ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of this ____ day of March, 2008, by and between THE
RAM FUNDS (the "Trust"), an Ohio business trust having its principal place of
business at 0000 Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, XX 00000, and ULTIMUS FUND
SOLUTIONS, LLC ("Ultimus"), a limited liability company organized under the laws
of the State of Ohio and having its principal place of business at 000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000.
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires that Ultimus provide certain administrative
services for each series of the Trust, listed on Schedule A attached hereto and
made part of this Agreement, as such Schedule A may be amended from time to time
(individually referred to herein as the "Portfolio" and collectively as the
"Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, Ultimus is willing to perform such services on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants
herein set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. RETENTION OF ULTIMUS.
The Trust hereby retains Ultimus to act as the administrator of the Trust
and to furnish the Trust with the services as set forth below. Ultimus hereby
accepts such employment to perform such duties.
Ultimus shall provide the Trust with regulatory reporting services; shall
provide all necessary office space, equipment, personnel and facilities for
handling the affairs of the Trust; and shall provide such other services as the
Trust may request that Ultimus perform consistent with its obligations under
this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Ultimus shall:
(t) calculate Trust expenses and administer all disbursements for the
Trust, and as appropriate compute the Trust's yields, total return,
expense ratios and portfolio turnover rate;
(u) prepare and coordinate, in consultation with Trust counsel, the
preparation of prospectuses, statements of additional information
and registration statements;
(v) prepare such reports, notice filing forms and other documents
(including reports regarding the sale and redemption of shares of
the Trust as may be required in order to comply with federal and
state securities law) as may be necessary or desirable to make
notice filings relating to the Trust's shares with state securities
authorities, monitor the sale of Trust shares for compliance with
state securities laws, and file with the appropriate state
securities authorities compliance filings as may be necessary or
convenient to enable the Trust to make a continuous offering of its
shares;
(w) develop and prepare, with the assistance of the Trust's investment
adviser, communications to shareholders, including the annual and
semi-annual reports to shareholders, coordinate the mailing of
prospectuses, notices and other reports to Trust shareholders;
(x) administer contracts on behalf of the Trust with, among others, the
Trust's investment adviser, distributor, custodian, transfer agent
and fund accountant;
(y) supervise the Trust's transfer agent with respect to the payment of
dividends and other distributions to shareholders;
(z) calculate performance data of the Trust;
(aa) file all of the Trust's tax returns, and prepare and mail annual
Form 1099, Form W-2P and Form 5498 to appropriate shareholders, with
a copy to the Internal Revenue Service;
(bb) provide individuals reasonably acceptable to the Trust's Trustees to
serve as officers of the Trust, who will be responsible for the
management of certain of the Trust's affairs as determined by the
Trustees;
(cc) advise the Trust and its Trustees on matters concerning the Trust
and its affairs including making recommendations regarding dividends
and distributions;
(dd) coordinate the acquisition of and keep in effect fidelity bonds and
directors and officers/errors and omissions insurance policies for
the Trust in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and as
such bonds and policies are approved by the Trustees;
(ee) monitor and advise the Trust and its Portfolios on their registered
investment company status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(ff) advise the Trust and its Portfolios on compliance with applicable
limitations as imposed by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder or set forth in the Trust's or any Portfolio's then
current Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information;
(gg) provide such other services as are requested by the Trust including,
but not limited to, the coordination of meetings and preparation of
materials for the quarterly and special meetings of the Trustees;
(hh) cooperate with, and take all reasonable actions in the performance
of its duties under this Agreement to ensure that all necessary
information is made available to, the Trust's independent public
accountants in connection with the preparation of any audit or
report requested by the Trust;
(ii) cooperate with, and take all reasonable actions in the performance
of its duties under this Agreement to ensure that the necessary
information is made available to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") or any other regulatory authority in
connection with any regulatory audit of the Trust or the investment
adviser of the Trust;
(jj) perform all reasonable and customary administrative services and
functions of the Trust to the extent administrative services and
functions are not provided to the Trust by other agents of the
Trust;
(kk) prepare and file with the SEC the semi-annual reports for the Trust
on Form N-SAR and all required notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under
the 1940 Act; and
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(ll) furnish advice and recommendations with respect to other aspects of
the business and affairs of the Trust as the Trust and Ultimus shall
determine desirable.
2. SUBCONTRACTING.
Ultimus may, at its expense and, upon at least 60 days' advance written
notice to the Trust, subcontract with any entity or person concerning the
provision of the services contemplated hereunder; provided, however, that
Ultimus shall not be relieved of any of its obligations under this Agreement by
the appointment of such subcontractor and provided further, that Ultimus shall
be responsible, to the extent provided in Section 7 hereof, for all acts of such
subcontractor as if such acts were its own.
3. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES.
Ultimus shall furnish at its own expense the executive, supervisory and
clerical personnel necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
Ultimus shall also pay all compensation, if any, of officers of the Trust who
are affiliated persons of Ultimus, except when such person is serving as the
Trust's chief compliance officer.
The Trust assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other expenses of
the Trust not otherwise allocated herein, including, without limitation,
organization costs, taxes, expenses for legal and auditing services, the
expenses of preparing (including typesetting), printing and mailing reports,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and related
materials, all expenses incurred in connection with issuing and redeeming
shares, the costs of custodial services, the cost of initial and ongoing
registration and/or qualification of the shares under federal and state
securities laws, fees and out-of-pocket expenses of Trustees who are not
affiliated persons of Ultimus or the investment adviser to the Trust, insurance
premiums, interest, brokerage costs, litigation and other extraordinary or
nonrecurring expenses, and all fees and charges of investment advisers to the
Trust.
4. COMPENSATION OF ULTIMUS.
For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished and the expenses
assumed by Ultimus pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust shall pay to Ultimus
compensation at an annual rate specified in Schedule B attached hereto. Such
compensation shall be calculated and accrued daily, and paid to Ultimus monthly.
The Trust shall also reimburse Ultimus for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses, including but not limited to the travel and lodging expenses incurred
by officers and employees of Ultimus in connection with attendance at Board
meetings.
If this Agreement becomes effective subsequent to the first day of a month
or terminates before the last day of a month, Ultimus' compensation for that
part of the month in which this Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a
manner consistent with the calculation of the fees as set forth above. Payment
of Ultimus' compensation for the preceding month shall be made promptly.
5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Portfolio as of
the date first written above (or, if a particular Portfolio is not in existence
on that date, on the date such Portfolio commences operation) (the "Effective
Date").
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6. TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT.
The term of this Agreement shall continue in effect, unless earlier
terminated by either party hereto as provided hereunder, for a period of two
years. Thereafter, unless otherwise terminated as provided herein, this
Agreement shall be renewed automatically for successive one-year periods.
This Agreement may be terminated without penalty: (i) by provision of
sixty (60) days' written notice; or (ii) for "cause" (as defined herein) upon
the provision of thirty (30) days' advance written notice by the party alleging
cause.
For purposes of this Agreement, "cause" shall mean: (i) a material breach
of this Agreement that has not been remedied within thirty (30) days following
written notice of such breach from the non-breaching party, (ii) a series of
negligent acts or omissions or breaches of this Agreement which, in the
aggregate, constitute in the reasonable judgment of the Trust, a serious failure
to perform satisfactorily Ultimus' obligations hereunder; (iii) a final,
unappealable judicial, regulatory or administrative ruling or order in which the
party to be terminated has been found guilty of criminal or unethical behavior
in the conduct of its business; or (iv) financial difficulties on the part of
the party to be terminated which are evidenced by the authorization or
commencement of, or involvement by way of pleading, answer, consent or
acquiescence in, a voluntary or involuntary case under Title 11 of the United
States Code, as from time to time is in effect, or any applicable law, other
than said Title 11, of any jurisdiction relating to the liquidation or
reorganization of debtors or the modification or alteration of the rights of
creditors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, after such termination for so long as
Ultimus, with the written consent of the Trust, in fact continues to perform any
one or more of the services contemplated by this Agreement or any schedule or
exhibit hereto, the provisions of this Agreement, including without limitation
the provisions dealing with indemnification, shall continue in full force and
effect. Compensation due Ultimus and unpaid by the Trust upon such termination
shall be immediately due and payable upon and notwithstanding such termination.
Ultimus shall be entitled to collect from the Trust, in addition to the
compensation described in Schedule B, the amount of all of Ultimus' cash
disbursements for services in connection with Ultimus' activities in effecting
such termination, including without limitation, the delivery to the Trust and/or
its designees of the Trust's property, records, instruments and documents.
7. STANDARD OF CARE.
The duties of Ultimus shall be confined to those expressly set forth
herein, and no implied duties are assumed by or may be asserted against Ultimus
hereunder. Ultimus shall use its best efforts in the performance of its duties
hereunder and act in good faith in performing the services provided for under
this Agreement. Ultimus shall be liable for any damages arising directly or
indirectly out of Ultimus' failure to perform its duties under this Agreement to
the extent such damages arise directly or indirectly out of Ultimus' willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or
reckless disregard of it obligations and duties hereunder. (As used in this
Article 7, the term "Ultimus" shall include directors, officers, employees and
other agents of Ultimus as well as Ultimus itself.)
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of
this Agreement, (i) Ultimus shall not be liable for losses beyond its reasonable
control, provided that Ultimus has acted in accordance with the standard of care
set forth above; and (ii) Ultimus shall not be liable for the validity or
invalidity or authority or lack thereof of any instruction, notice or other
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instrument that Ultimus reasonably believes to be genuine and to have been
signed or presented by a duly authorized representative of the Trust (other than
an employee or other affiliated persons of Ultimus who may otherwise be named as
an authorized representative of the Trust for certain purposes).
Ultimus may apply to the Trust at any time for instructions and may
consult with counsel for the Trust or its own counsel and with accountants and
other experts with respect to any matter arising in connection with Ultimus'
duties hereunder, and Ultimus shall not be liable or accountable for any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with such instruction or with
the reasonable opinion of such counsel, accountants or other experts qualified
to render such opinion.
8. INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUST.
Ultimus agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust from and against
any and all actions, suits, claims, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable
counsel fees and disbursements, payments, expenses and liabilities (including
reasonable investigation expenses) (collectively, "Losses") arising directly or
indirectly out of Ultimus' failure to exercise reasonable care and diligence
with respect to its services; provided, however that Ultimus shall have no
obligation to indemnify or reimburse the Trust under this Article 8 to the
extent that the Trust is entitled to reimbursement or indemnification for such
Losses under any liability insurance policy described in this Agreement or
otherwise. Ultimus shall not be responsible for any retention amounts required
under such liability insurance policy.
The Trust shall not be indemnified against or held harmless from any
Losses arising directly or indirectly out of the Trust's own willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence.
9. INDEMNIFICATION OF ULTIMUS.
The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Ultimus from and against
any and all Losses arising directly or indirectly out of any action or omission
to act which Ultimus takes (i) at any request or on the direction of or in
reliance on the reasonable advice of the Trust, (ii) upon any instruction,
notice or other instrument that Ultimus reasonably believes to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by a duly authorized representative of the Trust
(other than an employee or other affiliated person of Ultimus who may otherwise
be named as an authorized representative of the Trust for certain purposes) or
(iii) on its own initiative, in good faith and in accordance with the standard
of care set forth herein, in connection with the performance of its duties or
obligations hereunder; provided, however that the Trust shall have no obligation
to indemnify or reimburse Ultimus under this Article 9 to the extent that
Ultimus is entitled to reimbursement or indemnification for such Losses under
any liability insurance policy described in this Agreement or otherwise. The
Trust shall not be responsible for any retention amounts required under such
liability insurance policy.
Ultimus shall not be indemnified against or held harmless from any Losses
arising directly or indirectly out of Ultimus' own willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties hereunder. (As used in this Article 9, the term
"Ultimus" shall include directors, officers, employees and other agents of
Ultimus as well as Ultimus itself.)
10. RECORD RETENTION AND CONFIDENTIALITY.
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Ultimus shall keep and maintain on behalf of the Trust all books and
records which the Trust and Ultimus is, or may be, required to keep and maintain
pursuant to any applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including without
limitation Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act, relating to the maintenance
of books and records in connection with the services to be provided hereunder.
Ultimus further agrees that all such books and records shall be the property of
the Trust and to make such books and records available for inspection by the
Trust or by the SEC at reasonable times and otherwise to keep confidential all
books and records and other information relative to the Trust and its
shareholders; except when requested to divulge such information by
duly-constituted authorities or court process. If Ultimus is requested or
required to disclose any confidential information supplied to it by the Trust,
Ultimus shall, unless prohibited by law, promptly notify the Trust of such
request(s) so that the Trust may seek an appropriate protective order.
11. FORCE MAJEURE.
Ultimus assumes no responsibility hereunder, and shall not be liable, for
any damage, loss of data, delay or any other loss whatsoever caused by events
beyond its reasonable control, including acts of civil or military authority,
national emergencies, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war,
riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.
12. RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP; RETURN OF RECORDS.
All records and other data except computer programs and procedures
developed to perform services required to be provided by Ultimus are the
exclusive property of the Trust and all such records and data will be furnished
to the Trust in appropriate form as soon as practicable after termination of
this Agreement for any reason. Ultimus may at its option at any time, and shall
promptly upon the Trust's demand, turn over to the Trust and cease to retain
Ultimus' files, records and documents created and maintained by Ultimus pursuant
to this Agreement which are no longer needed by Ultimus in the performance of
its services or for its legal protection. If not so turned over to the Trust,
such documents and records will be retained by Ultimus for six years from the
year of creation. At the end of such six-year period, such records and documents
will be turned over to the Trust unless the Trust authorizes in writing the
destruction of such records and documents.
13. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE TRUST.
The Trust certifies to Ultimus that: (1) as of the close of business on
the Effective Date, each Portfolio that is in existence as of the Effective Date
has authorized unlimited shares, and (2) this Agreement has been duly authorized
by the Trust and, when executed and delivered by the Trust, will constitute a
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust, enforceable against the Trust
in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors and secured parties.
14. REPRESENTATIONS OF ULTIMUS.
Ultimus represents and warrants that: (1) it will maintain a disaster
recovery plan and procedures including provisions for emergency use of
electronic data processing equipment, which is reasonable in light of the
services to be provided, and it will, at no additional expense to
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the Trust, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions (Ultimus
shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or service
interruptions caused by equipment failure, provided it maintains such plans and
procedures); (2) this Agreement has been duly authorized by Ultimus and, when
executed and delivered by Ultimus, will constitute a legal, valid and binding
obligation of Ultimus, enforceable against Ultimus in accordance with its terms,
subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of
general application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and secured
parties; (3) it is duly registered with the appropriate regulatory agency as a
transfer agent and such registration will remain in full force and effect for
the duration of this Agreement; and (4) it has and will continue to have access
to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and
obligations under this Agreement.
15. INSURANCE.
Upon request, Ultimus shall furnish the Trust with pertinent information
concerning the professional liability insurance coverage that it maintains. Such
information shall include the identity of the insurance carrier(s), coverage
levels and deductible amounts. Ultimus shall notify the Trust should any of its
insurance coverage be canceled or reduced. Such notification shall include the
date of change and the reasons therefor. Ultimus shall notify the Trust of any
material claims against it with respect to services performed under this
Agreement, whether or not they may be covered by insurance, and shall notify the
Trust from time to time as may be appropriate of the total outstanding claims
made by Ultimus under its insurance coverage.
16. INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED BY THE TRUST.
The Trust has furnished to Ultimus the following:
(a) Copies of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration
of Trust") and of any amendments thereto, certified by the proper
official of the state in which such document has been filed.
(e) Copies of the following documents:
(1) The Trust's Bylaws and any amendments thereto; and
(2) Certified copies of resolutions of the Trustees covering the
approval of this Agreement, authorization of a specified
officer of the Trust to execute and deliver this Agreement and
authorization for specified officers of the Trust to instruct
Ultimus thereunder.
(f) A list of all the officers of the Trust, together with specimen
signatures of those officers who are authorized to instruct Ultimus
in all matters.
(g) Copies of the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for
each Portfolio.
17. AMENDMENTS TO AGREEMENT.
This Agreement, or any term thereof, may be changed or waived only by
written amendment signed by the party against whom enforcement of such change or
waiver is sought.
For special cases, the parties hereto may amend such procedures set forth
herein as may be appropriate or practical under the circumstances, and Ultimus
may conclusively assume that
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any special procedure which has been approved by the Trust does not conflict
with or violate any requirements of its Declaration of Trust or then current
prospectuses, or any rule, regulation or requirement of any regulatory body.
18. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.
Except for the obligations of Ultimus otherwise set forth herein, the
Trust assumes full responsibility for the preparation, contents and distribution
of each prospectus of the Trust as to compliance with all applicable
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
the 1940 Act and any other laws, rules and regulations of governmental
authorities having jurisdiction. The Trust represents and warrants that no
shares of the Trust will be offered to the public until the Trust's registration
statement under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act has been declared or becomes
effective.
19. NOTICES.
Any notice provided hereunder shall be sufficiently given when sent by
registered or certified mail to the party required to be served with such
notice, at the following address: if to the Trust, at 0000 Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, XX 00000, Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx; and if to Ultimus, at 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000, Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx; or at
such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party pursuant to this Section.
20. ASSIGNMENT.
This Agreement and the rights and duties hereunder shall not be assignable
by either of the parties hereto except by the specific written consent of the
other party. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the
benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.
21. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of Ohio and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the
applicable laws of the State of Ohio, or any of the provisions herein, conflict
with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
22. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
A copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the
State of Ohio, and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on
behalf of the Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this
instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders
individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust (or
if the matter relates only to a particular Portfolio, that Portfolio), and the
Ultimus shall look only to the assets of the Trust, or the particular Portfolio,
for the satisfaction of such obligations.
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23. MULTIPLE ORIGINALS.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
THE RAM FUNDS
By: __________________________
Its: President
ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC
By: __________________________
Its: President
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SCHEDULE A
TO THE ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE RAM FUNDS
AND
ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC
FUND PORTFOLIOS
The RAM Capital Appreciation Fund
The RAM Enhanced Income Fund
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SCHEDULE B
TO THE ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE RAM FUNDS
AND
ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC
FEES
Pursuant to Article 4, in consideration of services rendered and
expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the Trust will pay Ultimus on the
first business day after the end of each month, or at such time(s) as Ultimus
shall request and the parties hereto agree, a fee computed with respect to each
Portfolio as follows:
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AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS ADMINISTRATION FEE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to $50 million .150%
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$50 million to $100 million .125%
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$100 million to $250 million .100%
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$250 million to $500 million .075%
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In excess of $500 million .050%
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The fee will be subject to a monthly minimum of $2,000 with respect to each
Portfolio.
The above fee will be discounted by 20% during the first year and 15%
during the second year or until such time as the net assets of a Portfolio reach
$20 million, but in no case later than 2 years from the date of commencement of
operations for a Portfolio.
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES:
In addition to the above fees, the Trust will reimburse Ultimus for
certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred on the Trust's behalf, including but not
limited to, travel expenses to attend Board meetings and any other expenses
approved by the Trust. The Trust will be responsible for its normal operating
expenses, such as federal and state filing fees, insurance premiums, typesetting
and printing of the Trust's public documents, and fees and expenses of the
Trust's other vendors and providers.
CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER:
The terms of this Agreement do not provide for Ultimus to furnish an
individual to serve as the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer.
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