<strong>Background:</strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span> Despite increasing cancer incidence among young Latinas (<50 yrs.) in the US, little is known abo...<strong>Background:</strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span> Despite increasing cancer incidence among young Latinas (<50 yrs.) in the US, little is known about how young, child-rearing Latinas cope with cancer in the US-Mexico border region. </span><b><span>Objective:</span></b><span> The purpose of this study was to explore how young, child-rearing Latinas described their chal</span><span>lenges, strengths, and social support sources for coping with cancer in the</span><span> US-Mexico border region. </span><b><span>Methods:</span></b><span> Nine Latinas that had been diagnosed with cancer, had at least one child 5 to 13 years old, and lived in one of two targeted border counties participated in audio-recorded, semi-structured focus groups (n = 6) or interviews (n = 3) in their preferred language (</span><i><span>i.e.</span></i><span>, English or Spanish). Interview recordings were transcribed and inductively coded us</span><span><span>ing methods based on grounded theory. </span><b><span>Results:</span></b><span> Three major themes</span></span><span> emerged. First, in reporting their physical and emotional struggles with cancer as the most difficult time of their lives, participants described feeling alone as they navigated treatment side effects and continued fear of cancer. Second, they explained figuring out how to live day-by-day, reporting the negative impact </span><span>of cancer on their families and on their ability to maintain their roles as</span><span> mothers. Third, they highlighted factors that gave them the strength to fight and carry on, emphasizing their children and their inner strength. </span><b><span>Conclusions:</span></b><span> Even with a supportive family, young Latina mothers felt alone as they navigated cancer (</span><i><span>i.e.</span></i><span>, treatment, fear, and impact on their families) and as they worked to garner the strength to overcome the stress of cancer. Inter</span><span>ventions for young Latina survivors should be designed to address their</span><span> needs, build on their fighting spirit, incorporate the family, and connect them with </span><span>other survivors for personalized support. Further research is warranted to</span><span> better understand cancer survivorship among child-rearing Latina mothers experiencing a cancer diagnosis in under-resourced communities like the US-Mexico border region.展开更多
Background: Wildlife and livestock grazing are important products of forest ecosystems, but can be controversial. Herbivory by North American elk and domestic cattle is a contentious management issue throughout weste...Background: Wildlife and livestock grazing are important products of forest ecosystems, but can be controversial. Herbivory by North American elk and domestic cattle is a contentious management issue throughout western North America, often driving management proposals to decrease cattle and elk numbers based on perceived overutilization of forages. Such observations are often site level rather than landscape, and may confuse ecological sustainability with desired conditions. Methods: We used line transects to document vegetation composition, structure, and grazing and browsing utilization for 4 key habitat types: mountain meadows, aspen, thinned conifer, and burned conifer on Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, USA. We documented relative habitat use of these types by elk, mule deer, and cattle and modeled relative use on residual grass biomass of mountain meadows and browse utilization of forested types. We determined diets and diet quality of elk and cattle to assess degree of competition. Results: Use of grasses in meadows was below management thresholds, and combined elk, cattle, and deer relative habitat use accounted for 〈 14 % of the variance in residual stubble height of Poa protensis, the most abundant grass. Palatable browse was limited in habitat types (〈 107 stems.ha^-1), use was generally high, and elk presence was correlated with the majority of browsing. Elk and cattle diets did not significantly overlap (Schoener's index 0.54-0.57); elk fed primarily on deciduous shrubs (34 %-55 % of annual diets) and cattle on grass (72 %-77 %). Digestibility and crude protein levels of cattle diets and body condition of elk indicated high quality diets for cattle and marginal-good quality diets for elk. Conclusions: At observed stocking levels and densities, cattle and elk were not competing for forage based on diet similarity, nor were key habitat types being used beyond sustainable levels. Low browse availability indicates that opportunity exists to increase forage availability on Lincoln National Forest, and thus maintain or increase populations without increasing impacts to plant communities. Management actions that address increased stand densities and forest encroachment of meadows, a result of altered historical disturbance regimes, could increase distribution, quantity, and quality of forage.展开更多
Soil quality indicators were assessed in two adjacent fields in northern New Mexico near a reverse osmosis (RO) facility. One field had been cleared of native vegetation, sowed with a pasture mix and irrigated with sa...Soil quality indicators were assessed in two adjacent fields in northern New Mexico near a reverse osmosis (RO) facility. One field had been cleared of native vegetation, sowed with a pasture mix and irrigated with saline RO wastewater (electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.73 dS/m) (WW) for two years. An adjacent field of non-irrigated, undisturbed native vegetation (NV) that received only natural rainfall was sampled for comparison and assumed to be representative of baseline values. Measurements included mean weight diameter (MWD), dry aggregates > 2 mm (D > 2 mm), dry aggregates < 0.25 mm (D < 0.25 mm), wet aggregate stability, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), soil organic matter, EC, pH, sand, silt and clay contents, and chemical parameters (NO3-N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). The wastewater irrigated field had more favorable soil quality indicators than the non-irrigated field, presumably due to the pasture mix and irrigation. However, the EC is higher in the WW irrigated field and will affect long-term utilization of the land for cropping, unless good soil salinity management is implemented.展开更多
Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality rates in New Mexico (NM) continue to be higher than national rates. Hispanic CRC mortality rates in NM surpass those of overall Hispanics in the US. This study was designed t...Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality rates in New Mexico (NM) continue to be higher than national rates. Hispanic CRC mortality rates in NM surpass those of overall Hispanics in the US. This study was designed to characterize and understand factors contributing to low CRC screening rates in this border region. Methods: A CRC Knowledge Assessment Survey (KAS) was administered in either English or Spanish to 247 individuals attending community events throughout southern NM. A subset of these individuals completed an online CRC risk assessment survey managed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Data analysis tested for significant differences in knowledge, physician-patient CRC interactions, CRC risk level perception, and screening rates across diverse ethnic and age groups. Results: Both CRC knowledge and physician-patient CRC interactions were positively associated with participant screening history. Significant age and ethnic differences for CRC knowledge, physician-patient CRC interactions, and screening history in the NM border sample were also seen. Age-eligible Hispanics (50+) as well as those less than 50 years of age had lower CRC knowledge and were less likely to engage in physician-patient CRC interactions than non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). The age-eligible Hispanics also reported lower CRC screening rates than their NHW counterparts. Conclusions: Low CRC knowledge and limited physician-patient CRC interactions appear to contribute to low screening rates in this NM population. Expanding education and outreach efforts for this border population are essential to promote early CRC detection and thereby decrease overall CRC mortality rates.展开更多
Salmonella spp. have been implicated in foodborne disease outbreaks involving chile peppers, usually in combination foods such as chile rellenos, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole and others where the source of contamin...Salmonella spp. have been implicated in foodborne disease outbreaks involving chile peppers, usually in combination foods such as chile rellenos, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole and others where the source of contamination is uncertain. Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 was used in this study to artificially inoculate green chile peppers. Green chile peppers were weighed and artificially contaminated by applying the calculated inoculation volumes of 4 o,L per g of pepper. No presumptive salmonellae were found on any of the peppers prior to inoculation with S. Typhimurium. Twenty inoculated chiles were transferred to a custom built lab-scale roaster and then flame roasted for five minutes until they were blistered on the surface, as is commonly at New Mexico supermarkets. The surface temperature of representative chiles was measured with an infrared thermometer. Flame roasting of green chile peppers is effective in reducing bacterial contaminants on fresh green chile peppers. Based on the TSAYE counts where inoculated chile peppers had a mean plate count of 7.21 and the roasted chile peppers 2.71 and 2.75, a 4.5 log reduction was seen. Results reveal the effectiveness of flame roasting on the microbiological safety and quality of roasted green chile peppers.展开更多
The study, conducted at the Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in 2021, focused on the effects of various nitrogen-fixing bacterial isolates, biofertilizers containing nitrogen and phosp...The study, conducted at the Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in 2021, focused on the effects of various nitrogen-fixing bacterial isolates, biofertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as iron and zinc foliar applications on mustard growth under rainfed conditions. The results indicated that biofertilizers, whether used alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers, produced comparable grain and oil outputs compared to chemical fertilizers alone. Additionally, the application of iron and zinc through foliar spraying significantly enhanced both grain and oil production. These findings suggest that integrating nitrogen-fixing bacteria and biofertilizers could reduce reliance on chemical nitrogenous fertilizers, leading to decreased production expenses, improved product quality, and minimized environmental impact. This study highlights the potential for sustainable agricultural practices in dry land farming as a viable alternative to traditional chemical-intensive methods. Substituting chemical nitrogenous fertilizers with nitrogen-fixing bacteria or biofertilizers could result in cost savings in mustard grain and oil production while promoting environmental sustainability.展开更多
Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is one of the major agricultural strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance food security, and improve agricultural sustainability. This paper synthesize...Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is one of the major agricultural strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance food security, and improve agricultural sustainability. This paper synthesizes the much-needed state- of-knowledge on the effects of tillage, crop residue, and nutrient management practices on SOC sequestration and identifies potential research gap, opportunities, and challenges in studying SOC dynamics in rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping systems in South Asia, mainly in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Improved management prac- tices such as reduced- and no-tillage management, nitrogen (N) fertilizer and farmyard manure (FYM) application, and crop residue addition can improve SOC accumulation. Positive effects of no-tillage, crop residue addition, N addition through manure or compost application, and integration of organic and chemical fertilizers on SOC accumulation in rice-based cropping systems have been documented from South Asia. However, limited data and enormous discrepancies in SOC measurements across the region exist as the greatest challenge in increasing SOC sequestration and improving agricultural sustainability. More research on SOC as influenced by alternative tillage, crop residue, and nutrient management systems, and development of SOC monitoring system for existing long-term experiments will advance our understanding of the SOC dynamics in rice-based cropping systems and improve agricultural system sustainability in South Asia.展开更多
Biomass derived porous nanostructured nitrogen doped carbon(PNC) has been extensively investigated as the electrode material for electrochemical catalytic reactions and rechargeable batteries. Biomass with and without...Biomass derived porous nanostructured nitrogen doped carbon(PNC) has been extensively investigated as the electrode material for electrochemical catalytic reactions and rechargeable batteries. Biomass with and without containing nitrogen could be designed and optimized to prepare PNC via hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis, and other methods. The presence of nitrogen in carbon can provide more active sites for ion absorption, improve the electronic conductivity, increase the bonding between carbon and sulfur, and enhance the electrochemical catalytic reaction. The synthetic methods of natural biomass derived PNC, heteroatomic co-or tri-doping into biomass derived carbon and the application of biomass derived PNC in rechargeable Li/Na batteries, high energy density Li-S batteries, supercapacitors, metal-air batteries and electrochemical catalytic reaction(oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, hydrogen evolution reaction) are summarized and discussed in this review. Biomass derived PNCs deliver high performance electrochemical storage properties for rechargeable batteries/supercapacitors and superior electrochemical catalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction and evolution, as promising electrodes for electrochemical devices including battery technologies, fuel cell and electrolyzer.展开更多
The snowmelt runoff model (SRM) has been widely used in simulation and forecast of streamflow in snow-dominated mountainous basins around the world. This paper presents an overall review of worldwide applications of...The snowmelt runoff model (SRM) has been widely used in simulation and forecast of streamflow in snow-dominated mountainous basins around the world. This paper presents an overall review of worldwide applications of SRM in mountainous watersheds, particularly jn data-sparse watersheds of northwestern China. Issues related to proper selection of input climate variables and parameters, and determination of the snow cover area (SCA)using remote sensing data in snowmelt runoff modeling are discussed through extensive review of literature. Preliminary applications of SRM in northwestern China have shown that the model accuracies are relatively acceptable although most of the watersheds lack measured hydro-meteorological data. Future research could explore the feasibility of modeling snowmelt runoff in data-sparse mountainous watersheds in northwestern China by utilizing snow and glacier cover remote sensing data, geographic information system (GIS) tools, field measurements, and innovative ways of model parameterization.展开更多
文摘<strong>Background:</strong><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span> Despite increasing cancer incidence among young Latinas (<50 yrs.) in the US, little is known about how young, child-rearing Latinas cope with cancer in the US-Mexico border region. </span><b><span>Objective:</span></b><span> The purpose of this study was to explore how young, child-rearing Latinas described their chal</span><span>lenges, strengths, and social support sources for coping with cancer in the</span><span> US-Mexico border region. </span><b><span>Methods:</span></b><span> Nine Latinas that had been diagnosed with cancer, had at least one child 5 to 13 years old, and lived in one of two targeted border counties participated in audio-recorded, semi-structured focus groups (n = 6) or interviews (n = 3) in their preferred language (</span><i><span>i.e.</span></i><span>, English or Spanish). Interview recordings were transcribed and inductively coded us</span><span><span>ing methods based on grounded theory. </span><b><span>Results:</span></b><span> Three major themes</span></span><span> emerged. First, in reporting their physical and emotional struggles with cancer as the most difficult time of their lives, participants described feeling alone as they navigated treatment side effects and continued fear of cancer. Second, they explained figuring out how to live day-by-day, reporting the negative impact </span><span>of cancer on their families and on their ability to maintain their roles as</span><span> mothers. Third, they highlighted factors that gave them the strength to fight and carry on, emphasizing their children and their inner strength. </span><b><span>Conclusions:</span></b><span> Even with a supportive family, young Latina mothers felt alone as they navigated cancer (</span><i><span>i.e.</span></i><span>, treatment, fear, and impact on their families) and as they worked to garner the strength to overcome the stress of cancer. Inter</span><span>ventions for young Latina survivors should be designed to address their</span><span> needs, build on their fighting spirit, incorporate the family, and connect them with </span><span>other survivors for personalized support. Further research is warranted to</span><span> better understand cancer survivorship among child-rearing Latina mothers experiencing a cancer diagnosis in under-resourced communities like the US-Mexico border region.
基金the U.S.Forest Service,Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,New Mexico Department of Game and Fish,and several private entities for funding this projectThe New Mexico State University,Agricultural Experiment Station provided additional financial support
文摘Background: Wildlife and livestock grazing are important products of forest ecosystems, but can be controversial. Herbivory by North American elk and domestic cattle is a contentious management issue throughout western North America, often driving management proposals to decrease cattle and elk numbers based on perceived overutilization of forages. Such observations are often site level rather than landscape, and may confuse ecological sustainability with desired conditions. Methods: We used line transects to document vegetation composition, structure, and grazing and browsing utilization for 4 key habitat types: mountain meadows, aspen, thinned conifer, and burned conifer on Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, USA. We documented relative habitat use of these types by elk, mule deer, and cattle and modeled relative use on residual grass biomass of mountain meadows and browse utilization of forested types. We determined diets and diet quality of elk and cattle to assess degree of competition. Results: Use of grasses in meadows was below management thresholds, and combined elk, cattle, and deer relative habitat use accounted for 〈 14 % of the variance in residual stubble height of Poa protensis, the most abundant grass. Palatable browse was limited in habitat types (〈 107 stems.ha^-1), use was generally high, and elk presence was correlated with the majority of browsing. Elk and cattle diets did not significantly overlap (Schoener's index 0.54-0.57); elk fed primarily on deciduous shrubs (34 %-55 % of annual diets) and cattle on grass (72 %-77 %). Digestibility and crude protein levels of cattle diets and body condition of elk indicated high quality diets for cattle and marginal-good quality diets for elk. Conclusions: At observed stocking levels and densities, cattle and elk were not competing for forage based on diet similarity, nor were key habitat types being used beyond sustainable levels. Low browse availability indicates that opportunity exists to increase forage availability on Lincoln National Forest, and thus maintain or increase populations without increasing impacts to plant communities. Management actions that address increased stand densities and forest encroachment of meadows, a result of altered historical disturbance regimes, could increase distribution, quantity, and quality of forage.
文摘Soil quality indicators were assessed in two adjacent fields in northern New Mexico near a reverse osmosis (RO) facility. One field had been cleared of native vegetation, sowed with a pasture mix and irrigated with saline RO wastewater (electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.73 dS/m) (WW) for two years. An adjacent field of non-irrigated, undisturbed native vegetation (NV) that received only natural rainfall was sampled for comparison and assumed to be representative of baseline values. Measurements included mean weight diameter (MWD), dry aggregates > 2 mm (D > 2 mm), dry aggregates < 0.25 mm (D < 0.25 mm), wet aggregate stability, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), soil organic matter, EC, pH, sand, silt and clay contents, and chemical parameters (NO3-N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). The wastewater irrigated field had more favorable soil quality indicators than the non-irrigated field, presumably due to the pasture mix and irrigation. However, the EC is higher in the WW irrigated field and will affect long-term utilization of the land for cropping, unless good soil salinity management is implemented.
文摘Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality rates in New Mexico (NM) continue to be higher than national rates. Hispanic CRC mortality rates in NM surpass those of overall Hispanics in the US. This study was designed to characterize and understand factors contributing to low CRC screening rates in this border region. Methods: A CRC Knowledge Assessment Survey (KAS) was administered in either English or Spanish to 247 individuals attending community events throughout southern NM. A subset of these individuals completed an online CRC risk assessment survey managed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Data analysis tested for significant differences in knowledge, physician-patient CRC interactions, CRC risk level perception, and screening rates across diverse ethnic and age groups. Results: Both CRC knowledge and physician-patient CRC interactions were positively associated with participant screening history. Significant age and ethnic differences for CRC knowledge, physician-patient CRC interactions, and screening history in the NM border sample were also seen. Age-eligible Hispanics (50+) as well as those less than 50 years of age had lower CRC knowledge and were less likely to engage in physician-patient CRC interactions than non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). The age-eligible Hispanics also reported lower CRC screening rates than their NHW counterparts. Conclusions: Low CRC knowledge and limited physician-patient CRC interactions appear to contribute to low screening rates in this NM population. Expanding education and outreach efforts for this border population are essential to promote early CRC detection and thereby decrease overall CRC mortality rates.
文摘Salmonella spp. have been implicated in foodborne disease outbreaks involving chile peppers, usually in combination foods such as chile rellenos, salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole and others where the source of contamination is uncertain. Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 was used in this study to artificially inoculate green chile peppers. Green chile peppers were weighed and artificially contaminated by applying the calculated inoculation volumes of 4 o,L per g of pepper. No presumptive salmonellae were found on any of the peppers prior to inoculation with S. Typhimurium. Twenty inoculated chiles were transferred to a custom built lab-scale roaster and then flame roasted for five minutes until they were blistered on the surface, as is commonly at New Mexico supermarkets. The surface temperature of representative chiles was measured with an infrared thermometer. Flame roasting of green chile peppers is effective in reducing bacterial contaminants on fresh green chile peppers. Based on the TSAYE counts where inoculated chile peppers had a mean plate count of 7.21 and the roasted chile peppers 2.71 and 2.75, a 4.5 log reduction was seen. Results reveal the effectiveness of flame roasting on the microbiological safety and quality of roasted green chile peppers.
文摘The study, conducted at the Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in 2021, focused on the effects of various nitrogen-fixing bacterial isolates, biofertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as iron and zinc foliar applications on mustard growth under rainfed conditions. The results indicated that biofertilizers, whether used alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers, produced comparable grain and oil outputs compared to chemical fertilizers alone. Additionally, the application of iron and zinc through foliar spraying significantly enhanced both grain and oil production. These findings suggest that integrating nitrogen-fixing bacteria and biofertilizers could reduce reliance on chemical nitrogenous fertilizers, leading to decreased production expenses, improved product quality, and minimized environmental impact. This study highlights the potential for sustainable agricultural practices in dry land farming as a viable alternative to traditional chemical-intensive methods. Substituting chemical nitrogenous fertilizers with nitrogen-fixing bacteria or biofertilizers could result in cost savings in mustard grain and oil production while promoting environmental sustainability.
文摘Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is one of the major agricultural strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance food security, and improve agricultural sustainability. This paper synthesizes the much-needed state- of-knowledge on the effects of tillage, crop residue, and nutrient management practices on SOC sequestration and identifies potential research gap, opportunities, and challenges in studying SOC dynamics in rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping systems in South Asia, mainly in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Improved management prac- tices such as reduced- and no-tillage management, nitrogen (N) fertilizer and farmyard manure (FYM) application, and crop residue addition can improve SOC accumulation. Positive effects of no-tillage, crop residue addition, N addition through manure or compost application, and integration of organic and chemical fertilizers on SOC accumulation in rice-based cropping systems have been documented from South Asia. However, limited data and enormous discrepancies in SOC measurements across the region exist as the greatest challenge in increasing SOC sequestration and improving agricultural sustainability. More research on SOC as influenced by alternative tillage, crop residue, and nutrient management systems, and development of SOC monitoring system for existing long-term experiments will advance our understanding of the SOC dynamics in rice-based cropping systems and improve agricultural system sustainability in South Asia.
基金the support from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, HSI Collaboration:Integrating Food Science/Engineering and Education Network(IFSEEN,award number: 2015-3842224059)the support from the NMSU Agricultural Experiment Station Graduate Research Award
文摘Biomass derived porous nanostructured nitrogen doped carbon(PNC) has been extensively investigated as the electrode material for electrochemical catalytic reactions and rechargeable batteries. Biomass with and without containing nitrogen could be designed and optimized to prepare PNC via hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis, and other methods. The presence of nitrogen in carbon can provide more active sites for ion absorption, improve the electronic conductivity, increase the bonding between carbon and sulfur, and enhance the electrochemical catalytic reaction. The synthetic methods of natural biomass derived PNC, heteroatomic co-or tri-doping into biomass derived carbon and the application of biomass derived PNC in rechargeable Li/Na batteries, high energy density Li-S batteries, supercapacitors, metal-air batteries and electrochemical catalytic reaction(oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, hydrogen evolution reaction) are summarized and discussed in this review. Biomass derived PNCs deliver high performance electrochemical storage properties for rechargeable batteries/supercapacitors and superior electrochemical catalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction and evolution, as promising electrodes for electrochemical devices including battery technologies, fuel cell and electrolyzer.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No51069017)the Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry of Ministry of Water Resources of China(Grant No201001065)+1 种基金the Open-End Fund of Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology,Xinjiang University(Grant No XJDX0206-2010-03)the Open-End Fund of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research(Grant NoIWHR-SKL-201104)
文摘The snowmelt runoff model (SRM) has been widely used in simulation and forecast of streamflow in snow-dominated mountainous basins around the world. This paper presents an overall review of worldwide applications of SRM in mountainous watersheds, particularly jn data-sparse watersheds of northwestern China. Issues related to proper selection of input climate variables and parameters, and determination of the snow cover area (SCA)using remote sensing data in snowmelt runoff modeling are discussed through extensive review of literature. Preliminary applications of SRM in northwestern China have shown that the model accuracies are relatively acceptable although most of the watersheds lack measured hydro-meteorological data. Future research could explore the feasibility of modeling snowmelt runoff in data-sparse mountainous watersheds in northwestern China by utilizing snow and glacier cover remote sensing data, geographic information system (GIS) tools, field measurements, and innovative ways of model parameterization.