This research investigates the biodiversity and ecological status of the Fraxinus sogdiana Bunge forests within Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan, a unique ecosystem known for its high biodiversity and geological significance. Charyn Canyon, stretching for 154 km, contains over 1,500 plant species, 17 of which are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. The relict grove of F. sogdiana occupies over 800 hectares of the 5,000-hectare floodplain area. The study assessed the photosynthetic parameters of Fraxinus L. and Populus L., measuring key indicators such as minimum fluorescence (Fo), variable fluorescence (Fv), maximum fluorescence (Fm), and chlorophyll content (mg m-²). Results show that F. sogdiana exhibited an Fv/Fm ratio of 0.735–0.828, indicating that some individuals are under stress. In contrast, Populus species showed higher photosynthetic efficiency with a maximum Fv/Fm value of 0.834. Floristic analysis revealed a complex plant community with significant species diversity, including xerophytes, mesophytes, and halophytes, indicative of the region's varied ecological zones. Vegetation indices derived from UAV mapping, including NDVI, GNDVI, and OSAVI, further supported these findings, showing higher photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content in Populus than in Fraxinus. Correlation analysis between physiological parameters and vegetation indices highlighted significant relationships, particularly between NDVI and photosynthetic efficiency, providing insights into the health of the forest canopy. The study underscores the significant anthropogenic threats to the region, such as deforestation and uncontrolled grazing, accelerating habitat degradation, and reducing genetic diversity. The critical findings of this research underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts and provide a wealth of information that can guide these efforts, enlightening us about the state of these unique ecosystems and the measures needed to preserve them. © The Author(s) Publisher: University of Guilan.

Invisible gold research is essential for understanding gold mineralization, overcoming analytical limitations, and addressing the technological bottlenecks in the economic extraction of refractory gold, thereby unlocking the potential of these deposits and their tailings. To assess research trends and demand, this study analyzed 1300 records from the Web of Science database (1985–2024) using the cross-disciplinary publication index (CDPI), the co-authorship model, and the technology-economic linkage model (TELM), with visualizations generated via VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel. The analysis reveals a 65% increase in publications between 2015 and 2021, with a peak of 98 papers in 2021. Articles constitute the majority (84.6%), followed by conference proceedings (9.8%) and reviews (3.9%). Interdisciplinary contributions surged by 40% after 2015, particularly in “materials science”, as indicated by a high CDPI of 0.81; while a discipline-pair co-occurrence score between “materials science and nanotechnology” reached a CDPI of 0.75. Notably, the CDPI model reveals that 68% of advancements in extraction technologies between 2015 and 2024 originated from nanoscale-oriented invisible gold research published in geoscience-focused journals employing advanced nanotechnologies. Furthermore, the TELM framework identifies that between 2021 and 2024, high gold prices—ranging from $1,798/oz to $1,940/oz—were well correlated (R2 = 0.89) with publication counts, which remained consistently high at 94 to 98 papers annually. Two key methodological trends identified in this study for invisible gold research are: (1) the development of environmentally friendly extraction techniques, including biooxidation or thiosulfate leaching, and advanced pre-treatment processes; and (2) the adoption of high-precision analytical tools such as LA-ICP-MS, SIMS, and TIMA-X, which have significantly enhanced nanoscale gold detection and characterization. This methodological progress is further supported by the increase in annual research funding—from approximately $2–5 million when gold prices averaged $370/oz (1985–2000), to $10–30 million at around $700/oz (2001–2015), and up to $50–120 million as prices exceeded $1,500/oz (2016–2024)—demonstrating a strong positive association between rising gold prices and investment in invisible gold research. The findings reveal key trends in invisible gold research, demonstrating that Web of Science data, VOSviewer visualizations, and the CDPI and TELM frameworks provide a more reliable basis for identifying interdisciplinary patterns and economic drivers. They highlight not only scientific progress in mineral exploration, extraction technologies, and metallurgical methods, but also persistent challenges in the economic recovery of invisible gold. These insights offer a roadmap for future research, industrial application, and international collaboration. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.

The accelerated development of industrialization has resulted in the extensive discharge of dyes into aquatic habitats, creating significant health hazards due to their poisonous and cancer-causing characteristics. This work introduces a new adsorbent called CUR-CPTMS-NZC, constructed of curcumin-functionalized natural zeolite clinoptilolite encapsulated in alginate beads. This adsorbent aims to improve the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from wastewater. The functionalized adsorbent underwent characterization utilizing FT-IR, TGA, N2 gas adsorption-desorption, SEM, and zeta potential studies. The adsorption assessments examined the impact of contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, and pH on the efficacy of removing MB. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to optimize the adsorption conditions, improving efficiency in removing dyes. Under optimized conditions: pH 7.8, adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g/L, and MB concentration of 13 mg/L, CUR-CPTMS-NZC beads achieved 100 % removal efficiency. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 69.81 mg/g, demonstrating the high efficiency of the adsorbent. Regeneration studies have verified the capacity to reuse the adsorbent for six cycles with less than 25 % reduction in the removal efficiency. This study offers an enduring remedy for the issue of dye contamination in wastewater, hence encouraging environmental sustainability and promoting breakthroughs in wastewater treatment technologies. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.

This study focuses on the development of environmentally sustainable polypropylene (PP)-based composites with the potential for biodegradability by incorporating cellulose and the oligomeric siloxane ES-40. Targeting industrial applications such as fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, ES-40 was employed as a precursor for the in situ formation of silica particles via hydrolytic polycondensation (HPC). Two HPC approaches were investigated: a preliminary reaction in a mixture of cellulose, ethanol, and water, and a direct reaction within the molten PP matrix. The composites were thoroughly characterized using rotational rheometry, optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Both methods resulted in composites with markedly reduced crystallinity and shrinkage compared to neat PP, with the lowest shrinkage observed in blends prepared directly in the extruder. The inclusion of cellulose not only enhances the environmental profile of these composites but also paves the way for the development of PP materials with improved biodegradability, highlighting the potential of this technique for fabricating more amorphous composites from crystalline or semi-crystalline polymers for enhancing the quality and dimensional stability of FDM-printed materials. © 2024 by the authors.

The study of the properties of electrical power sources of ozonators through mathematical models is crucial for satisfying sanitary-hygienic and industrial needs. Ozone is a strong oxidant with disinfectant properties, making its application widespread. However, the efficiency of its production largely depends on the quality of the ozonators' electrical power sources. In this research, we developed and utilized mathematical models aimed at determining the main electrical parameters of various types of ozonators used in ozone production. The results of the study show possibilities for enhancing the energy efficiency of ozonators and optimizing their operational parameters. Mathematical modeling serves as a significant tool for predicting the operating modes and necessary electrical power parameters of ozonators, helping to increase their overall productivity and reduce the cost of ozone production. During the analysis, we considered the stability of the electrical power sources of ozonators, their high-frequency power transmission, and the level of electrical energy consumption. Our research aimed to determine how these parameters affect the ozone production process and, considering these effects, to design and improve the electrical power sources of ozonators. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.

It is not uncommon that subways count as densely populated areas, so air quality standards, including fine dust concentration, have been established for them. As passengers and subway staff are exposed to potentially harmful airborne particles, addressing this issue is vital to ensuring a safe and healthy environment on the subway. To reduce the dust concentration in subway systems, the authors propose installing filters to capture dust in ventilation failures between subway tunnels near metro stations. A novel aspect of the proposed method is the fact that airflow will be moved through filters by using the piston action of trains passing through the tunnels. The result of this research provides empirical evidence regarding dust content and mass concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in subway environments. While some existing literature discusses air quality in subways, the inclusion of specific measurements and data from the experiment strengthens the understanding of the severity of dust-related air quality issues in such environments. The data for this study were collected in the Almaty subway (Republic of Kazakhstan) at four stations: Raiymbek Batyr, Almaty, Baikonur and Alatau. Measuring points were located on passenger platforms, in the halls and at the entrances to the station. The lab scale tests determined the percentage of particles by their diameters relative to the total volume of dust, the percentage of dust particles smaller than a certain diameter, the percentage of various metal oxides and the average dust density. A preliminary energy assessment has been done on the proposed method of air purification from dust. With a frequency of 24 pairs of trains per hour, the energy savings per ventilation failure will be 240.170 kWh. © 2023 by the authors.

The paper analyzes the main areas of application of mathematical methods in medical diagnostics, formulates principles of diagnostics based on fuzzy logic; developed mathematical models and algorithms that formalize the process of making diagnostic decisions based on fuzzy logic with quantitative and qualitative parameters of the patient's condition; developed mathematical models of membership function. Mathematical models and algorithms have been developed that formalize the process of making diagnostic decisions based on fuzzy logic with quantitative and qualitative parameters of the patient's condition; developed mathematical models of membership functions, formalizing the representation of quantitative and qualitative parameters of the patient's condition in the form of fuzzy sets, used in models and algorithms for diagnosis and finding a diagnosis of assessing the intensity of reactive postoperative edema in patients of all study groups. An expert system was implemented for solving the problems of medical diagnosis based on fuzzy logic when assessing the intensity of reactive swelling of soft tissues, which develops in the postoperative period in patients of all study groups against the background of diabetes. The paper analyzes the main areas of application of mathematical methods in medical diagnostics, formulates the principles of diagnostics based on fuzzy logic. © 2022, Politechnika Lubelska. All rights reserved.

This study explores the optimization of foam ceramic materials through experimental research and mathematical modeling. The goal was to enhance mechanical strength, thermal insulation, porosity, water absorption, and density by adjusting composition and firing conditions. Regression analysis and response surface methodology were used to assess the effects of loam, fly ash content, and the firing temperature. The optimal composition of 60–65% loam, 10% fly ash, and a firing temperature of 950–1000 °C yielded foam ceramics with a bulk density of 680–700 kg/m3, a compressive strength of 3.5–4 MPa, and a thermal conductivity of 0.135–0.140 W/(m·K). Controlled porosity (70–72%) enhanced insulation while maintaining structural integrity. X-ray diffraction confirmed mullite, quartz, and cristobalite phases, with mullite improving mechanical properties. This research demonstrates the potential of optimized foam ceramics for energy-efficient construction. Mathematical modeling and experimental validation provide a pathway for developing lightweight, high-performance ceramic materials. Future work should refine sintering processes, explore new additives, and evaluate the long-term performance. © 2025 by the authors.

One area that holds promise for nuclear energy advancement, which is the most attractive industry for eliminating the imbalance in the energy sector and reducing the world’s energy shortage for the long term, is the replacement of traditional uranium fuel with plutonium fuel. The focus on this research area is due to the growing concern of the world community about the problem of handling spent nuclear fuel, including its further use or storage and disposal. The main aims of this paper are to study the resistance of composite ceramics based on zirconium and cerium dioxide to the hydrogenation processes and subsequent destructive embrittlement, and to identify patterns of growth stability attributable to the occurrence of interfacial boundaries and changes in the phase composition of ceramics. Studies have shown that the main effects of the structural distortion of the crystalline structure of ceramics are caused primarily by tensile deformation distortions, resulting in the accumulation of radiation-induced damage. The formation of Zr0.85Ce0.15O2 tetragonal phase of replacement in the structure of ceramics results in a more than two-fold reduction in the deformation distortion degree in cases of high-dose radiation with protons. The evaluation of the alteration in the strength properties of ceramics revealed that the variation in the phase composition due to polymorphic transformation of the monoclinic Zr0.98Ce0.02O2 → tetragonal Zr0.85Ce0.15O2 type results in the strengthening of the damaged layers and the improvement of the resistance to radiation-induced embrittlement and softening. © 2023 by the authors.

Metal–semiconductor–metal back-contact perovskite solar cells (MSM BC PSCs) with interdigitated metallic electrodes show promise due to their simple structure. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of experimentally obtained MSM BC PSCs is rather moderate. This could be attributed to suboptimal geometric dimensions of electrodes and the poor quality of the perovskite layers in reported devices. In this study, computer simulation methods are employed to investigate the influence of electrode and perovskite layer geometric and electronic parameters on the performance of MSM BC PSCs. The goal is to determine the optimum conditions for achieving high PCE. The findings reveal that the PCE of devices improves as the dimensions of electrodes become smaller. However, significant improvements in PCE are observed when the charge carrier diffusion lengths in the perovskite layer become longer and the work function difference between the electrodes becomes larger. The prediction based on optimal electrode and perovskite layer geometric and electronic parameters suggests that a PCE of around 26% can be achieved with MSM BC PSCs. Findings of this work unveils the hidden potential of MSM BC PSCs and can serve as a theoretical guide to optimize the structure and performance of experimental devices. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.