QUES: Sales - a figure watched closely as a barometer of its health - rose 5 percent instead of falling as many industry experts had predicted .

It also disclosed that sales -- a figure closely watched by analysts as a barometer of its health -- were significantly higher than industry experts expected .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS: yes

QUES: It said the damage to the wing provided a pathway for hot gasses to penetrate the ship 's thermal armor during Columbia 's ill-fated reentry .

The document says the damage to the wing provided a pathway for hot gases to penetrate Columbia 's thermal armour during its fatal re-entry .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS: yes

QUES: Barbini 's comments came Tuesday , the second day of the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology .

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman kicks off the three-day Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology on Monday .

The sentences above mean the same or not?
****
ANS:
no