Almaty City Research Articles

Innovative technologies for assessing and forecasting the avalanche danger level in the Ile Alatau mountains

Annotation. Avalanche hazard forecasts are of great importance for ensuring the safety of residents and tourists in mountainous areas. All snow avalanches’ forecasting methods used in the work of the snow avalanche service in Kazakhstan were developed in the 80s of the XX century. They need a significant modernization. The Natural Hazards Laboratory of the Institute of Geography and Water Safety studies the advanced scientific methods for assessing and forecasting avalanche danger. In the winter period from December 2020 to April 2021, an experiment was carried out to assess the avalanche danger level in the vicinity of Almaty city and to issue a weekly avalanche bulletin. The main objective of the project is to adapt the experience of the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanches (SLF) for the conditions of Kazakhstan. In the course of the work, the meteorological information received from the meteorological stations of international exchange was analyzed. The avalanche danger level was assessed on an international five-point scale. The expert assessment was carried out taking into account the recommendations of the SLF Institute. In order to facilitate the forecaster's work, an automatic expert system using neural network technologies was developed. The neural network was trained on the long-term data on avalanche conditions in the Kishi Almaty River basin. The European center weather forecasts were used to increase the lead time of avalanche warnings. The results of avalanche danger level’s assessing were published weekly on the website of the Institute of Geography and Water Safety, as well as on the Telegram social network. This method is recommended to be used in the operational work of the Kazakhstan Hydrometeorological Service and the Kazakhstan Mudflow Protection Service.

Ukrainian Ethno-Cultural Centers in Almaty City and Almatinskaya Oblast: Current Situation and Challenges

Ukrainian Ethno-Cultural Centers in Almaty City and Almatinskaya Oblast: Current Situation and Challenges

Monitoring of pathogenic Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the Almaty oblast, Kazakhstan

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is one of the most common vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks. It is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) genospecies. The Almaty oblast of Kazakhstan is considered endemic for LB. Nevertheless, there are significant gaps in the tick surveillance for LB agents in the region. We evaluated B. burgdorferi s.l. prevalence in 413 ixodid ticks collected from bitten people and the seroprevalence of antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. in 589 residents of the Almaty oblast, Kazakhstan. All samples were collected between 2018 and 2020. Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. DNA was detected in 24 % (9/38) of I. persulcatus ticks that attacked humans in the city of Almaty and the Talgar and Karasay districts. Multilocus sequence typing identified two novel B. afzelii sequence types in I. persulcatus. The seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. in the analyzed population was detected to be 5.8 %. The obtained results confirm active circulation of B. burgdorferi s.l. in the Almaty oblast of Kazakhstan and raise concern regarding LB preventive measures in the region.

New Trends of Cervical Cancer Incidence in Kazakhstan.

Objective:The epidemiological features of the cervical cancer (CC) incidence and its spatial and temporal assessment in Kazakhstan were studied. Methods:The retrospective study was done for the period 2009-2018. Descriptive and analytical methods of oncoepidemiology were used. Results:During the study period, 16,441 new cases of CC were registered. The average annual crude and age-standardized incidence rate were 18.6±0.5 and 17.7±0.4 cases per 100,000 population of female, respectively, and their trends tended to increase (Тup=+2.3%; R2=0.708 and Тup=+1.9%; R2=0.615, respectively). The analysis of ASIR showed unimodal growth with a peak at 50-54 years – 45.3±1.1 cases per 100,000 population of female. Trends of ASIR decreased up to 30 years (Tdown=−1.8%; R2=0.111) and 35-59 years (Tdown=−0.9%; R2=0.103), in other age groups the trends increased, and were most pronounced in 40-44 (Тup=+4.1%; R2=0.878) and 65-69 years (Тup=+4.4%; R2=0.537). Trends in ASR of СС tended to grow in almost all regions, with higher levels in Mangystau (Тup=+4.1%; R2=0.482) and Aktobe (Тup=+6.3%; R2=0.846) regions. The cartograms of ASR per 100,000 population of female were allocated according to the following criteria: low – up to 16.3, average – from 16.3 to 19.2, high – above 19.2. The results of the spatial analysis showed the regions with a higher levels of CC incidence rate per 100,000 population of female: East Kazakhstan (19.8), Aktobe (20.0), Almaty (20.1), Kostanay region (20.9), Atyrau (21.7) regions and Almaty city (22.0). Conclusion:The study of trends of the cervical cancer incidence has the theoretical and practical value: monitoring and evaluation of screening programmes, which are implemented in the country, and conduction of secondary prevention of cervical pathology. Health authorities should consider the obtained results in the in the organization of anti-cancer activities.

THE GREEN SPACE AND SOCIAL IMPACT IN ALMATY CITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL DATA ANALYSIS

The theory of urban ecology tries to enhance the positive aspects of green space for humans, while at the same time decreasing the negative aspects of cities for the environment. These benefits are reflected in economic terms as they have a positive effect on real estate values, investment, tourism and the quality of life. In this study urban green space is defined as all urban land covered by vegetation of any kind. This covers vegetation on private and public grounds, irrespective of size and function, and can also include small water bodies such as ponds, lakes or streams. This study aims to find the relationship between green space abundance and social impact in particular on academic progress in Almaty city, South Kazakhstan. Data on green space, academic average point score, and nine possible confounding variables were collated. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Multivariate data analysis was performed to produce scatter plots that include regression lines. There was a positive relationship between the proportion of green space and better academic average scores per student after accounting for the possible confounding variables. This study provides some support for the idea that access to green space has a positive impact on academic progress, but by no means is it conclusive.

LIGHT REGULATION SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENT ANALYSIS TO FORECAST THE TRANSPORT FLOWS IN ALMATY

The number of vehicles on the roads of Almaty, Kazakhstan is growing from year to year. This brings about an increasing intensity and density of traffic flows in the streets which leads to congestion, decreasing speed of the traffic flow, increasing environmental pollution caused by car emissions, and which can potentially lead to the road traffic accidents (RTA), including fatalities.
 While the number of injuries grows up mainly due to drivers’ non-compliance with the speed limit, the environmental pollution is caused by longer traffic jams. Therefore, to reduce the level of road traffic injuries and emissions into the environment it is necessary to ensure the uniform movement of traffic flows in cities. Currently, one of the effective ways to do it is the use of transport telematics systems, in particular, control systems for road signs, road boards and traffic lights.
 The paper presents an analysis of existing systems and methods of traffic light regulation. The analyses of the systems and methods are based on the use of homogeneous data, that is the data on standard parameters of traffic flows. The need in collecting and analyzing additional semi-structured data on the factors that have a significant impact on the traffic flows parameters in cities is shown as well.
 The work is dedicated to solving the problem of analysis and forecast of traffic flows in the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. GPS data on the location of individual vehicles is used as the initial data for solving this problem. By projecting the obtained information onto the graph of the city's transport network, as well as using additional filtering, it is possible to obtain an estimate of individual parameters of traffic flows. These parameters are used for short-term forecast of the changes in the city's transport network.

Балалар үйінде тәрбиеленуші балалар мен жасөспірімдердің шықшыт буыны дисфункциясы симптомдарының кездесу жиілігі

Diseases of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) occur in 20-76% of the population, of which up to 70-89% are functional joint disorders. In children and adolescents, TMJ dysfunction occurs in 14-20%. Among the variety of pathogenetic factors in the development of this pathology, the most important are: stress, psychological disorders, imbalance in the tone of the masticatory muscles, occlusive disharmony. Purpose of the study. To study the prevalence of symptoms of TMJ dysfunction, including prenosological, in children and adolescents living in orphanages. Material and research methods. The frequency of occurrence of symptoms of functional disorders of the TMJ, including prenosological, was studied in 331 children and adolescents living in orphanages. The comparison group consisted of 218 students of secondary school No. 30 in the city of Almaty. Results and discussion. These symptoms were found in 32.62% of children and adolescents living in orphanages in the city of Almaty, and in 35.32% of practically healthy individuals, and their frequency increased with age. More common in girls. In different combinations there were revealed the dislocation of the middle inter-incisive line, pain on palpation of the masseter muscles, joint noise, malopening mouth. Dentofacial anomalies were more often observed in children and adolescents with certain symptoms of functional disorders of the temporomandibular joint. Keywords: temporomandibular joint malfunction, children and adolescents living in orphanages.

Improving students' speaking skills in an academic English course

This article summarizes the results of teaching Academic English course to the first year Intermediate level students. The article encompasses the activities for improving the speaking skills of learners. As re- quired in the Academic English curriculum, optimizing the speaking skills of students is of those in macro skills that should be focused and enhanced with the aid of myriads of teaching tools. There were four In- termediate groups with a total of 32 students. Speaking tests were included in the first attestation midterm exam and final examination. Practice has shown that students also need to get rid of the fear of speaking in English, thereby helps to minimize or completely eliminate the fear associated with speaking English, which means constant and confident practice in the learning environment and beyond using various tech- nical tools when studying or teaching English. The subject of the research is the improvement of speech skills among first year students, where students, learning a new vocabulary, train their speech skills during the semester. The study guidelines, various platforms for learning and teaching were used for the research. The study was conducted at one of the higher educational institutions of the city of Almaty, the Inter- national University of Information Technology. The results showed that thirty-two students had better results in the final exam than the midterm exam. Key words: teaching foreign languages, speaking skill, assessment.

Modeling and analysis of the effects of barrier height on automobiles emission dispersion

In this paper, a mathematical model has been developed that describes the characteristics of fluid flow and dispersion of pollutants in a certain quarter of Almaty city, Kazakhstan. The influence of traffic tidal flow was investigated based on the results of passing vehicles measurements as a source of pollution by the CFD method and on the spatial distribution of pollutants for different types of pollution. To validate the numerical algorithm and mathematical model, a test problem was performed. The RNG k-ε turbulence model was used as a turbulent model. The obtained data were compared with the measured and calculated values. After validation of the mathematical model, the main problem was characterized: the pollutant emissions process between houses using different types of pollution sources and the presence of different heights of barriers. The calculated data were compared with the obtained calculated values. In the course of various studies, it has been found that, despite different types of pollutants, the presence of barriers along the road reduces the concentration of harmful substances in the pedestrian zone air. And also the optimal height of this barrier along the road was chosen for maximum protection of the pedestrian part from harmful pollutants. And it was found that when using a barrier with a height of 3 m, the concentration value drops more than two times, as opposed to without a barrier, and a further increase in height is not economically profitable and does not give the desired results.

Simulation of Air Pollution in Almaty City under Adverse Weather Conditions

Simulation of Air Pollution in Almaty City under Adverse Weather Conditions

ВИБРОСЕЙСМО ЗАЩИТА ЗДАНИЙ И СООРУЖЕНИЙ ОТ ДИНАМИЧЕСКОГО ВОЗДЕЙСТВИЯ ПРИРОДНОГО И ТЕХНОГЕННОГО ХАРАКТЕРА

In this article, the authors analyze results of their long-term researches on protection of buildings and structures against dynamic loads caused by the nature and/or human activities. They also give the grounds for necessity to provide vibration insulation of buildings, and show how to choose and calculate proper parameters for rubber vibroseismic insulators. Specifics of finite element method applied for static calculating the vibroseismic insulators is also described. In order to take into account weak compressibility of rubber, a moment finite element scheme was used, which assumes a triple approximation of the displacement vector components consisting of strain tensor and volume change function. Stress-strain state of the shock absorbers was determined for different standard sizes and diameters. The authors also describe two variants of calculation depending on the method of fixing the insulator’s ends. In the first case, the ends are vulcanized to the metal plates. In the second variant, the ends are free and can move in a horizontal plane. Influence of ratio of the shock absorber height and radius to the strain state of a structure was also analyzed. In order to determine factual levels of the soil and pile vibration (in two horizontal and one vertical directions), vibrodynamic studies were carried out. The obtained vibration signals were registered by the one-component vibration transducers 731A (vibration sensors) produced by the Wilcoxon Research company (the USA). Then, the vibration records were processed by the specialized program “Seismic Monitoring”. Based on the results of these studies, numerical calculations were performed in order to determine whether the predicted levels of the residential building vibrations are in compliance with the existing sanitary standards when exposed to real technogeneous loads. Vibrodynamic tests on vibration acceleration levels of the vibration-insulated reinforced concrete slabs and floors in residential building confirmed high effectiveness of the used vibroseismic insulation system with the rubber elements: the registered vibration acceleration levels in the residential building on all floors did not exceed acceptable levels set by the sanitary standards, and ensured comfortable living conditions under different dynamic impacts. The results of this work make it possible to design buildings with anti-seismic protection by using the designed rubber elements in accordance with the local conditions of the city of Almaty.

Инвалидность по зрению вследствие глаукомы по данным МСЭ города Алматы

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment. Preventing of amblyopia and blindness can be a cost-effective intervention by health services and primary health- social care services. According to A.P. Nesterov (2008), the term 'glaucoma' encompasses a large group of eye diseases with a predominantly chronic course and serious prognosis. Despite the fact that in Kazakhstan modern achievements of science and technology of glaucoma are developed and introduced into practical healthcare the number of patients blinded due to glaucoma does not decrease. Aim. To carry out an analysis of data on visual impairment due to glaucoma in Almaty for three years (2016 - 2018). Material and methods. The data of primary visual impairment of Almaty city population of according to MSE 2016 - 2018 were studied. In 2016, 204 out of 948 primary visually impaired patients were diagnosed with glaucoma, in 2017 respectively out of 1331 patients 279 were disabled, and in 2018 256 out of 1018 disabled patients were diagnosed with glaucoma. A total of 739 disabled patients were analysed over three years. Results and discussion. In comparative analysis of data by disability group, it was found that primary open-angle glaucoma was the main cause of disability during the last years studied. Consequently, the vision of the better seeing eye ranged from zero to 0.04 with optimal vision correction. Moreover, the proportion of group one disability gradually increased from 68.7% in 2016 to 86.8% in 2018, while group two data, on the contrary, decreased from 80.7% to 67.3% (terminal stage from 89.5% to 59.1%); group three figures were 65.0 to 71.2% and 76.3% to 80.5% respectively. The increase in the group III disabilities was slow (from 65.0% to 71.2%). The analysis of disability groups over the years under study has shown that the leading cause of disability is a primary open-angle glaucoma, followed by primary closed-angle, secondary and congenital glaucoma. Moreover congenital glaucoma has been reported since 2017 with a decreasing trend (3.2% to 1.2%). Conclusion. Timely detection and observation in dynamics, regular supportive therapy in patients with primary glaucoma regardless of the type and stage of the disease (except for the terminal stage), treatment of existing general, especially vascular disease at the place of residence at least twice a year would contribute to preserving of visual functions and decreasing the number of the visually impaired people. Key words: glaucoma, open-angle, closed-angle, secondary, congenital, disability groups, visual impairment.

Instrumental records received in 11 storey steel frame building during a remote earthquake

On August 9, 2017, a strong earthquake with a magnitude Mw = 6.3 occurred in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. For the first time in the last 10 years, representative instrumental data were obtained at the seismic station No. 11 (“Prospect Abay”) in the city of Almaty, equipped with a digital instrumentation and measuring system. The building is eleven-story and is made in a steel frame. In the city of Almaty, there is a significant number of residential and public buildings made in a steel frame. Using the AT 1105 sensors and the RSM-8 recorder, high-quality instrumental records of accelerations in the basement and on the roof of the building were obtained, as well as the β spectral curves. The frequency composition of the impact at the basement level has been determined. The prevailing period of fluctuation at the basement level is 0.3 sec, and at the roof level is close to 1.3 sec. It was found that during a remote earthquake, resonant vibrations of the building took place. The results of the work can be used in the design of buildings with a steel frame in the city of Almaty.

Reducing Seismic and Traffic Loads Using Seismic Isolating Systems

To reduce the effect of dynamic traffic and seismic loads, it is proposed to use a seismic insulating support, the contact surfaces of which are pasted over with a fluoroplastic film. The dry friction coefficient for a fluoroplastic pair is 0.03-0.05. Due to the small value of the dry friction force, the support will operate both during traffic and seismic effects. Instrumental records of accelerations recorded by the devices of the ESS station No. 22, installed on a nine-story single-section large-panel building of series 158 in the city of Almaty, are analyzed. The earthquake source is 148 km from the city of Almaty. The house is equipped with a seismic isolation system. The foundations of the building are sliding supports. The values of acceleration along the height of the building are analyzed, and the spectral curves β are also constructed. The presence of 2 maxima on the spectral curves β at periods of 0.13-0.14 sec and 0.44-0.47 sec is revealed. The absence of resonance phenomena under the combined action of seismic and traffic loads is shown. The seismic support is proposed to be used on dense soils. Thus, transport and seismic loads can be effectively reduced.

МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ ЗАГРЯЗНЕНИЯ ВОЗДУШНОГО БАССЕЙНА АЛМАТЫ В ПЕРИОДЫ НЕБЛАГОПРИЯТНЫХ МЕТЕОРОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ УСЛОВИЙ

The problem of air pollution in Almaty city in stagnant weather conditions is considered. Such conditions are so frequent, because the city is located at the foothills of the mountain range of Ile Alatau. The WRF-Chem complex model is used for the analysis and allows a high-detail simulation both of the atmospheric circulation and the transport of various pollutants, taking into account their chemical transformations. The results of modeling meteorological processes are compared with observational data. The main attention is paid to the calculation of the sulfur dioxide plume emitted by the pipes of the coal-fired CHP-2. The simulations showed that regional latitudinal wind, whose direction regularly changes to the opposite one, dominates in the northern part of the city atmosphere. During such periods and under unstable atmosphere stratification conditions, the plume dissipates and pollutants penetrate into the surface layer. In some areas, the concentration of SO2 significantly exceeds sanitary standards.

Деятельность общественных организаций по сохранению идентичности немцев Казахстана (по материалам интервью)

In 2021, in order to study the ethnic identity of Germans in the post-Soviet space, an expedition took place to the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty. Expert interviews were held with representatives of self-organization of the Germans in Kazakhstan. The fund’s specialists talked about how the main organization of ethnic Germans functions today, what areas of activity are relevant. The article presents the historical milestones of the organization, as well as presents the main mechanisms for preserving the identity of the Germans in Kazakhstan. The main attention in the article is paid to language work, as the most demanded among the Germans of the entire post-Soviet space.

Алма-Ата: некоторые архитектурные нарративы советского города

This article explores some visual narratives of the architectural landscape of Alma-Ata city (modern Almaty). Historical narratives produced or studied by historians in the text are no less vividly and distinctly manifested in the visual sphere. In many ways, this can be attributed to the design of urban space and its architecture. Architecture not only directly depends on the socio-political, ideological, and symbolic regime, but often creates it. Being a product of the era, a zone of perception and reflection of its impulses, the architectural landscape of the city creates a socio-cultural space, which in turn forms the mental background for the inhabitants of this city. Knowledge about cities is a special subject field for comparative urban studies, including a culturalanthropological and ethnographic basis. The article attempts to describe the two main architectural narratives of the city of Almaty (Stalinist Empire style and Soviet modernism) and their projections in the space of historical memory, as well as the relationship of these narratives with the corresponding ideologies (imperial geopolitical ambitions of the USSR in the post-war period and the ideology of modernism of the 60-80s biennium). The problem of updating the cultural heritage of Soviet architecture in the historical memory of the Kazakh society is also posed.

АНТРОПОГЕНДІК ЫҚПАЛ ӘСЕРІНЕН АЛМАТЫ ҚАЛАСЫНЫҢ ГИДРОГРАФИЯЛЫҚ ЖЕЛІСІНІҢ ӨЗГЕРУІ

The article evaluates the transformation of the hydrographic network of urbanized territories using digital maps, on the example of the city of Almaty. Based on the plan-schemes for 1960, 1980, 1917, 1941 and 1981, maps of the city were compiled. To clarify the current state of the modern hydrographic network, the digitized map for 2015 was chosen as the basis. With the help of this, the total length of watercourses and the catchment area, the density of the hydrographic network were calculated, and their dynamics for the specified periods were also estimated. Artificial water bodies that eventually appeared on the territory of the city are described. The inclusion of artificial water bodies in the elements of the hydrographic network and the influence of the anthropogenic factor on natural water bodies are considered. The results of the study can be widely used in organizing measures for the water supply of the territory and minimizing the impact of harmful economic activity on water bodies.

Жерсіндірілген және натурализацияланған кәдімгі тиіннің Алматы қаласы жағдайында экологиясының кейбір мәселелері

The article presents data on some issues of ecology of the common squirrel (Sciurus vulgarus Linnaeus, 1758) in the green spaces of the city of Almaty. It is based on observations that were carried out in 2005-2006 and 2020-2021, route and questionnaire methods were used. The novelty of the work: For the first time, new data on the territorial distribution, features of the use of shelter, migration, feed composition were obtained, changes in the number of common squirrels in the green spaces of the city of Almaty were clarified. In the conditions of the city of Almaty, the occurrence of the common squirrel is different: in the Park of Culture and Recreation with the adjacent territory of the Zoological Park, it averages 3 individuals per hour (2005-2006-2 individuals), in the Park named after 28-guards-Panfilovtsev - 0.5 (2005-2006–1 individual), in the campus of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University - 2.5 (2005-2006-2 individuals), in the territory of the Head Botanical Garden-3 (2005-2006-3 individuals), in the park named after the First President - 4 and in the grove of Baum - 1 (2005-2006-0.3 individuals). In natural habitats, the main type of shelter is a nest (gayno) made of branches of coniferous trees, and in urban conditions, 3 (16.7%) of the 18 registered shelters were located under the roofs of a building (Biological Museum, Head Botanical Garden), gayno-2 (11.1%), birdhouse -1 (5.5%), the rest (66.7%) – in tree hollows. In the context of urbanization are the main food of seeds and buds of a pine, fir and oak nuts (100%), lichens (83.3%), which grow on the trunks of Apple trees and deciduous trees, mushrooms (27.7%) and fruits (16.6%). In Almaty, the main enemy of proteins is a common magpie (Pica pica Linnaeus,1758). She is a competitor in nesting territories, young animals often suffer from her.

Ways to Reduce the Activities of the Almaty Combined Heat and Power Plant-2 Impact on the Environmental Situation of the City of Almaty

Ways to Reduce the Activities of the Almaty Combined Heat and Power Plant-2 Impact on the Environmental Situation of the City of Almaty