The motif also includes Eaton Corporation (ETN), a diversified manufacturer of power supply components and systems that are used by utilities and in other markets.

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The cool-running, lower-power Barracuda Green hard drive delivers whisper-quiet acoustics and helps reduce system costs associated with the fans and power supply devices often required for power-hungry systems.

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On July 15, 1996, President Bill Clinton issued Executive Order No. 13010, in which he identified eight infrastructure systems critical to the nation's survival: telecommunications, electric power systems, oil and gas storage, transportation, banking and finance, storage and transportation, water supply systems, and emergency services (including medical, police, fire and rescue, and continuity of government).

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Aside from funding hurdles, this potential mission and others like it will depend on a steady supply of Pu-238 for propulsion and to power its onboard systems.

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But experts say a successful, large-scale attack on U.S. computer systems could hobble electric-power grids, transportation networks and industrial-supply chains.

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Analysts saw the talks as part of a consolidation trend, as HP, IBM and Cisco Systems jostle for control of corporate data centers and compete to supply the high-end computers that power complex corporate transactions and networks.

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