Cities Of Kazakhstan Research Articles

Impact of particulate matter on the morbidity and mortalityand its assessment of economic costs

Kazakhstan's cities experience high concentrations levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), which is well-known for its highly detrimental effect on the human health. A further increase in PM concentrations in the future could lead to a higher air pollution-caused morbidity and mortality, causing an increase in healthcare expenditures by the government. However, to prevent elevated PM concentrations in the future, more stringent standards could be implemented by lowering current maximum allowable PM concentration limit to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s limits. Therefore, this study aims to find out what impact this change in environmental policy towards PM has on state economy in the long run. Future PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were estimated using multiple linear regression based on gross regional product (GRP) and population growth parameters. Dose-response model was based on World Health Organization's approach for the identification of mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs due to air pollution. Analysis of concentrations revealed that only 6 out of 21 cities of Kazakhstan did not exceed the EU limit on PM10 concentration. Changing environmental standards resulted in the 71.7% decrease in mortality and 77% decrease in morbidity cases in all cities compared to the case without changes in environmental policy. Moreover, the cost of morbidity and mortality associated with air pollution decreased by $669 million in 2030 and $2183 million in 2050 in case of implementation of OECD standards. Thus, changing environmental regulations will be beneficial in terms of both of mortality reduction and state budget saving.

Air Quality and Industrial Emissions in the Cities of Kazakhstan

Industrial emissions are of major concern, especially in developing countries. Hence, there is a need for studies that investigate the trends in industrial emissions in these countries. The purpose of this study is to discuss trends in industrial emissions in Kazakhstan and the air pollution level in its industrial cities. Data on emission limit values from the permitting documents of twenty-one power plants and nine metallurgical enterprises of Kazakhstan were analyzed. Eight cities (out of fourteen) had a “high” level of atmospheric air pollution according to the Air Pollution Index in 2019. Most of the considered enterprises increased their emission limit values compared to the previous permitting period. In some cities there is a lack of monitoring stations, indicating the need for improving the spatial coverage of the air quality monitoring network in the industrial cities of Kazakhstan. The location of industrial plants far outside the cities could reduce the exposure of the urban population to air pollution. Kazakhstan urgently needs to adopt stringent emissions standards for coal-fired power plants and heavy industrial plants. The national air quality standards and definitions of air pollutants need to be updated based on the latest scientific knowledge.

Calculation model of the “building-foundation” system on anisotropic base and deformation calculations

In the construction of new buildings and facilities although the requirements of construction laws, building codes are observed, the heeling process and the collapse of the urban high-rise buildings are continuing at different speeds. Unfortunately, the number of such collapses and destruction in the world continues to this day. The purpose of this article is to show the mechanisms of collapse and patterns of deformation of loose and water-saturated soils of the construction site, which often have anisotropic structures by creating a calculated mechanical and mathematical model. A brief overview shows the state of the issue on the scale of the consequences of the collapse of modern high-rise buildings in the world. Attention is drawn to the lack of knowledge of the soil bases of structures of anisotropic structure. A computational model of a soil ground of complex anisotropic structure and algorithms for its application in practical calculations are proposed. The results of studies and their analysis, the regularities of the deformation state of the system consisting of foundation and buildings base, depending on the angle of inclination of the inclined layered base are developed in the study as well. In the form of tables and a large number of drawings there are the elucidated basic laws of inclination of buildings and structures that took place in large cities of Kazakhstan.

Calculation model of the “building-foundation” system on anisotropic base and deformation calculations

In the construction of new buildings and facilities although the requirements of construction laws, building codes are observed, the heeling process and the collapse of the urban high-rise buildings are continuing at different speeds. Unfortunately, the number of such collapses and destruction in the world continues to this day. The purpose of this article is to show the mechanisms of collapse and patterns of deformation of loose and water-saturated soils of the construction site, which often have anisotropic structures by creating a calculated mechanical and mathematical model. A brief overview shows the state of the issue on the scale of the consequences of the collapse of modern high-rise buildings in the world. Attention is drawn to the lack of knowledge of the soil bases of structures of anisotropic structure. A computational model of a soil ground of complex anisotropic structure and algorithms for its application in practical calculations are proposed. The results of studies and their analysis, the regularities of the deformation state of the system consisting of foundation and buildings base, depending on the angle of inclination of the inclined layered base are developed in the study as well. In the form of tables and a large number of drawings there are the elucidated basic laws of inclination of buildings and structures that took place in large cities of Kazakhstan.

Exposure to fine, ultrafine particles and black carbon in two preschools in nur-sultan city of kazakhstan.

Children in preschools were studied as an exceptionally vulnerable group to lung diseases due to their immature immune system. Few data are available in the literature addressing the exposure of children in preschools to ultrafine (>10nm) particles. Exposure of children to fine, ultrafine (10nm-1µm) particles and black carbon particles present inside and near two preschools in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, during Fall 2019 was investigated. For Preschool I, the average daily (6h) indoor (outdoor) PM1 , PM2.5 , and PM10 concentrations over three-week measurements were 15.0 (SD 12.5)µg/m3 , 34.6 (SD 35.1)µg/m3 , and 47.2 (SD 45.2)µg/m3 , respectively. Average indoor UFP concentrations (>10.0nm) including candle burning events were 5.20×103 (SD 8.80×103 )particles/cm3 , with the background UFP concentration to be 3.30×103 (SD 1.80×103 )particles/cm3 . In Preschool II, the average UFP concentration (>30.0nm) in the morning and afternoon was 3.94×103 (SD 5.34×102 ) and 3.36×103 (SD 1.90×103 )particles/cm3 , respectively. Indoor black carbon (BC) concentrations were correlated with the outdoor smoking activity. The major sources of the indoor particles in the preschools were dust resuspension, candle burning, and infiltrated outdoor particles.

Features of mercury migration in natural objects of technogenically polluted areas

The article discusses own studies’ materials of anthropogenic mercury migration in the “soil− plant − surface water- water body bottom sediments” system on the example of technogenically mercury-polluted territory of the northern industrial zone of Pavlodar city in Kazakhstan. The mercury distribution processes in soil at a depth of up to two meters, in water and bottom sediments of the Irtysh River, as well as in “Pamyat’ Azieva” soft spring wheat variety grown on soils with maximum pollution level were studied. It was discovered that the mercury migration degree to groundwater and plant objects depends on the soil type: so, it is minimal in chernozem soil. It was revealed that the mercury amount in the soil is in a positive correlation with its mineralization degree, filtration level, as well as the presence of chloride ions. The article also discusses the research results on the complex and diverse influence of predominant ions in soil, as well as their combinations on the content and distribution of mercury.

Informatization of teaching based on interdisciplinary connections of robotics with other subjects

In this work, the results of a study regarding the methodological aspects of organizing training courses in robotics in a school educational process are presented. In the course of the study, an analysis of the problem was carried out and the conditions for the effective implementation of teaching robotics to students of a comprehensive school based on developing educational technologies, integration processes and interdisciplinary communications were identified. The process of development of the cognitive interests of students in robotics was investigated in one of the specialized lyceum of the Capital city of Kazakhstan. Based on the results of the study, the theoretical foundations of the process under study are summarized, the prerequisites for updating the problem are established, and the scientific and methodological aspects of teaching robotics in the conditions of the school educational process are considered. The results obtained are of theoretical and practical importance for modern education, the implementation of the leading ideas of educational informatization.

A novel approach to investigate the thermal comfort of the lightweight relocatable building integrated with PCM in different climates of Kazakhstan during summertime

This study investigates the potential of PCM and natural ventilation to strengthen the thermal comfort inside the lightweight relocatable building located in Kazakhstan during the summer period. The quantification of the impact of the PCM on the thermal comfort was accomplished using the concepts of maximum operative temperature reduction and discomfort index. A novel indicator of Total Discomfort Change (TDC) was introduced to select the optimum PCM. Thereafter, the behaviour of the optimised PCM was comprehensively evaluated through activation of PCM and PCM storage efficiency. In all cities, PCM 26 + NV showed the best performance achieving the TDC values of up to 1818 and its storage efficiency values were up to 39.1%. Then, the analysis of the effect of real PCMs on the thermal comfort conditions was provided. The investigation revealed that RT 26 + NV was the most efficient in all cities achieving the TDC values of up to 1977. Thereafter, the impact of climate change under RCP 8.5 emission scenario (2095) was assessed and RT 28 + NV and RT 26 + NV were found to be optimum combinations. Overall, the optimum configuration of PCM with natural ventilation can be used for improving the thermal comfort conditions during the summertime in all cities of Kazakhstan.

A ROLE OF THE SILK WAY IN DEVELOPING THE CITY OF SARAYSHYK

The Great Silk Road was a network of caravan routes which connected the East and West in the ancient and medieval times. In this article the impact of the Silk Road on the development of trade and the growth of cities in the Kazakh territory has been given as an example of Saraishyk city located on the Zhaiyk river. To examine one of the oldest cities of Desht-I Kipchak, Saraishyk and its emergence, prosperity, rise and fall would be a great contribution to the research of the old cities of Kazakhstan. Therefore, the author makes some statements relying on the works of scholars and archeologists such as N. Arzuytov, E. Ageeva, A. Margulan and others who conducted archeological excavations on Saraishyk city. The role of the Great Silk Road in the prosperity of Saraishyk city as a cultural, administrative and

Trends and health impacts of major urban air pollutants in Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT The air quality in cities in Kazakhstan has been poorly investigated despite the worsening conditions. This study evaluates national air pollution monitoring network data (Total Suspended Particle-TSP, NO2, SO2, and O3) from Kazakhstan cities and provides estimates of excess mortality rates associated with PM2.5 exposure using the Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM) concentration-response function. Morbidity rates associated with PM10 exposure were also estimated. Annual average (2015-2017) population-weighted concentrations were Kazakhstan cities was 157, 51, 29, and 41 μg m−3 for TSP, NO2, SO2, and O3 respectively. We estimated a total of 8134 adult deaths per year attributable to PM2.5 (average over 2015–2017) in the selected 21 cities of Kazakhstan. The leading causes of death were ischemic heart disease (4080), stroke (1613), lower respiratory infections (662), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (434), lung cancer (332). The per capita mortality rate attributable to ambient air pollution (per 105 adults per year) was less than 150 in nine cities, between 150 and 204 in nine cities, and between 276 and 373 in three industrial cities (Zhezkazgan, Temirtau, and Balkhash). Implications: Quantitative information on the health impacts of air pollution can be useful for decision-makers in Kazakhstan to justify environmental policies and identify policy and funding priorities for addressing air pollution issues. This information can also be useful for policymakers by improving the quality of government-funded environmental reports and strategic documents, as they have many shortcomings in terms of the selection of air quality indicators, identification of priority pollutants, and identification of sources of pollution. This study has high significance due to the lack of data and knowledge in Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan.

Air quality at venues of mixed smoking policies in Kazakhstan.

INTRODUCTIONEnclosed designated smoking areas (DSAs) and smoking zones are allowed in food-serving venues in Kazakhstan. Air quality in smoke-free food-serving venues, in venues with smoking throughout, in those with DSAs and those with smoking zones, is not fully understood.METHODSA cross-sectional study with aim to evaluate PM2.5 concentrations in the venues with mixed smoking was conducted from September to October 2017 in Almaty, the largest city of Kazakhstan. A total of 44 rooms within the selected 29 venues were evaluated: 100% smoke-free (5), non-smoking zones (7), smoking zones (7), non-smoking venues with DSAs (8), venues that allow smoking throughout (9), and DSAs (8). Real-time PM2.5 measurement was conducted by TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor and used to rank health-risk assessment using the Air Quality Index developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.RESULTSSmoke-free food-serving venues had moderate levels of air quality with mean PM2.5 of 26.2 μg/m3 while non-smoking zones inside venues that also permitted smoking had a mean of 56.5 μg/m3, corresponding to unhealthy air quality. Venues restricting smoking only to DSAs also had unhealthy air quality in non-smoking areas (mean PM2.5 = 87.6 μg/m3) while DSAs had hazardous levels of air quality (mean PM2.5 = 647.9 μg/m3). Smoking zones inside the venues and venues allowing smoking throughout had a mean PM2.5 of 180.3 and 182.0 μg/m3, respectively, ranking as very unhealthy. On average 3.5 persons were observed in DSAs with mean volume of 38.9 m3. Cigarette and/or hookah were the major source of PM2.5. The higher the smoker density the poorer the air quality in the venue.CONCLUSIONSHazardous level of PM2.5 due to tobacco products inside DSAs demonstrated the low efficiency of a smoking ban with exemptions. A complete smoking ban in food-serving venues should be in place to fully protect people from hazardous air quality conditions.

RESEARCH ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SNOW OF ALMATY CITY

The article shows that according to the data of Kazgidromet from 2014-2015 years, Almaty takes oneof the first places among the cities of Kazakhstan in terms of air pollution. Currently, Almaty is one of the 25 citiesin the world in terms of air pollution. The main source of air pollution is harmful substances coming out of theexhaust pipes of vehicles. According to data from the traffic police, 540,000 vehicles have been registered in Almaty.Their number is increasing to 40,000 annually. Every day 250 thousand cars are driven into and out of the city.Polluting substances appear everywhere, their harmful influence on organisms of people, animals and plants isvarious: they increase metal corrosion, damage respiratory tract of population and animals, have negative influenceon vegetation cover. During windless days they accumulate as smoke (smog) over the city of Almaty.

SO2 and HCHO over the major cities of Kazakhstan from 2005 to 2016: influence of political, economic and industrial changes

Satellite observations of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) for tropospheric sulfur dioxide (SO2) and formaldehyde (HCHO) column mass densities (CMD) are analyzed for the period 2005–2016 over the atmosphere of Kazakhstan. Regarding SO2 the major hot spots relate to regions with high population and large industrial facilities. Such an example is the city of Ekibastuz that hosts the biggest thermal power plants in the country and exhibits the higher SO2 CMD at national level. The annual average CMD in Ekibastuz reaches 2.5 × 10−5 kg/m2, whereas for the rest of the country respective values are 6 times lower. Other hotspots, mostly urban conglomerates such as Almaty and Nur-Sultan, experience high CMDs of SO2 in particular years, such as 2008. One of the main reasons for this behavior is the financial crisis of 2008, forcing the application of alternate heating sources based on cheap low-quality coal. Regarding HCHO, an oxygenated Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), the main hot spot is noticed over the city Atyrau, the oil capital of the country where two massive oil fields are located. The highest HCHO CMD (9 × 1015 molecules/cm2) appears in the summertime due to secondary production as a result of the photo-oxidation of VOCs emitted by industrial sectors, oil refinery plants and vehicles. Strongly elevated HCHO amounts are also observed in Nur-Sultan in 2012 that could be due to the residential coal combustion and vehicle exhaust under poor winter dispersion conditions. Significant reductions in HCHO observed between 2012 and 2015 can be attributed to two significant measures implemented in the country in 2013 that aimed at the improvement of air quality: the introduction of the emission trading system (ETS) for greenhouse gases and Euro-4 standards for new vehicles entering the national vehicle fleet.

Analysis of the Competitive Advantages of Kazakhstan Medical Services in Terms of Attracting Foreign Patients

Aim. To analyse the current state of the medical services market in Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) in terms of providing medical care to foreign patients.Materials and methods. The dynamics of medical tourism in Nur-Sultan was identified using the method of retrospective analysis. The main clinics providing medical tourism services in the capital city of Kazakhstan were characterised in terms of their advantages over competitor centres.Results. A prerequisite for the development of medical tourism in a certain country is the development of the whole country as a tourist destination. The recognition of a country as a safe destination by international tourism rankings contributes to the confidence of medical tourists in the quality of the services provided. The following advantages of Nur-Sultan determining its potential as a medical tourism destination were identified: access to modern medical technologies and new facilities; a large number of medical institutions accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI); a wide range of medical directions; a convenient geographical location; reasonable costs of medical services; security and political stability; the lack of a language barrier for patients from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).Conclusions. The capital city of Kazakhstan demonstrates a growing trend in the number of medical tourists. The largest number of tourists is currently from the CIS countries: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. It can be considered that, under a proper governmental policy, Kazakhstan’s potential as a medical tourism destination will be realised in the nearest future.

Public transport payment systems: market survey

In our research work, we study transport card security issues. One of the questions of our study is its relevance in the world and particular in Kazakhstan. Therefore, in this work, we conducted research on the market of transport cards in the world and Kazakhstan. As part of the study, we searched for answers to the following questions: what technologies are used to accept payment by transport cards, in which countries the electronic ticketing system has been introduced, in which cities of Kazakhstan have electronic ticketing systems been implemented, what technologies are used in Kazakhstan. As a result, we showed that the popularity of using NFC payment in the world and in Kazakhstan is growing. We also analyzed the existing electronic ticketing systems in Kazakhstan, made a comparative analysis and got a comparative table.

Factors Influencing Salt-Reducing Behavior in Young Adults: a Pilot Cross-Sectional Study from Kazakhstan

Introduction:In Kazakhstan, a post-Soviet country in Central Asia, salt intake is estimated as high, potentially contributing to the morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to explore salt intake in residents of the capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan.Methods:An online cross-sectional survey of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors on salt intake among young adult residents of the capital city of Kazakhstan was conducted (n = 237). Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed.Results:Although 95% (n=225) reported knowledge on the adverse health effects of high salt intake, older respondents were more aware of its association with high blood pressure (p = 0.007), heart disease (p = 0.037), and heart attack (p = 0.002). Only one-third (n=79) correctly identified the recommended level of daily salt intake. Females reported more awareness of Kazakhstani people consuming salt more than recommended (p = 0.0027) and that processed products constituted the major source of salt in diet (p = 0.007). General dietary concern (p < 0.001), high self-assessmen of salt intake (p < 0.001), and older age (p = 0.012) were found to be adjusted predictors of salt-reducing behavior.Conclusions:Lack of reported knowledge on salt-health relationship is of concern, especially among young males. A greater dietary concern and individual awareness of the excessive salt consumption is likely to assist in reducing salt intake. Further studies are required to validate the findings of this pilot study on a bigger population level in order to provide a basis for future salt related interventions and policy changes in Kazakhstan.

Changes in Respiratory Function and Physical Capacity among Smokers after Switching to IQOS: One Year Follow-Up

Background: Combustible cigarettes (CC) smoking is a common risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is the fourth leading cause of death in Kazakhstan. Switching to "heat-not-burn" tobacco products (IQOS) has been shown to have less deleterious health effect compared to CC for those who cannot quit smoking. The goal of the study was to explore respiratory and physical effects of switching from CC to IQOS in a population of long-time smokers in Kazakhstan. Methods: Two cohorts of men and women aged between 40 and 59 residing in Almaty (a large two-million city of Kazakhstan) were recruited into two cohort of 801 CC smokers and 400 IQOS users and matched by gender, age, education, and smoking history. Analyses also included 627 CC smokers and 308 IQOS users who maintained their tobacco product use during the first year of observation. Spirometry measurements and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed as a part of the baseline and one-year comprehensive assessments. In addition to spirometry, clinical assessments included components of metabolic syndrome and anthropometry. For comparative analysis between two cohorts Student’s t-test and Chi-squared tests were used. Results: We observed significantly better outcomes for IQOS users in most of CAT scores, spirometry outcomes, and in some metabolic syndrome components. Although changes in the results between the baseline and the one-year assessments show comparable results, smokers of CC often show significantly faster decline in the health status compared to IQOS. Specifically, the changes in CAT score and in spirometry FEV1 over FVC ratios were worsening at higher pace for CC smokers compared to IQOS users. Conclusions: After one year of observation IQOS users demonstrated better outcomes for most of CAT scores and in the ratio of FEV1 over FVC in comparison to CC smokers.

Comparative Analysis of Kazakhstani and European Approaches for the Design of Shallow Foundations

The design of shallow foundations is performed in accordance with different building regulations depending on geotechnical and geological conditions. This paper involves the design calculations applying Kazakhstani and European approaches. The design of shallow foundations in Nur-Sultan city in Kazakhstan was implemented by the calculation of bearing capacity and elastic settlement in accordance with the design procedures provided in SP RK 5.01-102-2013: Foundations of buildings and structures, and Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design. The calculated results of bearing capacity and elastic settlement for two types of shallow foundations, such as pad foundation and strip foundation, adhering to Kazakhstani and European approaches are relatively comparable. However, the European approach provided higher values of bearing capacity and elastic settlement for the designed shallow foundation compared to the Kazakhstani approach. The difference in the results is explained by the application of different values of partial factors of safety for the determination of bearing capacity and different methods for the calculation of the elastic settlement of shallow foundations (i.e., elasticity theory and layer summation method).

Exploring the social interest in agritourism among the urban population of Kazakhstan

Abstract The article examines the issues surrounding tourist activity and social interest in agritourism among residents of the main cities in Kazakhstan. Based on the survey results among a group of n = 577 respondents, the article inspected the extent of their participation in rural tourism, including agritourism, as well as their preferences and expectations regarding the type and extent of services offered on tourist farms. Research results show that the interest of city residents in using agritourism farm services is limited despite of a generally positive attitude towards rural tourism. Potential tourists’ expectations of agritourism farm services focus primarily on the quality of accommodations and the sanitary conditions present in the facilities providing them. Domestic tourists especially expect to be able to take advantage of natural products with medicinal and cosmetic properties. They view active forms of leisure as a mere supplement. The respondents’ opinions and assessments can determine the ways agritourism farms adapt to this clientele as well as impact organisational decisions and strategic planning of rural tourism in the country.

Exposure to particulate matter and gaseous pollutants during cab commuting in Nur-Sultan city of Kazakhstan

Exposure to particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide inside a car during commuting were determined during the period October–November 2017 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. We choose to follow five bus routes (#10, 18, 19, 37 and 53) that cover the majority of the city's area. CO (ppm), CO2 (ppm) and PM1, PM2.5, PM4, and PM10 mass concentration (μg/m3) were measured in this study. PM1 was found to be the largest fraction of all sizes of PM. The mean PM1 concentrations along the forward (backward) paths for each of the five bus routes were measured as 11 ± 14 (11 ± 7), 14 ± 8 (16 ± 6), 25 ± 11 (21 ± 14), 23 ± 8 (15 ± 6) and 76 ± 26 (99 ± 55) μg/m3, respectively. Average CO concentrations among five bus routes (#10, 18, 19, 37 and 53) along the forward (backward) paths were 0.67 ± 0.16 (0.78 ± 0.17), 0.7 ± 0.16 (0.53 ± 0.32), 1.04 ± 0.01 (2.3 ± 0.95), 2.67 ± 1.3 (2.03 ± 0.41), 3.54 ± 3.57 (2.17 ± 0.37) ppm. The mean PM1/PM2.5 and PM2.5/PM10 ratios were 0.96 and 0.91, respectively. Nur-Sultan could be an example for those cities that are under major developments and candidates to be green cities by showing the exposures to atmospheric pollutants across the city. Those cities that are developing themselves as tourist attractions should create maps of PM exposures along major urban routes, and route traffic to exclude tourist areas from being hotspots.