1.   The once thriving downtown has fallen into steep decline since the new mall was built.

2.   Increased use of chemical pesticides is causing a steep decline in the numbers of song thrushes in Britain, according to a survey by the British Trust for Ornithology.

3.   Although it followed two days of steep declines last Thursday and Friday, most money managers said they were unprepared for what happened during the day.

4.   Among companies posting steep declines in earnings were Colbun Machicura SA, Empresas Iansa SA and Empresas Telex-Chile SA.

5.   Among the temporary factors, he said, are the steep decline in oil prices and commodity prices generally.

6.   And beginning last August, these sales went into a steep decline.

7.   Analysts said J. Baker, like many others in the industry, has faced steep declines in sales because of a drop in consumer spending.

8.   Analysts said the market reaction showed that most investors had expected a steep decline in profits and were not shocked by the latest numbers.

9.   And the curiosity about her seems unaffected by her steep decline in the polls in recent months.

10.   And the improvement occurs as other indices of civic engagement, like voting and volunteer work, have been in steep declines.