7264 research outputs found
Sort by
EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG ADULTS IN KAZAKHSTAN: A CROSS SECTIONAL PILOT STUDY
No full textIntroduction. Previous investigations have shown that the presence and use of SM affects aspects of a person's life, both negatively and positively. The purpose of our study was to examine the association between the amount of screen time, multiple use of SM and level of engagement with SM on mental health of young people in Kazakhstan, focusing on positive mental health, and adjusting for the effect of demographic and health behaviors factors.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was used as the study design. Data were collected from December 2023 through January 2024. The inclusion criteria were age from 18 to 35 years old and having a profile in any SM. Questionnaire consisted of 30 questions. Positive mental health (PMH) was measured using Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) scale; depression and anxiety with one-item questions. A total of 235 people participated. Linear and logistic regression were performed for multivariate analysis to predict PMH, depression and anxiety (p<0.05). Variables were also checked for interactions and multicollinearity.
Results. Being moderately or not addicted to social media has a positive relationship with PMH. Individuals who spend more than 7 hours of time on social networks and have moderate to severe fear of missing out have increased odds of depression. Furthermore, those who consider themselves very addicted to social networks have higher odds of having anxiety.
Conclusion. High amount of screen time and addiction to SM has been found to negatively impact psychological health. Whereas, moderate use of social networks, on the contrary, improves PMH. Further studies are recommended to examine how the nature of the content affects psychological health. In order to improve positive mental health and reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms, moderate use of social media, adequate quality sleep, and exercise are recommended
ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННЫЙ ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭФФЕКТ КОНФЛИКТА НА ПРОДОВОЛЬСТВЕННУЮ БЕЗОПАСНОСТЬ
No full textThe objective of this research project is to examine the spatial spillover effects of conflicts on the food security of nations. Previous studies report negative consequences of conflict on neighboring states as well as those directly involved (Murdoch and Sandler 2002). Violent conflicts can have chain reactions on various aspects of society such as development (Gates 2012), security (Barnett, and Adger 2007), trade relations (Brück, and. De Groot 2013), and foreign direct investments (Ezeoha and Okereke Ugwu 2015). This study focuses on a relatively less theorized area of such spillover effects of conflict: food security. To examine a conflict’s negative impacts on food security, this study pays special attention to the two aspects of food security: food availability and food accessibility. Geographically, this project investigates the cases of Nigeria’s food security during the period of conflicts within Nigeria and in Cameroon, a bordering country. In particular, this study argues that the direct impact of a violent conflict is caused through psychologically affected behavior of food consumers in the region of conflict and damages on logistics of food supply. Indirect impacts are, on the other hand, explained by a sudden migration of refugee which brings consequences on both demand and supply sides of food market.
This study employs the multiple case study research design, where 2-3 cases of violent conflicts are comparatively analyzed. Interviews serve as the primary method of data collection. This provides valuable insights into the experiences, perspectives, and consequences of the conflict in Cameroon on Nigeria's food security. Interviews are conducted with relevant stakeholders, including staff of non-governmental organizations, experts, and individuals affected by the violence and food crisis.
The study uses process tracing as a method of data analysis. Applying process tracing would enable the identification and analysis of the causal mechanisms and routes through which the violence in one region affects the food security of another region.
The findings of this study will integrate two bodies of literature, conflict studies and food security studies, as well as improve our understanding of the spatial diffusion effects of conflict on food security, specifically in Nigeria. The results derived from this study can guide policymakers and stakeholders in developing strategies and implementing measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of conflicts on food security
CREATION OF MOBILE APP: GAMIFICATION OF NU COURSES
No full textThe "Creation of Mobile App: Gamification of NU Courses" project offers a proactive approach to addressing the widespread problem of student disengagement in traditional learning settings. Designed specifically for NU students and instructors, this mobile application introduces gamification elements to elevate the learning experience.
Through a combination of mini-games like trivia, matching definitions and hangman, leaderboards, and progress tracking, the app aims to motivate students and reinforce their grasp of course material. Instructors benefit from features allowing them to easily manage courses, upload resources, and utilise AI-driven chatbots for enhanced student support.
Developed using Flutter, a versatile cross-platform framework, the app emphasises accessibility and user-friendly design. The forthcoming evaluation phase will involve comprehensive user testing with NU students and instructors, with a focus on assessing engagement levels, usability, and the impact of gamification in improving learning outcomes
SPATIOTEMPORAL ORGANIZATION OF FOCAL ADHESIONS IN MIGRATING CELLS
No full textFocal adhesions (FAs) are pivotal integrin-based macromolecular assemblies that orchestrate cell migration through traction force transmission by connecting cytoskeleton to extracellular matrix (Legerstee & Houtsmuller, 2021). While substantial progress has been made in understanding of the regulation of cell motility (Merino-Casallo et al., 2022), it remains elusive how considerable FA heterogeneity correlates with regional requirements to substrate adhesions intrinsic to cell migration. To evaluate FA dynamics, we employed live cell time-lapse microscopy with high spatial and temporal resolution, tracking FA size, lifetime, and intensity in cancer A549 cell line stably expressing Vinculin-RFP. We observed numerous small, short-living adhesions at the leading edge, which had formed both at large lamellae aligning with the vector of cell body translocation and smaller lateral lamellae. That contrasted with the presence of only a few large adhesions at the trailing edge. While FA maturation at the leading edge in response to tension generated by myosin II-decorated actin stress fibers has already been described, the origin of large FAs at the trailing edge remains poorly elucidated (Choi et al., 2008). Most FAs present at the trailing edge originated within lateral protrusions and only few of them formed directly there. During retraction of the trailing cell edge, a portion of FAs has already been disassembled before retraction has reached them. However, some FAs at the trailing edge were enlarging, either through merging with neighboring FAs or gradual increase in area and intensity as they slid along with the trailing edge relative to the substrate. As a result, relatively large FAs were forcibly detached and rapidly disassembled only upon retraction edge reached them. In summary, FA formation and maturation exhibited regionally regulated dynamics, and disassembly of FAs at the rear edge before retraction was not a prerequisite to edge retraction
NEO-TRIBALISM IN KAZAKHSTAN: THE MANIFESTATIONS OF RU-BASED IDENTITY AND THE RETURN OF THE 'BATYRS'
No full textThe motivation behind composing this thesis stemmed from the perplexity on why the contemporary settled Kazakh society in Kazakhstan continues to not only align itself with tribal (ru) associations, but also actively participates in tribal activities on a consistent basis. The existing scholarship sheds light on some of the practices and places of memory and the existence of actors, apart from the state, that contribute their own funds for building a variety of commemorative sites in honor of their tribes and tribal warriors. Moreover, the prevailing research literature has predominantly focused on well-known commemorative locations. However, there is limited research on the study of the agency and inner workings of non-state local actors (ru-based associations) as full-fledged actors in the niche of national identity and development of national identity. Therefore, in order to examine the dynamic social processes on the ground, I ask a series of research questions. In particular, what are the manifestations of ru-based identity in Kazakhstan and how is it performed in contemporary society? Does such ru identity pose challenges to the national identity promoted by the state or complement it?
The entanglement of the state rhetoric on tribal identity, on the one hand, and the promotion of local agenda by local actors, on the other, exhibit an interesting interweave, where they both feed and respond to each other. Using a firsthand ethnographic study based on tangible primary materials and semi-structured interviews with respondents that represent diverse Kazakh ru, such as Shegir, Qanly, Atyghai, Besterek and Zhaghalbaily, I revealed a compelling form of hybridity, in which there is a movement from 'tribal' towards 'nation-state,' in which the celebrated tribal warriors are portrayed as Kazakh heroes, rather than emphasizing the superiority of one particular ru over all Kazakhs. Findings also suggest that the existence of alternative voices in Kazakhstan exhibits both the agency of local institutions and the presence of local agenda in regions, while their activities ultimately complement the grand narrative of the state on promoting an integral element of national identity, based on promoting Kazakh national heroes
WOMEN SCIENTISTS IN KAZSSR DURING THE LATE SOVIET ERA
No full textWith the creation of the Soviet Union, the Bolsheviks introduced policies aimed at equalizing and emancipating women in Central Asia. The emancipation campaign involved education and the rejection of the traditional way of life for Central Asian women to turn them into a labour force, a source of childbearing, and to construct socialism. Since the 1930s women started working in a variety of professions, including science, education, agriculture, and medicine. However, women scientists had to go through a lot of challenges during this process. I argue that there was a gender inequality within Soviet Academia. Female scientists were in an unequal position with male colleagues owing to the public discourse about main gender roles.
The argument will be based on the study of archival documents, newspapers and magazines, films, as well as interviews. My respondents were women scientists who started or developed their scientific careers at universities and departments of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR during 1960 -1980s. The purpose of my study is to explore both the professional experiences and daily routines and practices of women scientists, the ways through which they developed their careers and how they performed their gender roles as wives and mothers. My study will contribute to the fields of gender studies and history of Soviet Kazakhstan and Soviet Central Asia. The work will show the nature of Soviet policy towards women in Central Asia on the example of the Academy of Kazakhstan and analyse the impact of this policy on their daily lives
DEVELOPMENT OF CELL-PENETRATING NANOPARTICLES FOR DRUG DELIVERY
No full textRecently, there has been a growing interest in nanoparticle-related pharmaceutical and biomedical research. Anticipated outcomes of such applications include the development of in vitro and in vivo diagnostics kits, improved biocompatible materials production, and advancing drug delivery systems.
In the realm of inorganic nanoparticles, silica or materials coated with silica exhibit potential for biomedical applications due to their small size, stable chemical structure, colloidal stability, and high surface reactivity. Despite the growing interest in silica nanoparticles, little is known about their toxicity resulting from the various synthesis methods; thus, recent findings often contradict each other. Moreover, most synthesis studies need more information about nanoparticle behaviour in the physiological environment, making it challenging to understand the biological effects of these nanoparticles for further clinical trials. Therefore, a newly emerging approach, safe-by-design, is starting to play a crucial role in developing nanoparticles for biomedical sciences.
This dissertation explores organosilica nanoparticles synthesised from 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) for potential biomedical applications as a drug delivery system. The work involves extensive characterisation and toxicological evaluation of organosilica nanoparticles with thiol groups on the surface. The experiments have underscored the safety of organosilica nanoparticles through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo assessments. The further potential use of these nanoparticles was explored by covalently attaching cell-penetrating peptide (TAT) and anticancer drugs (doxorubicin). The findings of this work demonstrated that the functionalised nanoparticles changed the function of thiolated nanoparticles, and conjugated drugs continued to be effective and retain their properties
DIGITAL LITERACY LEVELS IN KAZAKHSTAN: THE CASE OF ASTANA AND AKMOLA REGION
No full textIn the modern world, digital literacy acquires not only an educational meaning but also affects the development of the state and the economic well-being of the population. Scholars and researchers internationally have sufficiently studied the problems of digital literacy, but there is a paucity of empirical research in Kazakhstan. This study aims to partially fill this gap by examining the aspects of digital literacy pertinent to Kazakhstan and evaluating the accuracy of official data. Despite significant government initiatives aimed at enhancing digital literacy levels across Kazakhstan, doubts regarding the effectiveness of these programs have emerged, primarily due to questions surrounding the reliability of the official data. This research will critically examine these initiatives, investigating their impact. The quantitative research is based on data obtained from a survey of residents of Astana and the Akmola region. The questionnaire is based on the UNESCO Institute for Statistics’ Digital Literacy Global Framework competencies. Our findings suggest that age, type of settlement, and ICT possession are statistically significant factors in digital literacy levels. Moreover, individuals with higher digital literacy skills are indeed more likely to use or benefit from digitalized government services. The average digital literacy level is 61%, and the middle-aged and senior groups were the ones who scored the lowest.
The findings should make an important contribution to conducting further research on digital literacy and digital competence of the entire population of Kazakhstan. The study introduces key factors of insufficient digital literacy levels of Kazakhstan’s residents along with recommendations for improving them in present-day realities
SHAPE SENSING OF MEDICAL DEVICES AND THERMAL ABLATION BY MEANS OF FIBER SENSORS
No full textFiber Optic Shape Sensing brought remark- able advancements to the multitude of different fields. The wide range of its applications has touched the field of medicine, where it can be used in minimally invasive surgeries. FOSS is able to guide surgical instruments and monitor the position, movement and even deformation of organs during the medical procedure. Over- all, the objective of shape sensing of medical devices are to improve accuracy, safety, and ef- fectiveness of medical procedures, while min- imizing patient discomfort and risk of com- plications. Additionally, fiber optics are ap- plied for accurate temperature monitoring dur- ing laser ablation for the treatment of a cancer. Hence, the objective of this capstone project is to develop and improve new fiber optic shape sensing technologies used in medical devices and cancer treatment, mainly focusing on de- signing, prototyping and testing a shape sens- ing of minimally invasive bio-medical devices. Also, corresponding capstone project is aimed to design and analyze the 2D temperature map by means of fiber sensors during the thermal ablation
UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE HIDDEN CURRICULUM IN THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF GENDER IN SINGLE SEX COLLEGES: THE CASE STUDY OF FEMALE PUBLIC COLLEGE STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN
No full textIn the pursuit of exploring the formal curriculum and its role in constructing gender roles, it has often been neglected to understand the informal or hidden curriculum in the social construction of gender. This research explored the hidden curriculum's influence within Pakistani single-sex public colleges on the development and expression of gender roles and identities. The study was based on a qualitative case study employing a phenomenological research framework to explore how the hidden curriculum in single-sex colleges in Pakistan impacts girls’ educational experiences, agency, and navigation of obstacles. Using Seidman’s structure for the in-depth phenomenological interviewing method and employing semi-structured interviews as a data collection instrument, this research explored students current and aspirational possible selves, their perception of possible feared selves, social and cultural influence, and empowerment and agency to navigate obstacles. Possible selves, gender, and hidden curriculum are the three theoretical concepts used in the study, and the findings of this research offer a window into female students’ perspectives and encounters concerning the hidden curriculum’s influence on gender within the educational realm and provide insightful implications for educational policymakers and practitioners, highlighting the importance of considering hidden curriculum awareness within specific educational contexts