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TBM method construction is an important accompanying construction form vigorously developed in China, and its anomaly detection is an important link to provide a basis for system operation and maintenance decision-making. The abnormal operation state of TBM caused by different surrounding rock geology, jamming or rock burst will directly affect the tunneling speed and ability, and then affect the system safety and construction progress. In this paper, a TBM construction anomaly detection method based on historical tunneling speed and other construction monitoring data is proposed. Firstly, the preprocessing steps based on outlier removal and correlation analysis are used to remove the noise in the original data and select the best features. Secondly, the variational mode decomposition is used to decompose the data into multiple modal components to extract the periodic and aperiodic features of TBM tunneling. Furthermore, an improved VMD-XGBoost-BILSTM combination model is constructed, and the characteristics of combination weighting, attention mechanism and improved whale optimization algorithm are used to realize the normal prediction of accurate and stable tunneling speed. Finally, by comparing with the actual measured values, the set rules are used to judge the anomalies. The experiments are carried out on the actual mining data of YE long-distance water conveyance tunnel in Xinjiang. The results show that the method proposed in this paper improves the RMSE by more than 20% compared with the single BILSTM or XGBoost model. The attention mechanism and IWOA algorithm bring 5.53% and 10.73% results improvement respectively, which can achieve the effect of early warning of different geological information changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, has abundant coalbed methane (CBM) resources. Currently, the Baiyang River development pilot test area (BYR block for short) in the Fukang east block has achieved large-scale CBM development, but the productivity characteristics and its controlling factor are still unclear. Based on the field production data of the BYR block and experimental tests, this paper summarizes the gas and water production characteristics and presents the analysis results of the geological and geochemical responses to the productivity of CBM wells. The productivity of CBM wells in the BYR block was generally characterized as medium-to-low yield. The productivity was jointly controlled by the burial depth, structure condition, thickness and number of co-production coal seams, and hydrogeological conditions. The gas production first increased and then decreased with the increase in the burial depth of the coal seam, and a burial depth between 750 and 1000 m was the most beneficial to increasing the gas production due to the good gas preservation conditions and suitable permeability and stress conditions. The total thickness of the co-production coal seams had a positive effect on the productivity of gas wells, but the productivity was also affected by the number of co-production coal seams and interlayer interference. In the BYR block, the co-production of the nos. 41 and 42 coal seams was the most favorable combination form for CBM drainage. The productivity of CBM wells had a good response to the Na+, K+ and HCO3− concentrations but a poor response to δD-H2O and δ18O-H2O. Based on the concentrations of the main ions and TDSs of the coal seam water, a productivity response index δ* was established, and there was a good positive correlation between the productivity and δ*. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing allocation efficiency is vital for maintaining China’s position as a leading textile producer. The adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) can improve the efficiency of farmers’ input allocation. Nonetheless, limited evidence exists regarding the impact and extent of farmers’ access to digital agricultural extension through subscribing to agricultural WeChat public accounts (WPAs) on allocation inefficiency costs. Using a 2019 farm household survey of cotton farmers in Xinjiang, this paper employs a primal system model to calculate farmers’ allocation inefficiency costs and a two-stage residual inclusion approach model (2SRI) to estimate the effects of agricultural WPAs subscription on allocation inefficiency costs and allocation inefficiency. The empirical findings indicate that the average allocation inefficiency cost is 3.264 Yuan per kilogram, constituting 45.8% of cotton production cost. Our results demonstrate that subscribing to agricultural WPAs can significantly reduce farmers’ allocation inefficiency costs by 19.5% and decrease allocation inefficiency by 0.079. Consequently, promoting smallholder farmers’ access to digital agricultural extension serves as an effective strategy to enhance allocation efficiency and lower costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encrinurids are common in Ordovician and Silurian strata but whether they survived into the Early Devonian is still controversial. This paper documents the encrinurid Batocara sp. near the Silurian–Devonian boundary in western Junggar, Xinjiang. The highest horizon of Batocara sp. is located above the first appearance datum of the Devonian conodont Caudicriodus , confirming that encrinurids may cross the Silurian–Devonian boundary. The presence of Caudicriodus angustoides bidentatus , Zieglerodina planilingu and plate-type loboliths of scyphocrinoids above the highest horizon of Batocara sp. indicates that encrinurids here extend only into the lower part of the first conodont zone of the Lochkovian (i.e., Caudicriodus hesperius Biozone). Encrinurids are widely distributed and easily recognized, and unlike graptolites and conodonts are not controlled by lithofacies. Therefore, it might be possible to use the highest horizon of encrinurids as indicator fossils to identify the approximate position of the Silurian–Devonian boundary in areas or sections where graptolites and conodonts are not present, and at least in northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yingpan, Xinjiang, was an important site on the Silk Road of China. A large number of precious objects with exquisite patterns have been excavated from this site, and they provide valuable physical evidence for the study of the cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. The conservation methods applied to a pair of cloud pattern-painted boots excavated in Yingpan, Xinjiang, are introduced in this paper, and the various factors influencing the repair process are explained. The results show that an oil-in-water emulsifier with contaminant removal and antibacterial functions effectively softened the hardened and deformed ancient leather. The use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) to evaluate the dosage of the softening agent can prevent excessive use of softening agents on historical leathers. A silk crepeline method was used to influence the physical reinforcement of the boots without affecting their appearance. It improved the fiber strength of the ancient textiles. This article is a good reference for conservators seeking to repair ancient leather products with textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new development pattern is a strategic choice to reshape China's new advantages in international cooperation and competition. It is based on China's current development stage, changes in the environment, and other factors. Located deep within China's interior, Xinjiang is a crucial region for the development of the western region and the Belt and Road Initiative. Its agricultural resources are exported to numerous foreign nations. In the context of the new development pattern, this paper first examines the foreign trade issues in Xinjiang. Second, this paper analyzes the current state of Sino-Kazakhstani trade, in particular the current state of trade in agricultural products. In addition, the growth potential of Xinjiang's agricultural international trade is analyzed utilizing the gravity model and fuzzy algorithm. Finally, countermeasures for the mode of development of Xinjiang's international trade are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is receiving unprecedented momentum and is projected to meet a sizable share of the final energy demand in the future. The coupling between the hydrogen and power systems can help integrate volatile renewable energy, reduce curtailment, and realize long-term energy storage. Different coupling modes are being proposed, yet quantitative comparisons are absent. To fill this gap, this paper firstly summarizes the system composition of potential power–hydrogen coupling modes and analyzes their advantages and disadvantages. Then, a model for power–hydrogen coordinated planning optimization is proposed for quantitative analysis. Southern Xinjiang is chosen as a representative of the northwestern area in China, which has plentiful renewable resources and a relatively small local load at present, for a case study. Through result analysis, it is found that the mode of power–hydrogen coupling at the source side, either for in situ utilization or for long-distance transport via pipelines, shows better economic competitiveness. The discussion provides suggestions and a reference to policymakers for formulating infrastructure or industry plans in advance to better accommodate the rapidly developing renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The name "flax" is commonly used in various historical records of ancient China, and there have been continuous debates about the specific meaning of "flax". The "flax theorists" believe that due to climate characteristics, sesame cannot be introduced and cultivated in the northwest region of China, so "flax" inevitably refers to flax with better cold resistance. This paper maintains that the term "flax" in historical literature refers to sesame rather than flax. Meanwhile, archaeological achievements in the northwest region of China indicate that sesame may have spread to Xinjiang, China through Central Asia during the pre-Qin period, and have been active in the social and economic life of the northwest region for a long time since then. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a kind of "pro-agricultural" intellectual property, geographical indications have brand value and cultural value, and play a unique role in promoting agricultural economic growth and Rural Revitalization. This paper describes the spatial distribution and spatial trends of geographical indication products in China based on ArcGIS platform, and explores the spatial clustering characteristics of geographical indication products in China by using standard deviational ellipse and exploratory spatial data analysis methods. The results show that: (1) Fruit geographical indication products account for the highest proportion, flowers and handicrafts account for a relatively small proportion, and agricultural geographical indication is the most important component. (2) The province with the largest distribution of geographical indication products is Shandong, and the provinces with the largest number of registered geographical indication products in the fruit category are Shandong and Xinjiang. In terms of spatial trends, Chinese geographical indication products show a relatively smooth arc-shaped trend in the east-west direction and an obvious inverted U-shaped trend in the south-north direction. (3) Chinese geographical indication products have obvious spatial agglomeration characteristics, and tea geographical indication products have the highest spatial agglomeration degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is a primary freshwater resource for human consumption and an essential source for industry and agriculture. Therefore, understanding its spatial and temporal trends and drivers is crucial for governments to take appropriate measures to manage water resources. This paper uses Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data and the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) to derive groundwater storage anomalies (GWSAs) and to analyze the spatial and temporal trends of GWSA in different regions of China (Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, North China Plain, South China, and Northeast China). It used groundwater-level observation data to verify the accuracy of GWSA estimates and analyzed the drivers of regional GWSA changes. The results showed that: (1) GWSA in South China increased at a rate of 4.79 mm/a from 2003 to 2016, and GWSA in other regions in China showed a decreasing trend. Among them, the decline rates of GWSA in Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, North China Plain, and Northeast China were −6.24 mm/a, −3.33 mm/a, −3.17 mm/a, −7.35 mm/a, and −0.75 mm/a, respectively. (2) The accuracy of the annual-scale GWSA estimates was improved after deducting gravity losses due to raw coal quality, and the correlation coefficient between GWSA and groundwater levels monitored by observation wells increased. (3) In Xinjiang, the annual water consumed by raw coal mining, industrial, and agricultural activities had a greater impact on GWSA than rainfall and temperature, so these human activities might be the main drivers of the continued GWSA decline in Xinjiang. Water consumption by raw coal mining and industry might be the main drivers of the continued decline in GWSA in Inner Mongolia and the North China Plain. The increase in groundwater storage in South China was mainly due to the recharge of rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are large, heavy oil reserves in Block X of the Xinjiang oilfields, China. Due to its large burial depth (1300 m) and low permeability (26.0 mD), the traditional steam-injection technology cannot be used to obtain effective development benefits. This paper conducts experimental and simulation research on the feasibility and mechanism of CO 2 -energized fracturing of horizontal wells and N 2 foam huff-n-puff in deep heavy oil reservoirs with low permeability in order to further explore the appropriate production technology. The foaming volume of the foaming agent at different concentrations and the oil displacement effect of N 2 foam at different gas/liquid ratios were compared by the experiments. The results show that a high concentration of foaming agent mixed with crude oil is more conducive to increasing the foaming volume and extending the half-life, and the best foaming agent concentration is 3.0∼4.0%. The 2D micro-scale visualization experiment results show that N 2 foam has a good selective blocking effect, which increases the sweep area. The number of bubbles per unit area increases as the gas/liquid ratio increases, with 3.0∼5.0 being the optimal gas/liquid ratio. Numerical simulation results show that, when CO 2 -energized fracturing technology takes into account the advantages of fracturing and crude oil viscosity reduction by CO 2 dissolution, the phased oil recovery factor in the primary production period can reach approximately 13.7%. A solvent pre-slug with N 2 foam huff-n-puff technology is applied to improve oil recovery factor following primary production for 5∼6 years, and the final oil recovery factor can reach approximately 35.0%. The methodology formulated in this study is particularly significant for the effective development of this oil reservoir with deeply buried depth and low permeability, and would also guide the recovery of similar oil deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper employed a geo-economics approach to investigate the twofold Chinese geopolitical intentions behind the execution of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China financed the CPEC project to overcome energy security and terrorism in Xinjiang. The paper examines the correlation between economic development and security objectives by answering the following key questions. (a) Whether CPEC has the potential to alleviate China's energy and security dilemma? (b) To what extent CPEC can act as a lever to achieve security interests? The paper argues that geopolitical and geo-security concerns motivate Chinese leadership to use the geo-economics approach. The $65 billion investment in the construction of CPEC has mammoth potential to revitalize the Chinese dream to achieve security through economic and infrastructure development. For Beijing, infrastructure and economic development along the corridor belt would guarantee peace and security in Xinjiang and an overland route of CPEC for energy supplies will circumvent the Malacca dilemma alleviating the threat to the Chinese energy lifeline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GM crops, as a widely researched and applied biotechnology, hold significant strategic and practical implications for promoting the commercialization of GM crops in China, driving agricultural industry upgrading, and fostering economic and social development. However, despite their potential benefits, the commercialization of GM crops in China has been consistently delayed. Therefore, this study aims to explore the trust relationship between the government and the public in the field of genetically modified organisms and the heterogeneous impacts generated at the production and consumption ends. We primarily focus on insect-resistant cotton and genetically modified papaya as representatives and base our research on survey data from Xinjiang and Guangdong. By employing factor analysis and establishing multiple Probit models with government trust, crop purposes, and farmer expectations as independent variables, and the commercialization of GM crops as the dependent variable, we conduct two sets of empirical analyses. The study finds that government trust has a more significant impact on consumer concerns about whether to consume GM products than on producers, who prioritize farmers' desire for agricultural product profitability. Age and education levels also influence the public's acceptance of planting GM crops, but the effects are not as significant as the core variables mentioned earlier. Based on this, we conclude that consumers and farmers have different positions and contradictions in the specific scenario of delayed GM commercialization in China. In this context, this paper argues that diversified strategies should be adopted to address the issue of commercialization of GM crops in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In northwest China, underground mining is frequently conducted in weakly cemented rock environments, including the aquiclude that protects the aquifer from dewatering. In this context, understanding the aquiclude responses to longwall mining is significant for assessing the reliability of water-conserved mining in the weakly cemented rock environment. Taking the Jurassic and Paleogene coal measure geology in Yili Mine in Xinjiang Province, China, as a case study, the paper conducted a laboratorial three-dimensional simulation by configuring a longwall operation and induced groundwater migration. The study analysed the aquiclude depressurisation and revealed the aquiclude stability in response to longwall mining. The results indicated that the aquiclude had a significant plastic strain and self-healing ability in the ground depressurisation condition. The aquiclude experienced tension and then compression, and, accordingly, fracture initiation, propagation, and convergence, during which the aquiclude had significant bending deformation. On the aquiclude horizon, tensile fracturing dominated above the set-up and longwall stop positions. The self-healing behaviour was correlated to the high content of clay minerals and disintegration proneness. The simulation results had a good agreement with field measurements, suggesting that the aquiclude had a satisfactory water-resisting ability and that the simulation results were practically reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The understanding of formation has always been a challenge for field development. In this paper, we evaluate the reservoir parameters and gas well productivity based on production data. The model of nonuniform conductivity of fractures in multistage fracturing horizontal wells (MFHW) is used to interpret the transient pressure data. Binomial and exponential deliverability equations and pressure dimensionless productivity formula are combined to evaluate the gas well productivity. After that, the key factors that influence gas well production are analyzed, and the gas rate vs. oil nozzle is presented. Results show that the fracture half-length and conductivity for high- and low-conductivity fractures, respectively, are obtained, apart from the reservoir pressure, permeability, skin factor, etc. The test time in each oil nozzle is recommended to extend to achieve stability and to obtain a more accurate absolute open flow potential. The findings of this study provides a guidance for the production data analysis of nonuniform conductivity of fractures in MFHW in the future work. And it can help for the better understanding of predicting gas production rates in MFHW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supply of coins and their metal materials is important for state governance. Many details about the monetary supply network in ancient China still need to be verified. In this paper, 15 early Tang dynasty Kaiyuan Tongbao 開元通寶 coins excavated from the Lafu Queke 拉甫却克 cemetery, Hami 哈密 city, were studied by combining scientific analyses (PXRF and MC-ICP-MS etc.) with the archaeological context and historical texts. The results show that all of these coins are made of Cu-Sn–Pb ternary alloy. The lead isotopes match with the isotopic signatures of some southwest China lead mines consistent with historical records, 14 coins are located in the range of Southern China geochemical province, and the lead of 5 coins could be considered as highly radiogenic lead (HRL). Combining these results with the archaeological context and historical texts, it can be inferred that the coins minted in southwest China were made from locally exploited raw metal, and supplied to the northwest borderland of the Tang dynasty in the seventh century CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock salt formation has a worldwide distribution. In China, a typical area for rock salt formation is in Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwest of China. Because of the ultra-deep depth and tectonic movement, the rock salt is interbedded with mudstone and other components. As a result, the creep behavior and mechanism remain uncertain, which brings a big challenge for safe drilling and wellbore integrity. In this paper, we compared different types of rock salt, including fine-grain size pure salt outcrop, composite rock salt outcrop with coarse grain size, and ultra-deep halite core with mudstone interlayer from Tarim basin. The result reveals that the halite core is mainly comprised of salt and clay minerals, highly transparent, and the "hardest" among all the samples. It is hard to define the grain size of the core since the salt crystal seems to be in a whole piece. Besides, we notice distinct fluctuations with composite rock salt in creep tests, which is missed in the fine grain pure rock salt. The halite core is less sensitive to temperature compared with the outcrop. In addition, a finer grain size means a faster creep rate. DIC (Digital Image Correlation) analysis shows that a prominent strain area near the composite interface due to the deformability difference. In addition, it validated the creep fluctuation phenomenon since we could observe it intuitively. The substance of creep doesn't attribute to crystal deformation but fine grain dislocation. Highlights: Due to the incompatible deformation ordeformability difference,thecomposite rock salt has fluctuationduring the creep. The frequencyhas a negative correlation with temperature increasing since heating could reduce that deformability difference. The DIC analysis test verifies this fluctuationphenomenon, and we could observe itintuitively. The ultra-deep rock salt core has an undefinedgrain size because the salt crystal seems to be in a whole piece, which causesaslow creep rate. The ultra-deep composite rock core seems to proceed into the tertiary creep stage after only 6 hours;however,that corresponds toanelastic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of mineral deposits formation, elements often show abnormal enrichment. Therefore, the inversion of element contents (the prediction of element contents in mineral deposits through hyperspectral data) has some indicative significance to the exploration of mineral resources. In order to solve the problem of nonlinear copper contents inversion using hyperspectral remote sensing, this paper put forward an improved Gradient Boosting Regression Tree (IGBRT) method to invert copper contents. The main innovations of this paper are: (1) replacing the simple average function with the k-nearest-neighbour weighted average function as the node prediction function to improve the accuracy; (2) using the adaptive reduction step instead of the fixed reduction step to improve the efficiency. At the end of the paper, taking the Altun region, Xinjiang province, China as the experimental area, the iron element which was high correlated with the copper was chosen as the intermediate variable, and the contents relationship between them was established to solve the problem of the small number of copper samples in the study area. Using the improved Gradient Boosting Regression Tree method to predict the iron contents, then the copper contents could be predicted through the relationship between them. The results showed that the IGBRT algorithm had the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.744, which were 0.185 more than the traditional one, and the learning efficiency was increased by 39.4%. The results of this study can provide a reference for remote sensing inversion of copper contents in mineral deposits of uninhabited areas, and have some important significance for the delineation of copper prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, Xinjiang's municipal government has enacted a series of religious policies with the overt aim of combatting religious extremism, but which increasing numbers of Uyghur activists, scholars and human rights NGOs assert are discriminatory, serving as a vehicle for religious repression and the cultural assimilation of the region's Uyghur and other Muslim minorities. Within this context, this paper will consider the applicability of international human rights law in protecting the Uyghurs' cultural identity as a religious minority. However, any attempt to do so remains stymied as China has yet to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the sole human rights treaty of the United Nations that contains a provision dedicated to freedom of religion or belief for all. By exploring the applicability of cultural rights as a protection of the Uyghurs' religious identity, this paper will highlight how the UN's evolving definition of culture ensures that Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides one of the broadest protections for minority rights within the core human rights instruments of the United Nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Run-of-mine fragmentation is an important aspect of mine productivity optimization, as it affects all mine-to-mill processes. The current blasting fragmentation calculation methods do not consider the 3D geometric information. Therefore, their calculation results are imprecise. 3D laser scanning is a technique for extracting the 3D geometric information of an object by constructing a 3D point cloud model, with which extra information on the geometrical characteristics of an object could be captured than with the technique of 2D image processing. In this paper, 3D laser scanning technology was utilized for the calculation of the rock blocks on the surface of a muck pile, and the information about the surface blocks was utilized as the samples for the statistical estimation of blasting fragmentation of muck pile (BFMP). Monte Carlo simulation was utilized as the statistical estimation method for the BFMP. In the lab experiment, results from 2D image processing technique and from 3D laser scanning technique combined with statistical estimate were compared with the physical measurements utilizing a water tank, which show that results with 3D laser scanning are more similar to the physical measurement. Finally, the applicability of 3D laser scanning technology combined with statistical methods to the calculation of blast fragmentation was estimated through field tests in Biesikuduke and Santanghu mine, two open-pit coal mines in Xinjiang Province of western China. Results show that the accuracy of the statistical estimation results of BFMP has a particle size deviation of 1–3 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar irradiance data include temporal information and geospatial information, so solar irradiance prediction can be regarded as a spatiotemporal sequence prediction problem. However, at present, most of the research is based on time series prediction models, and the research studies on spatial-temporal series prediction models are relatively few. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate spatial-temporal information to construct a spatial-temporal sequence prediction model for research. In this paper, the spatial-temporal prediction model based on graph convolutional network (GCN) and long short-term memory network (LSTM) was established for short-term solar irradiance prediction. In this model, solar radiation observatories were modeled as undirected graphs, where each node corresponds to an observatory, and a GCN was used to capture spatial correlations between sites. For each node, temporal features were extracted by using a LSTM. In order to evaluate the prediction performance of this model, six solar radiation observatories located in the Xinjiang region of China were selected; together with widely used persistence model seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average and data-driven prediction models such as convolutional neural network, recurrent neural network, and LSTM, comparisons were made under different seasons and weather conditions. The experimental results show that the average root mean square error of the GCN-LSTM model at the six sites is 62.058 W / m 2 , which is reduced by 9.8%, 14.3%, 6.9%, and 3.3%, respectively, compared with other models; the average MAE is 25.376 W / m 2 , which is reduced by 27.7%, 26.5%, 20.1%, and 11%, respectively, compared with other models; the average R2 is 0.943, which is improved by 1.4%, 2.2%, 0.8%, and 0.4%, respectively, compared with other models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global climate warms, the frequency of soil slope failures induced by snowmelt is gradually increasing, especially loess landslide disasters in seasonally frozen areas. Landslide disasters in seasonally frozen areas pose a serious threat to human lives and engineering constructions and are gradually drawing greater public attention around the world. However, the mechanism that regulates deformation and failure processes, resulting in snowmelt-driven landslides, remains elusive. The Yili River Valley in Xinjiang, China, is an ideal location for exploring the mechanism of snowmelt-driven landslides. Based on detailed field surveys, remote sensing image identification, meteorological data analysis and loess characteristic tests, this paper takes a representative high-level loess landslide in north-west China as a case in order to explore its evolution history, movement process and resurrection mechanism. It was found that this loess slope had suffered two large-scale sliding failures and different degrees of inherited slope deformation had been found between the two slope failures. The 32 surface cracks identified have a total length of 3,505.10 m, and the total area of the landslide was found to be 135,462m2. The average thickness of the sliding body was about 30 m, and the volume was approximately 504,000 m3. The actual movement time lasted for 32 s with an average moving speed of about 15 m/s. Human grazing activities dominate the formation and development of slope surface cracks in the early stage. The strong water sensitivity of distinctive loess controls soil strength deterioration in the slip zone. Rapid snow removal and infiltration, driven by an abnormal temperature rise in Spring, is the most important triggering factor for slope deformation, evolution and failure. As regional grazing activities increase and global warming intensifies, the potential for resurrection landslides will increase. The results provide essential information for a comprehensive understanding of early warning systems and risk assessment for snowmelt-triggered landslides in cold areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton, one of the main commercial crops in the world, mostly distributes in several major growing regions, including Xinjiang of western China. An important renewable biomass resource, the cotton stalk has received most attention to serving as the poultry feed, paper making, environmental protection materials, and biomass briquette fuel. Particularly, the highly efficient recycling of cotton stalk can be widely expected to bring enormous economic and ecological benefits. However, most previous treatments are focused on pulverizing cotton stalks and returning to the field. A great challenge is still posed on the current pulling machines for cotton stalks, with emphasis on operational requirements, leakage, and breaking rate. In this study, a novel horizontal-roller cotton stalk pulling machine was proposed to efficiently implement the pulling of the whole cotton stalk after harvesting. The machine was mainly composed of traction, gearbox, stalk conveying, transmission system, machine body, road wheel, spacing regulating mechanism, stalk pulling, dam-board, and support frame. Specifically, the power input shaft of the gearbox was connected to the power output shaft of a tractor. In working, the power was transferred to the chain drive by the power output shaft of a gearbox, and then to realize the stalk conveying and pulling operation under the rotation of the toothed belt and the opposite rotation of the stalk pulling roller. A systematic kinematic analysis was conducted to determine the influencing factors in the working process. A field test was also carried out in a farmland in Korla City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China in October 2019. The soil firmness was 467 kPa, and the moisture content of the soil was 15%-20%, due to the perennial drought and little rain in the study area. The average height of cotton stalk was 700 mm, while, the plant spacing was 50 mm in a wide and narrow close planting mode. The power was from a CFD604A wheeled tractor with a calibrated power of 44.2 kW. The test was performed on the national standard of a harvester combine test(GB/T 8097-2008). A three-level quadratic regression orthogonal test was designed, where the forward velocity of the machine, the rod velocity of the deflector, and the speed of the stalk pulling roller were selected as the influencing factors, whereas, the leakage rate and plucking rate were the response factors. A response surface method was utilized to establish the regression equations for the relationship between the factors and assessment indexes. An optimal combination of parameters was obtained, while an experiment was also conducted to verify the mathematical model. The test results demonstrated that there were great effects of factors on the performance of horizontal-roller cotton stalk pulling. The significant effects on the leakage rate were ranked in a decreasing order: the forward velocity of the machine, the rod velocity of the deflector, and the speed of the stalk pulling roller. Correspondingly, the significant effects on the plucking rate were ranked in a decreasing order: the speed of the stalk pulling roller, the rod velocity of the deflector, and the forward velocity of the machine. The verification test indicated that the leakage rate of the cotton stalk was 5.24%, and the plucking rate was 3.75%,when the forward velocity of the machine was 0.68 m/s, the rod velocity of the deflector was 1.75 m/s, and the speed of the stalk pulling roller was 221 r/min. The optimal combination was better consistent with the predicted one in model optimization, indicating a reasonable structural design. The findings can provide a sound reference for the structural design and optimization of operation parameters in the horizontal-roller cotton stalk pulling machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arid region of northwest China (ARNC) is one of the most sensitive areas to global warming. However, the performance of new Global Climate Models (GCMs) from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) in simulating climate in this region, especially in the subregions, is not clear yet. Based on the temperature dataset from historical runs of CMIP6, this paper analyzed and evaluated the simulation ability of 29 GCMs in reproducing the annual mean temperature (tas), annual mean maximum temperature (tasmax) and annual mean minimum temperature (tasmin) in the ARNC and subregions from 1961 to 2014. The results show that (1) the correlation coefficients (CCs) between simulation and observation time series for the mean of two model ensembles (MME for equal-weight multi-model ensemble and PME for preferred-model ensemble) are generally better than those of 29 individual GCMs, with CCs ranging from 0.38 to 0.87 (p < 0.01). (2) All the models can simulate the significant warming trend of the three temperature elements in the study area well. However, the warming magnitude simulated by most of the models (41%) is smaller than the observations except for tasmax, which is also shown in the MME. (3) The spatial pattern of the three temperature elements can be better reflected by most models. Model simulation ability for the ARNC is better compared to that of the four subregions, with a spatial CC greater than 0.7 (p < 0.01). Among the subregions, the simulation performance of the north of Xinjiang for spatial pattern is superior to that of the other regions. (4) The preferred models for each subregion are various and should be treated differently when used. Overall, the PME outperforms both the MME and the individual models; it can not only simulate the linear trend accurately but also reduce the deviation effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long before the East–West "Silk Road" appeared, cultural communication as well as exchanges of materials and technologies had existed between different populations across the Eurasian Steppe. Xinjiang, located at a crossroads of the East and the West, is particularly important for exploring human interactions. The present paper contributes to this end from a stable isotopic perspective. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis were applied to 51 human and four animal bone remains collected from three types of tombs—namely, the earthen vertical tomb‐pit, earthen vertical tomb‐pit with second‐tier ledge, and earthen vertical tomb‐pit with side chamber—excavated from the Dalujiao cemetery, dated to the Early Iron Age (542 BCE–59 CE), in Xinjiang of northwest China. The δ13C (mean: −18.6 ‰) and δ15N (mean: 7.5‰) results of the faunal remains suggest that the two herbivore species (horse and sheep) were fed mainly by C3 terrestrial plants. By contrast, the human bone specimens differ in δ13C values (from −16.0‰ to −11.6‰, with a mean of −14.1‰ ± 1.1‰, n = 51). People buried in vertical tomb‐pits show a narrow range of δ13C values, an indication that they consumed quite stable sources of food. In contrast, those buried in vertical tomb‐pits with a second‐tier ledge or with a side chamber consumed more diverse foods and probably adopted different subsistence strategies. Taking into consideration both isotopic results and types of tombs, we propose that at least three groups of populations with diverse dietary and subsistence strategies are identifiable at the Dalujiao cemetery. Our study reveals not only human diets and subsistence patterns in the study area but also interactions among different populations prior to the rise of "Silk Road." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the pioneer palaeontologists, Professor Zhuoting Liao has contributed his lifetime to promoting palaeontological and stratigraphical research in China for 60 years, and he passed away in the field excursion in South China on June 20, 2020. In his palaeontological career, Liao has worked on Late Palaeozoic to Mesozoic palaeontology and stratigraphy of almost all regions across China, and his interests have also extended to the Permian–Triassic (P‐Tr) boundary and mass extinction. He has worked on palaeontology, palaeobiogeography, biostratigraphy, tectonostratigraphy, and their implications in mineral and oil‐gas industries. Liao has established 22 new genera and 172 new species of brachiopods, and, together with his colleagues, proposed 11 new genera and 25 new species of echinoderms. He dedicated his lifetime to work on Late Palaeozoic palaeontology and stratigraphy of the previously remote and tectonically complex Xinjiang and adjacent regions, north‐west China, and established integrated stratigraphical frameworks for the Carboniferous to Permian strata, providing fundamental basis for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration in the poorly understood Central Asian terranes. In addition, he has mentored many young palaeontologists and stratigraphers in various ways. This volume assembles 30 papers addressing the Late Palaeozoic to Mesozoic palaeontology and stratigraphy of China and adjacent regions, which pays tribute to the achievement of Professor Zhuoting Liao. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are abundant oil resources in Xinjiang, and the exploitation of oil resources could easily pollute the soil. In this paper, the impact of oil pollution on permeability of the gray desert soil affected by freeze-thaw cycles under a dry and cold climate of Karamay region in Xinjiang was studied. First, varying-head infiltration tests were conducted on soil samples with different water contents and pollution intensity without exposing to freeze-thaw cycles. The variability of permeability were analyzed employing the scanning results of the polluted soil samples by an electron microscope. Then several freezing and thawing cycle tests were implemented on the samples. The test results shown that the soil permeability was optiomal and the permeability coefficient was highest when the crude oil pollution intensity was 0.61% and the water content was 15.53%. With the water content in soil samples being the same, the soil permeability coefficient increased in the beginning and then decreased as the pollution intensity increased. When the pollution intensity ranging from 0.5% to 1.75%, the freezing and thawing condition could be the leading factor affecting the soil permeability. However, when the oil content was within the range of 1.81% – 2.41%, the freezing and thawing condition could not be the leading factor affecting the soil permeability. The results provided in this study could serve as a relevant basis for the remediation of soil pollution in oil production plants in arid areas of Western China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease is a common childhood illness. The paper aims to capture the spatiotemporal characters, and investigate the influence factors of the HFM epidemic in 15 regions of Xinjiang province from 2008 to 2017, China. Descriptive statistical analysis shows that the children aged 0-5 years have a higher HFM incidence, mostly boys. The male-female ratio is 1.5:1. Through the scanning method, we obtain the first cluster high-risk areas. The cluster time is usually from May to August every year. A spatiotemporal model is proposed to analyze the impact of meteorological factors on HFM disease. Comparing with the spatial model, the model is more effective in terms of R2, AIC, deviation, and mean-square error. Among meteorological factors, the number of HFM cases generally increases with the intensity of rainfall. As the temperature increases, there are more HFM patients. Some regions are mostly influenced by wind speed. Further, another spatiotemporal model is introduced to investigate the relationship between HFM disease and socioeconomic factors. The results show that socioeconomic factors have significant influence on the disease. In most areas, the risk of HFM disease tends to rise with the increase of the gross domestic product, the ratios of urban population and tertiary industry. The incidence is closely related to the number of beds and population density in some regions. The higher the ratio of primary school, the lower the number of HFM cases. Based on the above analysis, it is the key measure to prevent and control the spread of the HFM epidemic in high-risk areas, and influence factors should not be ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kuruktag area in Xinjiang is located between the northeastern margin of the Tarim Basin and the South Tianshan orogenic belt, and its complex tectonic background has been extensively studied to assess the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian orogenic belt and the Tarim Craton. Although the Cambrian strata in the study area are well developed and continuous, due to the limitations of the outcrop environment and drilling and seismic data, studies of the sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary evolution have been limited and have yielded results with low accuracy, leading to limited knowledge of the local structure. In this paper, field observations and actual measurements of the stratigraphic profile, supplemented by perimeter logging and seismic data for stratigraphic sequence comparison, are collected, and sea level changes and controlling factors are discussed. Studies have shown that various types of sequence interfaces are present in the Kuruktag area, and three grade II and six grade III type-II sequences can be identified. The grade II and III sequences are composed of a transgressive systems tract (TST) and a highstand systems tract (HST), and the depositional thickness of the TST is less than that of the HST. The northern area has experienced an evolutionary process from a deep-sea basin to a deep-sea shelf, a shallow-water shelf, and a platform edge slope, while the southern area has evolved from a deep-sea basin to a deep-water shelf and shallow-water shelf before again transitioning to a deep-water shelf during the ЄSQ1-ЄSQ6 peroid. The sedimentary facies evolution and sequence structure indicate that the Kuruktag area has experienced a process of rapid large-magnitude transgression and slow regression in terms of sea level. In addition, the curve of sea level change for the Kuruktag area is quite different from the corresponding curves for the Tarim platform facies area and the North China platform. This difference is associated with the evolution of the Kuruktag rift basin. • The sequence boundary is identified, and the sequence stratigraphic division scheme is established. • The sequence−lithofacies paleogeography maps are systematically compiled for the first time. • The process and controlling factors of sea level change are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xiaorequanzi copper–zinc deposit, located in the eastern Tianshan, is considered as a medium‐sized polymetallic deposit in Xinjiang, NW China. Understanding the structural framework and delineating the location of intrusions as well as the distribution of ore‐controlling strata in this mining area are vital for identifying new potential exploration areas. This paper aims to provide new information on the subsurface structures of the Xiaorequanzi copper–zinc deposit and to explore new target area for the ore prospecting based on comprehensive interpretation of multiple geophysical datasets. Several potential field filtering methods were used to study the spatial distribution of the geological structure. The structural lineament was delineated based on various source boundary detection results. Euler deconvolution method was used to estimate the field source depth, and the structure model was constructed from 2.5D forward gravity modelling, constrained by borehole and electromagnetic data. The results indicate that the local gravity highs may be the concentration of mineralized rocks with high density extending to depths of several hundred meters; the magnetic highs are related to mineralized rocks/intrusive rocks that are close to the surface. The tectonic framework of the whole ore bed is mainly controlled by NW‐SE, E‐W and NE‐SW structures, in which NE‐SW structures are related closely to mineralization and may provide optimum conditions for magma emplacement and fluid migration. Our research will help to study the tectonic evolution and guide further exploration of the deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of global climate change and human activities are anticipated to significantly impact ecosystem services (ESs), particularly in urban agglomerations of arid regions. This paper proposes a framework integrating the dynamic Bayesian network (DBN), system dynamics (SD) model, patch generation land use simulation (PLUS) model, and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model for predicting land use change and optimizing ESs spatial patterns that is built upon the SSP-RCP scenarios from CMIP6. This framework is applied to the oasis urban agglomeration on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang (UANSTM), China. The findings indicate that both the SD model and PLUS model can accurately forecast the distribution of future land use. The SD model shows a relative error of less than 2.32%, while the PLUS model demonstrates a Kappa coefficient of 0.89. The land use pattern displays obvious spatial heterogeneity under different climate scenarios. The expansion of cultivated land and construction land is the main form of land use change in UANSTM in the future. The DBN model proficiently simulates the interactive relationships between ESs and diverse factors. The classification error rates for net primary productivity (NPP), habitat quality (HQ), water yield (WY), and soil retention (SR) are 20.04%, 3.47%, 4.45%, and 13.42%, respectively. The prediction and diagnosis of DBN determine the optimal ESs development scenario and the optimal ESs region in the study area. It is found that the majority of ESs in UANSTM are predominantly influenced by natural factors with the exception of HQ. The socio-economic development plays a minor role in such urban agglomerations. This study offers significant insights that can contribute to the fields of ecological protection and land use planning in arid urban agglomerations worldwide. • An integrated framework combining DBN, SD, PLUS and InVEST models was proposed. • Impact of natural and socioeconomic factors on ESs was determined under climate scenarios. • The spatial pattern of ESs was optimized and partitioned using DBNs. • ESs in arid oasis urban agglomerations are mainly affected by natural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synergistic effects of surface and groundwater on desert riparian vegetation were analyzed. • The cautionary depth to groundwater for vegetation expansion in the lower Tarim River is 4.0–5.0 m. • Flooding by surface water (lateral water transfer coverage) acts as the main driver for the expansion of vegetation in arid areas. • A zonal ecological water transfer strategy helps to promote effective ecosystem restoration in the region. Restoring degraded ecosystems in drylands is challenging because of low precipitation and high evapotranspiration. Water availability determines the existence and spatiotemporal distribution patterns of key endangered species struggling to survive in the severely damaged desert riparian ecosystem of the lower Tarim River (LTR) in NW China. Ecological water flow restoration measures with high costs and uncertainties have been implemented since 2000. The key task for scientists is to assess the success and drawbacks of this restoration project and propose specific recommendations for stakeholders to optimize the ecological benefits of the project in a cost-effective manner. In this study, Landsat time-series data from 1990 to 2020 were used to extract vegetation index values from river corridors along the LTR and explore the spatiotemporal patterns of desert riparian forest (DRF) vegetation. Based on land use and surface water data, we extracted the interannual spatial distribution range of vegetation and surface water, and selected several sample plots to demonstrate the influence of surface water and groundwater on vegetation change trends. The study results showed the following. 1) From 1990 to 1999, the vegetation slowly degraded; from 2000 to 2012, the extent of vegetation restoration was approximately 1 km from the river; and from 2013 to 2020, the extent of vegetation restoration at the Yingsu and Karday sections increased to 4.5–6.0 km, while that at the Arghan and Yiganbujima sections remained within 1 km from the river. 2) The vegetation growth rate increased substantially and was spatially heterogeneous when the groundwater level reached 4.0–5.0 m and was influenced by surface water divergence; the average vegetation expansion rates per square km for P 1 –P 4 were 0.017 km2/a, 0.011 km2/a, 0.005 km2/a, and 0.002 km2/a, respectively. 3) Flooding by surface water was the main driver of vegetation expansion when groundwater was stable and elevations in surface vegetation area were often accompanied by the spreading of surface water. Surface water was significantly correlated with vegetation cover and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (Water pixels–Vegetation cover [P 1 : R2 = 0.57, P < 0.001; P 2 : R2 = 0.45, P < 0.01]; Water pixels–NDVI [P 1 : R2 = 0.22, P < 0.05; P 2 : R2 = 0.40, P < 0.01]). The increase in surface vegetation has alleviated the desertification process in the LTR, and the survival of the poplar has been mitigated. The results of this paper can help decision makers to formulate reasonable ecological water conveyance strategies and realize sustainable management of DRF ecosystems in arid zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitraria sibirica Pall is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and rich in polysaccharides. The Xinjiang district of China is rich in Nitraria sibirica resources. Numerous preparations containing Nitraria sibirica have been used to treat various diseases in TCM. However, the relevant studies lack systematicness in both chemistryand pharmacodynamics, and the effective substances are still not clear. They are facing the crisis of "insufficient scientific interpretation of drug theory" and "unclear sourceof medicinal materials", which leads to the lack of scientific methods and indicators for the quality control of Nitraria sibirica or its preparations. Therefore, it is essential to systematically study genuine medicinal materials to solve the problems such as the confusion of medicinal materials, the lack of related literature, andtheoretical basis. In this paper, the isolation and bioactivity evaluation of polysaccharides from the Nitraria sibirica medicinal material was systematically discussed, which laid an important basis for elucidating the theoretical basis of its medicinal substances. The main findings are as follows: The ultrasonic-assisted extraction of Nitraria sibirica polysaccharides (NSP) was optimized by response surface methodology. The results showed that the optimum conditions were liquidsolid ratio 33 mL/g, ultrasonic power 430 W, ultrasonic temperature 60 ℃ and ultrasonic time 70 min. At this condition, the yield of NSP wasup to 14.63 ± 0.21%. Four homogenous polysaccharides, namely NSP-a, NSP-b1, NSPb2, and NSP-c, were obtained through purifying by AB-8 macroporous resin, dialysis, DEAE-650M anion exchange, and Sephadex G-150 gel permeation chromatography. Among them, NSP-a was a neutral polysaccharide, and acidic polysaccharides for the others, with the purity 91.12 ± 1.15%, 94.02 ± 2.18%, 95.71 ± 2.56%, 94.30 ± 0.87%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there is insufficient research on the refinement of the vertical structure of winter snowstorm systems in arid areas, and, compared with the central and eastern China, the observation sites in arid areas of northwestern China are scarce. To deepen the understanding of dynamics and microphysical processes and improve the level of forecasting and warning of snowstorms in northwestern China, the Institute of Desert Meteorology, China Meteorological Administration, Urumqi, carried out the Central Asia Extreme Precipitation Observation Test (CAEPOT) in Yili, Xinjiang, a typical arid region in China in February 2020. This paper uses multiple fine detection datasets obtained from the CAEPOT, including radar wind profiler, ground-based microwave radiometer, and millimeter-wave cloud radar to analyze macroscopic characteristics and microphysical changes of snowstorm system in Xinjiang. Studies have shown that the low trough with sufficient moisture, heat, power conditions, and weakening banded cloud system, which moved eastward from the Aral Sea to the west of Xinjiang during the snowstorm, were the key influencing system of this snowstorm. Before the snowstorm, the vertical shear of the horizontal wind field was severe, which aggravated the instability of the atmosphere, and there was upward motion in the lower atmosphere. A variety of physical quantities related to moisture showed a tendency to increase at the lower level and could be used as an early warning signal for snowstorm about 8 hours in advance, and the cloud and snow particles observed by millimeter-wave cloud radar were simultaneously developing upward and downward from 4 km, providing snowstorm warning 12 hours in advance. During the snowstorm, the horizontal wind speed and vertical speed were obviously enhanced, and the physical quantities related to moisture further increased, and, with the blocking and uplifting of the Tianshan Mountains, the snowstorm increased. The particles collided and grew while falling, resulting in a decrease in particle concentration and an increase in particle radius from high altitude to the ground, eventually resulting in near-ground reflectivity factor up to 30 dBz. In addition, reflectivity factor, physical quantities related to moisture, wind field, particle concentration, and particle radius all had a good correspondence with the beginning, end, and intensity of snowstorm, so when the physical quantities mentioned above weakened and stopped, snowstorm also weakened and stopped. In a word, this research is an important and meaningful work that provides more backgrounds and references for the forecast and warning of snowstorm in northwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Economic investment and the growing immigration of Han Chinese from other parts of China to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region over the last three decades have increased the presence of eastern Chinese architecture in the urban built environment. This paper refers to the making of, residing in and speaking about the materiality of urban architecture by Turkic-speaking Muslim Uyghur middle-class actors. Besides creating personal comfort through Uyghur elements they draw ethnic boundaries to the Han Chinese. In highlighting the materiality of architecture, the analysis expands beyond the individual house by investigating the ways in which urban architecture offers spaces of meaning for social and ethnic communities. Based on ethnographic data, this paper argues that due to the political context and the state-controlled urban development with Chinese characteristics, urban Uyghur architecture was relegated from the outside of houses to an emphasis on interior decoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There was presently a lack of multidimensional investigation on the impact of virtual water flow (VWF) on regional water use and scarcity. A framework for impact analysis of VWF in consideration of blue, green and grey water differentiation, taking the crop-water relationship estimation in 31 provinces of China as case study, was established in current paper. Results showed that, VWF, which mainly from northern to eastern plain and southeast, reduced agricultural water footprints by 8.3 (blue), 322.0 (green) and 52.5 (grey) G m3. National water stress index reduced from 1.20 (severe water stress) to 0.92 (high water stress), comparing crop consumption to production perspectives. VWF alleviated the resource-based water scarcity attributed to green water stress in south of the Yangtze River, and transformed the resource-based to systematic water scarcity in Xinjiang (XJ). Clarifying the influences of VWF on blue, green and grey water is the innovation of the analytical framework proposed in current paper. • Influences of virtual water flow (VWF) on blue, green and grey water footprint scarcity were quantified. • Green and grey VWFs and their effects on water resources were more impressive than blue water. • VWF alleviated water stress and changed water scarcity type in crop production of China. • Crop production improvement and optimization are proposed to increase the benefits of VWF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, reports have emerged that China operates "political re-education" camps of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. China justified them as a sort of vocational training program to assist Uyghurs in participating in the Chinese economy. In actuality, they are brutal incarceration camps; these forms of 'education' can qualify as torture that perhaps 1.5 million adults have been subjected to, and have led to detaining children of people incarcerated in state-run boarding schools. It is necessary to interrogate the underlying factors that have enabled the Chinese government to open and operate these camps under the guise of education. This paper first examines the impact of the current geopolitical interests of China's Belt & Road Initiative and the historical backgrounds of Xinjiang and the Re-Education through Labour program. It then explains the methods of 'education' taking place within the camps and interrogates China's justifications for building them. This education issue is more about inhibiting Uyghur power than China's claim that the camps are meant to empower Uyghurs to participate in the Chinese labour force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines two contrasting cases of ethnic-group political activism in China – the Uighurs in Xinjiang and the Mongols in Inner Mongolia – to explain the former's political activism and the latter's lack thereof. Given similar challenges and pressures, how can we explain the divergent patterns in these two groups' political behavior? This paper forwards the argument that domestic factors alone are not sufficient to account for differences in the groups' political behavior. Instead, international factors have to be included to offer a fuller and satisfactory explanation. The paper illustrates how three types of international factors – big power support, external cultural ties, and Uighur diaspora community activism – have provided opportunities and resources to make the Uighur political activism sustainable. In Inner Mongolia, its quest for self-determination reached the highest fervor in the early half of the twentieth century, particularly with the support of imperial Japan. However, since the end of WWII, Inner Mongolia has not received any consistent international support and, as a result, has been more substantially incorporated into China's geopolitical body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The addition of nano-silica can significantly improve oil production after fracturing. • Nano-silica improved in the anti-swelling performance of the gel-breaking fluid. • Nano-silica had an excellent oil-washing effect. • Field tests showed the cumulative oil production of the test wells was significantly enhanced. Nanomaterials have the characteristics of reducing water molecular clusters and improving surface properties. Therefore, it can effectively enhance the oil displacement (or imbibition) effect while developing low permeability and unconventional reservoirs. Volume fracturing based on horizontal wells has become the primary technology in developing unconventional reservoirs. In this paper, we investigated the effect of nano-SiO 2 on the rheology, flowback, and subsequent oil displacement performance of fracturing fluid. Results showed that nano-SiO 2 had little impact on the swelling and dispersion properties of the two thickeners (i.e., guar gum and emulsion polymer). The apparent viscosity of these two thickener solutions decreased by less than 15% after aging for 24 h. Nevertheless, nano-SiO 2 particularly influenced the rheological properties of guar gum based fracturing fluid. That is to say, the increase in the amount of nano-SiO 2 gradually reduced the temperature and shear resistance of the fracturing fluid. When the concentration of nano-SiO 2 reached 5%, the temperature and shear resistance of fracturing fluid decreased by 40%–60% in the temperature range of 80 to 100 °C. However, nano-SiO 2 had little effect on the fracturing fluid's breaking time and the solution's viscosity after breaking, and the surface tension of the solution slightly increased after breaking. The fracturing fluid added with nano-SiO 2 improved the performance of inhibiting clay swelling after the gel was broken. In addition, the solution after gel breaking had an excellent demulsification effect on emulsified crude oil when the concentration of nano-SiO 2 was less than 0.2%. While the concentration of nano-SiO 2 was greater than 0.5%, the increase in nano-SiO 2 concentration gradually strengthened the emulsification between crude oil and gel-breaking fluid. Nano-SiO 2 also had an excellent oil displacement effect, and it increased the recovery efficiency of primary water flooding by 9.99–13.34 percentage points. IThe field test of nanoparticle flooding and fracturing integrated technology was carried out for two wells in the Mahu tight oil reservoir of Xinjiang Oilfield, NW China. The pilot tests of the two wells were very successful, and the cumulative oil production on the 180th day after the fracturing operation was 20–50% higher than that of the comparison well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A review of the difficulties faced when burning high-alkali coals in boilers. • The effective combustion utilization methods of high-alkali coals are summarized. • The ash deposition solutions of burning high-alkali coals are summarized. • Proposed future research directions for the utilization of high-alkali coals. High-alkali coals are distributed in many countries all over the world, mainly characterized by contains abundant alkali metals and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) elements, direct combustion in boilers will bring serious ash deposition, fouling, and slagging (ash-related issues) on the metal heat transfer surface of the boilers. In particular, the Zhundong (ZD) coals in Xinjiang, China, as typical high-alkali coal, have a huge reserve that can effectively ensure China's coal demand in the long term. The main purpose of this paper is to clarify the problems and difficulties faced by the combustion of high-alkali coals in boilers, explore and summarize the effective utilization methods. First, the primary difficulties and problems faced by direct combustion of high-alkali coals in boilers are summarized. Second, the research progress of current efficient utilization methods and solutions of high-alkali coals combustion in boilers are summarized and reviewed, it mainly includes the following aspects: (1) pretreatment technology before combustion; (2) control and optimization of combustion parameters such as temperature and atmosphere; (3) co-combustion with inorganic additives, other coals, biomass fuels, and other fuels, respectively. The above methods have been proved can be effectively reduced and alleviated the ash-related issues, but no methods can be eliminated or solved the problems completely at present. Based on the existing research and practice results reviewed in this paper, aiming at the efficient utilization of high-alkali coals combustion in utility boilers, further feasible research directions or key points for the future are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses how the situation in China's most northwestern province-level unit Xinjiang has affected China's overall foreign relations since disturbances in its capital Ürümqi in July 2009. Xinjiang's most populous ethnic group is the mostly-Muslim Uighurs. The paper assumes a framework that puts a high priority on China's facing west. Though no more important than the eastward-looking foreign policy that has dominated Western analysis, the paper sees China's facing west perspective as deserving more attention than it has received. Russia and Central Asian countries have been positive about China's economic aims in the region. However, friction has increased with China's rise, Chinese authorities tending to blame Xinjiang's disturbances on Islamism in Central Asia. China resents the USA for giving asylum to Rebiya Kadeer, president of the anti-China World Uyghur Congress. In 2011, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pushed the idea of a 'New Silk Road' in Central Asia for peaceful economic development. China has long espoused the 'Silk Road' idea, developing its own 'Silk Road Economic Belt.' Damaged due to the 2009 riots, the China-Turkey relationship has improved because of various visits and agreements since 2010. The paper balances the dominantly economic Silk Road concept against Islamist terrorism. It argues that the aims of the Silk Road and Silk Road Economic Belt are sensible and practical, with positive economic relations the main trend. However, although the Central Asian 'zone of conflict' is a lesser trend, tensions are serious and long term, especially those caused by Islamism and Islamist terrorism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual segregation has been found among many vertebrate species. Argali, like other sexually dimorphic Capridae, form sexually segregated groups outside the breeding season. The degree of sexual segregation and its seasonal changes have never been examined and quantified in Asiatic species of wild sheep. In this paper we are considering seasonal fluctuation in the degree of sexual segregation and check the activity budget hypothesis to explain this phenomenon in the Darwin's wild sheep (Ovis ammon darwini), a subspecies of argali sheep (Ovis ammon). The activity budget hypothesis states that sexually size-dimorphic males and females segregate into different groups due to incompatibilities in activity budgets and movement rates. We collected data on activity budgets in the argali sheep from 2015 to 2016, in the Mengluoke Mountains of Xinjiang Province, and used Conradt's segregation coefficient (SC) to measure the degree of sexual segregation outside and during the rutting seasons. Our results showed that the SC value was highest outside the rutting season (0.98), when argalis were almost completely segregated. During the rutting period, the segregation coefficient dropped more than twofold (0.43) compared to the non-rutting season. In addition, our data supported the activity budget hypothesis: female and male argali had different behavioural activity patterns during the non-rutting season. Female argali spent more time feeding, followed by resting, standing, moving, and other behaviours, while males spent most of their time resting, followed by feeding, standing, other behaviours, and moving. Female argali spent significantly more time feeding than males, while males spent significantly more time resting and in other behaviours than females. Activity synchronization indices for both female groups and male groups were significantly higher than in mixed-sex groups. Sexual segregation is the best behavioural strategy for sexually dimorphic ungulates and the activity budget hypothesis explained this phenomenon well in Darwin's wild sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The expansibility of mudstone in the foundation for cutting heaved area was investigated. • An in-situ experiment was carried out of the micro-expansion red-bed mudstone in foundation. • The heave mechanisms of cutting for the ballastless track in summer were studied. • The heave mitigation techniques using the water-blocking ditch was proposed. The cutting of the ballastless track for the Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed railway (LXHR) shows a transfinite heave deformation in the summer. This paper investigates the mechanisms of cutting heave by analyzing the water content, mineral composition, microstructure, and expansibility of mudstone in the foundation using drilling core sampling in the cutting heaved area for the (LXHR). Besides, an in-situ test is performed on a typical cutting heaving position to investigate the overall expansibility of the micro-expansion red-bed mudstone after absorbing water under different overlying loads. The results showed that the clay mineral content of the mudstone in the foundation was very low, and it does not belong to the category of expansive rock but only has micro-expansion. The in-situ experiment revealed that the swelling value of micro-expansion red-bed mudstone with a thickness of 80 cm was 12.61, 8.78, 7.31, and 5.77 mm under an overlying load of 0, 15, 30, and 45 kPa, respectively, which exceeded the tolerance limit (4 mm). In addition, the study proposed the possible mechanisms that lead to the heave deformation for the LXHR cutting in summer, including the micro-expansion red-bed mudstone in the foundation, the lateral water supply mechanism, and the excavation and unloading. As a result, it preliminarily suggests the heave mitigation techniques for the LXHR by using the water-blocking ditch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this paper are threefold: to provide some historical background on ethnic separatism in the PRC; to identify the causes of ethnic separatism; and to provide an assessment of the current separatist challenges to the PRC and their implications for China's domestic politics and foreign relations. The paper demonstrates that the nature and scale of the challenge posed by any one ethnic minority to the PRC is largely a function of three major factors: the historical relationship between the ethnic group and the Chinese state; the geographic concentration of the ethnic minority; and the degree of acculturation to the dominant Han society. In this regard the paper identifies Xinjiang and Tibet as the ethnic minority regions that pose the most enduring separatist challenge to Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the inter-group difference in social leverage ties between Uyghurs and Han Chinese in Ürümchi, China. Social leverage ties refer to high-status ties such as professionals and managers who can provide egos with information or access to education, training, employment, etc. Existing studies have suggested three hypotheses (i.e. retention of culture, homophily and neighbourhood poverty) for the mechanisms of ethnic differences in network composition. Based on the survey data the author collected in 2005, this paper suggests another main mechanism – state policies – in explaining the ethnic variations. State policies have led to in-group association and ethnic inequalities, which have limited Uyghur access to high-status individuals. Data analysis shows the Uyghur–Han difference in social leverage ties controlling for key background characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The 5 July event in Urumqi inspired rethinking about Beijing's policy towards Xinjiang. This paper will examine Beijing's interests in Xinjiang from historical, political, economic and security perspectives, and the challenges Beijing faces in pursuing and protecting its interests. By examining the tensions between the Han and ethnic minorities, especially the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the paper argues that the Xinjiang issue involves China's core interests and the most serious challenge Beijing faces is how to cope with ethnic tension in a highly sensitive region surrounded by big powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumultuous events of summer 2009 have brought Uighur protests and minority mobilization in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) to the forefront. But this focus overlooks similar protests organized by various groups of Han Chinese settlers over the years. This paper contributes to the body of literature on minority mobilization and ethnic relations in Xinjiang by illustrating how the political mobilization of a group that is simultaneously a national majority and a regional minority differs substantially from ‘traditional’ minority mobilization. Reviewing the main instances of Han Chinese political mobilization since the XUAR was created in 1955, I argue that two factors are particularly important in enabling their mobilization: the Han Chinese's subjective perception of discrimination and their close ethnic ties to the state. This paper concludes with a discussion on the presence of a cycle of protests between Han settlers and the Uighurs in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines the management and practice of traditional medicine in three autonomous regions of the People's Republic of China: Inner Mongolia; Tibet; and Xinjiang. On this basis, the paper considers how established medical traditions might best be integrated into modern health care systems. It holds that indigenous forms of medicine that have been practiced successfully across many generations should be treated as different but equal within wider health care systems. China has made important progress toward this ideal but, at the same time, has quite a long way to go. It is highly recommended that Chinese policymakers increase their efforts to give all established traditional medicines different but equal status within regional health care systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to identify the variables that define the political and social boundaries within Xinjiang's multi-ethnic society. Traditionally, ethnicity has been the point from which scholars examine political and social loyalties in Xinjiang. It is proposed here that, while ethnicity is a crucial component in defining the divisions in Xinjiang society, it is also important to consider the role of language. This latter trait cuts across ethnic lines and is responsible for creating important subgroups within established communities. The paper will demonstrate that while the Uighur Min kao Han are ethnically Uighur, they culturally and linguistically have taken on many ethnic Chinese characteristics. They are favoured for admission into Chinese society and receive political and employment advantages over their co-ethnics who remain linguistically/culturally Uighur. However, these advantages do not always materialize and the social costs are high. The Min kao Han are generally excluded from the Uighur community, while simultaneously enduring discrimination from the Han. It is argued here that the history of the Min kao Han , as well as the trends in Chinese politics and society affecting this group's future development, are key to understanding what their current role is and will be in the future. It is clear that the psychological condition of the Min kao Han is largely the result of their isolated position in Xinjiang society, and of their experience as children in Han classrooms. It will be shown that there is potential for this group to lead the Uighur population into conflict with the Han, but also, and more importantly, for them to help facilitate reconciliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]