def pattern_match(query, patterns=None):
    """
    Simple helper function to see if a query matches a list of strings, even if partially.

    Parameters
    ----------
    query : string
      String to check for matches
    patterns : list of string or None (optional)
      Patterns to reference, return False if unspecified

    Returns
    ----------
    match : bool
      Whether the query matches some pattern, fully or partially
    """

    # Default the returned value
    match = False

    # Check if there are any patterns to analyze
    if patterns is not None:
        # Compare the query to each pattern
        match = any([p in query for p in patterns])

    return match