But Tokyo is resisting linking that general commitment to some numerical indicators that would measure in a hard and fast way whether the Japanese are actually making substantial progress.

The Americans insist that Japan agree to certain numerical indicators that will prove whether it is opening its markets in autos, telecommunications, insurance and medical equipment.

American officials say there is no chance that they will compromise on the issue of numerical indicators.

Each field contains multiple MOS's, each designated by a four-digit numerical indicator and a job title.

If you measure something you adopt a process whereby some numerical indicator is attached to it.

Mr. Miringoff's index revives an idea that had its vogue in the 1970's, when there was a movement among social scientists to develop numerical indicators of social health.

The numerical indicators are the key stumbling block.

Last, though hardly least, is the emotional subtext of the seemingly technical debate over "numerical indicators."

It is considered to be a numerical targeting indicator for Goal 8 of the Millennium Development Goals.

An aridity index (AI) is a numerical indicator of the degree of dryness of the climate at a given location.