11.   The decline has accelerated in the last five years, a fact that publishers attribute, at least in part, to wholesaler consolidation.

12.   To the surprise of federal officials and members of Congress, the decline has been accelerating.

13.   With little fresh news to generate buying enthusiasm, an early decline Monday quickly accelerated into a full-blown selloff.

14.   The organisation warned that the decline would probably accelerate in the coming years.