1.   It is one of three companies competing to develop such a test.

2.   Three development teams are competing to develop the project and Gargano said a designation should be made before mid-May.

3.   Other technology companies, including Sony, Microsoft and IBM are competing to develop secure systems for digital transmission of songs.

4.   Because of tightening exhaust regulations, global automakers are competing to develop leaner burning engines.

5.   Researchers are testing nicotine patches for neurological diseases in both children and the elderly, and drug companies are competing to develop nicotine substitutes that have fewer side effects.

6.   Scientists for two U.S. companies, Raytheon Co. and Motorola Corp., and a half-dozen Japanese companies also are competing to develop transistors using quantum principles.