But the trend is encased in a larger pattern related to volatility.

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"We see a definite pattern related to the daily thermal tides of the atmosphere, " said RAD Principal Investigator Don Hassler of the Southwest Research Institute's Boulder, Colo.

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In alluding to these purported discussions with firm officials, Tucker did not explain how they related to his repeated and consistent pattern of false filings at each of eleven firms over a seven-year period.

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As DOJ gains expertise related to such industry usage and establishes a pattern of addressing issues common to different investigations in the same manner over time, the lives of outside counsel inevitably will become easier.

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Texas authorities are seeking to revoke Andrew Campbell's medical license, alleging a pattern of misdiagnosing patients with occupational or mold-related illnesses, overbilling and excessive testing.

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The study also found a pattern of heavy trading around 14, 000 disclosure events that contained climate change-related information, including press releases and SEC filings.

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As the Nature piece notes, a 2010 study found that reports of drought-related forest stress and destruction had risen steadily since 1985 in varied ecosystems around the world, and suggested the pattern was tied to climate change.

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