Gravity and magnetic field characteristics and regional ore prospecting of the Yili ancient continent, West Tianshan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

Gold,iron,copper,lead-zinc and other mineral exploration in West Tianshan,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,has made remarkable progress in recent years.However,due to the dispute on the tectonic division of West Tianshan,the ore-controlling factors and the regional metallogenic laws are controversial.The authors analyze regional gravity data and notice that the high-value region corresponds to the Yili ancient continent,thus the southeastern boundary of the Yili ancient continent is delineated.Comparative analysis of gravity,aeromagnetic and geologic data reveals that the Tulasu basin,where some medium to large epithermal gold deposits locate,lies above the Yili ancient continent;the Yili Carboniferous-Permian rift extends in E-W direction,numbers of copper deposits have been found in the mid-west section of the rift which lies above the Yili ancient continent,whereas few copper deposits have been discovered in the east section which is outside the Yili ancient continent.Accordingly,the Yili ancient continent may be rich in gold,copper and other metal elements;the metal-bearing hydrothermal solution moves up with the activity of magmatism,and deposits in the favorable places(the Tulasu basin and the Yili Carboniferous-Permian rift),forming numerous small and medium gold,copper deposits,as well as some large and super-large gold deposits.Therefore,the tectonic-magmatic hydrothermal zone above the Yili ancient continent should be the prospective area for epithermal gold and copper polymetallic deposits.

Tectonic Uplift of the Yili Basin during the Last Stage of the Late Pleistocene: Evidence from ESR and OSL Dating of Sediments in the Huocheng Area, Xinjiang

The Quaternary sediments in the Yili Basin can serve as archives for studying the Cenozoic basin-mountain relationship. In this study, based on typical natural sections and boreholes, the surficial sediments of the Huocheng area were studied, and their sedimentary ages were obtained using the optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) and electron spin resonance(ESR) dating methods. These dates, combined with changes in the sedimentary facies, provided details of the neotectonic movement in the Yili Basin and adjacent areas. By dating sediments from five sections and three boreholes, we determined that the surficial sediments of the Huocheng area were mainly formed in the Late Pleistocene, with scattered instances of Holocene sediments. The surficial sediments mainly consisted of alluvial fan facies, fluvial facies, lacustrine facies, and desert facies. Based on the activity on the Hongshanzui fault and the northern margin fault of the Wusun Mountains, the Huocheng area was uplifted synchronously with the Tianshan Mountains during the last stage of the Late Pleistocene, causing the desert facies sediments to be superimposed on the former paleo-lake sediments.

Agricultural Land Use Optimal Allocation System in Developing Area:Application to Yili Watershed, Xinjiang Region

In developing countries, land productivity involves little market, where the agricultural land use is mainly determined by the food demands as well as the land suitability. The land use pattern will not ensure everywhere enough land for certain cropping if spatial allocation just according to land use suitability. To solve this problem, a subzone and a pre-allocation for each land use are added in spatial allocation module, and land use suitability and area optimi- zation module are incorporated to constitute a whole agricultural land use optimal allocation （ALUOA） system. The system is developed on the platform .Net 2005 using ArcGIS Engine （version 9.2） and C# language, and is tested and validated in Yili watershed of Xinjiang Region on the newly reclaimed area. In the case study, with the help of soil data obtained from 69 points sampled in the fieldwork in 2008, main river data supplied by the Department of Water Resources of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China, and temperature data provided by Data Center for Resources and Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, land use suitability on eight common crops are evaluated one by one using linear weighted summation method in the land use suitability model. The linear pro- gramming （LP） model in area optimization model succeeds to give out land area target of each crop under three scenarios. At last, the land use targets are allotted in space both with a six subzone file and without a subzone file. The resuits show that the land use maps with a subzone not only ensure every part has enough land for every crop, but also gives a more fragmental land use pattern, with about 87.99% and 135.92% more patches than the one without, while at the expense of loss between 15.30% and 19.53% in the overall suitability at the same time.

Study on Spatial Variability of Soil Infiltration Coefficient in the Plain of the Yili River Valley in Xinjiang

22 typical test points and 8 profiles were selected and arranged in the plain of Yili River Valley based on lithological distribution and sedimentary characteristics to study spatial variability of soil infiltration coefficient. The results show that the infiltration coefficient of different geo-morphic units is as follows: the desert area > the pre-mountain alluvial-proluvial plain > river terrace,which is mainly related to the lithology of aeration zone,buried depth of groundwater and underlying surface. For the infiltration coefficient of different aeration zone mediums,the results are consistent with the changing law. The partition of plain of the Yili River Valley is based on geo-morphic units,infiltration coefficient and the lithology of aeration zone. The maximum infiltration coefficient is concentrated in the desert area,and there is zonal distribution of infiltration coefficient in plane.

Sources of rare earth elements REE+Y(REY)in Bayili Coal Mine from Wensu County of Xinjiang,China

By analyses on the trace elements of coals,host-rocks and wall-rocks,this study aims to trace the sources and evaluate the utilization prospects of REE+Y(REY)in coals from Bayili Coal Mine(Wensu,Xinjiang,China).The distribution patterns of REY in the coals are divided into two groups,flat-type and heavy REE-enrichment type(H-type).The REY of the former was mainly from the gneisses of the basement of the coal-bearing basin,and that of the later was partly from hydrothermal solution.The host-rocks show two types of REY patterns,middle REE-enrichment type(M-type)and H-type,which are due to the injection of REY from acid terrestrial water and hydrothermal solution,respectively.Almost all the coal samples are plotted into the promising area on the diagram of percentage of critical elements(REY_(def,rel))vs ratio of sum of critical elements to the sum of excessive elements(C_(outl))and half of the coal samples have high contents of Ga closing to the cut-off grade of Ga deposit as by-product,which indicate that the REY and Ga in Bayili Coal Mine are of utilization prospects as by-product.

Analysis and prediction of glacier evolution trend(2020-2100)in Northern Xinjiang

Glaciers,as“solid reservoirs”,are precious resources in arid areas.The study of glaciers is of great significance to the sustainable development and management of agriculture and the economy in northern Xinjiang.The area of glacier distribution on the 1963 topographic map data,1975 MSS data,2000 ETM data,2008 CBERS-2 data,2014 and 2018 ETM+were collected as secondary data.According to the remote sensing survey,the glacier areas in Northern Xinjiang are identified during 1963-2018.Based on the evolution of glacier area in the past 55 years,and using two scenarios,the average annual decrease area of a region during the whole 1963-2018 and the period with the minimum reduction area,the glacier areas of Southern Tianshan Mountains,Western Tianshan Mountains,Eastern Tianshan Mountains,the Sawuer Mountains and Altai Mountains in Northern Xinjiang,and the whole northern Xinjiang in 2030,2040,2050,and 2100 are examined and predicted.In 2100,the glacier area in Northern Xinjiang may decrease by 43%-59%.

Research progress of local characteristic drugs for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Xinjiang

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis.This disease tends to recur,persist,and is difficult to cure.The pathogenesis of RA is complex.Currently,the commonly used treatments for RA—non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs(DMARDs),glucocorticoids,and immunosuppressants—have notable side effects with long-term use and may be ineffective for some patients.Therefore,it is crucial to find drugs with limited side effects and significant curative effects.Xinjiang's local characteristic drugs have a long history,abundant resources,and are known for their safety and effectiveness in treating RA.In recent years,many studies have reported on the mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects of Xinjiang's local characteristic drugs on RA.This article reviews the pathogenesis of RA,as well as the research progress and treatment characteristics of Xinjiang-featured drugs.

LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of tuffites in the Sachakou Pb-Zn mining area, Karakorum, Xinjiang and its establishment of Early Triassic strata

1.Objective In the past decade,a group of medium to giant lead-zinc deposits,represented by Huoshaoyun,Sachakou,and Yuanbaoling,have been discovered in the Aksai Chin region of Karakoram,Xinjiang.They are all located in the Mesozoic carbonate and clastic rock formations.The Sachakou leadzinc mining area is adjacent to the northwest of the Huoshaoyun lead-zinc mining area and is in the same stratigraphic layer as Huoshaoyun.Although many scholars have been arguing about the type and age of Huoshaoyun lead-zinc mineralization,few scholars have paid attention to the classification of the ore-bearing strata in the area.The stratigraphy of the Lower Permian Shenxianwan Group to the Upper Cretaceous Tielongtan Group is exposed in the Sachakou area of Karakorum,Xinjiang,however,the Late Permian-Early Triassic stratigraphy is missing(Fig.1a).Due to the harsh natural conditions in the area and the low level of work,the stratigraphic delineation is not exhaustive,and the regional lithology is dominated by carbonates and clastic rocks,which makes it difficult to identify the age of the regional lithology and causes problems for the exploration and research of lead-zinc in the area.

A new small baurioid therocephalian from the Lower Triassic Jiucaiyuan Formation, Xinjiang, China

Several therocephalian species,mainly represented by cranial material from the late Permian,have been reported from China in recent years.Here we describe a tiny new baurioid therocephalian,Jiucaiyuangnathus confusus gen.et sp.nov.,from the Jiucaiyuan Formation,Xinjiang,China.The new taxon is represented by a partial snout with occluded partial lower jaw and two postcranial skeletons.Although juvenile in stage,the new species is diagnosed by the following features:round pit in middle of lateral surface of maxilla;lacrimal contact nasal;fossa for dentary tooth on the posterior end of the premaxilla,lateral to the anterior choana;two small vertical triangular ridges extending dorsally and ventrally on the vomerine anterior portion,and bordering a thin vomerine foramen laterally;anterior projection of the lateral part of the frontal on the nasal;symphyseal region of the dentary projected anteriorly;5 upper premaxillary teeth,upper and lower canines absent,diastema between the last premaxillary upper incisor and first maxillary tooth present,no diastema separating anterior from posterior dentition in the mandible,10 maxillary teeth and 12 dentary teeth,posterior postcanine expands mesiodistally,having a main large cusps and tiny anterior and posterior accessory cusps in line;neural arches of the atlas fused by the neural spine,neural spine of the axis projected posteriorly,procoracoid foramen lies between procoracoid and scapula.Features of the dentition resembles those of the small baurioid Ericiolacerta parva from South Africa and Silphedosuchus orenburgensis from Russia.The specimens provide the rare opportunity to know in detail the postcranial skeleton of baurioids.

Estimation of Potential Habitat of Caragana acanthophylla in Xinjiang Based on Maximum Entropy Model

[Objectives]To determine the potential habitat range of Caragana acanthophylla in Xinjiang.[Methods]The known distribution points of C.acanthophylla were used as samples,and a MaxEnt model was developed based on their climatic variables to identify key environmental factors affecting the potential habitats of C.acanthophylla through jackknife method and construction of a response relationship between representative variables and habitat suitability;the suitability of habitats for C.acanthophylla in Xinjiang was evaluated based on the output results of the model.[Results](i)The accuracy of the model verified by AUC curve was 0.971,indicating that the potential habitats of C.acanthophylla in Xinjiang predicted by MaxEnt model were highly credible.(ii)The optimum climatic characteristics for the distribution of C.acanthophylla in Xinjiang were:isothermality 18.8%-34%,minimum temperature of coldest month-30℃to-13℃,mean temperature of coldest quarter-18℃ to-4℃,annual precipitation 80-410 mm,precipitation of driest month 0-25 mm,precipitation of driest quarter 0-82 mm,and precipitation of coldest quarter 0-75 mm.(iii)The total potential distribution area of C.acanthophylla in Xinjiang was modeled to be 1.03×10^(5) km^(2),of which 8.54×10^(3)km^(2) was high suitability area,mainly in the front mountain belt of the north slope of Tianshan Mountain in Urumqi City,Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture,Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture,and Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and the front mountain belt of Barluk Mountain in Tacheng Prefecture.[Conclusions]This study is of great significance for the future scientific management,regeneration,vegetation restoration and ecological protection of C.acanthophylla.

From Poverty to Prosperity How relocation to Aktas Town is a living-standards leap for Xinjiang people

"3,000 yuan per month,"proclaimed Abdulaziz Mehmet,a Uygur worker at Dena Shoes Factory in Kargilik County of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Why is it noteworthy?Bangkok's minimum wage in 2024 is US$327.65,while Jakarta is US$332.92.Mehmet is earning significantly more than what he would getin either of the national capitals.

Lighting Up Lives The rise of renewable energy in Hami, Xinjiang

Any time of the year,Hami,a city in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,is memorable for its unique food and stunning landscapes set against the majestic Tianshan Mountains.However,September's significant temperature drops once the sharp rays of sunset beneath the Gobi Desert make Hami an even more fascinating seasonal destination.The renowned sun-drenched scenery is ideal for renewable energy projects such as wind,solar,and hydrogen power.The region also hosts one of China's two supercomputers,which requires significant energy.

Path to Green Growth——The Xinjiang example

A key part of achieving high-quality development is promoting the greening and decarbonization of economic and social development.Opinions on Accelerating the Comprehensive Green Transformation of Economic and Social Development,jointly issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in August,provided a roadmap for China's green transformation.As a major energy base in western China,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region leads the nation in installed capacity of both fossil energy like coal,oil,and natural gas and renewable energy like wind and solar.In recent years,leveraging its resource endowment and industrial foundation,Xinjiang has been enhancing efforts to transform traditional high energy-consuming industries into energy-saving and low-carbon industries and vigorously develop wind,solar,and hydrogen energy,as well as cloud computing.Its achievements in these areas have provided a blueprint that can be followed by any region pursuing green industrial transformation and high-quality development This September,China Report ASEAN journalists flew to Xinjiang and conducted interview and investigations in the regional capital Urumqi,the oil city of Karamay,and Hami,dubbed Xinjiang's"eastern gateway,"to shed light on how the autonomous region seeks to foster economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Empowering Xinjiang

EARLY in the morning,Hankiz Ablimit leaves her home in Aksu Prefecture,southern Xinjiang,takes a train to Urumqi,capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,and then transfers to another train bound for her final destination,Bole in northwestern Xinjiang.The journey takes one day and one night to complete.Bole,capital city of Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture,houses the prefecture’s only formal institution of higher learning-Bortala Polytechnic.Hankiz studies in this university,with 10 colleges.Most of the teachers working here come from Hubei Province in central China.

TUNING INTO UYGUR TRADITION Xinjiang Muqam melodies resonate through the corridors of time

As dawn breaks over the ancient Silk Road lands of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,Dilixiati Parhati is gearing up for yet another busy day.He juggles multiple roles:musician,scholar,leader of a Muqam art troupe and,most recently,a voice in China’s National People’s Congress(NPC)-the country’s top legislature.In all these roles,safeguarding the soul-stirring music of Uygur Muqam,often dubbed“the mother of Uygur music,”for future generations is his mission.

Chasing Snowflakes to See Xinjiang

The great beauty of Xinjiang is presented in ice and snow.Xinjiang's winter scenery and ice and snow landscapeare spectacular,with itsuniquenatural environment having nurtured an extraordinary ice and snow culture.Nowadays,Xinjiang attracts many tourists from home and abroad to enjoy and experience the charm of ice and snow every winter.From December7 to 13,2023,"Nihao!China"-2024China lce&Snow TourismOverseas Promotion Season launched"Xinjiang Overseas Promotion Ice and Snow Season in Bosten Lake,Bohu County,Xinjiang Week".

Encircling the Desert Xinjiang wins a 4O-year battle against sand erosion

Forty years ago,driving through Hotan Prefecture in south Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region meant skirting the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert,China's largest desert and the world's second largest shifting desert.

Embracing Ethnic Harmony In Xinjiang

"All ethnic groups remain closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together,"goes a saying that deeply resonated with me as an Indonesian when I first heard it in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.The analogy was cemented even deeper in my brain when I learned that Xinjiang is known as a"Homeland of Pomegranates."

Spatiotemporal variation of land surface temperature and its driving factors in Xinjiang,China

Land surface temperature(LST) directly affects the energy balance of terrestrial surface systems and impacts regional resources, ecosystem evolution, and ecosystem structures. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located at the arid Northwest China and is extremely sensitive to climate change. There is an urgent need to understand the distribution patterns of LST in this area and quantitatively measure the nature and intensity of the impacts of the major driving factors from a spatial perspective, as well as elucidate the formation mechanisms. In this study, we used the MOD11C3 LST product developed on the basis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) to conduct regression analysis and determine the spatiotemporal variation and differentiation pattern of LST in Xinjiang from 2000 to 2020. We analyzed the driving mechanisms of spatial heterogeneity of LST in Xinjiang and the six geomorphic zones(the Altay Mountains, Junggar Basin, Tianshan Mountains, Tarim Basin, Turpan-Hami(Tuha) Basin, and Pakakuna Mountain Group) using geographical detector(Geodetector) and geographically weighted regression(GWR) models. The warming rate of LST in Xinjiang during the study period was 0.24℃/10a, and the spatial distribution pattern of LST had obvious topographic imprints, with 87.20% of the warming zone located in the Gobi desert and areas with frequent human activities, and the cooling zone mainly located in the mountainous areas. The seasonal LST in Xinjiang was at a cooling rate of 0.09℃/10a in autumn, and showed a warming trend in other seasons. Digital elevation model(DEM), latitude, wind speed, precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI), and sunshine duration in the single-factor and interactive detections were the key factors driving the LST changes. The direction and intensity of each major driving factor on the spatial variations of LST in the study area were heterogeneous. The negative feedback effect of DEM on the spatial differentiation of LST was the strongest. Lower latitudes, lower vegetation coverage, lower levels of precipitation, and longer sunshine duration increased LST. Unused land was the main heat source landscape, water body was the most important heat sink landscape, grassland and forest land were the land use and land cover(LULC) types with the most prominent heat sink effect, and there were significant differences in different geomorphic zones due to the influences of their vegetation types, climatic conditions, soil types, and human activities. The findings will help to facilitate sustainable climate change management, analyze local climate and environmental patterns, and improve land management strategies in Xinjiang and other arid areas.

Teachers' Oral Corrective Feedback and Its Influence on Learner Uptake in the Classes of Teaching English as a Foreign Language for Minority Students in Xinjiang Junior High Schools

The present study explored the features and the effectiveness of teachers' oral CF in the classrooms of Teaching English as a Foreign Language(TEFL) for minority students in Xinjiang junior high schools. The analytical framework of this study consulted Lyster's(1998) coding scheme. 720 minutes of classroom observation were recorded and transcribed. The database was coded and the distribution of errors, CF and uptake was analyzed.