Topic Editors

Prof. Dr. Jin Liu
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
Dr. Huilin Le
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
Dr. Yunjian Li
School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China

Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion

Abstract submission deadline
closed (31 July 2024)
Manuscript submission deadline
31 October 2024
Viewed by
11797

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil erosion is a major global problem that generally leads to serious and disastrous consequences with respect to the environment, economy and engineering. The slope erosional process accelerates as it is subjected to the human activities and weak topsoil. As a result, large amounts of fine soil particles and nutrients transported by the runoff from the original land induces a threat to environmental sustainability. Water erosion, as the largest source of global soil erosion, also causes various engineering problems, including road embankment collapses and river bank and slope failures. Worldwide erosion monitoring and anti-erosion efforts should be mounted in view of the high incidence and universality of soil erosion.

The present topic aims to provide a representative and updated collection of research articles and reviews regarding the main processes in slope erosion monitoring and anti-erosion. These studies are expected to address fundamental and applied research questions in the areas of geotechnics, geology engineering, ecology and botany, etc. In order to properly organize this variety of contents, the topic will be joined by the following journals: Sensors, Remote Sensing, Polymers, Nanomaterials and Applied Sciences.

The topic will cover the following subjects and others:

  • Slope stability evaluations;
  • Ecological restoration of slopes;
  • Slope erosion monitoring;
  • Slope stability monitoring;
  • Water and soil loss assessments;
  • Erosion slope restoration.

Prof. Dr. Jin Liu
Dr. Shengyuan Song
Dr. Huilin Le
Dr. Yunjian Li
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • slope
  • slope stability
  • erosion monitoring
  • water and soil loss
  • anti-erosion

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Applied Sciences
applsci
2.5 5.3 2011 17.8 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Geomatics
geomatics
- - 2021 21.8 Days CHF 1000 Submit
Land
land
3.2 4.9 2012 17.8 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Remote Sensing
remotesensing
4.2 8.3 2009 24.7 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Water
water
3.0 5.8 2009 16.5 Days CHF 2600 Submit

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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30 pages, 15310 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Seismic Signal Patterns and Dynamic Pore Pressure Fluctuations Due to Wave-Induced Erosion on Non-Cohesive Slopes
by Zheng-Yi Feng, Wei-Ting Wu and Su-Chin Chen
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 8776; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14198776 - 28 Sep 2024
Abstract
Wave erosion of slopes can easily trigger landslides into marine environments and pose severe threats to both the ecological environment and human activities. Therefore, near-shore slope monitoring becomes crucial for preventing and alerting people to these potential disasters. To achieve a comprehensive understanding, [...] Read more.
Wave erosion of slopes can easily trigger landslides into marine environments and pose severe threats to both the ecological environment and human activities. Therefore, near-shore slope monitoring becomes crucial for preventing and alerting people to these potential disasters. To achieve a comprehensive understanding, it is imperative to conduct a detailed investigation into the dynamics of wave erosion processes acting on slopes. This research is conducted through flume tests, using a wave maker to create waves of various heights and frequencies to erode the slope models. During the tests, seismic signals, acoustic signals, and pore pressure generated by wave erosion and slope failure are recorded. Seismic and acoustic signals are analyzed, and time-frequency spectra are calculated using the Hilbert–Huang Transform to identify the erosion events and signal frequency ranges. Arias Intensity is used to assess seismic energy and explore the relationship between the amount of erosion and energy. The results show that wave height has a more decisive influence on erosion behavior and retreat than wave frequency. Rapid drawdown may potentially cause the slope to slide during cyclic swash and backwash wave action. As wave erosion changes from swash to impact, there is a significant increase in the spectral magnitude and Power Spectral Density (PSD) of both seismic and acoustic signals. An increase in pore pressure is observed due to the rise in the run-up height of waves. The amplitude of pore pressure will increase as the slope undergoes further erosion. Understanding the results of this study can aid in predicting erosion and in planning effective management strategies for slopes subject to wave action. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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22 pages, 6361 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study of the Impacts of Maize and Soybean on Soil and Water Conservation Benefits during Different Growth Stages in the Loess Plateau Region
by Qian Xu, Qingtao Lin and Faqi Wu
Land 2024, 13(8), 1264; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081264 - 12 Aug 2024
Viewed by 374
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) are prevalent summer crops planted widely in the Loess Plateau region of China, which is particularly susceptible to severe soil erosion on the sloping farmland. However, which crop exhibits superior soil [...] Read more.
Maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) are prevalent summer crops planted widely in the Loess Plateau region of China, which is particularly susceptible to severe soil erosion on the sloping farmland. However, which crop exhibits superior soil and water conservation capabilities while maintaining economic viability, and how their performance in soil and water conservation is affected by slope gradient and rainfall intensity remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the impacts of maize and soybean on regulating runoff and sediment through rainfall simulation experiments, and explore the main control factors of soil and water conservation benefits. Five slope gradients (8.7, 17.6, 26.8, 36.4, and 46.6%) and two rainfall intensities (40 and 80 mm h−1) were applied at five respective crop growth stages. Both maize and soybean effectively reduced soil and water losses compared with bare ground, although increasing slope gradient and rainfall intensity weakened the vegetation effect. Compared with slope gradient and rainfall intensity, vegetation coverage was the main factor affecting the performance of maize and soybean in conserving soil and water. The average time delay benefit (TDB), runoff reduction benefit (RRB), and sediment reduction benefit (SRB) of soybean (246.48 ± 11.71, 36.34 ± 2.51, and 54.41 ± 3.42%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of maize (100.06 ± 6.81, 25.71 ± 1.76, and 43.70 ± 2.91%, respectively) throughout growth. After planting, the increasing rates of vegetation coverage, TDB, RRB, and SRB with time were consistently higher with soybean than maize. Moreover, under the same vegetation coverage, the TDB, RRB, and SRB of soybean were also consistently higher than those of maize. In conclusion, these findings indicate that soybean outperformed maize in terms of soil and water conservation benefits under the experimental conditions, making it more suitable for cultivation on sloping farmland. This finding offers crucial guidance for the cultivation of dry farming in regions plagued by severe soil erosion, facilitating a balance between economic objectives and ecological imperatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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19 pages, 7143 KiB  
Article
Potential Reduction of Spatiotemporal Patterns of Water and Wind Erosion with Conservation Tillage in Northeast China
by Fahui Jiang, Xinhua Peng, Qinglin Li, Yongqi Qian and Zhongbin Zhang
Land 2024, 13(8), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081219 - 6 Aug 2024
Viewed by 581
Abstract
Conservational tillage (NT) is widely recognized globally for its efficacy in mitigating soil loss due to wind and water erosion. However, a systematic large-scale estimate of NT’s impact on soil loss reduction in Northeast, China’s primary granary, remains absent. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
Conservational tillage (NT) is widely recognized globally for its efficacy in mitigating soil loss due to wind and water erosion. However, a systematic large-scale estimate of NT’s impact on soil loss reduction in Northeast, China’s primary granary, remains absent. This study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of soil erosion under NT compared to conventional tillage (CT) in the black soil region and to analyze the underlying mechanisms driving these erosions. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) models were employed, incorporating previously published plot/watershed data to estimate the potential reduction of water and wind erosion by NT in this region. Results indicated that under CT practices, water- and wind-induced soil losses were widely distributed in the arable land of Northeast China, with intensities of 2603 t km−2 a−1 and 34 t km−2 a−1, respectively. Furthermore, the erosive processes of water and wind erosion were significantly reduced by 56.4% and 91.8%, respectively, under NT practices compared to CT. The highest efficiency in soil conservation using NT was observed in the mountainous regions such as the Changbai Mountains and Greater Khingan Mountains, where water erosion was primarily driven by cropland slopes and wind erosion was driven by the wind speed. Conversely, the largest areas of severe erosion were observed in the Songnen Plain, primarily due to the significant proportion of arable land in this region. In the plain regions, water-induced soil loss was primarily influenced by precipitation, with light and higher levels of erosion occurring more frequently on long gentle slopes (0–3°) than on higher slope areas (3–5°). In the temporal dimension, soil loss induced by water and wind erosion ceased during the winter under both tillage systems due to snow cover and water freezing in the soil combined with the extremely cold climate. Substantial reductions were observed under NT from spring to autumn compared to CT. Ultimately, the temporal and spatial variations of soil loss under CT and NT practices were established from 2010 to 2018 and then projected onto a cropland map of Northeast China. Based on this analysis, NT is recommended as most suitable practice in the southern regions of Northeast China for maintaining soil health and crop yield production, while its suitability decreases in the northern and eastern regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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15 pages, 7349 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on Pore Structure Evolution of Unloaded Rock Mass during Excavation of Reservoir Slope under Dry–Wet Cycle
by Lili Chen, Xingzhou Chen, Sheng Gong, Zhenhan Li and Zhenkun Su
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4716; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114716 - 30 May 2024
Viewed by 440
Abstract
There is a long sequence of periodic characteristics of reservoir water storage and discharge in large hydropower stations. The unloaded rock mass formed by blasting and excavation in the reservoir slope of the reservoir fluctuation zone is not only subjected to the penetration [...] Read more.
There is a long sequence of periodic characteristics of reservoir water storage and discharge in large hydropower stations. The unloaded rock mass formed by blasting and excavation in the reservoir slope of the reservoir fluctuation zone is not only subjected to the penetration erosion caused by the change of the water level of the reservoir slope, but also the dry–wet cycle caused by the reservoir water storage and discharge. There is an obvious process of crack derivation and pore structure expansion, and the subsequent strength degradation breeds reservoir slope risks, which is one of the important factors restricting the operation safety of power stations. To study the pore structure evolution law of unloaded rock mass in reservoir slope excavation of reservoir fluctuation zones, the dry–wet cycle test simulating the periodic storage and discharge environment was carried out with samples of equal unloading amount obtained by indoor triaxial unloading test. The variation law of mesoscopic parameters such as wave velocity, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum under dry–wet cycle was compared and analyzed, and the physical and mechanical mechanism of the pore structure evolution of the unloaded specimen under dry–wet cycles was explored. The results show that: (1) With the increase of dry–wet cycles, the evolution of wave velocity and dry mass of unloaded samples has obvious stage characteristics, which generally presents a rapid change in the early stage, moderate in the middle stage, and gradually stable in the late stage; (2) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shows that the number of macropore structures in unloaded samples increases gradually with the dry–wet cycles; (3) the smaller the initial confining pressure, the larger the first peak area and the peak value of unloaded samples, and the spectral area corresponding to each peak under low confining pressure is significantly larger than that under medium and high confining pressure; (4) the unloading amount affects the overall proportion of macropores in the sample, which determines the deterioration process and evolution law of the mesostructure of the sample under dry–wet cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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20 pages, 8322 KiB  
Article
Research on the Improvement of Granite Residual Soil Caused by Fly Ash and Its Slope Stability under Rainfall Conditions
by Bowen Hu, Qizhi Hu, Yiming Liu and Gaoliang Tao
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3734; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093734 - 27 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 631
Abstract
Granite residual soil has distinctive engineering characteristics due to its unique properties, and the resulting slopes are less stable and less resistant to rain erosion. The granite residual soil was improved by the addition of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% fly ash, and [...] Read more.
Granite residual soil has distinctive engineering characteristics due to its unique properties, and the resulting slopes are less stable and less resistant to rain erosion. The granite residual soil was improved by the addition of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% fly ash, and the effects of fly ash on the intensity index and penetration of granite residual soil were investigated by triaxial strength tests and permeability tests. In combination with scanning electron microscopy measurements, a study of the stability of fly ash-modified granite residual soil slopes by modeling rainfall using the finite element software ABAQUS revealed the following: (1) the permeability coefficients of the residual granitic soils decreased by one order of magnitude when fly ash was added; (2) the improvement in the triaxial strength index of the improved soil was most pronounced when the dosage of fly ash was 15%, so that a dosage of 15% was considered optimal; and (3) numerical simulations concluded that the stability of the slope formed by 15% fly ash-improved soil fill improved significantly relative to the original slope, with the coefficient of safety increasing from 1.06 to 1.42, and the resistance to water seepage also significantly improved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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26 pages, 8270 KiB  
Article
Slope Deformation Mechanisms and Stability Assessment under Varied Conditions in an Iron Mine Waste Dump
by Zhongao Yang, Xiaohua Ding, Xin Liu, Abdoul Wahab, Zhongchen Ao, Ya Tian, Van Son Bang, Zhaoxi Long, Guodong Li and Penglin Ma
Water 2024, 16(6), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16060846 - 15 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1320
Abstract
The instability of geological slopes in mining environments poses a significant challenge to the safety and efficiency of operations. Waste Dump#2 at the Ziluoyi Iron Mine in China is a notable case study that highlights the challenges associated with sizable base slopes and [...] Read more.
The instability of geological slopes in mining environments poses a significant challenge to the safety and efficiency of operations. Waste Dump#2 at the Ziluoyi Iron Mine in China is a notable case study that highlights the challenges associated with sizable base slopes and large step heights. To address hidden hazards in the mine and the above issues, an inclusive investigation is carried out to examine the physical and mechanical properties of the soil–rock slope through indoor testing and analyze the deformation mechanisms of the slope using numerical simulations, taking various factors into account. The study reveals that the stability of Waste Dump#2 is deeply affected by weight, groundwater conditions, earthquake loading, and rainfall. To this end, the cohesion and internal friction parameters of the soil–rock slope are first determined through direct shear tests, which show a cohesion of 6.215 kPa at the top of the slope and an internal friction angle of 34.12°. By adopting GEO-SLOPE, 3D Mine, and AutoCAD software, stability calculations of the slope are performed, which give stability coefficients of 1.547 under normal conditions, 1.276 in rainfall, and 1.352 in seismic conditions. These results meet safety standards and ensure the safe and efficient operation of the mine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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20 pages, 6883 KiB  
Article
Sediment Barriers’ Performance in the Laboratory: Evaluation of Clogging and Filtration Characteristics in Geotextiles Subjected to Discharge Cycles
by Vitor Yudi Góes Adachi, Joan Steven Flores Rodríguez, Mariana Ferreira Benessiuti Motta, Gabriel Orquizas Mattielo Pedroso, Luis Rogerio de Oliveira Hein and Emerson Felipe Félix
Water 2024, 16(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16010107 - 27 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1053
Abstract
This research aims to assess the clogging process of geotextiles within silt fences. For that purpose, the filtering efficiency, flow rate, and clogging of three geotextiles (GTX-1, GTX-2, and GTX-3) employing two distinct soils and under three sediment discharge cycles were investigated. The [...] Read more.
This research aims to assess the clogging process of geotextiles within silt fences. For that purpose, the filtering efficiency, flow rate, and clogging of three geotextiles (GTX-1, GTX-2, and GTX-3) employing two distinct soils and under three sediment discharge cycles were investigated. The analysis adhered to the American standard D5141-11 and, as further analyses, qualitative and quantitative inspections were conducted through microscopic images of the materials. The results showed greater clogging of the nonwoven geotextile, GTX-1, with higher retention efficiency (approximately 100%) and better turbidity removal for both soils, equal to a reduction of around 94%. For GTX-2, a woven geotextile with a larger pore opening, less intense clogging and lower retention efficiency were observed after the third discharge; the average was 96% for both soils. GTX-3, a woven geotextile with a smaller apparent opening, exhibited a behavior similar to GTX-1: as the number of cycles increased, the material experienced more clogging and higher retention efficiency for soil 1 (approximately 98.5%). Based on these findings, it can be inferred that the discharge cycles impact the tested geotextiles in diverse ways and, therefore, the selection of the material should be contingent on project requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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17 pages, 7852 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Sampling and Grid Methods for Regional Soil Erosion Assessment
by Zhijia Gu, Shaomin Cao, Ao Li, Qiang Yi, Shuang Li and Panying Li
Land 2023, 12(9), 1703; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091703 - 31 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1108
Abstract
To control soil erosion, the intensity, area, and distribution of regional soil erosion must be determined to accurately plan and implement corresponding soil conservation measures. Therefore, regional soil erosion assessment has received extensive attention worldwide. At present, a sampling survey approach and full-coverage [...] Read more.
To control soil erosion, the intensity, area, and distribution of regional soil erosion must be determined to accurately plan and implement corresponding soil conservation measures. Therefore, regional soil erosion assessment has received extensive attention worldwide. At present, a sampling survey approach and full-coverage grid-based calculation are mainly applied in regional soil erosion assessment. The quantitative evaluation of the entire region depends on the quality of the data source. Furthermore, owing to the greatness of the evaluation object, the difficulty of data acquisition, the high cost, and poor usability, the present approach is bound to be at the expense of data accuracy, spatial resolution, time resolution, etc. The sampling survey approach can obtain high-precision data of soil erosion factors. Therefore, it can accurately quantify soil erosion in a field investigation unit. However, the sampling method, sampling density, and extrapolation methods have a significant impact on regional soil erosion assessments. This study considers the case of Baiquan County in the rolling hills of Northeast China as an example. Regional soil erosion evaluation using sampling survey and grid computing were compared. The impact of the data source accuracy on the soil erosion assessment was also quantitatively evaluated. The results of grid method showed a phenomenon of large rates of soil erosion and the ratio of the soil erosion area (the share of areas above the mild level), which were overestimated by 20% and 6%, respectively. A digital elevation model (DEM) with a resolution of 30 m can be used for soil erosion evaluation in plain areas, but that with the same resolution in hilly areas has insufficient calculation accuracy and provides large errors. The grid method can be adopted when land use and soil conservation measures are accurate. Otherwise, the sampling method is recommended. Interpolation of the ratio of the soil erosion area in the survey unit based on land use can better evaluate regional soil erosion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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18 pages, 11954 KiB  
Article
Study on Roof Instability Effect and Bearing Characteristics of Hydraulic Support in Longwall Top Coal Caving
by Qingliang Zeng, Zhaoji Li, Lirong Wan and Dejian Ma
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(14), 8102; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148102 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 944
Abstract
In longwall top coal caving (LTCC), due to the fracture and migration of top coal, the roof will break and collapse, which causes serious impact damage to hydraulic support. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the relationship between the roof instability effect and the [...] Read more.
In longwall top coal caving (LTCC), due to the fracture and migration of top coal, the roof will break and collapse, which causes serious impact damage to hydraulic support. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the relationship between the roof instability effect and the bearing characteristics of hydraulic support in the LTCC face. Based on the occurrence conditions of the 08 mining area in the Shilawusu Coal Mine, the instability model of the upper immediate roof was established, and the working resistance of hydraulic support was derived. Secondly, the dynamic coupling model of roof-top coal-hydraulic support was established in LS-DYNA, and the crushing degree of top coal and the bearing characteristics of the hydraulic support in different roof instability fields were analyzed. The results show that the main factors affecting the working resistance of hydraulic support are the fracture position of the upper immediate roof, the acting force of the lower immediate roof, and the distribution of the gangue in the goaf. The rotary instability of the upper immediate roof at the coal wall brings serious impact effects, resulting in fractures in front of the coal wall and a large amount of crushed coal concentrated at the front end of the canopy. The crushing degree of top coal significantly impacts the canopy, especially the back end of the canopy and the hinged pin shaft, which is prone to bending fracture. The research results can provide references and experience for the stability control of roof strata and the structural optimization of hydraulic support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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19 pages, 35460 KiB  
Article
Advancing Erosion Control Analysis: A Comparative Study of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Robotic Total Station Techniques for Sediment Barrier Retention Measurement
by Junshan Liu, Robert A. Bugg and Cort W. Fisher
Geomatics 2023, 3(2), 345-363; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics3020019 - 26 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2733
Abstract
Sediment Barriers (SBs) are crucial for effective erosion control, and understanding their capacities and limitations is essential for environmental protection. This study compares the accuracy and effectiveness of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Robotic Total Station (RTS) techniques for quantifying sediment retention in [...] Read more.
Sediment Barriers (SBs) are crucial for effective erosion control, and understanding their capacities and limitations is essential for environmental protection. This study compares the accuracy and effectiveness of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Robotic Total Station (RTS) techniques for quantifying sediment retention in SBs. To achieve this, erosion tests were conducted in a full-scale testing apparatus with TLS and RTS methods to collect morphological data of sediment retention surfaces before and after each experiment. The acquired datasets were processed and integrated into a Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform to create Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). These were then used to calculate the volume of accumulated sediment upstream of the SB system. The results indicated that TLS and RTS techniques could effectively measure sediment retention in a full-scale testing environment. However, TLS proved to be more accurate, exhibiting a standard deviation of 0.41 ft3 in contrast to 1.94 ft3 for RTS and more efficient, requiring approximately 15% to 50% less time per test than RTS. The main conclusions of this study highlight the benefits of using TLS over RTS for sediment retention measurement and provide valuable insights for improving erosion control strategies and sediment barrier design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Slope Erosion Monitoring and Anti-erosion)
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