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This essay explores the struggles of second‐generation Tibetan refugees under an exclusionary Indian citizenship regime. Confronted with a national orthodoxy that entwines legal status, entitlements, and national identity, Tibetans respond by “disaggregating” citizenship. First, stateless Tibetans, born in India to refugee parents, won legal appeals by demonstrating that Tibetan nationality was no bar to Indian citizenship. In response, Indian authorities demanded that Tibetans give up refugee entitlements and remove themselves from their national space and political community in exile as the price of Indian citizenship. This article explores the diverse responses of Tibetans to the citizenship‐on‐offer: some aspiring for it, some accepting it, and others actively rejecting it. These responses illustrate strategies refugees employ to navigate citizenship regimes that often render them liminal. Refugees act both to mitigate the precarity of statelessness and to preserve their identity, community, and political aspirations against erasure. In doing so, they not only disrupt the national orthodoxy of states that negates refugee experiences but also reveal the incompleteness and contradictions of citizenship regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholarship on historical temporality has explored what time meant to people in the past. Going further, how did historical actors' perception of time shape their experience of events? Jean and Francis Kingdon-Ward, two British travellers, lived through a major earthquake on India and Tibet's mountainous frontier in 1950. Their numerous published and unpublished narrative accounts showed that the earthquake severely disrupted their physical environment, inducing powerful emotions and changing their sense of the passage of time. Comparisons with other accounts by British and some Indian survivors of mid twentieth-century earthquakes in South Asia showed that others, too, felt that earthquakes disrupted their sense of linear, well-ordered time. This article develops Barbara Adam's concept of timescapes to emphasize how a temporal subject-position is made up of feelings and thoughts. It draws on psychological research on the relationship between emotion and time-perception to reveal a temporal subjectivity that extended through and beyond a moment of extreme stress, and was closely connected to place. New insights are offered for scholarship on the histories of emotions, subjectivity and the environment, putting emotions more firmly into our understanding of historical time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary and oral hygiene habits among integrated migrant cultural minorities can vary and could impact susceptibility to caries. Aim: This study aimed to assess and compare the oral health status of Tibetan schoolchildren living in the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe, India, stratified by type of residence. Design: A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted among Tibetan schoolchildren attending nine schools in the Bylakuppe region. Results: The study population consisted of 916 children aged 5–17: 702 (76.6%) living in secular houses (LSH) and 214 (23.4%) living in monasteries (LM). The prevalence of dental caries was 70.9%, and the mean value of decayed, missing, filled teeth for mixed and primary dentition (DMFT*; dmft) of LSH children (1.56 ± 2.34/1.74 ± 2.66) was higher than of LM ones (1.14 ± 2.34/0.83 ± 2.80; p <.001). DMFT for LM children (1.46 ± 2.04) was slightly higher than for LSH children (1.38 ± 1.96; p >.05). Among the sample, 99.1% had a good simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and LM children showed higher rates of good values (99.5% vs. 98.2% in LSH children). Most children needed preventive/routine dental treatment, whereas 16.6% needed urgent dental treatment. In 4.5% of children, oral mucosal lesions were present. Conclusion: This study confirms the high need for dental treatment in the children of the Tibetan settlement investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how Tibetans in the cultural region of Amdo experienced urbanization as a social process when it began intensifying in the region in the early 2000s. By using five pieces of Tibetan fiction as ethnographic data, this article looks at the process of urbanization from the angle of class, analyzing the formation of the urban Tibetan class in relation to social spaces in cities, and its structural position in society. This article further explores the subjectivity of urban Tibetans through the discourse and quoted speech of characters in fiction. In doing so, the article demonstrates that urbanization is occurring as a social process, and Lishaypa, or government workers, react to urbanization intensively as a class. This results in a new social demarcation being established among Tibetans, one based on urban residence and in which urban residents place themselves above rural villagers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thick crust of the southern Tibetan and central Andean plateaus includes high-conductivity, low-velocity zones ascribed to partial melt. The melt origin and effect on plateau uplift remain speculative, in particular if plateau uplift happens before continental collision. The East Anatolian Plateau (EAP) has experienced similar, more recent uplift but its structure is largely unknown. Here we present an 80 km deep geophysical model across EAP, constrained by seismic receiver functions integrated with interpretation of gravity data and seismic tomographic, magnetotelluric, geothermal, and geochemical models. The results indicate a 20 km thick lower crustal layer and a 10 km thick mid-crustal layer, which both contain pockets of partial melt. We explain plateau uplift by isostatic equilibration following magmatism associated with roll-back and break-off of the Neo-Tethys slab. Our results suggest that crustal thickening by felsic melt and mafic underplate are important for plateau uplift in the EAP, Andes and Tibet. Partially molten middle and underplated lower crust may control isostatic plateau uplift, with uplift duration corelated to middle crustal thickness, which determines the height and crustal thickness of the Anatolian, Tibetan and Andean plateaux [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: In languages with within-word segmentation cues, the removal or replacement of these cues in a text hinders reading and lexical recognition, and adversely affects saccade target selection during reading. However, the outcome of artificially introducing visual word segmentation cues into a language that lacks them is unknown. Tibetan exemplifies a language that does not provide visual cues for word segmentation, relying solely on visual cues for morpheme segmentation. Moreover, previous studies have not examined word segmentation in the Tibetan language. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of artificially incorporated visual word segmentation cues and basic units of information processing in Tibetan reading. Methods: We used eye-tracking technology and conducted two experiments with Tibetan sentences that artificially incorporated interword spaces and color alternation markings as visual segmentation cues. Conclusions: The results indicated that interword spaces facilitate reading and lexical recognition and aid in saccade target selection during reading. Color alternation markings facilitate reading and vocabulary recognition but do not affect saccade selection. Words are more likely to be the basic units of information processing and exhibit greater psychological reality than morphemes. These findings shed light on the nature and rules of Tibetan reading and provide fundamental data to improve eye movement control models for reading alphabetic writing systems. Furthermore, our results may offer practical guidance and a scientific basis for improving the efficiency of reading, information processing, and word segmentation in Tibetan reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there have been concerted efforts to integrate Tibetan Buddhist monastic education into the Indian university system since the 1960s, the attainment of academic accreditation has tended to require significant curricular trade-offs. The majority of Tibetan Buddhist monastic colleges have therefore eschewed the potential advantages of academic accreditation—including greater opportunities for monastic graduates in universities and other secular contexts—in order to preserve the rigour of traditional scholastic programmes. However, through its affiliation to the University of Mysore in 2022, the Geluk monastery of Sera Je is now able to award accredited Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees even without making significant changes in practice to its traditional curriculum and pedagogy. This article examines the structure and content of Sera Je's new programmes and contextualises what may prove to be a landmark development against the backdrop of previous attempts to negotiate the boundary between Tibetan Buddhist monastic education and university education in India. It suggests that the accreditation of research programmes raises further challenges in addition to those associated with the accreditation of taught programmes. Nonetheless, the urgency of solving these longstanding issues appears to have been heightened by a developing crisis in Tibetan Buddhist monastic recruitment. In investigating the topic of academic accreditation, this article throws light on an issue that has driven notable evolutions in Tibetan Buddhist monastic education in India but has previously received little scholarly attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detailed sedimentary sequence and tectonic deformation characteristics of the Qingshuihe Basin and its surrounding areas in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau have provided significant insights into the stages and intensity of lateral orogenic plateau expansion during the Mid-to-late Cenozoic. Several key unconformities and a tectonically induced river terrace have been identified, shedding light on the timing, scale, and tectonic response of the Tibetan Plateau’s growth into northwestern China. The identified unconformities include the ~ 16.5 Ma parallel unconformity (U1) between the Qingshuiying and Zhangenpu formations, the ~ 7.6 Ma slight-angular unconformity (U2) between the Zhangenpu and Ganhegou formations, the ~ 2.77–1.04 Ma slight- to high-angular unconformity (U3) between the Ganhegou and Yumen formations, and the ~ 0.135 Ma high-angular unconformity (U4) between the Yumen and Salawusu formations. A ~ 5–4 ka Holocene river terrace of the Qingshuihe River has also been identified. These unconformities and the river terrace provide evidence for a stepwise northeastward expansion model of the Tibetan Plateau. The U1 disconformity signifies the outward expansion of the orogenic plateau into its northeastern margin through uplift rather than shortening, possibly subsequent to the removal of the mantle lithosphere. The angular unconformities U2, U3, and U4 indicate synchronous crustal shortening across the Tibetan region and its northeastern margin, with U3 representing the most intense lateral expansion of the plateau. The Holocene river terrace represents the most recent tectonic event associated with the northeastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau in the study area, shaping modern landforms and topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2023, a number of sacred Tibetan ritual musical instruments fashioned from human tissue were donated to Northumbria University, England. After lengthy consultation with stakeholders, the university took the decision to accept the donation in order to store and care for these objects in a culturally respectful manner. This process involved working closely with the Tibetan diaspora in exile to manage, research and provide access in a culturally sensitive way until such time as they might be returned to their communities of origin. Framing the university's decision were current and ongoing debates within the heritage sector regarding the ethics of storing, researching and displaying human remains, especially where they belong to cultures from beyond the Global West. However, the cultural and ritual status of these objects, not to mention their geographical origin, is such that they do not fall easily into the same defined status as other historical human remains in western heritage collections. We present here ongoing work to build transparent and sensitive collections and research policies specifically around two Tibetan ritual thöd-rnga skull drums, traditionally used in the Chöd (gCod) ritual practised in Tibetan Tantric (Vajrayana) Buddhism. We situate our work within the complex discourse on caring for contested objects in the UK in the midst of the restitution and decolonisation agendas, before considering the objects themselves as material artefacts, and the ethics of caring for and researching these objects within the context of a university collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differences in gut microbiota among different populations, to a certain extent, reflect the degree of interaction between individuals within populations. To assess the interaction levels among several small populations of Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) (n = 105, from seven different regions) based on differences in gut microbiota, we used the closely related Tibetan gazelle (P. picticaudata) (n = 52, from seven different regions) as a control. We then compared the gut microbial communities between different populations of the two species using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that within a 100 km geographical distance, the intergroup differences in relative abundance of dominant bacteria, α-diversity, β-diversity, and functional metabolism abundance were higher or significantly higher in Przewalski's gazelle (narrowly distributed species) compared to the Tibetan gazelle (widely distributed species). Additionally, the proportion of shared OTUs between groups in Przewalski's gazelle was significantly lower than in Tibetan gazelle (p < 0.05). Additionally, neutral community model results also showed lower dispersal limitation in the Tibetan gazelle compared to Przewalski's gazelle. Therefore, based on the above results, we comprehensively speculate that the spatial interaction degree of Przewalski's gazelle in different habitat patches is relatively low. This study, starting from the perspective of gut microbiota, adopts a non-genetic perspective or method to assess whether there is, or to what extent there is, close interaction between species populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employ a high‐resolution Köppen climate classification dataset to examine shifts in Tundra zones within the Alps and Asia. Our analysis shows substantial reductions in Tundra areas by the mid‐21st century under different Shared. Socioeconomic pathways (SSP1‐2.6, SSP3‐7.0, SSP5‐8.5). Tundra zones in the Alps and the Tibetan Plateau are crucial for their unique climates and role as water reservoirs. Characterized by short, mild summers and long, severe winters, these zones are vital for the glaciers and perennial snow. The projected climate instability may significantly reduce alpine snow cover by mid‐century with irreversible consequences. A 2°C temperature increase from the 1981–2010 baseline could eliminate the Tundra climate in the Alps and reduce it by over 70% in Asia. This is particularly concerning given that rivers from the Tibetan Plateau sustain nearly 40% of the global population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article surveys the academic literature on Tibetan Buddhist monastic education, covering both its development inside Tibet prior to 1959, when the fourteenth Dalai Lama fled into exile, and its revival and adaptations since that time. Academic works on monastic education before 1959 examine important landmarks from the 11th until the 20th centuries, including the innovative approaches pioneered at Sangpu Neutok, the contributions of Sakya Paṇḍita, the rise of Geluk monastic education, and the later development of non‐Geluk shedras in the Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu orders. There are also notable academic debates concerning the valid application of the category of 'scholasticism' to traditional Tibetan Buddhist educational contexts. In general, traditional Geluk monastic education has been more thoroughly researched than the monastic education of the other orders, though recent studies have started to correct this imbalance. The literature on contemporary monastic education discusses several adaptations to traditional approaches, including the award of degrees modelled on those at secular universities, the expansion of curricula to include modern subjects such as science, and the establishment of unprecedented educational programmes for nuns. Contemporary developments in the subcontinental nations of India, Nepal and Bhutan have, however, received greater academic attention those in the Tibetan regions of China. Thus, while the academic field is quite vibrant, with a wide range of publications on several important topics, a number of research gaps remain that could be fruitfully filled by subsequent research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continental rejuvenation results from the tectonic reactivation of crustal structures and lithospheric reworking by mantle flow. Geochemical observations and field mapping have traditionally provided the primary evidence for the secular evolution of crustal composition and tectonic processes during continental rejuvenation. Nonetheless, the impact of continental rejuvenation on the observed present-day strain rate and orogenic-scale lithospheric structure has not been well constrained. The pre-existing E-W–trending Central China Orogenic Belt has been overprinted by the N-S–trending Central Longitudinal Seismic Belt and constitutes the intracontinental West Qinling Syntaxis in central China, where the tectonic setting changes eastward from contraction to extension. Combining updated global positioning system data and high-resolution crustal seismic tomography, we reveal a modern continental rejuvenation process within the West Qinling Syntaxis in central China. The northward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau’s weak lithospheric layer (middle-lower crust and lithospheric mantle) of southwestern China relative to the rigid Sichuan Basin/Ordos Block of the eastern West Qinling Syntaxis results in regional dextral shearing that shapes the Central Longitudinal Seismic Belt and defines the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin. The pre-existing E-W–trending Central China Orogenic Belt has been preserved above the brittle-ductile transition zone, and the northward movement of the deep lithospheric layer drives the deformation of the upper crust in the West Qinling Syntaxis. Our results, along with previous studies, suggest the presence of an intracontinental lithospheric interchange structure in central China. The continental rejuvenation of the West Qinling Syntaxis results from a combination of fault reactivation in the upper crust (Stage I, Eocene–Oligocene) and reworking of the deep lithosphere (Stage II, middle–late Miocene) related to the plateauwide shift in stress accommodation ultimately driven by the redistribution of mass outward from the central Tibetan Plateau. At present, the transition zone between the high- and low-velocity anomalies along the Central Longitudinal Seismic Belt not only shapes the landscape boundary but controls the size and recurrence interval of earth-quakes within the West Qinling Syntaxis in central China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second half of the eighteenth and the nineteenth century saw the beginnings of Tibetan Studies in Europe through first translations, grammars, and dictionaries. Vital for this development was the Moravian autodidact Isaak Jakob Schmidt (1779–1847), also considered founder of Mongolian Studies, and his successor at the St Petersburg Academy of Science, Anton Schiefner (1817–1879). These scholars saw themselves as researchers of "Oriental languages" and published mostly in German. A notable piece within the works of Schmidt is his 1843 founding text and translation of Der Weise und der Thor ("The Wise and the Foolish," Tib. mDzangs blun), a collection of Buddhist narratives illustrating the workings of karma. Schiefner later (1852) added corrections to Schmidt's voluminous work. This paper aims at analysing Schmidt's contributions to understanding East Asia and Tibet via this pioneering rendition of the stories contained in The Wise and the Foolish. Focus is on the textual sources employed, namely the Tibetan Buddhist canon (Kanjur), and the reception of the translation. Schiefner's corrections are also considered. This article further reflects on the historical contexts of Schmidt's life and wishes to add to our comprehension of Buddhist translations in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to use VOSviewer to undertake bibliometric analysis to map the primary areas of Tibetan Exile literature to create a taxonomy of topic subareas and a research plan on this issue. Two hundred eighty-one papers published between 1960 and 2021, which were extracted from the Scopus database, have been examined to evaluate their interconnection, clusters, and citations to build a text-based map. The study highlights the most cited document, essential journals publishing on the issue, important keywords, prominent authors, and discussions on Tibetan refugees; also classifying the subthemes and the leading author's name. The findings will guide researchers interested in contemporary Tibetan studies. This categorization table of subthemes explored in the last 61 years comprises the following subjects: identity & human rights, immigration, government, media, health, international politics, Dalai Lama, nationhood, preservation of culture, resettlement, and a new generation of Tibetans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores place–identity relationship by employing the concept of place-making in a prolonged exile context. It undertakes a study of the association of exiled Tibetan community with Dharamshala, the de-facto Tibetan capital-in-exile. I conceptualize this association through Tibetan place-making in two mutually inclusive processes. The first is the creation and recreation of an 'essentially Tibetan space' through visual and demographic landscape of the town. The second process constitutes the daily acts/practices that facilitate place-making. Consequently, I demonstrate the manner in which Tibetan place-making practices inculcate a sense of belonging with the place of residence thus depicting the association of place and identity among refugees. The article postulates the agency of Tibetan community in enabling visibility of Dharamshala as a marker of Tibetan exilic identity despite their marginal status as de facto refugees in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work focuses on the lived experiences of the Tibetan refugees in order to understand their way of life dedicated to the nation's freedom, lived only through imagination and narratives. Tibetan communities living inside and outside two Tibetan settlements, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, and Bylakuppe, Karnataka, in India, were interviewed. An analysis of 15 interviews showed that for participants, the meaning of being a true Tibetan depends on identification with the cultural and religious values specific to Tibet, perceiving their enemy as a substantial threat to Tibet's existence, and following non-violent ways to struggle for Tibet's cause. A determined sense of belonging only to a Tibet free from the atrocities of the enemy (thus not belonging to the current Tibetan Autonomous Region or anywhere else), along with challenges in exile and faith in present political strategies, motivates a phenomenon of everyday mobilization reflected in their rational life choices to free Tibet. This article contributes to a broader debate on the mobilization process for the continuity of a social movement amid statelessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and aims H-type hypertension is essential hypertension combined with high homocysteine, and both synergistically increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of H-type hypertension in Tibetan plateau population and correlation with MTHFR C677T gene. Methods and results A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select the research subjects in Tibet Autonomous Region from June 2020 to November 2021. Among Tibetans, the incidence of H-type hypertension accounted for 84.31% of hypertensive patients. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, uric acid (UA), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were risk factors for the prevalence of H-type hypertension, the OR (95% CI) was 1.083(1.073–1.094), 1.002(1.001–1.004), 1.240(1.050–1.464) and 2.274(1.432–3.611), respectively. MTHFR C677T TT genotype patients with H-type hypertension OR (95% CI) was 1.629(1.004–2.643). Based on this, a nomogram model was established, and the reliability of the model was proved by area under ROC curve, Brier score and average absolute error. The model’s results indicate that for every five years of age, the score increases by 6 points; for a 2mmol/L increase in TG, the score increases by 5.5 points; for a 1mmol/L increase in LDL-C, the score increases by 10 points; and individuals with the TT genotype receive 8 points. The higher the score, the greater the risk of disease. Conclusion The MTHFR C677T TT genotype is a risk locus for Tibetan patients with H-type hypertension, with age, TG, and LDL-C were identified as risk factors for the disease.

Three new species of genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861 are described from Tibet Autonomous Region, China. S. deshpandei sp. n. is described based on an adult male and an immature pair collected from Mêdog County, Nyingchi, with additional molecular evidence substantiating its validity against S. longimanus Pocock, 1893. S. kovariki sp. n. is featured by a single adult female from Zayü. This species is only weakly supported by its genetic distance from S. jendeki Kovařík, 1994, but empirical understanding of the morphological variation in Scorpiops species motivated us to consider them as distinct. S. matthewi sp. n. is based on three adult females, all collected from Xigazê. Its species delineation is based solely on morphological characteristics due to the lack of material of its morphological relative (S. rufus Lv & Di, 2023). New specimens of S. margerisonae Kovařík, 2000 are obtained from Nyêmo, Lhasa, and compared with S. wrzecionkoi Kovařík, 2020. A new term, "ocular islet", is introduced to portray the periocular morphology of Scorpiops median ocelli, categorized into four preliminary types. Finally, a comparative matrix summarizing the quantitative and qualitative diagnostic characters of Tibetan Scorpiops species based on preceding publications is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This article introduces a representative claims approach as a novel analytical framework to the field of diaspora politics. Supplemented with a network perspective, this approach offers a more nuanced understanding of the practices underpinning diasporic claims‐making. Applying it to the empirical case of the Tibetan diaspora, which is confronted with an authoritarian China, the study draws on the internet as a pivotal tool for diasporas to foster connections, mobilize and articulate their claims. By exploring the online network on the basis of a hyperlink and web‐content analysis, the article reveals the intertwined structure of the Tibetan diaspora online. A plethora of actors claim to speak on behalf of the voiceless people at home, advocating for the preservation of the unique Tibetan culture while also embracing global values to garner external support. This article contributes to the scholarly discussion on transnational engagement and representation in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During sea‐level exercise, blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses (IPAVA) in humans without a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is negatively correlated with pulmonary pressure. Yet, it is unknown whether the superior exercise capacity of Tibetans well adapted to living at high altitude is the result of lower pulmonary pressure during exercise in hypoxia, and whether their cardiopulmonary characteristics are significantly different from lowland natives of comparable ancestry (e.g. Han Chinese). We found a 47% PFO prevalence in male Tibetans (n = 19) and Han Chinese (n = 19) participants. In participants without a PFO (n = 10 each group), we measured heart structure and function at rest and peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$), peak power output (Ẇpeak${{\dot{W}}_{peak}}$), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), blood flow through IPAVA and cardiac output (Q̇T${{\dot{Q}}_{\mathrm{T}}} $) at rest and during recumbent cycle ergometer exercise at 760 Torr (SL) and at 410 Torr (ALT) barometric pressure in a pressure chamber. Tibetans achieved a higher Wpeak${W}_{\textit{peak}}$ than Han, and a higher V̇O2peak${{\dot{V}}_{{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{\mathrm{peak}}}}$ at ALT without differences in heart rate, stroke volume or Q̇T${{\dot{Q}}_{\mathrm{T}}} $. Blood flow through IPAVA was generally similar between groups. Increases in PASP and total pulmonary resistance at ALT were comparable between the groups. There were no differences in the slopes of PASP plotted as a function of Q̇T${{\dot{Q}}_{\mathrm{T}}} $ during exercise. In those without PFO, our data indicate that the superior aerobic exercise capacity of Tibetans over Han Chinese is independent of cardiopulmonary features and more probably linked to differences in local muscular oxygen extraction. Key points: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) prevalence was 47% in Tibetans and Han Chinese living at 2 275 m. Subjects with PFO were excluded from exercise studies.Compared to Han Chinese, Tibetans had a higher peak workload with acute compression to sea level barometric pressure (SL) and acute decompression to 5000 m altitude (ALT).Comprehensive cardiac structure and function at rest were not significantly different between Han Chinese and Tibetans.Tibetans and Han had similar blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses (IPAVA) during exercise at SL.Peak pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and total pulmonary resistance were different between SL and ALT, with significantly increased PASP for Han compared to Tibetans at ALT. No differences were observed between groups at acute SL and ALT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Khenpo Sodargye is one of the key second-generation Tibetan Buddhist leaders at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, who has been highly influential in transmitting the teachings of the Nyingma lineage to Chinese lay and monastic practitioners. Fundamental to this transmission is his ‘translation’ – in both linguistic and cultural terms – of the Tibetan tradition through the medium of both traditional and modern Chinese culture. Khenpo teaches Tibetan Buddhism to Chinese followers often using Chinese cultural terms and historiography, yet draws these into the Tibetan Buddhist, and specifically Nyingma lineage, normalising them with parallels already found in the Tibetan tradition. This cumulative ‘Eastern’ religiosity he sets up in oppositional terms to ‘Western’ modern influences which have led to a decline in values in modern China. One such example of using Chinese culture in this manner is his teaching on the Analects (Lunyu), which this paper seeks to explore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In his poetry and fiction, Alai creates a historiography of Eastern Tibet replete with the grandeur and magnificence of the past occasionally interposed with some oppressive cultural practices. It is a historiography motivated and energized by nostalgic lyricism, which helps locate and construct a symbolic Tibetan ethnicity. This article proposes that Alai's nostalgic lyricism critically reflects on the inversion of loss and the compensation of lack, thus articulating alternatives against the discontent of the present. In so doing, Alai formulates a minority position against the forces of deterministic historicism and discourse of linear modernity that have constantly placed the minority subject in modern China under threat of erasure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore tooth growth variation by regions and ethnicity in China, and to validate the modified Tibetan so as to assist in proposing a better approach. A total of 1320 orthopantomograms of Han children aged 4–14.99 were retrospectively collected from eastern and western regions of China. The Demirjian method and modified Tibetan method were applied. Results showed that dental maturity scores (DMS) in eastern children were significantly greater than western children. Age was overestimated by both methods in eastern children. MAE was 0.88 and 1.3 years by Demirjian method, 1.01 and 1.21 years by modified Tibetan method in eastern girls and boys respectively. In western children, age was significantly underestimated in girls and slightly overestimated by Demirjian method; by modified method, age was generally overestimated. MAE was 0.79 and 0.84 years by Demirjian method, 0.51 and 0.69 years by modified Tibetan method in girls and boys respectively. The current study reveals that tooth growth was significantly advanced in Eastern Han children compared with Western Han children. Ethnic variation between Eastern Han and Tibetan Chinese was substantial. Neither method was sufficiently accurate in Eastern Han children. The modified Tibetan method was reliable in Western Han children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crustal material from central Tibet is extruded in a clockwise direction along a belt on the eastern plateau. In the inner arc region of the escaping belt, the absence of key and detailed 3‐D crustal resistivity structure hinders a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic processes of material escape in both the inner and outer arc regions. Here, we conducted magnetotelluric imaging and obtained the crustal 3‐D resistivity structure in Sanjiang area. The results reveal the presence of two branched high‐conductivity anomaly belts in the middle crust. Combining with other resistivity and velocity models, we speculated that crustal flow is widely distributed in the middle crust of the Chuan‐Dian block. The crustal flow in the Sanjiang area may connect to that in the outer arc region. The crustal flow in the eastern part is extensively continuous, causing decoupling and flowing that facilitate intense horizontal movements and deformation of the upper crust. In the western Sanjiang area, the upper crust is strongly coupled with the lithosphere beneath the decoupling layer, resulting in weaker horizontal deformation, and fewer larger earthquakes. The initially weak crustal zone in the eastern Tibet may have been caused by uplift of hot mantle material. The high heat flow associated with uplift of hot mantle material and the frictional heating caused by the horizontal movement of weakly coupled crust further facilitated the formation of crustal flow in the outer arc region. The branched crustal flow in the Sanjiang area may have flowed from the outer arc region of the escaping belt. Plain Language Summary: The crustal flow model can well explain the expansion of the Tibetan Plateau in the eastern margin of the plateau, and the high‐conductivity bodies in the middle‐lower crust may reflect the morphology of crustal flow. In the Sanjiang area of eastern Tibet, we used magnetotelluric data from 41 sites to discover branched high‐conductivity belts in the middle crust through 3‐D imaging, which are different from the extensively continuous high‐conductivity layer in the eastern part. They reveal the differences in the morphology of crustal flow between the inner and outer arc regions of the material escaping belt. The difference in the morphology of high‐conductivity structures leads to different degrees of crustal mechanical coupling, which in turn is related to surface strain rate, topography, and seismic activities. We speculate that crustal flow initially originated from the outer arc region and gradually developed toward the inner arc region. Key Points: 3‐D magnetotelluric imaging confirmed the presence of branched crustal flow in Sanjiang area, eastern Tibetan PlateauCrustal flow is widely in the middle crust of the North Chuan‐Dian block and its morphologies in eastern and western are differentThe branched crustal flow in the Sanjiang area may have flowed from the outer arc region of the escaping belt [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snowy Mountains and Earth centers on the exchanges between Qiangba, the father, and Jiao Ba, the Tibetan family, and the development of the Animaqing Grassland, presenting the historical features of the construction of the Han and Tibetan the Chinese National Community in the flood of The Times. The rich local knowledge shows the unique natural landscape, living customs and spiritual beliefs of Tibet, consolidating the spiritual foundation of the construction of the Chinese nation community; Tibetan land as a method discards the Han and Tibetan "center-edge" opposition and "Han-Tibetan" mutual center of the defect, Taking and constructs of a new Chinese national community;The ingenious use of the mechanism of "exotic" replacement and "empathy" makes the "principle" of belief, the "emotion" of Han and Tibetan, and the "benefit" of development organically merge, forming the Chinese national community and supporting the vast text world of Snow Mountain and Earth. Snow Mountain Earth is a vivid and profound expression of the Chinese and Tibetan ethnic groups in the Animaqing grassland for half a century, composing a new era of the construction of the Chinese National Community, and can be called the conclusion of Yang Zhijun's novel creation and spiritual exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Palm kernel meal (PKM) is a by-product of oil palm kernel after oil extraction, which is widely used in animal feeds due to its high energy content. This study aimed to investigate the impact of supplementing Tibetan sheep with PKM on their hepatic phenotype, oxidative stress and immune response. A total of 120 Tibetan lambs (Initial weight = 12.37 ± 0.92 kg) were randomly assigned into four groups: control group (C group, 0% PKM diet), low group (L group, 15% PKM diet), middle group (M group, 18% PKM diet), and high group (H group, 21% PKM diet) on a dry matter basis. The feeding experiment was performed for 130 d, including a 10 d adaption period. Results: Results showed that the level of GSH-Px were higher in the H and M groups than in the C and L groups (P < 0.05). The levels of IgM and TNF-α were higher in the M group when compared to those on the C group (P < 0.05). The level of IgA was significantly higher in the M group than in the H group (P < 0.05). Additionally, compared with the others groups, the hepatocytes in the M group displayed a radial arrangement, forming hepatic plates that were centered around the central vein. The transcriptome results revealed that proteasome 26 S subunit, ATPase 3 (PSMC3), proteasome 26 S subunit, ATPase 5 (PSMC5), proteasome 26 S subunit ubiquitin receptor, non-ATPase 4 (PSMD4), proteasome activator subunit 1 (PSME1), acyl-CoA dehydrogenase short/branched chain (ACADSB), enoyl-CoA hydratase, short chain 1 (ECHS1), serine dehydratase (SDS), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), and phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) were the hub genes regulating the amino acid metabolism in the liver. Conclusions: In summary, dietary 18% PMK supplementation contributed to improve the hepatic phenotype, oxidative stress and immune response through regulating the expression of related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption performance of titanium-based lithium ion sieves for Li+ through H+–Li+ exchange is greatly limited by the pH value of brine. To improve the adsorption capacity of HTO-P (formed titanium-based lithium ion sieves) for Li+, the adsorption characteristics and dynamic performance in Tibetan brine–NaHCO3 (NaHCO3 as a buffer added into the brine used) were studied. The addition of NaHCO3 reduces the aggregation of H+ and maintains the pH value at ∼7.5, which also accelerates the mass transfer rate of Li+ in the initial adsorption stage. Compared with Tibetan brine, the equilibrium adsorption capacity and recovery ratio of HTO-P for Li+ in Tibetan brine–NaHCO3 increase by 60% and 70%, respectively, and the adsorption equilibrium time is shortened by one-third. Moreover, the dynamic saturated adsorption capacity of HTO-P for Li+ reaches 14.25 mg g−1 in Tibetan brine–NaHCO3. This work provides a basis for the direct lithium adsorption and extraction process from salt lake brines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional medicine, 'LuRu', is a commonly used Tibetan medicine for clearing away heat and detoxifying. Dried products of Pedicularis flava and Pedicularis muscicola are often used as 'LuRu' in the market. This study aims to compare the chemical constituents of P. flava and P. muscicola using GC-MS and UPLC-TOF-MS, and confirm which plant species is more suitable to be used as 'LuRu'. A total of 46 and 68 compounds were identified from the volatile and non-volatile components, respectively. Out of these, 17 and 37 volatile and non-volatile components, respectively, had pharmacological activities. P. flava showed a higher content of the same active components than P. muscicola. Good biological activities are only observed in the unique components in P. flava, and not in P. muscicola. The two herbs should not be mixed in clinical medication. Our study shows that P. flava is better suited as a high-quality herb for the Tibetan medicine, 'LuRu'. Volatile components of Tibetan Pedicularis flava and Pedicularis muscicola were analysed for the first timewiooi. Non-volatile components of Tibetan Pedicularis flava and Pedicularis muscicola were analysed for the first time. Differences in chemical composition and content between Pedicularis flava and Pedicularis muscicola were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disparities in phonetics and corpuses across the three major dialects of Tibetan exacerbate the difficulty of a single task model for one dialect to accommodate other different dialects. To address this issue, this paper proposes task-diverse meta-learning. Our model can acquire more comprehensive and robust features, facilitating its adaptation to the variations among different dialects. This study uses Tibetan dialect ID recognition and Tibetan speaker recognition as the source tasks for meta-learning, which aims to augment the ability of the model to discriminate variations and differences among different dialects. Consequently, the model's performance in Tibetan multi-dialect speech recognition tasks is enhanced. The experimental results show that task-diverse meta-learning leads to improved performance in Tibetan multi-dialect speech recognition. This demonstrates the effectiveness and applicability of task-diverse meta-learning, thereby contributing to the advancement of speech recognition techniques in multi-dialect environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: H-type hypertension is essential hypertension combined with high homocysteine, and both synergistically increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of H-type hypertension in Tibetan plateau population and correlation with MTHFR C677T gene. Methods and results: A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select the research subjects in Tibet Autonomous Region from June 2020 to November 2021. Among Tibetans, the incidence of H-type hypertension accounted for 84.31% of hypertensive patients. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, uric acid (UA), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were risk factors for the prevalence of H-type hypertension, the OR (95% CI) was 1.083(1.073–1.094), 1.002(1.001–1.004), 1.240(1.050–1.464) and 2.274(1.432–3.611), respectively. MTHFR C677T TT genotype patients with H-type hypertension OR (95% CI) was 1.629(1.004–2.643). Based on this, a nomogram model was established, and the reliability of the model was proved by area under ROC curve, Brier score and average absolute error. The model's results indicate that for every five years of age, the score increases by 6 points; for a 2mmol/L increase in TG, the score increases by 5.5 points; for a 1mmol/L increase in LDL-C, the score increases by 10 points; and individuals with the TT genotype receive 8 points. The higher the score, the greater the risk of disease. Conclusion: The MTHFR C677T TT genotype is a risk locus for Tibetan patients with H-type hypertension, with age, TG, and LDL-C were identified as risk factors for the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the grammaticalization patterns of evidentiality from a cross-linguistic perspective with a focus on Lhasa Tibetan. It documents the history of the evidential morphemes 'dug, -song, -bzhag, and =ze from Old Literary Tibetan to modern spoken Lhasa Tibetan. Our analyses show that these morphemes started grammaticalizing before encoding evidentiality. We argue that, through pragmatic strengthening, evidentiality tends to infiltrate forms which have already grammaticalized to express other semantic domains. These patterns of grammaticalization are confirmed by diachronic and reconstructed data from genetically unrelated languages. Evidentiality thus tends to be a 'grammaticalization passenger' (i.e., a conventionalized meaning which used to be merely implied from the recurrent contexts of a grammaticalized form) rather than a 'grammaticalization target' (i.e., a functional domain which triggers grammaticalization). This may explain why evidentiality is less often grammaticalized than other notions, such as time or modality, in the world's languages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that the evidential system of Khams Tibetan, a cluster of Tibetic languages spoken in the south-eastern Tibetosphere, should be considered a verb paradigm. We propose a paradigm with six evidential categories (egophoric, statemental, visual sensory, nonvisual sensory, sensory inferential, and logical inferential) for all the verb classes. We focus on two varieties – rGyalthang and Lhagang – and examine how these evidential categories are encoded with distinct morphemes. We then discuss the main evidential forms of the copulative and existential verbs available in Khams Tibetan varieties as a whole, as well as their morphological relationship. Our analyses lead us to argue against a differential treatment of evidentiality depending on verb categories. The article concludes that describing the evidential paradigm may be the first essential task in writing a grammar of a Tibetic language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The published literature concerning Lower to mid-Cretaceous (late Barremian–Albian, early Cenomanian) Tibetan Orbitolinidae suggests an apparent extreme high diversity with almost exclusive reference to taxa displaying a complex embryo (subfamily Orbitolininae). The majority of them, among Orbitolina pileus Fossa Mancini described in the late twenties from the border areas of Ladakh (India) and Tibet (China), however need taxonomic reconsideration. The original images of O. pileus are herein interpreted as a mixture of a high-conical mesorbitolinid (of unclear species identity) and a section of Palorbitolinoides orbiculatus Zhang described in the early 80ies from Tibet. The concluding new nomenclatural act considers P. orbiculatus a junior synonym of O. pileus validated herein as Palorbitolinoides pileus (Fossa-Mancini) comb. nov. with the designation of a lectotype. The present study refers to data from the literature and own material from the Albian Langshan Fm. of the northern Lhasa Block of Tibet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deglaciation due to warming climate has left a great amount of glacial tills in ravine slopes and channels in southern Tibet, which can lead to destructive debris flows and pose great threats to downstream residents and infrastructures. The mechanical properties and grain size characteristics of glacial tills are key factors that influence the initiation and development of these debris flows. In this work, a series of consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial compression tests under different confining pressures were carried out on Zelongnong glacial tills at various relative densities of 9.2%, 49.5%, 69.0% and 88.7%. The grain size distribution change before and after the CU tests was also determined. Results show that the glacial tills at relative densities of 9.2%, 49.5% and 69.0% exhibited a remarkable strain-softening and contractive behaviour during shearing, while those at a relative density of 88.7% presented a dilatant behaviour. As the relative density increased, the shear strength, elastic modulus and shearing friction angle increased, reducing the liquefaction potential. Based on the increasing rate of mechanical resistance with the increasing relative density, a critical value of 69.0% was identified to appreciate the distinct mechanical responses of the specimens. From the grain size distributions before and after CU tests, the content of grains with a diameter larger than 0.85 mm decreased due to the grain breakage while that of grains smaller than 0.3 mm increased. The higher the specimen relative density, the larger the grain breakage ratio owing to the increasing friction resistance. This grain breakage in turn causes a downward shift of the critical state line on the plane of void ratio and mean effective stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the three main divergent lineages of gray wolf (Canis lupus), the Holarctic lineage is the most widespread and best studied, particularly in North America and Europe. Less is known about Tibetan (also called Himalayan) and Indian wolf lineages in southern Asia, especially in areas surrounding Pakistan where all three lineages are thought to meet. Given the endangered status of the Indian wolf in neighboring India and unclear southwestern boundary of the Tibetan wolf range, we conducted mitochondrial and genome-wide sequencing of wolves from Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. Sequences of the mitochondrial D-loop region of 81 wolves from Pakistan indicated contact zones between Holarctic and Indian lineages across the northern and western mountains of Pakistan. Reduced-representation genome sequencing of eight wolves indicated an east-to-west cline of Indian to Holarctic ancestry, consistent with a contact zone between these two lineages in Pakistan. The western boundary of the Tibetan lineage corresponded to the Ladakh region of India's Himalayas with a narrow zone of admixture spanning this boundary from the Karakoram Mountains of northern Pakistan into Ladakh, India. Our results highlight the conservation significance of Pakistan's wolf populations, especially the remaining populations in Sindh and Southern Punjab that represent the highly endangered Indian lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the iconicity of reduplication has been addressed by many researchers, not enough attention has been paid to the distinct character of modified reduplication in opposition to full reduplication. Modified reduplication is here defined as the juxtaposition of two similar but not identical phonological forms which differ in vowel quality (e.g. English chit-chat, Lhasa Tibetan zam zom 'careless work', Tshangla napanopo 'silly') or in initial consonant (e.g. English hotchpotch, Lhasa Tibetan 'a la ma la 'confused, unconnected, irregular'). This paper describes the uses of modified reduplication in five languages spoken in the Himalayas: Central Tibetan (bod), Denjongke (sip, Tibetic), Lhomi (lhm, Tibetic), Tshangla (tsj, Sino-Tibetan, Bodish) and Duhumbi (cvg, Kho-Bwa). The data, which come both from published sources (Bodt 2020, Naga & Rigzin 1994, Yliniemi 2021, Nitartha online dictionary of Tibetan) and heretofore unpublished material, show that modified reduplication in the aforementioned languages is associated with four types of iconicity: (1) duality/plurality of similar but not identical sounds (e.g. Denjongke tʽaŋtʽiŋ 'cling clang'), (2) duality/plurality of similar but not identical items (e.g. Denjongke dakdok 'occurring as an assortment of small items of various sizes'), (3) duality/plurality of similar but not identical locations (e.g. Tibetan thar thor 'scattered'), also suggesting motion between locations (e.g. Tibetan lang ling 'drifting, swinging'), and (4) nonnormativity arising from the comparison of two similar but non-identical forms (e.g. Tshangla thapathopo 'slow-witted', zhalangzholong 'shapeless; useless [of people]'). In four of the five languages (others than Lhomi) a~o vowel modification is strongly associated with nonnormativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Permafrost and seasonally frozen soil are widely distributed on the Qinghai--Tibetan Plateau, and the freezing--thawing cycle can lead to frequent phase changes in soil water, which can have important impacts on ecosystems. Methods: To understand the process of soil freezing-thawing and to lay the foundation for grassland ecosystems to cope with complex climate change, this study analyzed and investigated the hydrothermal data of Xainza Station on the Northern Tibet from November 2019 to October 2021. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the fluctuation of soil temperature showed a cyclical variation similar to a sine (cosine) curve; the deep soil temperature change was not as drastic as that of the shallow soil, and the shallow soil had the largest monthly mean temperature in September and the smallest monthly mean temperature in January. The soil water content curve was U-shaped; with increased soil depth, the maximum and minimum values of soil water content had a certain lag compared to that of the shallow soil. The daily freezing-thawing of the soil lasted 179 and 198 days and the freezing-thawing process can be roughly divided into the initial freezing period (November), the stable freezing period (December--early February), the early ablation period (mid- February to March), and the later ablation period (March--end of April), except for the latter period when the average temperature of the soil increased with the increase in depth. The trend of water content change with depth at all stages of freezing-thawing was consistent, and negative soil temperature was one of the key factors affecting soil moisture. This study is important for further understanding of hydrothermal coupling and the mechanism of the soil freezing-thawing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article continues a series of publications on Tibetan texts dedicated to various Buddhist deities, discovered in Khara-Khoto within a large corpus of texts from the Tangut State period (11th-13th centuries). While the main part of this corpus was brought by Petr Kozlov to Saint Petersburg in 1909, a small yet significant collection was later acquired by Aurel Stein as a result of his 1913-1915 expedition. Among Stein's collection kept at the British Library (London) is a single manuscript folio, IOL Tib M 143, which contains what appears to be an entire text entitled Gtsug gtor rnam par rgyal ma'i bstod pa byin brlabs can ("The Hymn to Uṣṇīṣavijayā with the Blessing"), the colophon lacking any other details including the author's name. It is one of several pieces of textual evidence highlighting the important role of the cult of the goddess Uṣṇīṣavijayā, one of the most popular long-life deities, in 12th and early 13th century Tangut Buddhism. I would date the manuscript to this period as it features some elements of old orthography. This hymn is not found in the Tibetan Buddhist canon and may have been composed by a Tibetan-speaking author. This assumption is indirectly supported by the analysis of the assonances, alliterations and sometimes even rhymes in the text, which reveal a high level of poetic craftsmanship. Such sophistication might be less expected from a translation, although this does not preclude the possibility of a translation being equally skillful. The text consists of eight stanzas of praise and two stanzas of prayer, the latter seemingly referred to as "the blessing" in the title. The praising part moves from describing Uṣṇīṣavijayā's divine nature, merits, and main iconographic features to her spiritual and soteriological roles. The iconographic part is not very detailed, it omits attributes held by her in the eight hands or colors of her three faces. However, I provide these details in my paper for a fuller picture. The text of the manuscript is published as a diplomatic transliteration, where I attempted to address several issues with unclear places, particularly reconstructing lacunas caused by holes in the folio. I believe that, except for one or two instances, I was able to arrive at a reliable version. The full English translation of the text is also supplied. While the hymn does not explicitly provide any historical information concerning the cult of Uṣṇīṣavijayā among the Tanguts, this edition may prove useful for scholars of Tangut Buddhism. Perhaps they will be able to identify its Tangut or Chinese version among Khara-Khoto fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is dedicated to the contextual study of the Bhadracaryāpraṇidhāna (Tib. Bzang spyod smon lam), i.e., Aspiration for Good Conduct, one of the most important Mahāyāna aspiration prayers (Skt. praṇidhāna, Tib. smon lam). The aim of the paper is to examine the Sanskrit text of the Bhadracaryāpraṇidhāna, including its dates, literary genre, doctrinal context, textual witnesses, and references in other ancient Indian texts, and then explore its Tibetan translation - the history of its creation, translators, and an alternative translation version preserved within the Dunhuang collection of Tibetan manuscripts. The historical context of the Sanskrit Bhadracaryāpraṇidhāna is chronologically limited to the time starting from the date of historical Buddha (c. the 5th century BCE) to the end of the 12th century CE when Buddhism largely disappeared from India, and the historical context of its Tibetan translation - to the time of early spread (snga dar) (c. 641-842) and later spread (spyi dar) (986 - the beginning of the 14th century) of Buddhism in Tibet. Thereby the paper contributes to the field of Mahāyāna philosophical and linguistic research in general, and to the further advancement of scholarship on the Bhadracaryāpraṇidhāna in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the amplitude attribute analysis of ground penetrating radar (GPR) data, this paper applies GPR to the identification of internal damages and abnormal objects in stone walls of Tibetan ruins. The corresponding relationship between the characteristics of internal damages and abnormal objects and the radar data is explored through the Tibetan stone walls (TSWs) simulation test. The identification of location and size of the damages and abnormal objects in TSWs is realized based on the Mahalanobis distance abnormal data discrimination method. Using the normal distribution and the noncentral chi-square distribution, the identification law of types of the damages and abnormal objects is constructed, which takes root mean square (RMS) amplitude and interface reflection coefficient as the characteristic values. The field detection results of TSWs at three Tibetan sites are taken as an extension and supplement to the simulation results, and a set of identification atlas for the location, size and type of the internal damages and abnormal objects in TSWs is established. The application results of the identification atlas were verified by the field detection and the results show that the atlas has a high accuracy, which can significantly improve the efficiency of the identification, and can provide a basis for the performance research, protection and maintenance of TSWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan Plateau is well‐known for its expansive wetland environments. Hydric soils, a fundamental component of these environments, exhibit diverse hydraulic characteristics attributable to their varied botanical and mineralogical composition and their inherent porous structures. Nonetheless, research on the hydraulic properties of such soils in Tibet remains notably underrepresented relative to European and Canadian regions. Consequently, in this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of different unsaturated hydraulic schemes in equilibrium and examine the parameter uncertainty of 14 undisturbed samples collected from four soligenous wetlands. The findings suggest that both the van Genuchten and Kosugi functions, when integrated with the Peters‐Iden‐Durner (PDI) model, yield a nearly consistent fit to experimental observations and demonstrate strong identifiability of parameters. This indicates that the PDI model can accurately characterize hydraulic properties across the complete moisture range of hydric soils. Analysis of samples with a low clay content and no sphagnum suggests that the intertwined, twisted, and hollow residues of herbaceous vascular tissues do not create a distinct, independent macro‐pore system. Therefore, the unimodal scheme integrating the PDI model is adequate. However, for samples that exhibit nonmonotonicity of the first‐order derivative of the retention curve, such as uncompacted samples containing sphagnum or samples rich in clay, the integration of the PDI model into the bimodal scheme boosts accuracy while having almost negligible impact on identifiability. The varied observed hydraulic properties of only 14 samples underscore the necessity for extensive hydric‐soil sampling and hydraulic analysis across the expansive and varied wetland landscapes on the Tibetan Plateau. Plain Language Summary: The alpine wetlands of the Tibetan Plateau have given rise to a diverse array of wetland soils. Considering the plateau monsoon climate characteristics, this study focuses on soil water retention and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity across the complete soil moisture range. The results indicate that, regardless of the non‐hydraulic physical properties of these wetland soils, employing a hydraulic model that integrates capillary flow models with a simplified film flow model can significantly enhance the accuracy of the inverse modeling method in determining hydraulic properties. Given the diverse wetland environments and the vast expanse of the Tibetan Plateau, it is essential to conduct extensive field soil sampling and laboratory analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the soil hydraulic properties. Currently, the hydraulic parameters provided by this study may be reasonable choices for simulating land surface and hydrological processes related to the plateau wetland soils. Key Points: A pioneering analysis determines the hydraulic properties of hydric soils on the Tibetan PlateauDiverse hydraulic properties and their association with varied vegetation remnants and mineral compositions are revealedA basis is provided for selecting soil unsaturated hydraulic schemes for Tibetan wetlands and peatlands [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medium of instruction (MoI) in the bilingual education of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture is regulated through two modes. The first stipulates that Putonghua should be used for most school subjects, while the second requires exclusive use of Putonghua as the MoI for all subjects. In 2023, a field trip was conducted to investigate the ongoing implementation of MoI in bilingual schools for Tibetan students in Aba Prefecture. This research initially examines the current bilingual education situation for Tibetans in two local schools, with a focus on classroom teaching supported by the first MoI mode. It reveals that translanguaging pedagogy is a primary practical strategy employed to adapt to the transition from the first MoI mode to the second. Furthermore, it scrutinises attitudes and localised strategies of teachers, students and parents towards this transitional process, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current medium of instruction for Tibetan students. The findings indicate that (1) teachers' translanguaging practices significantly contribute across three dimensions; (2) stakeholders' attitudes towards bilingual education transformation vary; and (3) partial national initiatives offer support to promote the transition in different ways. Finally, this paper briefly summarises existing discrepancies related to MoI transitions and translanguaging practice, and offers insights into future developments in MoI transition for minority ethnic students attending bilingual schools in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Science Edition) is the property of Editorial Board of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As part of the unique Tibetan culture, Tibetan Buddhism is associated with traditional educational influence on Tibetan children's self-development, such as psychological resilience and self-harmony. Social mentalities, an individual's cognitions and feelings of fundamental social relations and phenomena, are also influenced by minority social culture, including Tibetan Buddhism concepts. This study hypothesizes and explores the serial mediating roles of psychological resilience and self-harmony between faith in Tibetan Buddhism and positive social mentalities in Tibetan primary and secondary school students. For this purpose, 1007 Tibetan primary and secondary school students who believed in Tibetan Buddhism were surveyed using a cross-sectional design. The results showed that faith in Tibetan Buddhism was not directly associated with positive social mentalities. However, psychological resilience and self-harmony had serial mediating effects on the relationship between faith in Tibetan Buddhism and positive social mentalities, and it is a wholly mediated effect. It means that students who have faith in Tibetan Buddhism have higher levels of psychological resilience and self-harmony, resulting in more positive social mentalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how age and body size vary across elevations can provide insights into the evolution of life‐history traits in animals. In the present study, we compared the demographic (using skeletochronology) and morphological traits of the Tibetan toad (Bufo tibetanus) between two populations from different elevational habitats (2650 vs. 3930 m). We found that (1) the mean age and body size of females were significantly greater than those of males in both populations; (2) both sexes of toads from the higher elevation tended to be significantly older in age and larger in body size; (3) there was a significant positive relationship between age and body size within each sex of the toad at both elevations; and (4) growth rates varied between the two populations, with the higher rate observed in the lower‐elevation population. Our results suggested that factors other than age, such as elevation‐associated temperature, influence the observed differences in body size between the two populations. Future research at a broader range of elevations should focus on these factors and evaluate their influence on animal growth patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotype plasticity and evolution adaptations are the two main ways in which allow populations to deal with environmental changes, but the potential relationship between them remains controversial. Using a reciprocal transplant approach with cattle adapted to the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent lowlands, we aim to investigate the relative contributions of evolutionary processes and phenotypic plasticity in driving both phenotypic and transcriptomic changes under natural conditions. We observed that while numerous genetic transcriptomic changes were evident during the forward adaptation to highland environments, plastic changes predominantly facilitate the transformation of transcriptomes into a preferred state when Tibetan cattle are reintroduced to lowland habitats. Genes with ancestral plasticity are generally reversed by evolutionary adaptations and show a closer expression level to the ancestral stage in evolved Tibetan cattle. A similar trend was also observed at the phenotypes level, with a majority of biochemical and hemorheology phenotypes showing a tendency to revert to their ancestral patterns, suggesting the restoration of ancestral expression levels is a widespread evolutionary trend during adaptation. The findings of our study contribute to the debate regarding the relative contributions of plasticity and genetic changes in mammal environment adaptation. Furthermore, we highlight that the restoration of ancestral phenotypes represents a general pattern in cattle new environment adaptation. Our findings reveal that while numerous genetic transcriptomic changes were observed during the forward adaptation to highland environments, plastic changes predominantly facilitate the transformation of transcriptomes into a preferred state when Tibetan cattle are reintroduced to lowland habitats. Genes exhibiting ancestral plasticity generally undergo reversal through evolutionary adaptations, resulting in closer expression levels resembling their ancestral stage in evolved Tibetan cattle. A similar trend was also observed at the phenotype level, where a majority of biochemical and hemorheology traits displayed a tendency to revert to their ancestral patterns, suggesting that restoration of ancestral expression levels is a widespread evolutionary trend during adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the levels of dietary protein is an effective nutritional approach in lowering feed cost and nitrogen emissions in ruminants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Lys/Met ratio in a low protein diet (10%, dry matter basis) on the growth performance and hepatic function (antioxidant capacity, immune status, and glycolytic activity) in Tibetan lambs. Ninety two-month-old rams with an average weight of 15.37 ± 0.92 kg were randomly assigned to LP-L (dietary Lys/Met = 1:1), LP-M (dietary Lys/Met = 2:1) and LP-H (dietary Lys/Met = 3:1) treatments. The trial was conducted over 100 d, including 10 d of adaption to the diets. Hepatic phenotypes, antioxidant capacity, immune status, glycolytic activity and gene expression profiling was detected after the conclusion of the feeding trials. The results showed that the body weight was higher in the LP-L group when compared to those on the LP-M group (P < 0.05). In addition, the activities of the catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the LP-L group were significantly increased compared with the LP-M group (P < 0.05), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in LP-H group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with LP-H group, both hepatic glycogen (P < 0.01) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < 0.05) were significantly elevated in LP-L group. For the LP-L group, the hepatocytes were arranged radially with the central vein in the center, and hepatic plates exhibited tight arrangement. Transcriptome analysis identified 29, 179, and 129 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the LP-M vs. LP-L, LP-H vs. LP-M, and LP-H vs. LP-L groups, respectively (Q-values < 0.05 and |log2Fold Change| > 1). Gene Ontology (GO) and correlation analyses showed that in the LP-L group, core genes (C1QA and JUNB) enriched in oxidoreductase activity were positively correlated with antioxidant indicators, while the MYO9A core gene enriched in the immune response was positively associated with immune indicators, and core genes enriched in molecular function (PDK3 and PDP2) were positively correlated with glycolysis indicators. In summary, low-protein diet with a low Lys/Met ratio (1:1) could reduce the hepatic oxidative stress and improve the glycolytic activity by regulating the expression of related genes of Tibetan sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Seventh Dalai Lama's residence at Gartar Monastery, which began in 1730, greatly affected the relationship between the Kham region and the Tibetan government as well as the Qing court's control over Kham. The Dalai Lama's interactions with various indigenous leaders, local monasteries, monks and lay people increased the influence of the Geluk school in Kham, and also inspired their support for the Dalai Lama. Measures adopted by the Qing court to protect the Dalai Lama, such as stationing troops and inspecting checkpoints, also strengthened Qing control of Kham. After the Dalai Lama left for Tibet in 1735, Gartar Monastery continued to serve as a religious and cultural centre of northern Kham, with the purpose of "civilizing" and "enlightening" the neighbouring regions that were far away from the political centre. Successive abbots of Gartar Monastery – right up to 1920 – came from Drepung Monastery in Lhasa; they and the Gartar monks influenced, interfered with and controlled the local affairs of Gartar and other regions in Kham. In particular, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Gartar Monastery, together with the Tibetan commissioner in Nyarong, was able to assist in the Tibetan government's efforts to extend its sphere of influence in Kham. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]