The Effects of Growth Mindset and Resilience on Immigrant Students’ PISA Science Achievement: The Mediating Role of Attitudes Toward School

In recent years, self-theories such as growth mindset and resilience have gained interest as they have a sizable influence on achievement and school-related motivation. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between immigrant students’ growth mindset, resilience, and science achievement in PISA 2018 by considering the mediating effect of attitudes toward school. Using secondary data for Australia, the UK, and the USA obtained from PISA 2018, we conducted a series of Structural Equation Modeling analyses to unravel the relationship between self-theories and science achievement. The growth mindset had the strongest effect on science achievement for both immigrants and non-immigrants in all three countries; resilience was positively related to science achievement for immigrants in the US, and attitudes toward school were positively related to science achievement for immigrants in Australia. The mediating role of attitudes toward school between growth mindset, resilience and science achievement could not have been confirmed. We speculate that self-theories might be affecting immigrant groups differently in different countries. Implications regarding these findings are discussed

The effects of language learning and math mindsets on academic success in an engineering program

Background: Mindsets are based on two basic assumptions: some people think that their intellectual abilities can be developed through hard work and instruction (i.e., a growth mindset), whereas others believe that nothing can change their level of intellectual ability (i.e., a fixed mindset). The association between mindsets and academic achievement has been examined in different academic subjects, such as biology and math. However, no previous study has examined the effects of language learning mindsets (LLMs) and math mindsets (MMs) on academic success in an English medium instruction (EMI) setting in which English, rather than the first language of the students, is used for teaching content (e.g., mechatronics engineering). Purpose/Hypothesis: This study explores the relationship between Turkish mechatronics engineering undergraduate students' domain‐specific mindsets, LLMs and MMs, and their academic success. Design/Method: Student test scores for English medium and first‐language medium courses were collected from fourth‐year students studying mechatronics engineering (n = 68) at a public university in Turkey. Students also completed the LLM and MM inventories. Results: Regression analyses revealed that growth LLM and MM were positive predictors of EMI and Turkish medium of instruction (TMI) academic success, whereas fixed LLM and MM were negative predictors of EMI and TMI academic success. Conclusions: In both EMI and TMI courses, a growth mindset in math and language learning can profoundly predict students' academic achievement in a mechatronics engineering program. We argue that domain‐specific mindsets can effectively explain the self‐theories of intelligence and achievement

The impact of admission red cell distribution width on long-term cardiovascular events after primary percutaneous intervention: A four-year prospective study

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an indicator of erythrocyte in different size, and its prognostic value has been demonstrated in numerous cardiac and non-cardiac diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of RDW on the long- -term cardiovascular events in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Ninety-six consecutive patients (mean age 60.6 ± 12.5 years, 77.1% male) with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), who were treated with primary PCI, were analyzed prospectively. Baseline RDW and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. The patients were followed up for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) for up to 48 months after discharge. Results: There were 30 patients with long-term MACE (Group 1) and 66 patients without long-term MACE (Group 2). Age, admission RDW, hs-CRP and creatine kinase-MB levels, heart rate after PCI, previously used angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, left anterior descending artery lesion, and electrocardiographic no-reflow were higher in Group 1. Admission hemoglobin levels were lower in Group 1. An RDW level ≥ 13.85% measured on admission had 80% sensitivity and 64% specificity in predicting long-term MACE on receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. In multivariate analyses, only admission RDW (HR 5.26, < 95% CI 1.71–16.10; p = 0.004) was an independent predictor of long-term MACE. Conclusions: A high baseline RDW value in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI is independently associated with increased risk for long term MACE

Trace Elements, Heavy Metals and Vitamin Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Aim: In the present study, we aimed to assess serum concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), vitamins A (retinol), D (cholecalciferol) and E (α-tocopherol) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to compare with healthy controls

The Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry (AFTER)

Background: AFTER (Atrial Fibrillation in Turkey: Epidemiologic Registry) is a prospective,multicenter study designed with the aim of describing the prevalence and epidemiology ofAF practice in Turkey. This study aims to evaluate stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fi brillation(AF) and anticoagulant drug utilization within conformity to AF guidelines.Methods: Patients were recruited in 17 referral hospitals refl ecting all the population of7 geographical regions of Turkey. 2242 consecutive patients who had been admitted with AFon ECG were included in the study. 1745 of these patients, who had non-valvular AF, wereincluded in the statistical evaluation. Stroke risk was evaluated with the CHA2DS2-VASc score.Results: The average age of participants was determined to be 69.2 ± 11.5 years (56%female). Persistent-permanent AF was found to be the most common type of non-valvularAF (78%). The most common comorbid disorder was hypertension (73%). It was found thatoral anticoagulant therapy was used by 40% of all patients, 37% of whom had effective INR(2.0–3.0). Upon multivariate analysis, age was found to be the only independent predictorof stroke among the variables’ effects on thromboembolic events that created CHA2DS2-VAScabbreviations (OR 1.026, p < 0.001).Conclusions: These results suggest that stroke risk scores should be thoroughly heededbased on guidelines, and that anticoagulation must be applied according to their guidance

GRAIN YIELD STABILITY OF WINTER OAT (AVENA SATIVA L.) CULTIVARS IN THE CENTRAL ANATOLIAN REGION OF TURKEY

The objectives of this research were to assess genotype environment interaction and determine stable oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars for grain yield in Central Anatolian Region of Turkey. Stability analysis [9] were to performed on results for grain yield of 5 oat cultivars (Chekota, Yesilkoy-1779, Yesilkoy-330, Faikbey-2004, Seydisehir-2004) from 24 trials (6 irrigated, 18 rain fed ) was conducted over 6 years in the Central Anatolian Region, Turkey. There was considerable variation in grain yield within and across environments. Year by location and location variability were dominant sources of interactions. The cultivar, “Seydisehir-2004” with respective regression coefficient value of 1.03, the smallest deviations from regressions (S2di) value and the highest grain yield could be considered the most widely adapted cultivar. The other test cultivars were sensitive to production-limiting factors, their wider adaptability, stability and general performance to the fluctuating growing conditions within and across environments being lowered

Changes in Serum Natriuretic Peptide Levels after Percutaneous Closure of Small to Moderate Ventricular Septal Defects

Background. B-type natriuretic peptide has been shown to be a very sensitive and specific marker of heart failure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of percutaneous closure of ventricular septal defects with Amplatzer septal occluders on brain natriuretic peptide levels. Methods. Between 2008 and 2011, 23 patients underwent successfully percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure in 4 cardiology centers. Brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured in nine patients (4 male, mean ages were 25.3 ± 14.3) who underwent percutaneous closure with Amplatzer occluders for membranous or muscular ventricular septal defects were enrolled in the study. Brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured one day before and one month after the closure. Patients were evaluated clinically and by echocardiography one month after the procedure. Results. Percutaneous closures of ventricular septal defects were successfully performed in all patients. There was not any significant adverse event in patients group during followup. Decrease in brain natriuretic peptide levels after closure were statistically significant (97.3 ± 78.6 versus 26.8 ± 15.6, P = 0.013). Conclusion. Brain Natriuretic Peptide levels are elevated in patients with ventricular septal defects as compared to controls. Percutaneous closure of Ventricular Septal Defect with Amplatzer occluders decreases the BNP levels

Sexual functions and prolactin levels in patients with bipolar disorder

Objective: Mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs are known to have adverse effects on sexual function. However, patients often refrain from speaking about sexual complaints that may cause dose reduction and discontinuation of the drug without medical supervision. In this study we aimed to evaluate sexual functions of patients with bipolar disorder in remission period, considering prolactin levels and medications. Method: We recruited 52 patients with bipolar disorder in remission according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Prolactin levels were measured in all patients. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was used to assess sexual dysfunction. Results: Mean prolactin levels were 24.71 ± 4.25 and 19.96 ± 5.52 ng/ml respectively for females and males. Patients taking mood stabilizer (MS) and mood stabilizer plus antipsychotic (AP) treatment had different prolactin levels (p<0.001). Total GRISS scores were not different for MS and MS+AP treatment groups. We didn't find a correlation between Total GRISS scores and prolactin levels. There was a significant deterioration in female non-sensuality, female dissatisfaction and anorgasmia subscales of female patients and significant deterioration in premature ejaculation, impotence and male dissatisfaction subscales of male patients. Discussion: In our sample, both men and women patients with bipolar disorder in remission have sexual dysfunctions. Our results suggest that prolactin levels are not sufficient to demonstrate the sexual dysfunction. To enhance patient compliance it is necessary to focus more on sexual symptoms of patients receiving MS and AP treatment

The effect of an exercise program in conjunction with short-period patellar taping on pain, electromyogram activity, and muscle strength in patellofemoral pain syndrome

Background: McConnell recommended that patellar tape be kept on all day, until patients learn how to activate their vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) during an exercise program. This application may pose problems because prolonged taping may be inadvisable for some patients or even contraindicated owing to skin discomfort, irritation, or allergic reaction. Hypothesis: Wearing patellofemoral tape for a shorter duration during an exercise program would be just as beneficial as a prolonged taping application. Study Design: Prospective cohort. Methods: Twelve patients and 16 healthy people participated. Patients underwent short-period patellar taping plus an exercise program for 3 months. Numeric pain rating, muscle strength of the knee extensors, and electromyogram activity of the vastus lateralis and VMO were evaluated. Results: There were significant differences in electromyogram activity (P=.04) and knee extensor muscle strength (P=.03) between involved and uninvolved sides before treatment. After treatment, pain scores decreased, and there were no significant differences between involved and uninvolved sides in electromyogram activity (P=.68) and knee extensor strength (P=.62). Before treatment, mean VMO activation started significantly later than that of vastus lateralis, as compared with the matched healthy control group (P=.01). After treatment, these differences were nonsignificant (P=.08). Conclusion: Short-period patellar taping plus an exercise program improves VMO and vastus lateralis activation. Clinical Relevance: A shorter period of taping for the exercise program may be as beneficial as a prolonged taping application. © 2009 The Author(s)