive Committee approved holding a Joint Assembly with IAMAS in 2009 in Montreal, Canada. The IAPSO Executive Committee also approved discontinuing the Commission on Groundwater-Seawater Interaction (CGSI) with a recommendation to CGSI that they continue activities in a different organizational format.
The IAPSO Secretary General continued maintenance of the Web page including posting the program book from the 2005 Joint Assembly on the Web page; and continued handling general correspondence received by the Association.
During 2004, IAPSO had two major activies. The first of these was the IAPSO/SCOR Conference on Ocean Mixing held in Victoria, British Columbia on 11 - 14 October 2004. There were more than 120 conferees representing 14 countries. There were 29 oral presentations and 76 poster presentations. There were a significant number of conclusions and recommendations, and various concerns were raised. A full report is posted on the page for Commissions and Permanent Services. There are plans to publish a proceedings volume in a special "Ocean Mixing" issue of Deep- Sea Research Part 2. A Symposium at the 2007 IUGG General Assembly is proposed, and a future follow-up conference is being considered.
The second major activity was the International Workshop on Forecasting & Data Assimilation in the Benguela and Comparable Systems held on 8 - 11 November 2004 in Cape Town, South Africa. There were over 100 invited participants in the workshop including 35 from overseas and 25 from neighboring African countries. An important objective of the workshop the development of a strong base for an effective and affordable forecasting capability for the Southeast Atlantic within the global network. The summary assessment was that we ARE now ready to design an operational system for forecasting in the Benguela. One of the output products from the Workshop will be a peer-reviewed book entitled, "The Benguela: Predicting a Large Marine Ecosystem," to be published in 2005 by Elsevier.
Other activities included planning for the August 2005 IAG/IAPSO/IABO Joint Assembly in Cairns, Australia. The Indian Ocean Tsunami in December 2004 led to an initiative to add a special session to the Assembly. Information on IAPSO, and on the 2005 Joint Assembly, was distributed at the AGU Ocean Sciences meeting in January and the AGU Fall meeting in December. IAPSO also co-sponsored a symposium at the COSPAR meeting held in 2004.
The Commission on Groundwater-Seawater Interaction (CGSI) continued to be sponsored by IAPSO during 2004. The CGSI held a business meeting and workshop in Monaco, and has sponsored ongoing intiatives the Philippines and Thailand. Other work is proposed by the CGSI in Brazil, Italy, and Mauritius. Work of other Commissions and Premanent Services continued, including the Permanent Service on Mean Sea Level. There is an ongoing restructuring of the Commission on Sea Level and Tides.
A final document on the future of IAPSO was distributed. A proposed revision to the IAPSO Statutes and By-Laws was distributed to the IAPSO National Correspondent for approval by a mail ballot. The decision on the revision is pending as approval has not yet been received from a majority of the member countries. A major consideration is the proposed separation of the Treasurer and Secretary General duties.
The Secretariat continued maintenance of the Web page, general correspondence, and distribution of information. The IAPSO President and Secretary General attended the IUGG Executive Committee meeting in Boulder, Colorado.
The main activity of IAPSO in 2003 was participation in the IUGG General Assembly in Sapporo, Japan. IAPSO convened 6 IAPSO only symposia, and 11 joint symposia. The abstract books for these symposia have been posted on the IAPSO Web page. IAPSO also participated in various symposia led by other Associations, and in Union symposia. Dr. Klaus Wyrtki was presented the Prince Albert I Medal for his contributions to physical oceanography, and the past medalist, Dr. Walter Munk, delivered the Prince Albert I Lecture. The Eugene Lafond medal for the best paper from a developing country was presented to Margarita V. Chikina of Russia.
IAPSO held two Executive Committee meetings in Sapporo and one general business meeting. In addition, Commissions and Working Groups held separate meetings. Elections were held for the new IAPSO Executive Committee, various reports were presented, and planning was initiated for future activities. Because of the decision to hold the next IUGG General Assembly in Perugia, Italy, in 2007, IAPSO changed the location for its 2005 Assembly (previously tentatively planned for Italy) and agreed to join IAG in Cairns Australia in August 2005.
Initial scientific program planning was coordinated with the International Association for Biological Oceanography (IABO) for symposia to be held in Cairns. A number of joint IAG/IAPSO symposia were also agreed upon for the Cairns joint assembly. The IAPSO/SCOR Joint Working Group on Ocean Mixing initiated planning for a Symposium on Ocean Mixing to be held on 11-15 October 2004. Work also was initiated for an IAPSO sponsored workshop, the International Workshop on Forecasting and Data Assimilation in the Benguela and Comparable Systems to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 8-11 November 2004. IAPSO agreed to co-sponsor a symposium at the COSPAR meeting to be held in 2004.
Acitivities continued for Working Groups and Commissions during 2003. A decision was made to discontinue the IAPSO Commission for Cooperation with Developing Countries as there was a general opinion expressed that the IAPSO Executive Committee is performing this function.
The Past President of IAPSO initiated a free "membership" in IAPSO for interested oceanographers, with a periodic electronic newsletter to those individuals. Material related to IAPSO was made available at the AGU Fall meeting in December 2003. Action was also initiated to create an IAPSO poster, and to have information available at the AGU Ocean Sciences meeting in January 2004 (which IAPSO agreed to co-sponsor). Planning activities have continued on the future of IAPSO. A draft working document was distributed to IAPSO National Correspondents during 2003.
The IAPSO Secretariat continued updates to the IAPSO Web page, and answered general correspondence.
IAPSO activities in 2002 included preparation of the final IAPSO Scientific Program for the 2003 IUGG General Assembly, appointment of convenors, and solicitation of abstracts. Initial planning was carried out for a Joint IAPSO/IABO Assembly in Perugia, Italy in September 2005.
A questionnaire was prepared and information was solicited from all National Correspondents relating to the future of IAPSO. A special Task Committee was formed and that committee met in Cape Town in October to review input and determine directions.
A new Working Group on Deep Ocean Mixing was formed jointly between IAPSO and ICSU's Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR). An initial meeting of that working group is planned at the IUGG General Assembly in Sapporo. Initial action was undertaken to restructure the IAPSO Commission on Sea Ice to provide a broader scope. That action is continuing. Other Commissions were reviewed.
Activities of the IAPSO/IAHS Joint Commission on Groundwater- Seawater Interactions have continued. Action also progressed on the new Inter-Association IUGG Commission on GeoRisk. Activities of the Permanent Service on Mean Sea Level (sponsored by IAPSO), and IAPSO's Standard Sea Water Service (operated by Ocean Scientific International) continued in 2002. IAPSO's Commission on Sea Level and Tides operates in cooperation with the PSMSL.
Maintenance and updating of the IAPSO Web page continued. Links to university, laboratory and institute Web pages were added or revised. The abstract books from the 2001 Joint Assembly were added. IAPSO has found that Assembly abstract books are heavily accessed for significant periods of time following the Assemblies. The IAPSO Secretariat continues to respond to various inqueries for information.
The principal IAPSO activity in 2001 was the convening of the IAPSO/IABO Joint Assembly in Mar del Plata, Argentina in October. This Joint Assembly had 430 paid registrants including a significant number of students and young scientists. The abstract books are available electronically elsewhere on the IAPSO Web page. In addition to the technical sessions, there was a session on IAPSO history, and the first presentation of the Prince Albert I Medal. There were also several special luncheon meetings including a luncheon for student attendees. The IAPSO Executive Committee had two business meetings plus an initial meeting on the future of IAPSO. There was a tentative decision to convene a follow-up Joint Assembly with IABO in 2005 somewhere in Europe. There were discussions of IAPSO Commissions, with a decision to discontinue the Commission on Sea Ice, and several proposals relating to other possible commissions. ICSU's Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research (SCOR) held an Executive Committee meeting in Mar del Plata immediately following the Joint Assembly.
The formal organization meeting for the new IAPSO/IAHS Joint Commission on Groundwater-Seawater Interactions was held at the IAHS Assembly during the summer of 2001. The commission developed frames of reference and a proposal for future actions over the next several years. Action also progressed on the new Inter- Association IUGG Commission on GeoRisk. Activities of the Permanent Service on Mean Sea Level (sponsored by IAPSO), and IAPSO's Standard Sea Water Service (operated by Ocean Scientific International) continued in 2001.
The IAPSO President and Secretary General attended the IUGG Executive Committee meeting in Sapporo, Japan, and the meetings of the IUGG Scientific Program Committee in Sapporo and in San Francisco, USA. An IAPSO scientific program was developed for the IUGG General Assembly to be held in Sapporo in 2003. Details of the program are elsewhere on the IAPSO Web page.
Maintenance and updating of the IAPSO Web page continued. Additional links were added to university, laboratory and institute Web pages. The IAPSO Secretariat continues to respond to various inqueries for information.
During the year 2000, action was initiated to form an IAPSO/IAHS Joint Commission on Groundwater-Seawater Interactions. Funding was obtained to hold an initial meeting at the IAHS Assembly in 2001. Action progressed to form the Inter- Association IUGG Commission on GeoRisk proposed in 1999. Activities of the Permanent Service on Mean Sea Level (sponsored by IAPSO), and IAPSO's Standard Sea Water Service (operated by Ocean Scientific International) continued in 2000.
The IAPSO President initiated contacts with the Palace in Monaco regarding the proposed creation of a medal to be awarded for distinguished accomplishments in the physical sciences of the oceans. Prince Rainier of Monaco has agreed to establish the Prince Albert I medal to be awarded biannually by IAPSO for that purpose. An invitation was extended to have a member of the the Prince's family present the first medal at the Joint Assembly in 2001.
Maintenance and updating of the IAPSO Web page continued. A page of information for younger students was added as an outreach effort. A mirror Web page was created as a direct portion of the IUGG Web page. Additional links were added to university, laboratory and institute Web pages. Accesses to the IAPSO Web page reached a level of 5,000 hits per month by late summer, with a substantial percentage accessing the 1999 symposia abstracts and a significant number accessing 1997 abstracts.
Plans continued for a Joint IAPSO/IABO Assembly in Mar del Plata Argentina in October 2001. The final technical program for that Assembly was prepared, symposia convenors and co- convenorswere established, registration information was added to Joint Assembly Web page, and efforts were initiated to obtain funds from various sources for travel grants. Substantial advertising has been carried out for the Joint Assembly including e-mail distribution of notices, and distribution of hard copies of the Call for Papers. IAPSO joined with other Associations in providing information at an IUGG booth at the AGU Fall meeting. IAPSO joined with IAG to hold a week-long workshop in Brazil in 2000, with a follow-up symposium scheduled in conjunction with the 2001 Assembly in Argentina.
Discussions were also initiated in regard to the site for an Assembly in 2005. Discussions have been carried out with a representative in India, as India expressed an interest in 1999. Discussions/coordination have continued with IAMAS and IAHS in regard to the possibility of a Joint Assembly. Partial funding was obtained to allow representatives of the three Associations to travel to India in 2001 to view a potential site and discuss possibilities with representatives of the three Associations in India.
The IAPSO Secretary General represented the Association at the IUGG Executive Committee meeting in Boulder, Colorado, in July. The IAPSO Past President represented the Association at the SCOR meeting in Washington, DC. The IAPSO Deputy Secretary General also attended the SCOR meeting.
The IAPSO Secretariat continues to respond to various inqueries for information.
During 1999, the principal activity of the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO) was participation in the IUGG General Assembly in Birmingham, UK. That is reported in detail on the IAPSO Web page. The portions of the abstract books related to IAPSO led symposia and joint symposia, and joint symposia led by other Associations in which IAPSO participated, are now posted on the IAPSO Web page. In conjunction with the General Assembly, IAPSO held two meetings of its Executive Committee and one plenary business meeting with national delegates at which new IAPSO officers were elected.
Three IAPSO Commissions met at Birmingham, the Commission on Sea Ice; the Commission on Mean Sea Level and Tides; and the Commission on Cooperation with Developing Countries. The Tsunami Commission, jointly sponsored with IASPEI and IAVCEI, also met in Birmingham. The Executive Committee voted in favor of disestablishing the IAPSO Commission on Natural Marine Hazards and supporting an Inter-Association Commission on Natural Hazards in its place. The Executive Committee also was in favor of supporting several other new Inter-Association Commissions.
Activities of the Permanent Service on Mean Sea Level (sponsored by IAPSO), and IAPSO's Standard Sea Water Service (operated by Ocean Scientific International) continued in 1999.
Plans continued for a Joint IAPSO/IABO Assembly in Mar del Plata Argentina in October 2001. A Program Committee was established to prepare the final technical program for that Assembly and to obtain convenors and co-convenors. IAPSO has joined with IAG to support a week-long workshop in Brazil in 2000, with a follow-up workshop proposed in conjunction with the 2001 Assembly in Argentina. Discussions were also initiated in regard to the site for an Assembly in 2005.
The IAPSO Secretariat continues to respond to various inquiries for information.
Principle activities of IAPSO during 1998 have been the continued planning of IAPSO led symposia for the IUGG General Assembly in Birmingham, England, in July 1999, and a proposed Joint IAPSO/IABO Assembly in Mar del Plata Argentina in 2001. The Second and Third Circulars for IUGG99 were issued by the Local Organizing Committee, and the IAPSO symposia were also listed on the IAPSO Web page as well as the IUGG99 Web page. In addition, individual symposia convenors have been soliciting abstracts. Abstracts are now being submitted. Some additional groups decided to meet in conjunction with the IUGG99 General Assembly. In particular, Symposium P15, Optical Oceanography & UV Radiation, is co-sponsored by IOP and EOS. The SCOR/LOICZ Working Group 112 informed IAPSO of their intention to meet in conjunction with IUGG99.
Argentine representatives of IAPSO and IABO made an initial site visit to look at possible facilities for the venue of the proposed 2001 Joint Assembly. Some potential co-sponsors were contacted, including the Latin American Organization of Marine Sciences Researchers, and IAPSO is awaiting their decisions.
IAPSO Commissions have remained active. The IAPSO Commission on Sea Ice has issued a publication, "Physics of Ice-Covered Seas," published in cooperation with the University of Helsinki. It is available for sale from the University.
IAPSO conducted a mail ballot to revise Statutes and By-Laws related to elections, and the revisions were posted on the IAPSO Web page after approval. In conjunction with this, IAPSO has been updating the listing of National Correspondents (available on the IAPSO Web page), and soliciting nominatins for National Correspondents from those Member Countries where they are lacking. Nominations were solicited for positions on the Executive Committee which will be filled by the upcoming election in 1999.
The IAPSO Secretariat continues to provide responses to general inquiries, and to maintain and update the IAPSO Web page.
During the period from 1 January - 31 December 1997, the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO) jointly convened an Assembly with the International Association for Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS) in Melbourne, Australia. Other IUGG Associations also participated in the Assembly. Details of the IAPSO symposia, and IAPSO led joint symposia, have been posted on the IAPSO Web page at http://www.olympus.net/IAPSO
There were two meetings of the IAPSO Executive Committee at the Joint Assembly in Melbourne. Principal items discussed were the program for the upcoming IUGG General Assembly in 1999, a proposed Joint Assembly with the International Association for Biological Oceanography (IABO) in 2001, possibilities for new IAPSO Commissions, a proposed change to the number of members on the IAPSO Executive Committee, and the formation of a nominating committee prior to the next election of IAPSO Executive Bureau and Executive Committee members.
The IAPSO Secretary General and a member of the IAPSO Executive Committee from the United Kingdom met with the Scientific Program Committee for IUGG99 in Birmingham, England. The Secretary General and the IAPSO President met with the IUGG Executive Committee, also in Birmingham. A member of the IAPSO Executive Committee from Argentina served as IAPSO's official representative at the meeting of ICSU's Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Planning continued for the IAPSO portion of the IUGG General Assembly to be held in Birmingham, England, in 1999. Symposia convenors were identified and short write-ups on the scopes of the symposia were prepared. This work continued into early 1998.
IAPSO's Permanent Service on Mean Sea Level and the Standard Sea Water Service continued their service to the international oceanographic community.
There were two IAPSO publications in 1997, a proceedings for the 1995 IAPSO General Assembly, and a collection of papers on oceanography in developing countries taken from papers presented at the 1991 and 1995 General Assemblies.
During the period 1 January - 31 December 1996 the Secretary General established the IAPSO Web page to provide a resource to the international oceanographic community. In addition to the Web page, direct responses were provided to various inquiries received by letters, e-mail, and FAX.
Activities continued to formulate the IAPSO Program for the upcoming IAMAS/IAPSO Joint Assembly to be held in July 1997 in Melbourne, Australia. The IAPSO Commission on Sea Ice has organized a symposium and a separate workshop at this Assembly, and the Commission on Natural Marine Hazards and the jointly sponsored Tsunami Commission have also organized symposia. The final program was advertised and abstracts of proposed papers were accepted.
An initial solicitation for proposals was issued for IAPSO symposia to be held at the upcoming 1999 IUGG General Assembly to be held in Birmingham, England, UK. Formulation of a proposed program was in progress during the later part of the year.
The IAPSO President continued to serve as IAPSO's representative to ICSU's Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR). In that capacity he attended SCOR's meeting in Southampton, England.
The IAPSO Commission on Natural Marine Hazards co-sponsored and was a primary organizer of three scientific meetings. These were Hazards '96 held in Toronto, Canada, in July 1996 as a continuation of a series of international meetings on hazards, Coastal Zone Canada '96 held in Rimouski, Quebec, in August 1996, and Natural and Technological Coastal Hazards held in Tirupati, India, in December 1996. The meeting in India was part of an initiative to hold scientific meetings in countries in need, recognizing that scientists in those countries often have difficulty in obtaining travel funds to attend meetings outside their immediate geographic area.
The IAPSO Commission on Mean Sea Level and Tides, and IAPSO's Permanent Service on Mean Sea Level, provided scientific support and co-sponsorship of a meeting, Tidal Science, at the Royal Society in London in October 1996. The Permanent Service on Mean Sea Level continued to provide data and provides the GLOSS Bulletin which is available on the World Wide Web. The IAPSO Standard Sea Water Service also continued service to the international oceanographic community.
The IAPSO Commission for Cooperation with Developing Countries completed a draft of an IAPSO publication on Oceanography in Developing Countries. Present Plans are to publish that in cooperation with a university in India. The publication incorporates papers presented at the IUGG General Assembly in 1991 and the IAPSO General Assembly in 1995.
The Tsunami Commission is now jointly sponsored by IAPSO, IASPEI, and IAVCEI. The IAVCEI sponsorship was added in 1996.
The General Assembly of IAPSO held in Honolulu, Hawaii in August 1995 was the largest and involved the greatest number of countries in the history of IAPSO. A substantial effort, spanning three years of preparations had been made to include all known working oceanographers in the world in the IAPSO mailing list and to implement an up-to-date, PC based data base.
The Honolulu General Assembly included 13 symposia and two workshops. The Symposia were:
The Working Group on Laboratory Modelling of Dynamic Processes in the Ocean's meeting entitled "Boundary Effects in Stratified and/or Rotating Fluids," St. Petersburg, Russia, June 6-8, 1995
IAPSO Commission on Mean Sea Level and Tides joint workshop with the IOC Global Sea Level Observing System Group of Experts in Bordeaux, France, January 1995
The Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level took part in an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Lead Authors meeting in Brighton, UK, 1995
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