DSpace Repository

Nazarbayev University Repository (NUR) is an institutional electronic archive designed for the long-term preservation, aggregation, and dissemination of scientific research outcomes and intellectual property produced by the Nazarbayev University community and affiliated organizations.

Communities in DSpace

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

001. Theses 3596
002. NU Research Publications 11760
003. NU Research Institutes & Centres 586
004. NU Journals & Magazines 285
005. Forums, Conferences & Projects 1332

Recent Submissions

Access status: Embargo ,
Microbiome And Physical Activity: A Bibliometric Analysis
(Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, 2026-03-17) Khan, Haroon; Abidi, Syed Hani Hassan; Ali, Syed
Background: The relationship between the microbiome and physical activity is dynamic, bidirectional, and clinically significant, warranting the elucidation of mechanistic pathways and the exploration of therapeutic applications. However, the evidence remains fragmented across diverse disciplines, necessitating a mapping of this growing field to consolidate understanding and guide future research. This bibliometric analysis examines the research field of microbiome and physical activity between 2005 and 2026 to identify research trends, themes, influential publications, and future directions. Methods: Articles related to microbiome and physical activity, published between 2005 and 2026, were retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Metadata were extracted from the 327 studies that met the inclusion criteria and analyzed using Bibliometrix (v3.2.1) and VOSviewer (v1.6.19) to examine publication trends, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence maps, and cluster patterns. Finally, content analysis was conducted on top-cited studies to identify the microbiological and physiological relationship between microbiome and physical activity. Results: The research area experienced persistent growth at an annual rate of 12.56%, with China (n = 110) and the USA (n = 27) leading the global publication output. Notably, Spain exhibited higher international collaboration (MCP ratio = 43%). Hunan Normal University, China, led all other institutions in terms of the number of articles produced (n=5) during the study period. Scientific Reports was the most prominent journal (n=8), while the article by Allen et al., with 1000 citations, was the most influential study demonstrating the role of exercise in altering the gut microbiota composition and function, independent of diet. Keyword cluster analysis revealed a thematic evolution from foundational mechanisms linking exercise and microbiome to the exploration of complex clinical outcomes and interventions. Exercise altered microbiota composition and diversity and promoted short-chain fatty acid production, with evidence suggesting that specific bacteria and microbial metabolites enhanced athletic performance. Conclusions: This study shows that the intersection of microbiome and physical activity has become a dynamic, multidisciplinary field. The data consistently indicated that engaging in physical activity enhances microbial diversity, increases the abundance of taxa that produce short-chain fatty acids, and influences the gut-brain axis. This analysis suggests that future research should focus on multi-omic, longitudinal studies across diverse populations, particularly examining the gut-brain-muscle axis, to improve understanding of outcomes related to clinical therapy, athletic performance, and disease management.
Access status: Open Access ,
Dispersive Decay for the Free Schrodinger Equation and a Higher-Order Model
(Nazarbayev University School of Sciences and Humanities, 2026-04-24) Baimurzin, Rakhim; Kairzhan, Adilbek; Achenef, Tesfahun
This undergraduate capstone project studies the pointwise decay of solutions to two dispersive equations: the free Schrodinger equation iu_{t} = u_{xx} and the third-order model iu_{t} = u_{xx} − iu_{xxx}. Under suitable regularity assumptions on the initial data, we prove the estimates ∥u(·,t)∥L_{∞} ≲ t^{−1/2} and ∥u(·, t)∥L_{∞} ≲ t^{−1/3} respectively, via explicit Fourier analysis and a cutoff argument in frequency space. The numerical simulations confirm these rates and compare the theoretical bounds to the observed decay.
Access status: Embargo ,
Role Of Ursodeoxycholic Acid As A Regulator Of The Myc-Atf3-Socs3 Pathway In The Context Of Exercise
(Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, 2026-04-15) Nadyrkhan, Mirasbek; Ali, Syed; Abidi, Syed Hani Hassan
Physical activity influences metabolic regulation partly through increases in the secretion of microbiome – derived metabolites such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The latter has cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties mainly exhibited by affecting cellular signaling pathways. The MYC-ATF3-SOCS3 axis has been proposed as a potential regulatory mechanism that might connect UDCA with its function. This study aimed to investigate UDCA effect on this pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. Methodology: RD cells were treated with 100 μM and 300 μM UDCA concentration for 48 hours. Gene expression levels of MYC, ATF3, and SOCS3 were analysed by using qPCR experiments, while the protein expression levels of the same genes were assessed by Western blotting technique. The relative expression of the above mentioned target genes was calculated using the ΔΔCt method. Results: Even though qPCR demonstrated some mild correlations in fold changes, the overall picture was non-significant due to lack of progression beyond the significance level (fold change +/-2.0). The results of Western blot for MYC, ATF3, and SOCS3 were consistent with the qPCR results of these genes. In conclusion, UDCA did not significantly affect the MYC-ATF3-SOCS3 pathway under the given conditions. Findings suggest that the targeted mechanism might occur during the short-term stress response.
Access status: Embargo ,
The Strategic Marketing Perspective of English Medium Universities in Kazakhstan: Attracting Graduate Students
(Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education, 2026-04) Gazizova, Aizada
This study examined graduate students’ perceptions of the 7Ps marketing mix in English-medium universities in Kazakhstan and explored how these perceptions relate to evaluations of the graduate program brand and the university brand. Situated in the context of internationalization, growing institutional competition, and state-supported English-medium instruction, the study sought to describe students’ evaluations of the 7Ps, assess whether these perceptions differed across demographic characteristics, and analyze their relationships with product and corporate brand evaluations. A cross-sectional quantitative survey design was employed. Data were collected from 101 graduate students enrolled in English-medium programs at two universities in Kazakhstan and analyzed using descriptive, inferential, correlational, and multiple regression procedures. Results showed that all seven marketing mix elements were evaluated positively overall, with the highest ratings given to Prominence, Program, and Price, while Prospectus and Promotion received comparatively lower evaluations. Perceptions of the 7Ps were broadly consistent across most demographic characteristics; however, student status emerged as the main source of variation, with international students reporting higher evaluations for People, Premium, Promotion, and the overall 7Ps marketing mix. Correlation and regression analyses further indicated that Prominence, Program, People, and Premium were the elements most strongly associated with both graduate program and university brand evaluations. The regression model explained more variance in graduate program brand evaluations than in university brand evaluations. Overall, the findings suggest that students’ brand evaluations in Kazakhstan’s English- medium higher education context are shaped primarily by institutional credibility, program quality, interpersonal support, and value-added features.
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring Experiences of Parent-Students, Seeking Graduate Education at a Highly Selective Public Institution in Kazakhstan
(Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education, 2026-04) Raimberdiyeva, Fazilat
This qualitative phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of parent-students (mothers and fathers) pursuing graduate education (master’s and doctoral programmes) at Nazarbayev University, a highly selective public institution in Kazakhstan. Through semi- structured interviews with six participants, the research examined how they navigated the intersection of rigorous academic demands and active parenthood within Kazakhstan’s socio-cultural context, where traditional gender roles remain strong. The findings revealed that participants faced significant challenges, including severe time poverty, emotional strain, and gendered role expectations—mothers often bearing the double burden of caregiving and daughter-in-law duties, while fathers carried the primary responsibility as breadwinners. Despite these pressures, participants demonstrated notable resilience through structured time management, heavy reliance on extended family support, external childcare, and proactive financial planning. Importantly, many also described positive experiences, such as increased motivation, discipline, purpose, and personal growth, which were often fueled by their desire to build a better future for their children. The study highlights the relational nature of academic success for parent-students and underscores the current invisibility of this group within institutional structures. It calls for more inclusive policies, particularly affordable on-campus childcare, flexible academic arrangements, and greater recognition of parent-students’ realities.