Mongolia Province Research Articles

Официальные и «вторые» имена этнических тувинцев Монголии

Introduction. The article analyzes personal names and nicknames of Mongolia’s ethnic Tuvans which is an understudied ― though topical ― issue of contemporary Tuvan onomastics. The ‘second’ names contain data about old and modern culture of foreign Tuvans, and particularly that of Mongolia-based ones. Goals. The article primarily seeks to identify official, ‘home’, and ‘paired’ names (i.e. nicknames) of Tuvans residing in Western Mongolia. To date, this aspect of Tuvan linguistics has been no object of any special scientific research. So, the work can fill the gap, and facilitate further development of Tuvan onomastics in general. Materials. The paper analyzes personal names and ‘second’ names collected by the author during field research in Bayan-Olgii and Khovd Provinces of Mongolia inhabited by ethnic Tuvans. Results. The analysis of personal names and nicknames concludes that the official documents of the latter mention personal names of Tibetan-Mongolian origin, while in everyday life they actually use ‘second’ names that deal with the history, customs and traditions of their ancestors. In the past, both essentially Tuvan and Tibetan-Mongolian names served as ‘household’ and ‘paired’ ones, while the current period witnesses the additional use of hypocoristic forms which is a novelty to name-giving practices of Mongolia’s Tuvans.

Spatial Epidemiology of Vitamin D Status in Mongolia

TPS 723: Low and middle income countries: sanitation infections and other health effects, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 26, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Background: Most Mongolians are known to have low vitamin D levels because of low availability and lack of dietary habit of vitamin D-rich foods, including fish and mushrooms. Moreover, solar radiation is inadequate to induce cutaneous synthesis of pre-vitamin D in winters because of Mongolia’s high latitude and highland location. This study aims to determine the spatial status of vitamin D in Mongolians. Methods: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the most abundant vitamin D metabolite in circulation, was measured in 541 healthy subjects (age: 10–64 years) living in six Mongolian provinces and capital, Ulaanbaatar. Furthermore, blood samples were collected between September and December 2016. Results: The mean (± standard deviation) serum 25(OH)D concentration was 16.6 (± 7.0) ng/mL (recommended value, ≥30.0 ng/mL); furthermore, 70.1% of subjects had “deficient” (<20 ng/mL) and 24.2% had “insufficient” (20≤, <30 ng/mL) levels. The 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in females (14.9 ± 5.9 ng/mL) than in males (19.5 ± 7.8 ng/mL), although no differentiation was noted by age. Subjects from Ulaanbaatar exhibited the lowest levels of 25(OH)D (7.9 ± 2.6 ng/mL) compared with all provinces, with significant differences even if seasonal sampling blood was considered. Furthermore, the 25(OH)D levels were relatively high in provinces in southern Mongolia. Conclusions: Mongolians have deficient vitamin D levels, especially in Ulaanbaatar, which could be partly attributed to the impact of air pollution; Ulaanbaatar is the most air polluted area in Mongolia (annual mean: PM2.5, 6–10 times higher than the safety level), which decreases the amount of ultraviolet-B radiation required for the synthesis of pre-vitamin D. Therefore, a comprehensive policy, including dietary modification and the remedy for air pollution, is warranted.

Ойратская рукопись «Гимн Зеленой Таре» из коллекции Миджид-ламы (Убсунурский аймак, Монголия)

The publication examines texts devoted to the cult of the goddess Tara, the latter being revered by all Mongolic peoples which is evidenced by field materials collected between 2013 and 2016 in Uvs and Khovd Provinces of Mongolia. One such religious text from the personal collection of Midjid Lama (Midjidorzh), the abbot of Namirin Khiid (Ömnӧgovi Sum, Uvs Province, Mongolia), serves as a vivid confirmation. The work publishes an Oirat-language manuscript entitled ‘The Hymn to the Green Tara’ (Oir. Noγōn Dāre ekeyin maqtāl orošiboi) with transliteration, commented translation, and facsimile of the original source. This is one of the prayer texts once used in ceremonial honoring of the goddess Tara. The article also discusses similar texts in Mongolian and Tibetan languages.

Rural-urban disparities in caesarean section rates in minority areas in China: evidence from electronic health records.

ObjectiveTo assess the rural–urban disparity in caesarean section rates using electronic health records from hospitals located in the Province of Inner Mongolia, which is a minority area in Northeastern China.MethodsThe study examined the electronic health records of women that gave birth in three major public hospitals between January 2012 and December 2016. Multinomial regression analyses were used to estimate rural–urban disparities in caesarean section rates.ResultsData from 61 903 women were examined. Caesarean section rates increased slightly over the study period and the rate was significantly higher in rural compared with urban hospitals (48% versus 38%). This disparity consistently increased over time. Multinomial regression analyses showed that maternal age, ethnicity, health insurance type, employment status, reproductive history and the newborn’s sex were significant risk factors associated with caesarean section rate. Furthermore, stratified analysis of first-time pregnancies, minorities and different age groups showed that the odds of undergoing an emergency caesarean section was lower in the rural hospital, but the odds of undergoing a planned caesarean section was higher in the rural hospital.ConclusionsCaesarean section rates have increased in rural areas and the disparity in rural–urban areas has increased substantially over the years.

Wickerhamomyces kurtzmanii sp. nov. An Ascomycetous Yeast Isolated From Crater Lake Water, Da Hinggan Ling Mountain, China.

One novel ascomycetous yeast strain TF5-16-2 was isolated from water samples of Tuofengling crater lake located in Da Hinggan Ling Mountain, in the Inner Mongolia province of China. Morphological, physiological characteristics, as well as phylogenetic analyses of D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA (LSU), ITS region, small subunit rRNA (SSU), and elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) were performed and finally confirmed the phylogenetic placement of strain TF5-16-2 in the genus Wickerhamomyces. Sequences analysis revealed that strain TF5-16-2 differed from its most closely related phylogenetic neighbors 'Candida' silvicultrix CBS 6269T and Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS 5759T by 8.0% (including 2.3% gaps), 8.5% (including 2.4% gaps) divergences in D1/D2 domains of LSU, and 11% (including 4.3% gaps) and 13% (including 4.4% gaps) divergences in ITS region, respectively. As the considerable sequence divergence and distinguishable physiological characteristics, strain TF5-16-2 was proposed as a new species of the genus Wickerhamomyces, with the name Wickerhamomyces kurtzmanii sp. nov. (holotype = CGMCC 2.5597, Mycobank number is MB829959).

Ecological modeling of Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma in Alxa, China

Cistanche deserticola Y.C. Ma has long been used for medical purposes in China. It mainly grows in the Chinese provinces of Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, and Xinjiang, and the species in the Alxa region of northwest China, have the most distinct qualities. To explain the geoherbalism quality and geographical distribution of C. deserticola, we sampled 65 wild plants in Alxa, determined their echinacoside and acteoside content, and assessed the relationship between the ecological environment and quality of C. deserticola through maximum entropy modeling and geographic information system. We identified the areas suitable for the growth of high-quality C. deserticola species. The regionalization analysis of growth suitability showed that the most influential ecological factors for the growth of C. deserticola are soil type, annual sunshine duration, altitude, temperature seasonality (standard deviation ×100), vegetation type, sunshine duration in the growing season, mean precipitation in August and mean temperature in July. The most suitable areas for growing C. deserticola are southeast of Ejin Banner, central Alxa Right Banner, and north of Alxa Left Banner. The regionalization analysis of quality suitability showeds that the most influential ecological factors for glycosides in C. deserticola are sunshine duration in June, average precipitation in May, and average temperature in March, and the best-quality C. deserticola grows in Dalaihob Town, Ejin Banner. Upon inspection, the result of the experiment reached a high accuracy of 0.994, which indicates that these results are consistent with the actual distribution of C. deserticola in Alxa. The results of this study may serve as a scientific basis for site selection of artificial planting bases for C. deserticola.

Antioxidant capacity of germinated quinoa-based yoghurt and concomitant effect of sprouting on its functional properties

In this study, functional yoghurt was produced from germinated and ungerminated quinoa seeds of two different cultivars (Mengli 1 and Mengli 2) obtained from Inner Mongolia Province, China. The effect of germination on the physicochemical, antioxidant compounds, and antioxidant capacity was determined. In the results obtained, germination influenced the nutritional qualities of quinoa yoghurt to a large extent. Total phenolic content (TPC) and Total flavonoid content (TFC) were the highest in germinated quinoa yoghurt of both cultivars. Germinated quinoa yoghurt also recorded high antioxidant capacities with 2,21, diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP), radical cation (ABTS*+) scavenging assay and oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assays. Thus, it was concluded that yoghurt produced from germinated quinoa could serve as functional yoghurt beneficial for human health.

Dissipation study and dietary risk assessment of dinotefuran, DN, and UF in wolfberry

ABSTRACT In this study, a reliable and efficient residue analytical method to determine dinotefuran and its metabolites [1-methyl-3-(tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl) guanidine (DN) and 1-methyl-3-(tetrahydro-3-furylmethyl) urea (UF)] in wolfberry and soil was established. The mean recoveries from soil and wolfberry matrices ranged from 84.7 to 98.9%, with intra-day relative standard deviations (RSDr) in the range of 0.9–2.5% for three test compounds. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.005 mg kg−1 for dinotefuran, DN, and UF in wolfberry and soil matrices, and the limits of detection (LODs) were 0.0001 mg kg−1 for three compounds in two matrices. The dissipation and residual assay in 2016 with the commercial formulation of dinotefuran • thiamethoxam 30% suspension concentrate (SC) was conducted at four locations of Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia province. The dissipation rates of dinotefuran were rapid in wolfberry with the half-lives were 1.4–3.1 days. The dissipation in soil were relatively slow with half-lives 7.5–17.4 days. According to the results of dietary risk assessment, the residue of dinotefuran at the recommended dosage is safe for human

Contrasting Aerosol Optical Characteristics and Source Regions During Summer and Winter Pollution Episodes in Nanjing, China

Two episodes with heavy air pollution in Nanjing, China, one in the summer and another one in the winter of 2017, were selected to study aerosol properties using sun photometer and ground-based measurements, together with source region analysis. The aerosol properties, the meteorological conditions, and the source regions during these two episodes were very different. The episodes were selected based on the air quality index (AQI), which reached a maximum value of 193 during the summer episode (26 May–3 June) and 304 during the winter episode (21–31 December). The particulate matter (PM) concentrations during the winter episode reached maximum values for PM2.5/10 of 254 g m−3 and 345 g m−3, much higher than those during the summer (73 and 185 g m−3). In contrast, the value of aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 500 nm was higher during the summer episode (2.52 0.19) than during that in the winter (1.38 0.18). A high AOD value does not necessarily correspond to a high PM concentration but is also affected by factors, such as wind, Planetary Boundary Layer Height (PBLH), and relative humidity. The mean value of the Ångström Exponent (AE) varied from 0.91–1.42, suggesting that the aerosol is a mixture of invaded dust and black carbon. The absorption was stronger during the summer than during the winter, with a minimum value of the single scattering albedo (SSA) at 440 nm of 0.86 on 28 May. Low values of asymmetry factor (ASY) (0.65 at 440 nm and 0.58 at 1020 nm) suggest a large number of anthropogenic aerosols, which are absorbing fine-mode particles. The Imaginary part of the Refractive Index (IRI) was higher during the summer than during the winter, indicating there was absorbing aerosol during the summer. These differences in aerosol properties during the summer and winter episodes are discussed in terms of meteorological conditions and transport. The extreme values of PM and AOD were reached during both episodes in conditions with stable atmospheric stratification and low surface wind speed, which are conducive for the accumulation of pollutants. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis show that fine mode absorbing aerosols dominate during the summer season, mainly due to emissions of local and near-by sources. In the winter, part of the air masses was arriving from arid/semi-arid regions (Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia provinces) covering long distances and transporting coarse particles to the study area, which increased the scattering characteristics of aerosols.

First Report of Dodder (Cuscuta australis) Parasitizing the Invasive Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) in China

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.; Asteraceae), a tall perennial herb native to North America (Shoemaker 1937), has become a significant invasive weed in Eurasia. The wild neophyte first recorded in Shandong Province in 1918 is now present in 26 provinces in China, except Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Guizhou, Taiwan, Guangxi, Xizang, Hongkong, and Macao (Ma 2013). This invasive weed easily forms dense monospecific stands in disturbed habitats such as farmlands, wastelands, bared slope lands, roadsides, ditches, and river embankments, threatening local biodiversity in China. To determine its distributions and natural enemies in Liaoning Province, field surveys were conducted in summer 2018. Dodder was first found on Jerusalem artichoke along the Xinkai River (N 41°49′, E 123°35′, 62 to 65 m elevation) in Shenyang (temperate continental monsoon climate), Liaoning. Orange leafless dodder was observed mostly wrapped around affected artichoke plants and was also occasionally present on native Humulus scanden, Artemisia lavandulaefolia, and Chenopodium album plants in the swards. Artichoke plants parasitized by dodder were chlorotic on the upper half of the stems, and necrotic on the lower half. Some parasitized plants were also stunted. Haustoria were observed clearly penetrating Jerusalem artichoke stems, and some stem tissues surrounding the haustoria connections developed grayish lesions with short longitudinal cracks. The dodder stems on Jerusalem artichoke were 0.9563 ± 0.146 mm in diameter (mean ± s.d., n = 15). The dodder inflorescences were lateral, compact cymose, and subsessile. Bracts were scale-like. Corolla were creamy white and cupular. Capsules were enclosed by persistent corolla, depressed-globose, not circumscissile, and containing 3 to 4 seeds. Seeds were brownish, ovoid, and scabrous. Based on inflorescence, bract, corolla, capsule, and seed characteristics, the dodder was tentatively identified as Cuscuta australis R. Br (Wu 1979; Zhao et al. 2015). The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the dodder rDNA was amplified with S2F-S3R primers resulting in a 437-bp product (GenBank accession no. MK070145). This product had 100% similarity with C. australis (MK063811) reference, confirming its identify as C. australis, albeit the ITS2 of C. chinensis (JF421489) was also identical. The dodder, C. australis, is broadly distributed from Central, East, and South Asia southward to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Oceania (Wu 1979). It has been reported parasitizing other noxious invasive weeds such as common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) (Zhao et al. 2015) and Canada cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L. var. canadense) (Wang et al. 2019). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. australis on the invasive Jerusalem artichoke in China. In addition, few natural enemies have been found on this invasive artichoke, except an introduced insect Ophraella communa, of which only its adults were observed feeding in the laboratory (Hu and Meng 2007). The dodder, as one of a few reported natural enemies on the weed, may alleviate the detrimental impacts of the aggressive Jerusalem artichoke in China, especially in the two Northeast provinces, Jilin and Liaoning.

Understanding driving patterns of carbon emissions from the transport sector in China: evidence from an analysis of panel models

China’s transport industry has made rapid progress, which has led to a great amount of carbon emissions. However, it is still unclear how carbon emissions from the transport sector are punctuated by shifts in underlying factors. This paper aims to examine the process of China’s carbon emissions from the transport sector as well as its major driving forces at the provincial level during the period of 2000 to 2015. We first estimate the carbon emissions from the transport sector at the provincial level based on the fuel and electricity consumption using a top-down method. We find that the carbon emission per capita is steadily increasing across the country, especially in the provinces of Chongqing and Inner Mongolia. However, the carbon emission intensity is decreasing in most provinces, except in Yunnan, Qinghai, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Henan and Anhui. We then quantify the effect of socioeconomic factors and their regional variations on carbon emissions using a panel model. The results show that the development of secondary industry is the most significant variable for carbon intensity at both the national and regional levels, while the effects of the other variables vary across regions. Among these factors, population density is the main factor of the increasing carbon emissions per capita from the transport sector for both the whole country and the western region, whereas the consumption level per capita of residents and the development of tertiary industry are the primary drivers of per capita carbon emissions for the eastern and central regions.

Classification of water forms in lignite and analysis of energy consumption on the drying processes by microwave and fixed bed

The water contained in lignite generally exists in various forms and the energy required to remove them from coal is also different. Thus, two different rank lignites with different water contents from Yunnan and Inner Mongolia provinces in China were selected for analyses of water forms and dewatering energy consumption. The forms of water contained in these two lignites were classified using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that the water in the lignite mainly contains freezable water and non-freezable water, and further the freezable water can be divided into free water and freezable bound water. The water above 40% moisture content of dry coal weight in coal sample is free water; that between 27% and 40% of dry coal weight is freezable bound water; and that less than 27% of dry coal weight is non-freezable water, which is nearly independent of coal rank. Then, the microwave drying and the fixed bed drying devices were employed to dry these two lignites, and the dewatering energy consumption during drying processes were measured and calculated to compare the change of energy consumption for removing different types of water. The results show that 500–600 W microwave field is suitable for drying lignite because the water is difficult to be completely removed under 450 W and slight pyrolysis is prone to occur for lignite when the microwave power is higher than 700 W. The dewatering energy consumption of total moisture in microwave field under 500–600 W is 8.6–15.3 kJ/g H2O, and those of freezable water and non-freezable water are 8.7–12.5 kJ/g H2O and 8.5–21.8 kJ/g H2O respectively. In addition, the dewatering energy consumption of 50 g lignite in fixed bed drying at 120–160 °C is 1.3–3.6 kJ/g H2O. In order to take advantages of microwave and fixed bed, these two methods are coupled to dry lignite for reducing energy consumption and improving drying efficiency. For the best compromise between drying energy and drying time, it is recommended to use 600 W power microwave field to remove free water in lignite, and then to use the fixed bed to remove the remaining water at 160 °C. The water re-adsorption amount of the upgraded coal is about 1/3 lower than that of raw coal.

Geographic Range of Lyme Borreliosis in Mongolia.

Introduction: In Asia, Borrelia garinii, B. afzelii, and B. bavariensis are transmitted by Ixodes persulcatus ticks and clinically present with a wide range of neurological and arthritic symptoms. This report aims to provide details on the geographic distribution of suspected cases of Lyme borreliosis (LB), reported to local Mongolian hospitals between 2007 and 2017. Methods: This report examines 150 reported cases of suspected LB from 13 aimags (provinces) in Mongolia from April 2007 to August 2017, including date and location of infection, method of diagnosis (indirect immunofluorescent assay and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test), frequency of specific symptoms, and case demographics. Information was gathered through collaboration with the National Center of Communicable Disease and the National Center for Zoonotic Diseases. Results: Zavkhan and Selenge, located in northern Mongolia, had the highest percentage of reported suspected cases, with 25% and 20%, respectively. Ages ranged from 1 to 78 years, with a mean age of 26 years, however, 37% of individuals were younger than 10. More than twice as many women sought treatment as men, and the distribution of men who sought treatment was skewed toward children and the elderly. Most frequently reported symptoms include fever, rash, headache, and enlarged lymph glands. Furthermore, peak months of tick bite and treatment seeking occurred between April and June. Conclusions: Based on these preliminary findings, syndromic surveillance should be expanded across northern Mongolia, with LB considered in differential diagnosis for patients reporting a recent tick bite.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Environments of the 21 Provinces of Mongolia and Implications for FDI in the Provinces

Lately, foreign investors have become interested in making direct investment in the Mongolian provinces. One thing that is becoming important given that foreign investors have become interested in making direct investment in the Mongolian provinces in this manner is a study on examining FDI environment of the Mongolian provinces and deriving implications for FDI in the Mongolian provinces based on it. The reason is that, first, this type of study could be significant for foreign investors’ selection of a province to make a direct investment among the Mongolian provinces and second, for that foreign investors develop a way and strategy to make a direct investment in the Mongolian provinces. Furthermore, this type of study could be significant in helping direct investment of foreign investors in the Mongolian provinces be conducted rationally and effectively, through, for instance, the above two ways. To the best of the author‘s knowledge, there has been no study on FDI environments of the 21 provinces of Mongolia and implications related to making direct investment therein. However, considering foreign investors’ growing interest in direct investments in the Mongolian provinces and significance of study on the FDI environment of the Mongolian provinces and implications for FDI based on it, it seems that this type of study is essential. Accordingly, the study aims at examining FDI environments of the 21 provinces of Mongolia and developing implications related to that foreign investors make a direct investment in the Mongolian provinces based on it. In line with this aim, the study, first, developed a theoretical framework to examine FDI environments of the 21 provinces of Mongolia from the perspective of main types of FDI such as market-seeking, resources-seeking, and efficiency-seeking FDI. Thus, it examined FDI environments of the 21 provinces of Mongolia by applying the theoretical framework and derived implications related to foreign investors making FDI in the Mongolian provinces based thereon. The study yielded the following results. First, it found that the 21 provinces of Mongolia have different and distinct environment by each FDI type (market-seeking, resources-seeking, and efficiency-seeking FDI). In addition, it found that there are provinces that have a favorable environment and provinces that have a semi-favorable environment by each FDI type. Second, it derived and suggested five implications related to foreign investors making FDI in the Mongolian provinces based on the FDI environments of the 21 provinces of Mongolia. Finally, the study reached a conclusion that foreign investors are able to make FDI in the Mongolian provinces in several ways related to the FDI environments of the 21 provinces of Mongolia.

Emissions reduction targets and wealth distribution effects through interprovincial emissions trading scheme in China

Our empirical results confirm that multi-indicators Shapley value allocation is an equal and effective emissions reduction allocation, which can reduce the provincial differences of each indicator, and optimize interprovincial emission reduction efficiency and emissions market efficiency. In interprovincial emission trading markets, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Fujian, Tianjin and Beijing provinces are the main emissions allowances buyers, however Hebei, Shanxi, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia provinces are the main emissions allowances sellers, the Eastern and Southern coast regions deliver much capital assistances and technology supports to the Southwest and Northwest regions through interprovincial emissions trading markets, and then play the role of optimizing resources redistribution through interprovincial emissions trading markets.

Craniospermum volkovae (Boraginaceae) — новый вид из Монголии

A new species Craniospermum volkovae Ovczinnikova (Boraginaceae) from relationship of C. pseudotuvinicum Ovczinnikova et A. Korolyuk, is described from the Central Mongolian-Altai province of Mongolia. Morphological and ecologo-cenotic peculiarities of the new species are discussed, and the necessity of its treatment within a separate section Pseudotuvinica Ovczinnikova is substantiated.

Brucellosis knowledge and preventive practices among herders in Western Mongolia.

Lack of knowledge regarding brucellosis may lead to highly risky practices. Among herders in Mongolia, little research was conducted assessing the extent of knowledge related to brucellosis, the type of preventive behaviours that were practiced, and the relationship between knowledge and behaviour regarding brucellosis. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two provinces of Mongolia where herders were randomly selected to participate in the study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. In total, 485 herders participated in the study. The results indicated that brucellosis preventive practices were significantly associated with sex, location, use of veterinary services, exposure to TV programs and knowledge of brucellosis. Regional disparities in knowledge and behaviour were observed in this research. Herders were more likely to engage in preventive practices if they had a higher level of knowledge of brucellosis. Findings from this research indicated that the effectiveness of incorporating health education through TV programs, as well as the importance of ensuring access to veterinary services in brucellosis prevention.

Spatial Patterns and Risk Factors of Bluetongue Virus Infection in Inner Mongolia, China.

Bluetongue (BT) is a noncontagious disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants. Outbreaks of BT can cause serious economic losses. Although the causative agent, BT virus (BTV) is endemic in China, a comprehensive analysis has yet to be conducted examining the spatial distribution and risk factors of the virus throughout the Inner Mongolia province. Between June 2013 and February 2015, a total of 6199 blood samples of goats and sheep were collected from 11 leagues and cities. To investigate the distribution characteristics of BTV, spatial autocorrelation analysis, including both global and local spatial autocorrelation, was conducted. To develop a model for the association between BTV infection and specific risk factors, a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. The global spatial autocorrelation data on the distribution of BTV exhibited a random pattern. Alashan was observed to be a cold spot for BTV infection. During the study period, no hot spots were detected. An increased risk of BTV infection in Inner Mongolia was associated with the breed and age of the animal.

Molecular detection of Anaplasma ovis in small ruminants and ixodid ticks from Mongolia

Anaplasma ovis is a tick-borne obligate intracellular rickettsial bacterium that causes anaplasmosis in domestic and wild small ruminants. Sheep and goats, whose combined population is approximately 48.5-million in Mongolia, play a vital role in the country's economy. In this study, we conducted an epidemiological survey of A. ovis in sheep and goats from 19 of 21 provinces in Mongolia. Additionally, DNA samples extracted from unfed ticks collected in 11 Mongolian provinces were also screened for A. ovis. Of 1179 and 871 blood DNA samples from sheep and goats, 813 (69.0%) and 621 (71.3%), respectively, were positive for A. ovis when screened by a PCR assay based on major surface protein 4 gene (msp4). On a per province basis, A. ovis infection rates ranged from 7.4%–93.3% and 13.3%–100% in sheep and goats, respectively. Subsequently, DNA samples prepared from 721 unfed ticks, including Dermacentor nuttalli (n = 378), Ixodes persulcatus (n = 95), Haemaphysalis pospelovashtromae (n = 120), and Hyalomma asiaticum (n = 128), were screened for A. ovis using the same PCR assay. Although nine D. nuttalli were A. ovis-positive, all other tick DNA samples were negative. In addition to reporting A. ovis in sheep and goats from all over Mongolia, this study identified D. nuttalli as a potential transmission vector of A. ovis in Mongolia. The present data highlight the importance of monitoring Mongolian sheep and goats for possible episodes of clinical anaplasmosis and controlling D. nuttalli throughout the country.

Sustained Biomass Carbon Sequestration by China’s Forests from 2010 to 2050

China’s forests have functioned as important carbon sinks. They are expected to have substantial future potential for biomass carbon sequestration (BCS) resulting from afforestation and reforestation. However, previous estimates of forest BCS have included large uncertainties due to the limitations of sample size, multiple data sources, and inconsistent methodologies. This study refined the BCS estimation of China’s forests from 2010 to 2050 using the national forest inventory data (FID) of 2009−2013, as well as the relationships between forest biomass and stand age retrieved from field observations for major forest types in different regions of China. The results showed that biomass–age relationships were well-fitted using field data, with respective R2 values more than 0.70 (p &lt; 0.01) for most forest types, indicating the applicability of these relationships developed for BCS estimation in China. National BCS would increase from 130.90 to 159.94 Tg C year−1 during the period of 2010−2050 because of increases in forest area and biomass carbon density, with a maximum of 230.15 Tg C year−1 around 2030. BCS for young and middle-aged forests would increase by 65.35 and 15.38 Tg C year−1, respectively. 187.8% of this increase would be offset by premature, mature, and overmature forests. During the study period, forest BCS would increase in all but the northern region. The largest contributor to the increment would be the southern region (52.5%), followed by the southwest, northeast, northwest, and east regions. Their BCS would be primarily driven by the area expansion and forest growth of young and middle-aged forests as a result of afforestation and reforestation. In the northern region, BCS reduction would occur mainly in the Inner Mongolia province (6.38 Tg C year−1) and be caused predominantly by a slowdown in the increases of forest area and biomass carbon density for different age–class forests. Our findings are in broader agreement with other studies, which provide valuable references for the validation and parameterization of carbon models and climate-change mitigation policies in China.