31.   At a time when reefs in many areas of the globe are succumbing, it would be tragic if the greatest of all were to join their ranks.

32.   Berbeco heads to Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh in the fall, and could join the ranks of performers who juggled both books and bookings as college musicians.

33.   Bill Keller, managing editor of The Times, this month joins the ranks of Op-Ed columnists.

34.   Blood vessel disease has been added as a cause of low-back problems, joining the ranks of improper lifting techniques and overly soft mattresses.

35.   Besides the classic drug-development biotech companies, others joining the ranks of public companies include diagnostics companies looking for better ways to track disease.

36.   Both armed groups, which earn millions of dollars annually from the illegal drug trade, sometimes force young Paez to join their ranks as guides and fighters.

37.   A few brave male singers, though no doubt concerned about losing their macho images, have joined the ranks of the shoeless and shucked their Doc Martens.

38.   A mining reform bill joins the ranks of major policy initiatives that have been tacked onto a massive GOP budget reduction bill.

39.   A large international utility is expected to join their ranks next month.

40.   A new subsidiary of British Airways called Go, based at Stansted Airport outside London, plans to join the ranks of no-frills European airlines next month.