11.   That sharp decrease led to problems for the banks that had been lending money for land purchases.

12.   The company attributed the cutbacks to the sharp decrease in travel following the terrorist attacks.

13.   This new get-tough stance has contributed to a sharp decrease in strike activity.

14.   Two weeks ago, Nordstrom reported a sharp decrease in second-quarter earnings, hit by flat sales, heavy markdowns, calendar variations and higher expenses.

15.   A sharp decrease in rainfall in the north and northeast sections of country are responsible for the low water levels at the dams, it said.

16.   Barak, while willing to make a sweeping concession to get a peace deal, has conditioned any agreement with Arafat on a sharp decrease in violence.

17.   Experts say the sharp decrease is due to increased funding by the health ministry on education and insecticide programs.

18.   He noted a sharp decrease in membership of many mainline denominations during the past three decades.

19.   Increasing political and economic stability in Kazakstan has resulted in a sharp decrease in the number of people leaving the Central Asian country, a government official said Thursday.

20.   Irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides and poor management of farm manure have led to sharp decreases in water quality, according to the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe.