Though a program displays panels showing all the critical processes of a real rig (fire and gas detectors, valve status, oil flow from the sea bed and so on), and then responds to the actions of the trainee by altering these displays appropriately, a human operator can intervene at any time if things seem to be going too smoothly.

ECONOMIST: Virtual reality

The turbulent flow of water creates undulations in the bed sediments - a series of ripples or dunes that slowly migrate in the direction of the water current.

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Opponents of the Tokushima dam argue that dams of similar design elsewhere have destroyed river habitats, blocking the flow of water and leading to an accumulation of sludge on the river bed.

ECONOMIST: Japan

For the 153-bed Northern California hospital, it meant shelling out a fortune, and falling behind on cash flow because of billing interruption during implementation.

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