The research goal of these studies was to monitor ground deformations for Almaty city during 2017–2023 and determine the spatial relationships with faults and tectonic plate boundaries. The small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) was deployed for the interferometric measurements of ground deformations using Sentinel-1 radar satellite images. Distinct deformation patterns were observed from both sides of the tectonic plate boundary, indicating a standard faulting process. Identical deformation trends were observed from south to north, forming three transition zones from subsidence to uplift and subsidence again. The spatial relationship between faults and ground deformations was also observed in the transition zone with a densely built-up area subject to gradual surface declination with potential risks to infrastructure. Five incidents of building and bridge deformations with subsiding cumulative trends were observed in the same location. Most subsiding areas were in Zone 1, with maximum annual subsidence velocity and cumulative displacement of − 57 mm/y and – 399, respectively. In contrast, most uplifting areas were primarily in Zone 2, with maximum yearly uplift velocity and cumulative displacement of 40 mm/y and 254 mm, respectively, and mixed deformation patterns in Zone 3. These vertical movements in Almaty verify active tectonic plate activity that should be integrated into city risk assessment plans. Copyright © 2024 Bayramov, Sydyk, Nurakynov, Yelisseyeva, Neafie and Aliyeva.

Extensive flooding swept across large areas of Central Asia, mainly over Kazakhstan and southwestern Russia, from late March to April 2024. It was reported to be the worst flooding in the area in the past 70 years and caused widespread devastation to society and infrastructure. However, the drivers of this record-breaking flood remain unexplored. Here, we show that the record-breaking floods were contributed by both long-term climate warming and interannual variability, with multiple climatic drivers at play across the synoptic to seasonal timescales. First, the heavy snowmelt in March 2024 was associated with above-normal preceding winter snow accumulation. Second, extreme rainfall was at a record-high during March 2024, in line with its increasing trend under climate warming. Third, the snowmelt and extreme rainfall in March were compounded by record-high soil moisture conditions in the preceding winter, which was a result of interannual variability and related to excessive winter rainfall over Central Asia. As climate warming continues, the interplay between the increasing trend of extreme rainfall, interannual variations in soil moisture pre-conditions, as well as shifting timing and magnitudes of spring snowmelt, will further increase and complicate spring flooding risks. This is a growing and widespread challenge for the mid- to high-latitude regions. © Institute of Atmospheric Physics/Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Science Press 2025.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of different oil fields in Kazakhstan for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects using advanced algorithms in Python. Using automated methods, the approach greatly simplifies and accelerates the selection process, allowing efficient analysis of large data sets. Taking into account key geological and operational parameters, with particular emphasis on the importance of the Dykstra-Parsons coefficient, the study presents a comprehensive ranking system for evaluating reservoir suitability. This coefficient is critical to accurately assess the fluid displacement efficiency, which significantly influences the selection of candidates for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). The results show that the inclusion of the Dykstra-Parsons coefficient improves the accuracy of field evaluation by accounting for key reservoir heterogeneity factors along with conventional properties. The comparative analysis shows that this approach provides more reliable field selection compared to the existing methods that do not consider this parameter, thereby improving the efficiency of CO2 storage projects. © by the authors.

Recently, flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) fabricated using solution-processed printing techniques have garnered significant attention. However, challenges remain in achieving cost-effective, scalable manufacturing under ambient conditions and ensuring stable, efficient devices. This study focuses on fabricating printed FPSCs using the slot-die coating technique and examines the impact of SnO2 quantum dot (QD) and (6,6)-Phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) based electron transport layers (ETLs) on device performance and hysteresis. Experimentally results show that SnO2 QD-based devices exhibited favorable photovoltaic properties but significant hysteresis compared to PCBM-based devices. Numerical simulations have shown that the hysteresis effect in devices is influenced not only by the higher concentration of mobile ions in the perovskite layer of PCBM-based devices compared to SnO2 QD-based devices, but also by the more effective redistribution of these ions during forward and reverse J-V scans. The results provide insights into the behavior of printed FPSCs with different ETLs, contributing to the development of high-performance, hysteresis-free printed FPSCs. © 2024 The Authors

Cyanide compounds, both organic and inorganic, are widely present in natural and industrial environments, especially in effluents from mining and metallurgical processes. Their high toxicity, particularly in the form of free cyanides and hydrogen cyanide, poses severe risks to ecosystems and public health by disrupting cellular respiration via inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase. Conventional chemical treatments such as alkaline chlorination are effective but can be costly, energy-intensive, and generate secondary pollutants. In contrast, microbial bioremediation has emerged as a potentially more sustainable and cost-effective alternative, particularly for on-site treatment of cyanide-laden wastewater from massive tailings dams. Microorganisms including cyanotrophs utilize cyanide as a nitrogen or carbon sources, transforming it into less toxic compounds such as ammonia and carbon dioxide through enzymatic systems like cyanide hydratase, nitrilase, and rhodanese. While bioremediation may operate more slowly than chemical methods, its advantages lie in lower energy consumption, reduced material input, simpler maintenance, and minimized toxic by-products. This review synthesizes current understanding of cyanide's chemical nature, toxicity, and environmental impact, and explores microbial cyanide degradation mechanisms. It further highlights how advances in metagenomics and synthetic biology (“cyanomics”) are enabling the design of more robust biocatalytic systems. Integrating these biological approaches into environmental management frameworks could reduce long-term operational costs and improve sustainability across cyanide-intensive industries. © 2025 The Authors

This article presents the results of developing a model for assessing water quality using the artificial intelligence method. The presented model is based on linear regression, which, when evaluated, revealed a statistically significant interdependence between the combined water quality indicators. It was found that among the measured parameters, the most influential predictor of acidity, conductivity, turbidity and redox potential is water temperature. The discovered relationship between the measured indicators is mainly associated with the influence of temperature on the physical and chemical processes that occur when the temperature of river water increases and decreases. © 2024 IEEE.

Western Kazakhstan is susceptible to desertification, with surface water resource scarcity constraining agricultural development. Groundwater has substantial potential as a reliable and secure alternative to other water resources, particularly for irrigation, which is required to ensure food security. Eight aquifer segments with an exploitable potential of 0.24 km3/year have been identified for the integrated assessment of groundwater’s suitability for irrigation. The assessment criteria included hydro-chemical groundwater characteristics and irrigated land soil-reclamation conditions. The primary objectives of this study were to assess the groundwater quality for irrigation and to develop a practical operation scheme for rational groundwater use in water-saving irrigation technologies and optimize agricultural crop cultivation. Approximately 90% of the groundwater in these aquifer segments was found to be suitable for irrigation, with a total amount of 6520 thousand m3/day and a salinity of up to 1 g/L, and an additional 12,971 thousand m3/day had a water salinity of up to 3 g/L. Only approximately 10% had TDS values above 3 g/L and up to 6.5 g/L, categorized as conditionally suitable for restricted customized agricultural crop irrigation. Irrigated land development by complex soil desalination agro-reclamation operations enabled the use of brackish water for irrigation. The integrated analysis allowed the development of drip irrigation and sprinkling system irrigation schemes that gradually replaced wasteful surface irrigation. The irrigated land prospective area recommended for groundwater irrigation development is 653 km2, with the further restructuring of cultivated areas, reducing the number of annual grasses and grain crops and increasing the number of vegetables, potatoes, and perennial grasses. © 2025 by the authors.

Design and Technology is one of the important subjects taught in secondary or primary schools. However, it is often said that most students are less interested in design and technology subjects. This study was conducted to develop an interactive application based on android in the design and technology subject for the topic of manufacturing technology form 2. The research method of this study was qualitative. The research tool was an interview method. The study respondents consisted of 3 teachers and Design and Technology experts and two design expert lecturers. Study data were collected by recording audio of each interview session conducted by the researcher with 5 respondents and transcribed in Microsoft Word and then categorized into several parts and commented in more detail by the researcher to see the answers given by respondents more clearly. The results of this study found that the developers of this Manufacturing Technology application are well educated. This is because the development of this application will to some extent facilitate the teaching of teachers when PdPc and PdPr take place. In terms of the views of expert teachers and expert lecturers, most respondents gave positive views related to the use of this interactive application in schools compared to negative views, and most gave views resulting from experience while teaching. Some planning suggestions before, during, and after using interactive applications in Learning and Facilitation (PdPc) in Home Teaching and Learning (PdPr) schools were also put forward by expert teachers and expert lecturers for ensuring the use of these interactive applications and it is at an optimal level. The implication of this study is that teachers can improve their skills in using interactive applications in PdPc and PdPr in the future. RBT expert teachers and RBT expert lecturers and teachers in schools are also aware of the importance of the use of these interactive applications in improving students 'thinking skills at a higher level. © 2024 AIP Publishing LLC.

The increasing demand for rare refractory metals such as niobium in high-tech industries requires the development of efficient and sustainable methods to extract them from secondary sources, including industrial by-products. This study studied niobium extraction from a fluoride-sulfuric acid solution obtained by leaching a niobium-containing intermediate product. A comprehensive assessment of various organic extractants, including methyl isobutyl ketone, tributyl phosphate, trioctylamine, and Cyanex 923, was performed, focusing on the recoverability of niobium from this solution. Experimental results show that Cyanex 923 is significantly superior to other extractants in efficacy. The extraction of niobium at different concentrations of this extractant in toluene and the ratios of organic and aqueous phases were studied. It is established that an increase in the contact time of the phases does not contribute to additional niobium recovery. Studies show that applying concentrated Cyanex 923 in toluene ensures complete recovery of niobium into the organic phase. The three-stage counter-current extraction shows a slightly higher niobium recovery efficiency than the single-stage process. © 2024, Technical University of Kosice. All rights reserved.

In this study, an AM-based continuous processing reactor system was designed, manufactured, and assembled on a laboratory scale for the generation of pharmaceutical substances with an improved process control. The developed AM-based (additively manufactured) continuous pharmaceutical reactor system for the synthesis of metronidazole derivatives aimed to optimize both the physical and the chemical processes with time savings. Using AM, we were able to build reactor subcomponents with complex designs and precise dimensions, which facilitated the precise control of the reaction parameters and reduced the amount of chemicals required compared to macroscale reactors. The assembly of the whole reactor system consisted of main reactor bodies, mixers, valves, heat exchangers, electrical motors, and a microcontroller system. The assembled reactor system revealed a continuous flow of reagents and ensured uniform mixing and reaction conditions, thereby increasing the process efficiency and product quality. Five metronidazole derivatives were synthesized via two continuous processes, involving metronidazole reduction and its subsequent reactions with terephthalic aldehyde and anthracen-9(10H)-one to form Schiff bases. The optimal conditions were determined as follows: compound A (72% yield, 120 min, 55 °C), compounds B and C (63% and 68% yield, respectively, 8 h, 65 °C), and compounds D and E (74% and 85% yield, respectively, 8 h, 45 °C). © 2024 by the authors.