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BackgroundPopulation studies support the adverse associations of air pollution exposures with child behavioral functioning and cognitive performance, but few studies have used spatiotemporally resolved pollutant assessments.ObjectivesWe investigated these associations using more refined exposure assessments in 1,967 mother-child dyads from three U.S. pregnancy cohorts in six cities in the ECHO-PATHWAYS Consortium.MethodsPre- and postnatal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) exposures were derived from an advanced spatiotemporal model. Child behavior was reported as Total Problems raw score using the Child Behavior Checklist at age 4-6 y. Child cognition was assessed using cohort-specific cognitive performance scales and quantified as the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ). We fitted multivariate linear regression models that were adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychological factors to estimate associations per 2-unit increase in pollutant in each exposure window and examined modification by child sex. Identified critical windows were further verified by distributed lag models (DLMs).ResultsMean NO2 and PM2.5 ranged from 8.4 to 9.0 ppb and 8.4 to 9.1 μg/m3, respectively, across pre- and postnatal windows. Average child Total Problems score and IQ were 22.7 [standard deviation (SD): 18.5] and 102.6 (SD: 15.3), respectively. Children with higher prenatal NO2 exposures were likely to have more behavioral problems [β: 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39, 2.08; per 2 ppb NO2], particularly NO2 in the first and second trimester. Each 2-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 at age 2-4 y was associated with a 3.59 unit (95% CI: 0.35, 6.84) higher Total Problems score and a 2.63 point (95% CI: -5.08, -0.17) lower IQ. The associations between PM2.5 and Total Problems score were generally stronger in girls. Most predefined windows identified were not confirmed by DLMs.DiscussionOur study extends earlier findings that have raised concerns about impaired behavioral functioning and cognitive performance in children exposed to NO2 and PM2.5 in utero and in early life. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10248.

BackgroundLimited data suggest air pollution exposures may contribute to pediatric high blood pressure (HBP), a known predictor of adult cardiovascular diseases.MethodsWe investigated this association in the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood (CANDLE) study, a sociodemographically diverse pregnancy cohort in the southern United States with participants enrolled from 2006 to 2011. We included 822 mother-child dyads with available address histories and a valid child blood pressure measurement at 4-6 y. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) were converted to age-, sex-, and height-specific percentiles for normal-weight U.S. children. HBP was classified based on SBP or DBP ≥90th percentile. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) estimates in both pre- and postnatal windows were obtained from annual national models and spatiotemporal models, respectively. We fit multivariate Linear and Poisson regressions and explored multiplicative joint effects with maternal nutrition, child sex, and maternal race using interaction terms.ResultsMean PM2.5 and NO2 in the prenatal period were 10.8 [standard deviation (SD): 0.9] μg/m3 and 10.0 (SD: 2.4) ppb, respectively, and 9.9 (SD: 0.6) μg/m3 and 8.8 (SD: 1.9) ppb from birth to the 4-y-old birthday. On average, SBP percentile increased by 14.6 (95% CI: 4.6, 24.6), and DBP percentile increased by 8.7 (95% CI: 1.4, 15.9) with each 2-μg/m3 increase in second-trimester PM2.5. PM2.5 averaged over the prenatal period was only significantly associated with higher DBP percentiles [β= 11.6 (95% CI: 2.9, 20.2)]. Positive associations of second-trimester PM2.5 with SBP and DBP percentiles were stronger in children with maternal folate concentrations in the lowest quartile (pinteraction= 0.05 and 0.07, respectively) and associations with DBP percentiles were stronger in female children (pinteraction= 0.05). We did not detect significant association of NO2, road proximity, and postnatal PM2.5 with any outcomes.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that higher prenatal PM2.5 exposure, particularly in the second trimester, is associated with elevated early childhood blood pressure. This adverse association could be modified by pregnancy folate concentrations. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7486.

BACKGROUND: Population studies support the adverse associations of air pollution exposures with child behavioral functioning and cognitive performance, but few studies have used spatiotemporally resolved pollutant assessments. OBJECTIVES: We investigated these associations using more refined exposure assessments in 1,967 mother–child dyads from three U.S. pregnancy cohorts in six cities in the ECHO-PATHWAYS Consortium. METHODS: Pre- and postnatal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) ≤2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) exposures were derived from an advanced spatiotemporal model. Child behavior was reported as Total Problems raw score using the Child Behavior Checklist at age 4–6 y. Child cognition was assessed using cohort-specific cognitive performance scales and quantified as the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ). We fitted multivariate linear regression models that were adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychological factors to estimate associations per 2- unit increase in pollutant in each exposure window and examined modification by child sex. Identified critical windows were further verified by distributed lag models (DLMs). RESULTS: Mean NO2 and PM2.5 ranged from 8.4 to 9.0 ppb and 8.4 to 9.1 µg/m³, respectively, across pre- and postnatal windows. Average child Total Problems score and IQ were 22.7 [standard deviation (SD): 18.5] and 102.6 (SD: 15.3), respectively. Children with higher prenatal NO2 exposures were likely to have more behavioral problems [b: 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39, 2.08; per 2 ppb NO2], particularly NO2 in the first and second trimester. Each 2-µg/m³ increase in PM2.5 at age 2–4 y was associated with a 3.59 unit (95% CI: 0.35, 6.84) higher Total Problems score and a 2.63 point (95% CI: -5.08, -0.17) lower IQ. The associations between PM2.5 and Total Problems score were generally stronger in girls. Most predefined windows identified were not confirmed by DLMs. DISCUSSION: Our study extends earlier findings that have raised concerns about impaired behavioral functioning and cognitive performance in children exposed to NO2 and PM2.5 in utero and in early life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a capital gains tax reduction on the stock price of firms that have not historically paid a dividend. [...]

ABSTRACT This paper provides an explanation of the continued persistence of the weekend effect. Using the 23 non-holiday Wednesday closings of 1968 as a benchmark, it is postulated that negative [...]

Cluster analysis is used to analyze the mergers of depository institutions, drawing on previous work in the non-financial sector. The majority of merger studies focus on single motivation factors or limited participant characteristics and fail to account for the heterogeneity within merger samples. This paper furthers the merger literature by separating depository institution mergers into homogeneous groups of bidders and targets based on the pre-merger financial characteristics of each. This allows the analysis of the influence of intergroup differences on the returns to both bidding and target firms. Cluster membership is analyzed and results interpreted. A test for cluster membership is performed and findings reconciled with existing merger theories., INTRODUCTION The merger and acquisition activity of depository institutions has increased dramatically in recent years, with various theories hypothesized regarding the cause of this action. In addition, much attention has [...]

BACKGROUND: Few epidemiologic studies have evaluated the effects of air pollution on the risk of Parkinson disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: We investigated the associations of long-term residential concentrations of ambient particulate matter (PM) < 10 [micro]m in diameter ([PM.sub.10]) and < 2.5 [micro]m in diameter ([PM.sub.2.5]) and nitrogen dioxide (N[O.sub.2]) in relation to PD risk. METHODS: Our nested case--control analysis included 1,556 self-reported physician-diagnosed PD cases identified between 1995 and 2006 and 3,313 controls frequency-matched on age, sex, and race. We geocoded home addresses reported in 1995-1996 and estimated the average ambient concentrations of [PM.sub.10], [PM.sub.2.5], and N[O.sub.2] using a national fine-scale geostatistical model incorporating roadway information and other geographic covariates. Air pollutant exposures were analyzed as both quintiles and continuous variables, adjusting for matching variables and potential confounders. RESULTS: We observed no statistically significant overall association between PM or N[O.sub.2] exposures and PD risk. However, in preplanned subgroup analyses, a higher risk of PD was associated with higher exposure to [PM.sub.10] (O[R.sub.Q5 vs. Q1] = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.45; p-trend = 0.02) among women, and with higher exposure to [PM.sub.2.5] (O[R.sub.Q5 vs. Q1] = 1.29; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.76; p-trend = 0.04) among never smokers. In post hoc analyses among female never smokers, both [PM.sub.2.5] (O[R.sub.Q5 vs. Q1] = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.17; p-trend = 0.05) and [PM.sub.10] (O[R.sub.Q5 vs. Q1] = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.29, 4.26; p-trend = 0.01) showed positive associations with PD risk. Analyses based on continuous exposure variables generally showed similar but nonsignificant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we found limited evidence for an association between exposures to ambient [PM.sub.10], [PM.sub.2.5], or N[O.sub.2] and PD risk. The suggestive evidence that exposures to [PM.sub.2.5] and [PM.sub.10] may increase PD risk among female never smokers warrants further investigation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP135, Introduction Air pollution is a complex and dynamic mixture consisting of particulate matter (PM), gases, organic components, and metals (Block et al. 2012). Numerous studies have consistently shown deleterious effects [...]

BACKGROUND: Limited data suggest air pollution exposures may contribute to pediatric high blood pressure (HBP), a known predictor of adult cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: We investigated this association in the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood (CANDLE) study, a sociodemographically diverse pregnancy cohort in the southern United States with participants enrolled from 2006 to 2011. We included 822 mother–child dyads with available address histories and a valid child blood pressure measurement at 4–6 y. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) were converted to age-, sex-, and height-specific percentiles for normal-weight U.S. children. HBP was classified based on SBP or DBP =90th percentile. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter =2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) estimates in both pre- and postnatal windows were obtained from annual national models and spatiotemporal models, respectively. We fit multivariate Linear and Poisson regressions and explored multiplicative joint effects with maternal nutrition, child sex, and maternal race using interaction terms. RESULTS: Mean PM2.5 and NO2 in the prenatal period were 10.8 [standard deviation (SD): 0.9] μm/m³ and 10.0 (SD: 2.4) ppb, respectively, and 9.9 (SD: 0.6) μmg/m³ and 8.8 (SD: 1.9) ppb from birth to the 4-y-old birthday. On average, SBP percentile increased by 14.6 (95% CI: 4.6, 24.6), and DBP percentile increased by 8.7 (95% CI: 1.4, 15.9) with each 2-μmg/m³ increase in second-trimester PM2.5. PM2.5 averaged over the prenatal period was only significantly associated with higher DBP percentiles [Β= 11.6 (95% CI: 2.9, 20.2)]. Positive associations of second-trimester PM2.5 with SBP and DBP percentiles were stronger in children with maternal folate concentrations in the lowest quartile (푝interaction = 0.05 and 0.07, respectively) and associations with DBP percentiles were stronger in female children (푝interaction = 0.05). We did not detect significant association of NO2, road proximity, and postnatal PM2.5 with any outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that higher prenatal PM2.5 exposure, particularly in the second trimester, is associated with elevated early childhood blood pressure. This adverse association could be modified by pregnancy folate concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited evidence links air pollution exposure to chronic cough and sputum production. Few reports have investigated the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and classically defined chronic bronchitis. Objectives: Our objective was to estimate the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter (diameter Methods: We estimated annual average [PM.sub.2.5], [PM.sub.10, and N[O.sub.2] concentrations using a national land-use regression model with spatial smoothing at home addresses of participants in a prospective nationwide U.S. cohort study of sisters of women with breast cancer. Incident chronic bronchitis and prevalent chronic bronchitis, cough and phlegm, were assessed by questionnaires. Results: Among 47,357 individuals with complete data, 1,383 had prevalent chronic bronchitis at baseline, and 647 incident cases occurred over 5.7-y average follow-up. No associations with incident chronic bronchitis were observed. Prevalent chronic bronchitis was associated with [PM.sub.10] [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) per interquartile range (IQR) difference (5.8 [micro]g/[m.sup.3]) = 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.13]. In never- smokers, [PM.sub.2.5] was associated with prevalent chronic bronchitis (aOR= 1.18 per IQR difference; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.34), and N[O.sub.2] was associated with prevalent chronic bronchitis (aOR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.01,1.20), cough (aOR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.16), and phlegm (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.14); interaction p-values (nonsmokers vs. smokers) Conclusions: [PM.sub.10] exposure was related to chronic bronchitis prevalence. Among never-smokers, [PM.sub.2.5] and N[O.sub.2] exposure was associated with chronic bronchitis and component symptoms. Results may have policy ramifications for [PM.sub.10] regulation by providing evidence for respiratory health effects related to long-term [PM.sub.10] exposure., Introduction Chronic bronchitis is a common clinical condition defined by chronic cough and sputum production for at least 3 mo in 2 or more consecutive years (American Thoracic Society 1995). [...]

Objective: We explored how a deep learning (DL) approach based on hierarchical attention networks (HANs) can improve model performance for multiple information extraction tasks from unstructured cancer pathology reports compared to conventional methods that do not sufficiently capture syntactic and semantic contexts from free-text documents.Materials and Methods: Data for our analyses were obtained from 942 deidentified pathology reports collected by the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. The HAN was implemented for 2 information extraction tasks: (1) primary site, matched to 12 International Classification of Diseases for Oncology topography codes (7 breast, 5 lung primary sites), and (2) histological grade classification, matched to G1-G4. Model performance metrics were compared to conventional machine learning (ML) approaches including naive Bayes, logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting, and other DL models, including a recurrent neural network (RNN), a recurrent neural network with attention (RNN w/A), and a convolutional neural network.Results: Our results demonstrate that for both information tasks, HAN performed significantly better compared to the conventional ML and DL techniques. In particular, across the 2 tasks, the mean micro and macro F-scores for the HAN with pretraining were (0.852,0.708), compared to naive Bayes (0.518, 0.213), logistic regression (0.682, 0.453), support vector machine (0.634, 0.434), random forest (0.698, 0.508), extreme gradient boosting (0.696, 0.522), RNN (0.505, 0.301), RNN w/A (0.637, 0.471), and convolutional neural network (0.714, 0.460).Conclusions: HAN-based DL models show promise in information abstraction tasks within unstructured clinical pathology reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1997, investors were surprised by the announcement that the Clinton administration had reached an agreement with Congress to lower the marginal rate on capital gains taxes. This announcement was not preceded by rumors of the forthcoming reduction and no other tax rates were changed. Therefore, this presents an ideal situation to study the equity market reactions to an announced tax reduction. Two competing forces could possibly explain changes in stock prices relative to this announcement. The "lock-in effect" could explain negative equity re-valuations, and the capitalization effect could influence positive price adjustments. The possible effects of both effects are tested on the announcement date and the information date, and the findings are presented in this paper. We provide evidence which would support both the lock-in and capitalization effects on stock price reactions to the announced change in capital gains tax rates. As we move into a new administration, with the 20 year anniversary of this change, the notion of changes in the tax code arises again. If capital gains once again become an avenue of change, the potential outcome of this change once again becomes relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jo Sarzotti Mother Desert Minneapolis: Graywolf Press, 2012 Jo Sarzotti's debut collection, Mother Desert , is composed of poems that reflect and then shatter the assumptions of the given world [...]

Epidemiological studies increasingly rely on exposure prediction models. Predictive performance of satellite data has not been evaluated in a combined land-use regression/spatial smoothing context. We performed regionalized national land-use regression with and without universal kriging on annual average NO2 measurements (1990-2012, contiguous U.S. EPA sites). Regression covariates were dimension-reduced components of 418 geographic variables including distance to roadway. We estimated model performance with two cross-validation approaches: using randomly selected groups and, in order to assess predictions to unmonitored areas, spatially clustered cross-validation groups. Ground-level NO2 was estimated from satellite-derived NO2 and was assessed as an additional regression covariate. Kriging models performed consistently better than nonkriging models. Among kriging models, conventional cross-validated R² (R²cv) averaged over all years was 0.85 for the satellite data models and 0.84 for the models without satellite data. Average spatially clustered R²cv was 0.74 for the satellite data models and 0.64 for the models without satellite data. The addition of either kriging or satellite data to a well-specified NO2 land-use regression model each improves prediction. Adding the satellite variable to a kriging model only marginally improves predictions in well-sampled areas (conventional cross-validation) but substantially improves predictions for points far from monitoring locations (clustered cross-validation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finance theory suggests that firms should choose a capital structure that maximizes owner wealth and a plethora of research has sought to identify factors which influence the debt/equity choice. The bulk of this research has been limited to developed countries with little interest towards developing or emerging market firms. This study examines cross-regional similarities in capital structure determinants in an attempt to determine if any of the factors found to be significantly influential in developed markets are also important in emerging markets and are they region-specific. The specific countries of interest are: India, Indonesia, Korea (Rep), Malaysia, Thailand, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. These countries lie primarily in two distinct regions of the world; five in Asia and five in Latin America. Results show that emerging market factors are similar to those identified in developed markets but there are indeed regional differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]