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Dear friends,2016 was a very strenuous and eventful year both forthe country as a whole and for Ukraine's sciencesphere. We all witnessed a lot of changes. Yet, ourdesire to conduct research in compliance with highinternational standards and promote the innovativedevelopment of the national economy and social liferemains unfailing.

Studying modern problems of fundamental science,Academy researchers continued their proactive effortsin such important areas as energy engineering andenergy efficiency, information technologies, new sub-stances and materials, machine building and instru-ment making, medicine and health care, agribusinessand food security, mineral and raw-material resources,nuclear safety and environment protection. Respondingto emerging challenges, we significantly intensified ourwork aiming at novel developments and technologiesto strengthen the defense potential and security of thecountry.

I'd like to mention some important results of basicresearch. Specialists in mechanics and mathematics forthe first time ever obtained an analytical class ofMaxwell equation solutions in the field of a rotatingblack hole. Cybernetics scientists developed new pio-neering high-precision and high-speed technologiesfor content recognition of large-volume texts. Physicistsand chemists found new physical properties ofnanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes withpolymethine dyes. Carbon honeycombs — a new 3dform of graphene with unique properties — were discov-ered. Astronomers calculated the probability of Earthcollision with potentially hazardous asteroids that couldendanger the existence of many life forms. Materialsscientists studied the electrical and optical properties ofthe unique graphene-like semiconductor material —super-thin nanofilms of laminated indium monoselenidecrystal. Chemists synthesized a number of new hetero-cyclic compounds and studied their biological activity.Researchers working in the field of life sciences pro-posed a new hypothesis of genome instability which

explained the nature and frequency of emerging muta-tions; they also developed basic principles of formulat-ing novel medicines that demonstrated high activityagainst multidrug resistant strains of tuberculosis.Scholars in social sciences and humanities worked outa methodology to assess socio-economic impacts ofimplementing Ukraine's international energy and envi-ronment commitments as well as their effect on theenergy balance of the country; they also substantiatedthe trends of Ukraine's strategic neo-industrial develop-ment. It should be noted that in the previous year majorpublishing projects were continued, and quite a num-ber of fundamental studies were published, in particu-lar, those prepared to mark the 25th anniversary ofUkraine's Independence, to commemorate the 150thbirth anniversary of Mykhailo Hrushevsky, the 160thbirth anniversary and the 100th death anniversary ofIvan Franko. The abovementioned facts give convinc-ing evidence that the Academy maintains rather high,and in some areas international, standards of research.That is demonstrated, in particular, by the stable num-ber of papers published by our scientists in high-rank-ing professional journals abroad and by the number ofgrants won to do research under international scien-tific programs.

Besides, a lot of worthwhile results of appliedresearch and development were produced last year.

© National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2017© Akademperiodyka, design, 2017

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For one, mathematicians in collaboration with medicalscientists worked out a procedure to synthesize algo-rithms for processing ultrasound images of humancarotid arteries. Specialists in cybernetics, using SKIT-4computer, developed 3d models of archeologicalexcavation sites, metro stations and passages. Land-cover maps of 10-meter resolution were compiled andthe radionuclide mapping of the Transcarpathianreserves was carried out alongside with the evaluationof the so-called 'radiation weather' factors, radon dis-tribution in particular. Significant results of materials sci-entists are represented by the technology of acousticemission monitoring; it is intended for continuous diag-nostics of industrial pipelines of hot reheat steam andfor controlling the process of growing profiled singlecrystals of metals, specifically tungsten and molybde-num. Among noticeable achievements one can alsomention the technology for conversion of brown coalfrom Ukrainian Olexandriya deposit. In 2016 our sci-entists also developed a number of products for medi-cine: new antimicrobial polymer composites, a diag-nostic test system for quick identification of pneumocys-tis that causes pneumocystis pneumonia, and a newtechnique for prognosticating the rate of liver fibrosisprogress in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Biologistsimplemented a pilot project, which is the first inUkraine and Europe, and created a special site andelectronic database of all plant species in gardens,arboreta and parks of this country. Applied achieve-ments of scholars engaged in social sciences andhumanities were enriched with recommendations onimproving the legal framework of reintegration policyas an element of the state ethno-national policy ofUkraine, and with a technology for compiling thenational system of linguistic resources.

It is important that the Academy furthered its defenseR&D, namely, technologies, materials and facilities forproducing modern armament and military equipment,information protection systems, camouflage coatings,as well as various medical products to meet the needsof both the military and civilians.

One should mention that last year our specialistsimplemented a number of developments that hadalready proved their utility and showed a significantactual or expected economic effect. Among them, inparticular, was the continuation of long-term works toextend the operation lives of power-generating units ofUkrainian NPPs beyond the designed time. To manu-facture parts of aerospace vehicles, wide use is madeof state-of-the-art materials with high mechanical prop-erties and performances — heat-resistant and refracto-ry multi-component niobium-based alloys proposed byour scientists. In 2016, a new research-and-productionunit of the Ukrainian 'INTERKHIM' pharmaceuticalplant was launched in Odesa (in co-operation withNAS O.V. Bogatsky Physico-Chemical Institute). Thatwill allow a four-time increase in the production of

domestic medical preparations. Last year our special-ists in plant genetics and breeding created 6 new plantvarieties; 3 of those received author's certificates. Theareas sown with winter wheat varieties amounted to 2million hectares or 30% of the areas under this crop inUkraine.

Along with significant achievements of the previousyear, one cannot but mention several important eventsin the life of the Academy. Undoubtedly, that was, firstand foremost, the adoption of the new version of theNAS Statutes by the NAS General Meeting. Thisguideline document contains a number of importantinnovations introduced to harmonize it with changes inthe national legislation (primarily, the new version ofthe Law of Ukraine 'On Scientific and S&T Activities'),improve the management of the Academy and its in-stitutions, ensure the essential democratization ofAcademy's inner life. One should also remember that2016 was rich in jubilees of the national scope, whichwill make our Academy's history as well. I mean,specifically, the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's Inde-pendence (the August jubilee session of the GeneralMeeting of the National Academy of Sciences ofUkraine and national sectoral academies was dedica-ted to it) and the 25th anniversary of the Referendumon Ukrainian Independence, which was also honoredby a Grand Session of NAS General Meeting.

Among other memorable events of 2016 was thedecision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine toestablish a higher education institution of a new typewithin the NAS structure — Kyiv Academy University. Itsfoundation was initiated by the NAS of Ukraine andthe MES of Ukraine. It is to become a true research uni-versity, as its education process will be based on theso-called "Phystech system", i.e. its second- or third-year students will take part in actual research. We hopethat the foundation of this university will, among otherthings, strengthen the scientific potential of theAcademy and enrich it with young talents. Other meas-ures are taken to involve gifted young people in theactivities of NAS institutions, e.g., various forms of sup-port, the financial one included. We do everything wecan to stop brain drain and the flight of talented youthfrom science, though, the decisive role in this undoubt-edly belongs to the state.

In 2016 the Academy also tested a new procedurefor evaluating the performance of its institutions, whichwas developed relying on German experience (in par-ticular, that of the Leibniz Association — LeibnizGemeinschaft). We propose that this procedure, whichreceived positive expert appraisals during Peer Reviewof the Ukrainian Research and Innovation System,should be used in the future — in the public evaluation ofresearch institutions, and its results are to be taken intoaccount by the Ministry of Education and Science.

A very significant event of 2016 was the Septembermeeting of V.B. Groysman, Prime Minister of Ukraine,

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with scientists. It addressed the reformation of the sci-ence sphere, the advancement of academy scienceand stressed the necessity of strengthening ties betweenscience and industry, ensuring the progress of nationaleconomy. That meeting was of major importance forimproving Academy's activities — on 9 November thesession of NAS Presidium considered the reformation ofNAS activities for effective scientific support to theimplementation of priorities of Ukraine's economicdevelopment. In accordance with the decisionapproved by the abovementioned Presidium session,the Academy thoroughly analyzed the potential of itsinstitutions to address concrete scientific, technologicaland socio-economic challenges in various industriesand in the social sphere. Relevant proposals were sentto the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

The successful implementation of all planned R&Dprojects is, however, extremely complicated, in view ofthe very scarce public funding. The budget deficit of ourAcademy in 2017, even if minimum needs are onlytaken into account, is about UAH 626.6 million. Ofthat, extra UAH 452.1 million is needed to paysalaries in the full time work schedule. And this isdespite the fact that in 2016, to implement Article 28of the Law of Ukraine 'On the 2016 State Budget of

Ukraine', the network of NAS institutions and theirstructures were optimized and a significant number ofworkers were laid off. NAS Presidium did not and doesnot spare efforts towards improving the financial provi-sion of the Academy, it works persistently with relevantparliamentary committees, the Government and itsministries to increase NAS funding when introducingamendments to the Law of Ukraine 'On the 2017 StateBudget of Ukraine'.

Still, in spite of numerous problems and hardships,we should look into the future with optimism andbelieve that positive changes are coming soon.Scientists have always been and will always be astrong support for their Motherland; they are and willbe doing everything they can for the prosperity ofUkraine, its accession to the community of developedand civilized nations.

President of the NAS of Ukraine,NAS Academician PATON Boris E.

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"3d graphene" or "carbon honeycomb" — a new carbon modification

"3d graphene" or "carbon honeycomb" are names of anew carbon modification synthesized at NAS B.I. VerkinInstitute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineeringby N.V. Krainyukova in collaboration with Ye.M. Zu-barev from the National Technical University 'KharkivPolytechnical Institute'. This modification got that namedue to its shape resembling honeycomb. Structuralstudies by low-temperature electron diffraction andhigh-resolution transmission electron microscopyshowed that the substance synthesized contained anetwork of channels whose walls were made ofgraphene layers. The first graphene honeycomb sam-ples were obtained as films where honeycomb chan-nels form a random lattice. These research results werepublished in Physical Review Letters.

The discovery received immediate attention as itholds promise for this material to be used as a light-weight and high-capacity storage container forhydrogen fuel. It is the process of hydrogen storageand transportation, in view of its hazards and highenergy consumption, which was the key obstacle tousing gaseous hydrogen as a renewable energysource in the past. The family of carbon-based mate-rials are principal candidates for the role of suchporous material that could trap this gas, safely store itand, if necessary, easily release it. A number of fac-tors, however, made the use of carbon materials dif-

ficult, since the accessto nanotube storagespace is, as a rule,blocked.

And yet, the newstructures producedby our scientists have already demonstrated theirability to absorb significant amounts of inert gases(krypton, xenon) and carbon dioxide. The capacity ofthe new structure to store hydrogen is also much high-er than the levels which could be attained in nan-otubes even theoretically.

These are not all new useful properties of honey-comb structures. Another of their unique properties isthe ability to structure adaptation — symbiosis withother carbon forms. That permits them to be used as akind of 'construction' material or matrix for multi-com-ponent composite complexes. Filling honeycombchannels with metal atoms or with molecules of vari-ous compounds can impart unique electric or magnet-ic properties to the material. Due to this, such honey-comb structures have very good prospects of beingused in micro- and nano-electronics

Prediction of new effects and phenomena in the black holefield, based on new solutions of electromagnetic field equations

Scientists of the NAS Ya.S. Pidstryhach Institute forApplied Problems of Mechanics and Mathematicsdeveloped a new approach to solving Maxwell equa-tions in the space of complex geometry formed arounda rotating black hole — the so-called Kerr black hole.This approach enabled them to predict a new phenom-enon caused by the rotating hole and propose a newmethod to determine its angular momentum.

In 2016, LIGO laboratories provided convincingproofs of the existence of black holes as their scientistsrecorded gravitation waves emitted at the stage of theirapproaching and merging. Due to that the task of giv-ing a comprehensive description of black hole's effecton the fields and objects in its vicinity became evenmore relevant, as the mere proof that somewhere in thespace there is a black hole with its only three theoreti-cally determinable characteristics — mass, angularmoment and electric charge — would permit a betterunderstanding of their origin and, thereby, a betterinsight into the origin of the Universe.

One of the manifestations of black holes' existenceand rotation are the so-called jets — relatively thin

Symbiosis of honeycombstructures with nano�tubes (left), and absorp�tion of metal and gasatoms (right)

Images of random honeycombs obtained with high�resolu�tion transmission electron microscopy (left) and their recon�struction (right)

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beams of high energy particles by means of bent crys-tals, relying on the stochastic mechanism of particle dis-persion on bent chains of crystal atoms.

It was shown that this mechanism of particle beamdeflection resulted in a more stable pattern of angulardistributions of the dispersed particles than other tech-niques of beam deflection by a bent crystal that rely onparticle reflection by bent crystal's atomic planes and theeffect of planar channeling.

New experiments at CERN are planned to carry outthe comparative analysis of various mechanisms of thedeflection of high energy particle beams by bent crystals.

3.5 keV line, sterile neutrinos and reionization in the Universe

The nature of Dark Matter — the fundamental gravitat-ing substance that determines the formation of gravita-tionally bound structures in the Universe — still remainsobscure. In 2014, scientists of NAS M.M. BogolyubovInstitute for Theoretical Physics, Leiden University (theNetherlands) and the Federal Polytechnic School ofLausanne (Switzerland) discovered a possible evi-dence of the decay of dark matter particles — a weak3.5 keV emission line.

A possible explanation of the line observed is darkmatter decay in the form of sterile neutrinos — hypo-thetical particles whose mass is larger and interactionstrength weaker than those of regular neutrinos. In2005, it was shown that the Standard Model of parti-cle physics, if just three sterile neutrinos are added, per-mitted physicists to explain three principal observed phe-nomena beyond the Standard Model — neutrino oscil-

streams of ionized mat-ter moving with veloci-ties close to the velocityof light. These streamsare formed due to theenergy of black holes'

rotation and the magnetic field in their vicinities. Theproposed solution permitted a more comprehensivedescription of the peculiarities of magnetic field propa-gation in the immediate vicinity of the black hole, with-out the limiting assumption of that field's weakness andwithout neglecting its wave nature as Einstein did whenhe had predicted the deflection of light rays in the Sun'sfield. That allowed our scientists to find out that the rota-tion angle of the radiation polarization plane dependson radiation frequency and the angular momentum ofthe black hole. The confirmation of this effect could bea test whether the object is a Kerr black hole andanother verification of the general relativity theory.Besides, the polarization dispersion effect can be usedto determine the angular momentum of the black hole.

Observations made from the Integral satellite havealready detected polarized gamma-radiation; thelaunch of space vehicles (GEMS) is planned in the nearfuture. They will be equipped with X-ray polarimeters ofhigher sensitivity, which could prove the predicted effect.

Controlling the parameters of ultra�relativistic particle beams

On the initiative of scientists of the O.I. Akhiezer Institutefor Theoretical Physics of the National Science Center'Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology', a specialexperiment was conducted at CERN to discover the the-oretically predicted effect of splitting the ultra-relativisticproton beam into several beams when it is channeledthrough a bent crystal.

The analysis of the experimental results proved theprincipal theoretical predictions. The results obtainedopen up new prospects in controlling the parameters of

Visual reconstruction of theblack hole disk and jets itemits (NASA, the EuropeanSpace Agency, the SpaceTelescope Science Institute,D. Berry)

A relativistic jet from theM87 Galaxy (a picture ofthe Hubble Space Tele�scope)

The angular distribution of 400 GeV after passing through abent silicon crystal with curvature radius of 30.3 m (top distri�butions) and 6.9 m (bottom distributions). Left — CERNexperiment, right — the theory. Color shows the intensity ofangular distribution

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lations, dark matter and the observed asymmetry bet-ween matter and antimatter in the Universe.

Does the detection of the 3.5 keV line mean the exis-tence of dark matter made up of sterile neutrinos? Arecent work of scientists of NAS M.M. BogolyubovInstitute for Theoretical Physics was an attempt toanswer this question. The work for the first time everanalyzed the effect of dark matter composed of sterileneutrinos — the very neutrinos that would have formedthe observed decay line — on the process of Universereionization. As the authors showed in the frameworkof their simplified semi-analytical "bubble" model, inthe sterile neutrino model the reionization starts laterand occurs faster (as compared to the conventional"cold dark matter" (CDM) model). This better agreeswith the available observation data. Further detailedstudies of the duration of Universe ionization will permita better determination of the sterile neutrino effect onthe process of Universe ionization and facilitate thedefinitive solution of the dark matter problem.

Classification of resonant surfacewaves for arbitrary 3d periodic disturbances of large�capacityindustrial containers

Scientists of the NAS Institute of Mathematics, in col-laboration with physicists and engineers of theNorwegian University of Science and Technology(Trondheim) conducted research to classify resonantliquid waves in cylindrical large-volume tanks that arewidely used in launch vehicles, ocean-going tankers,nuclear reactor coolers, water and oil reservoirs, andmarine fish farms. Resonant waves result in extremeloads on tank walls and bottom; that demands reliableevaluation of structures' strength and identification ofan adequate strategy of their motion control.

This task cannot be solved through conventionalexperimental and computing approaches, as there isan infinite number of wave formation scenarios, i.e. res-onant liquid motions cannot be numerically modelledin a finite interval of time. Using nonlinear analysis

methods, researchers were able to solve the relevantboundary-value problem with free surface, whichenabled them to qualitatively and quantitativelydescribe all physically possible extreme resonantwaves for arbitrary 3d periodic disturbances of a cylin-drical tank and investigate their stability. The proposedanalytical approaches and methods can be applied toa wide class of large-volume industrial tanks, includingthose of complex shapes. These methods allow a theo-retical extension to the case of surface waves in labo-ratory containers that are typically used in medico-bio-logical research and pharmaceutics.

The mathematical results obtained were tested bycomparing them with the experimental data ofNorwegian, French and American research engineers.

There is information about hundreds of accidentsdue to inadequate evaluations of resonant liquid wavemovements in tanks. E.g., the failure of several tankswith environmentally hazardous liquids during anearthquake in Turkey in 1999 caused local environ-ment disasters. This shows the importance and high rel-evance of the results produced by mathematical scien-tists for both various engineering branches and thesafety of humans and the environment.

The application of the methods proposed to solvingsome problems of pharmacology, experimental biolo-gy, chemistry and medicine also seems quite promising.

Hypogene karstification theory

The development of karst (i.e. the formation of macroporosity and anomalously high permeability in the geo-logical media through dissolution) affects variousspheres of practical human activities. Karstification wastraditionally associated with the effect of infiltrated mete-oric water on soluble rocks exposed to the surface oroccurring in the shallow subsurface. Karst manifesta-tions recorded at great depths were considered as pale-okarst that had been formed in the previous epochs ofexposure and buried beneath younger rocks.

Scientists of the NAS Institute of GeologicalSciences developed a theory of hypogene (deep)karstification caused by the upward discharge of con-

Reionization in the Early Universe —gas ionization by the first radiatingobjects, such as galaxies

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improve luminescence quantum yield through the use ofmetal oxide nanoparticles as mediators of electrontransport from excitation energy absorption centers tolight-emission centers in hybrid core-shell nanocompos-ites. The effectiveness of this approach was demonstrat-ed for nanocomposites of lanthanide coordination com-plexes, metal-organic frameworks in particular, whichfind numerous applications as active components ofemitting layers in LEDs, luminescent screens, lasers, bio-logical markers etc., and CeO2 nanoparticles. A hybridnanocomposite was produced; in it the nanoparticlecore of cerium dioxide (the component that improves theefficiency of energy transfer to emitting centers — Eu3+ions) was covered with europium-containing coordina-tion polymer (EuBTB(H2O), BTB-1,3,5 benzenetricar-

fined ground waters and deep (endogenic) fluids;they also carried out a global generalization of itsmanifestations and patterns. According to this theory,hypogene karstification develops along structural andlithological heterogeneities in a wide range of reactiverocks, producing a network of effective fluid migrationconduits and macro-cavities in the Earth crust in bothcontinental and oceanic settings. It plays an importantrole in organization of the upward fluid discharge,mass transfer processes and formation of numerousdeposits of fluid-generated ores and hydrocarbons.

The hypogene karstification theory has won inter-national recognition, led to a change in the generalparadigm of karst and a revision of the ideas aboutkarst origins in many regions of the world. It hasformed a new basis for assessing the karst role inprospecting and exploration of hydrocarbons (includ-ing unconventional ones) and fluid-generated oredeposits, geological sequestration of radioactive andtoxic waste, mitigation of natural hazards, prospectingand using geothermal and deep-water resources,including mineral waters.

The abovementioned practical aspects of the hypo-gene karstification theory are now used and furtherdeveloped in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Germany,France, China and other countries.

New ways to improve luminescence efficiency

NAS L.V. Pisarzhevsky Institute of Physical Chemistrydeveloped new ideas concerning the possibility to

A conceptual scheme of hypogene karstification localization in the groundwater flow systems of a cratonic artesian basin

Normalized luminescence spectra and sample photographs

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boxylic acid) of the metal-organic framework (MOF) —(the emitting component).

An increase (more than 4-fold) of quantum yield inthe Europium-centered luminescence in the hybridnanocomposite as compared to the initial coordinationpolymer was achieved due to involving electron levelsof CeO2 (Ec) as transition ones in the process of excita-tion energy transfer. That resulted in a more effective"delivery" of excitation energy to light-emitting centers(Eu3+ ions), if CeO2 particles were used as "mediators"of such transfer.

The design of core-shell nanocomposites opens upnew ways to the directed synthesis of high-luminescencelanthanide-complex materials that are intended foradvanced equipment as active components of emittinglayers in electronic devices, reactants for express diag-nostics and theranostics in medicine, etc.

New methods and algorithms to determine the stability of critical welded structures with discovered defects

One of the major tasks of today's science is to devel-op methods for non-destructive testing, determine theresidual life and operability of critical structures, andmake informed decisions concerning the extension oftheir safe exploitation. To this end, scientists of NASV.M. Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics worked outmethods and algorithms to solve computational prob-lems with large data arrays, relying on multiple par-allel processors. Such problems emerge in the analy-sis of the stressed deformed state of welded structureswith discovered defects.

The importance of the results obtained stems from thefact that a significant increase in the design quality andperformances of welded structures can only beachieved through the use of radically new 3d modelsand by ensuring high reliability of mathematical mod-elling results.

To meet these requirements, large data arrays areto be processed, though the computing power oftoday's personal computers and workstations is notsufficient for that purpose.

The innovative methods developed by our scientistsrely on computers of novel hybrid architecture withmulti-core processors and graphic accelerators (in par-ticular, computers of the Inparcom family, collaborative-ly developed by V.M. Glushkov Institute of Cyberneticsand 'Electronmash' State Research and ProductionEnterprise), and on unique mathematical models wor-ked out at E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute. The useof the abovementioned methods and equipment tosolve numerous practical problems and analyze the sta-bility of critical welded structures permitted a significantreduction in the computation time (20—60-fold).

The photograph and diagram of the defect caused by corro�sion�induced local metal loss in a pipeline segment

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The proposed methodological approach to numer-ical modelling is unique in the world and is used byspecialists of NAS E.O. Paton Electric WeldingInstitute in nuclear power industry and in pipelinetransportation.

Important link in the regulationmechanism of intracellular signaling networks, intercellular and intermolecular interactions

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are ligand-dependent ion channels that mediate rapid synaptic

transmission in neuromuscular synapses and autonom-ic ganglia and control the release of cytokines and neu-rotransmitters, survival, cell proliferation and adhesionin the brain and numerous non-excitable cells. StudyingAChRs is of great importance for understanding cholin-ergic mechanisms of the regulation of cell vital func-tions, particularly in neurodegeneration.

Earlier, scientists of NAS Palladin Institute ofBiochemistry had discovered the presence of thosereceptors in intracellular organelles (mitochondria) anddemonstrated their involvement in regulating the innerpathway of apoptosis — the programmed cell death inunfavorable conditions. In 2016 it was found that theyprotect mitochondria from the apoptotic action of amy-loid peptide 1—40, which appears in the brain duringthe development of Alzheimer's disease. Their newsubtypes ("9"10 and "7"10) were detected in mousebrain and their ability to compensate the absence of"7 or "10 subunits in knockout mice was shown. Thepresence of "3, "7 and "9 of nicotinic AChRs wasdemonstrated in mesenchymal stem and inducedpluripotent cells, which correspond to the earliestdevelopment stages of mammal cells and can differen-tiate into brain cells. It was found that the expressionlevel of these receptors changed during cultivation invitro and affected the production of anti-inflammatorycytokines by stem cells.

The data obtained emphasized the important role ofnicotinic acetylcholine receptors in supporting the via-bility of brain cells, in Alzheimer's disease in particular,and for the first time ever identified the presence of "9-and "-10-containing nicotinic AChRs in mouse brain.They also demonstrated the importance of cholinergicregulation at the early stages of cell differentiation,which should be taken into account in preparing stemcells to transplantation.

Theory of interface phenomena

Researchers of NAS O.O. Chuiko Institute of SurfaceChemistry, using quantum chemistry methods andkinetic gas theory, developed theoretical fundamen-tals for calculating the evaporation of low molecularweight compounds (under 500 Dalton) from a liquidmedium (micro- and nanodrops, adsorption layer) intoa gaseous one. Their calculations proved that the evap-oration of liquids and condensation of gases dependon liquid types, molecule structures, sizes and structuresof clusters or liquid drops, surrounding particles (free,adsorbed on an open surface or localized in pores),the presence of dissolved compounds or co-adsor-bents, flow parameters, temperatures and pressures.All these parameters are taken into account in the mod-els for the evaporation of free microdrops and theadsorption layer on the surface or in the pores of solids.

Theoretical studies of liquid evaporation from thesurface of pyrogenic silica nanoparticles (Fig.1,a) and

Expression of "7 subtype of nicotinic AChRs (red coloring) inmesenchymal stem cells (top) and induced pluripotent humancells (bottom), including those differentiated into dopaminergicneurons (green coloring). Blue coloring shows cell nuclei

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from the pores of silica gel particles (Fig.1, b) showedsignificant differences of the process (Fig.1, c), whichwas much faster in the case of non-porous nanoparti-cles (Fig. 2, curve 3 — the difference from the gaseousphase only appeared for strongly bound water after

150 hours of evaporation at 293 K) than in porousones (curves 1 and 2 — a significant difference is seeneven at the beginning). The proposed theoreticalapproach enabled scientists to predict the behavior ofdifferent liquids, taking into account the effects of limit-ed space, adsorbent morphology, surface type, liquidcomposition, temperature, partial pressure, etc. That isof high relevance for both fundamental science andnumerous practically important activities: calculationsof optimum regimes for internal combustion engines,studying processes in medicine, chromatography etc.

Studies of the expression of tumor stem cell markers for specifying the characteristics and predictive prognosis of prostate cancer

NAS R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology,Oncology and Radiobiology investigated the expres-sion of tumor stem cell markers (CD44+/CD24–/low)for specifying the characteristics and predictive prog-nosis of prostate cancer clinical course. The largestnumber of positive tumors was detected in prostate

Fig. 1. Models of adsorbed water on the nanosilica surface(a), in silica gel pores (b), and theoretical calculations of theevaporation rate of water microdrops in the gaseous phaseand for adsorption on the silicas (c)

а b

c

Fig. 2. Experimental kinetic data concerning changes in theevaporation of bound water as compared to free one

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cancer patients at stage III (79 %) as compared topatients at stage II (65 %). It was shown that elevated(>15 ng/ml) prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values inthe serum of prostate cancer patients were associatedwith a higher level of the expression of tumor stem cellmarkers. The dependence of these markers expressionon the relapse-free survival rates of prostate cancerpatients was determined. It was found that in patientswith CD44+/CD24–/low phenotype the relapse fre-

quency was 3.5 times higher than in patients withoutthe expression of those markers.

The data obtained provide evidence that the pres-ence of tumor stem cells in the neoplastic tissue corre-lates with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer clini-cal course and could be used as an independent riskfactor of recurrence. That could become a basis fordeveloping new diagnosticums and improving currentstrategies for anti-tumor therapy.

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On 16 March 2016, the National Report ''''PPoolliiccyy ooffIInntteeggrraattiinngg tthhee UUkkrraaiinniiaann SSoocciieettyy iinn tthhee CCoonntteexxtt ooffCChhaalllleennggeess aanndd TThhrreeaattss ooff tthhee EEvveennttss iinn DDoonnbbaass'''' waspresented at a meeting of NAS Presidium, which wasattended by representatives of the Administration of thePresident of Ukraine and the Council for NationalSecurity and Defense of Ukraine. The report was pre-pared by a team of NAS specialists led by AcademicianE.M. Libanova, Director of NAS M.V. Ptukha Institute forDemography and Social Studies.

The events in Donbas create major threats to thesocio-economic development of Ukraine but, at the

same time, open up opportunities of building a wholenew state with modern economy and well-formed civilsociety. The central idea of the report is that the integra-tion of the Ukrainian society must dominate the statepolicy, and the idea of sobornist (the unification of allethnic Ukrainian lands in a single independent state) is

Academician E.M. Libanova speaking at a meeting of NASPresidium on 16 March 2016

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and will remain dominant both among people andUkrainian political circles. The report briefly considersthe historical background to the formation of the socio-cultural phenomenon of the Donbas tragedy, analyzescountry's socio-economic losses due to the recentevents in Donbas, identifies threats, risks and potentialof Ukraine's development in the economic and socio-political spheres, outlines priorities as well as socio-economic, institutional and socio-humanitarian dimen-sions of the policy of Ukrainian society integration. Thereport emphasizes that the integration of the Ukrainiansociety is to bridge the split caused by different attitudesto the events in Donbas, clearly specifies the stepstowards choosing the European direction of develop-ment and popularizing them properly. To persuade thepeople in the importance of their personal choices andthe inevitable liability for it as opposed to state pater-nalism is also necessary.

To the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's independence,scholars of the NAS Institute of the History of Ukraine,which marked its 80 years in 2016, prepared thefundamental work ""2255 YYeeaarrss ooff IInnddeeppeenn-ddeennccee::EEssssaayyss oonn tthhee HHiissttoorryy ooff NNaattiioonn aanndd SSttaattee FFoorrmmaa-

ttiioonn"" (with Academician V.A. Smolii as its editor-in-chief) that presents a new view of the Ukrainian historyafter 1991.

The book is a significant contribution to compre-hending the recent historical experience of Ukrainianstate formation. It considers the recent period from theviewpoint of the Ukrainian society activity, whosepeaks fell on three revolutions: the Revolution onGranite (October 1990), the Orange Revolution of2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2013—2014(in total, over one third of the 800-page work is dedi-cated to these three crucial events of our modern histo-ry). Each of these revolutions gave a powerful impulseto the development of the state. The readers can followcomplex processes that led to the disintegration of theUSSR; they have the opportunity to realize the hard-ships of the first years of the new Ukraine and the causeof sinking into the overall systemic crisis of the 1990sand 2000s; get an insight into the forming of the oli-garchic system and its negative impact on the socio-political processes, which still is an obstacle in the wayof reforms needed by the country. Shown is the ripen-ing of the political crisis after 2010 that led to a revolu-tionary change of power in 2014. Finally, for the firsttime in academic historiography, the authors showedthe post-revolutionary political and socio-economicdynamics as well as Ukraine's struggle against theRussian aggression (these are shown in the concludingchapter of the book). In general, the facts, interpreta-tions, concepts presented in the book allow an interest-ed reader to re-assess the experience of the last twoand a half decades of the Ukrainian history.

Besides, the NAS Institute of the History of Ukraine,in collaboration with central state archives, preparedan extremely interesting collection of documents andmaterials ""CCrriimmeeaa uunnddeerr SSoocciioo-PPoolliittiiccaall TTrraannssffoorr-mmaattiioonnss ((11994400——22001155)"".

The book contains documents and materials ofSoviet state security bodies that show the deportationpolicy of the Stalinist leadership in the 1940s and

Presentation of the book at the session of the AcademicCouncil of the Institute of the History of Ukraine on 30 June2016. Academician V.A. Smolii is speaking

14

RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS. SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

demonstrate the struggle of the Crimean Tatars in the1950—1980s to return to their historical homeland.

The book is unique (its total volume being in excessof 1000 pages) as it, relying on a new corpus ofarchive sources, presents unknown pages of Crimea'spost-war history, covers economic and cultural aspectsof the Crimea accession to Ukraine, discloses the prob-lems of repatriation, adaptation and integration ofCrimean Tatars to the Ukrainian socio-cultural andpolitical area.

In 2016, a significant event occurred in the cultureand arts sphere of Ukraine: specialists of the NASM.T. Rylsky Institute of Art, Folklore Studies and Ethnology,guided by Academician H.A. Skrypnyk, completed thepublication of the 5-volume ""HHiissttoorryy ooff DDeeccoorraattiivvee AArrtt ooffUUkkrraaiinnee"", which had started back in 2007.

This fundamental scholarly work is based on a radi-cally new concept of systemic description of theUkrainian decorative art from the earliest times to thepresent; it embraces a number of varied artistic typesand trends in folk art, handicraft, artistic industry as wellas works of professional artists in their close interrela-tions. All types and genres of decorative art are consid-ered from the viewpoint of the evolution of art styles invarious periods of Ukrainian history.

Each of the five volumes of this exquisitely decorat-ed and highly professional edition emphasizes thepeculiarities of artistic life in Ukrainian regions and the

formation of local artistic traditions, analyzes activeinterrelations and mutual influences of the Ukrainian artwith the West European and Oriental artistic traditions,and demonstrates the organic place of the Ukrainianculture in the world art context.

Late in 2016, the 1-st volume of the ""FFrraannkkooEEnnccyyccllooppeeddiiaa"" was published to commemorate the160th birth anniversary of I.Ya. Franko — an outstand-ing Ukrainian poet, writer, scholar, and public figure.That is a fundamental 7-volume publishing projectimplemented by NAS T.H. Shevchenko Institute ofLiterature (Kyiv) and NAS Ivan Franko Institute (Lviv)under the guidance of NAS Academician M.H. Zhu-lynskyi and NAS Corresponding Member Ye.K. Nakh-lik. This edition is the second, after the "ShevchenkoEncyclopedia", personal encyclopedia in Ukraine. Itshould be mentioned that fundamental scholarly litera-ture works of this genre are not very numerous in theworld. The first volume of the encyclopedia is con-cerned with I. Franko's literary and scholarly milieu. Itcontains 255 personalia entries about writers, scholarsin literature, folklore and linguistics. Comprehensivesummarizing and novel essays elucidate his ties withthose figures, his reviews of and opinions about hispredecessors and contemporaries, as well as reminis-cences and judgements about I. Franko of those whoknew him in his lifetime.

15

A domestic technology of producing infrared detectors

The 'Arsenal' state enterprise of special instrumentationsuccessfully tested a pilot production lot of infrared (IR)detectors. These devices rely on the technology devel-oped by NAS V.Ye. Lashkaryov Institute of SemiconductorPhysics and meet product performance specificationsrequired by the customer.

The deployment of the technology permits the closedproduction cycle of IR-homing warheads for various typesof missiles to be implemented in Ukraine. This bothstrengthens the nation's defense capability and extends itsexport potential as a manufacturer of high-tech products.

The devices developed (they are shown with pointersin the picture) are sensitive to the thermal radiation ofobjects in the 3-5 µm wave range and due to that theyallow one to observe objects heated to temperatures of300 K and above.

The main applications of such IR homing systems arein military equipment, in particular, weapon sights, mis-sile warheads, systems of thermal direction finding, tar-get detection and tracking.

Besides, similar systems are used in security alarm sys-tems, equipment for technological process control, non-destructive tests of products, flight navigation in transport,resource monitoring (early detection of forest fires), inequipment for disease diagnostics (particularly, inflam-mation processes), in environment control systems, aswell as scientific research instruments, especially inastronomy.

Novel biocompatibleimplant materials

A fundamentally new titanium-based (Ti-Si-Nb) bio-compatible alloy, developed by NAS I.M. FrantsevichInstitute for Problems of Materials Science and intend-ed for implant manufacturing, demonstrates a greatlyimproved compatibility with bone material due to itslower elastic modulus. The alloy is strengthened withelements that are harmless and even, to some extent,useful for human body.

According to the results of comparative tests carriedout by the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedicsof the NAMS of Ukraine, the new material in terms of

A histological section of rabbit bone with implanted titaniumalloy of Ti�Si�Nb (left) and BT6 (right) system after 6 months.Osteoblasts — young bone tissue cells — are visible on thebone�implant interface (left)

Bioactive ceramic framework (left) and bioactive ceramicswith autologous components (right)

Implants with bioactive ceramic coatings

16

INNOVATIONS

its biomechanical compatibility is 5—20 % better thanmetal materials (stainless steels, titanium BT6 alloys)that are now widely used in medicine. The StateEnterprise 'Academician L.I. Medved Research Centerof Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety',of Health Ministry of Ukraine gave a positive conclu-sion on the successful use of the implants made of theabovementioned alloy.

Besides, new technologies were developed to man-ufacture bioactive ceramic frameworks for cultivatingpatient's autocells, which enables medical specialiststo use such materials instead of donor bones in regen-erative medicine for the regeneration of large volumesof lost bone tissue.

The deposition of aseptic bioactive ceramic coat-ings on the surfaces of titanium implants, using the pro-cedure developed, improves the reliability of boneimplants, meets relevant strength requirements and, atthe same time, ensures their quick integration withbone tissue in case of wound infection.

Wear� and corrosion�resistantnanostructured materials and energy�efficient methods of their deposition on the surfaces of parts and structures intended for machine�building industry

Specialists of the NAS G.V. Kurdyumov Institute forMetal Physics developed a series of high-strength corro-sion-resistant technological alloys that have satisfactorycasting properties, high wear resistance, heat resistanceand thermal stability; they can relatively easily be pro-duced as rapid-quenched tapes, rods and powders andare suitable for manufacturing a wide range of parts andstructures at machine-building plants.

Some of the alloys obtained (HB-4 and NHRP-6) arepromising for restoring work surfaces of agricultural toolsand geological prospecting equipment. The restoration iscarried out with newly developed methods of energy-efficient thermal sputtering and fusion that ensure longoperation life of the parts.

To establish the series production of nanostructuredpowders of new multiple-additive weak magnetic alloys,Institute's researchers developed and coordinated rele-vant technological regulations that provide for the appli-cation of induction melting under protective atmosphereand inert-gas sputtering. To produce nanostructuredcoatings with high strength and tribological properties,the use of the standard process of "cold" sputtering withthe application of torch was recommended as the mostenergy-efficient method of depositing nano-crystalline oramorphous powders.

A pilot batch of industrial parts was manufacturedusing new materials and technologies; they were testedat "FORT ENGINEERING" Ltd, "Kyivskyi Remontno-Mekhanichnyi Zavod" public company, "Atskon" privateenterprise, "MELTA TERM" Ltd.

After obtaining pertinent patents, the abovemen-tioned R&D products will be deployed at "MELTA TERM"plant under the licensing agreement with NAS G.V. Kur-dyumov Institute for Metal Physics on using intellectualproperty rights. A relevant agreement was drawn up andapproved by the two parties.

S&T support of turning the 'Ukryttia' ('Shelter') facility into an environment�friendly system

In November 2016, the primary operations of assem-bling and moving the main structure of the New SafeConfinement to the site specified by the design werecompleted. Such a large-scale project, which hadbeen named Shelter Implementation Plan (SIP), wasimplemented in Ukraine for the first time ever.

A significant contribution to the implementation ofthis project was made by specialists of the NAS Institutefor Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants and NASInstitute of Engineering Thermophysics, who providedclose R&D support for all stages of creating this uniquefacility, starting with drawing up the basic document'Action Plan for the "Ukryttia" facility' in 1997.

Since the erection of the "Ukryttia" facility, NAS sci-entists carried out research and practical work for the

Samples of products with deposited coatings of Fe�based multiple�additive weak magnetic amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys

17

INNOVATIONS

Isosurfaces and isolines of radioactive dust concentrations inside and outside the new safe confinement, Bq/m3

System for monitoring Confinement state

18

INNOVATIONS

radiation survey of the ruined NPP unit premises tolocate the remaining nuclear fuel, develop diagnosticsystems, design a ventilation system, analyze the distri-bution of fuel-containing materials, determine theamount of nuclear fuel and the composition of radioac-tive release, they also studied the impact of power unitdebris on the environment and participated in develop-ing the strategy of turning the "Ukryttia" facility into anenvironment-friendly system.

A drone�based system for remote radiation, IR and visual monitoring of nuclear fuel cycle

Specialists of the NAS Institute of EnvironmentalGeochemistry developed a radically new integratedmulti-purpose drone-based system designed for on-

line remote radiation, IR and visual monitoring ofnuclear fuel cycle objects (NFC).

The system developed implemented cutting-edgeengineering solutions, the latest achievements of radi-ation physics and advanced information technologies.

The use of modern equipment in the backgroundand crisis monitoring of NFC objects will permit a sig-nificant improvement in the nuclear and radiation safe-ty of Ukraine. In particular, the system provides peri-odic control of radiation situation under routineexploitation of NFC facilities for the objective evi-dence of the environment safety for the population, aswell as the on-line monitoring of the radiation situationdevelopment in emergencies, to evaluate the scale ofradioactive material release and predict its impacts onthe adjacent territories. Today the system is used by theState Corporation 'Ukrainian State Association"Radon"' to detect the sites of illegal radioactive wasteburial in the Chornobyl NPP Exclusion Zone.

The complete set of the "GIV�smart" system for on�line monitoring of specific NFC objects

The map of radioactive contamination in the Chornobyl NPP zone — object 1, taken from a drone; The map of radioactive contam�ination in the Chornobyl NPP zone � object 2, taken from a drone; 2d — video panorama, taken from a drone

19

INNOVATIONS

Organizing the industrial production of substances and therapeutic forms of original medicines

On 17 May 2016, a ceremonial opening of thenew research and production facility of the"INTERKHIM" company, organized by the Ukrainianpharmaceutic enterprise "INTERKHIM" jointly withNAS O.V. Bogatsky Physico-Chemical Institute, washeld. V.B. Groysman, the Prime Minister of Ukraine,attended the event.

The implementation of such an advanced innova-tive industrial project was a logical development ofthe fruitful collaboration of scientists and manufactur-ers, a joint practical implementation of researchresults. That was made possible due to a close co-operation of the "INTERKHIM" company with NASPhysico-Chemical Institute aiming at the develop-ment of innovative medicines and continuous searchfor new technologies of their production and industri-al deployment.

The project allows a four-fold increase in theamount of medicines produced, which will provideUkrainian people with high-quality affordable medi-cines and help open foreign markets for domesticpharmaceutic products.

A significant step in promoting such co-operationwas the establishment of the "Medpharmkhim" — theassociation of participants in the scientific and inno-vative activities in medical and pharmaceuticalchemistry, whose work is focused on advancing sci-entific research in chemistry and pharmacology —with the purpose of providing consumers with state-of-the-art high-quality pharmaceutical products.

It is important to emphasize that NAS O.V. BogatskyPhysico-Chemical Institute, in collaboration with the"INTERKHIM" company, for the first time implementedthe "full cycle" of finished medicine production in the pillform, in compliance with the requirements of the 'goodmanufacturing practice' adopted in the EuropeanUnion. The "INTERKHIM" company produces sub-stances and pharmaceutical forms of original medicines(phenazepam, amixin, gidazepam, levan etc.), whichwere formulated by the Academy institution.

Joint efforts of NAS scientists and pharmacologistsin developing efficient technologies made an impor-tant contribution to the production of medical agents.

Of special importance is the fact that a state-of-the-art innovative industrial facility was foundeddespite the current tight economic situation. Thebeginning of its operation will permit an objectiveassessment of pharmacological research and usetheir results in practice; it will also facilitate the inte-gration of Ukrainian pharmaceutical industry to theEuropean area. It should also be noted that the"INTERKHIM" company is the only domestic enter-prise producing substances for original medicinesthat could compete with their foreign analogs and beexported.

High�yield varieties of winter wheat

Relying on the latest achievements of introgressionbreeding, molecular genetics and biotechnologies,

'Smuhlianka', 'Zolotokosa' and 'Favorytka' varieties producedan all�time high yield of 124—131.8 centners per hectare

20

INNOVATIONS

Academy scientists developed theoretical fundamen-tals and methodologies for creating high-yield vari-eties of winter wheat that demonstrate high grain qual-ity and resistance to stress factors.

For the first time in Ukraine, they developed abreeding biotechnology that is based on combiningthe potentials of classical genetics and involves anactive use of new mutant genes, molecular markers,chromosome translocations and man-made structures;that ensures a radical wheat improvement in terms ofquantitative and qualitative protein characteristics,starch physical properties, the content of trace ele-ments and the nutritional value of the grain.

Through targeted crossing created was the geneticbasis for breeding high-yield wheat varieties that pos-sess extra strong characteristics of bread-making qual-ity. Promising wheat breeding material with maximumgrain yield and high and extra high characteristics offlour bread-making quality was obtained.

The innovative winter wheat varieties produced byNAS scientists were recognized as a new breedingachievement of the national scope. They are protectedby patents in Ukraine and abroad, particularly, inRussia and Moldova.

In 2016, 6 new varieties of winter wheat were cre-ated; author's certificates have already been receivedfor 3 of them. Nearly 75 soft (winter) wheat varietiesbred by the NAS Institute of Plant Physiology andGenetics have been entered in the state register of plantvarieties that are suitable for distribution in Ukraine.

The area taken by these wheat varieties hasreached 2.0 million hectares, which amounts to 30 %of the areas under this crop. The annual economicgain due to introducing Institute's research outcomes(plant varieties and technologies) to agrarian produc-tion is in excess of UAH 6.5 billion.

New diet supplements with multifunctional biological effect

New glycine-based diet supplements — "Corectin"and "Glycivit C" — were proposed, their prototypebeing the multifunctional "Corectin" medicine that hadbeen developed at NAS Palladin Institute ofBiochemistry and patented in Ukraine.

Data of earlier preclinical tests and two stages ofclinical tests have shown that the "Corectin" medicine isan effective and safe agent that can be used bothalone and in combination with other drugs to treat dis-orders of the skeletal system and liver lesions, as well asa supplementary pharmaceutical preparation for inte-grated chemotherapy of onco-hematological diseases.

Diet supplement "Corectin" and its "Glycivit C"modification with vitamin C added could be recom-mended as an additional glycine source for normaliz-

ing the functional state of the nervous and immune sys-tems, bone tissue strengthening, blood detoxification,improving the general condition of human body, aswell as for facilitating its adaptation to negative envi-ronmental factors, reducing psycho-emotional tensionand fatigue, and accelerating alcohol detoxification.

NAS scientists, in collaboration with "Nutrimed" Ltdformulated these diet supplements, developed a tech-nology for producing their encapsulated form andproduced their pilot batches. They also worked outspecifications and technological standards for produc-ing diet supplements of the "Corectin" and "Glycivit C"series, as well as respective labelling texts.

The diet supplements of the "Corectin" and "GlycivitC" series were approved by the State R&D Center forNutrition Hygiene of the Health Ministry of Ukraineand won a favorable conclusion of the O.M. Mar-zeyev Institute of Public Health for the State Sanitary-Epidemiological Expertise.

The new draft technological standards for diet sup-plements production were checked and approved bythe Ministry of Economic Develop-ment and Trade ofUkraine in accordance with applicable regulations andincluded in the state register of technological standards.

The joint work of NAS scientists and pharmaceutistsresulted in the production of the commercial proto-types of encapsulated forms of the "Corectin" and"Glycivit C" diet supplements in compliance with thetechnological standards approved and the currentlegislation, with the respective labeling and user'sinstructions added.

Silicon�containing minerals for optimizing and balancing soils

Scientists of the NAS of Ukraine take leading posi-tions in the world in studying the role of mono- andpolysilicic acids in the structural and functional bio-cenosis organization. For the first time ever, specialistsof M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden provedthat the combined application of secondary organicraw materials (of both animal and plant origin) and sil-icon-containing minerals optimizes and balances soilprocesses through artificial simulation of the propor-tion between mono- and polysilicic acids, saves soil

21

INNOVATIONS

moisture due to the formation of the silicon matrix withinformation-resource properties, and stimulates thegrowth and development of plants as a result of theiradaptation to stress factors.

The application of silicon-containing mineralsensures improved phosphate regime in soils due tophosphorus release from its relatively inaccessibleforms; the mixture serves as nitrification inhibitor, itreduces soil toxicity and fatigue, stimulates the devel-opment of agronomically beneficial microorganisms,protects plants from pathogens. Field tests of silicon-containing mixtures on various crops in Kyiv, Kherson,Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts showed an aver-age yield increase of 29.3—51.2 %. Pilot technologi-cal lines for such mixtures were set up in Ukraine andtheir production was started by the "Sinta" company(Mykolayiv oblast). The product is competitive, inex-pensive, environment-friendly and promising forlaunching similar lines abroad.

Testing of silicon�containing mixture on sugar beet fields. Left — control plot, right — silicon�containing mixture 400 kg/ha

22

Adoption of a new version of the NAS Statutes

In April 2016 a session of the NAS General Meetingwas held. It approved a new version of the Statutes ofthe National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. TheStatutes became effective on 27 July 2016 — the dateof its registration by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

The adoption of a new version of the Statutes wasnecessitated by noticeable changes in the eventful lifeof the country and the life of the Academy whichoccurred in the 14 years since the approval of theirprevious version.

In particular, quite a number of new legislative andregulative documents that directly or indirectly con-cerned the Academy appeared in that period. First ofall, that was the new version of the basic law ofUkraine 'On Scientific and S&T Activities' adopted latein 2015. Changes in the functions and lines of activi-ties of the Academy itself also took place. Certainissues of improving the management system of theAcademy and its institutions, ensuring regular rotationand rejuvenation of science-management personnelalso became timely.

The preparation of the new Statutes started back in2013 and since then the Commission chaired byAcademician B.E. Paton, the President of the NationalAcademy of Sciences of Ukraine, carried out animmense amount of painstaking, important and effec-tive work.

This is proved by the fact that the new version ofthe Statutes was approved by the absolute majorityof 125 NAS academicians and 237 NAS corre-sponding members attending the session, as well as204 research associates delegated by Academyinstitutions.

The Statutes specified the legal status of theAcademy, significantly enlarged its tasks, and intro-duced a number of provisions aimed at the democra-tization of its life. They, in compliance with the Law ofUkraine 'On Scientific and S&T Activities', strength-ened Academy's role in ccoonndduuccttiinngg iinnddeeppeennddeenntt ssccii-eennttiiffiicc aasssseessssmmeennttss ooff ddrraafftt ssttrraatteeggiicc,, pprrooggnnoossttiicc aannddpprrooggrraamm ddooccuummeennttss, preparing proposals concerningthe principles of the state S&T policy, providing the ssccii-eennttiiffiicc eexxppeerrttiissee ooff ddrraafftt llaawwss, government decisionsand programs.

The Interagency Council is to be set up jointly bythe Academy and the Ministry of Education andScience; its task would be not mere coordination offundamental research, as it was before, but fostering

the efficient use of its results in applied studies anddevelopments as well.

The new version of the Statutes clearly definesnorms concerning the self-governance of theAcademy and its freedom of research. Its self-gover-nance consists in its governing bodies being electableand collegiate, the General Meeting performing thefunctions of its top authority. Besides, the NAS ofUkraine independently determines the topics andforms of the scientific research conducted, it forms itsown structure, addresses research-management, eco-nomic and human resource issues.

The Statutes provide for the right of the NAS ofUkraine and its institutions to found higher educationestablishments for training masters and PhDs. Thisnorm is already being implemented. On the initiativeof the NAS of Ukraine and the MES of Ukraine, theCabinet of Ministers with its order of 14 December2016 ¹ 962 adopted the decision to set up KyivAcademic University of dual subordination to the NASof Ukraine and the MES of Ukraine. Now relevantsteps towards establishing this education institution arealready being taken.

TThhee pprroocceedduurree ooff ffoorrmmiinngg NNAASS lleeaaddeerrsshhiipp hhaass aallssoobbeeeenn cchhaannggeedd, namely, the election of AcademyPresidium, as well as the appointment of academiciansecretaries and directors of research institutions. Now,not only NAS active members (academicians) can bePresidium members, as it was earlier, but also NAScorresponding members and doctors of science whoare permanently employed by Academy researchinstitutions. For the members of NAS Presidium theirterm of office is limited to two 5-year periods. In future,candidates and doctors of science delegated byresearch teams of the relevant department's institutionswill take part in voting to elect academician-secre-taries of the departments.

The new NAS Statutes more clearly define theduties of NAS active members (academicians), whichinclude, first and foremost: contributing to the deploy-ment of their research results and other scientificachievements, training and upgrading of scientificpersonnel, as well as counteracting the disseminationof pseudoscience, fighting fraud and plagiarism.

It is important that, in compliance with the Law ofUkraine 'On Scientific and S&T activities', it is the soleright of the General Meeting to deprive NAS membersof their membership in the Academy, and the newStatutes specify reasons and propose a transparentprocedure for it. It is stated that NAS academicians,corresponding members and foreign members can bedeprived of their status either due to a resignationdeclared by their own statement or in the event ofrepeated gross violation of NAS Statutes' requirementsor actions which caused significant damage to the rep-utation of the National Academy of Sciences ofUkraine.

23

IMPORTANT EVENTS

The new version of the Academy Statutes alsoestablishes a new procedure for electing heads ofNAS research institutions and limits their term in office.From now on they are elected at worker's meetings bysecret ballot and cannot stay in their posts for morethan two terms.

As of today, 47 heads of Academy research institu-tions were appointed through this new procedureaccording to the results of contests announced byNAS Presidium.

In 2016, new regulations for NAS sections anddepartments and the main principles of the organiza-tion and activities of NAS research institution were har-monized with the Statutes and approved by NASPresidium. Similar work on the statutes of NAS researchinstitutions was started and is now being completed.

The jubilee session of the GeneralMeetings of the NAS of Ukraine and national sectoral academies to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's independence

This jubilee session, held on 23 August in Kyiv in theGrand Conference Hall of the NAS of Ukraine, pre-sented the achievements of Ukrainian academy sci-ence and the significant contribution of scholars to theestablishment and progress of the independentUkrainian state.

In their speeches, NAS Academician V.P. Gorbulin,First Vice-President of NAS, NAAS AcademicianYa.M. Gadzalo, the President of the National Aca-demy of Agrarian Sciences (NAAS), NAMS Aca-demician V.I. Tsymbaliuk, the President of the NationalAcademy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), NAPSAcademician V.H. Kremen, the President of the Na-tional Academy of Pedagogical Sciences (NAPS),NALS Academician O.V. Petryshyn, the President ofthe National Academy of Legal Sciences (NALS), andNAA Academician V.D. Sydorenko, Vice-President ofthe National Academy of Arts, told the session aboutthe achievements of Ukrainian academy science.

An excerpt from the speech of NAS AcademicianV.P. Gorbulin:

"… Ukrainian science sphere, as the whole country,is now in an extremely grave situation. But in spite ofall problems, we have not yet lost chances of the inno-vative development and future prosperity of out inde-pendent state. And the National Academy of Scienceswill remain a reliable support to the Ukrainian peoplein achieving this goal. There is one self-evident truthproven by history: full sovereignty of the state, its inter-national prestige and effective national security arenot possible without science. So, the duty of all aca-demic community is not only to preserve invaluablescience assets created by prominent intellectuals of the

past epochs and of today but to multiply them andleave that legacy to the future generations".

On behalf of three ex-presidents of the independentUkraine who attended the meeting (L.M. Kravchuk(1991—1994), L.D. Kuchma (1994—2005) andV.A. Yushchenko (2005—2010)), L.M. Kravchuk — thePresident of Ukraine in 1991—1994 — addressedthe participants of the session, as did Vice-PremierV.A. Kyrylenko — on behalf of the UkrainianGovernment and O.V. Spivakovskyi, First Deputy Chairof the Verkhovna Rada Committee for Science andEducation, — on behalf of the Parliament.

NAS Academician, Hero of Ukraine I.R. Yukhnov-skyi, Honorary Director of NAS Institute for Con-densed Matter Physics, NAS Academician Ya.S. Yatskiv,member of NAS Presidium, Director of NAS MainAstronomical Observatory, and NAS AcademicianM.G. Zhulynskyi, member of NAS Presidium, Academi-cian-Secretary of the NAS Department of Language,Literature and Art Studies, Director of NAS T.H. Shev-chenko Institute of Literature, spoke about socio-politi-cal life at the turn of 1980s—1990s and their involve-ment in those processes of state formation.

In the presidium of the General Meeting's Jubilee Session

NAS Academician, Hero of Ukraine I.R. Yukhnovskyi

24

The integration of NAS scientists into the Europeanresearch area, their involvement in multilateral projectsof EU international science programs, as well as NASties with EU scientific centers were further promoted.

In particular, as of late 2016, Academy scientistsimplemented over 20 projects of HHoorriizzoonn 22002200 —— tthheeEEUU FFrraammeewwoorrkk PPrrooggrraamm ffoorr RReesseeaarrcchh aanndd IInnnnoovvaattiioonn.Among them was the "AERO-UA" project, aimed atstimulating scientific collaboration between Ukraineand the EU in aviation industry through strategic andtargeted support of the institutes concerned. This proj-ect is Ukraine-oriented, as it has giant aerospacepotential but a rather low level of S&T collaborationwith the EU in that area.

Concluding the Agreement on Scientific and S&TCollaboration with the EEuurrooppeeaann AAttoommiicc EEnneerrggyyCCoommmmuunniittyy and Ukraine's associate participation inthe EEUURRAATTOOMM research and training programme,which is complementary to Horizon 2020, was instru-mental in promoting our scientists' collaboration withtheir European colleagues in nuclear research andcontrolled thermonuclear fusion.

The signing of the Framework Agreement betweenDirectorate-General JRC of the European Commissionand the NAS of Ukraine on supporting research wasan important step towards integration into theEuropean research area. That agreement gave NASscientists the opportunity to use JRC's powerful S&Tinfrastructure, including 6 scientific centers and 42research laboratories, to conduct their own or jointresearch. The agreement signed also became the

basis for co-operation between JRC and the NAS ofUkraine, in particular, within the EU Strategy for theDanube Region, specialization, nuclear safety andfood security. Two of the projects proposed by theNAS of Ukraine were chosen for implementation.

Close collaboration with international science cen-ters, including CCEERRNN, continued. Among the majorresults of studying ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions,which were obtained with the contribution ofAcademy scientists, one should mention theoreticalpredictions of the transport properties of quark-gluonfluid assumed to be formed in such collisions. Thosewill permit an answer to the key question about thestructure and properties of the tiniest drops of matter.An important outcome of NAS collaboration withCERN is also its participation in developing elementsof novel sensor systems for the LLaarrggee HHaaddrroonn CCoolllliiddeerr.

The 4-year jjooiinntt pprroojjeecctt ooff tthhee NNAASS ooff UUkkrraaiinnee aannddIIIIAASSAA was completed successfully. During its imple-mentation, specialists of 6 Academy institutions devel-oped a methodological basis for strategic planningand optimum decision-making in sustainable manage-ment of food, water and energy security of Ukraine inthe global context. Change, impact and hazard sce-narios were developed in collaboration with the IIASApartners, and optimum strategies for economic devel-opment under predicted global climate and environ-ment change at the regional level were proposed.

The 44tthh WWoorrlldd CCoonnggrreessss ooff BBiioosspphheerree RReesseerrvveess ''AANNeeww VViissiioonn ffoorr tthhee DDeeccaaddee 22001166——22002255:: UUNNEESSCCOOBBiioosspphheerree RReesseerrvveess ffoorr SSuussttaaiinnaabbllee DDeevveellooppmmeenntt',held in Lima (the Republic of Peru), was an importantactivity in Academy's international collaboration. TheCongress approved the Lima Declaration and Plan ofAction, which contained guidelines of UNESCO bios-phere reserves functioning for 2016—2025, includingworking papers and proposals prepared by the NASof Ukraine.

The fulfilment of the tasks of the NNAATTOO PPrrooggrraamm''SScciieennccee ffoorr PPeeaaccee aanndd SSeeccuurriittyy' was continued. Today,Academy scientists are implementing 25 many-yearprojects. Their results include the development of super-selective sorbents for neutralizing chemical, biological,radiological and nuclear materials; development ofadvanced electro-chemical nanosensors for detectingtoxic ions etc. Of great importance for further promo-tion of collaboration with the Alliance was the visit ofAmbassador S. Dukaru, NATO Deputy SecretaryGeneral for New Security Challenges, and his negoti-ations with Academy leadership.

On 28 September 2016, a regular session of theCCoouunncciill ooff tthhee IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall AAssssoocciiaattiioonn ooff AAccaaddeemmiieessooff SScciieenncceess ((IIAAAASS)) was held in Minsk (the Republic ofBelarus) with Academy's active participation. NASAcademician A.G. Naumovets, First Vice-President ofthe NAS of Ukraine, read Academician B.E. Paton'ssummary report 'Main results of IAAS activities in

At the National Academy of Sciences during the JRC informa�tion day in Ukraine

25

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

2011—2016'. The session started the procedure ofelecting a new IAAS President.

66 iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall aaggrreeeemmeennttss aanndd mmeemmoorraanndduummsswweerree ssiiggnneedd dduurriinngg tthhee yyeeaarr.

Particularly, a new form of collaboration betweenthe NAS of Ukraine and the Polish Academy ofSciences was started — 1-month traineeships of youngUkrainian researchers in PAS scientific institutions. 17young scientists pursued such traineeships in 2016.

The collaboration agreement between the People'sGovernment of Tszilin province, Tszilin University and

the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine pro-vides for the establishment of an international scientif-ic center to advance fundamental and appliedresearch and novel technologies at this university. Thecenter is to be financed by the Chinese side. The insti-tution will be provided with the state-of-the-art scientif-ic equipment for research in materials science, solidstate physics, radio electronics, low-temperaturephysics, electromagnetism etc. The center will bemanaged by the scientific council set up on the parityprinciples.

S. Dukaru, NATO Deputy Secretary General, (second right) iswatching the remediation of the military base territory con�taminated with hydrocarbons

NAS delegation at the meeting with the People's Governmentof Tszilin province, PRC

26

The new Law of Ukraine 'On Scientific and S&TActivities' (part 6 of article 7 and part 5 of article 17)grants tthhee NNAASS ooff UUkkrraaiinnee aanndd iittss rreesseeaarrcchh iinnssttiittuuttiioonnsstthhee rriigghhtt ttoo ffoouunndd hhiigghheerr eedduuccaattiioonn iinnssttiittuuttiioonnss ffoorr ttrraaiinn-iinngg specialists of different qualification levels, includ-ing those of master and doctor of philosophy.

A joint session of the Board of the MES of Ukraineand Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine made an impor-tant decision on founding KKyyiivv AAccaaddeemmyy UUnniivveerrssiittyy(KAU) as a public scientific institution of dual subordi-nation — to NAS and MES.

By the Cabinet of Ministers order of 14 December2016 ¹ 962-p, the NAS Research and TrainingCenter for Physics and Technology (RTCPT) was reor-ganized into Kyiv Academy University.

KAU is of utmost importance for ensuring the break-through development of Ukraine in the field of funda-mental and applied research, as it is to be based oncombining education, science and innovations. Theeducation process at this university will be organizedrelying on the so-called "Phystech System", successful-ly implemented at California Institute of Technology,Massa-chusetts Institute of Technology and later — atMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology as well.

KAU will permit us to preserve and develop RTCPT'stime-tested concepts of training highly qualified spe-cialists for the NAS of Ukraine and high-tech industriesof Ukraine and to involve, starting with the bachelor

level, the potential of leading universities and researchinstitutions for that purpose.

AA tteeaamm ooff rreesseeaarrcchheerrss aanndd aaccaaddeemmiiccss, employedby NAS Ya.S. Pidstryhach Institute for AppliedProblems of Mathematics and Mechanics, NAS M.M.Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, NASMain Astronomical Observatory, NAS Institute ofRadio Astronomy, National Scientific Center "KharkivInstitute of Physics and Technology", NAS Institute forNuclear Research, Taras Shevchenko Kyiv NationalUniversity, Ivan Franko Lviv National University, I.I.Mechnikov Odesa National University, co-authoredthe 3-volume edition "Dark Energy and Dark Matter inthe Universe". The monograph was published in2013—2015 in the 'Ukrainian books in foreign lan-guages' series by the 'Akademperiodika' PublishingHouse. In 2016 this publication won the award of theInternational Academy of Astronautics in the category'The best book in fundamental sciences'.

The collaborative work of Academy scientists andeducators resulted in the publication of 70 textbooksand manuals for higher education institutions in 2016.

In 2016, yyoouunngg sscchhoollaarrss ooff NNAASS iinnssttiittuuttiioonnss wwoonn:14 prizes of the President of Ukraine for young scien-tists, 10 prizes of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine forthe most talented young scientists in fundamental sci-ences and R&D, as well as one Verkhovna Radascholarship for the most talented young scientists.Besides, young scholars of NAS institutions received16 grants of the President of Ukraine for supportingyoung scientists' studies.

110000 bbeesstt rreesseeaarrcchh pprroojjeeccttss ooff yyoouunngg NNAASS sscciieennttiissttsswweerree ffiinnaanncceedd. NAS Presidium meetings heardrreesseeaarrcchh pprreesseennttaattiioonnss ooff 88 yyoouunngg sscciieennttiissttss, who willhave the opportunity to open additional 1-year proj-ects addressing the subjects reported and to lead them.The funding of such projects was iinnccrreeaasseedd ffrroomm UUAAHH3300,,000000 ttoo UUAAHH 5500,,000000 for candidates of science andto 7700,,000000 for doctors of science. 'Naukova Dumka'Publishers issued 1111 sscciieennttiiffiicc mmoonnooggrraapphhss pprreeppaarreeddbbyy yyoouunngg rreesseeaarrcchheerrss under the 'Scientific book (Youngscientists)' project. 6 research works were chosenthrough regular reviewing to be published in 2017.

The work on eessttaabblliisshhiinngg tthhee CCoouunncciill ooff YYoouunngg NNAASSSScciieennttiissttss was completed. Its regulations and member-ship were approved by a NAS Presidium resolution.Council members took part in analytical talk shows onnational and regional TV channels (1+1, TVRC 'Kyiv'),where they discussed the current state and furtheradvancement of science.

In 2016, 23 young professionals who had attend-ed various study groups of the Junior Academy ofSciences (JAS) in their school years came to work toNAS research institutions. On 2 March 2016, a meet-ing of NAS Presidium discussed the issue of extendingJAS co-operation with research institutions of the NASof Ukraine, popularizing and spreading scientific

A joint session of NAS Presidium and Ministry of Educationand Science Board on 25 March 2016

27

TIES OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. YOUNG SCIENTISTS

knowledge among schoolchildren, involving giftedand talented children in scientific research.

As of 31 December 2016, 22333388 yyoouunngg sscchhoollaarrssworked at research institutions of all 3 NAS sections,holding positions from junior research scientists to chiefresearch scientists and having science managementjobs. Among them were 4411 ddooccttoorrss ooff sscciieennccee uunnddeerr4400. 1209 young scholars had candidate-of-sciencedegrees. 90 researchers under 40 were workingtowards their doctor-of-science degrees.

The number of young scholars at the Academy hasbeen decreasing for three years running. The totalnumber of young scientists taking the abovementionedpositions fell by 12.8 % as compared to 2015. Thenumber of young candidates of science shrank by 9.6 %.As compared to 2013, those numbers amounted to21.6 % and 14.6 %, respectively. That could lead to afurther decline of the science sphere, which endangersUkraine's national security.

M.M. Shumylo, Doctor of Juridical Science, senior researcher ofNAS V.M. Koretsky Institute of State and Law, is presenting hisresearch project 'The current state and development prospectsof the pension system in Ukraine'

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The UNESCO medal 'For the Development of Nano-sciences and Nanotechnologies' was awarded to NASAcademician A.G. Naumovets for his work in surfacephysics, electron emission and nanoelectronics.

For the significant personal contribution to the stateestablishment, socio-economic, S&T, cultural and edu-cational development of Ukraine, the Order of Free-dom was awarded to NAS Academician I.R. Yukh-novsky, the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise IIClass — to NAS Academician Yu.S. Shemshuchenko,the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise IV Class — toNAS Academicians S.V. Volkov, M.H. Zhulynskyi andK.A. Yushchenko, the Order of Prince Yaroslav theWise V Class — to NAS Academician Ya.S. Yatskiv, theOrder "For Services" II Class — to NAS CorrespondingMember O.L. Kopylenko and N.M. Onishchenko,department head at NAS V.M. Koretsky Institute ofState and Law, the Order of Princess Olga III Class —to L.P. Nahorna, chief research scientist of NAS I.F. KurasInstitute of Political and Ethno-National Studies, andthe Order "For Services" — to V.A. Voinalovych, depart-ment head at NAS I.F. Kuras Institute of Political andEthno-National Studies.

For their personal contribution to the advancementof Ukrainian science, strengthening Ukraine's S&Tpotential, the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise IVClass was awarded to NAS Academicians V.G.Koshechko and V.Yu. Storizhko, the Order of PrinceYaroslav the Wise V Class — to NAS AcademicianL.M. Lytvynenko, the Order "For Services" I Class — toNAS Academicians S.A. Andronati and V.M. Shesto-palov, the Order "For Services" II Class — to NASAcademicians A.G. Zagorodny and B.S. Stognyi, theOrder "For Services" III Class — to O.G. Dodonov,deputy director of the Institute for InformationRegistration Problems, Ye. V. Moiseyenko, leadingresearch scientist of NAS Bogomoletz Institute ofPhysiology, M.O. Popov, deputy director of the StateInstitution 'Scientific Center for Aerospace Research ofthe Earth' of NAS Institute of Geological Sciences, andMedal "For Labor and Victory" — to V.M. Shadura,senior research scientist of NAS M.M. BogolyubovInstitute for Theoretical Physics.

The "Friendship Award" — the honorary distinctionof the Government of the People's Republic of Chinafor foreign specialists — went to NAS AcademicianV.M. Shulha and S.V. Maksymova, leading researchscientist of NAS E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute, —for their outstanding contribution to the process ofChina modernization.

State Prizes of Ukraine in Science and Technologywere awarded to 8 NAS scientists for the series of

studies 'Modern dynamics of materials and structuralelements'; to 9 scientists for the work 'Functional prop-erties of ordered bulk and surface structures, and thedevelopment of metal-containing materials and struc-tures'; to 10 researchers for the work 'Cutting-edgetechnologies of synthesizing nanodispersed powdersfor structural, functional and biomedical materials andproducts'; 8 scientists for the series of studies 'The struc-ture and dynamics of geophysical fields as the reflec-tion of geosphere evolution and interaction in theAntarctic'; 2 researchers for the work 'Versatile energy-efficient electromechanical technological systems';

The medal presentation ceremony at the Headquarters ofUNESCO on 11 October 2016. A.G. Naumovets, First Vice�President of the NAS of Ukraine, and I. Bokova, Director�General of UNESCO

Presentation of the award to NAS Academician G.V. Elska atthe session of NAS General Meeting on 14 April 2016

29

AWARDS

7 researchers for the series of studies 'Scientific funda-mentals for conservation and restoration of biota andlandscape diversity in Ukraine under environmentchange'; 9 researchers for the series of studies'Monoclonal and recombinant antibodies for experi-mental biology, human and veterinary medicine'.

5 NAS researchers won prizes of the Cabinet ofMinisters of Ukraine for developing and deployinginnovative technologies.

The title 'Honored Worker of Science andTechnology' was conferred on 12 NAS researchers,the title 'Honored Worker of Culture' — on 4, 'HonoredJurist' — on 1, 'Honored Inventor' — on 1, and'Honored Economist' — on 1scientist.

8 NAS workers were awarded with the VR Diplomaof Merit and 3 NAS workers — with the KM Diploma.

20 NAS workers were awarded with the Medal'25 Years of Ukraine's Independence'.

45 Academy researchers won prizes commemorat-ing prominent NAS scholars.

Last year, two prestigious science awards wereestablished: 'Scopus Awards Ukraine' and 'Ukraine'sResearch Leader. Web of Science Award'. The first

award was founded by 'Elsevier Science &Technology' — a well-known provider of scientific,technological and medical products and services. TheAcademy won four of the five nominations: "The bestjournal", "The best scientific team that achieved signif-icant research results without western collaborations","The best scientists (without age restrictions)" and "Thebest young scientists". The latter award was foundedby ClarivateTM Analytics — the former department forscientific property and science of the 'ThomsonReuters' media company. NAS scientists were award-ed in seven declared nominations, namely, "Scientistof Ukraine. For a major success", "Scientist of Ukraine.For extraordinary achievements", "Scientific journalsof Ukraine", "Productivity, efficiency and integration tothe world science", "Commercialization of science","For grant funding of science" and "Science and inno-vations".

The 3-volume monograph "Dark Energy and DarkMatter in the Universe" won the award of theInternational Academy of Astronautics as the bestbook in basic sciences. Researchers of six NAS scien-tific institutions were among its authors.

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An important place in the activities of the NationalAcademy of Sciences of Ukraine was taken by informingthe society about the outcomes of scientific research andtheir practical application, promoting the positive imageof science in public opinion, holding popularizing eventsfor the general public.

The main conduits of information in 2016 were:NAS official Website on the Internet, the NASFacebook page (over 6,000 subscribers as of the endof the year) and some leading mass media, TV chan-nels and radio stations in particular.

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