Science Research Program Research Articles

Indole 6 Carboxaldehyde Prevents Oxidative Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction, DNA Damage and Apoptosis in C2C12 Skeletal Myoblasts

Abstract Objectives Indole-6-carboxaldehyde (I6CA) is an indole derivative derived from the brown algae Sargassum thunbergii, and some pharmacological activity is known, but the antioxidant effect of I6CA has not been reported. In the present study, the protective capacity of I6CA against oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity in C2C12 skeletal myoblasts was investigated. Methods I6CA's effect on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-disrupted cell viability, mitochondrial function, and intracellular ATP level was measured. Furthermore, I6CA's potency to reduce H2O2-induced DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and apoptosis was monitored. Results The results indicate that preincubation of cells with I6CA prior to H2O2 stimulation resulted in significant inhibition of cytotoxicity and DNA damage associated with the inhibition of ROS generation. In addition, H2O2-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytosolic release of cytochrome c were significantly protected in the presence of I6CA. I6CA also attenuated the decrease in ATP content by H2O2 and restored H2O2-induced activation of AMPK, indicating that I6CA maintains energy metabolism through the preservation of mitochondrial function while eliminating the ROS generated by H2O2. Furthermore, I6CA rescued C2C12 cells from H2O2-triggered apoptosis, as evidenced by reduced caspase-3 activation, PARP degradation and DNA fragmentation. Conclusions Collectively, our findings conclude that I6CA effectively protected C2C12 myoblasts against oxidative damage, at least in part, by preventing mitochondrial-dependent pathway through scavenging excessive ROS. Funding Sources The research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (2018R1A2B2005705).

Astragalin Inhibits Pulmonary Inflammation in Cigarette Smoking-Induced Embolism

Abstract Objectives Thrombin generation is crucial to the regulation of hemostasis and thrombosis and is essential to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and venous thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lung caused by blood clots due to risk factors including tobacco use. Astragalin (kaempferol 3-O-glucoside) is a flavonoid present in persimmon leaves and green tea seeds and exhibits diverse activities such as asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease. This study investigated that astragalin encumbered pulmonary inflammation caused by cigarette smoking-induced embolism. Methods Pulmonary embolism was evoked through exposure of BALB/c mice to cigarette smoke for 30 min, five days a week for eight weeks. Mice were orally administrated with 10 or 20 mg/kg astragalin for 8 weeks. For the in vitro studies, 10 U/ml thrombin was loaded to alveolar epithelial A549 cells in the absence and presence of 1–20 μM astragalin. Results Oral supplementation of astragalin reduced tissue factor and urokinase-type plasminogen activator elevated in cigarette smoking-exposed lungs. In addition, 1–20 μM astragalin attenuated the induction of protease activated receptor-1 known as coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor-like-1, in 10 U/ml thrombin-loaded alveolar epithelial cells. Astragalin curtailed induction of the inflammatory mediators of cyclooxygenase-2, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in alveolar cells subjected to thrombin. Furthermore, astragalin inhibited inflammatory signaling entailing MAPK/ERK pathway. Conclusions Astragalin may be a potential agent alleviating pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoking-induced embolism. Funding Sources This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2019R1A6A3A01094891).

Relative Validity of Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity for Predicting All-Cause Mortality in Comparison to Diet Quality Indexes in US Adults

Abstract Objectives Dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is a useful tool for assessing total antioxidant power in the diet, and high dietary TAC has been reported to be associated with lower oxidative stress and risk of chronic diseases. While traditionally diet quality index scores (DQIS) have been used to predict health outcomes, dietary TAC may also be a novel and valid predictor. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the associations between both dietary TAC and DQIS and all-cause mortality. Methods Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (1998–1994) and 1999–2006, a total of 23,797 adults aged 30 years or older who were followed-up until 2015 were included. Dietary TAC and DQIS including the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), Alternative Health Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) were calculated using a 1-day 24-h dietary recall. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality by quintiles of dietary TAC and DQIS were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Results Dietary TAC and DQIS similarly differed by sociodemographic characteristics including age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and income and lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity and smoking among US adults (P < 0.0001 for all). After adjusting for confounders, US adults in the highest quintiles of DQIS had lower rates of all-cause mortality compared to those in the lowest quintiles (HEI-2015 HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76–0.97; AHEI-2010 HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.73–0.93; aMED HR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.68–0.89; DASH HR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69–0.89). Similarly, those in the highest quintile of dietary TAC also had a lower rate of all-cause mortality than those in the lowest quintile (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79–0.99). Conclusions These findings indicate that both DQIS and dietary TAC were inversely associated with all-cause mortality and that dietary TAC predicts overall mortality in US adults. Further studies should expand this investigation to assess disease-specific mortality among subpopulations defined by gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Funding Sources This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education.

0047 The Change in Melatonin Rhythm Depending on Dementia Severity in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) Patients

Abstract Introduction In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), both sleep and circadian dysfunctions are commonly reported and these are associated with neurodegenerative change. Actually, it has been reported that changes in circadian rhythms in AD were apparently discrete from those seen in normal aging. Previous studies reported the delayed phase in the activity or core body temperature rhythms in severe AD patients compared to normal controls. However, it is unknown whether similar changes in melatonin rhythms occur in AD patients who were not severely demented. We aimed to compare melatonin rhythms depending on dementia severity in mild and moderate AD patients. Methods We recruited AD patients of mild or moderate degree who had the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of 5 or greater and/or complained insomnia symptoms more than 3 times a week for a month. The patients were classified according to their Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score into 3 groups (CDR=0.5, 1, 2). The dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) was determined from seven hourly saliva samples obtained in the laboratory prior to sleep onset measured by actigraphy. The phase angle between the DLMO and sleep onset (PA-SO), and that between the DLMO and midsleep time (PA-MST) were calculated. Each group included 13, 13 and 6 AD patients with the CDR score of 0.5, 1 and 2, respectively. The DLMO and PA were compared among the 3 groups, and correlation analyses of the DLMO and PA with the MMSE in the Korean version of CERAD Packet (MMSE-KC) scores were done in total patients. Results There was no significant difference in the DLMO and PA between the 3 groups. The MMSE-KC score was positively correlated with the DLMO and negatively correlated with the PA-MST. Conclusion There were no changes in melatonin rhythms according to dementia severity in mild and moderate AD patients with sleep complaints. However, our study showed that earlier melatonin phase was associated with more impaired cognitive function. Support Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (2017R1A2B4003493)

0073 Left Anterior Cingulate Hyperarousal During Sleep Anxiety-Inducing Emotional Tasks Performance in Patients with Insomnia Disorder

Abstract Introduction Patients with insomnia frequently experience sleep/insomnia-related anxiety; this anxiety has been associated with hyperarousal. We investigated the underlying brain function changes in patients with insomnia during emotional task performance that induced sleep/insomnia-related anxiety. Methods Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed during emotional task performance in healthy individuals and patients with insomnia who met the diagnostic criteria of insomnia disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and had chronic insomnia for more than 6 months. The participants underwent fMRI scanning during three types of emotional task performance—insomnia-anxiety task, reading sentences that cause insomnia-related anxiety; general-anxiety task, reading sentences that cause anxiety for everyone; and neutral task, reading neutral sentences that do not cause emotional anxiety. The images obtained from fMRI and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes were compared between patients with insomnia and healthy controls. Interim analysis was performed with the data of 13 patients with insomnia and 9 controls. Results The brain activity in the left anterior cingulate was higher during insomnia-anxiety task performance than that during general-anxiety task performance in the insomnia group (voxel-wise uncorrected p < 0.05; cluster size, 100). In the insomnia group, the brain activity during insomnia-anxiety task performance was not lower in any brain area than that during general-anxiety task performance. Conclusion We show that patients with chronic insomnia experience sleep anxiety related with hyperarousal in the left anterior cingulate area. Additional subject recruitment and re-analysis are needed to confirm the findings of this interim analysis. Support This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2017R1D1A1B03032431).

0724 Altered Brain Network Organization in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract Introduction Previous functional MRI (fMRI) studies have reported altered brain networks in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but the extent of such abnormal connectivity was inconsistent across studies. Moreover, despite the important role of the cerebellum in respiration and OSA, connections of the cerebellum to the cerebral cortex have been rarely assessed. Here, we investigated functional network changes in cerebral and cerebellar cortices of OSA patients. Methods Resting-state fMRI, polysomnography and neuropsychological (NP) tests data were acquired from 74 treatment naïve OSA patients (age: 45.8±10.7 years, apnea-hypopnea index: 46.4±18.5 /h) and 33 normal controls (39.6±9.3 years). Connectivity matrices were extracted by computing correlation coefficients from various ROIs, and Fisher r-to-z transformations. ROIs consisted of 234 regions matched to 17 functional networks, including 200 parcels of the cortex, and 34 parcels of the cerebellum. Between-group connectivity with age as a covariate was analyzed, and threshold for FDR correction was set at q<0.05. In the functional connections that showed the significant group differences, linear regression was conducted to examine the association between connectivity and composite score of NP tests in OSA patients. Results OSA subjects showed decreased attention, executive function, verbal fluency and verbal memory compared to controls. Resting-state functional connectivity was increased between regions involved in the default mode network (DMN), including left medial prefrontal, ventrolateral prefrontal and lateral temporal cortices. In OSA, the connectivity changes between these DMN areas negatively correlated with attention/executive function and verbal fluency. Multiple cerebellar regions showed reduces in connectivity with cerebral cortical areas including frontal eye field, temporoparietal junction, temporo-occipital gyrus, and parieto-occipital association cortex. Conclusion OSA affects mainly the DMN and cerebello-cerebral pathway. The disruption of function in these two networks are known to relate to sleep deprivation and respiratory abnormality. The abnormal DMN found in OSA patients further related to their cognitive impairment. Support This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning, Republic of Korea (2017R1A2B4003120) and by Samsung Biomedical Research Institute grant (OTC1190671)

0245 Relationship of Chronotype with Sleep Duration, Daytime Sleepiness, and Sustained Attention in High School Students: A Pilot Study

Abstract Introduction People with a later chronotype typically sleep later and perform better later in the day. In an early high school schedule, students with later chronotypes earn lower average grades than those with earlier chronotypes. However, other effects of late chronotype on high school students are poorly understood. This study examined the relationship of chronotype with sleep duration, daytime sleepiness and sustained attention in high school students. Methods This study was conducted at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, NY, where classes begin at 7:45am. During three class periods, 36 participants (female n=24, n=12, 14–17 years old) completed the Morning-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), and Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) during their class. Subjects recorded time spent on homework/extracurricular activities and bedtime/waketime from the night prior to the assessment. Results Later chronotype (lower MEQ score) was significantly associated with later bedtime, shorter sleep duration, and increased sleepiness (r=-0.82, p<0.001; r=0.72, p<0.001; and r=-0.40, p=0.016; respectively). Shorter sleep duration was significantly correlated with increased sleepiness (r=-0.34, p=0.045). Increased workload (time on homework/extracurriculars) was significantly associated with later bedtime (r=0.42, p=0.011). Chronotype, sleep duration, and sleepiness showed no significant association with PVT scores (r=-0.16, p=0.360; r=-0.10, p=0.933; r=0.09, p=0.619, respectively); however, increased workload was significantly associated with increased PVT scores (r=-0.35, p=0.041). Conclusion These results are important for the wellbeing of high school students, as they show relationships between late chronotype, short sleep, and increased sleepiness during class in an early school schedule. Further research is needed to determine the best school schedule for high school students based on individual differences in chronotype. Support We thank the Authentic Science Research program at Byram Hills High School, specifically teachers Mrs. Stephanie Greenwald, Dr. Caroline Matthew, and Mrs. Megan Salomone.

Radiative decay of in a hadronic molecule picture * * This work is partly supported by the Development and Exchange Platform for Theoretic Physics of Southwest Jiaotong University in 2020 (11947404). We acknowledge the supported by the National Science Foundation of Chongqing (cstc2019jcyj-msxm0953), the Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (KJQN201800510). This work is also supported

The baryon with the quantum number is considered as a molecular state composed of a baryon and meson. The partial decay widths of the molecular state into and final states through hadronic loops are evaluated with the help of the effective Lagrangians. The partial widths for the and transitions are evaluated at 1.50–1.02 keV and 17.56–24.91 keV, respectively, which may be accessible for the LHCb. Based on our results, we argue that an experimental determination of the radiative decay width of is important for the understanding of its intrinsic properties.

Is the secularization research programme progressing? Debate on Jörg Stolz’s article on Secularization theories in the 21st century: ideas, evidence, and problems

The methodology of scientific research programmes, developed by Imre Lakatos, can help us to identify which theories are strong or weak. Applying this approach suggests that the secularization research programme is progressing, as Stolz argues. Some of the recent advances have been more successful than others, however. In particular, we have done better at understanding how secularization happens than why it happens.

Evaluation of the constructed device along with the software for digital archiving, sending the data, and supporting the diagnosis of cervical cancer.

e18017 Background: The incidence and mortality of cervical cancer are high in Poland. There are effective methods of the prevention and the early diagnosis, however they require well-trained medical professionals including cytologists. Within this project we built a prototype of a new device together with implemented software to convert the currently used optical microscopes to fully independent scanning systems for cytological samples. The use of the device is intended to improve the effectiveness of cytological screening, and registration of cytological tests’ results. The features of the software include digital backup as well as transmission and telemedicine evaluation. Methods: The software uses the artificial neural network (U-NET architecture) designed to be able to recognize suspicious regions and enhanced CNN neural network (VGG) allowing to determine the type of disorder such as: ASCUS, ASC-H, HIS, AGC, cancer. 7128 liquid based (LBC) and 1700 conventional cytology samples were evaluated by trained cyto-sreeners. Cytological abnormalities like: ASCUS, ASC-H, HIS, AGC, cancer were found in 254 (3.6%) LBC cases and 51 (3.0%) conventional cytology cases. All samples were scanned and archived. Selected samples with diagnosed abnormality were a model to teach the artificial neural networks. Results: Preliminary results obtained with use of U-NET and VGG (CNN networks) so far indicate 90-96% (LBC samples) and 85-95% (conventional cytology) compliance with results obtained using standard methods. Conclusions: Further refinement of neural networks is necessary to reduce the number of false positives and false negatives. A study with a larger sample size is required to evaluate the software. This project is co-financed with European Regional Development Fund within the Priority Axis I, Support for R&D activities for companies, Measure 1.2, Sectoral R&D Programmes, Sectoral Programme: “INNOMED – scientific research and development programme for innovative medicine economy sector”.

The early years of Sequoia and Kings Canyon Science: Building a research program

This paper provides a history of the development of the scientific research program at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) during the period 1968–1994 from the perspective of one of the scientists involved. The years following the 1968 hiring of Bruce Kilgore as the first park-based research scientist at SEKI saw the growth of a research program that included three permanent research-grade scientists and their support staff. This nucleus was successful in attracting both outside funding and leading university and government scientists to work on issues of importance to the parks and to society at large, topics that included fire ecology and management, black bears, wilderness impacts, acid deposition, and climate change. During this time the SEKI scientists’ role expanded from one focused primarily on the personal research on issues of immediate importance to the park, to increasing responsibilities for marketing and coordinating a growing program of collaborative research that also addressed regional and national priorities. This, in turn, required that the park scientists increasingly become generalists, able to converse in a number of scientific disciplines as well as communicate with non-scientists. Finally, keys to success and lessons learned are discussed.

Monitoring the Complexity of IT Architectures: Design Principles and an IT Artifact

Monitoring the complexity of a firm’s IT architecture is imperative to ensure a stable and flexible platform foundation for competing in the era of digital business strategy. However, IT architects lack IT support for dealing with this important problem. We engaged with five companies in a significant design science research (DSR) program and drew on the heuristic theorizing framework both to solve this problem through evolving IT artifacts and to accumulate nascent design knowledge. We base the design knowledge development on a conceptual framework involving three essential concepts for understanding and solving this problem: structural complexity, dynamic complexity, and problem-solving complexity. Drawing on this foundation, we address the research question: How can IT support be provided for reducing the problem-solving complexity of monitoring the structural and dynamic complexity of IT architectures in the context of a digital business strategy? To answer this question, we present a set of design principles that we derived from our iterative process of IT artifact construction and evaluation activities with five companies. Our nascent design knowledge contributes to the research on IT architecture management in the context of digital business strategy. In addition, we also contribute to the understanding of how, through the use and illustration of the heuristic theorizing framework, design knowledge can be accumulated systematically on the basis of generalization from IT artifact construction and evaluation outcomes generated across multiple contexts and companies.

Gold-Ruthenium Alloy Nanofibers As a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting in Acidic Environments

Hydrogen is widely regarded as an environmentally-friendly and practical alternative energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Also, hydrogen has the outstanding advantages of high energy storage density and sustainable reaction products. The most promising technology to produce hydrogen from abundant renewable sources is water electrolysis. Electrochemical water splitting involves two reaction systems, namely, an anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and a cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In general, typical HER catalysts with good activity in acidic solutions, such as Pt, exhibit poor activity in OER. Therefore, it is important to study bifunctional catalyst with high activity, efficiency and stability in acidic solutions.In this presentation, we demonstrate the synthesis of AuRu alloy nanofibers as bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting. The Au/RuO2 nanocomposites are synthesized via electrospinning and calcination. After the subsequent reduction process, the AuRu alloy nanofibers are formed. The reduction process of Au/RuO2 nanocomposites to AuRu alloy nanofibers are investigated and the physical properties of AuRu alloy nanofibers in comparison to those of pure Au and Ru are analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphologies of the Au/RuO2 nanocomposites and AuRu alloy nanofibers are confirmed with field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrocatalytic activity of AuRu alloy nanofibers are studied toward both OER and HER in Ar-saturated 0.5 M H2SO4 aqueous solution with rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetry. The Tafel slopes which represent kinetics of the reaction for OER and HER are obtained based on the corresponding RDE curves. In summary, this study presents the AuRu alloy nanofibers as a better bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting than Au/RuO2, RuO2, Ru, Pt/C, Ir/C, Au/C and Ru/C.This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT& Future Planning (NRF-2017R1A2A2A14001137).

From NiRh2O4 to RhNi Alloy: Preparation and Characterization of Nanofibers for Hydrogen Evolution in pH-Universal Media

Considering the growing attention to sustainable hydrogen production from water splitting, advanced materials for electrocatalytic water splitting are central to the area of renewable energy. Ideal water splitting catalysts should have not only low overpotential to produce hydrogen but also decent stability for a controlled period. While the previously reported water splitting catalysts have various compositions, the ones based on earth-abundant and non-precious metals are being studied extensively for hydrogen and oxygen production. However, noble metal oxides, in general, still exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity and enhanced stability under extreme environment compared with other cheap metals. Therefore, mixing non-precious transition metals (e.g. Ni, Co and Cu) with noble metals could be a possible strategy to utilize highly active but expensive noble metals providing economic feasibility.Here we present the synthetic processes and physical/electrochemical characterization of single-phase NiRh2O4 nanofibers (NFs) and their reduced form, RhNi NFs. Those NFs are synthesized through electrospinning, a simple way to facilitate 1D nanostructure, and post-thermal annealing process with and without hydrogen atmosphere. Under a certain optimized condition, single-phase NiRh2O4 NFs and single-phase alloy RhNi NFs are synthesized without and with hydrogen atmosphere, respectively. To find the proper synthetic conditions, NFs are electrospun with varying the precursor mixing ratios and calcined at different temperatures. The morphology and compositions of NiRh2O4 NFs and RhNi NFs were characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The crystalline structure of the prepared NFs are investigated through high-resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electrochemical activities of NiRh2O4 NFs and RhNi NFs for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are studied with rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetry in N2-saturated 1.0 M NaOH, 1.0 M PBS and 1.0 M HClO4 aqueous solutions; and compared with those of pure metallic Rh, Ni counterparts in addition to commercial Pt/C. This work was financially supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (NRF-2019R1F1A1059969 for CL) and Basic Science Research Program through the NRF funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2018R1A6A1A03025340 for YL and KMH).

Amperometric Simultaneous Measurement of NO, CO and H2s during Induced Focal Seizures Using a Triple Microsensor

In these days, nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are well known as endogenous neurotransmitters in mammalian cells and have been studied regarding their mechanisms playing the roles as neurotransmitters in vivo. However, the actual relations among these three gases in transmitting neuronal signals in brain are still controversial and therefore, direct real-time concurrent analysis of NO, CO and H2S is required to clarify their biological relations.In current presentation, we demonstrate the fabrication of a NO/CO/H2S triple sensor and the simultaneous real-time measurements of these three gases at a rat brain surface under acute seizure using the sensor. This sensor consists of three platinum (Pt) disk working electrodes: 50, 76 and 50-μm diameter Pt microdisks (denoted as WE1, 2 and 3, respectively). The Pt disks of WE 2 and 3 are etched electrochemically and further electrodeposited with metal nanoparticles (Ru and Au, respectively). Then, the surface of each electrode is covered with a different intended target-selective membrane. These membranes are adapted for the selectivity to the gases excluding other biological interferences. Finally, these electrodes are applied with different optimized potentials, respectively to cause the oxidation of individual target gases and the oxidation currents are monitored. The developed NO/CO/H2S triple sensor is characterized in terms of its performances such as sensitivity, selectivity, etc. The sensors is utilized to monitor the concentration changes of NO, CO and H2S gases at a rat brain cortex under a seizure induced with administration of 4-acetamidophenol (AP). The actual patterns of the real-time concurrent changes of these gases were carefully investigated along with local field potential (LFP) signal changes. This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT& Future Planning (NRF-2017R1A2A2A14001137).

Improvement in NO2 Gas Sensing Performance Using Igzo Film Sensor

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and many other nitrogen oxides species (NOx) have an adverse health effect on human health. Exposure to these gases for a long time can alter the lung function as well as other respiratory conditions. Globally, it is estimated that 13% of children’s under 1-18 years have a new asthma related respiratory problem due to NO2 gas pollution [1]. Further, NO2 related health effect occurs where the concentration of NO2 are higher than 21 ppb according to WHO guidelines. Therefore, detection and monitoring of NO2 gas are very essential.In this study, Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide (IGZO) films are grown using magnetron sputtering process for the detection NO2 gas. The IGZO films with a thickness of 50 nm were deposited on interdigitated electrode substrates in IGZO with 2:2:7 ratios sputtering target and annealed at 300 °C for 1 hr in O2 atmosphere. The sensor characteristics were studied at room temperature and higher working temperatures in NO2 environment with various concentrations. The sensor response (Rair/Rgas) of 1114 % was obtained for 100ppm NO2 concentration at 150 °C operating temperature as shown in Fig.1. Further to investigate the temperature effect on sensor properties, the sensor was annealed at 400 and 500 °C and also the selectivity of the sensor were examined with various gases.Reference : 1. P. Achakulwisut, M. Brauer, P. Hystad, S. C. Anenberg, Global, national, and urban burdens of paediatric asthma incidence attributable to ambient NO₂ pollution: estimates from global datasets, Lancet Planet Health 3, 166–78, (2019). Acknowledgment This research was supported by the MOTIE (Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (10048536) and the KSRC (Korea Semiconductor Research Consortium) support program for the development of future semiconductor devices. This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning(NRF-2015M3A7B7045563). Figure 1

An Australian-based authentic science research programme transforms the 21st century learning of rural high school students

Authentic student-led inquiry and exposure to scientific research impact students’ science career choices. Given Australian students decline in STEM skills, knowledge of whether such programmes impact student learning is critical. This research examined the short-term impact of an authentic, hands-on research mentor programme on rural student’s science skills. Nine Year 10 students participated in a science academic research programme leading to scientific publications and students collecting of first-hand data from international experiments on a major world-wide health issue. The NSW Department of Education Year 10 VALID assessment scores of this intervention group were compared to a control group. Intervention students had significantly higher overall scores as well as significantly higher scores in 21st century skills. These results were supported by student’s self-assessment of their learning growth. Our study suggests authentic science research mentor programmes are pedagogically advantageous for Year 10 high achieving rural students. Educators’ willingness to embrace these innovative approaches has the potential to produce the next generation of scientists.

Dutch national scientific research program on land subsidence: Living on soft soils – subsidence and society

Abstract. In the Netherlands land subsidence is a continuously ongoing process. Consequently, an increasing number of people and economic assets are exposed to subsidence, damage costs are soaring, and flood risk and greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. In some areas tipping points have already been reached, where current land-use can no longer be maintained without considerable costs, underlining the urgency to take action. Together with a consortium consisting of universities, research institutes, governmental agencies, public and private partners we have developed a national, multidisciplinary research programme aiming to develop an integrative approach to achieve feasible, legitimate and sustainable solutions for managing the negative societal effects of land subsidence, connecting fundamental research on subsidence processes to socio-economic impact of subsidence and to governance and legal framework design. The program is designed to co-create insights that help to effectively mitigate and adapt to subsidence within the Netherlands by making major improvements in measuring and modeling the processes and consequences of subsidence, identifying, developing and critically evaluating control measures and designing governance and legal approaches that facilitate their implementation. Hereto we will develop (a) new satellite-based technology to measure, attribute and monitor subsidence, (b) solid understanding of the interacting multiple processes contributing to total subsidence, (c) sophisticated physical and economic numerical models to predict human-induced subsidence rates and impacts, and (d) implementation strategies that go beyond technical measures, to strengthen governance and financing capacities as well as legal frameworks. This fully integrated approach deals with all impacts of land subsidence on society and the economy.

Effect of Composition on Strain-Induced Martensite Transformation of FeMnNiC Alloys Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy

1. This research was supported by the Basic Science Research program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), funded by the Ministry of Education (2016R1A1B03935163). It also received financial support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), through the International Cooperative R&D program (P006837).

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF TEACHERS MOTIVATION IN CROSS-CULTURAL ASPECT WITHIN KAZAKHSTANI HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND EXPATS

This article is devoted to the study of motivation of teachers of higher educational institutions - Kazakhstani citizens and expats, invited to highly rated universities. During the research, it was proceeded from the understanding that at the present stage of development and reform of the education system, the problem of studying and forming professional motivation among teachers, which has not been studied before and is the new for the psychological and pedagogical theory, acquires significant relevance. The motivation of teachers of higher schools is very specific, since their work combines teaching, scientific, methodological, educational and organizational functions. Therefore, the work of a teacher of a higher school can be characterized as labor of high complexity, which necessitates the transformation of the incentive system for teaching and the study of the motivational sphere of the personality of a teacher of a higher educational institution. The subject of the research is the motivational sphere of personality and the psychological characteristics of teachers of higher educational institutions, which determine their professional motivation. For the organization of the empirical study of cross-cultural characteristics of professional and personal motivation of teachers of higher educational institutions of Kazakhstan program of scientific research has been developed consisting of several stages. For diagnostic measurement, 2 methods were taken:“Diagnostics of motivational personality structure” (V.E. Milman); “Methodology for determining job satisfaction ” (A.V. Batrashev). For diagnostic measurement, 2 methods were used: “Diagnostics of the motivational structure of the individual” (V. E. Milman); “Method of determining job satisfaction” (A.V. Batrashev). The study was conducted on the basis of highly rated higher education institutions in Almaty and Nur-Sultan - al-Farabi KazNU, Gumilyov’s ENU. The results of the study have showed that the teachers’ professional and personal motivation at higher education institutions where Kazakhstani citizens and expats have been invited to highly rated higher education institutions, found cross-cultural characteristics. Key words: motivation, teachers, expats, higher education institutions, cross-cultural aspect, diagnostics, etc.