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This article presents the results of the study of the morphological composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) from the landfill of Atyrau city, and the waste's energy characteristics and presence of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. This study was carried out under a government order to determine the feasibility of recycling accumulated and incoming waste into electricity and its hazard to the environment and the workers involved in handling it. At the moment, there is no MSW recycling in Kazakhstan, which has led to the accumulation of more than 125 million tons of waste with an annual increase of 5 million tons. The research included four major cities (Almaty, Shymkent, Atyrau and Astana), which were selected not only on the basis of population, but also because the cities were located in different climatic zones. Samples were collected at the city landfills: 10 samples with an average distance of 100 m from each other were collected to provide a maximum coverage of both recently received waste and long-time stored waste. The research showed that neither climatic conditions nor the population size had a significant impact on MSW density, the values of which ranged from 120.1 kg/m3 to 145.4 kg/m3, as this indicator directly depends on the quality of life. The mass of the combustible fraction ranged from 39.41% to 54.62% and was mainly represented by plastic, textile and paper waste. The average value for the four cities was 50.30%. The higher calorific value fell in the range of 24.22–30.49 MJ/kg, with an average value of 26.71 MJ/kg. Microbiological studies showed little difference in average composition regardless of climatic conditions. Thus, no sharp differences in MSW composition, its energy characteristics and microbiological composition were found. The results of this study may be useful for optimising MSW recycling and disposal processes, as well as for developing measures to reduce their negative impact on the environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kazakhstan is developing a National Roadmap to strengthen its Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), but until recently has lacked a country-wide facility-level assessment of IPC performance gaps. Methods: In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO)'s IPC Core Components and Minimal Requirements were assessed at 78 randomly selected hospitals across 17 administrative regions using adapted WHO tools. The study included site assessments, followed by structured interviews with 320 hospital staff, validation observations of IPC practices, and document reviews. Results: All hospitals had at least one dedicated IPC staff member, 76% had IPC staff with any formal IPC training; 95% established an IPC committee and 54% had an annual IPC workplan; 92% had any IPC guidelines; 55% conducted any IPC monitoring in the past 12 months and shared the results with facility staff, but only 9% used monitoring data for improvements; 93% had access to a microbiological laboratory for HAI surveillance, but HAI surveillance with standardized definitions and systematic data collection was conducted in only one hospital. Adequate bed spacing of at least 1 m in all wards was maintained in 35% of hospitals; soap and paper towels were available at the hand hygiene stations in 62% and 38% of hospitals, respectively. Conclusions: Existing IPC programs, infrastructure, IPC staffing, workload and supplies present within hospitals in Kazakhstan allow for implementation of effective IPC. Development and dissemination of IPC guidelines based on the recommended WHO IPC core components, improved IPC training system, and implementation of systematic monitoring of IPC practices will be important first steps towards implementing targeted IPC improvement plans in facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does the closure of prisons impact local communities where the prison is sited? The paper compares three prison closures in northern and central Kazakhstan through field observations, interviews, and focus groups at the sites. We find that respondents unanimously opposed closure by appealing to the apparent good performance of the prison. Beyond the economic loss incurred by closure, respondents reported a loss of communal identity, as well as prestige connected to the presence of the military at the colony. The paper analyzes these responses by examining the logics by which the prisons came to be opened in the Soviet period as well as investigating how the relationship between punishment, economy, and society in Kazakhstan has changed since that time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes conflict resolution strategies in public procurement in two transition economies, Russia and Kazakhstan, based on a supplier survey. The results show that 25% of suppliers in Kazakhstan and 32% of suppliers in Russia said preferred to resolve all public procurement conflicts through negotiations with the procurer without involving a third party represented by the regulator and/or the judicial system. The findings also revealed that Russian suppliers, potentially affiliated with procurers, are less likely to encounter conflict situations. The attitude to the practice of "predetermined choice," when the procurer selects a supplier before the formal procurement procedure, was used as an indirect indicator of such affiliation. In addition, the empirical analysis shows that, in both countries, suppliers who are not inclined to trust the court and indicate high costs of participation in litigation are more likely to use the strategy of direct negotiations to resolve procurement conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Relations & International Law Journal / Seriâ Meždunarodnye Otnošeniâ & Meždunarodnoe Pravo is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The relevance of the presented paper is conditioned upon the fact that today, the subject of the development of moral values in children with visual impairment through musical motifs of folklore is a very understudied issue. However, based on the statistics of the World Health Organisation for 2021, about 2.2 billion people worldwide have visual impairments. The purpose of this paper is to study the features of the psychological and pedagogical characteristics of children with visual impairments, their moral development, and the development of ways of spiritual and moral education through folk music. To achieve this purpose, the following methods were used: analysis, synthesis, comparison, induction, statistical analysis, and deduction. In particular, the method of statistical analysis of sources of American, Kazakh, and Russian researchers within the boundaries of the subject was used. The practical basis was the statistical data of the WHO company for 2021. The result of the study was a complete analysis of the statistics of children with visual impairment in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study's main conclusion is that modern methods of teaching children with visual impairment are based on the musical accompaniment of educational activities since the musical form allows the development of moral values. Visually impaired students are characterised by insufficient development of the visual-imaginative level of mental activity, which determines the uniqueness of specific conceptual thinking due to visual perception disorders and limited visual experience. The alienation of a child with visual impairments from others entails secrecy and lack of communication, which can be expressed in a large volume of complexes in the future. The applied value of this paper lies in the development of recommendations for improving the system of pedagogical education of children with visual impairment through folklore-applied developmental classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In social networks research, geographical distance between places of residence partially explains patterns of friendship ties in semi-isolated communities like classrooms or schools. For example, individuals that live close to one another are more likely to be friends than chance alone predicts. Explaining this pattern, researchers often argue that distance approximates meeting opportunities: when individuals live nearby, they are more likely to meet, both by chance and deliberately. This paper discusses the effect of distance in post-Soviet urban space and argues that, at least in this context, shared access to public transit explains the structure of social relationships better than geographical distance. I model the pattern of friendship ties among a cohort of 145 high-school students considering the distances between residential locations and the available public transit. Results suggest that students that live along the same bus routes are more likely to be friends than those who just live close to one another. I conclude with a discussion about how research in the post-Soviet region can enrich debates about the association between the social and spatial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of computational analysis of the stress-strain state of reinforced concrete spans of the railway (single-track railway line) overpass over the highway, under specified loads using spatial finite element models. The static load consists of a cohesion of three TEM-18 diesel locomotives and two loaded gondola cars (up to 25 tons per axle). The purpose of this study was to ensure reliable and safe operation of artificial structures on the railroads, as there is a constant increase in transit freight trains from China through the territory of Kazakhstan to near and far abroad, and often the load on the axle reaches 25 tons, and sometimes larger values – up to 27 tons per axle. The results of the study are recommended to be used for inspections and tests of typical girder bridge spans, as well as in the case of monitoring their technical condition with increasing operational loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a detailed description of the findings and methodology related to the monitoring of microplastics in three lakes and one river of the Akmola Region in Kazakhstan. The concentration of microplastic particles and the analysis of water and sediment quality of the Yesil River and Kopa, Zerendinskoye, and Borovoe lakes have been analyzed. A total of 64 water samples were collected across the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, with subsequent analysis revealing a seasonal increase in microplastic concentrations. The average microplastic content ranged from 1.2 × 10−1 particles/dm3 in spring to 4.5 × 10−1 particles/dm3 in autumn. Lakes exhibited higher concentrations compared to the Yesil River. Correlation analysis highlighted a connection between microplastic content and turbidity, particularly notable during the spring season. Analysis of sediments revealed a decrease in microplastic concentrations from the coastal zone toward open waters sediments. Microplastic fibers were predominant in sediments (69.6%), followed by fragments (19.1%), films (7.4%), and granules (3.9%). Larger particles (>500 µm) were found in beach sediments, constituting an average of 40.5% of the total plastics found. This study contributes valuable insights into the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and management strategies to address this environmental concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Econometrics is a branch of economics that uses mathematical and statistical methods to study quantitative and qualitative relationships within economic phenomena. The purpose of this article is to study the impact of the capital market (financial instruments) on economic growth in Kazakhstan and the CIS countries through an understanding of the concept of "econometrics". The task of the study is to determine the dependence of gross domestic product as a resultant factor over the past 20 years. Methods. The article determines the assessment of the impact of financial factors on economic growth in the short term. An econometric model was used for this purpose. The resulting factor was the gross domestic product over the past 20 years. Results. The results indicate that the capital market influences economic growth in Kazakhstan and the CIS countries. This paper presents a model of the GDP function for the economy of Kazakhstan. In the course of the study, coefficients and variables of the model were estimated to predict the level and future changes in the country's GDP. Thus, the size of the capital market (Y1) depends on the following variables tested in the model: the number of securities issuance transactions; the volume of securities issuance transactions; the number of transactions of non-residents with shares at the secondary auction of KASE; the rate of change of shares of leading issuers on KASE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This critical interpretive paper deploys Walter Mignolo's geopolitics of knowledge concept to examine higher education internationalisation in Kazakhstan. Amidst growing concerns about economic and environmental sustainability, elitism and cognitive justice, among other critical issues, internationalisation remains a vital government policy. By tracing Kazakhstan's development since independence from the Soviet Union and focusing on key higher education development policy frameworks, the paper argues and illustrates that: (1) the internationalisation of higher education in Kazakhstan promotes a specific representation of the world that is considered universal and modern; (2) the internationalisation of higher education in Kazakhstan illustrates the existing hierarchical global higher education system that is dominated by the West as centres of knowledge and learning while allocating other countries peripheral roles; and (3) the geopolitics of knowledge concept enables the reading of higher education internationalisation beyond what is knowledge to who, why and where knowledge is produced. The data for this paper came from a qualitative study that involved 15 semi‐structured interviews with graduates who studied abroad at Western universities through the government‐sponsored Bolashak Scholarship. Three focus group sessions with 21 graduate students at Nazarbayev University complemented the interviews. The qualitative data suggest that Mignolo's geopolitics of knowledge offers a close‐to‐perfect description of the internationalisation of higher education in Kazakhstan. The conclusion drawn from this post‐Soviet study is the universalisation of Western knowledge as nations utilise it for meaningful development, despite decolonial and cognitive justice concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes approaches to improving the efficiency of agricultural enterprises. It has been established that the use of technology transfer, in particular, precision farming technologies, makes it possible to enhance the efficiency of agricultural enterprises, in particular, to increase the yield of agricultural crops and, accordingly, to improve the profitability of enterprises. As an example, the activities of agricultural enterprises in the Republic of Kazakhstan were analyzed. The share of agricultural enterprises in the Republic of Kazakhstan that use elements of precision farming technology in their activities was determined. It was established that since 2019, the use of precision farming technologies in the activities of agricultural enterprises in the Republic of Kazakhstan has intensified. At the same time, from 60 to 75 % of enterprises already use elements of precision farming technologies in their activities. Using crop yield data for the past 32 years, estimates of the effectiveness of using precision farming technologies by agro-enterprises in the Republic of Kazakhstan were constructed based on forecasting yield indicators using the linear-weighted moving average method. The efficiency of using precision farming technologies in the activities of agricultural enterprises in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2022 reached 8.46 %, and the average efficiency for the period 2019–2022 was 4.21 %. Therefore, the use of precision farming technologies makes it possible to improve the validity of decision-making in the management of an agricultural enterprise and to obtain a higher profit from the sale of produced agricultural products for any agricultural enterprise in the world. On average, the results allow us to estimate the possible profit of an agro-enterprise when growing agricultural crops in the case of using precision farming technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we provide an in-depth overview of key macroprudential policy framework instruments and borrower-based analytical tools in Kazakhstan. We estimate the debt service-to-income ratio (DSTI) for household sector in Kazakhstan for the period between 2013Q2 and 2022Q1. We use the actual remaining maturity and the interest rate for each loan available from the micro-level database (credit registry), and also assume gradual repayment of debt over the time of its remaining maturity. In addition, we specify four types of aggregate income in Kazakhstan. We conjecture, that measuring DSTI with household disposable income approach is likely to provide an upper bound estimate, while calculating debt service-to-income ratio adjusting for the average monthly nominal salary per one employee will likely provide a lower bound assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the research topic stated is due to the importance of conducting economic research in the field of agriculture, aimed at studying the main peculiarities of constructing an economic model of forestry development. The purpose of scientific study is to conduct research into the basic aspects of constructing a model of forestry's impact on the economic system of a particular state, as well as to study the basic aspects of the forestry system's functioning in the general economic system of the state, taking into account the current realities. The methodological approach of this study is based on a systematic analysis of the main aspects of conducting economic research on the role of forestry in the life of a particular country, combined with an analytical study of the specific features of the role and importance of forestry in the economy, as well as the overall influence of forestry on the country's economy. The research model of the role of forestry in the national economy is based on the example of the development of forestry in Kazakhstan. The main results obtained in the course of this study should be considered the role of the forestry sector in the economy of a single state and the assessment of the main trends and prospects for the development of the sector within the country as a whole. The results and conclusions of this scientific paper are of great significance for the workers of the forestry system, whose responsibility is to ensure the viability of the sector and its functioning in the overall economic system of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is relevant because of the need to formulate and consider the main tools of digital socioeconomic transformation, as well as because of the need to create a new model. The implementation of the transformation of already existing forms and concepts inherent in socioeconomic systems depends on these processes. It is shown that whereas in traditional industries, economic value is created within the enterprise, in the digital economy, value is created outside the enterprise at the time of interaction between partners, suppliers, and customers. The conceptualization of space activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the practical implementation of programs for the development of the space industry is considered. Based on a combination of process, sectoral, and technological approaches, the article considers the relationship between the development directions of the space industry in Kazakhstan and the processes of the national economy digitalization. The necessity of transnational strategic partnership in the field of innovative digital technologies in the space industry instead of the currently used "rent" approach is demonstrated. The results of the article can be used to develop White papers and more detailed documents in the field of interrelated policies for the development of the digital economy and the space industry in Kazakhstan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the advantages of enhancing construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling facilities to conform to circular economy (CE) models in Kazakhstan's construction sector. The industry is experiencing significant growth due to urbanization, but it faces difficulties managing CDW, frequently resulting in landfill disposal. In response, this paper provides a cost–benefit analysis of upgrading the CDW recycling centres aligned with CE needs. Reflecting legislative changes in Kazakhstan's Environmental Code, which prohibited CDW in landfills starting December 2020, the initiative to establish modern CDW recycling centres is gaining momentum in major cities. The primary objective is to maximize material recovery and eliminate contaminants that curtail the utilization of recycled sand and aggregate products. The analysis yields compelling results, indicating that the project has the potential to recycle up to 84 million tons of CDW over eight years, with an annual 25% capacity increase and a maximum possible 95% recycling efficiency. Despite an estimated cost of USD 48 million, the project demonstrates a payback period of 9.9 years, signalling eventual cost recovery. These findings underscore the project's capacity to mitigate CDW issues while generating economic benefits and contributing to a sustainable environment. In conclusion, implementing modern CDW recycling centres in Kazakhstan represents a potent solution for the construction industry as it transitions toward a CE model. This transition addresses both pressing environmental challenges and promising economic prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper was to carry out a biochemical and technological evaluation of spring soft wheat grain and to determine the total amino acid composition for the selection of the most valuable genotypes with a high content of essential amino acids. This paper presents the results of biochemical and technological studies of the grain and flour of spring soft wheat plants grown in northern Kazakhstan. The research involved 170 genotypes of spring soft wheat from northern Kazakhstan, 16 of which had the highest grain quality. In the grains of the studied samples, the protein content and the number of essential and nonessential amino acids were determined, and the biological value of the protein was evaluated using the amino acid score method. A strong positive correlation was established between phenylalanine and lysine (r = 0.98), and a weak negative relationship was established between protein content and methionine (r = -0.02) and between methionine and lysine (r = -0.17). Based on the obtained data, the most valuable varieties and lines (256/14 and 53/14) with high-quality information about grain, flour, and bread and the most balanced amino acid composition of proteins were selected because these varieties are important for enhancing the nutritional value and overall utility of these wheat varieties in food production and human consumption. The utilization of such genotypes in breeding programs and agricultural practices holds the promise of yielding crops with improved protein quality and nutritional content, ultimately contributing to enhanced food security and dietary health in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In epidemiologic studies, association estimates of an exposure with disease outcomes are often biased when the uncertainties of exposure are ignored. Consequently, corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) will not have correct coverage. This issue is particularly problematic when exposures must be reconstructed from physical measurements, for example, for environmental or occupational radiation doses that were received by a study population for which radiation doses cannot be measured directly. To incorporate complex uncertainties in reconstructed exposures, the two-dimensional Monte Carlo (2DMC) dose estimation method has been proposed and used in various dose reconstruction efforts. The 2DMC method generates multiple exposure realizations from dosimetry models that incorporate various sources of errors to reflect the uncertainty of the dose distribution as well as the uncertainties in individual doses in the exposed population. Traditional measurement-error model approaches, typically based on using mean doses in the dose-exposure analysis, do not fully account exposure uncertainties. A recently developed statistical approach that overcomes many of these limitations by analyzing multiple exposure realizations in relation to disease risk is Bayesian model averaging (BMA). The analytic advantage of the BMA is its ability to better accommodate complex exposure uncertainty in the risk estimation, but a practical. Drawback is its significant computational complexity. In this present paper, we propose a novel frequentist model averaging (FMA) approach which has all the analytical advantages of the BMA method but is much simpler to implement and computationally faster. We show in simulations that, like BMA, FMA yields 95% confidence intervals for association parameters that close to 95% coverage rate. In simulations, the FMA has shorter length of CIs than those of another frequentist approach, the corrected information matrix (CIM) method. We illustrate the similarities in performance of BMA and FMA from a study of exposures from radioactive fallout in Kazakhstan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SINERGI: Journal of Strategic Studies & International Affairs is the property of SINERGI: Journal of Strategic Studies & International Affairs and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper explores how schoolteachers in Kazakhstan engaged with the Renewed Content of Education (RCE) that has been introduced by the Government, and how changes in their beliefs and understandings influenced classroom practice. The study draws on the ecological model of teacher agency and elaborates on factors that contribute to the formation of teacher agency. The study used a mixed methods research design and is based on data collected over two years in rural and urban schools across three regions of Kazakhstan. Altogether, 227 teachers having different levels of experience with the new curriculum were involved in focus group discussions. The findings demonstrate that the majority of teachers acknowledged the value of the RCE, its short- and long-term benefits for students, and the broader aim of boosting the economic competitiveness of the country. At the same time, the findings suggest that, while a surface change occurred in teachers' beliefs, their pedagogical practices, and the learning context, there is limited evidence that the teachers moved fully to new ways of teaching and embedded the principles of the RCE in practice. Through our findings, we verified the centrality of socially dynamic relationships in educational change. Teachers shared agency in developing their own rules and routines for collaboration. This paper adds to research on educational change in an international context by showing that the scope for teacher agency in reform implementation increases when teachers are able to develop deep reform-oriented beliefs, discourses, and pedagogical understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the nonlinear relationship between public debt and economic growth, and also estimates the threshold level for upper-middle income Asian countries for the period 1980 to 2021. The results confirm the nonlinear relationship with public debt threshold of 103.4% for the pooled sample. As for individual samples, the highest threshold recorded is 90.8% for Lebanon and the lowest is 15% for Kazakhstan. The results also reveal that nonlinear relationship can exist in both U-shape and Ո-shape, indicating that beyond a specific threshold level, public debt can support higher GDP growth or drag it down. 'Negative' growth, as noted in the literature, does not necessarily indicate that growth becomes negative, but slower. In addition, debt threshold does not exist by default for all the countries, and therefore, we could not find any threshold for Armenia and Azerbaijan. Another crucial finding is that pooled sample tends to provide higher threshold, compared to individual samples. Hence, it causes a misleading understanding among policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compiled a checklist of endemic vascular plants occurring in Kazakhstan, employing an exhaustive examination of literature sources, herbarium collections, databases and field observations. Our study reveals that 451 taxa can be considered endemic to Kazakhstan, constituting 7.97% of the total vascular plant diversity in the country. These endemic taxa, originating from 139 genera and 34 families, predominantly thrive in the southern regions of Kazakhstan, specifically in the mountain ridges of the Kazakh part of the Tian Shan, including Karatau (123 taxa), Dzungarian Alatau (80 taxa) and Trans-Ili and Kungey Alatau (50 taxa). Notably, 107 endemic species are granted legal protection. Detailed information regarding life form, life cycle, conservation status and geographical distribution across floristic regions was meticulously compiled for each endemic taxon. Of the six groups of life forms, herbs include the highest part of endemic taxa (367 taxa), followed by dwarf semishrubs (25 taxa), shrubs (23 taxa), subshrubs (20 taxa), undershrubs (13 taxa) and trees (3 taxa). The observed life cycles are perennials (408 taxa), annuals (33 taxa) and biennials (10 taxa). This paper serves as a fundamental groundwork for prospective investigations aimed at assessing population sizes and hotspots of plant endemism throughout Kazakhstan, crucial for determining conservation status of endemic plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the sharp rise of research interest in linguistic landscapes worldwide, little attention has been given to the multilingual urban discourse of Kazakhstan. Being first in the investigation into the multilingual practices characteristic of the linguistic landscape in the western region of Kazakhstan, our study adds to the number of linguistic landscape analyses through a translanguaging lens. This paper explores translingual practices on local "bottom-up" commercial public signs by the example of four major cities in the region: Aktau, Aktobe, Atyrau and Uralsk. The study uses a mixed method research design combining qualitative and quantitative analysis of multilingual urban texts accompanied by semi-structured ethnographic interviews with owners of commercial establishments. In our analysis, we specify various dynamic and creative forms of mixing the state Kazakh, interethnic Russian, international English and/or other local languages such as Uzbek and Arabic. We demonstrate how these languages are involved in the creation of symbolic meanings and attraction of potential consumers and contribute to the construction of the urban space of the western region of Kazakhstan. We provide illustrations of the ever-growing presence of English in multilingual written urban texts of the region as a symbol of modernity, high quality, innovation, technical progress and prestige. We also show the indexical potential of the Kazakh and Russian languages as markers of local affiliation and tradition, and the Uzbek and Arabic languages as symbols of the Turkic and Islamic cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Public Administration & Civil Service / Memlekettìk Basķaru Ža̋ne Memlekettìk Ķyzmet is the property of Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan / Akademiya Gosun and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Relations & International Law Journal / Seriâ Meždunarodnye Otnošeniâ & Meždunarodnoe Pravo is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

One of the most important and urgent problems is constructing roads in difficult soil conditions, ensuring their strength, reliability, and normal operation. To create an efficient and competitive transport infrastructure in Kazakhstan, the State Programme of Infrastructural Development "Nurly Zhol" for 2020-2025 was developed. Its main objectives are to improve the technological, scientific, and methodological base, provide resources, and to attract "Big Transit". The paper presents the details of the survey carried out in one of road construction areas. Irrigation canals and periodic and permanent watercourses represent the hydrographic network of the construction site. The analysis of these features and field tests were included in the research. Stamp tests were performed to analyse mechanical properties of embankment soil to provide more reliable information on the mechanical properties of the soil. Structural and technological solutions were adopted based on the field tests and surveys of hydrological conditions. A numerical simulation was used to determine the stability of the road embankment, the results of which showed maximum deformations of 4.5 mm during the operation of road transport. Geosynthetic material was used to reinforce the subgrade. The results of the study have shown that the analysis of factors affecting the stability of engineering structures on difficult soil conditions helps to achieve some improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern times, the risk of food insecurity is a concern for policymakers at the global and national levels, as the issue of hunger and malnutrition still exists. Food security is vulnerable to any crises. The main goal of this paper is to create a neural-network-based predictive model to forecast food consumption trends in Kazakhstan, aiming to reduce the risk of food insecurity. The initial phase of this study involved identifying socioeconomic factors that significantly influence food consumption behaviors in Kazakhstan. Principal component analysis was used to identify key variables, which became the basis for modelling artificial neural networks. It was revealed that the poverty rate, GDP per capita, and food price index are pivotal determinants of food consumption in Kazakhstan. Two models were prepared: to predict food consumption on a national scale per capita per month, and to predict the percentage distribution of various food categories. The prediction of the percentage distribution of various food categories in Kazakhstan demonstrates the positive modelling quality indicators and strengthens the assumption that network modelling can be used. Predictions for total food consumption over the next three years indicate declining metrics, raising concerns about the potential food insecurity risk in Kazakhstan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Southern Kazakhstan is one of the fastest-growing regions of this country and continued development depends on a sustainable supply of freshwater for multiple purposes. Groundwater in Southern Kazakhstan occurs in a wide variety of hydrogeological conditions with varying levels of quality and vulnerability to contamination. The aim of this paper is to investigate the present groundwater quality through sampling and laboratory analysis of source water from public supply wells, compare results to hydrogeology and known contaminant sources, and indicate where future protections may be needed. Protection from surface-borne contaminants is mainly determined by the thickness of the vadose zone, depth of the groundwater level, presence, thickness and composition of aquifers, and mobility of pollutants. Forty-five wells were sampled, yielding 106 samples of groundwater presently used for drinking water, which were evaluated to investigate the occurrence of potential pollutants and hydrogeology of the region. Of the samples collected, 46 samples were used for analysis of inorganic water chemistry, 30 for individual indicators including metals, and 31 samples for determination of petroleum products. A contaminant inventory database and geospatial database aided the interpretation of the results and allowed the prediction of future water issues. Kazakhstan's maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) for metals were exceeded in areas associated with industrial enterprises, while fluoride and nitrate were more closely associated with mining and agricultural sources. Groundwater quality is dependent on hydrogeology and environmental contaminants resulting from historical land uses and must be regularly monitored for drinking water safety. Petroleum hydrocarbons were not detected in any of the drinking water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a fossil fuel-dependent nation, Kazakhstan is caught between issues and possibilities in its search for a sustainable energy transition. Despite its tremendous resources, Kazakhstan's renewable energy capacity is 1%, much behind its non-renewable peers. According to this research, green fiscal policies in renewable energy firms are needed to reduce the country's political and economic dependence on the global oil sector. This report emphasizes regional collaboration and Kazakh-stan's potential leadership in Central Asian Green Economy projects. Kazakhstan can promote renewable energy adoption and economic sustainability by forming regional alliances. Challenges lie ahead on the green future path, so this paper addresses legislative, infrastructure, financial, and data barriers to green fiscal initiatives in Kazakhstan. It stresses the significance of holistically tackling these concerns, including banking and stock market reforms and sustainable planning. Policymakers and stakeholders in Kazakh-stan can use the research findings to boost the economy, fight corruption, and increase political engagement. Upskilling the workforce to support green technology and local renewable energy production is recommended. The report recommends proactive global crisis prediction and management to help Kazakhstan handle economic and environmental challenges. Hence, the above actions are crucial to Kazakhstan's goal of industrialization by 2050. Kazakhstan can lead a world rapidly moving to green energy by committing to green fiscal methods, regional collaboration, and addressing the many obstacles to development. By doing so, it can safeguard its future and advance the global green energy revolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new approach to predicting the distribution of harmful substances in the atmosphere based on the combined use of the parameter estimation technique and machine learning algorithms. The essence of the proposed approach is based on the assumption that the concentration values predicted by machine learning algorithms at observation points can be used to refine the pollutant concentration field when solving a differential equation of the convection-diffusion-reaction type. This approach reduces to minimizing an objective functional on some admissible set by choosing the atmospheric turbulence coefficient. We consider two atmospheric turbulence models and restore its unknown parameters by using the limited-memory Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno algorithm. Three ensemble machine learning algorithms are analyzed for the prediction of concentration values at observation points, and comparison of the predicted values with the measurement results is presented. The proposed approach has been tested on an example of two cities in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, due to the lack of data on pollution sources and their intensities, an approach for identifying this information is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating an effective and safe vaccine is critical to fighting the coronavirus infection successfully. Several types of COVID-19 vaccines exist, including inactivated, live attenuated, recombinant, synthetic peptide, virus-like particle-based, DNA and mRNA-based, and sub-unit vaccines containing purified immunogenic viral proteins. However, the scale and speed at which COVID-19 is spreading demonstrate a global public demand for an effective prophylaxis that must be supplied more. The developed products promise a bright future for SARS-CoV-2 prevention; however, evidence of safety and immunogenicity is mandatory before any vaccine can be produced. In this paper, we report on the results of our work examining the safety, toxicity, immunizing dose choice, and immunogenicity of QazCoVac-P, a Kazakhstan-made sub-unit vaccine for COVID-19. First, we looked into the product's safety profile by assessing its pyrogenicity in vaccinated rabbit models and using the LAL (limulus amebocyte lysate) test. We examined the vaccine's acute and sub-chronic toxicity on BALB/c mice and rats. The vaccine did not cause clinically significant toxicity-related changes or symptoms in our toxicity experiments. Finally, we performed a double immunization of mice, ferrets, Syrian hamsters, and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We used ELISA to measure antibody titers with the maximum mean geometric titer of antibodies in the animals' blood sera totaling approximately 8 log2. The results of this and other studies warrant recommending the QazCoVac-P vaccine for clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the possibility of implementing a food security management system in the Republic of Kazakhstan using the concept of data-driven decisionmaking in terms of achieving the principles of sustainable development. To achieve the goal set in the study, the authors use qualitative and statistical methods for processing the results obtained. Based on the analysis of internal and external factors, the authors determine indicators of food security in Kazakhstan for basic types of agricultural products/food in 2021, factors of influence on regional food security, and indicators of regional food security, which should be considered when making data-driven management decisions. A special external factor for Kazakhstan is the current geopolitical situation caused by the invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine. The study finds that in the process of managing regional food security, the use of the data-driven decision-making concept makes it possible to adequately assess the initial state of the problem and determine the optimal methods for its solution. The study identifies key internal and external factors influencing food security in the region and proposes a data-driven decision-making algorithm for managing food security. The results highlight the potential of this approach for improving food security management in the context of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of occupational safety in society lies in the inability to create absolutely safe working conditions for individuals, where the impact of production factors is either eliminated or their levels do not exceed established norms. This article is dedicated to the statistical observation of occupational safety conditions with the aim of analyzing deviations and developing recommendations for optimization, using the example of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The paper explores the significance of systematic monitoring of working conditions and occupational injuries through factor analysis to ensure workplace safety and occupational health. In this process, information is collected on both general factors applicable to all enterprises in the industry, considered in accordance with relevant methodological recommendations (normative method), and specific factors unique to a particular enterprise, identified through the assessment of workplaces and the enterprise as a whole (monographic method). Economic and statistical analysis methods have helped identify deviations from established standards and norms. Based on the listed quantitative methods and supplemented by the expert assessment method using international experience, the authors of the study propose a series of recommendations for optimizing the occupational safety and health statistical monitoring system. This includes the implementation of new data collection and processing methods, updating statistical reporting forms, and introducing proactive approaches to improving working conditions and preventing accidents in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last three decades, there has been a notable transformation in urban growth patterns in Kazakhstan's large cities, particularly in Almaty. While this can be traced back to marketoriented planning agendas, the increasing fragmentation of the public realm in cities can be linked to the recent residential development projects. The rise of these projects in post-Soviet neighbourhoods is often criticised due to their typology, as developers create them as gated communities. These patterns' socio and spatial fragmentation is associated with fewer opportunities for social interaction between Soviet neighbourhoods and the more recent exclusive communities. Therefore, this paper investigates the key issues present in the urban patterns of Almaty city that can hinder the creation of a more cohesive society. It presents a case study of other Soviet-developed neighbourhoods with similar development patterns. The study's methodology includes morphological mapping, observation of the use of the public realm and a survey of residents to support the findings. The investigation focuses on one of the typical urban patterns of mixed-use Soviet neighbourhoods and recent urban residential blocks, where an opportunity lies for perspective communities. The research reveals a lack of social cohesion between local communities due to monofunctional land use, poor permeability and accessibility that fragmented the city into closed neighbourhoods. The research dives into the core issues of Soviet and post-Soviet urban morphology's outcomes in the public realm and the impact on social life in these neighbourhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a molecular genetic analysis of the expression of the ICE 1 gene Arum korolkowii Regel involved in the abiotic stress response in the Korolkov Aronnik in cold and frost conditions. The classical PCR method was used to identify the ICE 1 gene in Aronnik Korolkov and sequenced this site to determine the uniqueness of this gene. When stress is induced, increased expression of the studied gene is shown. It has been proved that the expression of this gene in Aronnik Korolkov begins already at the stage of acclimatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the object of the research is 110 kV power grids of three regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Astana city, Turkestan region and Shymkent city, as well as West Kazakhstan region. Operators of the studied power grids have no idea about the real levels of voltage and current sinusoidality distortion coefficients, as well as about their relationship with other regime and system parameters of power grids. Similar problems may be faced by other grid companies that do not have the appropriate information and measurement infrastructure to monitor the modes of power grids in terms of voltage and current sinusoidality distortion. In the course of the present study, using portable three-phase power quantity and quality analyzers, it was possible to make daily measurements of mode parameters in 41 110 kV transmission lines with a length of 5 to 120 km. The results of measurements showed that in Astana city, the voltage quality is at a satisfactory level, but the distortion coefficient of sinusoidality of current reaches 39 % (the average level for 15 studied lines is 13.3 %) due to the high concentration of non-linear load of consumers. In the South of Kazakhstan, the voltage and current sinusoidality distortion coefficients are relatively moderate, but voltage drops are frequent (sometimes up to 10 % or more) due to the large distance between load centers and relatively high population density. In the power grids of Western Kazakhstan, voltage and current sinusoidality distortion coefficients have high levels (reach 14 % and 70 %, respectively) due to low network load with a large length of transmission lines. The analysis makes it possible to trace the relationship of voltage and current sinusoidality distortion coefficients with such regional characteristics as population density, nature of loads, power losses, voltage and current levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus pandemic, besides generating health distress, influences the socio-economic conditions of humankind. Every adolescent's lifestyle is affected by the virus. Healthy adolescents are not only key contributors to the forthcoming workforce but also a source of a country's human capital. The purpose of the article is to examine the efficacy of various Asian countries in regulating the spread of the coronavirus among adolescents. In addition to that, the paper also attempts to pinpoint the prime causes of the inefficiency of a country in regulating the same. The paper also examines the behavioural changes among adolescents across Asian countries in pre-and-post pandemic times. In this context, the study identifies the impact of adolescents' tobacco consumption, female political leadership, and accreditation on a country's efficacy to regulate adolescents' coronavirus infection. The study's empirical analysis covers twenty-one Asian countries. By using the Panel Stochastic Production Frontier, the study concludes that Kazakhstan is the most efficient country and Afghanistan is the least efficient country on the list. The inefficiency effects estimates conclude that adolescents' tobacco consumption decreases and good governance practices increase the efficiency of a country in regulating the spread of adolescent coronavirus infection. Additionally, the paper finds no significant behavioural changes among adolescents in pre-and-post pandemic times across Asian countries. The paper concludes with appropriate policy recommendations supported by empirical evidence. The paper also identifies its shortcomings and suggests potential future lines of inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The critical transformation of the energy sector demands innovative approaches to ensure the reliability and efficiency of energy systems. In this pursuit, this study delved into the potential of Deep Recurrent Neural Networks (DRNNs) for forecasting energy demand, using a comprehensive dataset detailing Kazakhstan's electrical consumption over a span of two years. Traditional statistical models have historically played a role in energy demand prediction, but the growing intricacy of the energy landscape calls for more advanced solutions. The paper presented a comparison of the DRNN with other traditional and machine learning models and highlighted the superior performance of DRNNs, especially in capturing complex temporal relationships. The energy sector is confronting unprecedented challenges due to population growth and the integration of diverse energy sources, leading to increased demand and system strains. Accurate energy demand prediction is essential for system reliability. Traditional models, though widely used, often overlook intricate variables like weather patterns and temporal factors. Through rigorous methodology, encompassing exploratory data analysis, feature engineering, and hyperparameter optimization, an optimized DRNN model was developed. The results demonstrated the DRNN's exceptional capability in processing complex time-series data, as evidenced by its attainment of an R-squared value of 83.6%. Additionally, it achieved Mean Absolute Errors and Root Mean Squared Errors of less than 2%. However, there were noticeable deviations in some predictions, suggesting areas for refinement. This research underscores the significance of DRNNs in energy demand prediction, highlighting their advantages over traditional models while also noting the need for ongoing optimization. The findings underscore DRNN's promise as a robust forecasting tool, pivotal for the energy sector's future resilience and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper assesses the current circumstances regarding the protection and rights of victims of human trafficking in Kazakhstan. The study aims to evaluate Kazakhstan's main national instruments and laws adopted to combat human trafficking. Methods: The study employed several key methodological approaches, including a systematic approach, which involves the study of combating human trafficking in conjunction with the provision of guarantees of human rights; an integrated approach that consists of the study of objective and subjective factors, as well as an analysis of internal and external (socio-economic, demographic, geopolitical, etc.) factors that are the causes of illegal migration and human trafficking; an empirical approach involving research, taking into account the application of relevant experience available in Kazakhstan and abroad; a formal-legal approach to analyse the existing regulatory framework for combating human trafficking and ways to improve it. Results and Conclusions: Based on the study's results, several practical proposals are put forward to eliminate the identified shortcomings and gaps in the legal framework of Kazakhstan and law enforcement practice. This paper concludes that Kazakhstan's response to its international obligations to prevent human trafficking has some shortcomings. However, we conclude that significant improvements are possible through the adoption of a special law, as well as in cases of implementation of special organisational measures, strengthening legal responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock grazing is an integral part of Kazakhstan's agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the nation's economy and rural communities. The study explores both traditional and modern grazing practices utilized in the country. It emphasizes the importance of understanding livestock physiology, nutrition, and environmental needs to implement effective grazing management strategies. Environmental and socioeconomic impacts of livestock grazing are discussed, with a focus on pasture degradation, soil erosion, water resource utilization, and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, the paper addresses the role of livestock grazing in sustaining traditional nomadic practices and its significance for rural livelihoods. This paper delves into the practices, challenges, and impacts of livestock grazing in Kazakhstan, with a specific focus on sustainable modern management approaches. Grazing management practices, including rotational grazing, rest periods, and grazing intensity control, are examined in-depth. These practices aim to optimize pasture usage, prevent overgrazing, and promote healthier vegetation growth while ensuring animal welfare. Moreover, it analyses the existing policy and regulatory framework surrounding livestock grazing in Kazakhstan and evaluates its effectiveness in promoting sustainable practices. The current study also introduces dynamic forage rotation (DFR) as a new tool and technique which has privilege compared to the traditional management approach and improves the modern management approach. The obtained results show that the DFR has been improved averagely 55.77% and 42.52% compared to the traditional and modern management approaches, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a model of the formation of a multiphase Akzhailau granitoid massif formed within a Caledonian block of the Earth's crust in the Hercynian time. This work is based on the results of major and trace element composition, geochronological, mineralogical and isotope-geochemical studies. Three stages of the formation of the Akzhailau massif are distinguished, which differ significantly from the previously accepted concepts about the multicomplex and polychronous origin of this intrusion: (1) the formation of moderately alkaline A2-type leuсogranites (308–301 Ma); (2) intrusion of monzodiorites into the base of leucogranites (~295 Ma), increasing degree of partial melting of protoliths with the formation of syenites and moderately alkaline granites of I-type (294–292 Ma); (3) intrusion of dikes and small bodies of alkaline ferroeckermannite A1-type leucogranites in the west and north of massif (~289 Ma). The Akzhailau massif was formed within about 15 Myr in the middle–upper crust through the interaction of plume-related subalkaline basitic magmas with metamorphosed crustal protolith of the orogenic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, scholarships for international higher education play a critical role in human capital development. While substantial research has documented the benefits such scholarships provide for individuals, their impact on the creation of pathways for social change remains under-researched. This paper bridges this gap by examining the extent to which a government scholarship for international education has created pathways for social change in Kazakhstan. Data were collected through interviews with 67 scholarship alumni. Drawing on Dassin et al.'s (2018) framework for pathways to social change, the findings reveal that international education fosters social change in Kazakhstan in four ways. First, the scholarship program develops local talent and builds agents of change. Second, it widens access to international education, particularly for individuals from marginalized communities, who would otherwise lack access owing to their scarce financial resources. Third, the program develops alumni's cosmopolitan and intercultural competencies and strengthens international collaborations. Finally, it creates associations and groups through which alumni can collectively contribute to society. The findings highlight that while the interviewed alumni foster strong patriotic feelings and are determined to contribute to the prosperity of their country, underdeveloped industries, economic volatility, and top-down bureaucracy in workplaces limit their potential contributions to social changes. These findings may help policymakers and administrators to reconsider and improve on the design and structure of scholarship programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the lives of LGBT people in Central Asia have recently received scholarly attention, authors do not pay due attention to transgender (trans) issues. This paper explores living conditions of trans people in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as trans organizing in these countries. Semi-structured interviews with 11 trans activists were conducted in March–April 2022. According to the respondents, trans people in Central Asia face pervasive discrimination, harassment and rejection on behalf of society at large and their families. Many live in a desperate economic situation. Access to legal gender recognition aimed to align the person's legal gender with their gender identity is limited; the process requires psychiatric evaluation, medical interventions and/or going to courts. A limited number of doctors can provide transition-related medical care (hormone replacement therapy, surgeries). Trans activists self-organize to address these issues and promote trans rights in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Their areas of work include providing direct support, educating doctors, and conducting advocacy with state institutions and international actors. The political environment is hostile towards trans activism. Organizations face problems receiving official registration; in Tajikistan, state pressure on civil society is especially severe. Anti-gender movements are another obstacle for trans activists. Political instability often disrupts activists' advocacy efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how comments about Kazakhstan's 2019 and 2022 presidential elections posted on Tengrinews, one of the most commonly used news websites in Kazakhstan, reflected public sentiment toward the elections after two political flashpoints: Nazarbayev's resignation and the January 2022 protests (known as Bloody January - Qandy Qantar). In particular, the study seeks an answer to the question, "How has public sentiment changed between 9 April 2019 and 25 June 2019, as well as between 20 September 2022 and 21 November 2022?" In this paper, we applied a content analysis of all user-generated comments (n = 3,147) to identify Kazakhstani people's mood through the lenses of cues given in comments. The method demonstrates that people were most concerned about presidential nominations and candidates, election costs, protests, and social problems, and showed some hope for change. The results also demonstrate that Kazakhstanis tend to use sarcastic language and indicate the performative nature of the country's elections. Based on comparative analysis, we confirm that political flashpoints significantly affect citizens' sentiments, even regarding topics such as protests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes digital strategies helping to boost the competitiveness of Russian as a foreign language. The authors argue that it is impossible to deny the universal popularity of the English language. Knowledge of English is important to learners of Russian as a foreign language since it functions as a social language facilitating their transition to multilingualism. Thus, to improve the competitiveness of Russian courses, it is beneficial to supplement them with instructions in English and modern online tools with English interfaces. The paper offers two scenarios of in-class activities for beginner and intermediate-to-advanced learners of Russian, featuring key strategies utilized for students from Kazakhstan and the People's Republic of China. The authors argue that the described activities are also useful for students from other countries. The scenarios are included in the common framework of the "Working for a Russian Digital Company" business game and enhance the competitive advantages of Russian studies programs expanding the limits of teaching language and culture in the field of online technologies and Java programming basics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern medicine, laboratory tests play an important role in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients. However, the volume and complexity of the data obtained can create challenges for interpreting the results. In this paper, we present a study on the application of integrated automation of a medical laboratory using OpenAI for a more accurate and effective interpretation of laboratory results. Interpreting laboratory results through integrated automation using artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies automatically analyzes and interprets laboratory results. This approach aims to streamline the process of interpreting laboratory results and provide more accurate, consistent and timely results to healthcare providers. Comprehensive automation of the interpretation of laboratory results can improve the efficiency and accuracy of laboratory results, leading to improved patient outcomes and better clinical decision-making. However, it is essential to note that AI models are imperfect and can still make mistakes. Therefore, healthcare professionals should always review automated interpretation results before diagnosing or treating. The work presented results in applying OpenAI to interpret laboratory results in the laboratory information system smartLAB Kazakhstan, which provides a complete cycle of automation of all medical laboratory processes. In the course of the study, an automated information system of a medical research complex using artificial intelligence was developed and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]