According to my research (thanks chatterbox!), it doesn't matter where they are located inside your required file. This thread might help in your understanding of use and require, like it did for me.

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It's all fine and dandy until someone has to look at the code.

In reply to Re: Importing Modules in 'require'ed libraries by kwaping
in thread Importing Modules in 'require'ed libraries by njcodewarrior

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