Discrete and continuous compartmental models of the spread of the epidemic are considered, taking into account vaccination and limited time spent in groups. Models include the following groups of people: susceptible, contacted, three categories of patients that are undetected, isolated and hospitalized, immunized, vaccinated, and contact vaccinated. Conducted qualitative and quantitative proposed models. The influence of process parameters is investigated. The problems of restoring the coefficients of the equations under consideration are set based on the results of measuring the number of registered patients, vaccinated and deceased. The inverse problems under consideration are solved using the corresponding optimization methods. As an example, the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in Kazakhstan is being studied. © 2025, Jomard Publishing. All rights reserved.

The increasing demand for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries in electronics and electric vehicles has spurred significant research into silicon anodes. This article reviews key structural variants—nanostructured, micron-scale, and three-dimensional (3D) silicon anodes—highlighting their advantages, challenges, and solutions. While nanostructured silicon offers high specific capacity and stability, it suffers from low conductivity, significant volume expansion, and poor cycling life. To address these, strategies such as nanostructural Si designs, introducing conductive/buffering agents (e.g., graphene, MXene), and polymeric binders are discussed. Micron-scale silicon partially alleviates expansion due to its larger size, but still faces challenges in conductivity and cycling stability; morphological optimization strategies are explored. Conversely, 3D structured silicon demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance from its unique architecture, though conductivity and volume expansion remain issues. The review covers state-of-the-art methods, including the above approaches and functional additives, to achieve stable cycling. Finally, future development pathways such as novel structural designs, material innovation, and application prospects are considered, indicating silicon's potential as a robust anode material for future lithium-ion batteries. © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

In this study, we systematically study the efficient production method and electrochemical characteristics of activated carbons (AC) derived from rice husk (RH) and walnut shell (WS). In particular, the effectiveness of physical activation using carbon dioxide (CO2) was investigated and compared with the more common chemical activation method using potassium hydroxide (KOH). The results show that the KOH–activated samples have remarkable specific capacities, reaching 157.8 F g−1 for RH and 152 F g−1 for WS at 1 A g−1. However, the rate capability of AC obtained via KOH decreases significantly as the scanning rate increases, retaining only 51.5% and 68% of their original capacities for RH–KOH and WS–KOH, respectively, at 20 A g–1. In contrast, CO2–activated samples show a superior rate performance with a capacity retention of 75.6% for WS and 80% for RH at the same current density. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis shows that AC obtained via CO2 has a lower charge transfer resistance compared to its KOH counterparts. CO2–activated RH and WS electrodes show Rct values of 0.1 Ω and 0.24 Ω, respectively, indicating improved ion transport kinetics and surface area utilization. These results highlight the importance of activation techniques in tailoring the electrochemical behavior of biomass–derived carbon. This study not only expands the understanding of the interaction between activation, morphology, and performance but also indicates the potential of CO2 activation as an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative. As the field of sustainable energy storage advances, this work provides valuable guidance for the development of high–performance supercapacitor electrodes with less environmental impact. © 2023 by the authors.

Photocatalytic technologies based on silicon (Si-based) nanostructures offer a promising solution for water purification, hydrogen generation, and the conversion of CO2 into useful chemical compounds. This review systematizes the diversity of modern approaches to the synthesis and modification of Si-based photocatalysts, including chemical deposition, metal-associated etching, hydrothermal methods, and atomic layer deposition. Heterostructures, plasmonic effects, and co-catalysts that enhance photocatalytic activity are considered. Particular attention is drawn to the silicon doping of semiconductors, such as TiO2 and ZnO, to enhance their optical and electronic properties. The formation of heterostructures and the evaluation of their efficiency were discussed. Despite the high biocompatibility and availability of silicon, its photocorrosion and limited stability require the development of protective coatings and morphology optimization. The application of machine learning for predicting redox potentials and optimizing photocatalyst synthesis could offer new opportunities for increasing their efficiency. The review highlights the potential of Si-based materials for sustainable technologies and provides a roadmap for further research.

The article presents the analysis of a road network section located in Timiryazevsky District of Northern Administrative District of Moscow. Following the survey, traffic organisation characteristics were obtained, as well as the data on pedestrian flows, traffic density, operational features of public transport and zoning of the area adjacent to the object of study in terms of its use. The obtained results represent the main input parameters for simulation modelling that allows assessing different scenarios for sustainable development of the territory.

In the context of intensified construction and stricter requirements for the energy efficiency of buildings, the use of thermal insulation materials and technologies is becoming particularly important. One promising area in this field is the use of thermal insulation mixtures, which are versatile, adaptable, and highly reliable in operation. Mixtures based on fillers with a porous structure and materials that impart thermal insulation properties, which provide higher thermal insulation properties, are of great interest. However, the development of dry thermal insulation mixtures is hampered by insufficient study of their physical, mechanical, and operational characteristics. This article presents the results of research work on the development and study of dry building thermal insulation mixtures. A distinctive feature of the work is the creation of a composition of dry building thermal insulation mixtures based on local raw materials, such as diatomite, its thermal modification at a temperature of 900 °C, the use of expanded perlite sand, lime, and Portland cement. Research into the properties of modified diatomite has shown that its surface after thermal treatment differs from the surface of unburned diatomite in that it becomes more active and has a 3–4 times higher increase in strength. Modified diatomite and expanded perlite sand have low thermal conductivity, and this property was used in the creation of building thermal insulation mixtures, which was confirmed by research, as the thermal conductivity coefficient ranged from 0.128 to 0.152 W/m °C. The developed dry thermal insulation lime–cement mixture is intended for both interior and exterior finishing works, which is confirmed by the results obtained for determining the frost resistance of the solution and the frost resistance of the contact zone, and corresponds to the F35 grade and has a strength of up to 3.59 MPa. © 2025 by the authors.

Abstract Climate change, which is caused by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, poses a serious threat to humanity, impacting economies, societies, and the environment. Carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect, is responsible for climate change and thus must be reduced. Carbon capture, conversion, and storage (CCUS) technology, which involves catalytic, photocatalytic, and electrocatalytic conversions, is a promising method for reducing CO2 emissions and converting CO2 into valuable products. Recent advances in catalytic, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic reduction of CO2 have highlighted the potential environmental and economic benefits of these technologies. However, the practical application of these techniques is challenging and requires scientific research and engineering efforts to develop efficient materials capable of simultaneously capturing CO2 and converting it into valuable products. Therefore, this review presents a comprehensive analysis of various catalytic systems for CO2 capture and conversion. This review aims to identify the advantages and limitations of catalytic systems for CO2 capture and conversion. In addition, the identified challenges and future prospects in the application of the proposed methods are outlined. Thus, this article covers the current trends and perspectives in the field of combating climate change through efficient CO2 management. © 2024 The Authors

The article provides a detailed examination of public-private partnerships between Satbayev University and drilling tool manufacturer SK Geoservice LLP. It begins by discussing the underlying reasons for this collaboration, such as the demand for innovation and the advancement of drilling tool production. Subsequently, the article analyzes the partners' interactions and their respective roles in enhancing the design and production processes of drilling tool manufacturing. Successful instances of the university's research groups' scientific endeavors being implemented by drilling tool manufacturing experts from the private sector are cited, indicating a high level of cooperation and mutual benefit. The article concludes by highlighting the partnership's positive impact on the drilling tools market's development, private entrepreneurship support and growth in the region, and the training of highly skilled personnel. It suggests that these outcomes create new opportunities for further cooperation and growth. Overall, the article underscores the significance of public-private partnerships in advancing science and technology and advocates for their continued deepening and expansion in Kazakhstan. It also notes that such partnerships contribute to enhancing the quality of education in drilling-related fields and bolstering the competitiveness of Kazakhstani companies in the global market.

In their investment decisions commercial banks and private funds traditionally evaluate projects-based solely on their private returns, while often neglecting social and environmental concerns. More recently, however, climate change fears and rising inequality prompted calls for more environmentally and socially responsible governance of investment activities (ESG initiatives). For example, numerous pension funds and development agencies started shifting investment priorities away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy production. These efforts are hindered by the absence of well-developed techniques for evaluating investment projects in terms of their social and environmental impacts. This study investigates and outlines possible strategies for integrating social and environmental priorities into an investment selection process. We developed project selection and evaluation processes that a national development agency or a public fund could employ to enhance social effectiveness of its investment activities. More specifically, our general pre-investment evaluation procedure includes algorithms for determining optimal investment portfolios, taking in account both standard financial profitability criteria and ESG priorities. Copyright © 2025 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Expert estimates in the Concept of Kazakhstan 2013 transition to green economy forecasted water deficit in the nearest future. The water deficit indicator is the level of water supply identified as the ratio of forecast resources or mineable reserves to water demand. The article presents up-to-date data on water demand of economy branches and urban and rural population need for drinking water, as well as estimated values of water consumption for 2030 and 2040. Taking into consideration that groundwater as a water supply source has some advantages as compared to surface water: higher quality, more reliably protected against pollution and contamination, less exposure to seasonal and multi-annual fluctuations, the level of water supply was assessed as applied to RK groundwater. Taking into account the fact that statistics are presented with a breakdown into administrative regions, and distribution of geological formations is not limited by borders of surface water flow basins or national frontier, GIS-assessment of groundwater resources and water demand of population and economy branches are given in this article by administrative territory system and hydro-economicadministrative zoning of Kazakhstan. As the result of appraising the Kazakhstan administrative regions’ degree of water supply, it was shown that by proven reserves of drinking and service water, the Republic as a whole belongs to countries with a reliable supply of proven drinking and service groundwater reserves, Atyrau and North-Kazakhstan regions are identified as experiencing deficit, and Mangistau and Akmola – as partially supplied. While assessing the degree of supply within limits of hydro-economic basins a conclusion was made that the highest degree of supply with own groundwater resources has Balkhash-Alakol and Yertis (Irtysh) basins. Those experiencing deficit of groundwater is Tobol-Torgai, Nura-Sarysu, and Yesil basins. This research has been funded by the Ministry of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. BR10262555). © 2022, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.