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We examine the relationship between abnormal income from sales of available for sale (AFS) securities and bank external auditor fees. Prior research finds that income from sales of AFS securities is used to achieve financial and regulatory reporting objectives, helpful in predicting future bank income, and assigned a persistent valuation multiple by investors. Building on prior research that suggests real activities management leads to negative outcomes, we predict and find that auditors respond to abnormal income from AFS securities sales with increases in audit fees and the effect is stronger among high risk (i.e. higher stock return and earnings volatility) banks relative to low risk banks. In additional analyses concerning a bank's limited flexibility to achieve regulatory capital objectives through managing loan loss provisions, we find evidence of higher audit fees for banks with low regulatory capital and aggressive income-increasing AFS security sales. Among other robustness tests, we find higher audit fees as abnormal income from sales of AFS securities increases among banks with liquidity concerns and those approaching failure. Our findings suggest that auditors interpret abnormal income from AFS securities sales as an indicator of increased client business risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how an after-school program that infused Maker education influenced Midwestern U.S. middle school youths' attitudes toward science. The researchers conducted pre- and post-interviews with six students from non-dominant backgrounds as well as the teacher, and also administered attitudinal surveys to the six students at two time points (pre/post). Additionally, the researchers observed the level of student participation by video-recording each after-school session, observed the level of student anxiety by using skin temperature biofeedback, and examined student artifacts. At the end of the program, the researchers administered a program survey to the six students. The findings revealed three themes (fun elements of science, career choice, trial and error). In this study, the after-school program infused with Maker education showed great potential in sustaining the non-dominant youths' positive attitudes toward science. The findings speak to the need for future studies that investigate pedagogy issues in Making after-school programs and also highlight equity issues in the opportunities for non-dominant youth to participate in these programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study "Advanced" data to examine how the educational credentials of maths teachers and other teacher characteristics were related to attitude towards advanced mathematics and perceptions of engaged teaching among 12th-grade students enrolled in advanced mathematics courses in the U.S. As attitudinal outcomes in this study, two measures of attitude towards mathematics were employed – the Students Like Learning Advanced Mathematics scale and the Students Value Advanced Mathematics scale, and one measure of student perception of engaged teaching – the Students' Views on Engaging Teaching in Advanced Mathematics Lessons. A set of multilevel regression analyses were conducted predicting each of these aforementioned outcomes. No statistically significant effects on the attitudinal outcomes were observed for teacher variables. Positive effects were noted for parental education on students' valuing of advanced mathematics. A prominent finding was that higher levels of parental education were associated with higher student levels of valuing mathematics, which likely reflects a family/home culture that implicitly or explicitly places high value on science and mathematics. Identifying factors that might facilitate positive attitude is important to increase the likelihood that students will choose, and be retained in, mathematics and STEM education and careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined how the type of school technology and teachers' technological experiences (either personal or pedagogical) were related to teacher perceptions of culturally responsive teaching in technology-supported learning environments. Additionally, the study assessed the moderating effects of school technology interactivity on the relationship between teacher technology experiences and their perception of culturally responsive teaching in these environments. Hierarchical linear modeling was conducted on data from 257 teachers in Taiwan. Results found that the presence of technology interactivity in schools, teachers' personal technology experiences, and technology experiences in teaching each had a positive and statistically significant effect on teachers' perception of culturally responsive teaching. In addition, results found that the presence of interactive technology had no significant moderating effect on the relationship between either personal technology integration or technology integration in teaching and any of the five dimensions of culturally responsive teaching. The results suggest that, in addition to technological infrastructure renovation, schools should provide teachers with professional development programs and support which encourages them to create a technology-infused environment to address the connections between students' cultural contexts and their learning contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a coefficient of discrimination for use with nominal and ordinal regression models. Computation of the coefficient is demonstrated with data from the Pew Research Center's 25th Anniversary of the Web Omnibus Survey pertaining to cell/home phone ownership, where the coefficient of discrimination indicates that respondent age and gender increased the probability of a correct versus incorrect classification by 13.9%. Additionally, the coefficient is compared to existing coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the roles of gender and STEM major status as predictors of performance in formulating a research question and designing experiment among 70 undergraduate Taiwanese college students participating in inquiry-based learning (IBL). Student participants in this study were involved in discrepant demonstrations of scientific events and hands-on activities to introduce conceptual knowledge with the goal of motivating their learning interest in explaining phenomena scientifically. In addition, historical cases of scientific inquiry were utilised to scaffold and support inquiry procedures. At three time points during the semester, learning sheets were used to assess student performance in scientific inquiry practices (generating research questions and designing experiment). Results revealed that female students showed greater ability to form a research question than males. Additionally, while female science majors showed greater ability to generate a research design than female non-science majors, the opposite was true for males. Finally, the challenges and difficulties encountered by students in formulating research question and designing experiments are addressed. The findings of students' significant and positive progress on formulating research question in the three consecutive assessments reveal the potential benefits of pedagogical approaches used in this study. On the other hand, the variety of students' learning outcomes provide insight into potential ways that specific student subgroups may respond to pedagogies within an inquiry-based context. The initial findings also provide a starting point for instructors to begin debating the most productive ways of planning and delivering scientific inquiry instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal shelters commonly experience difficulties finding homes for dogs with pre-existing medical or behavioral issues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the various factors that contribute to people's willingness to consider adopting dogs with different behavioral and medical needs and backgrounds. A web-based survey was created using the Qualtrics platform. The sample size for this study was (n = 752). Results from generalized linear mixed models and latent regression models showed that, overall stimulus, dogs described as having behavioral issues were viewed as less adoptable, less appealing, and more demanding of resources than dogs described as having medical issues. However, while women perceived dogs with behavioral issues as less adoptable than dogs with medical issues, men viewed dogs with behavioral issues as more adoptable than dogs with medical issues. Dogs described as friendly were perceived as most adoptable followed by (in order) dogs with an abuse history, dogs with allergies, and dogs that jumped/pulled. Dogs with diabetes or separation anxiety were perceived as least adoptable. Dogs described as having a history of abuse were viewed as more adoptable, more affectively appealing, and less demanding of resources than dogs with either medical or behavioral issues. Participants who currently had a dog or who were raised with a dog as a child tended to view stimulus dogs as more adoptable than their counterparts who didn't currently have a dog or who didn't have a dog as a child. Married persons viewed dogs as more adoptable than unmarried persons, and younger persons viewed dogs as more adoptable than older persons. Understanding the attitudes/beliefs of potential dog adopters toward various medical and behavioral issues provides animal rescue and adoption groups with valuable information on how best to market dogs who have medical or behavioral problems. Shelters can offer potential adopters training classes for dogs with behavioral problems and "how-to" educational classes for those who adopt dogs with medical problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the various factors that contribute to people's willingness to consider adopting dogs with different behavioral and medical attributes and backgrounds. There are few extant research studies related to the perceived adoptability of dogs with pre-existing medical and behavioral problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the incorporation of Google Earth Virtual Reality (VR) into English Learners' (ELs) expository writing experiences from a Funds of Knowledge perspective utilizing a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design. The participants were 22 ELs from a middle school in a rural Midwestern town. During the quantitative phase, the expository writing artifacts were collected through a multiple before-and-after non-experimental design and analyzed using ANOVA. A text-in-context coding approach was adopted to examine changes in students' writing. The results showed a statistically significant increase in expository writing skills, particularly in description, cause/effect, compare/contrast, and enumeration. A descriptive survey assessing the acceptance of Google Earth VR was distributed as well. During the qualitative phase, a follow-up focus group for the ELs and teacher interviews were conducted. Field notes/memos were used to triangulate the data. The qualitative findings indicated that the ELs were engaged in the virtual-assisted writing environment and showed positive attitudes toward Google Earth VR. Concerns about using Google Earth VR in writing (i.e. time-consuming as well as distracting and posing integration difficulties) were addressed. Future directions inspired from this study are discussed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to examine the associations between the motivation to learn, basic skills (i.e. literacy and numeracy), and organised adult education and training (AET) participation among the middle-aged and older adults in the USA. Rapid technological advancement and globalisation necessitate individuals to engage in lifelong learning to actively participate in society. However, little is known about the roles of motivation to learn and basic skills in the AET participation in the U.S. adult population. We obtained the data from the 2012/2014 Programme for International Assessment of Adult Competencies restricted-use file and adults aged 50 years and older (n = 2,580) are included. Structural equation models are used to examine (1) any AET, (2) formal AET and (3) non-formal AET participation as a function of the motivation to learn latent construct, literacy, numeracy, and other covariates. Results showed that the motivation to learn, literacy and numeracy are all positive predictors of non-formal AET participation. Only motivation to learn is associated with formal AET participation. Findings from this study may inform future interventions as well as policy changes to promote specific types of organised AET programmes among older adult population in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonnormality of data presents unique challenges for researchers who wish to carry out structural equation modeling. The subsequent SPSS syntax program computes bootstrap-adjusted fit indices (comparative fit index, Tucker -- Lewis index, incremental fit index, and root mean square error of approximation) that adjust for nonnormality, along with the Bollen -- Stine bootstrap-adjusted X2 equivalent statistic and associated scaling factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial thinking skills and attitudes of geography majors were compared with those of future teachers majoring in elementary education and secondary social studies education. Scores were obtained for each group on two measures: the spatial skills test and the attitude toward spatial thinking inventory. Mean differences were examined based on five factors: major, gender, travel experience, geography courses, and experience using geographic information systems (GIS). For both outcome measures, results showed that the mean scores for elementary education majors were significantly lower than scores from secondary social studies majors and geography majors. Geography majors outperformed both groups of education majors on both measures. Implications for the preparation of geography teachers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With the advent of antiretroviral therapies, persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs) are living longer but with increased impairment and care needs. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a vulnerable population of PLHIVs preferred informal versus professional care when unable to care for themselves, and individual and support network factors associated with preference for informal care. The findings have potential implications for facilitating the population's informal care at end of life. Data were from the BEACON study, which examined social factors associated with health outcomes among former or current drug-using PLHIVs in Baltimore, MD. Structural equation modeling was used to identify individual and support network characteristics associated with PLHIVs' preference for informal (family or friends) compared to professional care. The structural equation model indicated preference for informal care was associated with female sex, greater informal care receipt, reporting one's main partner (i.e., boy/girlfriend or spouse) as the primary source of informal care, and a support network comprised greater numbers of female kin and persons supportive of the participant's HIV treatment adherence. Not asking for needed help to avoid owing favors was associated with preferring professional care. Findings suggest that interventions to promote informal end of life care should bolster supportive others' resources and skills for care provision and treatment adherence support, and should address perceived norms of reciprocity. Such intervention will help ensure community caregiving in a population with high needs for long-term care. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cough is a common problem among cancer patients, especially lung cancer patients. Gabapentin has been shown to be effective in reducing cough number and severity in patients with idiopathic refractory cough. The authors report here the successful use of gabapentin at usual doses to treat cough in cancer patients, including two with lung cancer, with minimal side effects. Gabapentin may be a useful addition to the symptom management toolbox for palliation of cancer symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of the current study was to assess the gender invariance of an a priori four-factor solution of behavioral consequences of drinking. Results evidenced strong partial measurement invariance, with marginal structural invariance, which signals that the underlying constructs possessed the same theoretical structure for both men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathic pain is common among cancer patients and often difficult to treat. This study used Scrambler therapy, a patient-specific electrocutaneous nerve stimulation device, to treat cancer patients with pain. Patients received Scrambler therapy for 10 sessions (one daily) over a two-week period. The primary outcome was changed in pain numerical rating scale (NRS) at one month; secondary outcomes were changes in the Brief Pain Inventory and European Organization for Treatment and Cancer QLC-CIPN-20(EORTC CIPN-20), over time. Thirty-nine patients, mean age 56.5 yr, 16 men and 23 women, were treated over an 18-month period for an average of 9.3 days each. The 'now' pain scores reduced from 6.6 before treatment to 4.5 at 14 days, 4.6, 4.8, and 4.6 at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively ( p < 0.001). Clinically important and statistically significant improvements were seen in average, least, and worst pain; BPI interference with life scores, and motor and sensory scales on the EORTC CIPN-20. No adverse effects were observed. In this single arm trial, Scrambler therapy appeared to relieve cancer-associated chronic neuropathic pain both acutely and chronically, and provided sustained improvements in many indicators of quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormalities in taste and smell are commonly reported in patients receiving chemotherapy and may hinder appetite, dietary intake, nutritional well-being, and quality of life. Oral zinc has been used to treat taste and smell abnormalities in several altered physiologic states, including renal failure, liver disease, head trauma, and pregnancy, with varying results. The authors conducted a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinic trial over 3 months. Eligible patients were those taking chemotherapy that had alterations in taste and/or smell. The measurement of the primary end point, improvement in altered taste and smell, was made using a 0-100 scale (100 describing no loss or distortion in taste and smell, and 0 describing the worst distortion or loss of taste and smell). Twenty-nine subjects were enrolled in each treatment group, of whom 31 were white, 26 African American, and 1 Native American. Forty-one patients were female. A wide range of cancer types was represented, with breast the most common (21 patients). The zinc dose was 220 mg orally twice daily (equivalent of 50 mg elemental zinc twice daily). There was no statistically significant improvement in loss or distortion of taste or smell with the addition of zinc. There was a trend toward improvement over time in all groups, except in the zinc group where there was a nonsignificant worsening in loss of smell over time. Zinc at standard doses did not provide significant benefit to taste or smell in patients receiving chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors summarize the main findings of the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research (FCE-LTER) program in the EMER, within the context of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), to understand how regional processes, mediated by water flow, control population and ecosystem dynamics across the EMER landscape. Tree canopies with maximum height <3 m cover 49% of the EMER, particularly in the SE region. These scrub/dwarf mangroves are the result of a combination of low soil phosphorus (P < 59 μg P g dw-1) in the calcareous marl substrate and long hydroperiod. Phosphorus limits the EMER and its freshwater watersheds due to the lack of terrigenous sediment input and the phosphorus-limited nature of the freshwater Everglades. Reduced freshwater delivery over the past 50 years, combined with Everglades compartmentalization and a 10 cm rise in coastal sea level, has led to the landward transgression (∼1.5 km in 54 years) of the mangrove ecotone. Seasonal variation in freshwater input strongly controls the temporal variation of nitrogen and P exports (99%) from the Everglades to Florida Bay. Rapid changes in nutrient availability and vegetation distribution during the last 50 years show that future ecosystem restoration actions and land use decisions can exert a major influence, similar to sea level rise over the short term, on nutrient cycling and wetland productivity in the EMER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paramount concern on college campuses is drinking. Although research concerning student alcohol use on college campuses is not net; the number of studies within the context of community colleges is scant. This study investigates the factor structure of behavioral consequences data. Results suggested that 2 factors best described the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses focus group methodology to examine supportive and unsupportive responses experienced by African American and Caucasian cancer patients. Supportive responses included practical assistance, as well as people's willingness to listen, maintain a positive attitude, and pray. Unsupportive responses included others' withdrawal behaviors, patients having to support friends/family as they coped, and family/friends limiting patients' independence. Results reflect ways in which mental health providers, social workers, and health care providers can help patients express support needs, as well as how social networks can be better educated about the types of support valued by patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1985, a number of North American researchers have evaluated the association between worker exposure to metalworking fluids (MWFs) and cancer mortality or respiratory morbidity. The studies have used different methods to measure the MWF aerosol concentration and to evaluate the exposures to the specific components of the MWF aerosol (bacteria, endotoxin, elements, metals, ethanolamines, polyaromatic hydrocarbons). This diversity of approaches makes comparison of study results difficult and has impeded the development of an occupational exposure limit (OEL) for metalworking fluids. This article summarizes the exposures measured in these North American epidemiologic studies by estimating their thoracic and inhalable MWF particulate levels. In addition, issues that must be resolved before a universal sampling and analysis method for MWF can be recommended are reviewed, including: the use of gravimetric versus extractable analysis; whether the analytical limit of detection can support a lower occupational exposure limit; if the volatile components of mineral oils should also be collected; and whether there are components of specific concern in MWFs that should be regulated separately. Finally, recommendations for future directions in MWF exposure assessment and control are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pro/Pro polymorphism of p53 codon 72 has been reported to be related to bladder and lung cancer, but its relationship with skin cancer is unclear. We assessed the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the p53 codon 72, Pro/Pro polymorphism, cumulative arsenic exposure, and the risk of skin cancer in a hospital-based case-control study in southwestern Taiwan. From 1996 to 1999, 93 newly-diagnosed skin cancer patients at the National Cheng-Kung University (NCKU) Hospital and 71 community controls matched on residence were recruited in southwestern Taiwan. The genotype of p53 codon 72 (Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro, or Pro/Pro) was determined for all subjects by polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A questionnaire was administered to each subject for collection of demographic information, personal habits, disease history, diet information, and other relevant questions. The Pro/Pro (homozygous) genotype was more frequent in skin cancer patients (cases, 20%; controls, 12%; P = 0.37). Subjects with the susceptible genotype Pro/Pro and heterozygous (intermediate) genotype Pro/Arg had 2.18 and 0.99 times risk of skin cancer than the wild type Arg/Arg (95% confidence interval, 0.74-4.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-2.21), respectively. Compared with subjects with 18.5 < BMI < 23, subjects with BMI > 18.5 had 5.78 times risk of skin cancer (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 31.36) after adjusting for other risk factors. There was no interaction between BMI and genotype, but the sample size was small. The risk of skin cancer did not significantly vary by tumor cell-type. The risk of skin cancer is increased in individuals with the Pro/Pro genotype. Larger, confirmatory studies are needed to clarify the role of constitutional polymorphisms in p53 and skin cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the development of a computer-based exposure system for human inhalation. Use of computer-controlled solenoid valves to regulate respiration; Attainment of precise timing control of exposure and breathing samples; Accuracy in the measurement of breathing patterns.

Examines the link between birth weight and parental exposure to organic solvents in Beijing, China. Reduction in birth weight; Decrease in fertility; Health effects of maternal and parental exposure to organic solvents.

ABSTRACT. Urinary 2-methoxy acetic acid reportedly has a long half-life (77.1 hr) in humans. The authors studied urinary 2-methoxy acetic acid in a group of 18 workers exposed to 2-methoxy ethanol from Monday to Saturday following a 7-d cease in production. The weekly time-weighted average exposure concentration of 2-methoxy ethanol was 4.5 ppm. The urinary 2-methoxy acetic acid of exposed workers was increased significantly, from 18.5 mu g/ml (10.6 mg/gm creatinine) on Monday (prior to work) to 48.4 mu g/ml (46.5 mg/gm creatinine) on Friday (after work), to 51.2 mu g/ml (45.6 mg/gm creatinine) on Saturday after work. These levels occurred, despite that fact that the daily mean time-weighted average 2-methoxy ethanol exposures were very consistent and were close to the current Taiwan Permissible Exposure Limit of 5 ppm. These urinary 2-methoxy acetic acid levels were much higher than levels that occur with inhalation only, and they demonstrate that skin absorption is a significant contributor to 2-methoxy ethanol exposure. The high background concentrations of 2-methoxy acetic acid in the preshift urine samples following a 7-d production halt confirm that there is a long half-life of 2-methoxy acetic acid in humans. The determination of urinary 2-methoxy acetic acid is recommended for exposure assessment of 2-methoxy ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. Skin vapor absorption is one of the major exposure routes for some widely used chemicals (e.g., 2-methoxy ethanol), but a good apparatus with which exposure can be measured is currently unavailable. In this study, a polished stainless-steel chamber--combined with computer-controlled auto-feedback software and hardware, real-time gas sensors, and an auto-injection microsyringe--was proposed as new technology. In addition, the machines had activated-charcoal tubes and cold traps, both of which simulated the skin uptake and validated the reliability of the proposed system. The exposure concentrations, relative humidity, and temperature were effectively controlled at 25 +/- 0.5 ppm (or 300 +/- 10 ppm), 80 +/- 2%, and 27.5 +/- 0.5 Celsius, respectively. The relative errors between the quantity of 2-methoxy ethanol collected in either the charcoal tubes or the cold traps and the quantity of ME injected to maintain a constant exposure were less than 5%. The authors also used this new technology to successfully measure skin absorption of ME vapor in 6 volunteers. The authors concluded that this new technology is a direct, continuous, noninvasive, and simple tool with which to measure skin absorption of vapors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the influence of handwriting on the cognitive performance in human and computer interaction. Analysis of the experimental methods of electronic motion; Determination on the movement of cognitive performance; Recognition on the human factors ergonomic aspects of writing.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how equity-oriented pedagogy infused with Making activities promoted five non-dominant middle school youths' attitudes toward science in an after-school program in the Midwestern United States. The researchers conducted pre- and post-interviews with five students from non-dominant backgrounds, and also administered attitudinal surveys to the five students at two time points (pre/post). Additionally, the researchers observed the level of student participation by video recording each after-school session, observed the level of student anxiety by using skin temperature biofeedback, and examined student artifacts. The findings revealed three themes. This study found that equity-oriented pedagogy infused with Making activities showed great potential in sustaining non-dominant youths' positive attitudes toward science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intractable pain continues to pose problems for patients with life-limiting disease. The authors review the potential role of dexmedetomidine (Precedex), an α2-adrenergic agonist, as a bridge to obtaining effective analgesia. The authors offer criteria to consider in utilizing this medication within the context of palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented about intrathecal analgesic administration.