Episodi

  • #55 - Standardization B4 Intelligence: Building the AI-Ready Lab Stack

    #55 - Standardization B4 Intelligence: Building the AI-Ready Lab Stack
    Jan 15 2026
    Guests:🎙️ Lukas Bromig - Co-CEO & Founder at UniteLabs (Munich), building infrastructure for AI-ready labs👩‍🔬 Hosts: Sura Hadi & Mike Ouren🎧 Episode Title:“Standardization Before Intelligence: Building the AI-Ready Lab Stack”AI is moving fast - but labs are still stuck in the interface gap.In this episode, Lukas Bromig joins Helical Brew to explain why standardization is the real bottleneck before AI can safely and reliably run anything in the lab.If every instrument speaks a different protocol, orchestration becomes faith-based. If your workflows live inside black boxes, AI can generate intent — but it won’t generate executable reality.We break down what “AI-ready” actually means, why “just integrate it” is a dangerous phrase, and why the future lab needs an operating system — not another stack of point solutions.🎯 What You’ll LearnThe “non-controversial” standard labs still argue about endlessly (and why).Why Bluetooth/USB-level interoperability doesn’t exist in labs (yet).The 3 layers of standardization: device interface → data structure → workflow language.Why most automation projects stall because of just a few instruments.What “AI-ready” means in practical terms inside the lab (not the boardroom).Why AI-generated code is often pseudocode that won’t run — and what fixes that.Where AI should NOT execute in robotics workflows (and why you need a “compiler layer”).Why “no black boxes” + full visibility is the core requirement of a Lab OS.How buyers can force change: making open interfaces a procurement requirement.💡 Picks of the Week🧠 Lukas — Claude Code for rapid prototyping + fountain pens (bring handwriting back)🧰 Mike — SLAS Boston + Passport to Prizes (win a trip to SLAS Europe Vienna 2026)👩‍🔬 Sura — Making interoperability + ownership a first-class requirement in lab design👇 Discussion PromptIf AI exposes weak foundations faster than it creates new capability…what should labs standardize first: device protocols, data structures, or workflow language?Drop your take — we’ll pin the best answers.🎬 Chapters00:00 – Cold Open: Standardization Before Intelligence00:18 – Welcome to Helical Brew + Introducing Lukas Bromig01:10 – Icebreaker: The lab standard that shouldn’t be controversial03:00 – Why every instrument interface is different05:05 – “Just integrate it” is a dangerous phrase07:10 – The black box problem in lab automation software10:00 – Rebuilding the same integrations over and over13:10 – Why standardization is the real bottleneck15:30 – The three layers of lab standardization19:10 – Data structure vs data format (why context matters)22:40 – Why AI-generated SOP code doesn’t actually run26:10 – The missing compiler layer: validation + error handling29:40 – Why AI should never directly control instruments32:30 – What a real Lab Operating System enables36:10 – Scientists vs automation engineers: future roles39:40 – Standardization without killing flexibility43:00 – Procurement leverage: demanding open interfaces46:00 – Infrastructure decisions that matter in 5 years49:10 – Picks of the Week53:20 – SLAS Boston, UniteLabs & Wrap-Up🔔 Subscribe to Helical BrewWe explore the intersection of AI, automation, and the future of science.Subscribe → / @helicalbrew 📩 Want to promote or be a guest? helicalbrew@gmail.com🌐 Easy link hub: helicalbrew.com📍 TikTok/IG + more: @helicalbrew📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode)▶️ • Why Lab Automation Still Has No “Bluetooth... ▶️ • Where AI Should NOT Touch Your Lab Robots ... #HelicalBrew #AIThoughtLeaders #LabAutomation #AIReadyLab #LabInformatics #ScientificSoftware #Robotics #AutomationEngineering #Interoperability #OpenAPIs #DigitalTransformation #AIinBiotech #SystemsEngineering #SLAS #FutureOfScience #ai #podcast #viralvideo #viralshorts
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    1 ora e 1 min
  • #53 - Mac Brew with Mike Ouren

    #53 - Mac Brew with Mike Ouren
    Jan 14 2026
    This week on Helical Brew, Mike Ouren takes the mic solo for a deep dive into Apple — from the early PowerBook days to today’s M4 Macs, iPhone evolution, and the massive shift coming with iPadOS 26.From the “every-year iPhone upgrader” cycle to the future of Mac silicon and the return of Apple’s glassy aesthetic, Mike breaks down how Apple got here, what they’re getting right, and what’s around the corner.KEY TAKEAWAYS:• The PowerBook G3 era and why buying “the last model” is a risk• OS X’s glassy origins and why Apple brought that look back in 2026• What the 20-year anniversary iPhone means for Apple’s roadmap• Mike’s upgrade confession — why every-other-year just works• How the M4 changed everything for Macs, especially the Mac Mini• Apple Silicon, yield strategy, and why Intel Macs are effectively done• Why the M1 MacBook Air at $599 is still a powerhouse• GPU changes in M4 and whether Apple will ever get AAA games• iPadOS 26 and the biggest UI change since the original iPad• Why MacRumors is still Mike’s go-to for buying decisions• The real economics of a 5–6 year Mac ownership cycle• SLAS 2026 preview and what’s next for Helical BrewIf you're deep into the Apple ecosystem — or just trying to figure out when the right time is to upgrade your gear — this is the episode for you.Subscribe to Helical Brew for more conversations at the intersection of science, tech, and automation: / @helicalbrew CHAPTERS00:00 Cold Open00:05 Welcome to Helical Brew00:25 MotorWeek & John Davis Tribute03:30 Mike’s First Mac (1998)06:00 Jobs-Era PowerBook & Early OS X08:20 iPhone’s Upcoming 20-Year Anniversary09:35 Breaking the Yearly iPhone Upgrade Cycle11:05 Mac Announcements & the M4 Jump12:00 Leaving the iMac Behind12:45 Dual-Monitor Setup (240 Hz + 60 Hz)13:20 The Mac Mini M4 is Incredible14:20 Apple Silicon Evolution (M1 → M4)16:10 End of Intel Macs16:45 $599 M1 MacBook Air17:40 Memory, Neural Engine & Local AI18:50 GPU Jump in M4 & Gaming Reality Check20:35 iPadOS 26: Windowed Apps & Liquid Glass UI22:25 Why Mike Uses an iPad for Work & Travel23:15 MacRumors: Best Place to Compare M-Chips24:30 The 5–6 Year Mac Ownership Strategy25:05 Wrapping Up Apple Talk25:25 SLAS 2026 Preview26:40 Where to Find Helical Brew27:10 Final Sign-OffHelical Brew Website: https://helicalbrew.comHelical Brew Spotify: https://open.spotify.comHelical Brew Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSLAS 2026 Information: https://slas.org#HelicalBrew #MikeOuren #AppleEcosystem #MacMiniM4 #AppleSilicon #iPhone20Years #iPadOS26 #MacRumors #TechPodcast #AutomationPodcast #MacHistory #STEMCreators #TechDeepDive #AppleTalk #MacUpgradeGuide #ProductivityTech #ScienceMeetsBusiness
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    25 min
  • #52 - Beyond the Algorithm: Measuring AI Confidence in Biomanufacturing

    #52 - Beyond the Algorithm: Measuring AI Confidence in Biomanufacturing
    Jan 13 2026
    🎙️ Masaki Yamada — Head of Product at Invert, helping biomanufacturing teams quantify trust in AI.👩‍🔬 Hosts: Sura Hadi & Mike Ouren🎧 Episode Title:“Beyond the Algorithm: Measuring AI Confidence in Biomanufacturing”Hallucinations, trust, and the space between - that’s where the future of science is being written.From NASA’s microbial fuel cells to AI-native bioprocessing, Masaki Yamada joins us to unpack how Invert is helping scientists measure something once thought unquantifiable: confidence in AI.This episode dives deep into the evolving relationship between humans and algorithms in the biomanufacturing world — exploring trust, reproducibility, and what it means to build a digital scientist that actually knows when it’s wrong.🎯 What You’ll LearnWhy “hallucinations” in AI aren’t always bad — and when they definitely are.How Invert uses evals to measure model reliability in real-world biotech settings.The difference between objective vs. subjective AI benchmarking.How digital transformation is really going inside major biopharma labs.What the “AI-native scientist” of the future looks like.💡 Picks of the Week📚 Masaki Yamada – The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson🧰 Mike Ouren – The MagSafe Grip & “The Ticket” Seatbelt Gadget🧠 Sura Hadi – KDP self-publishing exploration for indie creators👇 What’s the right balance between creativity and control when it comes to AI in science? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we’ll feature the best takes next episode.🎬 Chapters00:00 – Cold Open00:15 – Welcome to the AI Thought Leaders Series01:00 – The Hallucination Debate: Creativity vs. Accuracy03:16 – What “Trust” Means in Biomanufacturing07:16 – Defining Confidence in AI Outputs10:06 – Human Benchmarking & Evals11:34 – NASA Origins: From Space Fuel Cells to Biotech15:04 – Inside Invert: Structuring Data for Transparency19:44 – From Paper to Platform: Digital Transformation Realities24:21 – Are Labs Really Digitized?25:46 – Adoption, Resistance & Culture Change27:55 – Security, IP & Data Trust28:28 – Designing the Future: People-in-the-Loop Automation33:05 – Digital Cognition: The Next Phase of AI Integration37:51 – The AI-Native Scientist40:01 – Picks of the Week46:56 – Wrap-Up🔔 Subscribe to Helical BrewWe explore the intersection of AI, automation, and the future of science.Subscribe & never miss an episode → / @helicalbrew 📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode)▶️ • “Hallucinations, On Purpose?” #helicalbrew... ▶️ • Measure Trust, Not Hype #helicalbrew #vira... #HelicalBrew #AIThoughtLeaders #LabAutomation #BiotechInnovation #SciencePodcast #AIinScience #AIinBiotech #Biomanufacturing #MachineLearning #DigitalTransformation #Invert #DataIntegrity #Reproducibility #AutomationInBiotech #FutureOfScience #PodcastShorts #ScienceAndTech
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    48 min
  • #51 - Dogs, Planes & Pizza Slices – Helical Brew Goes Off-Script

    #51 - Dogs, Planes & Pizza Slices – Helical Brew Goes Off-Script
    Nov 11 2025
    Hosts: Sura Hadi & Mike OurenSeries: Unfiltered Brew – Helical Brew PodcastBold summary:After a few weeks abroad, Mike’s back — jetlagged, caffeinated, and ready to unpack everything from the Munich SLAS meetup to airplane fuel stats, Aurora Borealis sightings, and why Sura’s dog might just be her emotional support animal.It’s an unfiltered catch-up episode filled with travel stories, food debates, and the kind of chaos only Helical Brew can deliver.🎙 Highlights:Aurora Borealis at 38,000 feet 🌌Dark vs Milk Chocolate showdown 🍫-Why Detroit pizza deserves more respect 🍕Emotional support dogs & airline rants ✈️Gaming talk & what’s next for Helical Brew 🎮👋 Join the conversation:Comment below with your travel pet stories — or your most controversial pizza opinion.📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes → / @helicalbrew 📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS – NAVIGATE THE EPISODE0:00 Cold Open – Emotional Support Animal 🐾0:06 Welcome to the Unfiltered Brew0:40 Aurora at 38,000 ft2:28 iPhone vs Android4:22 Chocolate Debate5:46 Pizza & Craft Beer6:54 Turbo Talk & Cars8:56 Airlines: Southwest vs Emirates11:38 Favorite Cuisines12:43 Street Food Around the World14:11 Walmart Adventures15:57 Dogs or Cats?17:02 Airline Policies & Fairness18:16 Gaming Showdown20:34 Stream Plans & Outro📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode)▶️ • Milk vs Dark Chocolate 🍫 — Why Europe Wins... ▶️ • Seat-Saving 101 (Do Not Try This 😇) #viral... #HelicalBrew #UnfilteredBrew #PodcastClips #SciComm #AutomationLife #TravelStories #DogEdition #PizzaDebate #SLAS2025 #PodcastReel #ViralPodcast #ScienceCulture #Biotech #SciencePodcast #PodcastShorts #ScienceAndTech #ViralShortsVideo #ViralReels #PodcastClips #warzone #viralshortsvideo #viralreels #viralvideos #viral_video #viralshorts #science #podcast
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    24 min
  • #50 - ISPE Boston at Gillette Stadium –Robots, Enclosures & Boston Energy

    #50 - ISPE Boston at Gillette Stadium –Robots, Enclosures & Boston Energy
    Nov 11 2025
    🎙️ Hosts: Sura Hadi, Mike Ouren🎧 Episode Title: ISPE Boston at Gillette Stadium – Robots, Enclosures & Boston EnergyFrom Rockwell rails to Germfree enclosures (and a field-goal after-party), Sura and Mike unpack what went down at ISPE Boston 2025 — hosted inside Gillette Stadium.This Helical Brew episode brings the perfect mix of automation insights, event chaos, and Boston flavor.🔍 We cover:• ISPE Boston recap from the field-level after-party 🏟️• Vendor tech that mattered: Rockwell MagneMotion, Germfree enclosures & 3D motion pucks• When not to bring a robot arm - reading the room at vendor shows• Zdeno Chara’s surprise appearance 👀• Pick of the Week: Orchard Skate Shop deck (Castle Island Brewery collab)• GORUCK gear + road-warrior travel talk💡 If you’ve ever packed for a conference, debated bringing a demo robot, or tried to kick a field goal in dress shoes - this one’s for you.📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes → / @helicalbrew 📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS – NAVIGATE THE EPISODE00:00 Cold Open – After-party field goals00:19 Welcome back! Travel & time zones01:00 E Tech podcast & LAIR lair04:19 ISPE Boston @ Gillette Stadium05:19 Zdeno Chara cameo09:46 Vendor tech: Siemens, Rockwell & Germfree12:31 Enclosure math & integration talk15:41 Why we didn’t bring a robot arm16:43 Picks of the Week – Orchard deck & GORUCK shoes27:11 Tunnel prank in Boston30:39 Boston culture & seafood stories32:44 Outro – Wrap up & subscribe🔗 Mentions & Shoutouts🌐 ISPE Boston: https://ispeboston.org🌐 Rockwell MagneMotion: https://www.rockwellautomation.com🌐 Germfree Enclosures: https://www.germfree.com🌐 Orchard Skate Shop: https://orchardshop.com📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode)▶️ Boston Tunnel Prank → • 🚗 “Boston’s Underwater Tunnel Prank?! 😂 | ... ▶️ ISPE @ Gillette Stadium Reveal → • 🏟️ “Wait… ISPE Boston Was at GILLETTE STAD... #HelicalBrew #ISPEBoston #GilletteStadium #LabAutomation #IndustrialRobotics #LifeSciences #Automation #EngineeringHumor #WomenInSTEM #SciencePodcast #TechCulture #PodcastShorts #AutomationInnovation #ViralShorts #ScienceAndTech
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    34 min
  • #49 - Class Rings, Metric Fails & Why Women’s Pockets Suck

    #49 - Class Rings, Metric Fails & Why Women’s Pockets Suck
    Nov 8 2025

    🎙️ Hosts: Sura Hadi, Mike Ouren, Elizabeth Rodziewicz

    🎧 Episode Title: Unfiltered Brew - Class Rings, Metric Fails & Why Women’s Pockets Still Suck

    From class rings and college debt to metric vs. imperial hardware fails, McMaster wins, and a Theranos throwback — this Unfiltered Brew episode is all chaos, caffeine, and comedy. We even end with the rant of 2025: women’s pockets.

    🔍 We cover:

    • College rings, EU free tuition, and student debt

    • Metric vs. imperial IRL — Lowe’s fail → McMaster saves the day

    • Space program sidebar: when NASA mixed units

    • Theranos mini-lab slides (“images not to scale”)

    • ISPE Boston shoutout + road time updates

    • Ferrari fandom, Le Mans flips & streaming fatigue

    • Phone fails and the ultimate rant: women’s pockets in 2025

    💡 If you’ve ever fought with hardware store parts, side-eyed Theranos, or cursed fake jacket pockets — this one’s for you.

    📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@HelicalBrew?sub_confirmation=1

    📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com

    📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew

    ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS – NAVIGATE THE EPISODE

    00:00 Cold Open – Warzone banter + class ring

    01:07 Metric vs. Imperial IRL02:11 McMaster saves the day

    04:49 Space program sidebar → Theranos flashback

    07:24 ISPE Boston + Road time

    08:11 Ferrari, Formula 1 & Le Mans

    09:03 Streaming wars & Schitt’s Creek

    12:01 Phone fails → Women’s pockets rant

    14:14 Outro – Wrap up & socials

    🔗 Mentions & Shoutouts

    🌐 ISPE Boston: https://ispeboston.org

    🌐 McMaster-Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com

    📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode)

    ▶️ McMaster Saves the Day → https://youtube.com/shorts/mRCtFj_LYe8?feature=share

    ▶️ Women’s Pockets in 2025 → https://youtube.com/shorts/DYhNMGHF03o?feature=share

    #HelicalBrew #UnfilteredBrew #LabLife #EngineeringHumor #McMaster #Theranos #Biotech #SciencePodcast #PodcastShorts #ScienceAndTech #ViralShortsVideo #ViralReels #PodcastClips #warzone #viralshortsvideo #viralreels #viralvideos #viral_video #viralshorts #science #podcast
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    15 min
  • #48 - The 2025 Hiring Curve (Part 2)

    #48 - The 2025 Hiring Curve (Part 2)
    Nov 7 2025

    🎙️ Hosts: Mike Ouren, Sura Hadi, Elizabeth Rodziewicz

    🎧 Episode Title: The 2025 Hiring Curve: Biotech, Automation & What’s Next (Part 2)

    Ghosting. Bottlenecks. Myths about hiring made easy.

    In Part 2 of our Science Means Business conversation with Ian Cooper and Chris Gaetani of BioMed Recruitment, we dig into the hard truths shaping biotech and automation jobs in 2025.

    🔍 We cover:• Ghosting & bottlenecks in the hiring process• How recruiters can (and should) give feedback

    • Strategies for candidates stuck in a stalled job search• The myth of “easy hiring” in a talent-rich market

    • Why hiring managers need partners, not more resumes

    • Networking, adaptability, and building pipelines without burnout

    • Picks of the Week: tools, tea, travel pillows & more

    💡 If you’re hiring in biotech or automation - or job hunting in 2025 - this one’s packed with real talk.

    📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@HelicalBrew?sub_confirmation=1

    📩 Want to promote or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com

    📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew

    ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS – NAVIGATE THE EPISODE

    00:00 Cold Open - Cane’s Tea vs Cane’s Sauce?

    00:42 Intro & Recap of Part 1

    02:05 Ghosting & Bottlenecks Era

    07:18 Why Feedback Matters

    10:16 Stalled Job Searches & What to Do

    15:29 Adaptability & Startups

    19:34 Networking Events (LRIG, Lab Automators, Europe)

    27:10 Hiring Managers: What to Stop Doing

    34:39 Recruiters as Partners, Not Vendors

    41:17 Busting Hiring Myths in Biotech

    47:01 Picks of the Week (Tools, Tea & Travel Pillows)

    55:00 Wrap Up & Outro

    🔗 Guest & Company Links:

    🌐 BioMed Recruitment: https://biomedrecruitment.com

    👤 Ian Cooper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-cooper17/

    👤 Chris Gaetani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-gaetani-586a3a129/

    📌 SHORTS (Quick Clips from the Episode)

    ▶️ https://youtube.com/shorts/uZr2aOYDK_Y?si=owT4o5jjG4m0ljNc

    ▶️ https://youtube.com/shorts/rjh-qfQUy4k?si=h2NOMZwmJTlfwIN9

    #HelicalBrew #ScienceMeansBusiness #BiotechJobs #HiringTrends #LabAutomation #Ghosting #RecruitingTips #AutomationCareers #BiotechHiring #BioMedRecruiting #JobSearch2025 #CareerPivot #SciencePodcast #AutomationInBiotech #FutureOfWork #BiotechCareers #ViralShortsVideo #ViralReels #PodcastClips #PodcastShorts
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    58 min
  • #47 - The 2025 Hiring Curve (Part 1)

    #47 - The 2025 Hiring Curve (Part 1)
    Sep 13 2025
    🎙️ Hosts: Mike Ouren, Sura Hadi🎧 Episode Title: The 2025 Hiring Curve: Biotech, Automation & What’s Next (Part 1)What’s changed in biotech hiring since January? What hasn’t? And what’s next for lab automation jobs in 2025?In this exclusive two-part episode of Science Means Business, Sura and Mike sit down with Ian Cooper & Chris Gaetani of BioMed Recruitment for a mid-year hiring check-in that every candidate and hiring manager should hear.This week in Part 1, we cover:💻 Why resumes are fading and video intros are winning candidates jobs💸 The “compensation hangover” from post-COVID salary spikes📊 Which biotech and automation roles are hardest (and easiest) to fill🏢 The surprising stat: 37% of SLAS companies are still hiring in the U.S.👉 And we leave you on a cliffhanger: Chris’s Hot or Not trend picks, coming in Part 2.If you’re navigating the biotech job market, hiring for automation talent, or just curious how careers are shifting in 2025 — this episode is for you.🎧 Subscribe for new episodes weekly → / @helicalbrew 📩 Want to be promoted or be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS – NAVIGATE THE CONVERSATION00:00 Cold Open (Rotary Phone Bit)00:32 Host Intro: Welcome to Science Means Business01:00 Guest Intros: Ian & Chris from BioMed Recruiting02:00 Icebreaker: Resume & Job Trends That Made Us Shake Our Heads05:30 Video Intros vs Resumes: Why Candidates Stand Out on Camera08:00 The Compensation Hangover: Resetting Expectations in 202513:00 Harder vs Easier Roles to Fill in Lab Automation17:00 SLAS Stat: 37% of Companies Still Hiring20:00 Setting the Stage: Chris’s Hot or Not (to be continued in Part 2)🔗 Guest & Company Links:🌐 BioMed Recruitment: https://www.biomedrecruitment.com/👤 Ian Cooper on LinkedIn: / ian-cooper17 👤 Chris Gaetani on LinkedIn: / chris-gaetani-586a3a129 📌 SHORTS (Grab Quick Highlights)▶️ Video Intros vs Resumes: • 📹 Why video intros beat resumes in biotech... ▶️ Compensation Hangover: • 💸 The Post-COVID Compensation Hangover in ... #HelicalBrew #ScienceMeansBusiness #BiotechJobs #HiringTrends #Compensation #Recruiting #BioMedRecruiting #LabAutomation #BiotechCareers #Hiring2025 #CareerPivot #FutureOfWork #SciencePodcast #AutomationInBiotech #BiotechInnovation #ScienceAndTech #viralshortsvideo #viralreels #viralvideos #labautomation #biotech
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    29 min