Search

The present study valorized Finnish mining tailings waste to identify opportunities for the use of ceramics technologies. On the basis of their mineralogical and chemical contents, the five selected tailings wastes represented felsic mining tailings (FMT) rich in quartz and alkali feldspars, mining tailings dominated by Mg- and Fe-bearing minerals (MgFeMT), and mining tailings rich in carbonate minerals (CMT). Preliminary pilot studies indicated that the FMT materials are potential secondary raw materials for mullite-type ceramics. An Al additive was needed, since the Al2O3 content of the studied tailings was too low for mullitization. In addition, carbonate-bearing tailings with Ca silicates can be applicable for chemically bonded phosphate ceramic (CBPC) synthesis. Based on a literature review, FMT are viable source materials for the production of geopolymers, but a high initial Si:Al ratio (in quartz-rich FMT) may lead to partial geopolymerization. Preliminary results from the geopolymerization of pre-heated phlogopite mica mixed with metakaolin gave promising findings, with the formation of a geopolymer having good compressive strength. The findings support the viability of MgFeMT materials rich in phlogopite mica for the production of alkali-activated ceramics.

Introduction. In the context of countering the ideology of terrorism, two main tasks are being solved: how to identify the most vulnerable social groups of the population to the perception of the ideas of terrorism and what preventive work should be carried out to weaken the effect of the ideology of terrorism. Theoretical analysis. It allows us to conclude that the degree of socio-psychological resistance of a person to involvement in a terrorist organization mainly depends on the recognition of the principles of national, political and religious doctrine by a person. The socio-psychological stability of a person to participate in terrorist acts is a personality quality consisting in a formed critical attitude towards terrorism, knowledge of the disastrous consequences of terrorism in society, and an active civic position, which includes rejection of terrorism. As a result, it can be argued that socio-personal uncertainty affects the socio-psychological stability of a person. Empirical analysis. Consideration of the problem of determining social and personal uncertainty on the socio-psychological stability of a person to involvement in terrorist activities has allowed us to conclude that socio-personal uncertainty affects the socio-psychological stability of a person. Conclusion social and personal uncertainty are a favorable environment for the formation of extremist views and justification of the ideology of violence, therefore it is necessary to introduce psychodiagnostic tools aimed at identifying the socio-psychological resistance of a person to involvement in terrorist activities.

Introduction. The influence of the length of the number of CAG repeats in the androgen receptor gene (nCAG AR) on endothelial dysfunction (EnD) is currently understudied.Objective. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the nCAG AR and the dynamics of biochemical and ultrasound markers of EnD in men with functional hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).Materials & methods. This study included 45 hypogonadal men with T2DM, receiving TRT for 1 year. Patients were assessed for carbohydrate and lipid metabolism parameters; total and free T; sex hormone-binding globulin; biochemical markers of EnD (NO, eNOS3, endothelin) and the nCAG AR; brachial artery (BA) vasoreactivity. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group I — 9 men with nCAG AR < 19; group II — 27 men with nCAG AR > 19 – 24; and group III — 9 men with nCAG AR >24.Results. Patients with nCAG AR < 19 exhibited a 2-fold greater and faster increase in BA vasoreactivity on TRT compared to patients with nCAG AR 19-24 and 3-fold greater than men with nCAG AR >24 (p < 0.05). Patients with nCAG AR < 19 also demonstrated the most pronounced rise in NO and eNOS3 on TRT compared to men with nCAG AR > 24. Patients with nCAG AR < 19 experienced the most pronounced decreases in weight, waist circumference, and HbA1c on TRT compared to other patients (p < 0.05).Conclusion. The nCAG AR length significantly affects the response to TRT in men with hypogonadism and T2DM. The most significant improvements are seen in patients with short nCAG AR.

Central Asian countries, which include Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, are known to be highly exposed to natural hazards, particularly earthquakes, floods, and landslides. With the aim of enhancing financial resilience and risk-based investment, planning to promote disaster and climate resilience in Central Asia, the European Union, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), launched the Strengthening Financial Resilience and Accelerating Risk Reduction in Central Asia (SFRARR) regional programme. Within this framework, a consortium of national and international scientific institutions was established and tasked with developing a regionally consistent multi-hazard and multi-asset probabilistic risk assessment. The overall goal was to improve scientific understanding on local perils and to provide local stakeholders and governments with up-to-date tools to support risk management strategies. However, the development of a comprehensive risk model can only be done with the basis of an accurate hazard evaluation, the reliability of which depends significantly on the availability of local data and direct observations. This paper describes the preparation of the input datasets required for the implementation of a probabilistic earthquake model for the Central Asian countries. In particular, it discusses the preparation of a new regional earthquake catalogue harmonized between countries and homogenized in moment magnitude (Mw), as well as the preparation of a regional database of selected active faults with associated slip rate information to be used for the construction of the earthquake source model. The work was carried out in collaboration with experts from the local scientific community, whose contribution proved essential for the rational compilation of the two harmonized datasets.

This article contains information about the accumulated industrial waste from phosphorus production and methods for its recycling and disposal to produce marketable products. Monitoring of cottrel dust’s impact on the environment, namely, ground and surface water, soil, and atmosphere was carried out. The mechanism of formation of cottrel dust was studied. The dispersed, chemical, and phase compositions of the dust in furnace gases during the electrothermal smelting of phosphorites were determined. The sequence of chemical reactions during the formation of cottrel dust was elucidated. The ratios of initial components entering the chemical reaction and the thermodynamic parameters (Gibbs energy) were determined using the Chemistry HSC-6 software package. IR spectral and elemental analyses were carried out for determining cottrel dust’s functional groups and elemental composition. Based on modern instrumental studies, it was found that the total content of phosphorus(v) oxide in cottrel dust was 30.7%. This content of phosphorus(v) oxide is sufficient to use cottrel dust as an initial raw material for producing phosphorus-containing fertilizers. This method was proposed for processing cottrel dust to produce monocalcium phosphate on a production scale. The chemical composition of the resulting monocalcium phosphate was determined and confirmed by analytical methods. The proposed technology for producing monocalcium phosphate from cottrel dust is recommended for use in the agro-industrial complex.

The assessment of losses from strong earthquakes and the reduction in earthquake consequences are of great importance in maintaining seismic safety. Special attention is given to evaluating the magnitude of economic losses caused by earthquakes, particularly the assessment of different levels of seismic risk, in order to protect the population and territories located in seismically active areas. To ensure sustainable development of countries, it is essential to estimate the economic losses that will occur in regions due to strong earthquakes and forecast them within the specified return periods at given probabilities. Measures can then be implemented to mitigate the consequences of earthquakes. For the basis of seismic risk assessment, maps of seismic intensity increment and an improved map of seismic hazard have been developed, taking into account the engineering-geological conditions of the territory of Uzbekistan and the seismic characteristics of soils. For seismic risk map development, databases were created based on GIS platforms, allowing us to systematize and evaluate the regional distribution of information on seismic hazards, the number of buildings and construction types, the coefficient of the seismic vulnerability of buildings, the cadastral value of buildings, etc.

Currently, the use of vermicompost in organic soil nutrition is highly efficient. The efficiency of vermicompost production at an industrial level is directly related to the correct implementation of this biotechnological process. In our research, a local earthworm species, Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826), was used in the preparation of vermicompost from animal organic waste, which accumulates in large quantities in the livestock sector of agriculture. In our experiments, local species of earthworms suitable for vermiculture were selected, and the optimal conditions of the substrate for their survival were studied. As a result of our research, it is possible to increase the efficiency of agricultural production by localizing low-cost biohumus production technology in our republic based on the use of local earthworms. In our experiments, earthworms started feeding when the moisture level of the substrate was 30%. Their further development processes were manifested differently at different humidity levels. The earthworm hybrid breed had good development indicators at a relatively high humidity of 70-80%. In local species, this indicator was 60-70%. In our experiments, we studied the optimal living conditions of local earthworms and used them in biotechnological processes.

Real-world problems serve as authentic learning contexts for students to integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) knowledge, enhancing their interest and fostering their identity in STEM. Primary school students' unfamiliarity with real-world problems can be addressed through community engagement; however, research in this area is insufficient. This study used self-determination theory (SDT) to examine and explain the effect of community engagement on student STEM interest and identity development. The mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was adopted, and two experimental groups were set up: community engagement (CE; N = 72) and non-community engagement (NCE; N = 69). The CE group reported significantly higher needs satisfaction levels with autonomy, competence, and relatedness and greater STEM interest and identity. The CE group also expressed that the autonomy encouraged them to learn beyond the classroom and helped them engage with the community; that they were able to build better products through iterations and feedback from users; and that they experienced meaningful learning by creating useful products for others. These findings support the pedagogical value of community engagement projects to foster autonomous motivation. This study explicates how young students' STEM interest and identity could be fostered using SDT contextualized as a community-based STEM engagement project. Through this study, educators worldwide are provided with practical suggestions on using the tested approach.

In recent years, drought has become one of the most widespread global problems as a result of drastic climate change all over the world. In order to increase the efficiency of cultivation of agricultural crops under the conditions of drought, research was conducted aimed at determining the diversity of endophytic microorganisms of xerophytic and halophytic plants grown under the influence of this stress factor and evaluating their characteristics and potential is of great importance. This article describes the results of the research aimed at isolating, identifying and evaluating some properties of endophytic bacteria from Peganum harmala L., which is widespread in arid regions of Uzbekistan. These data are being published for the first time in terms of area and vegetation. The results of studying P. harmala endophytic bacteria diversity, species composition, resistance to pathogenic fungi confirm that this plant is a potential source of promising endophytic bacteria. In the experiments, 24 promising isotypes of endophytic bacteria were isolated from P. harmala, which were the research objects. Five strains were selected by evaluating the colonization potential of the isolated isolates under drought conditions and resistance of the selected strains to pathogenic fungi was evaluated. These promising strains were identified using molecular genetic methods.

Abstract Background Since the beginning of the family program in 1998, the proportion of married women who used contraception has fluctuated. An unmet need for contraception among women in Kyrgyzstan drastically increased from 2006 (1.1%) to 2014 (19.1%), and remained unchanged until 2018 (19.0%). This study aims to re-investigate the prevalence of an unmet need for contraception from 2006 to 2018 in a comprehensive manner, and examine the factors associated with an unmet need for contraception among married women over the course of 12 years in the Kyrgyz Republic. Methods This is a cross-sectional study using secondary data that derived from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). The study employed three datasets from the MICS 2006, 2014, and 2018. The study included a total of 9,229 women aged 15–49 who were married and fecund, and whose status of the met/unmet need for contraception could be identified. Logistic regression was employed to estimate the relationship of an unmet need for contraception with independent factors. A P value

The effect of modified epoxy resin with polyurethane, silicone, and butadiene rubber and combined reinforcement with fiberglass and Kevlar on the strength properties of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic was studied. It was found that when rubber is introduced into the composition of the epoxy resin, polyurethane, and combined reinforcement according to the carbon fiber/Kevlar scheme in a ratio of 10:10 leads to an increase in impact strength by 42% to 273 kJ/m2 and compressive strength increases by 35% to 575 MPa.

Central Asia is highly exposed to a broad range of hazardous phenomena including earthquakes, floods and landslides, which have cause substantial damage in the past. However, disaster risk reduction strategies are still under development in the area. We provide a regional-scale exposure database for population and residential buildings based on existing information from previous exposure development efforts at the regional and national scale. Such datasets are complemented with country-based data (e.g., building census, national statistics) collected by national representatives in each Central Asian country (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). We also develop population and residential-building exposure layers for the year 2080, which support the definition of disaster risk reduction strategies in the region.

Introduction: Ureteral stents have been widely used for drainage of the upper urinary tract during both emergency and elective surgical procedures since 1967. The main pathology in which these stents are used is urolithiasis.Objective: To present our experience with the surgical treatment of patients with “forgotten” encrusted ureteral stents using a combined endourological approach.Materials and methods: Patients with encrusted ureteral stents who underwent endourological procedures from 2016 to 2022 were prospectively evaluated. They were grouped based on the degree of stent encrustation according to the FECal classification. The duration of stent placement, number and types of surgical procedures, number of procedures before complete removal of the stent and concrements, surgery duration, hospital stay, complications, concrement analysis, and frequency of complete concrement removal per surgery were compared between the groups. The combined endourological procedure was performed with the patient placed in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position. This position allows simultaneous antegrade and retrograde endourological access.Results: The study included 46 patients grouped according to the FECal classification. In 38 patients, stents were successfully removed in a single procedure. The mean operative time, concrement-free status, and complication rate were 90.2 ± 19.8 minutes, 78.3%, and 32.6%, respectively. Total encrustation volume was higher for grades IV and V (5.6 ± 1.8 and 7.6 ± 2 cm3) compared with all the other grades. Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy and cystolithotripsy were the most common procedures in grades IV and V. Lithotripsy was commonly used for ureteral stent encrustation, especially in the groups with grades I and III. The operative time was longer in groups IV-V compared with groups I and II because percutaneous nephrolithotripsy was more frequent in these cases. Retrograde intrarenal surgery was performed in 88% of the cases with the combined approach to check whether concrements were present in the renal calyces and pelvis. In 5 cases, a flexible ureterorenoscope was advanced antegradely through a percutaneous access to disintegrate the encrustation of the proximal part of the stent’s ureteral section. Complications occurred in 32.6% of the patients. Most complications (26%) were minor: fever, pain, or gross hematuria. One case required segmental renal artery embolization for bleeding, and antibiotic therapy associated with an attack of pyelonephritis was adjusted in 2 cases.Conclusions: The endoscopic combined approach in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position is a safe and effective technique that allows removal of “forgotten” encrusted stents, in most cases, in a single procedure. The FECal classification seems to be useful for surgical planning and prognosis.

It is shown that the dynamics of changes in the state of nickel clusters depends on the temperature of the diffusion maximum and the cooling rate. It was found that with increasing annealing temperature and cooling rate, an increase in density and a decrease in cluster size are observed. In this case, the main attention was paid to the determination of the laws governing the change in the density, size, and structure of clusters from temperature and cooling. The process and dynamics of the interaction of clusters depends on the diffusion coefficient of impurity atoms in the lattice and the level of supersaturation of the solid solution. It has been established that with a change in the annealing temperature from T = 1100℃ to 1250℃, the cluster density increases by almost 1-1.5 orders of magnitude, and their size decreases by a factor of 5–6. It seems to us that to obtain clusters with stable parameters, the optimal cooling rate is 200–300℃.