Hongliu's loved ones, friends, classmates, colleagues, and brothers & sisters in Christ,
Our most loved Hongliu (Denise) has departed, arrived at the heaven in the arms of our Lord. Carried with her is her ever beautiful and unforgettable smile.
Hongliu was born in 1968 in Shanghai and passed away on August 19, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Born to an intellectual family, Hongliu grew up in Wuxi and Shanghai with her parents and younger sister Hongyan. She received her Bachelor's degree in Precision Instruments and Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Shanghai JiaoTong University in 1991 and 1994, respectively. She came to the United States in the end of 1994 to study in the University of Iowa, where she earned her MS in Mechanical Engineering in 1996. She moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to work as a software engineer in SDRC (later EDS, UGS, and Siemens PLM) in 1997, and for the next 25 years till her late cancer diagnosis in 2021. As an established CAD/CAM expert, she co-authored a widely cited article, "Framework for integrated mechanical design automation," which was published on Computer-Aided Design, in 1999.
Hongliu and her husband Juemin Tang are college classmates, they married in 1994, and stayed married ever since. Their marriage has been a true testimony to the vow of “till death do us part.” The couple have raised five wonderful children, Tina, Grace, Faith, Kate, and Matt.
Hongliu accepted Jesus Christ as her savior in Oct. 1995 in Iowa. Later baptized together with Juemin in 1998. They have been the faithful servants of the Cincinnati Chinese Church ever since.
Hongliu’s life is as promised in John 10:10 -- Super Abundant: raising five children, serving in church and ministry, working full time, running marathons, and many others. She is a devoted wife, a super capable mother, an esteemed coworker, an avid runner, and a beloved friend to so many people in the community.
Hongliu is survived by her husband Juemin, four daughters and one son, her father Guigen, her younger sister Hongyan and her husband Roland.
Rest in peace, Hongliu! May the Lord’s name be glorified!
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family at https://www.spotfund.com/story/0f4b89fc-63d7-4652-a75d-337d8a08b412?source=c&share_location=q&SFID=t94vbcq&referral_id=a33e988c-79ae-49ed-92c4-536f7843083d
红柳的亲戚,朋友,同学,同事,主内的弟兄姐妹们:
我们亲爱的红柳走了,去了天家,随她而去的,还有她那从不消失的美丽笑容。
红柳生于1968年上海,逝于2023年8月19日美国辛辛那提。她出生于一个知识分子家庭,在无锡和上海长大。1987年入读上海交通大学精密仪器专业,并于1991年获得学士学位,1994年获得机械工程专业硕士学位。1994年底她留学美国衣阿华大学,于1996年获得硕士学位,次年就职SDRC(该公司此后又名为EDS,UGS,和西门子软件),并一直工作到2021年因病离职。其间她与同事一起在1999年发表论文“集成机械设计自动化框架”并获业内广泛引用。
红柳在上海交大就学期间认识本班同学汤觉民,两人从此坠入爱河, 并于1994年研究生毕业后结婚出国。他们生育了四女一儿, 分别是家雯,家昕, 家霏, 家逸, 和家亮。红柳于1995年决志信主,1998年和觉民一同在衣阿华受洗,从此一起在主内忠心服事,特别是湖泊庄小组, 美圣堂和恩爱夫妻营事工。她和觉民一起用自己的生命和生活诠释了恩爱夫妻的誓言,和水牛蝴蝶之恋。
生育五娃,教会事工服侍,全职工作,马拉松长跑,等等,这些是红柳丰盛的日常生活,在神的恩典中,她都能把这一切做得有条有序。她在我们心中永远是一个:贤惠的妻子,能干的母亲,受敬的同事,矫健的跑者,和人人喜爱的朋友。
红柳安息主怀!我们会永远怀念她
Tina Tang
December 15, 2023
To love, one must be loved first. My mother was the one who taught me how to love by
loving me first. Now looking back, I can see the evidence of her love all over our lives, but for
most of my life it was something I never fully understood. It wasn’t until she was in and out of
the house in these last few years, either traveling or in the hospital, that I realized how much
sacrifice and strength it took to love and serve this family like she had. For the last two and a
half years while she has been sick, I’ve had a really, really hard time trying to fill even a sliver of
her shoes. It was nearly impossible for me to imagine how life could go one for this family after
she was gone. But the greatest burden my mom left me was also the greatest gift she’s given
me—it’s this family. While her physical presence is gone, her love of us remains interwoven
among all of us, centering and shaping us still. Though I’ve wished that we all could’ve had even
just a little bit more time together, in the end I don’t believe there was anything more left to be
said. Mommy loves us and we love our mommy. In her last few days in the hospital, while
struggling to breath from her cancer and confused from her medications so that she didn’t even
know where she was, my mother could still recognize us, naming each of us from the moment
we walked into her hospital room. Her last words were always “I love you”, and she
demonstrated it to us until the very end. Her love lives on through all of us, the ones who were
first touched by her love, as we continue to love one another.

Will meet again in heaven!
Xiaolan Chen
October 13, 2023

Will meet again in heaven!
Xiaolan Chen
October 13, 2023
Xiaolan Chen
October 13, 2023
Dearest Hong Liu, in this world, we are all sojourners. One day, we will meet again in the heavenly home.
Juemin Tang
October 5, 2023
Hongliu’s Eulogy by Juemin:
Pastor Feng, Pastor Liu, Pastor Yang, Pastor Simon, Elders, brothers and sisters of CCC, Hongliu’s sister Jenny and her husband Roland. Hongliu’s classmates, colleagues, and friends, My brother Junmin just flown from China two days ago, my colleagues and friends, the classmates and friends of Tina, Grace, Faith, Kate, Matt, Grace’s boyfriend Kevin and his family, friends of the Tang family, the staff of the mueller funeral home, and families overseas and everyone online right now across the oceans, near and far. On behalf of Tang Family, Thank You for being here in person or online. Your presence here today is true witness that my dear wife Hongliu Denise Zou. . For her life well lived with grace and love from our Lord Jesus Christ. For her strong faith and courage through out this tough fight, For all your love and support for her and the Tang family. Thank You, Thank You.
36 year ago today, a sunny and hot afternoon, in minhong district, outside Shanghai, China. a brand new university campus, a brand new dormitory, on the 4th floor, my dorm was on the east end of the building. I was alone by myself, just arrived a couple days ago from a small town shaoxing in Zhejiang province, south of Mega City Shanghai . I can’t recall what exactly I was doing. Here came this girl, sorry I shall a young lady, standing at my door, she must be running because she was trying to catch her breath, dressed in a light green silky shirt and a bright white skirt with many flowers interlaced. I don’t remember what kind of shoes she was wearing, but she did wear a very big round glasses with her two beautiful eyes shining through them. She wasn’t looking for me, I don’t think that she even knew me yet since the class has not started officially for the very first semester. She was looking for my roommate , the class captain who is also from Shanghai. I told her that he is away right now, maybe he will be back soon. She thanked me and then she gave me a smile that I can still remember today and i can see her smile when I have my eye closed. Wow, what a smile! I just barely 18 years old, many of you, young people here are much older than me. What would I know about relationships, dating or marriage. But I clearly thought to myself, she is definitely someone I can share my life with. My mom had a incredible smile, hers matches it or even more impressive. I don’t know who granted me the wisdom. I do know I had a crush on her, I like her a lot, specially her smile. However, I decided not to act on it, I kept this butterfly feeling close to my heart. One long year quickly passed, often I saw her in the classroom, she laughed a lot and I still have this butterfly feeling every time I heard her laugh. In sophomore year, there is going to be a big dance party in the school gym and she will be going. I can’t contain myself any longer and I need to ask her to dance with me and to tell her my feelings for her. The problem is that I am not a dancer at all. Never done it before. How can I ask her to dance but I can’t dance myself. Love is always a true motivator, so I improvise. my roommate, the class captain is an avid dancer, so i got a few tips from him. There is a simple form of dance, 3 steps, one big step followed by two small steps. one two three and one two three and repeat. Not too hard. I am excited that I have something to show for. So I went to the dance party, I located her, I waited for the right music for this only dance I learned not long ago and I stepped forward with my heart beating like crazy, and ask her to dance with me. You know the answer already by now. I just never told anyone about this story. She is the only girlfriend I had in college and in life. For all the young ladies here, your smile has power, more than you know, so use it with caution.
We married soon after the graduate school after dating for almost six long years. The same year she got accepted as a PHD student at the university of Iowa in Iowa city IA, I followed her three months after. Thanks to this great country on earth, the united states of America, full of opportunities. We soon found the jobs in Cincinnati and started a family and bought our first house in Mason. Before you knew it, she became a mother of five. No. 1 so far in this church. However, with work, church, five kids’ school, extra curricular activities for each, our marriage was under siege. We were very busy every day. She poured all her love and all her energy towards her kids specially after Matt was born. So Girls, I am talking to my four girls here. Your mom loves matt a lot and she loved you the same when you were born. Nevertheless Matt was the deal break, she just no longer care for herself as she used to, I don’t quite know how to support her or change her mind about the priorities. Whatever I do to help was not working for her. We were struggling quite a lot with my relationship. Thanks to the foresight of the church leaders here Pastor Wu and others, there were a marriage enrichment program started in ohio, our church were part of the program. We missed the first MER when Matt was only two, I could not persuade her to participate. Thanks to all the support we received in this church, we made the second MER in Columbus with many families looking after our five children. Three days and two nights alone without kids. We have re-discovered each other, much needed help for both of us. She learned to have more time for herself and for us. I learned how to better support her needs and communicate better. This was a total transformation. It changed us so much and we decided to join the ministry and gave back. We thought that for younger couples, younger than us, they don’t have to follow our footsteps and make the same mistakes while for older couples, there are hopes to start over and enjoy your marriage again. MER really transformed her, unleashed her potentials. All her hobbies displayed out there started after MER. Cooking, baking, running, biking and a new cat were all after MER. She was doing it with such passion and joy. She had her following on the WeChat and she have inspired many moms and wives. I am sure she still has that today.
About two years and 4 months ago, in mist of Covid19 pandemic, she was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. It was a total shocker. Oh God, Why, How come, What if this and what if that. These were all my burning questions with no satisfying answers. On the contrary, Hongliu my most brave wife never dwelled on these questions, nor did she try to blame this on me or anyone. She just pressed on and focused on what’s possible. She loved to travel, so she started her long bucket list. She was always in treatment for the past 845 days, never get a true break. But she never stop living. Her first year after diagnosis, we made 8 trips including our last family trip in California just one day after completing her radiation treatment. Her 2nd year, we made another 8 trips including a two week long trip to Europe, her dream trip to London, Paris and Switzerland. She walked 25000 steps each day on that trip and then she flew back to Columbus OSU for the chemo treatment the next day after the trip. Her third year, her most difficult year and the last one. we made 6 trips including a trip to Turkey and Greece to follow the footsteps of St. Paul 2nd Mission. She is traveling on the wheelchair, and yet still determined to walk on hills, stairs and gravel roads to have a glance of history. This is a truly remarkable record. The one far more, 10 times more impressive to me than all her three full marathon records. She was so determined to live and she can overcome any challenges before her. Someone ask, did she suffer? The answer is a resounding Yes. She did, She suffered a lot. No one will ask to suffer voluntarily but yet Suffering is the best medicine for our souls. In her suffering, i can see her true faith, In her suffering I can see her true hope, and In her suffering, I can see her true love. Suffering connects us and suffering unites us all in a such deep, profound ways that i still can’t understand.today.
Rest in peace and suffer no more. My love. You did well. Thank You for sharing with me the 36 years of you. Your life is a true example of blessed happiness.
Matt Tang
October 5, 2023
Hi. My name’s Matt and I’m the youngest of the 5 Tangs and the only son. My mom meant a lot to me, I’ve always been aware that she could leave my life one day and never come back, but it was always in the back of my mind. Sometimes she would come home telling me she thought she wouldn’t come back next time. I always ignored her, she always came back before, why would it be any different this time?
I regret a whole lot of things that I never did with her, she deserved so much more than I could provide. I regret not helping her around the house, I regret not spending more time with her, and I regret not saying goodbye before she left. She always loved me and cared for me, even when I didn’t do the same for her. I still remember pretending to do the homework she gave me over the summer. Even when her condition worsened, she continued to worry about me more than herself. She always told me to clean up my room, put on extra clothes when it was cold, and made sure I had brought everything I needed.
Hopefully, I too can also be like her in the future. Always caring and loving for those who are around me. And when faced with death, I can be brave just like her. And when she looks down from up there in the clouds, I’ll be sure to make her proud.
Kate Tang
September 13, 2023
I am Kate Tang, the second youngest of the Tang siblings. Thank you all for being so supportive and sending so much food these past two weeks and thank you to my friends for always being there for me whenever I needed it.
I can’t begin to express how strong and great of a person and a mother my mom was. We really did her no favor in being so stubborn and arguing with each other, every day, over the simplest things. Our household was always chaotic and my mom probably never got a second of peace and quiet. But she still dedicated all her time and poured her heart into taking care of us. She knew the schedules, inside and out, of each and every one of us. Despite her busy schedule, she always kept us on time and on track with our lives.
My favorite memories of her would definitely be her cooking and baking of the most delicious and scrumptious treats in the world. I’m sure many of you have tried her baking and cooking or have seen her posting it on WeChat because she would never let us eat until she got a picture. When I was younger, my favorite thing to do was follow her around the kitchen trying to help her bake. I loved coming home from school to the smell of her baked desserts and it would literally light up my day. Her baking is what sparked my own love for it.
She also knew what each of our food preferences were, what we liked to eat, and what we didn’t like to eat. If we ever requested anything, she would always attempt to make it. My sisters always tease me about the one time she read a picture book to me called The Perfect Soup and I asked her to make it. I‘m pretty sure she made that perfect soup at least three or four times that week. Even when she was diagnosed with cancer, she tried her best to continue baking and cooking. I hope I can remake some of the desserts she made so I can forever remember the taste of her baking.
She was so strong and dedicated to our family and my sole regret is that we rarely showed how much we loved and appreciated her. Mom, I love you and I hope that as you watch over us from above, you'll find happiness and pride in what we do.
Faith Tang
September 12, 2023
Hi everyone, my name is Faith, the 3rd Tang sibling. As I’m sure most of you have been able to witness, my mom's greatest love in life was her children. There’s nothing in this world that she dedicated more time and energy to than raising each one of us.
Cooking us our favorite meals and baking our favorite desserts, my mom showered us with her unconditional love on a daily basis. She always made sure that a full dinner spread with 4 or 5 different dishes was prepared for us. In fact, I don’t even think I can remember a time where she wasn’t able to accomplish this before one of us had to go to our evening commitments. She always ensured that we never showed up to a practice or lesson hungry. All of this on top of also working a full time job, running marathons, and keeping the house clean. It’s truly a testament to how much she loved us.
Growing up, I definitely didn’t realize how much of a sacrifice it was to do all that she did because my mom was the definition of selflessness. She never made herself a burden even throughout her long battle with lung cancer these past two and a half years. Even through her very last moments and breaths, she always had us five at the forefront of her mind, checking on how we were and asking if we had eaten.
It’s unbearable to imagine the next life milestones that I will experience, she will not be able to witness firsthand, but I’m thankful that God had finally brought her home to heaven where she can finally be free from all pain and suffering.
My mom was the first person to show me what it means to love with your whole heart and it’s a lesson I will continue to carry with me into the future. I love you forever, mommy.
George Guo
September 4, 2023
“Run, Hongliu, Run!” We used to cheer for Hongliu like that. In my over 10 years of being Hongliu’s coworker at Siemens, and brother in Christ in Cincinnati Chinese Church, I’ve never seen Hongliu walking at a normal speed until her last few months.
She never walks. She races, runs, or sprints, to her destinations, and we all know why. In the daytime on weekdays, she was a full time worker at Siemens, and she did a stellar job there. As a mother of five, she might have just sent Tina to the piano lesson, dropped Grace at the track-n-field, picked Faith up at the Chinese school, Kate at the soccer game, Matt at the daycare, and during the trips, stopped at the Asian Market to buy groceries to feed the big family, oh ya, and swerved to Costco because gas there is 10 cents cheaper. She has no time to walk.
That’s why at Siemens when we sat down for lunch, all of a sudden, she would stand up, saying “sorry, I gotta go now, my Lao Da or Lao Er has this activity, so I have to leave early today.” Then, she scurried away in a jiffy.
With so many things to do, you would think she has no time for anything else other than taking care of her 5 children and doing her fulltime job. But that’s not true. She is also quite an accomplished marathon runner, as you can tell from those medals displayed outside of this sanctuary.
And even more: In church, Hongliu had been a Children’s Sunday School Teacher, and a helper for the AWANA program for many years. While Juemin served as a deacon, or the leader of HuPoZhuang small group, or the Counsellor of the Marriage Counseling Camp, Hongliu was always there by Juemin’s side and supporting him. As described in proverbs 12:4 “a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband”, Hongliu is truly a crown to Juemin.
Hongliu and Juemin’s hospitality is also well known. Many of you must have attended one of the Thanksgiving, Christmas or Chinese new year parties in their house. Sometimes almost one third of the Mason congregation were there, and the group photo had to be taken in the birdseye view from the second floor to squeeze everyone into the picture.
At the parties, Hongliu would always make a lot of food, including my favorite peanut candies, HuaShengTang. Because of the candies’ popularity, she would also bring them to church almost every Friday, and never forget to assure the newcomers, “it’s healthy - I did not put any sugar in it, only milk, starch, and peanuts”
Speaking of Friday night’s bible study at HuPoZhuang small group - before her health really took a bad turn, Hongliu always came to the classroom the earliest. She and Jueming would sit there together, like a pair of Mandarin ducks, Yuan-Yang in Chinese
Small as HuPoZhuang is, we can always count on two die-hard attendants: Juemin and Hongliu. Even during the Covid time, the two would show up on zoom at 8 o’clock sharp, with two smiling faces.
In her illness, Hongliu finally slowed down. She started walking, and the walk became slower, heavier, and hunchbacked, as her health debilitated. Even when sitting, she would need a special chair - because a regular chair would give her back pain.
Jun and I invited them over to our house several times, and she liked walking our dog, and enjoyed our company. These happy moments lasted for a while, until walking up a driveway became too difficult for her.
From the day Hongliu was diagnosed with lung cancer, the HuPoZhuang prayer list had a new and persisting item: praying for Hongliu’s healing. We prayed hand in hand, in unison, or knees down On every update about Hongliu, we would cheer at her improvements, and weep at any relapses. As written in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 26: “if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
One Friday night last year, as I asked each family for their praying items, Jueming said, “for my family, as usual, continue praying for Hongliu’s healing.” Hongliu smiled, “I’m already healed.” At that moment I was not sure what she meant, thinking she might have meant the first critical condition that she just survived. It only occurred to me, after learning that she had calmly planned her own memorial service, including the fund-raising for the Thailand mission, that she really meant God’s salvation. Jesus has healed her completely, regardless of her physical illness. She was confident about that, and she was ready.
Even with so many things to be taken care of, one thing Juemin and Hongliu would never forget is to return kindness with kindness. Every time someone helped them, even just a little, they would return with something bigger-or-more. Last September When they sent Faith back to school in Michigan, they stopped by the local Costco there, and bought many boxes of mooncakes. After they came back, they distributed the boxes of mooncakes house to house to those families that they felt in debt to. Every time when they came to my house, they would always bring some delicious things, from Shaoxing Sausage, to fresh fruits, to homemade refreshments, as if we were the people who needed care.
Many friends uploaded Hongliu’s pictures for this memorial. While sorting through them, we found that Hongliu was always surrounded by many people. It’s actually not a surprise. In the Mason Chinese community, mothers in their 40s-to-60s-now may all be her friends or acquaintances. Chances are, they may have a child sharing the same activities as a Tang’s child.
Sadly, in her last days, none of the friends were able to see her, because she was down in Texas receiving her last chemo. But we know God held her hands in her last walk on earth.
In my mind, there was always a puzzle about Hongliu and Juemin. While Hongliu seems to be always running, Juemin, on the other hand, seems always walking. Which makes me wonder, was it because Hongliu took care of everything, so that Juemin does no work at all? Hey, Juemin, you’d better make a good defense when you speak! Jokes aside, we all know they are a loving couple. Juemin is always cool-headed, clear-minded, planning everything ahead, from their finances, to the huge vegetable garden in their backyard, to, even the setup of this memorial place. Everyday in her words, eyes, and smiles, Hongliu hides nothing of her trust, submission, and everlasting love towards her husband.
Hongliu no longer needs to run now. She can walk around at ease in heaven, knowing her wonderful children have grown up, her loved ones will miss her, and we all have a beautiful memory of her to cherish forever and ever. Run, walk, or rest, in peace, Hongliu.Farewell sister, until we see you again!
June Fang
September 2, 2023
Our Dearest Hongliu, we love you and miss you tremendously. Still couldn´t believe it. Your serving heart to your husband, your children, your family & friends, the entire church community, is so big ...... you are forever cooking for new mothers and anyone in need; you are forever opening your house to host events for church and for MER; you are forever cooking and baking snacks and treats for Friday church small groups..... your endless energy and kindness and passion and love is so abundant and precious. You are truly a role model for all.
Guangnong Zhang
September 1, 2023
Rest In Peace, my dear sister Hongliu. Your smile and spirit live forever in our hearts.
May our dear God be with Brother Jueming and family. May God bring them the peace and strength through this challenging period
Jack Chung ()
September 1, 2023
We remember Denise Zou, a cherished colleague whose presence enriched us all. Her support strengthened teamwork, her brilliance shone bright, and her easy-going nature made her approachable to all. A guiding light, she mentored newcomers and fostered unity, playing a vital role in our winning the Design News 1997 Best Product of The Year.
Denise's legacy lives on in the hearts of her colleagues, a reminder of the power of collaboration and her unwavering commitment. As we grieve, we also celebrate her - a true friend and inspiration. May Denise find eternal peace, her memory forever guiding us.
Jianwei Zhang
August 31, 2023
Juemin, we share the grief of your family and may God give you supernatural peace during this difficult time. We are comforted by knowing that Hongliu went to the most beautiful place with the Lord. God bless, Jianwei & Hui
Nancy Reginelli
August 31, 2023
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

You will always be remembered!
Huiping Wang
August 30, 2023
Celine Qian
August 29, 2023
Hongliu lived a beautiful life blessed with riches of God’s grace, bearing witness for our Lord even in her final moments. I am thankful to God that we share a bond in Christ that transcends beyond life and death. May memories of her always be with you, carrying you through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Qinghua Guo
August 29, 2023
Thinking of Hongliu, it's impossible to find a single fault or imperfection. She embodied genuine kindness and grace. Hongliu stood out not only for her natural beauty but also for her humility. In a crowd, she was the one who swiftly attended to others, whether it was assisting with food or caring for the children.
Hongliu was an extraordinary mother, a model strong super mom. Her love for her children knew no bounds. She cared for them to the greatest details, cooking delicious homemade feasts, sometimes with fresh vegetables from her summer garden. She tirelessly chauffeured her children to sports, activities, and parties. She was also a working mom who ran the marathon a couple of times. During school breaks, the Tang family embarked on family vacations across the country. Amidst it all, she served faithfully in church ministries alongside her husband Juemin. Although taking the spotlight might not have been her natural inclination, she stood bravely by his side, helping other couples in need.
Hongliu was like a radiant star, illuminating the lives of those around her. She lived her life to its fullest. When the willow tree rustles its leaves in the warmth of summer, they will send us warm greetings from our beloved sister. When crimson cardinals grace our windows, they will carry with them love messages from her in heaven. She will be there amidst the lush flower gardens and the symphony of singing birds.
Rest in peace in heaven, dear sister. We love you, and we will deeply miss you. May God comfort Juemin and her beautiful children: Tina, Grace, Kate, Faith and Matt.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16
-Qinghua Guo

See You Soon in Heaven!
Chien-Yuan Wang
August 27, 2023
Rest in Peace.
Jiehua Maggie Zhao
August 24, 2023
A pure heart, an enduring soul, a true Christian. I will remember you Hongliu. My sister. Thank you Lord for bringing Hongliu into my life since we were 18 years old. Love you forever. Rest in peace. God is Good. His Mercies last forever.
Lori Bailey Robson
August 24, 2023
Prayers and strength to the family as you celebrate Honglui´s beautiful and full life!
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