The initial quality gap between foreign and domestic manufacturers has closed dramatically, (see chart, below), and among Detroit's Big Three, GM's quality is best.

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Several colleges are currently tracking their former gap year students, and initial findings seem to show that most do well in college and possibly better than their non-gap year classmates, Bull said.

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Developers had about 50% of the retail space in the Meridian's 830, 000-square-foot initial phase leased to retailers such as a Gap store and to restaurants before it got the construction loan.

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Chinese domestic makers reached their best initial quality ratings ever in 2012, narrowing the gap between international brands.

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If the gap is due to inadequate skill, training might still be the initial solution.

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They made an early breakthrough with Maddock going over in the corner after an initial tap penalty from Michael Claasens, and some superb off-loading in contact by the visiting forwards created a gap for the winger to dive through.

BBC: Dragons 12-15 Bath