It never ceases to amaze me how background conditions work out to continue the long history of the market making most of its gains each year in the winter months and when there is a correction of any degree it almost always takes place in the unfavorable season between May and November.

FORBES: Strongly Bullish Winter Seasonality Lifts Stocks Again

"We believe it actually shows there is only a small risk to any one individual against the background of conditions that exist with or without Vioxx, " says Frazier.

FORBES: Merck Outlines Vioxx Defense

All of the variability that we have, all of the storms, are sort of riding on the background of a different underlying conditions.

NPR: Can Climate Change Explain Odd Weather?

The developers are now seeking changes and amendments to three conditions which relate to the monitoring and levels of "background" noise from the development.

BBC: RES Glenchamber wind farm condition changes debated

It said that against a background of fragile recovery in manufacturing, business needs a breathing space to allow tentative signs of improving conditions to take a firmer hold.

BBC: Bank leaves UK rates on hold