CLASS TIMINGS - Science: 10:30 A.M. to 04:30 P.M. | Arts: 12:30 P.M. to 06:30 P.M. | Commerce: 02:30 P.M. to 07:30 P.M.

VIDYASAGAR METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

Established in the year 1961
NAAC Accredited  |  Affiliated to Calcutta University

Dept. SCIENCE
Dept. SCIENCE

Faculty & Departments - Science - Physiology

Back to Faculty & Departments

The department was established in the year 1988. This was a huge boost for the Biological Science Unit of the College. The first faculty was recruited in 1989. The primary objective of the department was to break the popular parlance that departments of Evening Colleges are no match to their Day College Counterparts. Keeping the above perspective in vision, the department envisaged further- the progression was slow yet steady- quality students passing out every year.

Maintaining the tempo of upliftment along with farsightedness, the department succeeded in introducing the Honours Stream in Physiology in the year 2007. This achievement was pleasing -to overcome a path strewn with barriers of all sorts and stature.However, even tougher challenges lay ahead. If opening the Honours Section was strenuous, its sustenance was even more an upheaval task with stiff competition from Physiology Departments of neighbouring colleges- particularly from Evening Colleges in the same locality established way back. Despite all constraints, nine Honours Batches have passed out in flying colours from 2010-2018.

Our students Debopriyo Mukherjee and Subhashis Dey have secured First (First Class First) and Eighth (First Class Eighth) positions respectively in the B.Sc. Hons. Examination of the University of Calcutta in the year 2018.In the year 2019, Souti Das from our department secured the Fifth (First Class Fifth) position.

  • Year of Establishment: 1988
  • Names of Programmes/Courses offered:
    • CBCS: B.Sc. (Hons. & Gen)
    • CCF: B.Sc. 4-year Major & 3-year MDC
  • Annual/Semester/Choice Based Credit System (programme wise):
    • Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) for students admitted up to AY 2022-23 and
    • Curriculum and Credit Framework (CCF) system for students admitted 2023-24 onwards
  • Participation of the department in the courses offered by other departments: Students of B.Sc. General and 3-year MDC study Zoology and Botany.
  • Courses in collaboration with other universities, industries, foreign institutions, etc.: None
  • Skill enhancement courses offered:
    • SEC A- Hematological Techniques
    • SEC B- Detection of Food Additives/Adulterants and Xenobiotics
  • Discipline specific Elective papers offered:
    • Microbiology & Immunology (DSE A2)
    • Community and Public Health (DSE A4)
    • Work, Exercise and Sports Physiology (DSE B1)
    • Chronobiology and Stress Physiology (DSE B3)
  • Infrastructural facilities:
    • Library: One seminar library.
    • Internet facilities for Staff & Students: Two computers in the department.
    • Practical Laboratories: One in the old campus (shared) and one in the new building.
    • Distillation Plant.
    • Equipment like Hot air Oven; Water bath Shaker; Fine Electronic Balance; Microtome etc.
  • Pride of the department: Our achievers spread far and wide
    • Our student Debopriyo Mukherjee has secured First Position (First Class First) in the B.Sc. Hons. Examination of University of Calcutta in the year 2018.
    • Some holding respectable positions in Reputed Pharmaceutical Companies like GSK, Abbott, Lupin, Cipla, Medley, Nordisk, Sun Pharma and few more.
    • Many of them are associated with reputed Health Institutions as paramedics.
    • Two of them have cracked the West Bengal Civil Service Examination.
    • Many of them have successfully completed Post Graduation and serving different Colleges as Guest Faculty.
    • In fact, three of the Ex-students have joined the department as Guest Faculty.
    • A couple of them have secured Rank in the Undergraduate Examination of the University and completed Post Graduation from the University of Calcutta.
  • Results & Rank Certificates

Course Outcomes:
  • The students who pursue Physiology (H) have to study a variety of topics included in their core courses. All the topics encompass the human system. Moreover, there are skill enhancement courses taught in Semester III and IV that have a direct practical approach and useful in everyday life.
  • The core course (CC1TH) taught in Semester I include a detailed discussion on Cell Biology. It is imperative to study the physiology of cell as the latter constitutes the building block of any living system. Apart from that genetics is also included to provide an insight into the structure of chromosomes and cell division. A closely related portion Cell Signalling is taught in CC3TH in Semester II that deals with the mechanism of action of a number of chemical substances in our body. A detailed study on Enzymology is also included in the curriculum as enzymes form the integral part of all the biochemical reactions that are constantly taking place in human body. In addition, the clinical aspect of different enzymes, i.e, how these enzymes function in diseased condition are also taught in Clinical Biochemistry Section of SEC in Semester III. This Clinical Biochemistry section also deals with the pathophysiological aspects of a number of compounds that are otherwise continuously formed due to the metabolic activities of our body.
  • The core course (CC2TH) taught in Semester I also include Biophysics that has its own importance. It encompasses diffusion, osmosis, surface tension and viscosity that are vital properties of the different body fluids. Any alteration in these parameters can pose serious threat in the homeostasis of our body. The students also need to study pH and buffer as well as thermodynamics in this section which are important for the establishment of equilibrium in human system. Since physiology has intensive practical courses, so the students have to study instrumentation in details ranging from different types of microscopes, colorimeter and spectrophotometer. This core course also introduces Biochemistry wherein the fundamental basis of biomolecules is discussed vividly- carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, peptides and proteins, purines and pyrimidines and nucleic acids.
  • The topics included in practical syllabus are arranged in such a manner that they are synchronized with their respective theory syllabus for every core course paper being taught. The practical syllabi for Semester I broadly covers cell biology and qualitative estimation of physiologically important biochemical substances.
  • The core course (CC3TH) taught in Semester II involve nerve-muscle physiology that constitute a very vital part of System Physiology dealing with our ability to carry out movement of different body parts. The CC4TH paper includes Nervous System that is the most important topic of System Physiology almost single handedly controlling the functioning of the different systems of our body. Moreover, it deals with the higher functions of brain like memory, learning, cognition etc that exhibits the supremacy of human race over other mammals. Here the students also have to study in brief about the principles and uses of CT scan, MRI and PET scan-advanced tools to diagnose complications in the body. The practical papers include dissection of amphibians like toad to understand nerve-muscle physiology and also some experiments on histology.
  • The core courses (CC5TH, CC6TH & CC7TH) taught in Semester III involve System Physiology including Haematology, Cardiovascular System and Respiratory System respectively. Haematology deals with blood and body fluids that entail different components of blood, their origin, function and fate. Moreover, the different blood related disorders will be covered. The manner of ascertaining blood group will also be discussed. In addition, the clinical aspect of Haematology will be taught under Haematological techniques in SEC section in Semester III. To make the theoretical knowledge more effective, related practical involving identification of blood cells and complete haemogram have been included.
  • The syllabus on Cardiovascular System is elaborate wherein how human heart functions, its properties and disorders have been covered. The process of electrocardiography (ECG) has been discussed in details both as theory as well as in practical form. The neural and chemical regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis and coronary circulation has been covered. At the same time in the practical portion, measurement of blood pressure of human has been incorporated. Moreover, amphibian experiments related to the effects of drugs on perfused heart are included in the practical segment.
  • The syllabus of Respiratory System involves mechanics of breathing, pulmonary circulation, transport of gases in human body, neural and chemical regulation of respiration. In addition, disorders of breathing have also been incorporated. The practical experiments include pneumographic recording of different effects on respiration as well as lung function tests using spirometer.
  • The core courses (CC8TH, CC9TH & CC10TH) taught in Semester IV involve Digestive System & Metabolism; Molecular Biology & Methodologies; Nutrition & Dietetics respectively. The syllabus on Digestive System and Metabolism involves detailed study of digestive glands, their secretions, mechanism of digestion and absorption as well as disorders of the digestive system. The Metabolism syllabus includes elaborate study on the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. The practical segment corroborates with the theory part wherein experiments related to mammalian intestinal movements and effects of drugs will be performed. Quantitative estimation will be done under Biochemistry segment of practical.
  • The syllabus for CC9TH involve detailed study on Molecular Biology particularly DNA replication, transcription, translation and recombinant DNA technology. This paper also includes study of different Methodologies ranging from chromatography, electrophoresis, ultracentrifugation, RIA, ELISA, Western, Northern and Southern blotting techniques that have immense application in the field of research work. The practical part involves biochemical estimations using colorimetric methods.
  • The syllabus for CC10TH encompasses study on vitamins, minerals, dietary requirements of nutrients, and principles of formulation of balanced diets for different age groups as well as male and female. The practical part involves preparation of Report based on the Diet Survey carried out by each individual student. There is also qualitative analysis of foodstuffs like milk, potato, flour, rice and pulses.
  • The Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) to be taught in the 4th Semester include detection of the commonly applied food additives/adulterants and xenobiotics. This paper also has immense application in our daily life.
  • The core courses (CC11TH & CC12TH) to be taught in Semester V involve Special Senses and Endocrinology respectively. The syllabus on Special Senses includes vision, audition, olfaction and gustation. The practical paper includes determination of visual acuity, colour blindness and deafness. There is also identification of stained sections of different mammalian tissues and organs- this practical is included in CC11P, CC12P and CC13P.
  • The CC12TH provides a vast opportunity to study Endocrinology- the total hormone system acting on our body, the different endocrine glands like hypothalamus, pineal gland, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal gland- their respective secretions and mechanism of action. The local gastrointestinal hormones are also included. The practical segment corroborates with the theory part wherein experiments related to mammalian uterine movements and effects of drugs will be performed.
  • The core courses (CC13TH & CC14TH) to be taught in Semester VI involve Reproductive Physiology, Developmental Biology, Excretory System and Skin and Body Temperature Regulation respectively. The syllabus for CC13TH encompasses study on Reproductive Physiology involving detailed discussion on male and female reproductive system. There is also a segment Developmental Biology wherein stem cells, gastrulation, organogenesis and fetal circulation will be covered.
  • The syllabus for CC14TH includes an elaborate discussion on excretory system- renal circulation and its peculiarities; formation of urine; renal function tests; physiology of urinary bladder and micturition; non-excretory functions of kidney and disorders of renal system. It also includes skin and body temperature regulation that entails cutaneous circulation; sweat glands and their secretions; regulation of body temperature and pyrexia, hypothermia and hyperthermia. The practical segment for both CC13 as well as CC14 involve relevant topics like pregnancy test using immunological methods; identification of normal and abnormal constituents of urine; identification of histological sections of different glands and organs.
  • The Discipline Specific Electives (DSE) will be taught in Semester V and VI. These are basically applied aspects of Physiology involving biostatistics; microbiology and immunology; ergonomics and community and public health; work, exercise and sports physiology; advanced molecular biology and nanotechnology; chronobiology and stress physiology; toxicology and pharmacology.
  • It is imperative to learn statistics that augments higher studies. The syllabus of Biostatistics is designed to fulfill this requirement. Immunology and Microbiology are integral components of Physiology. A comprehensive understanding of these subjects is mandatory. The syllabus serves this aspect adequately. A very emerging and promising arena is Ergonomics- a branch that directly provides job opportunities. While studying human physiology, community and public health must be included.
  • Another significant applied field is Work, Exercise and Sports Physiology with ample opportunities for higher studies and job placements. To keep in pace with modern science and latest technologies, it is compulsory to have a knowledge of advanced molecular biology and nanotechnology. Henceforth this is included in the syllabus. Once a student is studying human physiology, it is extremely important to know toxicology and pharmacology. The use of different drugs in pathological conditions; their mechanism of actions and adverse effects have been incorporated in the syllabus.
  • The entire syllabus of Physiology Honours that will be taught in the Under Graduate programme is very compact, well-structured and the students will going to reap benefits if they study thoroughly.
Program Specific Outcomes (PSOs): Benefits of studying B.Sc. Hons. in Physiology
  • The subject Physiology is an integral component of Basic Science. However since the University Curriculum primarily entails Human Physiology, so quite obviously it not only remains a part of Basic Science but also becomes a part of Medical Science.
  • One of the benefits of studying B.Sc. Hons. in Physiology is that, a student can expand his horizon of knowledge immensely as the subject has an interdisciplinary approach. Apart from core System Physiology, it encompasses Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Food & Nutrition, Biophysics and a number of other inter-related arena.
  • A number of avenues open up once a student passes the undergraduate examination. They can pursue higher studies in terms of Post Graduation at different Universities. Moreover not only Physiology, students can study Biotechnology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Marine Science, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Food & Nutrition at Post Graduate Level.
  • For those who want to start a job-oriented career, they can get engaged in different Pharmaceutical Companies as Medical Representative. Those who want to join as School Teacher can opt for the same by qualifying School Service Commission. They can also compete at different competitive examinations for numerous state and central government organizations.
Program Outcomes (POs): Benefits of studying Honours Courses
  • The students who take up Honours Courses always have an advantage primarily in terms of job opportunities in the government as well as private sectors. They become eligible for appearing in School Service Commission both at state and national levels which is a prerequisite for school teaching all over the country. Moreover having a honours degree renders a candidate significant mileage in different competitive examinations, viz, in banking sector, staff selection commission, public service commission and in civil service examination to name a few. Students with Honours degree always have an edge when they appear in interviews even for jobs in private sector. Job prospects also blossom for those with Honours degree.
  • Names of Interdisciplinary courses and the departments/units involved:
    The faculties of the department are engaged in teaching Physiology as IDC paper for the Geography Major students in the second semester, 2024 (Under CCF 2022). Furthermore, they will be teaching Life style Diseases and their Prevention as common value-added course (CVAC) for all the students of the second semester, 2024 (Under CCF 2022)

...
Dr. Tamal Das
  • Assistant Professor, HoD
  • M.Sc., Ph.D.
  • +91 89618 24708
  • findtamal@rediffmail.com
  • View Profile
...
Sri. Rahul Majumder
  • SACT #
  • M.Sc.
  • +91 98319 22420
  • rahulmajumder37@gmail.com
  • View Profile
...
Dr. Aindrila Das
  • SACT #
  • M.Sc., B.Ed., Ph.D.
  • +91 74393 42868
  • aindrila_11@yahoo.co.in
  • View Profile
...
Sri Dipak Dhar
  • SACT #
  • M.Sc.
  • +91 97481 93022
  • dhar.deepak94@gmail.com
  • View Profile
...
Smt. Rituparna Addy
  • SACT #
  • M.Sc.
  • +91 96812 79751
  • rituparnaaddy@gmail.com
  • View Profile
...
Smt. Sanchari Chakraborty
  • SACT #
  • M.Sc.
  • +91 86978 57384
  • sanchari21k@gmail.com
  • View Profile
...
Smt. Upasana Chowdhury
  • SACT #
  • M.Sc.
  • +91 79801 91646
  • abctina1992@gmail.com
  • View Profile
Laboratory
...
Sri. Dulal Murmu
...
Sri. Harish Sen
# State Aided College Teacher

  • Upasana Chowdhury, Tamal Das, Sahana Mazumder and Somnath Gangopadhyay. Work related musculoskeletal disorders and mental health among nursing personnel in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal, India. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health.13(2), 2023, 234- 244.DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v13i2.47775. ISSN: 2091-0878 (Online); ISSN: 2738-9707 (Print)
  • Upasana Chowdhury, Tamal Das, Sahana Mazumder and Somnath Gangopadhyay. Musculoskeletal Disorders and Psychosocial Stress at Work: A Comprehensive Study on Indian Nurses. Nursing & Midwifery Research Journal. 2024; 20(2): 82-95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0974150X241248006.
  • Debojyoti Mukherjee, Tamal Das and Amit Bandyopadhyay. Yoga for stress alleviation: a psychophysiological perspective. Journal of physical fitness medicine and treatment in sports. 10 (1): 555780-001- 0012. DOI: 10.19080/JPFMTS.2023.10.555780
  • Krishnendu Sarkar, Samrat Dev, Tamal Das and Somnath Gangopadhyay.Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorder among the Manual Material Handling Workers of Central Market Area Kolkata, India. Int.J.Curr.Res.Aca.Rev., 2016; 4(3): 16-24 (Impact Factor 2.519).
  • Sabarni Chakrabarty, Krishnendu Sarkar, Samrat Dev, Tamal Das, Kalpita Mitra, Subhashis Sahu and Somnath Gangopadhyay. Impact of Rest Breaks on Musculoskeletal Discomfort of Chikan Embroiderers of West Bengal, India: A Follow up Field Study. Journal of Occupational Health (Japan), 2016; 58:365-372 (Impact Factor 1.446).
  • Debojyoti Mukherjee, Tamal Das and Amit Bandyopadhyay. Yoga in Stress Alleviation: A Therapeutic and Psychodynamic Perspective. Indian Journal of Physiology and Allied Sciences, 2024, 76(1), pp 9- 17.
  • Aindrila Das and Samir Kumar Ghosh.Influence of Breakfast on Mental Ability and Correlation with Protein Intake: A Case Control Study". Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 7.5 (2023): 102-108. DOI: 10.31080/ASNH.2023.07.1239.
  • Aindrila Das, Sreejit Ghosh, Samir Kumar Ghosh and Rajib Biswas.Evaluation of Physical Growth Status of Boys from Low Income Families of Slums of Kolkata. J Hum Ecol, (2014), 45(1): 69-75.
  • Aindrila Das, Samir K. Ghosh, Goutam Paul and Mrinal K. Poddar. Role of Physical Activity on Calorie-Induced Changes in Cognition and Depression of Young and Aged Humans. The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, (2017), 54(3): 316-335.
  • Aindrila Das, Samir K. Ghosh, Goutam Paul and Mrinal K. Poddar. Effect of Excess Calorie Consumption on Depression of Young And Aged Human Males: Impact of Physical Activity. Acta Scientific Nutritional Health, (2019), 3(8): 38-47.
  • Aindrila Das, Nafisa Hasmat, Samir Kumar Ghosh & Subhashis Sahu. Effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting and pattern of nutrients intake on BMI and MUAC of a population consisting of Indian Muslims. Biological Rhythm Research, DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2019.1700328.
  • Aindrila Das, Samir K. Ghosh, Goutam Pauland Mrinal K. Poddar.Does Physical Activity Improve Ageing and/or Excess Calorie Induced Cognitive Impairment of Male Humans? J Nutri Bio, 6(1): 391-404 (2020).
  • Aindrila Das, Swannabha Chowdhury and Samir Kumar Ghosh. In the Cloud of Stress- Revisiting the Complex Cycle of Junk Food Consumption, Micronutrient Imbalance and Cognitive Perturbation. Acta Scientific Nutritional Health. ASNH-24-RW-071.
  • Barnali Ray Basu, Sanchari Chakraborty, Ankita Samaddar, Randrita Pal, Sudip K. Saha, Nilansu Das. Vitamin D and pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study. Journal of Diabetology, 2023; 14(2):84-89. DOI: 10.4103/jod.jod_122_22.
  • Prethi Mallick, Sanchari Chakraborty, Randrita Pal, Ankita Samaddar, Sudip Kumar Saha, Barnali Ray Basu. Readdressing pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome in post-COVID new normal era: A pilot study. BOHR International Journal on Gynaecology, 2023; 2(1):1-9. DOI: 10.54646/bijg.2023.08.
  • Randrita Pal, Ankita Samaddar, Sanchari Chakraborty, Barnali Ray Basu. Genetic polymorphism: evolution with technological advances and future direction (Review Article). Indian Journal of Physiology and Allied Sciences, 2022; 74(4)12-15. ISSN: 0367-8350 (Print). DOI: https://doi.org/10.55184/ijpas.v74i04.35.

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Title/Topic Link
TEXT BOOKS ON HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
"Text Book of Medical Physiology" by Guyton and Hall. Detail
"Text Book of Medical Physiology" by Indu Khurana and Arushi Khurana. Detail
Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology. Detail
BIOCHEMISTRY
"Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry" by David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox. Detail
"Biochemistry" by Gregory Joseph Stryer st, al. Detail
CELL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
"Cell and Molecular Biology Concepts and Experiments" by G. Karp. Detail
"Molecular Biology of the Cell" by Bruce Alberts. Detail
NEUROSCIENCE
"Neuroscience" by Dale Purves. Detail
Principles of Neural Science" by Eric R. Kandel at. al. Detail
FOOD & NUTRITION
"Principles of Human Nutrition" by Martin Eastwood. Detail
"Fundamentals of Food Nutrition and Diet Therapy" by S. R. Mudambi and M. V. Rajagopal. Detail
ENDOCRINOLOGY
Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. Detail
Harrison's Endocrinology. Detail
REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
Yen Jaffes' Reproductive Endocrinology Physiology. Detail
"Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology", edited by Bruce A. et. al. Detail
EMBRYOLOGY & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
Langman's Embryology. Detail
"Developmentsl Biology" by Scott F. Gilbert. Detail
MICROBIOLOGY
"Microbiology" by Michael J. Pelczar. Detail
Prescotts Microbiology. Detail
IMMUNOLOGY
Kuby Immunology. Detail
Janeway's Immunobiology. Detail
COMMUNITY & PUBLIC HEALTH
Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine (Park). Detail
TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
"Basic Clinical Pharmacology" by Bertram G. Katzung. Detail
"Essentials of Medical Pharmacology" by K. D. Tripathi. Detail
WORK, EXERCISE AND SPORTS PHYSIOLOGY
"Exercise Physiology Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance" by Scott K. Powers and Edward T. Howley. Detail
"Exercise Physiology Nutrition, Energy and Human Performance" by William D. McArdle, Frank I. Katch and Victor L. Katch. Detail
ERGONOMICS
"Engineering Physiology: Bases of Human Factors Engineering Ergonomics" by Karl H. E. Kroemar. Detail
"Fitting the Human: Introduction to Ergonomics Human Factors Engineering" by Karl H. E. Kroemar. Detail
BIOSTATISTICS
"Biostatistics: A Foundation for Analysis in the Health Sciences" by Wayne W. Daniel. Detail
"Practical Biostatistics: A User-Friendly Approach for Evidence-Based Medicine" by Mendel Suchmacher and Mauro Geller. Detail


  • Mr. Rajendra Chatterjee
    Year 2010
    Scientific Manager,
    Diagnostics Division,
    Cipla Ltd., Mumbai

  • Mr. Mohtasim Akhter
    Year 2012
    IPS, SDPO,
    Beldanga, Murshidabad

  • Paromita Ghosh
    Year 2014
    WBCS (Executive) Officer
    Posted as BDO,
    Haripal Hooghly

  • Mr. Arindam Dey
    Year 2016

  • Ms. Disha Chakraborty
    Year 2017
    - External Faculty: Institute of Child Health, Faculty of Nursing
    - Biosciences Faculty: Ziel Classes

  • Ms. Madhurima De
    Year 2019
    Assistant Science Teacher
    Aditya Academy Junior
    (Cantonment Branch)

  • Ms. Debleena Ghosh
    Year 2020
    - Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of Physiology (Occupational Ergonomics Laboratory, University of Calcutta)
    - Lecturer, Dept. of Physiology, Kishore Bharati Bhagini Nivedita College, Kolkata

Detail Phone E-mail
Dr. Tamal Das (HOD) -- findtamal@rediffmail.com
Rahul Majumder -- rahulmajumder37@gmail.com
Dr. Aindrila Das -- aindrila_11@yahoo.co.in
Rituparna Addy -- rituparnaaddy@gmail.com
Dipak Dhar -- dhar.deepak94@gmail.com
Upasana Chowdhury -- ucergo1992@gmail.com
Sanchari Chakraborty -- sanchari21k@gmail.com

Department of Physiology, VMC


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