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[Objective] Grassland is an essential component of terrestrial ecosystems, and the aboveground biomass (AGB) of grassland can directly reflect the current status of grassland resources. Accurately assessing the aboveground biomass of grassland and revealing its long-term change trends are fundamental to maintaining and enhancing grassland productivity, determining reasonable livestock carrying capacities, and ensuring sustainable grassland utilization. [Methods] Based on the grassland zoning in China, this study used 11703 records of accumulated field survey quadrat data to establish random forest regression models and multiple stepwise linear regression models for aboveground biomass in seven grassland zones of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The optimal model was determined through accuracy assessment. Subsequently, Landsat imageries were employed to invert the results of 30 m resolution grassland aboveground biomass in Xinjiang from 1990 to 2020. After revealing the spatiotemporal change of grassland aboveground biomass over 31 years, 14 potential driving factors were selected from four aspects: meteorology, terrain, soil, and human activities. Geographical detector was then used to analyze the primary driving factors, aiming to provide a scientific evidence for the future management, protection, and sustainable utilization of grassland resources. [Results] The main findings are as follows: (1) The average R² of the random forest regression models for the seven grassland zones was 0.74, with an average RMSE of 786.89 kg/hm², outperforming the multiple stepwise linear regression models. (2) From 1990 to 2020, Xinjiang’s grassland AGB showed an overall increasing trend, with an average AGB of 2137.31 kg/hm², and an annual average change of 15.05 kg/hm²/a. (3) The spatial distribution pattern of AGB in Xinjiang indicated higher values in mountainous areas compared to plains and higher values in northern Xinjiang compared to southern Xinjiang. The Ili River Valley and Altay region had higher AGB, whereas the Junggar Basin and the southeastern Tarim Basin had lower AGB. (4) Geodetector analysis results for three time periods showed that precipitation and soil organic carbon content significantly influenced Xinjiang’s grassland AGB. Notably, the influence of the human footprint factor has intensified during the period from 2010 to 2020. [Conclusion] Xinjiang’s grassland AGB has shown a continuous growth trend from 1990 to 2020, driven by both meteorological and soil factors. In the future, greater attention should be given to the impact of human activities on AGB to ensure the sustainable development of Xinjiang’s grassland ecosystems.

As a typical arid region in China, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is severely constrained by the resource and environmental conditions it faces. In order to promote the balance between regional resource supply and demand and environmental sustainability, this study uses the drive-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) model to establish its water-energy-food-land (WEFL) evaluation indicator system. The coupling coordination relationship of WEFL is analyzed quantitatively using the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model. Comparative analysis is carried out on the impact of land on the coupled coordination of water-energy-food (WEF) systems from the perspective of coupled and coordinated time-series development as well as land-use changes. Finally, the future coupling coordination of the composite system is predicted using a PSO-BP (Particle Swarm Optimization–Back propagation) model. The results show the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the composite evaluation index (CEI) of the WEFL system has been increasing, the coupling levels are all high-quality coupling, and the coupling coordination grades goes through three stages: low coordination, moderate coordination and well coordination. (2) The inclusion of the land subsystem is good for improving the coupling coordination of the whole WEF system. (3) An increase in the areas of cropland, forest land and built-up land improves the dysfunctional decline of the WEF system. An increase in the area of grassland has a negative effect on the development of the WEF system coupling coordination. (4) Forecasts indicate that the Xinjiang WEFL system coupling coordination will maintain a well level of coordinated development in 2021–2025. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Remote Sensing is the property of Editorial Office of Journal of Remote Sensing & Science Publishing Co. 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 Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis is the property of Editorial Office of Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis 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.)

BackgroundWith the rapid advancement of the One Health approach, the transmission of human infectious diseases is generally related to environmental and animal health. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been largely impacted by environmental factors regionally and globally and has significantly disrupted human society, especially in low-income regions that border many countries. However, few research studies have explored the impact of environmental factors on disease transmission in these regions.MethodsWe used the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as the study area to investigate the impact of environmental factors on COVID-19 variation using a dynamic disease model. Given the special control and prevention strategies against COVID-19 in Xinjiang, the focus was on social and environmental factors, including population mobility, quarantine rates, and return rates. The model performance was evaluated using the statistical metrics of correlation coefficient (CC), normalized absolute error (NAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and distance between the simulation and observation (DISO) indices. Scenario analyses of COVID-19 in Xinjiang encompassed three aspects: different population mobilities, quarantine rates, and return rates.ResultsThe results suggest that the established dynamic disease model can accurately simulate and predict COVID-19 variations with high accuracy. This model had a CC value of 0.96 and a DISO value of less than 0.35. According to the scenario analysis results, population mobilities have a large impact on COVID-19 variations, with quarantine rates having a stronger impact than return rates.ConclusionThese results provide scientific insight into the control and prevention of COVID-19 in Xinjiang, considering the influence of social and environmental factors on COVID-19 variation. The control and prevention strategies for COVID-19 examined in this study may also be useful for the control of other infectious diseases, especially in low-income regions that are bordered by many countries.

Ecosystems in arid areas are under pressure from human activities and the natural environment. Long-term monitoring and evaluation of arid ecosystems are essential for achieving the goal of sustainable development. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) is a typical arid region located in Northwest China with a relatively sensitive ecosystem. Under the support of the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform's massive data collection, the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) from 2000 to 2020, both in summer and spring, is established, and the variation trend of the ecological quality in Xinjiang is evaluated by coefficient of variation (CV), Sen's slope analysis, Mann–Kendall trend test (M–K test) and Hurst index. In addition, a partial correlation analysis is processed between RSEI and selected climatic factors, including precipitation and temperature, to find out the mode of correlation between ecological quality and the natural climate. In the last two decades the following has become apparent: (1) The RSEI values of Xinjiang have been relatively low and unstable both in summer and spring, with a trend toward increasing; (2) The distribution characteristics of RSEI levels both in summer and spring have been similar; low levels were concentrated in the desert and wilderness, while high levels were concentrated around the oasis; (3) The ecological quality in Xinjiang has been relatively stable, with a trend of sustained increase both in summer and spring. There was also a small area of sustained decrease around the Junggar Basin and Turpan Basin in summer and a small area of significant decrease in the center of the Taklamakan Desert in spring; (4) In summer, the precipitation has obviously positively correlated in the Southwest. The temperature has obviously positively correlated in the northwestern part; in spring, the precipitation has obviously positively correlated in the Western part; the temperature has obviously positively correlated in the oasis around the Yili River Basin and Tarim Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that the national and cultural life of the Tatar diaspora in the Northwest China has not been the subject of the research. The research interest is also caused by the fact that the history of the formation and development of the Tatar diaspora, everyday, spiritual, educational and cultural life has not been studied at all and is of particular interest to researchers. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the article examines the process of formation of Tatar theaters and string orchestras in the cities of Kuldzha and Chuguchak for the first time, where the bulk of Tatar emigrants lived. Particular attention was paid to the role of Tatar theaters in the life of indigenous and visiting peoples of the XUAR of the PRC. The purpose of the work is to study and systematize the national and cultural life of the Tatars of Xinjiang. As a result of the study, it can be concluded that the creation of theaters and string orchestras has contributed to the rallying of the Tatars, as well as the preservation of the native language, literature, traditions, culture and identity of the people, which is also a very important factor in preserving identity among the local population of Xinjiang.

Background Currently, there is a shortage of general practitioners (GPs) in primary care. Job transfer training is one of the main ways to train GPs and had important contributions to the construction of general practitioners team. Objective To analyze the job transfer operation of GPs in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2012 to 2020. Methods During December 2021 to March 2022, this study reviewed China Health Statistical Yearbook from 2013 to 2021 to obtain the data about GPs in Xinjiang from 2012 to 2020, reviewed trainees' lists of GPs job transfer training program from 2010 to 2022 organized by the Health Commission of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to obtain the real number of GPs transferred to training, and obtained the data about GPs distribution from the Science and Technology Education Department of the Health Commission of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Results There were 5 980 GPs in Xinjiang in 2020, and 1 765 (29.52%) of them were qualified GPs through the job transfer training. The gender and age distribution of job transfer training GPs in each prefectures of Xinjiang were statistically different (P

Chun-yang Feng,1 Ruo-hao Liang,2 Xi-ming Jiang2 1Treasury Department, Urumqi Central Sub-Branch of the People’s Bank of China, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Accounting College, Xinjiang University of Finance & Economics, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xi-ming Jiang Email xjjxm2020@163.comObjective: To analyze the status of government health expenditure in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region since the first 10 years from the new medical reform, and find the existing problems in order to provide evidence for the government to formulate medical and health policies.Methods: Based on the health expenditure monitoring data of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region government from Urumqi Central Sub-branch of the People’s Bank of China, combined with the relevant data in Xinjiang statistical yearbook, Excel2013 and SPSS19.0 were used to conduct a comparative analysis of government expenditure data from 2009 to 2018.Results: The average annual growth rate of the government’s health expenditure in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was 12.25%, which was similar to the national level. The proportion of government health expenditure in gross domestic product increased from 0.97% to 1.07%, while the proportion in the total fiscal expenditure decreased from 3.06% to 2.63%, which led to far behind the national and even western area level. The Gini Coefficient of per capita government health expenditure in every city (state) of the autonomous region fell from 0.46 to 0.32 between 2014 and 2018. In the past decade, the ratio between public health expenditure and medical institution expenditure has decreased from 1.01 to 0.42, led to insufficient proportion of public health expenditure. The health expenditure level of the four prefectures especially Kashgar and Hotan in Southern Xinjiang was still far lower than the whole autonomous region and the national average level.Conclusion: The government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region should continuously strengthen the financial expenditure in health, maintain the current situation of preferential policy implementation for rural and grassroots expenditure, constantly optimize the proportion of various financial expenditures, and strive for the transfer payment from the central and autonomous regional governments to the four prefectures in Southern Xinjiang.Keywords: new medical reform, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, government finance, health

This study associates the fuzzy multi-attribute decision making (FMADM) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to assess the water resources carrying capacity and to tackle uncertain problems of multiple subsystems during its evaluation. For this purpose, the water resources carrying capacity evaluation index system is proposed, and the AHP-FMADM is used to evaluate the water resources carrying capacity of 15 areas in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2004 to 2017. Several scenarios with different weight-allocation modes are also conducted to study the influence of decision-makers’ preferences on target level. Results show that the water resources carrying capacity of all areas have been gradually improved. Overall, the economic and social indexes present an oscillation pattern with a rising, falling, and rising trend simultaneously in the study period from 2004 to 2017. The water resource utilization index varies with the amount of precipitation and reaches its peak in 2010. The ecological environment index depicts a diminishing overall trend initially before reaching a turning point in 2014. Increasing the water resources utilization and controlling rapid population growth can improve the water resources carrying capacity. The AHP-FMADM can help decision-makers to determine management plans based on their preferences, and the results of the study may contribute towards improving water resources carrying capacity.

The paper examines the issue of regional specificity of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and analyzes the main stages of its integration into the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese government has become aware of the importance of economic prospects of Xinjiang in terms of its foreign economic ambitions since the 1990s. In this regard, China initiated the program “the Great Development of the West” in 1999–2000. The program was adopted during the 4th Plenum of the 15th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. It is planned until 2050 and devoted to the development of the country’s western territories, including Xinjiang. However, the implementation of the program encounters the rejection of many of its provisions by the local traditional population, since major infrastructure projects are changing the cultural, economic, and socio-demographic landscape of the region. Beijing has intensified its interest in the region as a result of the launch of “One Belt One Road” initiative which was announced by China’s President Xi Jinping in September 2013. The explanation to this rests within the fact that nearly all main land routes of the Chinese transport project are planned to transcend the region. Beijing believes that economic development and modernization will lead to curbing of the Uigurs’ and other indigenous people’s aspirations towards political autonomy. In this respect, there is an increasing need for ensuring the region security and accelerating implementation of a complex of cultural, economic, and military-police activities to minimize terrorist threats and open display of discontent among Muslim ethnic groups of the region.

This paper describes three new species of genus Cunaxoides, namely, C. reticulatus Chen & Jin sp. nov., C. kanasensis Chen & Jin sp. nov. and C. allokanasensis Chen & Jin sp. nov., which are described and figured from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the rapid advancement of the One Health approach, the transmission of human infectious diseases is generally related to environmental and animal health. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been largely impacted by environmental factors regionally and globally and has significantly disrupted human society, especially in low-income regions that border many countries. However, few research studies have explored the impact of environmental factors on disease transmission in these regions., Methods: We used the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as the study area to investigate the impact of environmental factors on COVID-19 variation using a dynamic disease model. Given the special control and prevention strategies against COVID-19 in Xinjiang, the focus was on social and environmental factors, including population mobility, quarantine rates, and return rates. The model performance was evaluated using the statistical metrics of correlation coefficient (CC), normalized absolute error (NAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and distance between the simulation and observation (DISO) indices. Scenario analyses of COVID-19 in Xinjiang encompassed three aspects: different population mobilities, quarantine rates, and return rates., Results: The results suggest that the established dynamic disease model can accurately simulate and predict COVID-19 variations with high accuracy. This model had a CC value of 0.96 and a DISO value of less than 0.35. According to the scenario analysis results, population mobilities have a large impact on COVID-19 variations, with quarantine rates having a stronger impact than return rates., Conclusion: These results provide scientific insight into the control and prevention of COVID-19 in Xinjiang, considering the influence of social and environmental factors on COVID-19 variation. The control and prevention strategies for COVID-19 examined in this study may also be useful for the control of other infectious diseases, especially in low-income regions that are bordered by many countries., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Fu, Liu, Wang, Zhao, Cui, Hu, Zhang, and Wang.)

Abstract: In accordance with its economic interests, China advances coherent policy for development of transport infrastructure both on its own territory and in neighbouring countries. Throughout the last two decades it facilitated the widening trade activity and broader economic cooperation between Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Central Asian states. Its further development foresees a network of Trans-Eurasian links, which will connect China not only with all nearby countries, but with European region as well.

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China 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.)

Sub‐synchronous oscillation (SSO) caused by direct‐drive permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) occurs frequently in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. As a new type of SSO, the mechanism of power oscillation triggered by PMSGs has not been clarified yet. In this study, a small‐signal analysis method was used to investigate the response process of the grid‐side converter (GSC) controller and a phase‐locked loop (PLL) to harmonics. Components with the same frequency of input disturbance signal and an output signal which generated by response process of controller superpose at the outlet of PMSGs could be amplified by positive feedback. Amplified harmonics will cause sustained power oscillation in sub‐synchronous frequency. A criterion for judging dangerous frequencies of SSO was deduced based on phase relation between input and output signals, and the form of output signal was predicted under the condition of certain parameters setting. The theoretical analysis is then validated by the simulation results and the on‐site data measured by the phasor measurement unit. Furthermore, the impacts of GSC and PLL parameters on SSO were discussed. This study provides the theoretical basis for SSO mechanism and judgement method in practical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The fragile ecosystem, scarce water resources, and limited ecosystem resilience of Xinjiang, China make the region especially vulnerable to climate change. Researchers need reliable analyses of climate change trends to formulate regional mitigation and adaption strategies and to support sustainable development. Therefore, two statistical downscaling methods and the combination of a Mann–Kendall test with Co‐Kriging interpolation were used to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of climate change in Xinjiang based on the ensemble of 37 general circulation models (GCMs) in 2021–2060. The reliabilities of single run and ensemble downscaling results of GCMs were evaluated by 69 meteorological stations over the period 1965–2004. The correlation coefficients (CC) with the observations for precipitation and temperature ranged between 0.4–0.8 and 0.9–0.99 in the reference period, respectively. CC improved to 0.87 and was close to 1 after downscaling for precipitation and temperature, respectively. A pronounced increase of ca. 0.27–0.51 °C decade−1 was projected overall, and especially for Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 in northern Xinjiang. In general, the precipitation changed by −1.66 to 6.83% decade−1 while varying seasonally and spatially; a declining tendency emerged in the western regions of Xinjiang during summer. More extreme rainfall events are predicted to occur in summer and autumn months, while warmer extremes would be concentrated in August. The climate in Xinjiang will continue to become warmer and wetter. Nevertheless, Western Xinjiang will experience a warmer and drier climate in summer and autumn. These projections of climate change in the near future are able to provide useful information for the development of potential mitigation measures and adaptation strategies. Multiple circulation mechanisms are also suggested accounting for the changes in precipitation and temperature which will benefit the understanding of the possible drivers of climate variability in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate mapping of land cover on a regional scale is useful for climate and environmental modeling. In this study, we present a novel land cover classification product based on spectral and phenological information for the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China. The product is derived at a 500 m spatial resolution using an innovative approach employing moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) surface reflectance and the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) time series. The classification results capture regional scale land cover patterns and small-scale phenomena. By applying a regionally specified classification scheme, an extensive collection of training data, and regionally tuned data processing, the quality and consistency of the phenological maps are significantly improved. With the ability to provide an updated land cover product considering the heterogenic environmental and climatic conditions, the novel land cover map is valuable for research related to environmental change in this region.

We investigated the genetic variation and relationships among 35 melon landraces collected from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China by using 19 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers (SSRs). A total of 55 polymorphic alleles were amplified. The number of alleles per SSR locus ranged from 2 to 5 with an average of 2.89 alleles per locus. The average gene diversity (GD) was 0.42 with a range of 0.06-0.71, and the average observed heterozygosity was 0.22 with a range of 0.06-0.97, indicating that the genetic diversity among the Xinjiang melon landraces was abundant. Genetic variation was also detected between the landrace populations in different regions in Xinjiang. The most abundant genetic diversity was observed among the landraces in Eastern Xinjiang, with the highest GD of 0.45 and PIC of 0.39. Eleven alleles (20 %) were found exclusively in the landraces from Eastern Xinjiang, and two alleles (3.6 %) were unique to the landraces from Southern and Northern Xinjiang. The genetic similarity matrix was defined on the basis of Jaccard coefficient to determine the genetic relationships among Xinjiang landraces. Cluster analysis was performed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means, showing that the 'wild Hami' (XJ-34) landrace was distinct from the 34 other landraces that were divided into three clusters. Therefore, the genetic background of XJ-34 differed from that of the other landraces. The landraces were not precisely separated on the basis of their geographic origins, although most of these landraces were likely grouped near one another, as visualized through principal coordinate analysis. Thus, western China is one of the primary or secondary centers of melon diversity because of the relatively higher genetic variation detected among Xinjiang landraces. Except the 'wild Hami' landrace, Xinjiang melon landraces could be classified into two botanical varieties, namely, var. inodorus and var. cantalupensis. However, the distinction between these two genotypes was not significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-preserved Ginkgo pollen organs are analyzed from the Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Formation of the Turpan-Hami Basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China, and are described as a new species, Ginkgo hamiensis Z.X. Wang et B.N. Sun sp. nov. The immature male cones are cylindrical and catkin-like, with two longitudinal stripes on the stalk. The pollen sacs are shaped like a long oval with two pollen sacs fused together for each microsporophyll, and the microsporophyll tip is a triangular cystidium. The pollen grains are oblong or fusiform and monocolpate; both ends are blunt or sharp. By comparison with previously reported fossil records of Ginkgo plants, we determined that the current fossils are different from all other reported species; thus, the present fossil is referred to as a new species of Ginkgo. The reproductive organs of the Ginkgo fossils described herein can provide valuable information for the study of Ginkgo plants. Further, there are two probable evolutionary trends in the Ginkgo pollen cones. One trend is that the number of pollen sacs changed from three or four during the Jurassic and Cretaceous to two at the present day; the other is that the number of pollen sacs has remained two from the Middle Jurassic to the present day. In addition, the pollen cones described herein are similar to the pollen cones of the extant Ginkgo, which strongly indicates that the morphology of Ginkgo plants may have remained highly conserved over millions of years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute infectious disease caused by a tick-borne phlebovirus, which was reported to be continuously epidemic in Japan, Korea and in 23 provinces of China since 2010. Most laboratory-confirmed SFTS cases in China have been recorded in 18 Eastern and Central provinces. A few suspected cases with SFTS-like symptoms were reported to the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System from provinces including Guangxi, Guangdong, Gansu and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XJUAR), however diagnosis was not confrimed due to lack of molecular biological and virological evidence. Here we reported the first laboratory-confirmed SFTS case in 2017. A resident of Hainan International Tourism Island (HNITI) was bitten by ticks when traveling in XJUAR and had illness onset after returning to HNITI. RT-PCR detected SFTSV RNA in the patient’s serum samples. Antibodies against SFTSV were detected from the patient and the neutralization from serum samples was evaluated. And the samples of person who had close contact to the patient were also investigated. Moreover, a new SFTSV strain was isolated from the serum sample collected from the patient during acute phase of disease. The viral properties and phylogeny were further characterized. In addition, SFTSV was detected positive in ticks collected from XJUAR in 2017, which suggested that SFTSV was more widely distributed than we recognized. Therefore, this study identified the first SFTS case from XJUAR where confirmed cases have never been reported and demonstrated the substantial risk from SFTSV infection via tick bite there. It is also the first importing SFTS case in HNITI, which showed the significant role of human transport in disease spread and indicated that the recently authorized international tourism island may face more challenges for controlling other importing cases from different areas and countries.

Hantavirus infections among human populations are linked to the geographic distribution of the host rodents that carry the viruses. To determine the presence and distribution of hantaviruses in the northern region of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), northwestern China, 844 rodents were captured from five locations in four dissimilar habitats during 2010-14 and examined for Hantavirus infection. Hantavirus nucleic acids were firstly detected in the brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus) from Ürümqi, China, indicating that the Hantavirus was transmitted into Ürümqi in XUAR and circulated by the brown rat. Our results suggest that the brown rat may act as a natural reservoir for the virus in XUAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite-based evapotranspiration (ET) estimation plays an important role in monitoring surface drought of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China (XUARC) because ET is a key indicator of drought severity. In this study, the evaporative wet index (EWI) is defined as the ratio of ET to potential ET (PET) based on a satellite-based hybrid Priestley-Taylor (Hybrid-PT) algorithm driven by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Normalized difference vegetation index and the interpolated gridded meteorological data at a spatial resolution of 0.05°. The estimated ET is rigorously validated with eddy covariance (EC) observations. The validation result shows that the root-mean-square error (RMSE) is 0.75 mm and the square of the correlation coefficients ( R) for the Fukang (FK) site is more than 0.5 for the comparison between the ground-measured and estimated daily ET at the Fukang (FK) site. We found a good correspondence between their spatiotemporal patterns of both EWI and precipitation ( P) anomalies. We also found that widely significant decreasing trends in EWI, ET and P appears from 1982 to 2009 in central regions of XUARC. The EWI can effectively reflect the variation in surface moisture and it has provided a favorable tool for regional drought monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combustion of fossil fuel contributes to not only global warming but also the emissions of air pollutants. In China, the rapid growth of energy consumption leads to a large quantity of greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions. Although many measures have been proposed by the local governments to mitigate the GHG emissions and improve air quality, limited economic resources slow the efforts of the local government to implement measures to control both types of emissions. The co-benefits approach can use resources efficiently to solve multiple environmental problems. In this study, we first calculated the CO2 and air pollutants (SO2, NOx and PM2.5) emissions in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Then, the co-benefits of wind power, including mitigation of CO2 and air pollutants (SO2, NOx and PM2.5) emissions and water savings, were assessed and quantified in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The results demonstrate that, during the 11th five-year period (2006–2010), emissions mitigation by wind power accounted for 4.88% (1065 × 104 t) of CO2, 4.31% (4.38 × 104 t) of SO2, 8.23% (3.41 × 104 t) of NOx and 4.23% (0.32 × 104 t) of PM2.5 emission by the thermal power sector. The total economic co-benefits of wind power accounted for 0.46% (1.38 billion 2009US$) of the GDP of Xinjiang during 2006–2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyalomma tick species are considered the competent vector tick species that carry and transmit Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) to humans and animals. Hyalomma asiaticum is one of the major tick species widespread in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China. To determine the potential prevalence of H. asiaticum in XUAR, species distribution modeling was performed using MaxEnt algorithm assembled with bioclimatic variables and curated tick presence records. The results indicate that potential habitats of H. asiaticum mainly cover the northern and western XUAR. The suitable habitats included the west rim of the Taklimakan Desert, Turpan Basin, and Junggar Basin. The models show a mean area under the curve of 0.865 ± 0.068 for H. asiaticum based on 10-fold cross-validation. Despite limited tick presence records used in the study, this work describes the potential distribution and the association of important bioclimatic variables that are crucial for the survival of H. asiaticum in many arid areas in XUAR. The model could be helpful in tick distribution study and surveillance of CCHFV in the region., (© American Society of Parasitologists 2022.)

In this study, a set of environmental magnetic parameters (χlf, χfd%, χ ARM , SIRM, HIRM, SOFT and SIRM/χlf, χ ARM /SIRM and χ ARM /χlf) of 331 top-soil samples from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China were systematically measured and the magnetic characteristics and its environmental significance were discussed. Our results indicate that the main magnetic minerals of these top-soils are single-domain magnetite. The content of magnetic minerals in top-soils from north Xinjiang is higher than that from south Xinjiang; however, the content of hard magnetic minerals is higher in the topsoils from south Xinjiang. The top-soils from Yili region contain similar magnetic minerals as that from south Xinjiang, but with much stronger magnetic SP content due to higher pedogenic processes. The differences in magnetic characteristics among top-soils from different regions of Xinjiang might reflect the differences of regional climatic factors, especially the precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tick DNA samples from cattle in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Area, China, were examined for Rickettsia infection by citrate synthase gene-based PCR and sequencing. Four positive samples were detected from Haemaphysalis danieli and high levels of similarity were found with recently detected ‘Candidatus Rickettsia principis.’ [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Holdridge Life Zone model, Shannon's Entropy Index and Simpson's Diversity Index were used to study the dynamics of vegetation distribution over the past 40 years in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), China. The results indicated that Holdridge Life Zone diversity was highest in the 1960s, dramatically decreased in the 1970s, and then gradually increased in the 1980s and 1990s. From the 1970s, the environment in XUAR seemed to be increasing in stability, as characterized by a reduction in the number of days of sandy dust storm activity in the 1990s, and an increase in temperature and precipitation leading to an increase in water flow in some rivers. It is possible that both changes in human activities and positive climate change contributed to the Holdridge Life Zone diversity dynamics and more stable environment in XUAR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Serological methods were utilized to detect Anaplasma and Ehrlichia infection in domestic animals in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. By using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), antibodies that reacted with Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis were detected mainly in ruminants kept on pastureland in Altai, Ili and Kashgar area. Antibody titers up to 1:320 were recorded. These results indicate that ruminants kept in these areas may be infected with some species of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The salinized sandy lands are the important reclaimable reserve wastelands in the south area of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. But it is necessary that the ecological environment of the area is not destroyed by action of oasis development. The main factor to hinder oasis development is land salinization. Rational oasis establishment rebuilds wastelands with lower productivity and utilization efficiency for the growth of agriculture, forestry, and stock raising. The results of surveying sub-soil environment of Aimugaike-Awati oasis in Hotian County of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region show that the underground water and soil environment are not deteriorated under the rational management and administration, which could be coordinated for obtaining economic and environmental benefit. During the oasis establishment period from 1997 to 1999, the plowland area has reached 166.7 hm2, and the seed cotton yield per unit area has reached 2250 kg · hm−2, the area of timber forest and active sand break forest has reached 20 hm2, the area of fruit trees is 71.5 hm2; and the soil moisture has decreased from 22.07% to 18.12%. In the first year of oasis establishment, the soil type has changed salt soil into light salt soil, in the second year the soil has been out of salt harm; and the content of soil organic matter in topsoil has increased obviously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report 17 cases of the classic type of Kaposi's sarcoma in Xinjiang, which is located in the north-western area of China surrounded by Mongolia in the east, Russia in the north and Kazakhstan in the west. Fifteen of the patients were of the Uygur people. All patients were male and did not have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Most of the lesions were found in the lower and/or upper extremities, with 16 patients showing multiple lesions. Immunohistochemical examination of the lesions revealed that human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)-encoded latency-associated nuclear antigen was expressed in the nuclei of spindle-shaped tumor cells. HHV-8 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in all seven cases examined. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that DNA sequences of the HHV-8-encoded K1 gene in the seven Kaposi's sarcoma cases were classified as subtype C that was common in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and East Asian countries. In addition, using immunofluorescence we investigated the seroprevalence of HHV-8 in 73 Uygur patients with diseases other than Kaposi's sarcoma. Surprisingly, the serological study revealed that 34 of the patients (46.6%) were positive for antibodies against HHV-8, suggesting that HHV-8 infection is widespread in Xinjiang area. The occurrence of the classic type of Kaposi's sarcoma with a high seropositivity rate implies that Xinjiang is the most endemic area for HHV-8 infection in the world known to date. Considering that Xinjiang is located at the middle point of the Silk Road that used to extend from Rome to China, these data imply that the virus may have been in circulation in this area due to the migration of the people via the Silk Road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Getah virus (GETV), a mosquito-borne RNA virus, is widely distributed in Oceania and Asia. GETV is not the only pathogenic to horses, pigs, cattle, foxes and boars, but it can also cause fever in humans. Since its first reported case in Chinese mainland in 2017, the number of GETV-affected provinces has increased to seventeen till now. Therefore, we performed an epidemiologic investigation of GETV in the Xinjiang region, located in northwestern China, during the period of 2017-2020. ELISA was used to analyze 3299 serum samples collected from thoroughbred horse, local horse, sheep, goat, cattle, and pigs, with thoroughbred horse (74.8%), local horse (67.3%), goat (11.7%), sheep (10.0%), cattle (25.1%) and pigs (51.1%) being positive for anti-GETV antibodies. Interestingly, the neutralizing antibody titer in horses was much higher than in other species. Four samples from horses and pigs were positive for GETV according to RT-PCR. Furthermore, from the serum of a local horse, we isolated GETV which was designated as strain XJ-2019-07, and determined its complete genome sequence. From the phylogenetic relationships, it belongs to the Group III lineage. This is the first evidence of GETV associated to domestic animals in Xinjiang. Overall, GETV is prevalent in Xinjiang and probably has been for several years. Since no vaccine against GETV is available in China, detection and monitoring strategies should be improved in horses and pigs, especially imported and farmed, in order to prevent economic losses., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

[Display omitted] • 22 indicators were used to assess water resources carrying capacity (WRCC). • Several scenarios with different weight-allocation modes were conducted. • Results can provide different decision makers with suggestions for improving WRCC. This study associates the fuzzy multi-attribute decision making (FMADM) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to assess the water resources carrying capacity and to tackle uncertain problems of multiple subsystems during its evaluation. For this purpose, the water resources carrying capacity evaluation index system is proposed, and the AHP-FMADM is used to evaluate the water resources carrying capacity of 15 areas in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2004 to 2017. Several scenarios with different weight-allocation modes are also conducted to study the influence of decision-makers' preferences on target level. Results show that the water resources carrying capacity of all areas have been gradually improved. Overall, the economic and social indexes present an oscillation pattern with a rising, falling, and rising trend simultaneously in the study period from 2004 to 2017. The water resource utilization index varies with the amount of precipitation and reaches its peak in 2010. The ecological environment index depicts a diminishing overall trend initially before reaching a turning point in 2014. Increasing the water resources utilization and controlling rapid population growth can improve the water resources carrying capacity. The AHP-FMADM can help decision-makers to determine management plans based on their preferences, and the results of the study may contribute towards improving water resources carrying capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Baishitouquan amazonite and topaz-bearing granite is one of the typical high-rubidium and high-fluorine granites in the eastern part of the Mid-Tianshan belt. This intrusion is in sharp contact with Mid-Proterozoic schists, gneisses and marbles, and is composed of four zones transitional from the bottom upwards: leucogranite, amazonite granite, topaz-bearing amazonite granite and topaz quartz albitite. The Baishitouquan granite contains highly ordered K-feldspar, Li-rich mica, Mn-rich garnet, α-quartz and low temperature zircon and is chemically high in Si, K, Na, Al, Li, Rb, Cs and F, and low in Ti, Fe, Ca, Mg, P, Co, Ni, Cr, V, Sr and Ba, with NaO

A new permineralized stem, Ductoagathoxylon wangii Gou et Feng, is described from the Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Formation in Naomaohu Town of Yiwu County, Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwest China. The fossil stem is preserved with pith, primary xylem, and secondary xylem. The solid pith is heterocellular, and characterized by the presence of regularly arranged clusters of secretory cells at the periphery. The primary xylem is endarch to mesarch, showing annular, helical, and scalariform thickenings on the tracheid walls from the protoxylem to the metaxylem. The secondary xylem is pycnoxylic and exclusively composed of tracheids and parenchymatous rays. The secondary xylem tracheids have mostly uniseriate, partially biseriate, and rarely triseriate alternately arranged contiguous bordered pits on their radial walls. The rays are uniseriate and up to ten cells high. There are five to nine cupressoid pits in each cross-field, arranged in the araucarioid type. Growth rings are distinct and are characterized by a narrow band of latewood. This is the third fossil stem described from the Middle Jurassic of China that is preserved with anatomical structures of pith, primary, and secondary xylem, thus shedding new light on the diversity and evolution of conifers. The occurrence of a traumatic scar in the stem indicates that the tree was probably damaged by an abiotic cause, but it successfully survived through physiological responses to the wound. • A new conifer stem is described from the Middle Jurassic of NW China. • Distinctive clusters of secretory cells regularly arranged in the pith periphery. • The wound scar in the wood indicates the plant survived from a wound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]