Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)

APPLICATION FORM - 2024

The QMS proficiency testing scheme includes microbiological samples in food. The following form contains the calendar of rounds followed by
descriptions of the samples and prices.
Please complete all sections below and return to LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing: [email protected]

Returning customer Lab Purchase order no.:

ID: (compulsory)

YOUR ORDER

If you would like to renew your order as per your previous year’s order, please tick this box: RENEW ME AS LAST YEAR

We will copy over the samples/rounds purchased by you in the previous year and send you an order confirmation for your review. If you would like to add any
other samples to your order, please mark them accordingly on the subsequent pages.
If you would prefer to place a different/new order for this scheme year, please review the samples available on subsequent pages and indicate the number
of samples required for each sample/round accordingly.

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

Month Round Despatch Date Reporting Deadline Samples Available

JAN MC333 08 Jan 2024 12 Feb 2024 06F, 07D, 08D, 09D, 10D, 15F, 16D, 16F, 17D, 17F, 23F, 24F
FEB MC334 05 Feb 2024 11 Mar 2024 05F, 06D, 06SP, 07F, 07VG, 09F, 10F, 13F, 16D, 16F, 17F, 18F, 20D, 21, 23D, 26D, 36, 36SP, 37, 42
MAR MC335 04 Mar 2024 08 Apr 2024 06EG, 06F, 07F, 08F, 09D, 10F, 16D, 16F, 17D, 17F, 22F, 23F, 24F, 33, 34, 35, 40, 47, 52
APR MC336 02 Apr 2024 07 May 2024 04F, 06F, 06TE, 07D, 09F, 10D, 11D, 12F, 14D, 15D, 16D, 16F, 17F, 23D, 26F, 29, 38, 39D, 41, 43, 46EG, 48
MAY MC337 07 May 2024 10 Jun 2024 03D, 04D, 06D, 06HB, 07CH, 07F, 08F, 09D, 10F, 16D, 16F, 17D, 17F, 18D, 21, 23D, 24D, 24HB, 32, 36, 36HB, 37, 44, 53
JUN MC338 03 Jun 2024 08 Jul 2024 06F, 06VG, 07F, 10F, 13F, 16D, 16F, 17F, 20F, 22D, 23F, 25F, 26D, 45, 50
JUL MC339 01 Jul 2024 05 Aug 2024 06F, 07D, 08D, 09D, 10D, 15F, 16D, 16F, 17D, 17F, 23D, 24F, 27
AUG MC340 05 Aug 2024 09 Sep 2024 04D, 06D, 06HB, 07F, 07HB, 09F, 16D, 16F, 17F, 18F, 21, 23F, 26F, 36, 36SP, 37, 51
SEP MC341 02 Sep 2024 07 Oct 2024 05D, 06CH, 06F, 07F, 08F, 09D, 10F, 16D, 16F, 17D, 17F, 22F, 23D, 24F, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 54
SEP MC342 30 Sep 2024 04 Nov 2024 06CF, 06F, 07D, 10F, 11F, 13F, 14D, 15D, 16D, 16F, 17F, 20D, 23D, 25D, 26D, 27, 38, 39D
NOV MC343 04 Nov 2024 09 Dec 2024 04D, 06D, 06SP, 07F, 08F, 09D, 10D, 16D, 16F, 17D, 17F, 18D, 21, 23F, 24D, 24SP, 32, 36, 36HB, 37
DEC MC344 02 Dec 2024 06 Jan 2025 06F, 06NS, 07F, 09F, 10F, 11D, 16D, 16F, 17F, 22F, 23D, 26F

Please ensure that LGC receive your order as soon as possible in order to avoid stock shortages. Please note that orders received the week prior to the
despatch date may be subject to a despatch delay.
The despatch date shown above is the date the sample will leave our site in the UK. Please note, this is not the date the samples will arrive at your laboratory.
Delivery times vary based on country, if you require further information, please contact LGC.

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

SAMPLE AVAILABILITY – PLEASE SEE PAGE 1 FOR SPECIFIC DESPATCH AND REPORTING DATES

Please indicate the number of samples required per round in the grid. If you require a sample in all available rounds, please complete the ALL column.

Please note: Where a footnote symbol ( * | # |^ | † ) appears in a column, the footnote description text may appear at the end of a table that may span across
multiple pages. Please scroll to the end of the table for these details.

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

PT-MC-03D 10g Dairy matrix Enumeration of Salmonella species

PT-MC-04D 25g Dairy matrix Detection of Cronobacter species in 10g; Cronobacter species in 25g

PT-MC-04F 25g Food matrix Detection of Cronobacter species in 10g; Cronobacter species in 25g

Enumeration of Osmophilic yeast; Osmophilic mould; Osmophilic yeast and

PT-MC-05D 10g Dairy matrix
mould (ISO 21527-2)

Enumeration of Osmophilic yeast; Osmophilic mould; Osmophilic yeast and

PT-MC-05F 10g Food matrix
mould (ISO 21527-2)

PT-MC-06CF. Vial+25g Chicken faeces Detection of Salmonella species

PT-MC-06CH Vial+25g Hard cheese Detection of Salmonella species

PT-MC-06D 25g Dairy matrix Detection of Salmonella species

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

PT-MC-06EG. Vial+25g Egg powder Detection of Salmonella species

PT-MC-06F 25g Food matrix Detection of Salmonella species

PT-MC-06HB Vial+25g Herbs Detection of Salmonella species

PT-MC-06NS Vial+25g Seeds and nuts Detection of Salmonella species

PT-MC-06SP Vial+25g Spices Detection of Salmonella species

PT-MC-06TE Vial+25g Tea Detection of Salmonella species

Mixed
PT-MC-06VG. Vial+25g Detection of Salmonella species
vegetables

PT-MC-07CH Vial+25g Hard cheese Detection of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes

PT-MC-07D 25g Dairy matrix Detection of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes

PT-MC-07F 25g Food matrix Detection of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

PT-MC-07HB Vial+25g Herbs Detection of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes

Mixed
PT-MC-07VG 25g Detection of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes
vegetables

PT-MC-08D 10g Dairy matrix Enumeration of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes

PT-MC-08F 10g Food matrix Enumeration of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes

PT-MC-09D 10g Dairy matrix Enumeration of Enterococci (faecal streptococci)

PT-MC-09F 10g Food matrix Enumeration of Enterococci (faecal streptococci)

Detection of Clostridium species; Clostridium perfringens;

PT-MC-10D 10g Dairy matrix
Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens; Clostridium species

Detection of Clostridium species; Clostridium perfringens;

PT-MC-10F 10g Food matrix
Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens; Clostridium species

Enumeration of mesophilic aerobic bacterial spores; Thermophilic aerobic

PT-MC-11D 10g Dairy matrix plate count; Thermophilic aerobic bacterial spores; High heat resistant
thermophilic aerobic spores (HHR-TSC)

Enumeration of mesophilic aerobic bacterial spores; Thermophilic aerobic

PT-MC-11F 10g Food matrix plate count; Thermophilic aerobic bacterial spores; High heat resistant
thermophilic aerobic spores (HHR-TSC)

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

PT-MC-12F 25g Food matrix Detection of Shigella species

PT-MC-13F 25g Food matrix Detection of Vibrio species; Vibrio parahaemolyticus

PT-MC-14D 25g Dairy matrix Detection of Yersinia species; Yersinia enterocolitica

Total anaerobic mesophilic count

PT-MC-15D 10g Dairy matrix Enumeration of anaerobic sulphite-reducing bacteria; Mesophilic anaerobic
spores; Sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores

Total anaerobic mesophilic count

PT-MC-15F 10g Food matrix Enumeration of anaerobic sulphite-reducing bacteria; Mesophilic anaerobic
spores; Sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores

Total aerobic mesophilic count; Enumeration of Coliforms;

PT-MC-16D 10g Dairy matrix
Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli

Total aerobic mesophilic count; Enumeration of Coliforms;

PT-MC-16F 10g Food matrix
Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli

Enumeration of Staphylococcus species; Coagulase positive staphylococci;

PT-MC-17D 10g Dairy matrix
Bacillus species; Bacillus cereus

Enumeration of Staphylococcus species; Coagulase positive staphylococci;

PT-MC-17F 10g Food matrix
Bacillus species; Bacillus cereus

Detection of Escherichia coli; Enterobacteriaceae; Coliforms

PT-MC-18D 10g Dairy matrix
Enumeration of Escherichia coli; Enterobacteriaceae; Coliforms

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

Detection of Escherichia coli; Enterobacteriaceae; Coliforms

PT-MC-18F 10g Food matrix
Enumeration of Escherichia coli; Enterobacteriaceae; Coliforms

PT-MC-20D 10g Dairy matrix Enumeration of Escherichia coli; Thermotolerant coliforms

PT-MC-20F 10g Food matrix Enumeration of Escherichia coli; Thermotolerant coliforms

Vial+min 25g Skimmed milk Detection of Campylobacter species in 10g NEW; Campylobacter species in
PT-MC-21.
sample powder 25g

PT-MC-22D 25g Dairy matrix Detection of Escherichia coli O157 (non-toxigenic strain)

PT-MC-22F 25g Food matrix Detection of Escherichia coli O157 (non-toxigenic strain)

Enumeration of Yeast; Mould; Yeast and Mould (ISO 21527-1)

PT-MC-23D 10g Dairy matrix
Identification of yeast and mould to genus and/or species level NEW

Enumeration of Yeast; Mould; Yeast and Mould (ISO 21527-1)

PT-MC-23F 10g Food matrix
Identification of yeast and mould to genus and/or species level NEW

PT-MC-24D 10g Dairy matrix Enumeration of lactic acid bacteria

PT-MC-24F 10g Food matrix Enumeration of lactic acid bacteria

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

PT-MC-24HB Vial+10g Herbs Enumeration of lactic acid bacteria

PT-MC-24SP Vial+10g Spices Enumeration of lactic acid bacteria

PT-MC-25D 10g Dairy matrix Enumeration of aerobic psychrotrophic organisms

PT-MC-25F 10g Food matrix Enumeration of aerobic psychrotrophic organisms

Enumeration of Pseudomonas species

PT-MC-26D 10g Dairy matrix
Detection of Pseudomonas species

Enumeration of Pseudomonas species

PT-MC-26F 10g Food matrix
Detection of Pseudomonas species

Enumeration of Bifidobacterium species; Lactobacillus species; Combined

PT-MC-27 Vial Vial
Enumeration of Lactobacillus species and Bifidobacterium species

Total aerobic mesophilic count; Enumeration of Coliforms; Coagulase

PT-MC-29 Vial+10g Tea
positive staphylococci; Yeast; Mould; Yeast and Mould

Skimmed milk
PT-MC-32. Vial+10g sample Enumeration of Campylobacter species
powder

PT-MC-33 Vial Vial Identification of unknown organism (non pathogen)

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

PT-MC-34 Vial Vial Identification of Salmonella species

PT-MC-35-
- Paper exercise Colony count and calculation of number of microorganisms
VIRTUAL

Quantitative Package (2 samples)

Total aerobic mesophilic count;
2 x Vial+min 20g
PT-MC-36 Dairy matrix Enumeration of total coliforms; Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli; Bacillus
sample
cereus; Coagulase positive staphylococci; Yeast; Mould; Yeast and mould
Detection of coagulase positive staphylococci

Quantitative Package (2 samples)

Total aerobic mesophilic count;
2 x Vial+min 20g
PT-MC-36HB Herbs Enumeration of total coliforms; Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli; Bacillus
sample
cereus; Coagulase positive staphylococci; Yeast; Mould; Yeast and mould
Detection of coagulase positive staphylococci

Quantitative Package (2 samples)

Total aerobic mesophilic count;
2 x Vial+min 20g
PT-MC-36SP Spices Enumeration of total coliforms; Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli; Bacillus
sample
cereus; Coagulase positive staphylococci; Yeast; Mould; Yeast and mould
Detection of coagulase positive staphylococci

Qualitative Package (2 samples)

2 x Vial + min 200g Detection of Escherichia coli O157 (non-toxigenic strain); Listeria species;
PT-MC-37 Dairy matrix
sample Listeria monocytogenes; Salmonella species;
Identification of Listeria species; Salmonella species NEW

Vial+min 20g
PT-MC-38 Dairy matrix Detection of Clostridium perfringens; Coagulase positive staphylococci
sample

PT-MC-39D 10g Dairy matrix Bacterial level by Bactoscan; Bacterial level by colony count

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

Vial+min 375g
PT-MC-40 Dairy matrix Detection of Salmonella species in 375g
sample

Dried food Total aerobic mesophilic count

PT-MC-41 -
Vial+10g matrix (ready Enumeration of Coliforms; Coagulase positive Staphylococci; Yeast; Mould;
Ready meal
meal) Yeast and Mould; Enterobacteriaceaec; Escherichia coli

PT-MC-42 Vial+ 25g Dairy matrix Detection of Cronobacter species (low level)

Vial+min 375g
PT-MC-43 Dairy matrix Detection of Cronobacter species in 375g
sample

Detection of Escherichia coli O157 (non-toxigenic strain); Listeria species;

Vial+min 100g Ready-to-eat
PT-MC-44 Listeria monocytogenes; Salmonella species
sample food matrix
Identification of Listeria species

Enumeration of thermophilic acidophilic bacteria (Alicyclobacillus spp);

PT-MC-45 Vial+10g Fruit
Detection of guaiacol producing thermophilic acidophilic bacteria

Detection of Salmonella Typhimurium and/or Salmonella Enteritidis (2

PT-MC-46EG 2 x 25g Egg powder
samples)

PT-MC-47 Vial+125g matrix Dairy matrix Detection of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes in 125g

2 x Vial + min 100g Detection of Salmonella species in 25g; Cronobacter species in 10g or 25g (2
PT-MC-48 * Infant formula
matrix samples)

Total aerobic mesophilic count; Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae;

PT-MC-50 * Vial+10g matrix Cheese matrix
Coliforms; Coagulase positive staphylococci

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

Samples Available Round and Month (MC)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP SEP NOV DEC
Sample Quantity Supplied As Target Analytes ALL
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344

Vial (may or may

PT-MC-51 * not contain
5 x 10ml vials Commercial sterility
NEW microorganisms
at low levels)

Vial containing
single organism
(contents may
PT-MC-52 Confirmation and /or Identification of Gram-negative organisms (including
3 x 10ml vials include
NEW Salmonella) to genus and/or species
pathogens and/
or non-
pathogens)

Vial containing
single organism
(contents may
PT-MC-53 Confirmation and /or Identification of Gram-positive organisms (including
3 x 10ml vials include
NEW Listeria) to genus and/or species
pathogens and/
or non-
pathogens)
Vial containing
up to 5 different
organisms
PT-MC-54 (contents may
1 x 10ml vial Identification of organisms to genus and/or species
NEW include
pathogens and/
or non-
pathogens)
*Please note that these samples are not currently within the scope of LGC’s UKAS accreditation.
†Please note that a volume discount may apply to this price, depending on the number of Food Microbiology (QMS) PT Scheme samples purchased. For
further details, please see the Volume Quantity Discount section.

For details on the full technical specification of the scheme, please refer to the QMS Scheme Description.

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

YOUR DETAILS

Returning customers, if you would like to keep your contact/address details as per previous
year, please tick here:

If changes are required or you are a new customer, please complete your details below:

Send Test Materials to: Send Invoices to:

Contact name: Contact name:

Department: Department:

Company: Company:

Address: Address:

Town/City: Town/City:

County: County:

Post/Zip Code: Post/Zip Code:

Country: Country:

Tel: Tel:

E-mail: E-mail:

VAT no:

Existing customers
If you would like to change your marketing preferences, please visit our preference centre or contact
[email protected]

New customers
LGC would like to contact you by email, phone or post about its products, services and related areas
or research. LGC does not sell contact details to external parties. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Yes, I am happy to be contacted about LGC’s products, services and research

No, I do not require marketing information about LGC’s products and services at this time

By submitting this application form, you are agreeing to comply by LGC’s Standard Terms and Conditions
for the Supply of Laboratory Quality Products and Services and are agreeing that you have read and agree
to the ‘General Notes’ at the end of this document.

Name Date

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

VOLUME QUANTITY DISCOUNT

Please note that any additional/duplicate samples ordered will not contribute to the calculation of volume
discount, but will be charged at a lower rate (see Repeat/Additional samples section).
Samples purchased per order Volume Discount
1-5 0.0%
6-9 10.0%
10-19 17.0%
20-29 27.0%
30-49 30.0%
50+ 33.0%

REPEAT/ADDITIONAL SAMPLES PRICES

Repeat and duplicate samples will be charged at 50% of the main sample cost. Please contact LGC for a
quotation.

CARRIAGE CHARGES

Participants will pay an additional fee to cover courier charges. Please contact LGC AXIO Proficiency
Testing for up-to-date charges.

CHANGES AND OTHER SCHEMES/SAMPLES OF INTEREST

CHANGES
We have introduced a new sample as follows:

• Sample PT-MC-51 (Commercial Sterility testing in milk). This will be available in round MC340
(August 2024).

Further to low participation, we have decided to discontinue the CONF-IDENT scheme and incorporate
some of the samples into the Food Microbiology (QMS) scheme. The following samples are for the
confirmation and/or identification of organisms to genus and/or species and are accredited under LGC’s
flexible scope of UKAS accreditation:

• Sample PT-MC-52 (Gram-negative panel). This will be available in round MC335 (March 2024).
• Sample PT-MC-53 (Gram-positive panel). This will be available in round MC337 (May 2024).
• Sample PT-MC-54 (Mixed culture for identification). This will be available in round MC341
(September 2024).

We have added new analytes as follows:

• Detection of Campylobacter species (10g) to PT-MC-21 (Detection of Campylobacter species).

• Identification of Salmonella species to PT-MC-37 (Qualitative Package)
• Identification of Yeast and mould to PT-MC-23D and PT-MC-23F (Yeast and mould)

We have changed the format of samples PT-MC-06EG, PT-MC-06CF, PT-MC-06VG (Detection of

Salmonella species), PT-MC-21 (Detection of Campylobacter species) and PT-MC-32 (Enumeration of
Campylobacter species) participants will now receive a sample plus matrix in each round.

OTHER SCHEMES/SAMPLES OF INTEREST

We have a number of other Food and Feed schemes available which may be of interest to you. Further
details can be found on our Food and Feed schemes webpage.

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 Proficiency Testing - Food Microbiology (QMS)
APPLICATION FORM - 2024

We also have a sample which may be of interest to you PT-CH-68 (Staph enterotoxins). Further information
can be found on our PT-CH-68 web page.

GENERAL NOTES

Please note:

• All prices stated are exclusive of VAT and carriage charges.

• VAT (charged at the prevailing rate) is payable by all participants based in the UK.
• Participants will pay an additional fee to cover courier charges. Please contact LGC AXIO Proficiency
Testing for up-to-date charges (where not specified previously in the application form).
• All courier charges set by LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing do not include local import charges, taxes
(etc.), which will be covered by the participant.
• Do not send remittance with this form, you will be invoiced subsequently after the despatch of each
round.
• No refunds will be given for failure to take part in any round of the PT scheme.
• LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing reserves the right to not send samples or the report for previous
samples to any participant that has not paid their subscriptions within the terms stated on the
invoice.
• LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing cannot guarantee the number of participants that will return results
for any particular parameter in each round.
• The prices stated are for reporting results and receiving reports electronically via PORTAL (internet
reporting).
• Surplus PT samples (Quality Control Material) are available; please contact LGC AXIO Proficiency
Testing for further information.
• By submitting this application form, you are agreeing to comply by LGC’s Standard Terms and
Conditions for the Supply of Laboratory Quality Products and Services. Furthermore, for test
samples containing microorganisms with a bio safety level (BSL) of 1 or 2, you are confirming that you
are complying with applicable laws and regulations when using such materials.

LGC AXIO PT - INTERNAL USE ONLY

Name Renew ALY

Customer Year for PY
Site Dt
Currency Doc Text
Address ID Quotation
PO no Other
Carriage Additional

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