02. Master's Thesis
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Item Open Access ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AND IDENTITY FORMATION AMONG XINJIANG KAZAKHS IN KAZAKHSTAN(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2022) Saiken, AyikailinWhen shared ethnicity is not enough for co-ethnic migrants to adapt and integrate into the co-ethnic society, considerations of different post-migration adaptation methods and identity formation among Kazakh 'repatriates' of different origins are essential. The thesis focuses on the adaptation strategies and identity formation of Xinjiang Kazakhs. It examines how the social/cultural capital gained in China helps Xinjiang Kazakhs find jobs in local Kazakh society and form their identity. I implement the survey questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. As an insider, I also use the semi-autoethnography method partly supplement the main results. The main finding indicates that, for Xinjiang Kazakhs, Chinese language skills, social networks, and knowledge gained from China or related to Chinese culture, as their unique cultural and social capital, help them adapt to local Kazakhstan society and help them to find a job. The secondary finding shows that Xinjiang Kazakhs have a hybrid identity; their perceptions of their homeland are torn between their birthplace in China and their living place in Kazakhstan. While some still struggle with feeling 'in-between,' many of them create the 'third' space, defining themselves as 'global citizensItem Embargo ADAPTIVE NANOPORE SEQUENCING FOR INHERITED CARDIAC CONDITIONS(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2024-04-19) Gabdulkayum, AidanaInherited Cardiac Conditions pose a significant global health burden, described as heart structural or functional anomalies often inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. It is also highly contributing to the mortality rates. Early diagnosis remains challenging, as most of the individuals may have asymptomatic initial stages subsequently leading to sudden cardiac death, therefore diagnostics is of high significance, especially in younger patients. Current genetic testing methods, such as Sanger sequencing and targeted panels, offer limited insight into structural genetic variations, necessitating the exploration of more comprehensive approaches. This study aims to design and study the adaptive sampling sequencing techniques, a method for targeting specific genomic regions without DNA modifications, for future use in genetic diagnosis for individuals with inherited cardiac conditions and compare the efficiency with currently used next-generation sequencing targeted panels. Through multiple sequencing runs and subsequent analysis, our findings revealed challenges in achieving consistent target region enrichment. The short sequence length observed in our study may contribute to the failure in target enrichment, highlighting the need for longer reads to improve coverage uniformity. Variant analysis using the Epi2me labs platform and annotations revealed the absence of pathogenic variants detected by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), in comparison with Illumina. This highlights the imperative for enhancing the variant calling algorithm’s sensitivity and specificity. Adaptive sampling sequencing exhibits promise for diagnosis implementation. However, additional optimization is required to improve target region enrichment, particularly through addressing the limitations posed by sequence length.Item Restricted ALTERNATING SCHEME FOR METHOD OF MOMENTS(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2021-05) Kozybayeva, KymbatIn the financial market, there is always an unexpected issue between measures of dif ferent obligations, stocks, currency. Big financial companies before doing investments are highly interested in exploring the behavior of a certain market. For such analysis, we use different methods which are calling dimension reduction techniques. This work adopted the principal component analysis and maximum mean discrepancy distance to assess ten different bond yields by calculating their changes. In the beginning, we will explain in detail the nature of our data and show some results from the theorem about the Wiener process. After we will apply the classic method and our new (al ternating to PCA) method. In the end, we will compare graphs of each method and conclude the effectiveness of Maximum Mean Discrepancy distanceItem Restricted ALTERNATING SCHEME FOR METHOD OF MOMENTS(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2021-05) Kozybayeva, KymbatIn the financial market, there is always an unexpected issue between measures of dif ferent obligations, stocks, currency. Big financial companies before doing investments are highly interested in exploring the behavior of a certain market. For such analysis, we use different methods which are calling dimension reduction techniques. This work adopted the principal component analysis and maximum mean discrepancy distance to assess ten different bond yields by calculating their changes. In the beginning, we will explain in detail the nature of our data and show some results from the theorem about the Wiener process. After we will apply the classic method and our new (al ternating to PCA) method. In the end, we will compare graphs of each method and conclude the effectiveness of Maximum Mean Discrepancy distanceItem Restricted ANALYSIS OF ELLIOTT WAVE THEORY ON TIME-SERIES DATA FROM FOREX(School of Sciences and Humanities, 2023) Zhalgasbek, AyazThis capstone project analyzes the application of the Elliott wave theory on time-series data from the Forex market. The project uses patternbased probabilistic models to test the validity of the Elliott wave theory and to evaluate its predictive power. The results of our analysis indicate that the pattern-based probabilistic models do not completely support the Elliott wave theory. Specifically, we found that the patterns identified by the Elliott wave theory did not have statistically significant predictive power for daily exchange rates of currencies. This study encourages further research on this topic with different criteria and larger data setsItem Open Access Analysis of Individual Extensive Air Shower using Pulse Shape Information(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2018-04-23) Yessimbet, KamilyaStudy of Ultra-High energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR) coming to Earth from the deep cosmos has the potential to open the veil on some remaining mysteries in the field of High Energy Physics and Astrophysics. Horizon-T detector system is constructed to study the nature of UHECR by means of studying its interactions with the Earth atmosphere that result in so-called Extensive Air Showers (EAS). The detector system is based at Tien Shan High-altitude Science Station (TSHSS) of P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is located near the Almaty city, Kazakhstan, at ∼ 3400 meter above the sea level. About 2000 EAS were selected from the Physics Run 1 that has been detected during the period from January 2017 to April 2017 at Horizon-T detector system. The simulation activities indicate the existence of the "invariant" property of the standard EAS as defined by the CORSIKA simulator. In this work, I analyzed single-peaked EAS events in order to use this property as a new approach to EAS data analysis using the fine time resolution feature of Horizon-T detector. The definition of this invariant property, its test using data and the classification of the EAS events from Physics Run 1 are described in this thesis.Item Open Access ANALYZING CAUSES OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN DIGITALIZED ASTANA THROUGH ACTOR-NETWORK THEORY(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2024-11-22) Dildaim, YerassylThis thesis examines the causes of youth unemployment and inadequate employment in Astana through the framework of Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and theoretical works such as Cyborg Theory and Entanglement Theory. The research aims to map out the employment network of Astana to identify the main destabilizing factors in order to provide policy recommendations. In order to highlight critical actants in the network and their constant interactions with each-other the data from the government supported "JOLTAP" project, which surveyed 19,760 residents, will be utilized. Digitalization stands as the most important actor in the network that has significantly reshaped social reality. The thesis also examines the role of social norms, gender dynamics, and financial burdens, including high levels of youth indebtedness and the impact of frozen bank accounts on job opportunities. Through qualitative and quantitative analyses, the study argues for targeted policy interventions, such as integrating short-term vocational courses, promoting digital literacy, flexitime and industrialization. By applying ANT the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of youth employment challenges in a digitalized urban context. Such an approach accentuates the complexity of youth unemployment or inadequate employment as well as the need for comprehensive policy decisions that are focused on the expansion of capabilities.Item Embargo APPLICATION OF NOVEL SSDNA APTAMERS FOR THE DETECTION OF CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN USING SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2022-06) Zhumabekova, ZhaziraCarcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an important Food and Drug Administration approved biomarker in cancer detection, especially in colorectal cancer. This research is based on the development of a real-time rapid detection tool for the detection of CEA employing novel aptamer sequences through Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). Aptamers are small single-stranded nucleotides capable of binding to target molecules with high affinity and specificity. SPR is an optical sensor that allows to detect the refractive index on the gold surface of a sensor chip. In this study, a streptavidin (SA) coated sensor chip was functionalized with the biotinylated CEA aptamer sequence (6) to further detect the target protein using the direct SPR aptasensor. The detection limit for direct SPR was determined to be 150 ng/ml. To further enhance the response unit (RU) of the SPR aptasensor, AuNPs – aptamer (8) conjugates were employed as a competitive reagent in the indirect competitive inhibition assay (ICIA) for the detection of CEA. For this purpose, AuNPs were successfully functionalized with a thiol-modified long-linker (HS - (CH2)6 - OP(O)2O - (CH2CH2O)6 - 5 - TTTTT) aptamer (8) against the CEA, which were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry, measurement of the electrostatic potential, and transmission electron microscopy. In the ICIA, the sensor chip SA surface was first immobilized with the biotinylated aptamer (6) sequence and worked as a sensing surface. When the AuNPs – aptamer (8) conjugates were mixed with the target CEA, it could potentially induce the change in the aptamer structure from ssDNA structure to tertiary structure. This led to the SPR RU increase up to 500 RU at 350 ng/mL concentration of CEA. Here, we showed that novel aptamer sequences against CEA can be employed in the development of SPR aptasensor that could be either in the direct or ICIA based mode that is real-time and label-free.Item Open Access APPLICATIONS OF NOVEL SILICON AND ALUMINUM BASED SUBSTRATES FOR THE SURFACE-ENHANCED SPECTROSCOPIES: SERS AND SEF(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2021-05) Sultangaziyev, AlisherThis Master’s thesis investigates the applicability of non-traditional substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced fluorescence. The use of silicon wafer for sandwich SERS immunoassay and aluminum foil for SEF in bacteria labeling with quantum dots were assessed. Perhaps the first application of silicon wafer for sandwich immunoassay resulted in an analyte limit of detection of 30 pM with a dynamic range of 0.03-4 nM. In comparison to gold film, it produced a signal intensity that was one order of magnitude lower, which was compensated for by a significantly lower standard deviation in the blank signal. The experiment on E.coli bacteria labeled with CdSeS/ZnS composite quantum dots yielded a high level of surface enhancement for all three substrates including uncommon aluminum foil and aluminum film. When the laser excitation source was changed, the results remained consistent, and there was a clear distinction between labeled and unlabeled cells. Overall, both silicon wafer and aluminum foil showed comparable results to conventional gold film and silver film substrates in different applications. Both of these substrates were found to be less expensive and produced more reproducible results than conventional substratesItem Embargo ARSENIC TRIOXIDE AND D-VITAMIN C DRUG COMBINATION INDUCES OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ALTERS ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN ACTIVITY OF KRAS-MUTANT CANCER CELLS(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2024-04-19) Raish, KristinaMutation in Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) protooncogene is implicated in about 25-30% of all human cancers. It is usually associated with aggressive tumor progression and poor prognosis. Until now targeting KRAS-mutant cancer remains quite challenging even though several approaches were applied. However, all such strategies led to drug resistance which makes it even more challenging to specifically target KRAS-mutant cancer. Arsenic trioxide and D-Vitamin C (ATO/D-VC) is a novel approach to targeting KRAS-mutant cancer cells using vulnerabilities in their metabolism. These cells are highly sensitive to oxidative imbalance which makes them a perfect target for ATO/D-VC drug combination as it can trigger so-called suicidal reactive oxygen species production by mitochondria (SPRM). In the current study the molecular aspects of ATO/D-VC mechanism of action was explored. It was shown that downregulation of succinate dehydrogenase (complex II) of the electron transport chain might be the primary cause of SPRM triggered by the action of ATO/D-VC synergetic drug combination. Understanding the mechanism behind SRPM is essential for comprehending the potent cytotoxicity against KRAS-mutant cancers. ATO/D-VC oxidative drug combination showed effectiveness during Phase 1 and currently undergoes Phase 2 of clinical trials in Kazakhstan.Item Restricted ART BAZAAR: A NEW "RESIDENCY" FOR ARTISTS AT THE TIME OF COVID-19(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2021-06) Jampeissova, AiganymThis study focuses on Kazakhstani art. It aims to comment particularly on the impact COVID 19 had on the artistic community, whose chance to earn income decreased with the introduction of countrywide lockdown due to global pandemic. The emergence of an anti-crisis project Art Bazaar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan appeared as a response to the pandemic and a platform to help not only Kyrgyzstan but Central Asian artists. Notably, Kazakhstani participants constitute a majority of the participants in this initiative. I argue that Art Bazaar's online presence allowed artists to continue earning income and enabled customers to acquire art pieces. Art pieces in turn serve as the third animated body, allowing artists to connect with others, while COVID 19 serves as the backdrop and, at the same time, a subject for artists to convey political and social messages. This study also offers an insight on how members' bonds expanded beyond a feeling of connection to a Facebook group, and they formed unions to interact, encourage, and networkItem Open Access An Assessment of Macroeconomic Performance Indicators in Kazakhstan Via Factor Models(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2020-05-15) Rashitov, YelamanWe use factor models to assess accuracy of macroeconomic performance indicators in Kazakhstan over 2011-2018. Specifically, the annual GDP growth rate and unemployment rate are analyzed based on the fundamental factors underlying the economy. The model is a version of dynamic factor models with exact factor structure. We exploit a two-step estimator that provides consistent estimates of the factors when n ! 1 and T ! 1. The findings indicate that there are two fundamental factors responsible for driving real and nominal variables in the economy. These two factors are just vectors whose entries were estimated via principal components and Kalman Filter. Although the growth rate of GDP from public sources indicate that there has not been a recession in the country, we find that the alternative GDP growth rate implied by the fundamental factors points to the recession in 2016. In addition, the finding is supported by the backcasts of unemployment rate which shows us that the unemployment rate started rising after the severe decline in oil prices that negatively affected the Kazakhstani economy. We also find that the official unemployment rate was below the backcasts of unemployment rate by 2 percentage points on average.Item Restricted Attitudes towards immigrants in Germany(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2018) Idizova, Malika; Idizova, Malika; Idizova, MalikaThis research analyzes the attitudes towards immigrants in Germany from 2004 to 2016 and tries to uncover the determinants behind, using an ordered logit regression model. My findings suggest that high income, university education, recent immigration flow, adherence to Islam, high religiosity, being employed, being from the Western part of Germany, being widowed, and having never been married positively affect the view about immigrants. Respondents with such characteristics believe that immigrants positively affect the cultural life in Germany and make the country a better place to live in. Moreover, while females believe that immigrants positively affect the cultural life in Germany, elderly Germans and respondents whose parents were born in Germany believe that immigrants make the country a worse place to live in even though they do not undermine the cultural life.Item Open Access Backward algorithm and abstract graphs in zero-sum games(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2020-05-01) Iklassov, ZangirWith the beginning of the computer age, solving many problems in game theory has become easier. However, there is a whole class of well-known problems such as chess, checkers, go and so on, the methods of solving which use brute force technique to find solutions of the game. This technique requires analysis of all states of the game and it has the exponential complexity of running the algorithm due to which many games cannot be solved on modern computers. Considered class of games include zero-sum games with perfect information described in discrete space. For such problems, there is no smooth solution that would allow solving problems without going through all the states of the game. This work proposes a new algorithm for finding solutions to such problems. The algorithm uses a new data structure, called abstract graphs and backwards analysis to find solutions. The algorithm still has the exponential complexity of the analysis, however, finding a solution does not require going through all the possible states of the game, which reduces the complexity of analysis. For a clear example, the algorithm was used on a tic-tac-toe game, for which brute force technique requires analysis of around 15k states, while the Backwards algorithm analyzed just 5 states to find all existing solutions. In the future, this study can be continued for a deeper study of the mathematical properties of the algorithm and to use it on games such as chess and go.Item Restricted BARIUM DOPED CARBON DOTS AS BIMODAL CT CONTRAST AGENTS(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2021-04-16) Kairova, MeruyertIn the past several decades computed tomography (CT) has been accepted as a useful tool for bioimaging in medicine. The choice of a suitable contrast agent for CT that is low-cost, effective, and has no side effects is very vital for modern medicine and highly challenging at the same time. Recently, carbon-based quantum dots (CDs) have been proposed for radiological applications thanks to their unique optical properties, low-cost production, non-toxicity, colloidal and chemical stability. The main goal of this research work is to investigate Ba-CDs for potential X-ray attenuation. Compared to widely used lanthanide elements such as Gd, Ba is a much cheaper and naturally abundant element. In addition, Barium sulfate is already commonly used as an X-ray attenuation contrast agent for gastrointestinal tract visualization. In this thesis, we utilized a facile one-pot hydrothermal reaction to synthesize fluorescent CDs and Ba-CDs from glucose and Ba(NO3)2. The samples were assessed by a range of characterization techniques to evaluate their morphological, elemental, structural, optical, and CT X-ray attenuation properties.Item Open Access BARRIERS IN WOMEN'S CAREER PROGRESSION IN KAZAKHSTAN: THE EXPERIENCE OF WOMEN IN UPPER MANAGEMENT.(School of Sciences and Humanities, 2023) Omirkhanova, AkbotaThis study investigates the barriers that prevent women from progressing to upper management echelons in the workplaces in Kazakhstan. Using the qualitative method, namely semi-structured interviews, with six female top and upper managers in middle to large-sized companies, the paper examines the types of obstacles that they have faced in their career paths and ways they used to overcome them. The respondents were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling methods, while interviews longed for 30-60 minutes. The research found that they have experienced prevention from continuing education, subtle forms of discrimination in workplaces, and biased behaviour of colleagues. The study also identified that family-friendly practices such as remote work and flexible schedule conditions were effective in assisting women balance their job responsibilities and parenting. Moreover, the study found that women have to adopt social norms of behaviour for men such as assertiveness in order to see a progress in their careers. In general, the study points to the necessity to put greater attention to the obstacles in the career paths of women, and creates a vector for studying this issue further for other scholars.Item Restricted BATYRS IN THE NATION-BUILDING IN KAZAKHSTAN(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2022) Rakhymzhanov, ArlanIn this research, I analyze the role of batyr images in the nation-building process in contemporary Kazakhstan. In particular, I focus on the batyrs as ideological personages who previously were considered historical figures and literary heroes. I demonstrate how the government instrumentalized the batyr images, which position batyrs as defenders of the Kazakh state and Kazakh people through the idea of uninterrupted continuity of Kazakh sovereignty. After a thorough analysis of different approaches to nation-building in Kazakhstan, I argue that batyr commemoration is a part of a recent trend in the Kazakh ethnonational way of nation-building. Similarly, I show the development of the batyr cult in pre-modern times. After considering the nineteenth-century ethnographic sources, folklore works, and the Soviet period of batyr commemoration, I show how the batyr cult changed over time. Additionally, I consider three main levels involved in the nation-building and batyr reimagination process in Kazakhstan: national, local, and grassroots levels, and analyze the role of every layer in this process.Item Open Access Belief in god and altruism. Is there any effect?(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2018) Kuzenbayev, NygmetzhanThe influence of individual’s belief in God and other factors, such as religiousity, education, perception of happiness, et cetera, on altruistic behavior was empirically examined during this study. It was discovered that “it is important to do something for the good of society” to people that believe in God. However, belief in God decreases the probability of participation in humanitarian and charitable organizations.Item Open Access THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: KAZAKH ORAL LITERATURE IN JÜSÏPBEK AIMAUYTOV’S NOVEL AQBÏLEK(School of Sciences and Humanities, 2023) Kossybak, NuraiymAqbïlek is one of the first and most innovative novels in Kazakh literature. In this novel, Aimauytov merges Kazakh oral literary genres with novel form. This research looks at the style of Aqbïlek and its continuity with pre-existing Kazakh oral literary forms. Analyzing the Aimauytov’s use of stylistic features of oral epic poems, such as grammatical parallelism, end-rhyme, alliteration, the use of formulaic systems and similes, I argue that Aimauytov uses Kazakh oral literary techniques to adapt the novel form. Aimauytov also integrates Kazakh oral literary genres, such as körïsü and joqtau into the plot of the novel, to emphasize the alienation of Aqbïlek from the society and her final reintegration. Aimauytov uses stories of Äldekei, which imitate šešendik söz, to offer a social critique of the corruption and oppression that was enabled by the rich and influential Kazakh men. Having been banned shortly after its publication, Aqbïlek was subject to little scholarly investigation up until this day. This research, with its focus on the stylistic aspects of the novel, contributes to both the knowledge on Aqbïlek as well as Kazakh literary scholarship on early Kazakh novels.Item Restricted BINARY ANTIBIOTIC NANOPARTICLES FOR SUSTAINED DRUG RELEASE AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTION(School of Sciences and Humanities, 2023) Kalmagambet, YersinOne of the important issues nowadays is the rising antibiotic resistance of bacteria, which is due to their ability to undergo horizontal gene transfer, allowing them to exchange genes, as well as acquire mutations that lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. Unfortunately, the development of novel antibiotcs is an intricate and costly process. However, innovative nanoformulations for delivery of antibiotic and other antimicrobial materials provides a promising avenue for advancement in pharmaceutical research without the need for development of new antibiotics. In the current research, novel binary antibiotic nanoparticles were formulated. The nanoparticles consist of mixed nanocrystals of anionic antibiotic (Cefoperazone) and cationic antiobiotic (Tetracycline) sterically stabilized with a surface active polymer (Poloxamer 407) and further coated with a cationic surfactant (HDTAB). The cationic surface functionality is aimed to produce electrostatic adherence of the particles to the negatively charged bacterial cell walls leading to sustained high local antibiotic concentration. The current approach results in an marked enhancement in antimicrobial efficacy compared to application of the free antibiotics at equivalent overall concentrations. This approach also allows the the binary antibiotic nanoparticles to completely dissolve with time leaving no nanoparticulate matter post use. The antimicrobial efficacy of the particles was evaluated on both Gram negative and Gram positive bacterial strains, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that the developed particles significantly enhanced antimicrobial action, leading to a substantial reduction in bacterial viability at concentrations ranging from 0.25 mM to 0.125 mM, which is below the concentration at which both antibiotics become ineffective against these bacterial strains. We discovered that the produced binary antibiotic delivery system showed moderate cytotoxicity on HeLa cells due to solubility and transfer of the selected cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide to the cell membranes. Further research needs to be conducted to investigate the use of an alternative cationic coating, such as octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide on the surface of the binary antibiotic particles. Octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide is known to be practically insoluble in water, which may allow for a reduction in cytotoxicity of the coated particles and improve their cytototoxicity profile.