gain exclusive access to a shared resource; only one thread of control can operate upon that resource at a time - multiple threads of control are serialized.
messages and delay are necessary to get granted the permission to access the resource (this means entering the critical section) or to release the permission (exiting it)
The PracticeWorks acquisition is expected to add about $ 215 million to Kodak 's revenue in the first full year , be slightly dilutive through 2005 , and accretive thereafter .