Seasonal groundwater rise of 2.5–3.0 m leads to full saturation of the lakeside slope of the railway embankment, significantly reducing the strength of clayey–sandy loam layers. Laboratory shear tests showed that saturation decreases the internal friction angle from 24–26° to 16–19°, while effective cohesion drops from 12–18 kPa to 0–3 kPa, identifying the 3–6 m depth interval as the critical weak zone. These parameters were incorporated into PLAXIS 2D/3D hydro-mechanical models to assess the embankment behaviour under three scenarios: natural conditions, high water level, and reinforced configuration. Under elevated water levels, lateral displacement toward the lakeside increased to 0.16–0.21 m, and the plastic strain zone expanded by a factor of 2.4, reducing the safety factor from FS ≈ 1.32 to below 1.10. The proposed stabilization system—replacement of a 1.5 m weak layer, installation of geotextile reinforcement, and application of a bituminous waterproofing layer—substantially improved stability, reducing maximum lateral displacement to 0.12 m (≈43% reduction) and restoring the safety factor to FS = 1.25–1.40. The results demonstrate that low-cost geosynthetic barriers provide an effective and practical engineering solution for maintaining the long-term stability of railway embankments exposed to seasonal inundation.

In this work, the authors conducted a study of urban noise, using control measurements of noise levels on the example of the megacity of Almaty (Republic of Kazakhstan). Based on the experimental data obtained, a noise map was developed. The authors made measurements on four main streets at certain points and at certain times. Also measurements were made at intersections with traffic lights, taking into account the phases of signals (red or green). All the obtained data after processing were mapped using a color scheme. As a result, an experimental noise map of the Bostandyk district of Almaty was created. For the first time in Almaty, the noise map for selected neighborhoods of this district was made at different time intervals (9:00, 16:00, 19:00, 23:00) in accordance with the recommendations on monitoring and creation of noise maps. Sound pressure levels in relation to traffic signals at night and during peak hours were investigated.

В статье представлены результаты оценки технического состояния центробежных насосных агрегатов SULZER, эксплуатируемых на предприятии ТОО «СП «ХОРАСАН-U» АО НАК «КазАтомпром», на основе анализа вибрационных параметров подшипниковых узлов. Актуальность исследования обусловлена необходимостью повышения надёжности и эксплуатационной устойчивости технологического оборудования, функционирующего в условиях удалённых и горных территорий, где аварийные отказы насосных систем могут приводить к значительным технико-экономическим и экологическим последствиям. В рамках работы использована выборка диагностических данных по параметрам вибрации насосных агрегатов SULZER, подлежащих процедуре оценки технического состояния. Описана методика проведения вибродиагностики на действующем оборудовании без остановки технологического процесса. Измерения параметров вибрации выполнены с применением виброанализатора BALTECH VP-3470 и программного обеспечения BALTECH Expert, обеспечивающих анализ вибрационных характеристик роторных машин и механических конструкций. Для обработки сигналов использованы методы автоспектрального анализа и анализа спектра огибающей вибросигнала, позволяющие выявлять частотные компоненты, связанные с зарождающимися и развивающимися дефектами подшипниковых узлов. Приведены результаты спектрального анализа, свидетельствующие о соответствии вибрационных параметров насосных агрегатов нормативным значениям и их удовлетворительном техническом состоянии. Вместе с тем наличие отдельных гармонических составляющих в автоспектрах указывает на потенциальные дефекты, требующие систематического мониторинга. Полученные результаты позволили сформировать базовые диагностические признаки оценки технического состояния по параметрам вибрации, создающие основу для разработки единого диагностического критерия оценки и прогнозирования работоспособности центробежных насосных агрегатов в контексте устойчивого развития горных территорий.

The article discusses the different factors that contribute to the success of youth entrepreneurship projects. The research conducted was a systematic review of various research articles that involved the use of keywords such as "youth entrepreneurship", "youth entrepreneurship success", and "entrepreneurial intention". The systematic review helped in categorizing the factors into major groups or areas of influence that affect the success of youth entrepreneurship. These factors have been categorized into five groups based on their role in the creation of such projects. The groups include young entrepreneurs, government, business environment, educational organizations, and the financial sector. Each group consists of 7 to 10 factors that impact the development and successful implementation of a young entrepreneur's project. Although the government, educational organizations, financial sector, and business environment are all important factors that affect young entrepreneurs, a recent review has shown that it is also important to study the personal characteristics of these individuals. This is because many of the traits that lead to success in entrepreneurship develop at a young age, before someone even begins their entrepreneurial journey. The article aims to build a list of important factors based on the group “young entrepreneurs “ and role in the project's creation. Using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy method, the article identifies the crucial factors for the development of youth entrepreneurship projects in the "Young Entrepreneur" group. These factors include cognitive capital, non-cognitive capital, human capital, entrepreneurial intentions, family support/help in running the business, and availability of a business plan. © 2024, Budapest Tech Polytechnical Institution. All rights reserved.

Due to the need to achieve the principles of sustainable development and to understand the processes of formation of phytocenoses in areas that were adversely affected by the industrial impact, this study assessed the condition of the Grachevsky uranium mine (Kazakhstan), which underwent conservation procedures about 25 years ago. The purpose is to determine the level of water quality and phytocenosis of the shores of the reservoir accumulating natural effluents from reclaimed dumps and anthropogenic sites of a uranium mine, as well as quality indicators and toxicology. The assessment included a qualitative research method (analysis of documents) to determine agro-climatic conditions and empirical methods of collecting information. The authors studied the intensity of ionizing radiation of the gamma background of the water surface of the reservoir (and sections of the shoreline and territories adjacent to the reservoir), and hydrochemical parameters of the waters of the reservoir, and performed a description of the botanical diversity. The vegetation cover of the sections of the reservoir shore is at different stages of syngenesis and is represented by pioneer groupings, group thicket communities, and diffuse communities. Favorable ecological conditions for the settlement and development of plants develop within the shores of the reservoir. The intensity levels of ionizing radiation do not exceed the maximum permissible levels and practically do not affect the formation of phytocenoses. An anthropogenically modified dry meadow with the participation of plants typical of the steppe zone has been formed on the floodplain terrace. Concerning the indicators of quality and toxicology of this reservoir, the water can be used for household and drinking purposes under the condition of prior water treatment. It can be concluded that a high level of natural purification of the reservoir waters occurred within twenty years after the reclamation of the uranium mine. © 2024, Instituto Internacional de Ecologia. All rights reserved.

Mining activities generate significant waste that poses serious environmental challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for effective waste management strategies. Mining waste, such as tailings, pyritic materials, ore residues, and metallurgical by-products, is rich in metals and metal oxides (e.g., Mg, Fe, and Al species) that can serve as catalytic active sites or supports. This intrinsic property highlights its potential for application as heterogeneous catalysts. In recent years, there has been growing interest in utilizing mining waste for catalytic applications, sparking preliminary studies that explore its catalytic capacities and mechanistic roles across various processes. This review consolidates recent advancements in employing mining waste as catalysts, focusing on their characterization, preparation methods, and catalytic performance in diverse reactions. These include dry and steam reforming, wastewater treatment processes (e.g., Fenton, photo-Fenton, peroxymonosulfate activation, electrochemical methods, and ozonation), environmental remediation (e.g., denitrification, carbon monoxide oxidation, and carbon dioxide reduction), and other chemical transformations (e.g., esterification, acetylation, and hydrodeoxygenation). Furthermore, the review discusses key challenges and critical considerations for advancing research in mining waste-based catalysts. © 2025 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Abstract: A solid waste from zinc production, zinc plant residue (ZPR) is a valuable resource for the recovery of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and silver (Ag). However, the ferritic structure of ZPR makes it difficult to leach these metals. Here, in order to increase the reactivity of the ZPR, mechanical activation using a high-energy ball mill was used. The sample mechanically activated for 15 min was subjected to two-stage leaching with the hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. At the 1st stage, 74% of Zn was recovered from mechanically activated ZPR sample into the solution under the following conditions: 1 M HCl, 120 min leaching duration, liquid-to-solid ratio (L : S) of 4, the temperature of 25°C, and a rotation speed of 600 rpm. At the 2nd stage, 56% of Pb and 53% of Ag were recovered from the leaching residue, under the following optimized conditions: 8 M HCl, 120 min leaching duration, liquid-to-solid ratio (L : S) of 20, the temperature of 25°C, and a rotation speed of 600 rpm. Сonceptual flow-diagram of the zinc, lead and silver selective recovery from ZPR is proposed herein. © 2022, Allerton Press, Inc.

The study is devoted to structure and mechanical properties of a diamond composite used for manufacturing of cutting tools applied in a wide range of technological fields. The sample tools were fabricated by cold-pressing technology followed by hot-pressing in vacuum of the 51Fe–32Cu–9Ni–8Sn matrix mixture with diamond bits, both in absence and presence of nano-VN additives. It was demonstrated that without VN addition, the diamond–matrix interface contained voids and discontinuities. Nanodispersed VN added to the matrix resulted in the formation of a more fine-grained structure consisting of solid solutions composed of iron, copper, nickel, vanadium and tin in different ratios and the formation of a tight diamond–matrix zone with no visible voids, discontinuities and other defects. Optimal concentrations of VN in the CDM matrix were found achieving the maximum values of nanohardness H = 7.8 GPa, elastic modulus E = 213 GPa, resistance to elastic deformation expressed by ratio H/E = 0.0366, plastic deformation resistance H3/E2 = 10.46 MPa, ultimate flexural strength Rbm = 1110 MPa, and compressive strength Rcm = 1410 MPa. As-prepared Fe–Cu–Ni–Sn–VN composites with enhanced physical and mechanical properties are suitable for cutting tools of increased durability and improved performance. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Purpose. Scientific substantiation of the application of technology for the development of water wells in the conditions of the Tonirekshin field of the Mangystau Peninsula. Methodology. The tasks were solved by a complex research method, which includes a review and generalization of literary and patent sources, analytical studies on existing methods for the development of water wells and their interpretation in relation to the geological and technical conditions of the Tonirekshin groundwater field. Findings. The main exploitable aquifers that are part of the Tonirekshin groundwater field are considered and a critical analysis of information on the geological and hydrogeological features of the basin is made. The requirements for the process of development of water wells for the field conditions are formulated. Well-known advanced well development methods are analyzed. Their advantages, disadvantages and compliance with the requirements are revealed. The implosion method was chosen as the best method for the development of water wells in the conditions of the Tonirekshin field. Originality. For the first time, for the geological and technical conditions of the Tonirekshin groundwater field, using the method of expert assessments, the choice of the optimal method for the development of water wells has been scientifically substantiated, which ensures decolmatation of the near-wellbore zone and the maximum flow rate of high-quality water for domestic and drinking water supply. Practical value. For the specific geological and technical conditions of the Tonirekshin groundwater field, the most suitable method for the development of water wells was chosen – the implosion method. The application of this method will provide a significant increase in well flow rate and a solution to the problem of oasis irrigation of lands in the Beineu district of the Mangystau region (Kazakhstan). © Biletskiy M.T., Ratov B.T., Khomenko V.L., Borash A.R., Muratova S.K., 2024.

The present study deals with the synthesis and characterization of a polymer composite based on an unsaturated ester loaded with 5 wt.% triclosan, produced by co-mixing on an automated hardware system. The polymer composite’s non-porous structure and chemical composition make it an ideal material for surface disinfection and antimicrobial protection. According to the findings, the polymer composite effectively inhibited (100%) the growth of Staphylococcus aureus 6538-P under exposure to physicochemical factors, including pH, UV, and sunlight, over a 2-month period. In addition, the polymer composite demonstrated potent antiviral activity against human influenza virus strain A and the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), with infectious activities of 99.99% and 90%, respectively. Thus, the resulting triclosan-loaded polymer composite is revealed to have a high potential as a surface-coating non-porous material with antimicrobial properties. © 2023 by the authors.