21.   But he noted that several other viatical-settlements companies appear to remain in the business.

22.   But the company appears to be open to critcism on at least two counts.

23.   But the company appears to be scrambling to sell, close or shrink businesses.

24.   But the company does not appear to be playing to a wildly enthusiastic audience.

25.   But the company appears to be gaining popularity in the neighborhoods it serves.

26.   But, Patel said, given that Napster is now offline, the company appears to no longer be causing public harm.

27.   By jumping into the arms of rivals, companies appear to dull their incentive to innovate on their own.

28.   Cement companies appeared unaffected by a government investigation into their pricing practices.

29.   Charles Buchwalter, vice president for media research at NetRatings, said the adoption of the online medium by blue-chip companies appeared to be accelerating.

30.   Companies appear increasingly willing to fire their accountants, rather than face even a perception of a conflict.