In modern realities, inequality is not only an urgent problem but is quite acutely perceived by society, especially in the post-pandemic period. This paper aims to analyze and evaluate the impact of inequality on the economic growth of Kazakhstan. In theoretical and empirical works, there are trends of both positive and negative effects of inequality on the growth of the economies of various countries. The research methodology is based on the development of the concept of interregional and country inequality. Methods such as retrospective analysis, generalization and systematization, comparative analysis, and regression analysis were applied. The information basis of the study was the database files for 16 regions of Kazakhstan and a period of 25 years from 1993 to 2018, available on the website of the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on the analysis of the calculated inequality coefficients, it was determined that the gap between interregional and country inequality is insignificant. Over 25 years, there has been a considerable increase in interregional and country inequality in Kazakhstan. The econometric analysis confirmed the existence of a significant negative link between inequality and economic growth and a positive relationship between income and GRP. In general, the study’s main hypothesis on the impact of inequality on the dynamics of economic growth in Kazakhstan is confirmed by empirical calculations. Thus, when developing and defining an effective regional policy, it is necessary to take into account the impact of inequality on economic growth, as it is statistically significant.

This paper represents the results of a study of the chemical composition of salt lakes within the Burabay rock mass in eastern Kazakhstan. We sampled water and bottom deposits, geochemically analyzed the composition of the salt lakes, and performed aerial photography of the lakes to geometrize them. We studied the linkage between the rare-metal mineralization of granites of the Burabay rock mass and the salt lakes within the territory. Based on the obtained data, we identified the prospects of the survey area for rare metals. The surveys included 15 water samples and 15 bottom-deposit samples. To identify the source of salt in the lake water and deposits, the chemical composition of Burabay rocks was analyzed and seven samples of coarse-grained and porphyritic granites were selected. It was established that the water and bottom deposits accumulated elevated concentrations of valuable components (i.e., Sr, Rb, and U); this fact may be considered as an argument for conducting special surveys of small lakes in the region. The results obtained can be used for conducting further explorations and mining operations in the survey area in order to revive the rare-metal industry in the region, which will allow the development of new high-tech production and the creation of new jobs in this sphere.

The lack of scientific knowledge about the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the economic value of products and ecosystem services obtained from the environment, especially soil, in line with various destruction factors, has justified the change of using forest land to other profitable activities. Failure to comply with such information caused in Kazakhstan, like many other developing countries, the political and economic decision-making process regarding the current uses and future existence of environmental resources was faced with many ambiguities. In this study, the current state of the environment in Atyrau district was obtained through the collection of information and tests of water, air, sound, and soil. Environmental effects were predicted based on scientific and technical documents and through knowledge, experiences, and numerical calculations. Direct and indirect, short-term and not long-term effects were investigated and introduced. The effort to obtain the correct selections and the optimal allocation of natural resources remains under the control of the problems related to the risks and the uncertainty of the remaining evaluations. The laziness of the theoretical foundations and the neglect of practical considerations in the selection of cognitive methods for conducting economic valuation studies can lead to the destruction of the remnants of environmental fields quickly in the middle of two extremes made. The results showed that production and economic activities increase the density of the soil, increase the apparent specific weight and reduce the porosity of the soil and damage to the environment. In addition, among its benefits can be the creation of employment and relative prosperity, reduction of immigration, reduction of social corruption and pointing out the mental health of the community, regional and national importance. It also help to increase the future development plans in the region, especially in the industry sector and increasing the added value caused by the labor force, converting raw materials into consumable products in industrial production, which causes economic prosperity in this region. In this article, based on the main theoretical foundations and practical considerations related to the methodology of economic valuation studies, the main research findings on environmental valuation are reflected, and the bottlenecks and arguments needed in this regard are clarified.

The object of consideration is seismic design, and the subject of the study is the determination of the reduction coefficient. One of the important problems of earthquake-resistant design is to determine the effect of low-cycle fatigue of reinforced concrete on the reduction coefficient and determine its optimal value. This problem is not disclosed and is not specifically taken into account in the standards for earthquake engineering when determining the maximum bearing capacity of types of structures due to the lack of study of the issue. To solve the problem, a series of experimental studies were carried out on low-cycle fatigue of reinforced concrete bending elements and frame units. The range of results of the reduction coefficient values and the degree of influence of monocyclic fatigue on the properties of the reduction coefficient are obtained. A feature and characteristic of the results obtained is that the reduction coefficient Rμ depends on the nature of the hysteresis deformation pattern and the plastic life of structural elements estimated by the plasticity coefficient μ, which is significantly influenced by low-cycle fatigue manifested at peak accelerations of strong seismic impacts. The above test algorithm, the feature and characteristics of the results obtained made it possible to solve the problem under study. The results obtained are accepted for practical use in the action of seismic loads: on the calculation of strength taking into account new low-cycle coefficients, reduction coefficients for determining the spectra of design reactions and seismic loads, taking into account energy absorption. New reduction coefficients are proposed for determining the spectra of calculated reactions and seismic loads

This study presents an integrative investigation of four rare and threatened plant species—Taraxacum kok-saghyz L.E. Rodin, Astragalus rubtzovii Boriss., Schmalhausenia nidulans (Regel) Petr., and Rheum wittrockii Lundstr.—native to the Ile Alatau and Ketmen ridges of the Northern Tian Shan in Kazakhstan. Combining chloroplast genome sequencing, geobotanical surveys, and anatomical and population structure analyses, we aimed to assess the ecological adaptation, genetic distinctiveness, and conservation status of these species. Field surveys revealed that population structures varied across species, with T. kok-saghyz and S. nidulans dominated by mature vegetative and generative individuals, while A. rubtzovii and R. wittrockii exhibited stable age spectra marked by reproductive maturity and ongoing recruitment. Chloroplast genome assemblies revealed characteristic patterns of plastid evolution, including structural conservation in S. nidulans and R. wittrockii, and a reduced inverted repeat region in A. rubtzovii, consistent with its placement in the IR-lacking clade of Fabaceae. Morphological and anatomical traits reflected habitat-specific adaptations such as tomentose surfaces, thickened epidermis, and efficient vascular systems. Despite these adaptations, anthropogenic pressures including overgrazing and habitat degradation pose significant risks to population viability. Our findings underscore the need for targeted conservation measures, continuous monitoring, and habitat management to ensure the long-term survival of these ecologically and genetically valuable endemic species. © 2025 by the authors.

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) play a critical role in various energy conversion devices, such as fuel cells. Developing advanced PEMs with improved hydronium ion transportation and chemical stability is essential for enhancing the performance and durability of these devices. In this research project, we focus on the development and molecular modeling study of a novel composite material based on poly(acrylic acid) and graphene oxide for application as a high-performance proton exchange membrane. The need for better PEMs has led us to explore the potential of combining poly(acrylic acid) and graphene oxide, as both materials offer unique advantages in terms of proton conductivity and mechanical strength. Our goal is to investigate how these two components interact and synergize to enhance the overall performance of the PEM, particularly in challenging operating conditions. To achieve this, classical all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations using Gromacs software were employed. The simulations allowed us to study the formation mechanism of the poly(acrylic acid) and graphene oxide composite material and its application in facilitating hydronium ion transportation within the PEM. Our simulation results revealed fascinating insights into the composite material's behavior. Notably, we observed the emergence of new interactions between poly(acrylate) oligomers and graphene oxide layers, evident from the analysis of interaction energy values. These interactions contribute to the material's enhanced transport properties, making it promising for PEM applications. Moreover, we assessed the mobility of hydronium ions in the graphene oxide and polyacrylate nanocomposite-based PEM and found it comparable to the mobility in traditional poly(acrylate)-based PEMs. This indicates that the introduction of graphene oxide provide compatible proton transport efficiency and renders the composite suitable for practical application in PEM devices. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the potential of the poly(acrylic acid) and graphene oxide composite as a high-performance proton exchange membrane.

Due to its relatively low cost, availability, safety, low environmental impact, and versatility, nitrogen emerges as a promising candidate for enhanced oil recovery. This article provides an overview of nitrogen injection applications within reservoirs, encompassing both miscible and immiscible conditions. Additionally, this work reviews unconventional nitrogen-based enhanced oil recovery methodologies, including the utilization of foam-assisted nitrogen and cold nitrogen injection. To adapt miscible injection for reservoirs characterized by lower pressure, the combination of nitrogen with hydrocarbon gasses or CO2 presents a viable strategy. Notably, both miscible and immiscible nitrogen injection techniques demonstrate the potential to recover approximately 20 % of residual oil saturation. However, under conditions of high water cut, water alternating nitrogen injection surpasses regular immiscible nitrogen injection in terms of oil recovery. In the context of fractured rocks, foam-assisted water alternating nitrogen injection yields a 15 % higher oil recovery compared to conventional water flooding approaches. Intriguingly, nitrogen-based foams have been effectively deployed in field conditions to enhance the recovery of 920 cp oil from heterogeneous reservoirs, resulting in a remarkable up to 2.6-fold increase in oil flow rate. These compelling outcomes instigate a comparative investigation of the method's efficacy against the conventional chemical flooding technique. Furthermore, nitrogen exhibits remarkable potential for oil recovery from ultra-low permeability (198 nD) rocks, owing to its low molecular weight that facilitates penetration even into very small pores. Moreover, the injection of cold nitrogen (–26 °C) induces a substantial enlargement of fractures in low permeability rocks, accentuating its efficacy in this context.

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to forecast solar power generation in the Kazakhstani region, leveraging historical and weather data. The main challenge with solar power lies in its dependency on weather conditions, which significantly impacts day-ahead output planning and grid operations. To address this, we have employed advanced timeseries forecasting models like ARIMA, Facebook Prophet, and XGBoost to predict the power output for the next day. By utilizing the real data from two solar plants located in Kazakhstan and analyzing region's historical weather patterns, our proposed model were carefully validated with walk-forward model validation approach. Obtained results highlight superior performance of XGBoost model, outperforming plant dispatcher's predictions and demonstrate the potential of utilizing machine learning in enhancing the reliability of solar power forecasts. This research provides practical insights for both academics and practitioners, including grid managers and plant dispatchers, aiming to optimize solar power integration and reliable operation of the power grid.

Groundwater is becoming increasingly important as surface water is decreasing and becoming more and more polluted. In particular, rural areas in the arid region of Central Asia face problems with both water quantity and quality. In view of this, we investigated the drinking water quality in the Maysky district in the Pavlodar region, Kazakhstan. The organoleptic properties, together with microbiological indicators, as well as organic and inorganic substances of drinking water before and after treatment, and tap water were studied and compared to recommended levels. The bacteriological indicators of the drinking water, especially, showed that the water represents health risks since the presence of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas aeruginosa was confirmed. Water treatment reduced the total microbial count (TMC) indicator by 3.6 times. However, TMC still exceeded permissible levels in the tap water, indicating that the drinking water is sanitary and epidemiologically not acceptable. Pathogenic contamination of drinking water can severely affect weaker individuals and children. It has been estimated that the infant mortality rate in Kazakhstan is six times higher as compared to the EU and less than 30% of Kazakhstan’s population have access to safe water. Also, 50% of the population drink water that does not comply with the international standards, e.g., bacteriological levels. Thus, it is important to continuously monitor the groundwater quality to minimize health risks and work towards access to safe drinking water, in line with the UN SDGs.

The Shulbinsk Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) located on the Irtysh River in the eastern part of Kazakhstan is one of the largest and oldest hydropower plants in the country. The efficiency of water management systems in the Shulbi reservoir heavily depends on discharge of the Oba and Ulbi rivers, which are the right-hand tributaries of the Irtysh River. This region is characterized by a sparse network of observation stations, which do not allow to fully represent hydrological processes occurring in the area, and therefore planning of adaptation measures related to climate change could be problematic. To overcome this limitation, our study uses the available high-resolution global climate dataset WATCH and explores the possibility of using the Soil and Water Integrated Model (SWIM) to predict river discharge in the basins of the Oba and Ulbi rivers. SWIM was calibrated and validated for the entire Oba and Ulbi river basins. The period from 1962 to 1971 was used as a calibration period, and the period from 1972 to 2016 as a validation period considering every decade separately. The Nash and Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and relative volume error (RVE) were used to assess performance of the model. The calibration results showed a good agreement between the modeled and observed discharge with NSE of 0.86 and RVE of 5.6 % for the Oba River and NSE of 0.84 and RVE of 0.2 % for the Ulbi River. The analysis of modelling results shows that also the high flow indices Q10 and Q5 corresponding to 90th and 95th percentiles, respectively, are represented sufficiently well by the model SWIM. Based on the obtained results, we can conclude that the model could be successfully applied for predicting discharge and high flows of both rivers in the coming decades, and for projecting discharge in the future under climate change scenarios. Copyright © 2023, Authors. All rights reserved.