Drought stress limits plant survival and yield in arid regions. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance is key to developing resilient crops. This study used Arabidopsis thaliana as a model to perform an in silico analysis of miRNA–mRNA interactions linked to post-transcriptional drought response. Using the MirTarget program, 274 miRNAs and 48,143 gene transcripts were analyzed to predict high-confidence miRNA–mRNA interactions based on binding free energies (−79 to −129 kJ/mole). Predicted binding sites were located in the CDS, 5′UTR, and 3′UTR regions of target mRNAs. Key regulatory interactions included ath-miR398a-c and ath-miR829-5p targeting ROS detoxification genes (CSD1, FSD1); ath-miR393a/b-5p and ath-miR167a-c-5p targeting hormonal signaling genes (TIR1, ARF6); and the miR169 family, ath-miR414, and ath-miR838 targeting drought-related transcription factors (NF-YA5, DREB1A, WRKY40). Notably, ath-miR414, ath-miR838, and the miR854 family showed broad regulatory potential, targeting thousands of genes. These findings suggest the presence of conserved regulatory modules with potential roles in abiotic stress tolerance. While no direct experimental validation was performed, the results from Arabidopsis thaliana provide a useful genomic framework for hypothesis generation and future functional studies in non-model plant species. This work provides a molecular foundation for improving drought and salt stress tolerance through bioinformatics-assisted breeding and genetic research. © 2025 by the authors.

Purpose. The research aims to study wastewater treatment technology using electrical discharge at the Aktogay field in Kazakhstan to assess its effectiveness in reducing heavy metal concentrations and improving water quality. Methods. Laboratory tests were conducted on a specially designed experimental setup operating in the voltage range from 15 to 100 kV and frequencies from 50 Hz to 10 kHz. Physical-chemical parameters of water (pH, electrical conductivity, temperature), concentrations of heavy metals (copper, zinc, cadmium) before and after treatment were measured. Mathematical models were used to describe the precipitation processes and to assess the purification efficiency. Findings. Electrical discharge technology has been found to achieve a purification rate of up to 97.5% for copper, 97.3% for zinc and 96% for cadmium. At optimal parameters (15 kV, 10 kHz), heavy metal concentrations are reduced to levels that comply with World Health Organization standards. Improvement of physical characteristics of water (colour, odour, electrical conductivity) confirms the high efficiency of the method. Originality. For the first time, an innovative wastewater treatment methodology based on electrical discharge technology, implemented using a specially designed device, has been developed and tested. Mathematical models of heavy metal removal processes that describe the kinetics and dynamics of pollutant precipitation have been proposed and experimentally confirmed. Practical implications. The obtained results demonstrate a high potential for the industrial application of electrical discharge technology for treatment of wastewater generated during the processing of mineral raw materials at the Aktogay mine. Implementation of this technology will improve the environmental safety of production, while reducing operating costs and ensuring the possibility of water reuse. © 2025. A. Abdykadyrov et al.

The article presents a method of complex kinematic analysis of a mechanical wind turbine system. Input data, such as the speed of rotation of the input shaft of the gearbox, for the multi-criteria analysis of the planetary multiplier of the wind turbine were obtained from the results of computer simulation of the air flow. The fundamentals of the torque method were used to study planetary compound gears (PСG), called a multiplier. The variants of kinematic schemes of composite planetary transmission are analyzed in order to determine the most optimal distribution of the energy flow. The torque method allows not only kinematic analysis (determining the ratio of speeds), but also power analysis (determining the direction and magnitude of internal power flows), as well as determining efficiency. Relatively simple formulas for calculating the ratio of speeds and efficiency made it possible to carry out multi-purpose optimization of the parameters of the considered PСG. As a result of the analysis, the most optimal scheme of a composite planetary gearbox was determined, taking into account the kinematics of the airflow on the wind turbine wheel. © 2024, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.

Nanoparticles are widely used in Pickering emulsions, but their hydrophilic nature often limits interfacial effectiveness. This study explores a novel chemical etching method using the strong reductant sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) to enhance the interfacial properties of silica nanoparticles, improving oil recovery through more efficient Pickering emulsification. Characterization confirms surface etching through TEM and XPS, showing a rougher surface and a hydrodynamic size of 164.43 nm for etched silica, compared to 197.74 nm for bare silica. The etched silica nanoparticles exhibit increased hydrophobicity, as evidenced by FT-IR and contact angle measurements (θ = 75 ± 1° for etched silica vs. θ = 20 ± 1° for bare silica). At 500 ppm, modified silica nanoparticles facilitate Winsor emulsions I and II, with etched silica producing smaller, more stable droplets. Increasing the concentration to 2500 ppm reduces droplet size and tightens distributions, especially with etched silica, enhancing emulsion stability due to stronger interfacial layers, non-spherical shape, and lower bending resistance, as shown by desorption energy values of ⁓ 3.91 × 10−18 J for bare silica and ⁓ 3.49 × 10−16 J for etched silica. Pore-scale experiments demonstrate that surface-etched silica nanoparticles improve oil displacement and reduce residual trapping by promoting oil-in-water emulsions, outperforming bare silica due to stronger mechanical interactions, higher negative charge, and increased disjoining pressure (−4.81 × 10−4 Pa vs −8.38 × 10−4 Pa). This innovative modification approach, previously unexplored in oil recovery, offers a new pathway for enhanced oil mobilization and emulsion stability, with potential for broader applications in wastewater treatment, catalysis, and pharmaceuticals. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.

A wide range of applications such as healthcare, human comfort, agriculture, food processing and storage, and electronics manufacturing also require fast and accurate measurement of humidity and temperature. Optical fiber-based sensors have several advantages over electronic sensors, and much research has been conducted in this area in recent years. This paper describes the current trends in fiber optic temperature and humidity sensors. The evolution of optical structures aimed at humidity detection is presented, as well as a new design of an optical sensor used for this purpose. The main methods of humidity determination using fiber-optic laser reflection based on Optical fiber humidity sensor (FPI) were analyzed and experimental results were obtained. Based on temperature-sensitive strain variation, a method for temperature determination based on the specific spectral back-reflection effect of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) is considered. Experimental analyses were conducted on the light reflection of humidity-sensitive agarose using optical fibers based on the Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI). It exhibits a good linear response to relative humidity, ranging from 25 % to 95 %. During temperature measurement, the deformation changes of the Fiber Bragg Grating fibers showed excellent performance, ranging from –5 °C to 70 °C. New structures, such as resonators, are being explored to improve the resolution of fiber optic temperature and humidity sensors. In addition, recent studies on polymer optical fibers show that the sensitivity of this type of sensor has not yet been achieved. Thus, materials sensitive to humidity and temperature still need to be investigated to improve sensitivity and resolution Copyright © 2024, Authors. This is an open access article under the Creative Commons CC BY license

Urbanism principles in the context of the UK have significantly changed its urban public realm since the 1980s to shape a “world-class” public realm by welcoming high-income groups. However, there are still limited investigations into the performative role of the public realm. Therefore, the research aims to ask what the social impact of the equitable public realm is for every citizen. These findings will be archived through morphological mappings, observation, and photographing. While the research confirms that “world-class” public realms in cities are rather exclusive than inclusive, there is a framework for potential urban transformations. © 2023 Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, Vostoksibacademcenter. All rights reserved.

This work presents a novel, cost-effective method for synthesizing AlxGa1−xAs nanowhiskers on a GaAs surface by electrochemical deposition. The process begins with structuring the GaAs surface by electrochemical etching, forming a branched nanowhisker system. Despite the close resemblance of the crystal lattices of AlAs, GaAs, and AlxGa1−xAs, our study highlights the formation of nanowhiskers instead of layer-by-layer film growth. X-ray diffraction analysis and photoluminescence spectrum evaluations confirm the synthesized structure’s crystallinity, uniformity, and bandgap characteristics. The unique morphology of the nanowhiskers offers promising implications for solar cell applications because of the increased light absorption potential and reduced surface recombination energy losses. We conclude by emphasizing the need for further studies on the growth mechanisms of AlxGa1−xAs nanowhiskers, adjustments of the “x” parameter during electrochemical deposition, and detailed light absorption properties of the formed compounds. This research contributes to the field of wideband materials, particularly for solar energy applications, highlighting the potential of electrochemical deposition as a flexible and economical fabrication method. © 2023 by the authors.

Global and regional climate change and their water-related impacts are a key component in future development scenarios to guide sustainable water management. Climatic changes may lead to an undesirable redistribution of water supplies and potentially harmful extremities in river flows throughout the year. If we add to this the uneven spatial distribution of water resources in Kazakhstan, the importance of assessment of the intra-annual distribution of river flows under historical and present climatic conditions becomes evident. The presented scientific study analyzes decadal regional trends from 1985 to 2022 in the intra-annual distribution of river runoff in selected catchments in Kazakhstan, including Buktyrma River, Zhabay River, and Ulken-Kobda River. The river basins were selected to cover diverse regions in terms of geographical features and hydrological conditions, significantly affected by climate change. We applied statistical analysis methods using multiyear values of mean monthly and mean annual river flows, mean monthly air temperatures, and mean monthly precipitation. To analyze the intra-annual distribution of annual river flow in the context of climate change, a computational method was used, in which the actual current river flow (modern river flow taking into account non-stationarity of climatic changes) was compared with the conditionally natural flow obtained by modeling and corresponding to the natural regime of the river. The long-term dynamics of flow-forming factors and runoff parameters with regard to phases of different water content (25%, 50%, and 75%) were considered. Statistical analysis of seasonal changes in water content of modeled and actual river flow, taking into account climatic non-stationarity, allowed us to identify significant trends of flow redistribution within the year: indicating a decrease in the volume of spring floods, an increase in winter flow and increase in seasonal variability, especially for the Ulken Kobda River. It appears that atmospheric circulation significantly affects annual and seasonal variations of water availability. The shift in western circulation type (W) contributes to increased average annual river flow, while the shift in eastern circulation type (E) is associated with amplification of extreme flood-type events. The results obtained are important for adapting sustainable water management practices under a changing climate, helping to anticipate the availability of water resources and allowing pro-active measures to mitigate hydrological extremes. © 2025 by the authors.

The key problem of using lithium-containing ceramics as materials of breeders for the propagation of tritium in thermonuclear reactors is phase stability, as well as the preservation of strength and thermophysical parameters of ceramics during their operation, which is accompanied by the accumulation of fission products in the near-surface layers, alongside mechanical influences from the outside. Moreover, in contrast to other types of ceramics, the presence of lithium in the composition of the samples under study leads to limitations in the use of classical analysis methods (scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis or optical spectroscopy) of structural changes caused by the accumulation of radiation damage, which requires the use of more complex methods for the assessment of the defect concentration in the structure, as well as establishing their relationship with the deterioration of strength and thermophysical parameters, playing a key role in determining the stability mechanisms and further exploitation of ceramics for tritium production. In this regard, the aim of the study is to determine the kinetics of changes in the near-surface layer of two-phase Li4SiO4 – Li2TiO3 ceramics associated with the accumulation of structural distortions caused by irradiation, as well as their relationship with strain embrittlement and disorder. During the studies, it was found that the accumulation of implanted hydrogen in the near-surface layer under high-dose irradiation initiates deformation distortion processes, the intensity of which depends on the ratio of components in the ceramics, according to which the optimal compositions of two-phase ceramics are ratios of components from 0.3 to 0.6. Determination of the type of defects in the composition of the damaged layer, as well as their concentration, was carried out using the electron spin resonance (ESP) method. During the studies, it was found that at low irradiation fluences, the dominant role in the accumulation of structural defects is played by vacancy defects associated with E′-centers, the formation of which is associated with structural distortions, while as the fluence grows, the structure is dominated by deformation disordering caused by the accumulation of Ti3+ defects and HC2 centers (SiO4 3-), the concentrations of which have a clear dependence on the phase composition of the ceramics. © 2024 The Authors

Microfinance is seen as an important vehicle for developing small businesses in developing and transitional economies despite the relative absence of supporting research. We use mixed methods to offer a nuanced empirical exploration of the relationship between microfinance and everyday entrepreneurial practice(s) in Kazakhstan. As in many transitional contexts, ‘unbankable’ borrowers here operate in a vibrant informal sector, face high degrees of uncertainty, and retain a strong distrust of a corrupt/predatory state. Our data-based methodology for analysing borrowers’ diverse relationships with microfinance organisations (MFOs) generates insights into their multiple pathways to business development. Both ‘outreac\h’ and ‘commercialised’ MFOs sustain micro-flows of resources that are critical for everyday entrepreneurs who need to finance ongoing consumption and contingencies whilst also (and by) building up their small businesses. Microfinance use did not promote formalisation or impersonalised banking relationships. Instead, MFOs focused primarily on repayment, clients’ businesses remained partially formalised or unregistered across all stages of growth and the lending relationships preferred by Private MFOs and borrowers were highly personalised. Consequently, we call for assumptions about how microfinance can (and should) drive small business development need to be rethought for transitional contexts. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.