Xinjiang Region Of China Research Articles

SPRING POINT DETECTION OF HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGE BASED ON YOLOV3

Abstract. The Xinjiang region of China is a vast and sparsely populated area with complex topography, surrounded by basins and mountains, and its geomorphological features and water circulation process make the traditional spring water resource acquisition time-consuming, labor-consuming and inaccurate. Remote Sensing Technology has the advantages of large scale, periodicity, timeliness and comprehensiveness in target detection. In order to realize the artificial intelligence detection of springs in Xinjiang, this paper presents a method of detecting springs in remote sensing image based on the YOLOV3 network framework, based on the data set of 512 * 512 by using 0.8m remote sensing image annotation, a model of recognition of spring point based on Yolov3 network is constructed and trained. The results show that the map of spring point is 0.973, which is the basis of monitoring and protecting the natural environment in the Belt and Road Initiatives.

Using multiple indexes to analyze temporal and spatial patterns of precipitation and drought in Xinjiang, China

There is an urgent need to understand the characteristics of both precipitation and drought in arid regions of China. Different indexes may provide differing results in terms of the detection and estimation of the temporal and spatial extent of droughts. In this study, the temporal and spatial characteristics of rainfall and drought at 53 meteorological stations from 1960 to 2016 across the Xinjiang region of China were analyzed. Four precipitation-related indexes (precipitation concentration degree (PCD), precipitation concentration period (PCP), standardized precipitation index (SPI), and long-cycle drought–flood abrupt alternation index (LDFAI)) were used to investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of drought and flood. In addition, the Bayesian method and Pettitt test were used as detection tools to identify changing points in precipitation time series. The study indicated the following: (1) a wetting tendency was evident in recent years and was supported by the upward trend in SPI and inter-decadal variation in summer precipitation; (2) the spatial patterns and tendencies of PCD, PCP, and SPI were markedly different in southern and northern Xinjiang; (3) compared with the Pettitt test, use of the Bayesian method provided data closer to the real drought events; (4) it is suggested that multiple indices be used for detecting precipitation and drought characteristics as use of the SPI may lead to other indexes related to flood and drought risks being ignored.

Estimating snow depth Inversion Model Assisted Vector Analysis based on temperature brightness for North Xinjiang region of China

ABSTRACT The measurement of snow depth based on temperature brightness with passive microwave sensing is still achallenging problem. Snow depth for the snow cover hydrological model and climate model is asignificant input parameter. Hence, this study concentrates on Inversion Model Assisted Vector Analysis (IMAV) for estimating snow depth in north Xinjiang based on the brightness of temperature. Further, the estimated set of IMAV has been hybridized to address the problem. The results suggested that for both horizontal and vertically polarized PMW radiation the IMAV outperforms SVM at 11.05, 19.6, and 38.4 GHz. If the root mean square error (RMSE) in the IMAV performance is 8 K or below, compared with anormal SVM calculation, then the average over the nine-year study period across the North Xinjiang region of China, the failure correlation coefficient is 7 or greater. Compared with SVM tests, the RMSE was decreased by more than 17% for any of the six frequencies and polarization combinations evaluated, while the anomaly coefficient was raised by more than 50%.Such results suggest that the IMAV is asuperior alternative to the SVM for subsequent use in adata assimilation system as acalculating operator.

Agriculture and palaeoeconomy in prehistoric Xinjiang, China (3000–200 bc)

Many recent studies recognize the crucial role that ancient agropastoralists (pastoralists who also engaged in farming) in Xinjiang played in facilitating dispersal of prehistoric crops across Eurasia. However, most of these studies predominantly relied on only fragments of the much larger amount of data found in local Chinese journals. This article reviews archaeobotanical and stable isotope data published in English and Chinese to construct a new narrative regarding the origin, expansion, diversification and intensification of prehistoric agriculture in the Xinjiang region of China. Compared with many previous multi-regional narratives of crop dispersals that only briefly mention Xinjiang, the regional focus allows this study to discuss the cultivation history of different crops, and the ecological and economic contexts of prehistoric agriculture in Xinjiang in depth. Based on current evidence, this study concludes that agriculture appeared in Xinjiang around 3000 bc under the influence of western Central Asia. Its development started to quicken after 2000 bc and particularly after 1300 bc, which is shown by the expansion of farming areas, the diversification of crops, and the appearance of irrigation technology and various types of farming tools. Nevertheless, throughout this whole period, intensive agriculture was very rare, while low-investment agriculture was widely practised as a component of the local mixed economy based on farming and grazing. This analysis highlights the roles played by ecological, social and cultural factors in the development of prehistoric agriculture in Xinjiang.

Comparison of physical and chemical composition of three chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) cultivars cultivated in four districts of Xinjiang region in China

Abstract This study investigated the physical and chemical composition of three jujube fruits cultivated in China. The objective was to explore the effect of jujube genotype and cultivation districts on the quality of jujube fruits. Results showed significant differences on their physical and chemical composition. The Junzao cultivar contained relatively low level on the total dietary fiber, protein, total sugar, and total titratable acids. The Huizao cultivar possessed the mediate level of the sugar-to-acid ratio and ascorbic acid. The Dazao cultivar showed high level of the total dietary fiber, protein, sugar, and total acids. The cultivation districts exerted important roles in altering the physicochemical indexes of the same jujube cultivar. The Junzao cultivar harvested in the Hami and Kashi districts showed the significant difference on the level of the sugar-to-acid ratio and ascorbic acid compared with that in the Akesu and Hetian districts. The Huizao cultivar in the Kashi area possessed higher content of the total soluble dietary fiber than that in the Akesu and Hetain districts. Principal component analysis indicated that the parameters that differentiated these jujube cultivars appeared to be the total dietary fiber, protein, total sugar, fructose, glucose, sucrose, and total titratable acids.

The Responsibility of the People’s Republic of China for Alleged Human Rights Violations against the Uighurs

Following the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) after the World War II, the international community has begun to try to respect and to protect human rights. Among the basic principles in the protection of human rights are the principles of equality and non-discrimination that every human being is considered to be equal without differences. Unfortunately, presently, many human rights violations against minority groups are triggered by differences of ethnicity, religion, race, or language. In 2018, the CERD Committee reported that there were arbitrary arrests of ethnic minority Uighurs in the Xinjiang region ofChina. A number of reports say that the Chinese government had violated several basic rights of the Uighurs. Several international human rights law conventions have regulated remedies when a state commits a human rights violation. This paper is intended to examine the forms of human rights violations committed against the Uighur minority and the legal remedies that can be done to hold the Chinese state accountable for alleged human rights violations committed.

Comparative flavor analysis of eight varieties of Xinjiang flatbreads from the Xinjiang Region of China

AbstractBackground and objectivesThe volatile and nonvolatile compounds of eight types of Xinjiang baked flatbreads were measured to identify their characteristic components, with key odorants determined using the relative odor activity values (ROAVs).FindingsElectronic nose results indicated that Walnut Nang aroma differed significantly from that of other Xinjiang flatbreads. GC‐MS results demonstrated that the principal volatile compounds in flatbreads were mostly aldehydes, alcohols, and ketones, with volatile profiles of flatbreads varying greatly. Among the flavor components tested, aldehydes with ROAVs higher than 1 contributed most significantly to overall aroma. In Rose Nang, aldehydes and alcohols were key odorants, with (E,E)‐2,4‐decadienal playing a major role in most flatbreads. All tested flatbreads were distinguishable using the electric tongue and discriminant factor analysis. Sugar analysis revealed lower maltose but higher glucose, sucrose, and fructose levels in Rose Nang compared to other samples. Finally, umami taste amino acids were dominant in all tested Xinjiang flatbreads.ConclusionsOur comparative analysis of the flavor substances of different kinds of Xinjiang baked flatbreads lays a foundation for research on flavor formation.Significance and noveltyThe analysis could provide a useful basis in the development of processing methods for Xinjiang flatbreads.

Firefighting of subsurface coal fires with comprehensive techniques for detection and control: a case study of the Fukang coal fire in the Xinjiang region of China.

Coal fires are global disasters, and China suffers the most serious coal fire disasters in the world. This paper introduces detailed detection and extinguishing methods for the wide range and complex coal fires at the No. 1 well in the Fukang mining area. First, the characteristics of the large and complex coal fire areas in the No. 1 well in the Fukang mining area are introduced, and 5 large fire areas are detected using the comprehensive detection range method, which detects fire areas before fire engineering practices are implemented. From the characteristics of this large-scale, complex coal fire, the zonal fire extinguishing scheme is formulated, designed, and applied, and the "shallow open fire stripping-construction of the boundary isolation zone-drilling and grouting in the deep fire area" series of events is utilized in the zonal fire extinguishing scheme. A new type of sodium silicate gel in compressive moisturizing plastic packing materials is used, an automatic grouting system is developed, and effective grouting processes are proposed, which can be adjusted according to the grouting effect analysis of the grouting parameters to determine the natural sedimentation and diffusion radius. After the construction was completed, the fire extinguishing effect was tested, revealing that the temperature in the fire zone cooled in a short time, and no subsequent heating phenomenon occurs. The method proposed in this paper provides guidance and a reference for other coal fires in the world.

Prevalence of food addiction and its influencing factors among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Xinjiang region of China

Objective To investigate the prevalence of food addiction among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Xinjiang region and to analyze its influencing factors. Methods From January 2017 to December 2017, we selected 279 newly diagnosed T2DM patients in Endocrinology Outpatient Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University as subjects by convenience sampling. The Yale Food Addiction Scale was used to judge the food addiction of patients. All selected patients were divided into group of food addiction and group of non-food addiction based on results. We collected and compared the clinical data both groups, and used Spearman correlation to analyze the correlations between food addiction and clinical data, and used Logistic regression to analyze the influencing factors of food addiction. Results A total of 39 patients were judged as food addiction with 13.98% (39/279) for the proportion. In group of food addiction, the body mass index (BMI) , waistline, waistline/height, fasting blood glucose (FBG) , 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2 h-PG) , triacylglycerol and insulin resistance index were higher than those in group of non-food addiction, and the insulin secretion index was lower than that in control group, the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05) . Spearman correlation analysis showed that food addiction had positive correlations with the sexes, BMI, waistline, waistline/height and FBG, and had a negative correlation with the ages (P<0.05) . Logistic regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of food addiction among newly diagnosed T2DM patients included sexes, ages and BMI (P<0.05) . Conclusions The proportion of food addiction is high among newly diagnosed T2DM patients in Xinjiang region of China which is related to sexes, ages and BMI. Medical staff should pay attention to the screening of food addiction and intervention for life style so as to prevent diabetes and other metabolism diseases. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Newly diagnosed; Food addiction; Influencing factors

A study of the association between the sFlt-1/PIGF ratio and preeclampsia in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China

Aim It was previously reported that the ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) can predict the clinical onset of preeclampsia. This study seeks to validate the association between ratios of sFlt-1/PlGF with preeclampsia and to identify the contribution of ethnicity across diverse populations of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Methods Pregnant women were classified into those with preeclampsia (n = 136) and healthy controls (n = 350). Serum levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF were quantified using a Roche serum instrument in both patients and controls. Results Compared to healthy controls, women with preeclampsia had significantly higher levels of sFlt-1 (7303.81 pg/ml vs. 2508.69 pg/ml, p < .001) and ratios of sFlt-1/PlGF (241.68 vs. 14.29, p < .001), whereas levels of PIGF were decreased (241.68 vs. 14.29, p < .001). These three values varied greatly across nationalities, and non-Han Chinese subjects (including Uygur, Kazak, Hui) were more likely to experience severe preeclampsia than Han Chinese subjects. Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate that the ratio of sFlt-1/PlGF can both predict and serve as a diagnostic factor for preeclampsia in pregnant women from different populations within the Xinjiang region of China.

Association of ACE2 polymorphisms with susceptibility to essential hypertension and dyslipidemia in Xinjiang, China

BackgroundCardiovascular benefits by reversing environmental risks factors for essential hypertension (EH) and dyslipidemia could be weaken by high genetic risk. We investigated possible associations between ACE2 polymorphisms and dyslipidemia in patients with EH.MethodsFour hundred and two hypertensive patients were enrolled in an EH group and 233 normotensive individuals were enrolled as control group from the Xinjiang region of China. Fourteen ACE2 polymorphisms were genotyped by Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.ResultsParticipants carrying T allele (TT + CT) of rs2074192 (P = 0.006), rs4646155 (P = 0.030) and rs4646188 (P < 0.001), C allele (CT + CT or CC + CG) of rs4240157 (P = 0.012), rs4830542 (P = 0.020) and rs879922 (P < 0.001) and TT genotype of rs2106809 (P = 0.012) were associated with EH. Meanwhile,ACE2 SNPs also exhibited association with dyslipidemia but exhibited obvious heterogeneity. rs1978124 (TT + CT, P = 0.009), rs2106809 (TT, P = 0.045), rs233575 (CC + CT, P = 0.018), rs4646188 (CC, P = 0.011) and rs879922 (CC + CG, P = 0.003) were association with increased LDL-C (≥1.8 mmol/L). rs2106809 (CC + CT, P < 0.001), rs2285666(TT + CT, P = 0.017), rs4646142(CC + CG, P = 0.044), rs4646155(TT + CT, P < 0.001) and rs4646188(TT + CT, P = 0.033) were association with decreased HDL-C (< 1.0 mmol/L). rs2074192 (TT + CT, P = 0.012), rs4240157 (CC + CT, P = 0.027), rs4646156 (AA+AT, P = 0.007), rs4646188 (TT + CT, P = 0.005), rs4830542 (CC + CT, P = 0.047) and rs879922 (CC + CG, P = 0.001) were association with increased TC (≥5.2 mmol/L). rs2106809 (P = 0.034) and rs4646188 (P = 0.013) were associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Further, ischemic stroke was more prevalent with rs4240157 (CC + CT, P = 0.043), rs4646188 (CC + CT, P = 0.013) and rs4830542 (CC + CT, P = 0.037). In addition, rs2048683 and rs6632677 were not association with EH, dyslipidemia and ischemic stroke.ConclusionThe ACE2 rs4646188 variant may be a potential and optimal genetic susceptibility marker for EH, dyslipidemia and its related ischemic stroke.

Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of eight local chicken breeds of Southern Xinjiang

ABSTRACT1. The genetic diversity and population structure were studied for eight local chicken breeds, including Anjiyan (AN), Hetian Black (HH), Hetian Ma (HM), Aheqi (AH), Baicheng You (BC), Hejing (HJ), Tashkurghan (TS) and Ruoqiang (RQ), in the Southern Xinjiang region of China, using 20 microsatellite markers.2. Total 336 alleles were obtained from all chicken breeds, with a mean of 16.8 alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.444 to 0.911, with a mean of 0.729 and almost all of the loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg standards. The observed and expected heterozygosity of the eight breeds ranged from 0.5 to 0.677 and from 0.656 to 0.774, with the lowest observed in the AN and the highest in BC breed. The average breed genetic diversity was 0.655 for AN and 0.766 for BC chickens.3. According to the neighbour-joining (NJ) method, three main clusters were identified in the NJ phylogenetic tree with AN and RQ breeds in one clade, HH and HM breeds in the second clade and TS, HJ, AH and BC breeds in the third clade.4. Based on STRUCTURE analysis, the most likely cluster number of all breeds was K = 4, whereby HH and HM breeds formed one cluster and AH, BC, HJ and TS formed another, and RQ, AN chicken formed their own distinct cluster. These results indicated that HH and HM breeds had similar genetic background, as did the breeds of AH, BC, HJ and TS. RQ, AN breed had unique genetic backgrounds, distinct from the other breeds. Genetic introgression was detected from AN to HH and HM.5. The results of the current study can be used as baseline genetic information to implement effective conservation programs and to make better use of these local chicken breeds, especially for the AN, RQ and TS breeds.

Moisture sources of a torrential rainfall event in the arid region of East Xinjiang, China, based on a Lagrangian model

Moisture sources and transport paths for precipitation are of primary importance for forecasts and early warning, but are rarely studied in the arid region of China. Our study employed the hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory (HYSPLIT) model to investigate and quantify the moisture sources which contributed to a torrential rainfall event on 15–18 July 2007 in the arid Xinjiang region in China. Based on the distribution of torrential rains, the target study region was selected at East Xinjiang (35°N–45°N, 80°E–95°E). The results indicate that moisture sources originating from the south, west, and north branches, and moisture sources in the Atlantic Oceans and Central Asia regions contributed to the East Xinjiang rain event by 37 and 44%, respectively. Our findings match those from diagnostic results of an Eulerian framework model, but the HYSPLIT model provided better quantitative and objective results.

First Report of Stem Rot of Sunflower Broomrape (Orobanche cumana) Caused by Sclerotinia minor Jagger in Inner Mongolia, China

Broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) is a parasitic seed plant that has become a serious threat to the sunflower production in China. In August 2016, diseased samples of damp rot at basal stem of sunflower broomrape were collected in sunflower fields of Gonghecheng and Wulatai, Inner Mongolia, China. The average disease incidence was approximately 30%. Tiny, black, round sclerotia (diameter ranged from 0.30 to 0.99 mm) were observed on the infected stems of broomrapes, but they were much smaller than sclerotia produced by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Among 22 samples, five diseased samples were chosen randomly for pathogen isolation and identification. Tiny sclerotia were surface sterilized in 75% alcohol for 10 s, followed by 0.1% NaClO for 3 min, and washed three times with sterile water. The sclerotia were dried on the sterilized filter paper and then placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 24°C in dark for 3 days. The emerging mycelia were hyphal-tipped three times and subcultured on a PDA plate. Plenty of tiny, dark sclerotia formed after 6 days of culture. The morphological characteristics of sclerotia is similar to those of S. minor Jagger (Kohn 1979). To confirm the fungal species, total genomic DNA was extracted. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear rDNA was amplified using the primer pair ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990). PCR products were submitted for sequencing and aligned in GenBank. All five identified isolates had 100% identity with those of S. minor isolated from Doellingeria scabra (accession no. KY707828.1). One of the ITS sequences named as SZW-1 was deposited in GenBank and assigned with accession number MF471348. To demonstrate the pathogenicity of isolates, seeds of broomrape (10 mg) collected from Siziwangqi, Wulanchabu city, were mixed with 100 g of potting mix (2:1 field soil/vermiculite) in a 10 × 10 cm plastic pot for planting sunflower. Sixty seeds of sunflower (variety LD5009, Kaifurui Seeds Company) were planted in 12 pots, with five seeds in each pot. All pots were kept in a greenhouse at 20 to 25°C and 40% relative humidity for broomrape parasite. Forty-five days later (around the R1 stage of sunflower), the stem of broomrape above the soil line (around 8 to 10 cm in height) was used for pathogen inoculation. A 9-mm-diameter PDA plug was cut from the margin of mycelial culture and placed at the basal stem of broomrapes (approximately 3 to 5 cm above the soil line). Six broomrape stems were inoculated for each isolate, and three stems were inoculated with plain PDA plugs as a control. All PDA plugs were wrapped with Parafilm to maintain moisture. The initiation of stem rot of broomrape was observed at 2 days postinoculation (dpi); gradually the rotted area expanded on the stem longitudinally, and white mycelia and tiny black sclerotia were observed 5 dpi; and the stems collapsed at 7 dpi. No symptoms were observed on the control broomrapes. S. minor was recovered from all inoculated plants with tiny sclerotia but not from the control plants. Although S. minor causing white mold in sunflower has been reported in Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Kenya, New Zealand, Spain, the United States, and China (Farr and Rossman 2014; Li et al. 2016), and sclerotinia rot caused by S. sclerotiorum on broomrape was also reported in Xinjiang region of China (Ding et al. 2012), to our knowledge, this is the first report of S. minor-caused stem rot on sunflower broomrape in China. This finding may expand our knowledge on both S. minor and O. cumana.

Volatile composition and aromatic attributes of wine made with Vitisvinifera L.cv Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Xinjiang region of China: effect of different commercial yeasts

ABSTRACTThe Xinjiang region is a major grape- and wine-production area in China, but the region’s notably high temperatures in the summer and year-round intense sun exposure play negative roles in the aroma, complexity, and elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon wine. In this study, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested in this region were fermented on an industrial scale using four commercial yeast strains (L2323, D254, RVA, and CECA) and spontaneous yeast (NF). The results showed that a total of 123 volatile compounds were detected and 15 volatile compounds significantly contributed their flavor notes to the wine’s overall aroma. The use of RVA and CECA strains resulted in wine with higher concentrations of higher alcohols, terpenes and norisoprenoids. However, the D254-fermented wine showed high level of esters and carbonyl compounds. Wine fermented with the L2323 and D254 strain possessed a stronger fruity aroma, whereas the RVA strain enhanced the herbaceous, chemical, and fatty aromas in wine. Principal component analysis revealed that a significant aromatic feature difference was observed in these wines after alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. The use of different commercial yeast strains altered the aromatic profile of Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

Controlling threshold in soil salinity when planting spring wheat and sequential cropping silage corn in Northern Xinjiang using drip irrigation

Xinjiang Region of China is one of the most typical and representative arid areas worldwide, along with severe soil salinization issue. Planting spring wheat and sequential cropping silage corn in Northern Xinjiang using drip irrigation has become an effective way to relieve soil salinity stress, which improves the simple agricultural structure in the past and ensures food security in this area. However, neither the effects of different soil salinities on the growth and yield of spring wheat and silage corn, nor their desalination effect correspondingly was clear until now. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted at Shihezi, Xinjiang from March to June 2015. The study aimed to establish the quantitative correlations between the parameters mentioned above and came up with the appropriate soil salinity threshold in Northern Xinjiang area. The results confirmed that the soils in all treatments were desalinated after the whole growth period, and the decreasing rates varied within 18.89%-44.08% and 11.06%-30.83% for two plants, which showed linear and quadratic correlations with initial soil salinity, respectively (R2 > 0.92**, p 0.92**, p <0.01). The inhibition effect was enhanced with larger initial soil salinity. After the comprehensive consideration of soil salinity variation, crop growth and yield, the initial soil salinity was recommended under 8.91 g/kg and 5.54 g/kg to plant spring wheat and sequential cropping silage corn in Northern Xinjiang using drip irrigation. Keywords: soil salinity, drip irrigation, spring wheat sequential silage corn, quantitative correlations, critical controlling threshold DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181102.3621 Citation: Wang Z H, Zhou B, Pei L, Zhang J Z, He X L, Lin H. Controlling threshold in soil salinity when planting spring wheat and sequential cropping silage corn in Northern Xinjiang using drip irrigation. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(2): 108–114.

First Report of Wilt of Sugar Beet Caused by Gibellulopsis nigrescens in the Xinjiang Region of China

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), is a widely planted sugar crop worldwide. In 2014 and 2015, sugar beet plants (Varity:KWS0143)with wilt symptoms were observed in the Xinjiang region of China. In August 2015, sugar beet plants with vein delimited yellowing on the leaves and light brown vascular discoloration of petioles were collected from Yanqi, Qitai and Yining in the XinJiang region. As the symptoms progressed, the leaf surface became covered by black mold . These symptomatic plants were sporadically distributed in fields. Petioles with typical symptoms were selected and washed with stile water, dipped in 95% ethanol, and dried. Petiole slices (4 mm3) with light brown vascular tissue were sterilized in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C for 5 days. Five Gibellulopsis nigrescens (Pehtybr.) Zare, Gams, & Summerbell (syn. Verticillium nigrescens) isolates were obtained on the PDA. Mycelia in the cultures was initially white but masses of melanized chlamydospore...

Chemical Fingerprint Analysis and Quantitative Analysis of Rosa rugosa by UPLC-DAD.

A method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (UPLC-DAD) was developed for quantitative analysis of five active compounds and chemical fingerprint analysis of Rosa rugosa. Ten batches of R. rugosa collected from different plantations in the Xinjiang region of China were used to establish the fingerprint. The feasibility and advantages of the used UPLC fingerprint were verified for its similarity evaluation by systematically comparing chromatograms with professional analytical software recommended by State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China. In quantitative analysis, the five compounds showed good regression (R2 = 0.9995) within the test ranges, and the recovery of the method was in the range of 94.2%–103.8%. The similarities of liquid chromatography fingerprints of 10 batches of R. rugosa were more than 0.981. The developed UPLC fingerprint method is simple, reliable, and validated for the quality control and identification of R. rugosa. Additionally, simultaneous quantification of five major bioactive ingredients in the R. rugosa samples was conducted to interpret the consistency of the quality test. The results indicated that the UPLC fingerprint, as a characteristic distinguishing method combining similarity evaluation and quantification analysis, can be successfully used to assess the quality and to identify the authenticity of R. rugosa.

A Comparative Study of Performers of the Manas Epic

Abstract For more than ten centuries, the culture of the Kyrgyz people has found chief expression through their oral traditions. The epic Manas, a prized form of Kyrgyz oral tradition, is still performed today in both Kyrgyzstan and the Xinjiang region of China. Research on the epic singers known as manaschys, or singers of Manas, is therefore of great significance. Manaschys are talented singers who can perform epic songs both artistically and creatively. Rather than memorizing a text, the manaschy (also spelled manaschï, manasqi, etc.) has the ability to produce new versions of epic songs through the art of composition in performance. This paper focuses on six representative manaschys of the twentieth century.

Iodine nutrition status and thyroid disorders: a cross-sectional study from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China.

Iodine nutritional status and its influence on thyroid function have been thoroughly investigated in many places in China, but little is known about Xinjiang province, where multiple minorities are living in a special geographical location and have different lifestyles compared with people from other parts of China. The aim of this study was to evaluate iodine status and thyroid disorders in two major ethnic groups living in the Xinjiang region of China. A total of 2253 residents over the age of 18 years who had lived in Xinjiang for more than 3 years were enrolled. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum thyroid hormone concentrations and thyroid autoantibodies were measured, and thyroid ultrasonography was performed. The median UIC was 130.7 μg/l in adults. Among the subjects, those with deficient UIC levels were 34.4%. The prevalence of overt hyper- and hypothyroidism in the iodine-deficient group was higher than in the iodine-sufficient group (1.3% vs 0%, χ2=3.891, P=0.049; 4.8% vs 2.8%, χ2=8.715, P=0.003, respectively), and subclinical hypothyroidism was more frequent in the iodine-deficient group than in the iodine-excess group (19.6% vs 12.5%, χ2=4.529, P=0.033). One-third of the population is still iodine deficient in Xinjiang. Uyghur females are more susceptible to hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmune diseases. Thyroid disorders, especially hyper/hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism, are more likely to be prevalent in an iodine-deficient population.