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The article focuses on developments in reforming catalysts and highlights the continued importance of the catalytic reforming process in refineries worldwide for producing high-octane gasoline and aromatics, even amidst the energy transition and declining gasoline demand.

The article discusses the issue of creeping change in the industry and methods to hazard identification to avoid its catastrophic consequences. It highlights the Key Programme 4 (KP4) initiated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to identify creeping changes which further helps in asset management and increasing production efficiency.

The article offers information on the role of catalytic reforming in transforming low-octane naphtha from crude oil into high-octane transportation fuels. It mentions that the process involves transforming the naphthenic to paraffinic molecules in the feed into branched components and high-octane aromatics. It states that the dehydrogenation reaction to transform a cyclohexane into an aromatic can be achieved by the metal function of the catalyst.

The article offers information on ways to improve the performance of a catalyst. It states that through the efforts of research and development, the catalyst activity and selectivity was improved by altering the promoter-metal interaction without compromising stability. It says that the low-density and high-density performance is explained primarily by a modification of the platinum (Pt) particle electronic density.

Features several chief information officers whcih are considered coaches in information technology. Stephen F. Brown of Tenet Healthcare Corp.; Michael Agens of Linens 'N Things Inc.; Deryck G. Jones of Sentech LLC.

Deals with helping employees conduct their own online transaction through the use of Web-based, customer self-service human resources application software. Attitude of employees toward self-service human resources applications; Advantages of giving employees online access to human resources processes; Overview of high-end self-service tools used by companies.

Provides information on the survey `7th Annual Technology Skills Survey,' which is about recruitment application and Web developers and object programmers in the United States. Importance of retooling; Action taken by companies in retraining their staff; Effort of International Game Technology Inc. to expand wherein they can provide Internet-enabled systems that automate backend machine functionality.

Focuses on the shortage of Internet-related skilled employees in the United States. Projections of the 4th Annual Hiring Forecast survey of `Computerworld' magazine; What prompted companies to make their offers more competitive; Information on the recruiting efforts of PaineWebber and UnitedHealth Group.

Discusses the role of containment system in the safe working environment. Laws on dangerous pathogens and genetically modified organisms; Historical perspective on the safe handling of microorganisms; Range of containment facilities; Standardization of containment systems.

Discusses the findings of `Computerworld' magazine's 12th Annual Salary Survey of computer industry employees. Information on the Philips Technologies, a Cambridge, Maryland-based electronics firm; Comments from Steve Hammond of Philips on the stability of the company's staff; Average compensation range for information systems (IS) employees from 1997 to 1998; Other developments in employee compensation.

Comments on the challenges faced by information systems managers. Unwillingness of companies to update information systems; Examples of job dissatisfaction displayed by information systems workers. INSETS: Report card on satisfaction;Differences in the sexes;Generation gaps;The price of success

Focuses on the performance of an intranet set up at Chrysler Financial Corporation which was used to train employees. Devolvement cost of the intranet; Persons involved in the intranet's design and maintainence; Details on how the intranet was used. INSET: Training tips.

Looks at what companies in different regions of the world are doing to find valuable network staff members. Search for global network architects in Australia; Demand fueled by electronic commerce in Europe; Search for Internet professionals in Latin America; Difficulty of finding a good Wide Area Network professional in India.

The article discusses the Cathedral at Height project for multimedia installation and other physical renovations at the Chester Cathedral of the Diocese of Chester in England. Team head describes the demonstration by multi-sensory audio visual solutions firm Pure AV of wall projections using the Epson EB-G6350 projector. The bell chamber of the tower is included as well in the presentation of imagery and sound pertaining to history of the institution.

Features several chief information officers who are considered innovators in information technology. Michael J. Ragunas of Staples.com; Dick Bennett of ABC Interactive; Anthony Okrongly of Galactic Ltd.; Their background.

Focuses on the approach used by information technology (IT) leaders in managing their staff. Main responsibilities of chief information officers (CIO); Method used by Cecilia Claudio, CIO of Farmers Group Inc. to gain the loyalty of her staff; How CIO should care about the personal life of their staff.

Features the information technology staff at Ibeauty.com, an online retail site selling cosmetics, fragrances and other personal pampering products. Frank Stolze, chief technology officer; Gregory Cranz, director of Web engineering; Robert Lee, vice president of systems.

A letter to the editor is presented about job growth in the aerospace industry.

Presents a letter adapted from remarks delivered by Robert T. Parry, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to the California Bankers Association Bank Counsel Seminar on April 25, 1998. Factors that affect the financial services industry; How the structure of the industry is transformed; Conclusion.

Presents information on the top 25 cities in the United States which are considered the best place to look for an information systems job. Details on San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix and others.

Profiles the Webslingers, a club formed in Sachem High School North in Long Island, New York which has launched a Sachem World Wide Web site. Features of the site; How the club was formed; Strategies used by the group to cope with the challenges of managed growth. INSETS: How I spent my summer vacation.;The Webslinger executive committee..

Reports that New York City is garnering the image as the cybercapital of the world. Impact of Web site developments on the economic landscape of the city; What these emerging firms are realizing; Effect of this technology surge on the vocabulary in the corporate aspects of the city; Comment from Carl Goodman, curator of digital media at the American Museum of the Moving Image; Names of companies that developed Web sites; Features of these sites.

Assesses the impact of technological innovations within the mortgaging industry on home ownership in the United States. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.'s launching of the Loan Prospector system in February 1995; Reduction of mortgage application processing time and costs; Re-engineered business processes at BancBoston Mortgage Co. in Jacksonville, Florida. INSET: Technology tricks of the trade..

Investigates a possible link between shifting age structure and decline of bank deposits in the United States. Measurement of households' financial assets; Link between increased share of stocks and bonds with upward shift of age profile; Contribution of changes in computer technology and telecommunications to a decline in non-deposit investments.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues of "Microwave & RF" magazine. "Tracking the Top 25 Microwave Websites," which included the Web site of Tensolite; Correction to the article "Regenerate Coherent Carriers From PSK Signals."

Presents information on the elements of the design of the Society of Environmental Engineers' Grant of Arms. Arms (shield); Supporters; Crest; Badge. INSET: History.

Reports on the lobbying efforts of officials in Washington, D.C. to relocate the Montreal Expos baseball team franchise to their city in 2004. Fund offered for the construction of a stadium for the team; Public opinion poll conducted by the periodical "American City & County" with regard to the financing of construction of sports stadiums and arenas by local governments.

Looks at the state of the U.S. information technology (IT) consulting services market. Impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the business prospects of Visionary Computer Consulting Inc.; Concerns of consultants over client companies' ability to pay for IT consulting services; Factors that might create consulting opportunities; Steps taken by consultants toward other business opportunities.

Interviews Leslie Hunt, chief information officer of the American National Red Cross. Number of information technology (IT) volunteers in the World Trade Center after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; Role of IT in restructuring the damages caused by the terrorist attacks; Reaction of the IT industry on the terrorist attacks.

Talks about information technology professionals who took up electronic or distance learning. Comparison between on-campus classes and electronic learning; Advantage of online courses.

Focuses on companies comprising the `Computerworld' periodical's 10 best places to work in information technology (IT) for training. Alternative learning opportunities USAA provides for its IT employees; Process used by Tower Perrin to establish annual training agreements between managers and direct reports; Advantage of embedding training in the IT culture; Outcome of the training approach taken by Home Depot Inc.

Discusses the growing number of students enrolling in and graduating from the business schools' management information system and computer information system programs in the United States in 2001. University of Alabama; Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield; Implication of the trends to the employment rate.

Reports on the hiring trends for information technology (IT) employees. Hiring plans of See's Candies Inc.; Shift in the balance of power in IT recruiting; Efforts of IT organizations to improve their recruiting strategies.

Deals with the optimism of information technology consultants concerning their recruitment in 2001. Systems that will dominate the application development opportunities; Consultants who faced challenges against H-1B visa holders; Suggestions for consultants.

Offers a look at the recruitment of information technology professionals with Web application development experience in 2001. Advantage of consultants who can manage Web-enabled customer relationship management and supply-chain management system projects; Comments from several IT consultants.

Focuses on the challenges faced by information technology (IT) professionals as dot-com companies continue to lay off employees and close their businesses. Optimism of IT employees on the job market.

Focuses on the experience of David Sims, president of Sims Computing Inc. in creating their Flux software for Java 2 Enterprise Edition. Other services offered by Sims aside from consulting; Challenges encountered by Sims in building the product's name; Legal tasks added by the software to Sims' to-do list.

Focuses on the enrollment growth in management information system courses in the United States. Factors for the growth; Views on the information technology supply-and-demand gap; Results of surveys.

Discusses the challenges encountered by some information technology (IT) executives in their moves toward IT success. Environments where Peter Burrows, chief technology officer at Reebok International Ltd., had worked; Problem encountered by Scott Heintzeman at Carlson Hospitality Worldwide that created embarrassment for the hotel's general manager; Christopher Smith's challenge at Kmart Corporation.

Deals with the opportunity offered by customer relationship management (CRM) technology on Dave Towers, marketing manager of American Express Co.'s Membership Rewards program. Challenges encountered by Towers in the program; Favorite part of the program for Towers.

Offers a look at the typical day of Martin Eyllon, information technology consultant of Concord, Massachusetts-based Binary Techniques Inc. Work upon his office arrival; Meetings he attended; Technique used to relieve anxiety.

Presents examples of requests made by information technology (IT) employees on their employers before accepting jobs. Why FirstLook.com refuse the request of its IT employees; Vacations requested by IT employees that most companies do not consider.

Deals with the experience of some year 2000 (Y2K) consultants. Reason of companies for hiring Brenda Shelton, founder of Essential Consulting Inc.; Factors cited by consultants that will drive the demand for employees; Top projects that led the list of companies' Y2K concern; Tips for consultants in order to land challenging assignments after Y2K wrap up; Guides in protecting valuable skills.

Focuses on the decision of companies for translocating information technology (IT) professionals by moving them into other roles. Benefit of Tyson Foods Inc. in translocating its employees; Purpose of Tribune Co. for implementing a formal rotation plan; Details of the growth offered by rotation on IT professionals.

Discusses the demand for skilled computer consultants. What inspires loyalty to a particular agency; Turnover rates at consulting agencies; Retention efforts of agencies; What consultants and agency executives say consultants really want.

Elaborates on the importance for an information technology consultant to have a Web site. Cost of Web hosting; Uses of Web site. INSET: What to post on your Web site..

Describes how three information technology consultants were able to recover from major mistakes they committed in the course of their consulting career. John Genzano of Genzano Software Consulting; Seventh Generation Internet owner Shuli Goodman; American Eagle Group president David Zimmer; Consequences of each mistake; Lessons learned; Long-term impact.

Enumerates the most common mistakes committed by information technology consultants. Ignorance of tax, liability and intellectual property laws; Overpricing or underpricing of services; Timidity in negotiations; Importance of heeding one's instincts.